Patent Publication Number: US-9849472-B2

Title: Dual control spray nozzle with detachable head

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a nonprovisional application of and claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/121,155 filed on Feb. 26, 2015. The foregoing application is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a sprayer nozzle that is connectable to an end of a pressurized hose. More particularly, the invention relates to a handheld water sprayer nozzle connectable to an end of a pressurized water hose and having dual control levers connected to a rotational internal valve that can be controlled by only a user&#39;s thumb to comfortably and easily turn on and off water pressure through the sprayer nozzle and one or more detachable heads that vary in certain parameters. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional handheld water sprayers, also called nozzles, that are connectable to a pressurized hose and that have a rotary or spring valve to control the spray pressure generally include only one pressure control lever or button. This single control lever or button is typically located on one side of the sprayer. A problem arises with only having one control lever or button on one side of the sprayer when a user flips over or inverts the sprayer so that the spray head is oriented to spray water in a vertical or upward direction or angle. When held by a user in this orientation, conventional sprayers are difficult and very uncomfortable for the user to hold and control while pushing the lever or button to spray water upward, for example, when trying to spray under a car or other low downward-facing surface. The spray nozzle may also be attached to a hose for use as a hand-held bidet for spraying water under and onto a perineal area of user who is sitting on a toilet. In addition, conventional handheld sprayers do not have a detachable spray head that permits different length spray heads and different spray patterns to be attached for multiple uses. 
     A need exists for a dual control sprayer nozzle that a user can easily and comfortably hold, control, and operate in different orientations including, without limitation, an inverted upward orientation, using only the user&#39;s thumb. A need also exists for a sprayer nozzle that permits the attachment of various detachable spray heads having different lengths and spray patterns suitable for different uses. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention relates to a sprayer nozzle that is connectable to an end of a pressurized hose, wherein the sprayer nozzle has dual (two) levers for controlling the flow of water emitted through the sprayer nozzle and out of its head and for turning on and off the flow of water through the sprayer nozzle. In exemplary embodiments, the levers protrude from the sprayer nozzle in opposite directions on opposing sides of the sprayer nozzle so that either lever may be easily operated by only a thumb of a user, however, the levers can also be operated using another finger or other part of the user&#39;s hand. For purposes of convenience and without limiting the scope of the invention, operation of the sprayer nozzle&#39;s levers may be described herein with reference to the user&#39;s thumb with the understanding that the user could use another finger or part of the user&#39;s hand. The handheld water sprayer nozzle is connectable to an end of a pressurized water hose or other type of hose. The sprayer nozzle&#39;s dual control levers are located on opposite sides of the sprayer nozzle so as to be generally located in positions opposite to one another for easy and comfortable operation by the user using a thumb from either side of the sprayer nozzle. 
     The sprayer nozzle provides an advantage over conventional handheld sprayers by its use of a rotary or spring valve that permits a user to comfortably hold the sprayer in multiple spray positions and easily control the spray flow and pressure from both sides of the sprayer. For example, while a sprayer nozzle is often oriented for spraying purposes in a direction that is generally horizontally away from the user, the user may also find it necessary to hold the sprayer nozzle so that it is oriented for spraying purposes in a direction so that a head of the sprayer nozzle points generally vertically or at an upward angle relative to the user. Conventional water sprayers are difficult to hold and control in such orientations while keeping their control lever depressed and maintaining control over movement of the sprayer and pressurized hose as water passes through them. 
     The sprayer nozzle also provides an advantage in that the user can control the flow of water (including turning on and off the flow or otherwise adjusting the flow) from the sprayer nozzle from two opposing sides of the sprayer nozzle by operation of the one of the opposing dual levers that is most easily reached by a thumb of the user. The dual opposing levers allow the user to easily and comfortably control the flow of water out of the sprayer nozzle from any orientation in which the sprayer nozzle may be held by the user. The levers are constructed so that the user needs to use only a thumb to control and operate each lever. 
     The sprayer nozzle also provides an advantage by allowing the interchangeable attachment and detachment of one or more spray shafts that can be constructed to vary in shape, size, length, and configuration of spray pattern through location, size, and arrangement of spray apertures in a head of the spray shaft so as to be suitable for any number of different uses. 
     Accordingly, the invention features a sprayer nozzle that includes a first lever and an opposing second lever for turning on and off and controlling a flow of liquid from a spray head of the sprayer nozzle by operation of the first lever or second lever from either side of the sprayer nozzle. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the first lever and second lever being manually adjustable from any orientation of the sprayer nozzle when held in a hand of a user. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the first lever and second lever being tabs that can protrude from a rotatable lever. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the first lever and second lever being oriented in a plane that is generally the same as that of front and rear faces of a head of the sprayer nozzle. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the first lever and second lever being oriented in a plane that is generally perpendicular to a plane in which front and rear faces of a head of the sprayer nozzle are oriented. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the first lever and second lever being manipulable by one or more thumbs, fingers, or hands of a user to turn on, turn off, and control the flow of fluid through the sprayer nozzle that is emitted out of a head of the sprayer nozzle. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the first lever and second lever being adjustable to open, close, and control a volume of fluid passing through a rotary valve. 
     The invention also features a sprayer nozzle that can include one or more detachable spray shafts. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature a first lever and an opposing second lever for turning on and off and controlling a flow of liquid from a spray head of the sprayer nozzle by operation of the first lever or second lever from either side of the sprayer nozzle. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the first lever and second lever being manually adjustable from any orientation of the sprayer nozzle when held in a hand of a user. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the one or more detachable spray shafts being attachable and detachable to and from a second end of a sprayer shaft of the sprayer nozzle. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the one or more detachable spray shafts being constructed to vary in shape, size, length, and configuration of spray pattern through location, size, and arrangement of spray apertures in a head of the spray shaft. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the first lever and second lever being tabs protruding from a rotatable lever. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the first lever and second lever being oriented in a plane that is generally the same as that of front and rear faces of a head of the sprayer nozzle. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the first lever and second lever being oriented in a plane that is generally perpendicular to a plane in which front and rear faces of a head of the sprayer nozzle are oriented. 
     The invention also features a sprayer nozzle that includes a first lever and an opposing second lever for turning on and off and controlling a flow of liquid from a spray head of the sprayer nozzle by operation of the first lever or second lever from either side of the sprayer nozzle and one or more detachable spray shafts. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the first lever and second lever being manually adjustable from any orientation of the sprayer nozzle when held in a hand of a user. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the one or more detachable spray shafts being attachable and detachable to and from a second end of a sprayer shaft of the sprayer nozzle and being constructed to vary in shape, size, length, and configuration of spray pattern through location, size, and arrangement of spray apertures in a head of the spray shaft. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the first lever and second lever being tabs protruding from a rotatable lever. 
     In another aspect, the invention can feature the first lever and second lever being oriented in a plane that is generally the same as or generally perpendicular to a plane in which front and rear faces of a head of the sprayer nozzle are oriented. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions will control. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded front perspective view of a spray nozzle with dual controls and one embodiment of a detachable head. 
         FIG. 2  is a left side elevation view of the spray nozzle and detachable head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a right side elevation view of the spray nozzle and detachable head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the spray nozzle and detachable head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of the spray nozzle and detachable head of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed drawings and description set forth herein. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the drawings; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, in light of the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, numerous modifications and variations of the invention may exist that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive. 
     The present invention should not be limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. The terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” may be a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. 
     All conjunctions used herein are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and are not to be limited to a special or customized meaning unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term “including” should be read to mean “including, without limitation,” “including but not limited to,” or the like; the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least”; the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to”; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and use of terms like “preferably,” “preferred,” “desired,” “desirable,” or “exemplary” and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the invention, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the invention. 
     Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations; however, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). 
     All numbers expressing dimensions, quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” unless expressly stated otherwise. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. 
     The invention provides a sprayer nozzle that is connectable to an end of a pressurized hose. The sprayer nozzle can be connectable to an end of a pressurized hose (for example, a water hose) and can have dual control levers. The dual control levers can protrude from opposite sides of the sprayer nozzle so as to be easily operable from either side of the sprayer nozzle no matter the orientation in which it is held and can be optimally sized and shaped for operation by a user&#39;s thumb. In exemplary embodiments described herein, and for purposes of convenience but without limiting the invention, the sprayer nozzle can be one that is used for spraying water from a water hose. In other embodiments, the sprayer nozzle may be adapted for spraying other liquids or fluids, for example, liquid chemicals of any type capable of being sprayed. In exemplary embodiments, the pressurized hose is a water hose (e.g., a conventional garden hose) capable of conveying water to transit therethrough and out of at least one end. However, in other embodiments, the pressurized hose may be any other type of hose that is capable of conveying a liquid or other fluid therethrough and out of at least one end (e.g., a fire hose, a pressure washer hose, a hose capable of conveying liquid chemicals, or any other type of hose that can convey a sprayable liquid or fluid). 
     The sprayer nozzle  10  can include dual controls, which can be a first lever and a second lever. The first and second levers can be opposed, i.e., oriented to protrude from opposite sides of the sprayer nozzle so that at least one of the levers is easily operated by the user (e.g., by the user&#39;s thumb) no matter in which orientation the sprayer nozzle is held by the user in relation to the user&#39;s hand or body. The first and second levers of the sprayer nozzle  10  can be ergonomically designed for easy and comfortable use and control by a user who may operate the levers by pressing, pulling, or turning them with a finger, thumb, or hand. In an exemplary embodiment, the sprayer nozzle can include a first lever  12  that is a front pressure control lever  12  and a second lever  14  that is a rear pressure control lever  14  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The front pressure control lever  12  and rear pressure control lever  14  can be opposing parts of a unitary single piece that is a manually rotatable lever  16  as shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, the front pressure control lever  12  and rear pressure control lever  14  can be opposing tabs that extend off of the manually rotatable lever  16  as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . The tabs of the front pressure control lever  12  and rear pressure control lever  14  can be opposed about a central longitudinal axis  21  of handle grip  20 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The opposing tabs of the front pressure control lever  12  and rear pressure control lever  14  can be easily reached and operated by the user regardless of the orientation in which the sprayer nozzle is held because at least one lever would be within close reach of the user&#39;s thumb at all times and from any side of the sprayer nozzle. 
     In another embodiment, the front pressure control lever  12  and rear pressure control lever  14  can be two components connected together to form a manually rotatable lever. In still another embodiment, the front pressure control lever  12  and rear pressure control lever  14  can be separate pieces that are independently operable rather than being part of a unitary rotatable lever or connected together to form a rotatable lever. The manually rotatable lever  16  can be generally circular when viewed from a front side orientation as shown in  FIG. 2 . In other embodiments, the manually rotatable lever  16  can have other shapes when viewed from a front side orientation, e.g., elliptical, irregular, quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or any other suitable shape. 
     In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the first and second levers  12  and  14  can be oriented as front and rear pressure control levers so that when the sprayer nozzle  10  is held by a user, the first lever  12  is oriented away from the user toward a front side of the sprayer nozzle, e.g., in the direction in which water sprayed from a head  46  of the sprayer nozzle would be emitted. The second lever  14  can be oriented toward a rear side of the sprayer nozzle  10  in the direction of the user when the user is holding the sprayer nozzle. In this embodiment, the user can manipulate both the first and second levers  12  and  14  when holding the sprayer nozzle  10  by grasping the levers with the user&#39;s hand and/or fingers to manipulate the lever between its on and off positions and in intermediate positions to adjust the flow of water from no flow to intermediate levels of water flow to maximum flow. For example, by pressing down on the first lever (or by pulling up on the second lever, or by both pressing down on the first lever while pulling up on the second lever), the sprayer nozzle can be configured in the off or closed position so that water (or other liquid or fluid) flow is stopped and no water is emitted from the sprayer head  46 . Alternatively, by pressing down on the second lever (or by pulling up on the first lever, or by both pressing down on the second lever while pulling up on the first lever), the sprayer nozzle can be configured in the on or open position so that water (or other liquid or fluid) flow is started and is emitted through the sprayer nozzle  10  and out of its head  46 . The head  46  can include any number, pattern, or configuration of spray apertures through which water (or other liquid or fluid) can be emitted when the sprayer nozzle is in use. 
     In another embodiment, rather than the first and second levers being oriented in a plane that corresponds to the rear of the head  46  and the front of the head on which the spray apertures are located, the first lever  12  and second lever  14  can be oriented in a plane that is perpendicular to the front and rear of the head. In this embodiment, the first and second levers  12  and  14  can still be operated in the manners explained above, or the user may manually grasp the first and second levers and rotate them counterclockwise (or to the left) to configure the sprayer nozzle  10  in the off or closed position so that water (or other liquid or fluid) flow is stopped and no water is emitted from the sprayer head  46 . The user may rotate the first and second levers  12  and  14  clockwise (or to the right) to configure the sprayer nozzle  10  in the on or open position so that water (or other liquid or fluid) flow is started and is emitted through the sprayer nozzle  10  and out of its head  46 . In other embodiments, the direction of rotation to change the configuration of the sprayer nozzle  10  from its closed/off to open/on positions and vice versa may be reversed, i.e., rotatable counterclockwise for the open/on position and clockwise for the closed/off position. 
     Thus, the sprayer nozzle  10  can be constructed so that the first and second levers  12  and  14  are opposing in orientation relative to one another so that one of them protrudes from one side of the sprayer nozzle and the other protrudes from the opposite side of the sprayer nozzle. For example, in one embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the first lever  12  can protrude and be operable from a front side of the sprayer nozzle while the second lever  14  can protrude and be operable from a rear side of the sprayer nozzle. In another embodiment, the first lever  12  can protrude and be operable from a rear side of the sprayer nozzle while the second lever  14  can protrude and be operable from a front side of the sprayer nozzle. In still another embodiment, the first lever  12  can protrude and be operable from a left side of the sprayer nozzle while the second lever  14  can protrude and be operable from a right side of the sprayer nozzle. In yet another embodiment, the first lever  12  can protrude and be operable from a right side of the sprayer nozzle while the second lever  14  can protrude and be operable from a left side of the sprayer nozzle. In each of these embodiments, the user can easily reach at least one of the levers with the user&#39;s thumb for operation of the lever to control water flow using manipulation of the lever to adjust the internal rotational valve to increase or decrease water pressure passing through the valve. 
     By adjusting the position of the first and second levers  12  and  14  at any position intermediate between the totally closed/off position and the totally open/on position, the user may also control the amount of flow of water (or other liquid or fluid) emitted from the head  46  of the sprayer nozzle  10 . 
     The front pressure control lever  12  and rear pressure control lever  14  (and therefore, in exemplary embodiments, the manually rotatable lever  16 ) are attached to a rotary valve  18  using a screw  26  that is insertable through a front aperture of the rotatable lever  16  to be aligned with and screwed into a corresponding center front aperture of the rotary valve assembly cartridge. The rotary valve  18  (also referred to herein as a rotational valve) can be a rotary valve assembly cartridge (as shown in the drawings, e.g., a ceramic valve cartridge), a ball valve, or any other rotary or rotating pressure control valve capable of being controlled manually by a user&#39;s thumbs, fingers, or hand. In some embodiments, a screw cover  24  may be permanently or detachably affixed to a front face of the manually rotatable lever  16  so as to conceal a head of the screw  26  after the screw is threaded through the front aperture of rotatable lever  16  and into the center front aperture of the rotary valve  18  to connect rotatable lever to the rotary valve. The screw cover  24  can have a shape that differs from the shape of the manually rotatable lever  16  when viewed from a front side orientation. However, in exemplary embodiments, the screw cover can have a shape that corresponds to and matches the shape of the manually rotatable lever  16 , e.g., the screw cover can be generally circular when viewed from a front side orientation as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . In other embodiments, the screw cover  24  can have other shapes when viewed from a front side orientation, e.g., elliptical, irregular, quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or any other suitable shape, which may match or be different than the shape of the manually rotatable lever  16 . 
     The rotary valve  18  is sealed to a first aperture  34  of a multi-directional handle grip  20  by an at least first O-ring seal  22 . A second aperture  30  located on a side of the multi-directional handle grip  20  opposite from the first aperture  34  can be covered and concealed by a side cover  32  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The handle grip  20  can be constructed to allow for easy and ergonomic handling for manual grasping, manipulation, and control by a user. For example, the handle grip  20  can include indentions that allow for firm gripping by the fingers of the user. A first end  28  of the of handle grip  20  can include threads for attaching the sprayer nozzle  10  to a hose (not shown in the drawings). A second end  36  of the handle grip  20  can include threads for attaching a nut  38  that is used to connect a spray shaft  44 . The head (also referred to herein as a sprayer head)  46  can be a first end of the spray shaft  44 . 
     The sprayer nozzle  10  can also include at least a second (and as shown in  FIG. 1 , an optional at least third) O-ring  40  that seals a second end  42  (which may include threads) of the spray shaft  44  to the nut  38  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In another embodiment, the second end  42  of the spray shaft  44  may attach (e.g., by screwing) directly onto the second end  36  of the handle grip  20 . 
     The spray shaft  44  of the sprayer nozzle  10  can be detachable so that any number of sprayer shafts of various lengths, shapes, sizes, and spray patterns of the head&#39;s apertures can be provided for attachment to the handle grip  20  for use in different applications. For example, in one embodiment, a longer spray shaft  44  may be needed, e.g., one that is 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 36, or more inches long, may be needed for extended reach. In another example, a shorter spray shaft  44 , e.g., 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 inches long, may be necessary for standard use or for use in enclosed, small, or tight spaces. The apertures of the sprayer head  46  can be configured in any number, pattern, or arrangement as desired. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the sprayer nozzle  10  can include markings  48  that include words or symbols indicating the direction that the first and second levers  12  and  14  must be moved to turn on and off the rotary valve  18  and to start, stop, and control the flow of water or other liquid or fluid through the hose and out of the head  46  of the sprayer nozzle  10 . For example, the markings  48  could include the words “ON” and “OFF.” The markings  48  can also include a symbol such as a bidirectional arrow that indicates in which direction each lever must be moved to turn on and turn off water flow through the sprayer nozzle  10 .  FIG. 4  shows the second lever  14  in the closed/off position so that water would not be emitted through the sprayer nozzle  10  and out of its head  46 .  FIG. 5  also shows the first lever  12  in the closed/off position. 
     Other Embodiments 
     It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.