PRESSURE WASHER SYSTEM

• US 20090065607A1
• Filed: 09/05/2008
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Homelite Technologies Limited
• Original Assignee: Homelite Technologies Limited
• Inventors: Hahn, Klaus Karl, Long, Charles Keith, Jerabek, Jesse John, Gardner, Michael R.
• Application Number:
  US12/205,283
• Publication Number:
  US 20090065607A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/127
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/066 with means for introducing an additive, e.g. soap
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1654 about an axis parallel to the liquid passage in the stationary valve element
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/024 Cleaning by means of spray elements moving over the surface to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/026 Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/248 Bayonet-type couplings

Abstract

A spray apparatus for a pressure washer includes an adaptor configured to receive a flow of pressurized fluid through a conduit fluidly connected with a pressure washer. A multi-position valve is movably connected with the adaptor and positionable in a plurality of discrete positions. The valve position is modified with an operator engaged with the valve. A first output and a second output are defined within the adaptor, wherein the valve is rotatable to selectively allow the pressurized fluid to flow through one of the first or the second output.

Claims

1. A spray apparatus for a pressure washer comprising:

an adaptor having an input to receive a flow of pressurized fluid through a conduit fluidly connected with a pressure washer and a first output and a second output from which the fluid exits the adaptor; and

a multi-position valve movably connected with the adaptor and positionable in a plurality of discrete positions, wherein the valve is selectively positioned to direct the pressurized fluid to flow through one of the first or the second output.

2. The spray apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressurized fluid is received at the input of the adaptor at a pressure dependent on the position of the valve.

3. The spray apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a source of cleaning solution fluidly connected with the conduit and configured to selectively mix with the flow of pressurized fluid depending on the position of the valve.

4. The spray apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a venturi fluidly connecting the flow of pressurized fluid with the source of cleaning solution.

5. The spray apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve is a four position valve.

6. The spray apparatus of claim 5, wherein the valve is movable to a first position significantly impeding a flow of pressurized fluid therethrough.

7. The spray apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pressure of the fluid flowing through the adaptor is above a threshold pressure when the valve is in the first position.

8. The spray apparatus of claim 6, wherein the adaptor is configured to allow flow through the first output when the valve is in the first position.

9. The spray apparatus of claim 8, wherein the valve is movable to a second position substantially allowing the flow of pressurized fluid threrethrough.

10. The spray apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pressure of the fluid flowing through the adaptor is below a threshold pressure when the valve is in the second position.

11. The spray apparatus of claim 9, wherein the valve is movable to a third position substantially allowing flow of pressurized fluid through the adapter and the second output.

12. The spray apparatus of claim 11, wherein the valve is movable to a fourth position substantially allowing flow of pressurized fluid through the adaptor and through the second output.

13. The spray apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second output is configured to receive a cleaning tool.

14. A spray apparatus for a pressure washer comprising:

a source of pressurized fluid;

a valve fluidly connected to a conduit for receiving the source of pressurized fluid;

a first output fluidly connectable with the pressurized fluid;

a second output fluidly connectable with the pressurized fluid, wherein the second output is operable with a cleaning tool, and wherein the valve is configured to be switched between a first position where the pressurized fluid flows through the first output and to a second position where the pressurized fluid flows through the second output.

15. The spray apparatus of claim 14, wherein the valve is configured to adjust the pressure of the pressurized fluid flowing through the conduit between a relatively high pressure above a threshold pressure and a relatively low pressure below the threshold pressure.

16. The spray apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a source of cleaning solution fluidly connected with the source of pressurized fluid, wherein the source of cleaning fluid is configured to substantially flow with the source of pressurized fluid when the pressurized fluid is below the threshold pressure and substantially prevent the source of cleaning fluid from flowing with the source of pressurized fluid when at or above the threshold pressure.

17. The spray apparatus of claim 14, wherein the valve comprises a first valve in series with a second valve, wherein the first valve is configured to adjust the pressure of the source of pressurized fluid, and the second valve is adjustable to fluidly connect the source of pressurized fluid with one of the first output or the second output.

18. The spray apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first valve is a throttle valve.

19. The spray apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second valve is configured to fluidly connect the source of pressurized fluid with both the first output and the second output simultaneously.

20. A fluid outlet device for a pressure washer comprising:

a housing with an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and defining a fluid flow path therethrough between the inlet and the outlet portion;

the inlet portion further comprising a first connector and a coaxial independent second connector.

21. The fluid outlet device of claim 20, wherein the first connector is a male quick connect plug.

22. The fluid outlet device of claim 21, wherein the second connector is a first threaded connector.

23. The fluid outlet device of claim 21, wherein the second connector is a tab that is engageable with a corresponding slot.

24. The fluid outlet device of claim 20, wherein an outer diameter of the second connector is greater than an outer diameter of the first connector.

25. The fluid outlet device of claim 22, wherein the second connector is configured to engage an adaptor with a corresponding second threaded connector on an end of the adaptor, wherein the second threaded connector is opposite the first threaded connector.

26. The fluid outlet device of claim 25, wherein the adaptor comprises an adaptor inlet portion and an adaptor outlet portion with an adaptor lumen defined therethrough, wherein the adaptor outlet portion supports the second threaded connector.

27. The fluid outlet device of claim 26, wherein the first connector extends within the adaptor lumen when the second threaded connector engages the second connector.

28. The fluid outlet device of claim 27, wherein the first connector does not contact the adaptor lumen when the second threaded connection engages the second connector.

29. The fluid outlet device of claim 25, wherein the adaptor is configured to removeably engage a wand.

30. The fluid outlet device of claim 29, wherein the adaptor comprises an inlet connector on an adaptor inlet portion that is removeably connectable with the wand.

31. The fluid outlet device of claim 20, further comprising an o-ring disposed with the second connector.

32. The fluid outlet device of claim 20, wherein the housing further comprises a chemical injection valve.

33. The fluid outlet device of claim 20, further comprising a shroud surrounding the housing, wherein the shroud is configured to be relatively movable with respect to the housing.

34. The fluid outlet device of claim 33, wherein the housing and the shroud are configured to alter a flow of fluid from the outlet portion of the housing when one of the shroud and the housing are moved with respect to the other of the shroud and the housing.

35. The fluid outlet device of claim 20, wherein the fluid outlet device is one of a nozzle a surface cleaner, a rotating brush, a fixed brush, or a roller.

36. A fluid outlet device for a pressure washer comprising:

a hollow longitudinal member with an inlet portion and an outlet portion configured to allow a flow of high pressure liquid to flow therefrom;

wherein the inlet portion comprises a first connector and a second connector, with the first and second connectors configured to be independently engaged to receive a liquid flow from a pressure washer.

37. The fluid outlet device of claim 36, wherein the first connector is a male quick connect plug, and wherein the second connector is a rotatable connection portion.

38. The fluid outlet device of claim 37, wherein an outer diameter of the rotatable connection portion is greater than an outer diameter of the male quick connect plug.

39. The fluid outlet device of claim 38, wherein the rotatable connection portion is configured to engage an adaptor with an opposing rotatable connection portion to the rotatable connection portion.

40. A fluid outlet device for pressurized fluid flow comprising:

an inlet configured to receive a flow of liquid;

a fixed portion configured to selectively contact a surface to be cleaned; and

a rotating portion configured to contact the surface to be cleaned prior to the fixed portion contacting the surface when the device is oriented in a normal operational position.

41. The fluid outlet device of claim 40, wherein the fixed end and rotating portion each comprise a plurality of bristles.

42. The fluid outlet device of claim 41, wherein the plurality of bristles on the rotating portion are made of a relatively soft material.

43. The fluid outlet device of claim 40, further comprising a wheel with a plurality of fins configured to receive the flow of liquid, wherein the rotating portion is rotatably connected with the wheel.

44. The fluid outlet device of claim 43, wherein the rotating portion is rotatably connected with the wheel with a planetary gear system.

45. The fluid outlet device of claim 44, wherein the rotating portion is fixed to a planetary gear of the planetary gear system, wherein a sun gear is fixed to the wheel, and a ring gear is fixed to the fixed portion, wherein a center of the planetary gear translates around the sun gear as the wheel is rotated.

46. A monolithic connector for pressurized fluid flow comprising:

an input portion comprising a male quick connect coupler;

an output portion comprising a female threaded portion; and

an internal hollow portion configured for fluid flow through the connector from the input portion to the output portion.