Patent Publication Number: US-2005139244-A1

Title: Spray lance for a high-pressure cleaning device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a spray lance for a high-pressure cleaning device, especially for cleaning fluid.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      A high-pressure cleaning device in the sense of the present invention is known, e.g., from DE 196 17 778 C2. The high-pressure cleaning device has a feed pump for cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid of a so-called cleaning or spray lance, which optionally has a valve pistol, can be fed via a pressure line preferably embodied as a hose. On its free end, the spray lance has a nozzle for discharging the cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid is discharged especially as a stream with a fixed main spraying direction, even if the stream circulates or precedes around so-called rotary nozzles, e.g., for these rotary nozzles inclined to the main spraying direction, and therefore forms a conical spraying pattern.  
      In practice, it has been shown that the typically elongated spray lance with fixed main spraying direction is not optimally suited to all purposes, e.g., the cleaning of a gutter.  
     SUMMARY  
      The invention is based on the task of providing a spray lance for a high-pressure cleaning device that permits universal applicability.  
      Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a spray lance for a high-pressure cleaning device that permits easy adaptation to any condition.  
      Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a spray lance for a high-pressure cleaning device that enables optimal adaptation during cleaning processes.  
      Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a spray lance for a high-pressure cleaning device that can be guided very easily by a support on a floor surface.  
      A fundamental idea of the present invention is that the nozzle can pivot about a pivoting axis transverse to the main spraying direction, especially transverse to the longitudinal extension of the spray lance or a handle of the spray lance. This can be realized by a corresponding pivoting holder or bearing of the nozzle and/or by a link in the feed line to the nozzle. This configuration realizes a simple and thus cost-effective construction, wherein the spray lance can be applied universally and also its main spraying direction can be adjusted and especially can be adapted individually to any structural conditions for cleaning purposes.  
      Another aspect of the present invention, which can also be realized independently, is that the spray lance has a support device, preferably with at least one roller or the like, in the region of its front or free end, so that the spray lance can be supported on a floor surface or other surface, especially with the main spraying direction being directed away from the floor surface. In particular, here the main spraying direction runs at an angle to the longitudinal extension of the spray lance, preferably with the pivoting angle being adjustable. This permits, e.g., simplified cleaning of an underbody of a motor vehicle, in that the spray lance is supported with its free end on a floor surface so that it can move under the vehicle to be cleaned in a desired way and therefore is easy to guide.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Additional advantages, features, characteristics, and aspects of the present invention emerge from the claims and the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. Shown are:  
       FIG. 1 , a schematic illustration of a high-pressure cleaning device with a spray lance according to the proposal, corresponding to a first embodiment.  
       FIG. 2 , a cross section-like illustration of a front end of the spray lance according to  FIG. 1  with a nozzle.  
       FIG. 3 , a schematic illustration of a high-pressure cleaning device with a spray lance according to the proposal with a link according to the proposal, corresponding to a second embodiment;  
       FIG. 4 , a perspective illustration of the link according to the proposal, corresponding to  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 5 , a schematic sectional illustration of the link according to  FIG. 3  with a feed line and a nozzle; and  
       FIG. 6 , a schematic illustration of a spray lance according to the proposal with a support device according to a third embodiment.  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED EMBODIMENT  
      For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated herein and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described processes, systems or devices, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein, are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
      In the figures, the same reference symbols are used for equivalent or similar parts, with corresponding or comparable characteristics and advantages being achieved even if, for reasons of simplification, a description is not repeated.  
       FIG. 1  shows in a schematic illustration a spray lance  1  according to the proposal, which is attached to a high-pressure cleaning device  2 . In the shown example, the spray lance  1  is attached or can be attached to the high-pressure cleaning device  2  via an optional valve pistol  3  that can be activated preferably manually and a pressure line  4  formed, in particular, by a hose.  
      The spray lance  1  is used especially for the discharge of cleaning fluid  5 , which can be fed to the spray lance  1  from the high-pressure cleaning device  2  under pressure, heated for improving the cleaning effect of the high-pressure cleaning device  2 , if necessary.  
      The spray lance  1  has a handle  6  and a nozzle  7 . During a cleaning process or when the lance is used, the cleaning fluid  5 , e.g., water, can be discharged from the nozzle  7  like a stream in the sense mentioned in the introduction, e.g., as a flat stream, conical stream, or pulsed stream, with a main spraying direction  8 .  
      In particular, the spray lance  1  can be plugged into the valve pistol  3  or it can also be connected, if necessary, directly to the pressure line  4 . However, another connection, e.g., a screw connection, can also be provided.  
      According to the proposal, the nozzle  7  can pivot about a pivoting axis  9  transverse, especially perpendicular, to the main spraying direction  8 , thus transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the spray lance  1  or the handle  6 . In particular, this enables universal adaptability of the main spraying direction  8  to the appropriate conditions for cleaning.  
      In the shown example, the pivoting axis  9  runs adjacent to the nozzle  7  or optionally through this nozzle.  
      Preferably, the nozzle  7  can pivot only to a limited degree, so that the main spraying direction  8  cannot point towards the handle  6 . This is used for protecting a user, not shown.  
      Preferably, the nozzle  7  can pivot through a maximum of 140°, preferably up to approximately 120°, and/or at least 90°, preferably more than 100°, starting from the main spraying direction  8  when the nozzle  7  is not pivoted.  
      Preferably, the nozzle  7  can pivot continuously. However, if necessary this nozzle can also pivot in steps and/or such that it can be locked into position by a locking collar (not shown).  
      The spray lance  1  has a feed line  10  leading from the handle  6  to the nozzle  7 . In the shown example, this feed line is formed by an initial rigid pipe  11  and an attached flexible hose  12 , which is attached to a connecting piece  13  for attaching the nozzle  7  or is attached directly to the nozzle  7 , as can also be seen from the partial section enlargement cut-away according to  FIG. 2 .  
      Further, the spray lance  1  has a holding part  14 , which is embodied rigidly, especially as an aluminum rod in the shown example. The holding part  14  holds a holding section  15 , preferably loosely and so that it can pivot. On its side, the holding section  15  holds the feed line  10  in the region of the free end, especially the free end of the hose  12  and/or the connecting piece  13 , and/or the nozzle  7 , with the holding section  15  preferably being embodied like a collar or hose clamp and/or manufactured from plastic. In particular, the holding section  15  holds the feed line  10  and/or the nozzle  7  in a positive or force fit, so that the holding section  15  cannot move relative to the nozzle  7 .  
      The nozzle  7  can be pivoted by longitudinal shifting of the holding part  14  and the feed line  10  relative to each other.  
      In the shown example, the handle  6  of the spray lance  1  is embodied elongated and extends in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the spray lance  1 . In particular, it surrounds the feed line  10  or its pipe  11  at least in sections. Alternatively, however, the handle  6  can also be formed directly by the feed line  10 , e.g., for a corresponding embodiment of the pipe  11 , and/or can extend transverse to the longitudinal extension of the spray lance  1  and/or can be formed by the preferably provided valve pistol  3 .  
      For relative shifting of the holding part  14  and the feed line  10 , the spray lance  1  in the shown example has a handhold  16 , which is associated to the handle  6  and which can move or be adjusted relative to this handle, if necessary, such that it can be locked into position. For example, the handle  6  is connected rigidly to the holding part  14  and guides the feed line  10  or its pipe  11  longitudinally, with the handhold  16  being allocated to the feed line  10  or to its pipe  11 , in order to move the pipe  11  in the handle  6  and therefore to pivot the nozzle  7  in the desired way.  
      If the optional valve pistol  3  is present and connected rigidly to the feed line  10  or its pipe  11 , this can also be used for generating the mentioned relative movement between the holding part  14  and the feed line  10  in the longitudinal direction in order to pivot the nozzle  7  in the desired way. In this case, the handhold  16  can be completely eliminated if necessary, or formed by the valve pistol  3 .  
      In the shown example, the holding part  14  essentially extends along or parallel to the feed line  10  from the handle  6  to the nozzle  7 . In the region of the free or nozzle-side end, the holding part  14  is preferably kinked, as shown in  FIG. 1 , especially in order to bend the hose  12  in a defined direction and thus to guarantee a defined pivoting behavior for the mentioned relative movement. The feed line  10  then preferably runs in the kink direction and on the opposite side of the holding part  14 .  
      The metallic holding part  14  is preferably covered or coated at least in regions with an elastic and/or abrasion-resistant material, especially rubber or plastic. Preferably, a rubber hose or heat-shrink hose is applied.  
      The hose  12  of the feed line  10  is preferably protected by a helical screw-like spiral or the like against mechanical effects, especially excess abrasion of the hose jacket, and/or against kinks.  
      The spray lance  1  according to the proposal permits universal use, especially also the cleaning of objects or the like with an undercut in the insertion direction.  
      Another advantage of the spray lance  1  is that the nozzle  7  can be pivoted when the spray lance  1  is being used, thus during high-pressure cleaning. This is conducive to effective and quick cleaning.  
      Preferably, the nozzle  7  is spaced at least 50 cm from the handle  6 . This is conducive to a high degree of user safety in order to prevent the main spraying direction  8  from being able to be directed at a user, not shown, of the spray lance  1  when the nozzle  7  is pivoted, or, if the cleaning stream is nevertheless directed at the user, to guarantee a safe distance between the nozzle  7  and the user.  
      According to a variant not shown, the holding part  14  can also form the feed line  10 , especially formed as a hose.  
      In the following, a second embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 3-5 , wherein, however, emphasis is essentially placed only on the differences from the first embodiment. Other configurations concerning advantages, aspects, characteristics, and features of the first embodiment apply correspondingly, as long as nothing else is given in the following description.  
       FIG. 3  shows the spray lance  1  according to the second embodiment with the handle  6 , which is attached to the feed line  10 , which leads to the nozzle  7 . Here, the feed line  10  is preferably embodied as a rigid pipe, which is embodied either straight or optionally kinked.  
      According to the proposal, the nozzle  7  is attached via a link  17  to the feed line  10 . Correspondingly, the nozzle  7  and thus the main spraying direction  8  can pivot about the pivoting axis  9 , which runs transverse, especially perpendicular, to the longitudinal extension of the spray lance  1 , the feed line  10 , and/or the main spraying direction  8  of the nozzle  7 .  
       FIG. 4  shows the link  17  in a perspective view without a feed line  10  and without nozzle  7 .  
       FIG. 5  shows the link  17  in a schematic section along the longitudinal extension of the spray lance  1 .  
      The link  17  is embodied in the shown example as a nozzle holder, because the nozzle  7  can be connected detachably to the link  17 , thus, e.g., can be replaced for repair purposes or for adapting to cleaning tasks. However, the nozzle  7  can alternatively also be integrated directly in the link  17  or can form one structural unit with this link.  
      The link  17  according to the proposal has a first attachment part  18  for connecting to the feed line  10 , especially by means of a thread.  
      The link  17  further has a second attachment part  19  for receiving or holding the nozzle  7 . Alternatively, the nozzle  7  can also be integrated into the second attachment part  19  or connected rigidly to this attachment part.  
      Both attachment parts  18 ,  19  are connected so that they can pivot relative to each other about the pivoting axis  9 , especially by means of a screw  20 . Preferably, the screw  20  is embodied as a hollow screw, which is simultaneously used for fluid connection of the two attachment parts  18 ,  19  and thus for a fluid connection of the feed line  10  to the nozzle  7 .  
      It can be seen from the sectional illustration according to  FIG. 5  that in the shown example, the first attachment part  18  is penetrated by the screw  20  and the screw  20  is screwed into the second attachment part  19 . Consequently, no nut or the like is required for securing the screw.  
      The first attachment part  18  can pivot about the screw  20  connected rotationally fixed to the second attachment part  19 , with the position and desired seal being guaranteed by sealing ring  22  with or without support ring  21  between the screw  20  and the first attachment part  18 .  
      In the shown example, the two attachment parts  18 ,  19  can pivot by 360° relative to each other. However, the pivoting range of the link  17 , thus of the two attachment parts  18 ,  19 , can also be limited, preferably corresponding to the details on the first embodiment.  
      Instead of limiting the pivoting motion, the link  17  can also be embodied such that when a predetermined pivoting range is exceeded, especially when the two attachment parts  18 ,  19  approach a pivot position, in which they point in the same direction, the possible passage of cleaning fluid  5  in the link  17  is interrupted.  
      In addition, or as an alternative, to the mentioned pivoting limit, the nozzle  7  can also be surrounded by a so-called, preferably conical nozzle protector  23 , which represents in the mounted state a pivoting limit, so that, in particular, the main spraying direction  8  can be prevented from pointing back towards the handle  6  parallel to the feed line  10 .  
      The link  17  is preferably embodied such that pivoting occurs only with relative difficulty, so that the nozzle  7  does not change its pivot position automatically or undesirably when it is used, thus during high-pressure cleaning. This desired difficulty is achieved in the shown example by a corresponding press fit of the sealing ring  22  with or without support ring  21 .  
      According to an especially preferred variant, the link  17  or the nozzle  7  cannot pivot due to the pressure of the cleaning fluid  5  during a cleaning process. Instead, the pivoting is then automatically blocked, for example, by the increased pressure pressing seals  22  against attachment parts  18  and  19  to increase frictional resistance to pivoting.  
      The link  17  is preferably manufactured at least essentially from metal, so that a high degree of durability and stability both in terms of mechanical and also thermal properties can be achieved.  
      It is to be noted that preferably a nozzle protector  23  is also allocated to the nozzle  7  in the first embodiment.  
      In a schematic illustration,  FIG. 6  shows a third embodiment of the spray lance  1  according to the proposal. The spray lance  1  has in the region of its front or free end a support device  24  in order to be able to support the spray lance  1  on a floor surface  25  or the like.  
      The support device  24  can be embodied, e.g., as a sliding block or the like. In the shown example, the support device  24  has at least one roller or a wheel  26 , preferably two wheels  26  spaced transverse to the longitudinal extension of the spray lance  1 . An appropriate spacing of the wheels  26  provides good stabilization of the spray lance  1  against lateral tipping. The spray lance  1  can be held and guided very easily and with minimal expenditure of force just at the valve pistol  3 .  
      In the shown example, the rotational axis runs preferably fixed, namely transverse, especially perpendicular, to the longitudinal extension of the spray lance  1 . The rotational axis of the wheels  26  here also runs preferably transverse to the main spraying direction  8 , which is angled on its side relative to the longitudinal extension of the spray lance  1  and preferably, but not absolutely necessarily, can pivot corresponding to the first embodiment. However, if necessary, it can also be just a rigid, thus non-adjustable angle of the main spraying direction  8  relative to the longitudinal extension of the spray lance  1 .  
      If necessary, the rotational axis can also pivot relative to the spray lance  1 . In this case, the rotational axis is linked by means of a not shown link, such as a universal joint or the like, to the support device  24 .  
      The support device  24  is preferably fixed to the spray lance  1  so that it can be detached or disassembled, e.g., by clamps, screws, or the like. In the shown example, the support device  24  is attached to the holding part  14 . Alternatively, the support device  24  can be attached to the feed line  10 .  
      According to a not shown variant, the support device  24  itself can also fold or pivot in order to be moved into a usable position, e.g., for cleaning the underbody of a motor vehicle, and into less disruptive non-usable positions as much as possible for other cleaning purposes.  
      The spray lance can be used very universally for cleaning work, especially both in private households and also in the industrial sector.  
      While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.