Patent Publication Number: US-7708212-B1

Title: Nozzle assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     Aspects of this document relate generally to nozzles used to direct the flow of water or other liquids. 
     2. Background Art 
     Nozzles are often used to control the flow of water or other liquids. When immersed, nozzles create movement of the bulk liquid in a certain direction. For example, when a series of nozzles are embedded in the floor of a swimming pool, water flow through nozzles can be used to move contaminants on the pool floor toward a pool drain through entrainment in the water streams exiting the nozzles. Often, nozzles used in swimming pool applications contain components that allow their position to be automatically adjusted after each period of use to enable gradual cleaning of the entire surface of pool floor. 
     SUMMARY 
     Particular implementations of a nozzle assembly include upper and lower washers with grooves configured to engage with a spring element and cams that include upper and lower halves. 
     In one aspect, a particular implementation of a nozzle assembly includes a stem coupled with a cam, the stem having a nozzle in a first end which is in fluid communication with a second end of the stem. An upper washer may be slidably coupled with a washer race in the stem and may have an upper washer groove. A lower washer may be coupled with the second end of the stem and have a lower washer groove. A spring element may be disposed around the stem between the upper and lower washer grooves. 
     In another aspect, a particular implementation of a nozzle assembly may have a stem coupled with a cam assembly. The stem may have a nozzle in a first end and the first end may be in fluid communication with a second end of the stem. The cam assembly may include an upper cam half and a lower cam half slidably coupled into the upper cam half. An upper washer may be slidably coupled with a washer race in the stem and have an upper washer groove and a lower washer may be coupled with the second end of the stem and have a lower washer groove. A spring element may be disposed around the stem between the upper and lower washer grooves. 
     In particular implementations of a nozzle assembly, the second end of the stem may have a plurality of flexible prongs. The lower washer may also include at least one inwardly extending projection configured to engage with the washer race in the stem. Implementations may also include an upper washer with a first mating element and a lower washer with a second mating element where the first and second mating elements are configured to engage with each other. In particular implementations, the upper washer may be biased against the cam or cam assembly through the spring element. 
     In some implementations, the lower cam half may include a plurality of cam teeth having identical dimensions. In other implementations, the lower cam half may include a plurality of cam teeth having at least one cam tooth that differs in dimension from the other cam teeth. In other particular implementations, the lower cam half may include cam teeth that all differ from each other in dimensions. 
     In another aspect, a nozzle assembly may be assembled through a method including the steps of providing a stem having a first end and a second end where the first end includes a nozzle. A cam may be slidably engaged with the stem from the second end of the stem and an upper washer may be coupled to the stem from the second end of the stem after slidably engaging the cam. A spring element may then be coupled to the stem from the second end of the stem after coupling the upper washer to the stem. A lower washer may then be coupled to the stem from the second end of the stem after coupling the spring element to the stem. 
     In particular implementations of a nozzle assembly, the step of slidably engaging the cam with the stem from the second end of the stem further includes slidably engaging a first cam half with the stem from the second end of the stem and then slidably engaging a second cam half with the stem from the second end of the stem. In implementations, the step of slidably engaging a second cam half with the stem from the second end of the stem further includes slidably coupling the second cam half into the first cam half. Implementations may also include a plurality of flexible prongs that retain the lower washer. 
     The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an upper washer showing the sectional line A; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross section view of the upper washer of  FIG. 1  taken along the sectional line A; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a lower washer; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a nozzle assembly in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a lower cam half showing the sectional line B; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an upper cam half showing the sectional line C; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross section view of the lower cam half slidably coupled into the upper cam half taken along the sectional lines B and C in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a particular implementation of a lower cam half with cam teeth of varying dimensions 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of another particular implementation of a lower cam half with cam teeth of varying dimensions; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a nozzle assembly in an extended position showing the sectional line D; 
         FIG. 10  cross section view of the nozzle assembly of  FIG. 9  taken along the sectional line D; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of a particular implementation of a nozzle assembly showing an order of assembly of components. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to the specific components or assembly procedures disclosed herein. Many additional components and assembly procedures known in the art consistent with the intended nozzle assembly and/or assembly procedures for a nozzle assembly will become apparent for use with implementations of nozzle assemblies from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular stems, cams, spring elements, and washers are disclosed, such stems, cams, spring elements, and washers and implementing components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, measurement, concentration, material, quantity, and/or the like as is known in the art for such stems, cams, spring elements, and washers and implementing components, consistent with the intended operation of a nozzle assembly. 
     Structure 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 1 , a particular implementation of a nozzle assembly  1  and an upper washer  2 , respectively, are illustrated. The upper washer  2  may include a ring with a plurality of projections  4  extending inward configured to engage with a washer race  6  on a stem  8 . The projections  4  may allow the upper washer  2  to slide upward and downward in or on the washer race  6  along the stem  8 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a cross section view of the upper washer  2  along the sectional line A. The upper washer  2  may have an upper washer groove  10  on one side sized to engage with a spring element  14  like that illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The upper washer groove  10  may allow the spring element  14  to rotate freely under compression and may help center the spring element  14  relative to the stem  8 . The upper washer isolates the spring element  14  from the lower cam half  32 . In implementations where they are used, these characteristics of an upper washer groove  10  may reduce the likelihood of spring windup and jamming as the nozzle assembly  1  is repetitively moved from a retracted to an extended position during operation. The use of an upper washer groove  10  may also keep the spring element  14  centered around the stem  8  core so it does not slip off the edge of the upper washer  2 . The upper washer  2  may also include a first mating element  12 , and as  FIG. 2  illustrates, the first mating element  12  may be a bevel in particular implementations. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a particular implementation of a lower washer  16 . The lower washer  16  may include a lower washer groove  18  configured to engage with a spring element  14  like that illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The lower washer  16  may also include projections  20  that are sized and positioned to correspond to the washer race  6  in the stem  8 . The lower washer  16  may also include a second mating element  22  that, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , may be a bevel in particular implementations. The second mating element  22  of the lower washer  16  may be configured to engage with the first mating element  12  of the upper washer  2 , and may also serve to restrict the flow of liquid around the outside of the stem  8 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a particular implementation of an upper washer  2 , a spring element  14 , and a lower washer  16  are illustrated assembled over a stem  8 . As illustrated, the lower washer  16  may be retained through a plurality of flexible prongs  24  at the second end  26  of the stem  8 . In other particular implementations of a stem  8 , other methods of retaining the lower washer  16  may be used including, by non-limiting example, a clip-on cap, a screw-on cap, or a lower washer  16  that clips or screws onto the second end  26  of the stem  8 . 
       FIG. 4  also illustrates that in particular implementations of a nozzle assembly  1 , the upper washer  2  may be biased by the spring element  14  against a retainer  28 . In particular implementations the retainer  28  may include two portions, a first portion  30  comprising an upper cam half and a second portion  32  comprising a lower cam half.  FIGS. 5 and 6  show particular implementations of the lower and upper cam halves  32 ,  30 , respectively. As illustrated, the lower cam half  32  may include a plurality of cam teeth  34 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , a cross section view along the sectional lines B and C in  FIGS. 5 and 6  of a particular implementation of an upper cam half  30  and a lower cam half  32  slidably coupled is illustrated. As shown, the upper cam half  30  may have a plurality of upper cam teeth  36 . Below the upper cam teeth  36  may be a bottom edge  42  of the upper cam half  30  configured to slidably couple over an upper edge  40  of the lower cam half  32 . Index  33  maintains a rotationally indexed relationship between the upper cam half  30  and the lower cam half  32  when the upper cam half  30  and the lower cam half  32  are coupled together. The index  33  fits with a corresponding recess on the retainer  28  and may be configured such that the upper cam half  30  and lower cam half  32  are removably coupled. The index  33 , although configured in this example implementation as a rectangular projection may alternatively be configured in any other indexable shape or even as a recess (with corresponding structure on the retainer  28  or upper cam half  30 ) rather than as a projection. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , although the lower cam half  32  is slidably coupled into the upper cam half  30 , not all of the lower cam half  32  is necessarily within the upper cam half  30 ; just the portion corresponding to the upper edge  40 . 
     The cam teeth  34  of the lower cam half  32  and the upper cam teeth  36  are oriented in an alternating fashion to allow the stem  8  to move rotationally by use of a cam pin  52  as the nozzle assembly  1  is alternately activated and deactivated. Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 7 , since the lower cam half  32  in that implementation is configured to slidably couple into the upper cam half  30  in the direction of the bias applied to the upper washer  2  by the spring element  14 , the bias of the spring element  14  discourages separation of the upper and lower cam halves  30 ,  32 . In addition, since the lower cam half  32  couples into the upper cam half  30  in the direction of the pressure gradient through the nozzle assembly  1 , the force generated by liquid pressure on the nozzle assembly  1  serves to further unite the upper and lower cam halves  30 ,  32 . Accordingly, particular implementations of the two part cam assembly may be assembled without the need for an adhesive because the spring element  14  and water pressure force the two parts together rather than apart. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8A , a particular implementation of a lower cam half  44  is illustrated. As shown, the lower cam half  44  includes a set of first cam teeth  46  with substantially the same dimensions and a set of second cam teeth  48  with different dimensions. The different sizes of the cam teeth may permit the nozzle assembly  1  to rotate in steps of varying length while in use. This feature of the nozzle assembly  1  allows the assembly to avoid or minimize time spent spraying obstacles like stairs or walls when the nozzle assembly  1  is installed close to an edge in a swimming pool. Referring to  FIG. 8B , as illustrated, in other particular implementations, the cam teeth may all be of the same dimensions, may all differ in dimensions, or the spacing of the teeth around the circumference of the lower cam half may be irregular depending on the desired application of a nozzle assembly  1 . In the implementation of a lower cam half  45  illustrated by  FIG. 8B , two of the first cam teeth  46  are missing while the two second cam teeth  47  have a third cam tooth  49  of a smaller dimension between them. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a cross section view of a nozzle assembly  1  along the sectional line D shown in  FIG. 9  is illustrated in an extended position where the nozzle  50  in a first end  51  of the stem  8  is raised above the upper cam half  30 . As illustrated, in particular implementations, the upper washer  2  and the lower washer  16  may be located outside of both the upper and lower cam halves  30 , 32  and may be located below the lower cam half  32 . Because the upper and lower washers  2 ,  16  are located below the lower cam half  32 , the bias provided by the spring element  14  may help ensure the lower cam half  32  remains slidably coupled into the upper cam half  30 . 
     The materials used for particular implementations of a nozzle assembly may be those used conventionally including, by non-limiting example, plastics, metals, composites and the like. Particular implementations may include stems made of Dow Isoplast 202EZ, upper and lower cam halves made of ASA Diamond S-950 or Luran S797 S, upper and lower washers made of polypropylene Montel 6323, cam pins and spring elements made of 303 passivated stainless steel. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily be able to select appropriate materials for nozzle assemblies using the principles disclosed in this document. 
     Use 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a particular implementation of a nozzle assembly  1  in an extended position, where the nozzle  50  in a first end  51  of the stem  8  is visible and is in fluid connection with the second end  26 .  FIG. 10  illustrates a cross section view of the implementation shown in  FIG. 9  along the sectional line D. The nozzle assembly  1  moves to the extended position when water pressure from a pump sufficient to compress the spring element  14  is supplied to raise the nozzle  50  in the first end  51  of the stem  8  above the level of the upper cam half  30 . In the extended position, water from the pump is free to flow out of the nozzle  50 . To aid in restricting flow around the stem  8  while the nozzle assembly  1  is extended, the spring element  14  may compress the upper washer  2  against the lower cam half  32  and water pressure may compress the second mating element  22  of the lower washer  16  against the first mating element  12  of the upper washer  2  while the lower washer  16  engages with the washer races and second end  26  of the stem  8 . In particular implementations, the lower washer  16  may not engage the washer races of the stem  8 . Water flow around the stem  8  may be reduced, forcing a majority of the water from the pump to flow through the stem  8  out the nozzle  50 . When it is no longer necessary for the nozzle assembly  1  to be used, the pump pressure may be removed from the assembly, and the bias in the spring element  14  may retract the nozzle  50  back down into the upper cam half  30 , and the lower washer  16  may disengage partially from the washer races and the second end  26  of the stem  8  and rest against the flexible prongs  24  attached to the second end  26  of the stem  8 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates how the various parts of a particular implementation of a nozzle assembly  1  having flexible prongs  24  on a second end  26  may be assembled. A stem  8  containing a nozzle  50  may have a pin  52  coupled with a hole along its side to operatively engage with the cam teeth. Next, the upper cam half  30  may be coupled to the stem  8  over its second end  26 . The lower cam half  32 , upper washer  2 , and spring element  14  may all each subsequently in turn be coupled to the stem  8  and each other over the stem&#39;s second end  26 . The lower washer  16  may then be coupled to the stem  8  and retained by the flexible prongs  24  at the stem&#39;s second end  26 . Since the lower washer  16  is retained by the flexible prongs  24 , it serves to bias the spring element  14  against the upper washer  2 . Once the nozzle assembly  1  has thus been assembled by coupling each component over the second end  26  of the stem  8 , the assembly  1  can be inserted into a housing mounted in the side, stair, or floor of a body of liquid, such as a swimming pool, and connected to a pumping system. 
     It will be understood that implementations are not limited to the specific components disclosed herein, as virtually any components consistent with the intended operation of a method and/or system implementation for a nozzle assembly may be utilized. Accordingly, for example, although particular stems, spring elements, cams, and washers may be disclosed, such components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, grade, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of a method and/or system implementation for a nozzle assembly may be used. 
     In places where the description above refers to particular implementations of a nozzle assembly, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations may be applied to other nozzle assemblies. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure set forth in this document. The presently disclosed implementations are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the disclosure being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning of and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.