Patent Publication Number: US-7896266-B1

Title: Wheeled attachment for pressure washer

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/138,076 filed on Dec. 16, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to pressure washers and, more particularly, is concerned with a wheeled attachment for a conventional pressure washer. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Pressure washers and attachments have been described in the prior art, however, none of the prior art devices disclose the unique features of the present invention. 
     In U.S. Patent Application Publication 2008/0000501 dated Jan. 3, 2008, Sprecher disclosed a pressure cleaner accessory. In U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0265820 dated Nov. 30, 2006, Erlich, et al., disclosed an adaptable nozzle attachment for a pool cleaner. In U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0081899 dated Apr. 21, 2005, Shannon disclosed an adjustable spacer attachment for a pressure washer. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,363 dated Aug. 17, 2004, Falletta, et al., disclosed a carriage attachment for a power washer. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,678 dated Dec. 12, 2000, Lange disclosed an apparatus for applying fluids to various types and locations of surfaces. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,412 dated Oct. 10, 1995, Agee disclosed a high pressure surface washing device. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,330 dated Dec. 19, 1989, Woodhall, et al., disclosed a washer attachment for a suction cleaner. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,832,069 dated Aug. 27, 1974, Petsch disclosed a cleaning apparatus. 
     While these pressure washers and attachments may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for a wheeled attachment for use with a conventional pressure washer wherein the attachment comprises a wheeled platform having an inlet to receive fluid from the pressure washer along with a plurality of outlet nozzles for spraying water and/or cleaning fluid directly onto a relatively wide area of the surface to be cleaned. The present invention is expected to be most effective for cleaning horizontal surfaces such as concrete sidewalks and driveways. The present invention further comprises first and second height-adjustable wheels for attachment to the sides of the platform along with a splash guard disposed on the rear of the platform for protecting the user from overspray. A manifold connects the single inlet to the plurality of outlets in order to transfer fluid from the inlet to the outlets so that fluid is uniformly applied to the surface to be cleaned. 
     An object of the present invention is to allow for faster, more efficient cleaning of horizontal surfaces such as walks and driveways by allowing a relatively large area to be cleaned at any one time. A further object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning attachment which can be easily operated by the user utilizing one hand during operation. A further object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for a pressure washer that minimizes body, i.e., arm, back and leg, fatigue to the user. A further object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for a pressure washer which allows for applying fluid at different angles by simply changing hand heights on the present invention. A further object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for a pressure washer which uses standard available connections in addition to having easily interchangeable spray nozzles and related appurtenances and/or components. An additional object of the present invention is to allow a combination of cleaning properties due to the ability to make changes in the wheel height, number of spray nozzles and orifices, spray angle of individual nozzles, as well as the overall angle of the platform of the present invention. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention shown in operative connection. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view taken from the rear of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the underside of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.
           10  present invention     12  conventional pressure washer     14  hose     15  spray     16  handle     17  extension wand     18  platform     20  quick connect fitting     22  user     24  hand     25  surface     26  top     27  bottom     28  front     30  rear     32  first side wheel     34  second side wheel     36  height adjustment mechanism     38  splash guard     40  inlet     42  cap     44  manifold     46  outlet nozzle     47  water spray nozzle     48  quick connect fitting     50  aperture     52  axle     54  aperture     55  nut     58  apertures     59  grommet     60  manifold inlet     62  manifold outlet     64  trigger       

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail at least one embodiment of the present invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the present invention to the particular embodiments described herein since practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention the reader is directed to the appended claims.  FIGS. 1 through 4  illustrate the present invention wherein a wheeled attachment for a pressure washer is disclosed. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , therein is shown the present invention  10  for use as a wheeled attachment to a conventional pressure washer  12  being connected to the conventional pressure washer  12  through the use of a hose  14  and a gripping handle  16  having a trigger  64  thereon for controlling fluid flow wherein the distal end of the handle is attached to the upper surface of platform  18  of the present invention using an extension wand  17  having on its distal end a quick connect fitting  20 . The wheels are shown at  32 ,  34  with height adjustment mechanism  36 . A user  22  is controlling the handle  16  of the present invention  10  in his hand  24 . The present invention  10  is expected to be particularly useful for cleaning horizontal surfaces  25  such as sidewalks, walkways, driveways, decks, docks, and other horizontal surfaces by applying a wide path of cleaning fluid spray  15  to surface being cleaned. Note that the spray  15  from the outlets overlaps so as to provide a wide cleaning path and eliminate streaking caused by the cleaning fluid. Also shown is splash guard  38  which may be made of many materials including rubber or like material and may be flexible. 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , therein is shown the present invention  10  showing the upper surface portion  26  of the platform  18  having a front  28  and a rear  30  showing a pair of wheels  32 ,  34  connected to the first and second sides of the platform  18 . Note that each of the wheels  32 ,  34  is height adjustable using a conventional height adjustment mechanism  36  as would be done in the standard manner by one skilled in the art. Also shown is a flexible flap  38  disposed on the rear  30  of platform  18  extending from the platform down to the horizontal surface  24  (not shown see  FIG. 1 ) which has the purpose of protecting the user from overspray of cleaning fluids from the present invention  10 . Also shown is the male portion of inlet/coupling  40  for receiving quick connect fitting  20  (not shown see  FIG. 1 ) which serves as the fluid inlet for the present invention  10  along with a plurality of apertures  50  which serve as a storage receptacle for spare spray nozzles and/or plugs. Also shown is axle  52  of wheel  32 ,  34 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , therein is shown the lower surface or underside  27  of platform  18  showing the front  28  and the plurality of storage apertures  50  which serve as a storage location for various quick disconnect fittings. Also shown are the wheels  32 ,  34  along with the height adjustment mechanisms  36 , axle  52  and flexible flap  38 . Also shown is a manifold  44  which receives water from inlet  40  (not shown, see  FIG. 2 ) along with a plurality of spaced apart outlet spray nozzles  46  each being attached to manifold  44  through a quick connect fitting  48  which spaced apart outlet spray nozzles allow for application of a wide path of spray to the surface being cleaned. A water spray nozzle is shown at  47 . Caps/plugs  42  (shown exploded for clarity) may be installed on the two outer outlet spray nozzles  46  so that only spray from the central nozzle  46  would be permitted. Any of the outlets  46  could be capped using caps/plugs  42  to suit the operational requirements of the user. 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , therein is shown the present invention  10  comprising flexible flap  38 , platform  18 , a plurality of apertures  58  with rubber grommets  59  for receiving various fittings along with the inlet nozzle  40  having a pair of wheels  32 ,  34  thereon and wherein each wheel comprises a height adjustment mechanism  36  wherein each height adjustment mechanism has an axle  52  with nuts  55  thereon for insertion into the apertures  54  of wheels  32 ,  34 . Also shown is the manifold  44  with threaded inlet aperture  60  having a plurality of threaded outlets apertures  62  for receiving outlet fittings  48 , each having quick connect fittings thereon for receiving a plurality of outlet nozzles  46 ,  47  and caps/plugs  42 .