U.S. patent application number 09/822234 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-02 for coiled hose and spray nozzle.
Invention is credited to Thomas, Jeffrey A..
Application Number | 20010010339 09/822234 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27007991 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010010339 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thomas, Jeffrey A. |
August 2, 2001 |
Coiled hose and spray nozzle
Abstract
A system for providing water for watering gardens, particularly
plants, and for washing objects includes tubing having a coiled
section that automatically retracts into a small coil when not in
use. The tubing may be connected to various sources of water and a
nozzle provides an adjustable spray pattern. The tubing is
preferably polyurethane for ease of use. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/377,853, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,800, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. U.S. Pat.
No. 6,209,800 is in turn a continuation of U.S. Pat. No.
5,964,412.
Inventors: |
Thomas, Jeffrey A.;
(McMinnville, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CLARK & BRODY
Suite 600
1750 K Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20008
US
|
Family ID: |
27007991 |
Appl. No.: |
09/822234 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09822234 |
Apr 2, 2001 |
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09377853 |
Aug 20, 1999 |
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6209800 |
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09377853 |
Aug 20, 1999 |
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08926138 |
Sep 9, 1997 |
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5964412 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
239/195 ;
137/355.16; 138/119; 239/525; 239/530 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 11/12 20130101;
Y10T 137/6918 20150401; F16L 11/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/195 ;
239/525; 239/530; 137/355.16; 138/119 |
International
Class: |
B65H 075/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A fluid delivery system comprising an elongate flexible tube, an
adjustable spray nozzle at one end of said tube, and a connector to
a source of pressurized fluid at the opposite end of said tube,
wherein said flexible tube is formed in extendible and contractible
helical coils having opposed ends, said tube being comprised of
polyurethane having a durometer hardness measurement in the range
of 85 to 98 Shore A, an inner diameter in a range of from 0.360 to
0.4 inch, and an outer diameter in a range of 0.510 to 0.560 inch
and being formed in coils having an inner diameter in a range of
from 1.75 to 2.5 inches, the tube being so formed that adjacent
coils when in a contracted position are pressed against each other,
and wherein said wand, spray nozzle, and tube are sized to produce
an appropriate flow of water such that said spray nozzle is
operative to spray water in a pattern defined by a user.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said tube is comprised of
polyurethane having a durometer hardness measurement in a range of
90 to 97 Shore A.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said tube is comprised of
polyurethane having a durometer hardness measurement of about 95
Shore A.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said tube has an inner diameter
of about 0.370 inch and an outer diameter of about 0.520 inch.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said tube is formed in coils
having an inner diameter of about two inches.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said tube has a selected
contracted length and is manually extendable to a length at least
14 times said contracted length.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein said spray nozzle has a single
outlet aperture having a diameter in the range of from 0.200 inch
to 0.275 inch.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said diameter is 0.235 inch.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to the art of systems that provide a
flow of water for watering, washing, cleaning, and the like. More
particularly, the invention relates to a system having an elongate
flexible, extendable, and contractible, helically coiled tube, or
hose, which permits a wide range of movement. The invention
provides a balanced water system that is convenient in use and
provides an adjustable flow of water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Known garden watering systems have generally relied on
watering cans, permanently mounted sprinkler systems, or hoses of
fixed length that had to be manually rolled up or otherwise stored
out of the way when not in use.
[0003] Watering cans have certain disadvantages, such as limited
capacity and weight, and certain advantages, such as ease and
flexibility of use. The permanently mounted systems are expensive
to install and have the disadvantage that they cannot easily be
moved to reach new areas. Known hoses are generally of large
diameter (e.g., 1/2 to 5/8 inch) and provide large flow rates,
which is not always required for watering individual plants or many
washing and cleaning activities. The hoses are generally rather
long so that they are be able to reach all parts of a given area,
and this renders them cumbersome in use and difficult to store.
[0004] Watering cans and full-size hoses are particularly
inconvenient for watering elevated plants, such as those in hanging
baskets. Filled watering cans and hoses are heavy, and the nozzles
typically used on the hoses do not lend themselves to use on
elevated objects. Similarly, known water flow systems for washing
or cleaning are not convenient because the hoses are heavy in use
(i.e., when filled with water). While hoses of smaller diameter are
known, per se, combination with the usual nozzle with such a hose
results in a system not particularly desirable or useful because
the design flow rate of the hose does not match that of the nozzle.
Thus, prior systems have not provided the combination of
convenience and performance.
SUMMARY OF TIE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention overcomes many of the problems of
prior devices used for watering, washing, or cleaning. In a first
embodiment according to the invention, a system allows a user to
water plants easily and conveniently over a large garden area. In
another embodiment, the invention overcomes many of the problems
associated with systems used for cleaning, washing and the like by
providing a coiled hose of smaller diameter combined with a nozzle
that creates an effective, adjustable spray pattern. The system of
the invention includes an elongate, flexible tube of smaller
diameter than the normal garden hose and formed in extendable and
contractible helical coils having opposed ends. A faucet connector
is coupled to one end of the tube, and a spray nozzle is coupled to
the opposite end of the tube. By providing a small diameter tube in
extendable and contractible helical coils, a system is provided
that is lightweight, automatically contracts for storing, and is
sized to provide an appropriate flow of water without demanding the
weight and cumbersome features of prior watering devices.
[0006] More specifically, the present invention utilizes a tube
comprising polyurethane having a durometer hardness measurement in
a range of 85-98 Shore-A, preferably in the range of from 90 to 97
Shore A, and most preferably about 95 Shore-A to provide the
desired flexibility and durability for such applications.
[0007] Further, applicant has found it advantageous for the inner
diameter of the tube to be in the range of from 0.125 inch to 0.375
inch and an outer diameter in the range of from 0.245 to 0.5625.
The hose is helically coiled, and the inner diameter of the coils
is preferably in the range of from 0.5 to 2.5 inches. The helical
coils are formed so that adjacent coils are pressed against each
other when in their contracted positions and are capable of being
extended manually to a length at least about fourteen times the
contracted length. This allows the system to be maintained in a
compact lightweight contracted condition for storage, yet provides
wide range of use throughout a garden or other area upon
extension.
[0008] An embodiment found particularly useful for watering plants
uses a tube having an internal diameter of about 0.160 inch and an
outer diameter of about 0.245 inch. In this embodiment, the inner
diameter of the helical coils is about one inch.
[0009] A second embodiment found particularly useful for washing
and cleaning uses a tube having an inside diameter in the range of
from 0.360 to 0.4 inch and preferably about 0.370 inch. The outer
diameter of the tubing for this embodiment is preferably in the
range of from 0.510 to 0.560 inch and preferably about 0.520 inch.
The wall thickness is preferably in the range of from 0.075 to
0.080 inch. The inner diameter of the helical coils is in the range
of from 1.75 to 2.5 inches and preferably 2.0 inches.
[0010] The tubing preferably has a straight section or "tail" at
each of the opposed ends, and the length of each of these tails is
preferably in the range of from six to eighteen inches and
preferably twelve inches.
[0011] The preferred nozzle used in the second embodiment provides
openings that result in a high-velocity stream for the rate at
which water flows in the tubing. If a nozzle of the type having a
single opening is used, the diameter of the opening should be in
the range of from 0.200 inch to 0.275 inch and preferably 0.235
inch.
[0012] The helical tubing is preferably the style known as
"reversed coils" and is made of ether-base polyurethane.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a coiled tube
water system having a connector for connecting the coiled tube to a
standard hose faucet, the connector having a bore to permit
controlled flow of fluid to the tube and a strain relief sleeve
surrounding the tube adjacent the hose connector.
[0014] Further, the system may have an elongate rigid tube spray
wand with an adjustable spray nozzle at the user end of the system
to allow watering otherwise difficult to reach regions. The
lightweight, easily flexible tube and the elongate spray wand
provide a system that allows the user to conveniently water plants
difficult to access with prior watering systems.
[0015] A still further object of the invention is to provide a
convenient system for delivering water at a rate sufficient to wash
larger objects, such as automobiles, decking, or outdoor
furniture.
[0016] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become more fully apparent as the following
description is read in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garden watering system
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally
along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 3A is an enlarged side elevation view of a coiled tube
portion of the system in a contracted condition.
[0020] FIG. 3B is an illustration similar to that of 3A but with
the tube in an extended working condition.
[0021] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally
along line 4-4 of FIG. 3A.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] With reference to FIG. 1, a garden watering system 10 is
connected to a hose faucet 12. The system 10 includes a faucet
connector 14, an elongate tube 16, and an elongate spray nozzle or
wand device 18.
[0024] Tube 16 is preferably made of flexible polyurethane tubing
in extendable and contractible helical coils 16a.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the tube is extruded to provide an inner
diameter noted at X and an outer diameter Y. The coils are formed
with an inner diameter noted at Z. The tube is formed such that in
the contracted position illustrated in FIG. 3A adjacent coils are
pressed against each other. The coils are pressed together with
sufficient force that they retain their contracted position during
storage, but the contracting force of the coil is sufficiently
light that the normal user can easily extend tube 16 to its working
length.
[0026] While the preferred dimensions set forth above can be
changed it has been found that the tubing made of the material
specified and the coil configuration specified provides an
excellent balance between coil memory and coil tension. It has been
found that if the coil diameter Z is reduced substantially, the
tubing will either collapse or the coil tension will be too great
for convenient use. Substantially increasing the diameter Z of the
coil can reduce the coil's shape memory, thus affecting the
tendency of the coil to contract and reducing the coil tension to
an unsatisfactory degree.
[0027] The relationship among the tubing size, coil diameter and
the contracted and extended lengths also optimizes the convenience
for the user. In FIG. 3A the dimension CL denotes the contracted
length of the coiled section of the tubing. In FIG. 3B EL denotes
the extended length of the coil portion of the tubing when manually
extended by a user. For the coil formed of the materials set out
above and with the dimensions established, a one inch longitudinal
length of coil in its contracted state will produce approximately
1.3 feet of extended material. A coil having a contracted length CL
of 25 inches may be extended to a length of approximately 32 feet.
It has been found for user convenience that the extended length EL
should be at least 14 times the contracted length. Shorter or
longer coils may be used to provide watering systems consistent
with user needs.
[0028] The faucet connector 14 as best shown in FIG. 2 includes a
fitting 20 secured in one end of tube 16 and an internally threaded
screw-on coupling 22 rotatably mounted on fitting 20.
[0029] Fitting 20 comprises an elongate, substantially cylindrical,
externally barbed portion 20a and a disk-shaped head 20b secured
thereto. A bore 24 extends through the fitting, which is smaller
than the inner diameter X of tubing 16. Coupling 22 is a screw-on
hose coupling rotatably mounted on head 20b. The fitting portion
20a is inserted into an end of tube 16 and held therein by an
interference fit, with the barbs inhibiting removal axially of the
tube.
[0030] An elastomeric washer 26 having a sieve-like strainer 28
secured therein is held within coupling 20 against head 20b.
[0031] During assembly, an elongate polyurethane sleeve 30
initially is slid onto tube 16 with a substantially tight, yet
slidable, fit therebetween. The sleeve is slid axially along tube
16 so that it does not surround the end portion of tube 16 into
which the barbed fitting is to be inserted. The barbed fitting then
is forcibly inserted axially into the end of the tube. Sleeve 30
then is slid along tube 16 to a position as shown in FIG. 2 to
extend about the outer portion of tube 16 surrounding fitting
portion 20a. Sleeve 30 tightly confines the end of tube 16 around
the barbed coupling fitting to hold it therein.
[0032] Secured about sleeve 30 and extending axially from a
position adjacent coupling 22 and over a major portion of sleeve 30
is an expanded foam sleeve 34. Sleeve 34 and sleeve 30 together
form a strain relief sleeve tightly surrounding tube 16 in the
region of the insert and extending axially of the tube a distance
beyond the insert to provide added strength in the region of the
hose-connection end of the system. Further, the expanded foam
sleeve 34 provides a comfortable grip for a user working with this
end of the system.
[0033] The opposite end portion of tube 16 is coupled through a
fitting 38 to elongate spray wand 18. The spray wand has a handle
portion 40, an elongate substantially rigid tube 42, and a swivel
mounted adjustable spray nozzle 44. An elongate control lever 46 is
pivotally mounted on handle 40 and is connected to a valve in the
spray wand to control the flow of fluid from tube 16 into the spray
wand and out nozzle 44.
[0034] Operation of the device as a garden watering system is very
simple and convenient. The hose coupling is screwed onto a hose
faucet 12 and the faucet is turned on. A controlled flow of water
passes through strainer 28 to prevent particulate matter above a
selected size from passing into the tube which otherwise might
occlude the spray nozzle. Water flowing through the strainer is
controlled in its flow through bore 24 into tubing 16 and upon
activation of lever 46 the water will spray out of nozzle 44 in a
pattern defined by the user by adjustment of the nozzle. This spray
may be a small diameter, heavy stream, a fog-like, fan-shaped spray
or other shapes produced by the adjustable nozzle.
[0035] When the tubing is in a contracted, coiled configuration
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3a, it rests compactly for storage or
positioning adjacent the hose faucet.
[0036] When used around the garden, the user simply picks up the
spray wand and moves away from the hose faucet 12. The
configuration of the tubing and its coils is such that the user may
easily extend the length of the tubing from its contracted length
CL to any length between CL and its extended length EL. The form of
the coils combines a wide range of extendibility with lower weight
for user convenience and allows the user to move to selected
portions of the garden remote from the faucet while retaining
attachment to the faucet. The elongate spray wand allows the user
to reach regions that are difficult to approach with prior devices.
Further, the use of tubing much smaller in diameter than the usual
garden hose reduces the total weight of the water-filled system
substantially for easier handling by the user.
[0037] A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG.
5. This embodiment includes tubing having a coiled section 50 and
tails sections 52. This embodiment has been found particularly
useful for washing and cleaning objects such as automobiles,
outdoor furniture, and the like. The diameter of the tubing in this
embodiment is slightly larger than that of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1 to provide increased water flow while maintaining user
convenience. In this embodiment the inside diameter of the tubing
is preferably in the range of from 0.360 to 0.400 inch and
preferably is 0.370 inch. The outside diameter of the tubing is
preferably in the range of from 0.510 to 0.560 and preferably is
0.520 inch. The inside diameter of the coils is preferably in the
range of from 1.75 inches to 2.5 inches and preferably is 2
inches.
[0038] The tails 52 of the second embodiment of FIG. 5 may be six
to eighteen inches long, and preferably are twelve inches long. The
material is preferably the same as that of the embodiment of FIG.
1, and a strain relief sleeve as shown in FIG. 2 may be provided at
one or both ends. The connection to the source of water may take
any of various forms. For example, the connector may be the
threaded connector 22 shown in FIG. 2, a quick disconnect as known
in the art, or a non-removable connection such as by a clamp.
[0039] One advantage provided by the invention is the use of
nozzles that are designed for the flow rate provided by the
particular tubing chosen. Thus, when the flow rate is reduced by
the use of small tubing, a nozzle is employed that is designed for
that smaller flow rate. This allows the nozzle to provide the
desired spray pattern. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the
nozzle 54 is preferably not an elongated wand as in FIG. 1 and
provides an adjustable spray pattern as selected by the user
through manipulation of a control handle 56. Of course, other spray
nozzles having other control mechanisms as well as an elongate
spray wand as shown in FIG. 1 may be employed.
[0040] In a particular embodiment, the tubing of the system shown
in FIG. 5 can be extended to fifty feet. In this example, the tails
sections are about twelve inches in length, and the length of the
coil section 50, when contracted, is 36 to 42 inches. Other
specific embodiments having longer or shorter extended lengths will
have proportionately longer or shorter lengths of the coiled
section.
[0041] The nozzle of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is preferably
selected from those that put out a high-velocity stream for the
flow rate provided by the tubing used. A preferred nozzle is of the
type having a single outlet aperture, the flow being controlled by
a valve movable in the aperture. For that type of nozzle used with
the tubing of the embodiment of FIG. 5, the diameter of the outlet
aperture is preferably in the range of from 0.200 inch to 0.275
inch and preferably about 0.235 inch. The nozzle in this embodiment
may also be of extended length as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, if
desired.
[0042] The embodiment of FIG. 5 has been found to be particularly
useful for washing objects because it provides a high flow rate
while retaining the feature of reduced weight and convenient
retraction. Further, the coiled hose tends to avoid becoming wedged
in obstacles in the surrounding area, thus facilitating use
further.
[0043] It will be appreciated that the tubing and coil dimensions
used in the invention provide enhanced recoiling of the tubing when
not in use.
[0044] Modifications within the scope of the appended claims will
be apparent to those of skill in the art.
* * * * *