Pressure washer wand having a nozzle selector

• US 8,640,973 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2006
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Original Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Inventors: Gansebom, Neil
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Len
• Assistant Examiner(s): CERNOCH, STEVEN MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/516,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20080061167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,707 Days
• Field of Search: 239/71, 239380-397, 239436-541, 2395811-5821
• US Class Current: 239/390
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1654 about an axis parallel to the liquid passage in the stationary valve element
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1672 the selectively-effective outlets being arranged on a tube or pipe
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/169 having three or more selectively effective outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/026 Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor

Abstract

A pressure washer wand assembly configured to discharge pressurized fluid in a changeable spray pattern. The wand assembly comprises a tube portion having an input end and an output end. A nozzle assembly has a plurality of selectable nozzles, and the nozzle assembly is disposed near the output end and configured to discharge the pressurized fluid in a spray pattern. A nozzle indicator is spaced from the output end and indicates a spray characteristic of a selected nozzle.

Claims

1. A pressure washer wand assembly configured to discharge pressurized fluid in a changeable spray pattern, the wand assembly comprising:

a rigid tube portion having an input end and an output end defining therebetween a longitudinal axis;

a nozzle coupler attached to the rigid tube portion and including a single passageway that is offset from and not symmetric about the longitudinal axis;

a nozzle assembly index having a plurality of selectable nozzles, the nozzle assembly index disposed downstream of the passageway and configured to discharge the pressurized fluid in a spray pattern, all of the pressurized fluid passing through the passageway before being discharged through any of the selectable nozzles;

a nozzle assembly collar coupled for co-rotation with the nozzle assembly index, at least a portion of the nozzle coupler being received within the nozzle assembly collar for rotatably supporting the nozzle assembly collar thereon;

a seal positioned between the nozzle coupler and the nozzle assembly index, the pressurized fluid in the tube portion first passing through an aperture in the seal prior to being discharged through one of the nozzles;

a nozzle indicator disposed upstream of the output end that indicates a spray characteristic of a selected nozzle; and

an elongated outer housing coupled for co-rotation with the nozzle assembly index and containing therein substantial lengths of the tube portion, the nozzle coupler, the nozzle assembly index, and the nozzle assembly collar, wherein the housing is configured to rotate with respect to the tube portion to select the selected nozzle.

2. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle assembly collar is press fit to the outer housing near the output end of the tube portion.

3. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle indicator is rotatable.

4. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle indicator is configured to rotate with the nozzle assembly index.

5. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 4, wherein the nozzle indicator is located between the input end and the output end of the tube portion.

6. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 5, wherein the nozzle indicator is located near the input end of the tube portion.

7. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 1, further comprising a view window through which the nozzle indicator is viewable, wherein the view window is located between the input end and the output end of the tube portion.

8. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 7, wherein the view window is located near the input end of the tube portion.

9. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle indicator includes at least one of text, an icon, a color, and a number.

10. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal is received within a recess in the nozzle coupler, and wherein the seal is in sliding contact with the nozzle assembly index in response to rotation of the nozzle assembly index.

11. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 10, wherein the seal is radially offset from a rotational axis of the nozzle assembly index.

12. A pressure washer wand assembly configured to discharge pressurized fluid in a changeable spray pattern, the wand assembly comprising:

a rigid tube portion having an input end and an output end defining therebetween a longitudinal axis;

an elongated outer housing containing therein a substantial length of the tube portion;

a nozzle coupler attached to and extending from the output end of the rigid tube portion, the nozzle coupler including a passageway that is offset from the longitudinal axis;

a nozzle assembly index having a plurality of selectable nozzles, the nozzle assembly index disposed downstream of the passageway and configured to discharge the pressurized fluid in a spray pattern;

a nozzle assembly collar coupled for co-rotation with the nozzle assembly index, at least a portion of the nozzle coupler being received within the nozzle assembly collar for rotatably supporting the nozzle assembly collar thereon;

a seal positioned to form a seal between the nozzle coupler and the nozzle assembly index and defining a seal interior and a seal exterior, the pressurized fluid in the tube portion first passing through the seal interior prior to being discharged through one of the nozzles, the seal arranged to prevent the flow of fluid around the seal exterior for each selected nozzle; and

a nozzle selector positioned near the input end, upstream of the output end, and coupled for co-rotation with the nozzle assembly index to select a nozzle from the nozzle assembly index;

wherein the elongated outer housing also contains therein substantial lengths of the nozzle coupler, the nozzle assembly index, and the nozzle assembly collar.

13. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 12, wherein the nozzle assembly collar is press fit to the outer housing near the output end of the tube portion.

14. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 12, wherein the wand assembly further comprises a nozzle indicator indicating a spray characteristic of the selected nozzle.

15. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 14, wherein the nozzle indicator includes at least one of text, an icon, a color, and a number.

16. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 12, wherein the nozzle assembly index and the nozzle selector are rotatable relative to the rigid tube portion.

17. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 16, wherein an elongated member couples the nozzle selector to the nozzle assembly index.

18. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 17, wherein the elongated member is disposed within the elongated outer housing.

19. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 18, further comprising:

a nozzle indicator that indicates a spray characteristic of a selected nozzle, the nozzle indicator coupled for co-rotation with the nozzle selector, and

a view window through which the nozzle indicator is viewable, wherein the view window located between the input end and the output end of the tube portion.

20. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 17, wherein the elongated member is disposed adjacent the tube portion.

22. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 12, wherein the nozzle selector includes a ratchet and a pawl.

23. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 12, wherein the seal is received within a recess in the nozzle coupler, and wherein the seal is in sliding contact with the nozzle assembly index in response to rotation of the nozzle assembly index.

24. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 23, wherein the seal is radially offset from a rotational axis of the nozzle assembly index.

21. A pressure washer wand assembly configured to discharge pressurized fluid in a changeable spray pattern, the wand assembly comprising:

a rigid tube portion having an input end and an output end defining therebetween a longitudinal axis;

an elongated outer housing containing therein a substantial length of the tube portion;

a nozzle coupler attached to and extending from the output end of the rigid tube portion, the nozzle coupler including a passageway that is offset from the longitudinal axis;

a nozzle assembly index having a plurality of selectable nozzles, the nozzle assembly index disposed downstream of the passageway and configured to discharge the pressurized fluid in a spray pattern;

a nozzle assembly collar coupled for co-rotation with the nozzle assembly index, at least a portion of the nozzle coupler being received within the nozzle assembly collar for rotatably supporting the nozzle assembly collar thereon;

a seal positioned between the nozzle coupler and the nozzle assembly index, the pressurized fluid in the tube portion first passing through an aperture in the seal prior to being discharged through one of the nozzles; and

a nozzle selector positioned near the input end, upstream of the output end, and coupled for co-rotation with the nozzle assembly index to select a nozzle from the nozzle assembly index;

wherein the elongated outer housing also contains therein substantial lengths of the nozzle coupler, the nozzle assembly index, and the nozzle assembly collar, wherein the nozzle assembly index and the nozzle selector are rotatable relative to the rigid tube portion, wherein an elongated member couples the nozzle selector to the nozzle assembly index, and wherein the elongated member includes a second tube portion.

25. A pressure washer wand assembly configured to discharge pressurized fluid in a changeable spray pattern, the wand assembly comprising:

a rigid tube portion having an input end and an output end defining therebetween a longitudinal axis;

a nozzle coupler attached to the rigid tube portion and including a passageway that is offset from the longitudinal axis;

a nozzle assembly index having a plurality of selectable nozzles, the nozzle assembly index disposed downstream of the passageway and configured to discharge the pressurized fluid in a spray pattern;

a nozzle assembly collar coupled for co-rotation with the nozzle assembly index, at least a portion of the nozzle coupler being received within the nozzle assembly collar for rotatably supporting the nozzle assembly collar thereon;

a seal positioned between the nozzle coupler and the nozzle assembly index, the pressurized fluid in the tube portion first passing through an aperture in the seal prior to being discharged through one of the nozzles;

an elongated, rotatable outer housing containing therein substantial lengths of the tube portion, the nozzle coupler, the nozzle assembly index, and the nozzle assembly collar;

a nozzle selector positioned near the input end, upstream of the output end, and configured to select a nozzle from the nozzle assembly index; and

a nozzle indicator positioned near the input end, upstream of the output end, that indicates a spray characteristic of a selected nozzle,

wherein the nozzle indicator is configured to rotate with the nozzle assembly index and with the elongated, rotatable outer housing, and wherein the housing is configured to rotate with respect to the tube portion to select the selected nozzle, wherein the nozzle assembly collar and the nozzle assembly index are formed as separate components.

26. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 25, wherein the nozzle assembly collar is press fit to the outer housing near the output end of the tube portion.

27. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 25, wherein the outer housing has a hand grip.

28. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 25, wherein the elongated, rotatable outer housing is coupled to the nozzle assembly index and configured to rotate with respect to the tube portion to select a nozzle from the nozzle assembly index.

29. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 25, further comprising a view window through which the nozzle indicator is viewable, wherein the view window is located near the input end of the tube portion.

30. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 25, wherein the nozzle indicator includes at least one of text, an icon, a color, and a number.

31. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 25, wherein the seal is received within a recess in the nozzle coupler, and wherein the seal is in sliding contact with the nozzle assembly index in response to rotation of the nozzle assembly index.

32. The pressure washer wand assembly of claim 31, wherein the seal is radially offset from a rotational axis of the nozzle assembly index.

33. A pressure washer wand assembly configured to discharge pressurized fluid in a changeable spray pattern, the wand assembly comprising:

a rigid tube portion having an input end and an output end defining therebetween a longitudinal axis;

a nozzle coupler attached to the rigid tube portion and including a passageway that is offset from the longitudinal axis;

a nozzle assembly index having a plurality of selectable nozzles, the nozzle assembly index disposed downstream of the passageway and configured to discharge the pressurized fluid in a spray pattern;

a nozzle assembly collar coupled for co-rotation with the nozzle assembly index, at least a portion of the nozzle coupler being received within the nozzle assembly collar for rotatably supporting the nozzle assembly collar thereon;

a seal positioned between the nozzle coupler and the nozzle assembly index, the pressurized fluid in the tube portion first passing through an aperture in the seal prior to being discharged through one of the nozzles;

a nozzle indicator disposed upstream of the output end that indicates a spray characteristic of a selected nozzle; and

an elongated outer housing coupled for co-rotation with the nozzle assembly index and containing therein substantial lengths of the tube portion, the nozzle coupler, the nozzle assembly index, and the nozzle assembly collar, wherein the housing is configured to rotate with respect to the tube portion to select the selected nozzle, wherein the nozzle assembly collar and the nozzle assembly index are formed as separate components.

34. A pressure washer wand assembly configured to discharge pressurized fluid in a changeable spray pattern, the wand assembly comprising:

a rigid tube portion having an input end and an output end defining therebetween a longitudinal axis;

an elongated outer housing containing therein a substantial length of the tube portion;

a nozzle coupler attached to and extending from the output end of the rigid tube portion, the nozzle coupler including a passageway that is offset from the longitudinal axis;

a nozzle assembly index having a plurality of selectable nozzles, the nozzle assembly index disposed downstream of the passageway and configured to discharge the pressurized fluid in a spray pattern;

a nozzle assembly collar coupled for co-rotation with the nozzle assembly index, at least a portion of the nozzle coupler being received within the nozzle assembly collar for rotatably supporting the nozzle assembly collar thereon;

a seal positioned between the nozzle coupler and the nozzle assembly index, the pressurized fluid in the tube portion first passing through an aperture in the seal the seal interior prior to being discharged through one of the nozzles; and

a nozzle selector positioned near the input end, upstream of the output end, and coupled for co-rotation with the nozzle assembly index to select a nozzle from the nozzle assembly index;

wherein the elongated outer housing also contains therein substantial lengths of the nozzle coupler, the nozzle assembly index, and the nozzle assembly collar, wherein the nozzle assembly collar and the nozzle assembly index are formed as separate components.