Dual control spray nozzle with detachable head

• US 9,849,472 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2016
• Issued: 12/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glenn A. Ayers
• Original Assignee: Glenn A. Ayers
• Inventors: Ayers, Glenn A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganey, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US15/054,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20160250651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 239390, 239391, 239397, 239439, 239447, 239525, 239530, 2395811
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/16 having selectively- effective outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/3026 the controlling element being a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock B05B1/3006, B05B1/326 take precedence; gate valves or sliding valves in general F16K3/00; cocks in general F16K5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/002 Manually-actuated controlling means, e.g. push buttons, levers or triggers for single units B05B11/00

Abstract

A handheld sprayer nozzle is provided that has dual levers connected to an internal rotary valve for easily and comfortably controlling and turning on and off the flow of water or other liquid or fluid emitted through the sprayer nozzle and out of its head from either side of the sprayer regardless of the orientation of the sprayer head relative to a user holding the sprayer nozzle. The handheld sprayer nozzle is connectable to an end of a pressurized hose. The sprayer nozzle'"'"'s dual control levers are located on opposite sides of the sprayer nozzle so as to be generally located in positions opposite to one another and may be easily operated from either side of the sprayer nozzle by a user'"'"'s thumb. The sprayer nozzle'"'"'s head is also detachable so that sprayer heads of different lengths and spray patterns can be attached to the sprayer nozzle for different uses.

Claims

1. A sprayer nozzle for spraying a liquid from a cooperating hose, the sprayer nozzle comprising:

a handle grip having a central longitudinal axis, a first end configured for connection to the hose, a second end, and a first side and a second side opposed about the central longitudinal axis;

a spray head connected to the second end of the handle grip; and

,

a first lever and a second lever attached to the handle grip and interposed between the first end and the second end of the handle grip, the first lever protruding from the first side and the second lever protruding from the second side;

wherein each of the first lever and the second lever are configured to turn on and off and control the flow of liquid from the spray head of the sprayer nozzle.

2. The sprayer nozzle of claim 1, wherein the first lever and second lever are manually adjustable to control a volume of fluid passing through the spray head, the first and second levers manually adjustable from any orientation of the sprayer nozzle when held in a hand of a user.

3. The sprayer nozzle of claim 1, wherein the first lever and second lever are tabs protruding from a rotatable lever.

4. The sprayer nozzle of claim 1, the spray head having front and rear faces, wherein the first lever and second lever are oriented in a plane that is generally the same as that of the front and rear faces of the spray head.

5. The sprayer nozzle of claim 1, the spray head having front and rear faces, wherein the first lever and second lever are oriented in a plane that is generally perpendicular to a plane in which the front and rear faces of the spray head are oriented.

6. The sprayer nozzle of claim 1, wherein when the handle grip is held in a hand of a user, the first lever and second lever are both configured for manipulation by only a single finger of the hand holding the handle grip to turn on, turn off, and control the flow of fluid through the sprayer nozzle that is emitted out of the spray head.

7. The sprayer nozzle of claim 1, wherein the first lever and second lever are adjustable to open, close, and control a volume of fluid passing through a rotary valve interposed between the first end and the second end of the handle grip.

8. A sprayer nozzle system for spraying a liquid from a cooperating hose, the sprayer nozzle comprising:

a handle grip having a central longitudinal axis, a first end configured for connection to the hose, and a second end;

one or more detachable spray shafts each having a first end and a second end, each second end configured for attachment to and detachment from the second end of the handle grip;

a spray head configured for attachment to the first end of at least one of the one of more spray shafts; and

,

a first lever and a second lever attached to the handle grip, interposed between the first end and the second end of the handle grip, and opposed about the central longitudinal axis;

wherein the first lever and second lever are configured to turn on and off and control the flow of liquid from the spray head of the sprayer nozzle by operation of the first lever or second lever from either side of the sprayer nozzle.

9. The sprayer nozzle system of claim 8, wherein the first lever and second lever are manually adjustable to control a volume of fluid passing through the spray head, the first and second levers manually adjustable from any orientation of the sprayer nozzle when held in a hand of a user.

10. The sprayer nozzle system of claim 8, wherein the one or more detachable spray shafts are constructed of different shapes, sizes, or lengths.

11. The sprayer nozzle system of claim 8, further including one or more spray heads, wherein each of the one or more spray heads are configured to produce a different spray pattern through location, size, and arrangement of spray apertures in the spray head.

12. The sprayer nozzle system of claim 8, wherein the first lever and second lever are tabs protruding from a rotatable lever.

13. The sprayer nozzle system of claim 8, the spray head having front and rear faces, wherein the first lever and second lever are oriented in a plane that is generally the same as that of the front and rear faces of the spray head.

14. The sprayer nozzle system of claim 8, the spray head having front and rear faces, wherein the first lever and second lever are oriented in a plane that is generally perpendicular to a plane in which the front and rear faces of the spray head are oriented.

15. The sprayer nozzle system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one of more spray shafts has a length of at least five inches.

16. A method of operating a sprayer nozzle to spray a liquid, the method comprising:

a) providing a hose;

b) providing a sprayer nozzle, comprising;

i) a handle grip having a central longitudinal axis, a first end configured for connection to the hose, a second end, and a first side and a second side opposed about the central longitudinal axis;

ii) a spray head connected to the second end of the handle grip;

iii) a first lever and a second lever attached to the handle grip and interposed between the first end and the second end of the handle grip, the first lever protruding from the first side and the second lever protruding from the second side; and

,

iv) wherein each of the first lever and the second lever are configured to turn on and off and control the flow of liquid from the spray head of the sprayer nozzle;

c) connecting the first end of the handle grip to the hose;

d) holding the handle grip in only one hand; and

,

e) operating the first lever or the second lever from either side of the sprayer nozzle with only a single finger of the hand holding the handle grip to turn on and off and control the flow of liquid from the spray head of the sprayer nozzle.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

in b), the spray head including a spray shaft configured for attachment to and detachment from the second end of the handle grip; and

,

attaching the spray shaft of the spray head to the second end of the handle grip.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

in b), a plurality of detachable spray shafts each configured for attachment to and detachment from the second end of the handle grip;

detaching one of the plurality of spray shafts to the second end of the handle grip; and

,

attaching another one of the plurality of spray shafts to the second end of the handle grip.