Fluid spray nozzle having leak resistant sealing means

• US 4,219,160 A
• Filed: 01/06/1978
• Issued: 08/26/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Allred, Roy H. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Application Number:
  US05/867,435
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 239/443, 239/444, 239/445, 239/446, 239/447, 239/448, 239/449, 239/383, 239/381
• US Class Current: 239/447
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/18 Roses; Shower heads with means for adding soap or the like E03C1/046; jet regulators E03C1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/654 using universal joints
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/04 driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet B05B3/023 takes precedence

Abstract

A fluid spray nozzle of the massaging type for selectively producing pulsating and nonpulsating streams is provided with axially adjustable valve sealing arrangements for selectively opening and closing inlet ports. The axial flow directing and sealing means provides positive shut-off characteristics even after the various elements have been subjected to substantial wear.

Claims

1. A fluid spray nozzle comprising:

a hollow housing having a fluid inlet, a first group of fluid spray discharge outlets, and a second group of fluid spray discharge outlets;

means in said housing defining an inlet plenum communicating with said fluid inlet, a first pair of inlet ports communicating with said inlet plenum, a second pair of inlet ports communicating with said inlet plenum, first passage means extending from said first pair of inlet ports to said first group of discharge openings, and second passage means extending from said second pair of inlet ports to said second group of discharge openings;

means within said second passage means responsive to fluid flowing through said second passage means to cyclically interrupt such fluid and cause a pulsating fluid spray to be discharged from said second group of discharge openings whenever fluid flows through said second passage means;

a first one of said first pair of ports and a first one of said second pair of ports aligned on a first axis in spaced-apart facing relationship, and a second one of said first pair of ports and a second one of said second pair of ports aligned on a second axis in spaced-apart facing relationship;

a first valve assembly mounted for reciprocating movement on said first axis between the respective ports, said first valve assembly being movable between a first end position blocking said first one of said first pair of ports and a second end position blocking said first one of said second pair of ports;

a second valve assembly mounted for reciprocating movement on said second axis between the respective ports, said second valve assembly being movable between a first end position blocking said second one of said first pair of ports and a second end position blocking said second one of said second pair of ports;

and control means coupled to said first and second valve assemblies for adjustably positioning said valve assemblies and thereby selectively dividing fluid flowing from said inlet between said first and second groups of outlet openings.

2. A fluid spray nozzle as defined by claim 1 in which control means comprises:

a control member accessible from the outside of the housing movable between first and second end positions;

and motion transmitting means coupled to said control member and to said first and second valve assemblies, said motion transmitting means aligned with said control member and said first and second valve assemblies such that movement of said control member to its first end position simultaneously moves said first and second valve assemblies to their respective first end positions and such that movement of said control member to its second end position simultaneously moves said first and second valves assemblies to their respective second end positions;

whereby fluid may be directed selectively through only said first group of outlet openings, only said second group of outlet openings, or proportionately divided between said first and second groups of openings

3. A fluid spray nozzle as defined by claim 2 in which each of said valve assemblies includes a pair of valve members each adapted to seat in the respective port to prevent fluid flow therethrough, and in which sealing contact between said first pair of ports and the respective valve members establishes the first end positions of said first and second valve assemblies and said control member, and in which sealing contact between said second pair of ports and the respective valve member establishes the second end positions of said first and second valve assemblies and said control member.

4. A fluid spray nozzle as defined by claim 2 in which said first and second axes are parallel, said motion transmitting means includes a spur gear, and said first and second valve assemblies include respective gear racks meshing with diametrically opposed sides of said spur gear such that movement of said control member causes equal and opposite movement of said valve assemblies along their respective axes.

5. A fluid spray nozzle as defined by claim 4 in which each of said valve assemblies includes a pair of valve members each adapted to seat in the respective port to prevent fluid flow therethrough, and in which sealing contact between said first pair of ports and the respective valve members establishes the first end positions of said first and second valve assemblies and said control member, and in which sealing contact between said second pair of ports and the respective valve members establishes the second end positions of said first and second valve assemblies and said control member.

6. A fluid spray nozzle as defined by claim 5 in which said second pair of ports have substantially greater flow area than said first pair of ports.