U.S. patent application number 11/364789 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for blast media nozzle and nozzle assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Media Blast & Abrasives, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert A. Robinson.
Application Number | 20070202781 11/364789 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38444609 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070202781 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robinson; Robert A. |
August 30, 2007 |
Blast media nozzle and nozzle assembly
Abstract
A novel blast nozzle and nozzle apparatus are provided to
eliminate time and tooling requirements of prior art blast nozzles.
The nozzle is utilizable with a union connector, which includes a
connector body having an axial bore and a boss centrally disposed
within the bore. The connector also has a collet seated within the
bore that includes gripping teeth. The teeth are oriented inwardly
toward the boss and are positioned at an engagement distance from
the boss. The nozzle includes a nozzle body with an inlet end and
an axial bore. The nozzle also includes a capture band that is
positioned about the nozzle body at approximately the engagement
distance from the inlet end. The capture band is sized and
configured to substantially engage the gripping teeth of the collet
to restrict axial movement of the nozzle upon insertion into the
connector.
Inventors: |
Robinson; Robert A.;
(Glenwood, NM) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER
75 ENTERPRISE, SUITE 250
ALISO VIEJO
CA
92656
US
|
Assignee: |
Media Blast & Abrasives,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38444609 |
Appl. No.: |
11/364789 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/102 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24C 5/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/102 |
International
Class: |
B24C 5/04 20060101
B24C005/04 |
Claims
1. A nozzle for use with a connector, the connector including a
connector body and a collet, the connector body including an axial
bore and a boss, the boss being centrally disposed within the axial
bore, the collet being at least partially seated within the bore at
a distal end of the connector, the collet including a plurality of
gripping teeth oriented inwardly toward the boss, the teeth being
positioned at an engagement distance from the boss, the nozzle
comprising: a nozzle body defining an inlet end and including an
axial bore; and a capture band being positioned about the nozzle
body at approximately the engagement distance from the inlet end,
the band being sized and configured to substantially engage the
gripping teeth of the collet to restrict axial movement of the
nozzle upon insertion into the connector.
2. The nozzle of claim 1 wherein engagement of the capture band to
the gripping teeth occurs during insertion of the nozzle into the
connector as the inlet end of the nozzle converges upon the boss of
the connector.
3. The nozzle of claim 1 wherein engagement of the capture band to
the gripping teeth non-removably mounts the nozzle to the
connector.
4. The nozzle of claim 1 wherein the capture band defines a
groove.
5. The nozzle of claim 1 wherein the capture band is an annular
groove on the nozzle body.
6. The nozzle of claim 5 wherein the annular groove defines a
rectangular cross section.
7. The nozzle assembly of claim 1 wherein the capture band is
substantially planar.
8. A nozzle for use with a union connector, the union connector
including a connector body and a collet, the connector body
including an axial bore and a boss, the boss being centrally
disposed within the axial bore, the collet being at least partially
seated within the bore at a distal end of the connector, the collet
including a plurality of gripping teeth oriented inwardly toward
the boss, the nozzle comprising: a cylindrical nozzle body defining
an inlet end and including an axial bore; and a capture groove
being positioned about the nozzle body proximate the inlet end, the
groove being sized and configured to substantially receive the
gripping teeth of the collet upon insertion of the nozzle into the
distal end of the connector to restrict axial movement of the
nozzle.
9. The nozzle of claim 8 wherein the gripping teeth of the collet
are positioned at an engagement distance from the boss of the
connector, the groove being disposed at approximately the
engagement distance from the inlet end to facilitate engagement of
the gripping teeth of the collet with the groove of the nozzle.
10. The nozzle of claim 8 wherein engagement of the capture band to
the gripping teeth non-removably mounts the nozzle to the
connector.
11. The nozzle of claim 8 wherein the groove has a rectangular
cross section.
12. The nozzle of claim 8 wherein the groove is substantially
planar.
13. The nozzle of claim 8 wherein the groove is annular.
14. A nozzle assembly, the assembly comprising: a union connector
including: a connector body including an axial bore and a boss, the
boss being centrally disposed within the axial bore; and a collet
being at least partially seated within the bore at a distal end of
the connector, the collet including a plurality of gripping teeth
oriented inwardly toward the boss, the teeth being positioned at an
engagement distance from the boss; and a nozzle including: a
cylindrical nozzle body defining an inlet end and including an
axial bore; and a capture band being positioned about the nozzle
body at approximately the engagement distance from the inlet end,
the band being sized and configured to substantially engage the
gripping teeth of the collet to restrict axial movement of the
nozzle upon insertion into the connector.
15. The nozzle assembly of claim 14 wherein engagement of the
capture band to the gripping teeth occurs during insertion of the
nozzle into the connector as the inlet end of the nozzle converges
upon the boss of the connector.
16. The nozzle assembly of claim 14 wherein engagement of the
capture band to the gripping teeth non-removably mounts the nozzle
to the connector.
17. The nozzle assembly of claim 14 wherein the capture band
defines a groove.
18. The nozzle assembly of claim 14 wherein the capture band is an
annular groove on the nozzle body.
19. The nozzle assembly of claim 18 wherein the annular groove
defines a rectangular cross section.
20. The nozzle assembly of claim 14 wherein the capture band is
substantially planar.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0003] The following generally relates to abrasive blasting and,
more specifically, to a uniquely designed blast nozzle and nozzle
assembly that eliminates the need for standard tooling typically
required to install and replace blast nozzles.
[0004] Abrasive blasting processes are widely used to remove
unwanted materials from a substrate surface. In most cases,
compressed air or other fluid is applied to propel abrasive
particles such as sand, ceramic alumina, tungsten carbide, boron
carbide, or silicon nitride through a conduit, against the
substrate surface. Through a nozzle, the abrasive materials are
accelerated to a high speed and collide with a target surface. The
collisions force removes unwanted dirt or other materials away from
the target surface.
[0005] The blast nozzle itself is a major element determining the
effectiveness of a blasting apparatus. Typically, the blasting
apparatus includes an air hose, an abrasive hose, a gun, and the
nozzle. The air hose and the abrasive hose are connected to the gun
and supply compressed air (or fluid) and an amount of abrasive
particulate, respectively, to the gun where the air is utilized to
accelerate the abrasive particulate to high speeds for blasting.
The acceleration of the abrasive particulate occurs principally in
the nozzle, and principally due to the configuration of the nozzle.
The nozzle used in abrasive blasting includes an entrance bore
through which compressed air/fluid carrying abrasive particles
passes. The entrance bore of the nozzle typically converges over a
relatively short distance into a smaller-diameter exit bore. The
quickly decreasing cross-sectional area of the converging section
of the nozzle accelerates the abrasive particles. Such acceleration
allows the abrasive materials to exit the nozzle and bombard the
target surface at elevated speeds for more efficient cleaning.
[0006] The pressure within the gun due to the compressed air/fluid,
which frequently reaches 100 psi, creates tremendous forces on the
nozzle during the blasting process. Consequently, the nozzle must
be firmly mounted to the gun. Otherwise, the forces behind the
nozzle may cause the nozzle to be ejected from the gun at extremely
high speeds, akin to the action of a bullet from a gun.
Manufacturers have made certain design changes to the nozzles in
order to prevent such mishaps and accidents. For example, as shown
in FIGS. 1a and 1b, a common design for a nozzle 10 includes a
threaded engagement portion, which threadably attaches the nozzle
10 to the blast gun. The threaded engagement portion 12 allows the
nozzle 10 to be threaded into position and fastened tightly to the
gun. The threaded nozzle 10 is usually attached to the gun by
utilizing tools and other equipment such as ferrules, wrenches, and
the like. However, the nozzle 10 must be installed on the gun with
great care and effort. This laborious process of installing the
nozzle typically requires the tightening of at least two ferrules
and cautious handling of the wrench so as to preserve the nozzle
intact.
[0007] Although the inclusion of a threaded engagement portion on
prior art nozzles has been quite successful in ensuring that the
nozzles do not become projectiles during blasting operations, there
are certain disadvantages associated with the required installation
procedures and the inclusion of threads on the gun. As alluded to
above, installation of a threaded nozzle requires several steps,
including the tightening and attachment of ferrules. This process
is sometimes made difficult due to the residue of abrasive
particulate that may be present in the female nozzle attachment
threads of the gun. This simple problem is a burden during
installation because it creates a cleaning step. As a result, the
installation of the nozzle may take several minutes, if not create
additional problems due to improper installation technique or
handling of the nozzle during installation.
[0008] The above-mentioned nozzle installation process has several
inherent drawbacks including the requirement of the use of tools,
lost time for the worker, and the increased risk of other, albeit
less-foreseeable problems during installation. Therefore, although
threaded nozzles have been effective in ensuring the safe use of
nozzles at high pressures, there is a need to improve the
installation procedure of such nozzles. Indeed, there is thus a
substantial need to provide an improved nozzle and nozzle assembly
that eliminates the requirement of tools, ferrules, and other
impediments in safely securing the nozzle to the blasting
apparatus. There is a further need in the art for an improved
nozzle design that can be easily implemented on all sizes and
shapes of nozzles, as well as being compatible with all of the
standard sizes and shapes of hoses, connectors, and guns. Finally,
there is a substantial need in the art for improving the speed,
facility, and cost effectiveness of using blast nozzles for sand
blasting and related applications.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0009] As mentioned above, an object of the present invention is to
provide a nozzle and a nozzle assembly that substantially reduces
time and tooling requirements for blasting operations. In
particular, embodiments of the present invention serve to reduce
the time and tooling requirements necessary to change or install
the nozzle of a blasting gun. Additionally, embodiments of the
present invention are operative to improve the manner in which the
nozzle is held by a blasting gun. In this regard, the substantial
improvements and contributions to the state of the art as disclosed
herein, are believed to make the installation and mounting of the
nozzle faster and simpler while maintaining a coupling that is as
safe and effective as that of prior art threaded blast nozzles.
[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle
assembly includes a union connector and the nozzle. The union
connector includes a connector body having an axial bore and a
boss. The boss is centrally disposed within the axial bore. The
union connector also includes collet that is at least partially
seated within the bore and located at a distal end of the
connector. The collet includes a plurality of gripping teeth
oriented inwardly toward the boss, and the teeth are positioned at
an engagement distance from the boss.
[0011] The nozzle is uniquely configured to be mounted within the
union connector in order to ensure safe use of the nozzle, i.e., to
ensure that the nozzle does not become a projectile upon use. The
nozzle includes a cylindrical nozzle body that defines an inlet
end. The nozzle also includes an axial bore through which abrasive
particulate travel during the blasting operation. Further, the
nozzle includes a capture band that is positioned about the nozzle
body at approximately the engagement distance from the inlet end.
The capture band is sized and configured to substantially engage
the gripping teeth of the collet when the nozzle is inserted into
the union connector. The engagement of the capture band with the
gripping teeth serves to restrict axial movement of the nozzle,
thereby maintaining the nozzle secured within the union
connector.
[0012] As mentioned, the engagement of the capture band to the
gripping teeth occurs when the nozzle is inserted into the
connector. Preferably, engagement occurs as the inlet end of the
nozzle converges upon the boss of the connector so as to ensure a
tight fit between the nozzle and the union connector. Engagement of
the capture band to the gripping teeth may thus non-removably mount
the nozzle to the connector.
[0013] The capture band of the nozzle may be variously configured.
According to an implementation of the present invention, the
capture band may at least in part, define a groove. For example,
the capture band may be an annular groove that is position
proximate the inlet end on the nozzle body. The groove may also be
planar. Further, the annular groove may define a rectangular cross
section. However, it is also contemplated that the capture band may
also be a raised area along the nozzle body which would similarly
cause engagement with the gripping teeth.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] These and other features and advantages of the various
embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect
to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers
refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0015] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a prior art blast nozzle
including a threaded engagement portion;
[0016] FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional view of the prior art blast
nozzle showing a threaded engagement portion;
[0017] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a nozzle in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle including a
capture band, shown as a groove, in accordance with an
implementation of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of a nozzle assembly including a union
connector and the nozzle in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle assembly
illustrating the engagement of gripping teeth of the union
connector with the capture band of the nozzle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for
purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention
only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 2a is a
perspective view of a nozzle 100 in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention. As mentioned above, nozzles are typically
used in a variety of applications. Embodiments of the present
invention may be mounted in blasting guns used in blasting
operations to accelerate a fluid or particulate in order to blast a
substrate. This process causes a great amount of pressure and force
to be exerted on the nozzle 100 due to the fluid being urged
therethrough. As described above, in order to ensure that a nozzle
does not shoot out of the blasting gun, prior art devices have used
hardware such as ferrules and required the use of other tools to
mount or remove a prior art nozzle 10. In contrast, embodiments of
the present invention include a capture band 102 disposed on the
nozzle 100 that is designed to engage gripping teeth 104 of a
connector 106 and thereby secure the nozzle 100 thereto. As will be
seen, embodiments of the present invention allow a user to quickly
install and safely use the nozzle 100, thus eliminating the tooling
and equipment requirements of the prior art. These advantages, as
well as others, over the prior art are due to the unique features
of the present invention, discussed further below.
[0022] The nozzle 100 is used in conjunction with the connector
106, and preferably used with a union connector 108, as
illustratively shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Other types of connectors
106 may be utilized to secure the nozzle 100 for use. However, the
union connector 108 is preferable because of its versatility to be
used with various sizes of pneumatic hose 110. The connector 106
may accommodate the standard hose 110 and nozzle 100 diameter
sizes, such as 1/8 inch, 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch. The
connector 106 must be operative to fluidly interconnect the hose
110 to the nozzle 100, wherethrough a fluid or abrasive particles
may travel. For example, in abrasive blasting, the connector 106
would fluidly interconnect the hose 110 to the nozzle 100 in order
to direct an output stream from the hose 110 toward a target
object.
[0023] The connector 106 is preferably configured to include a
connector body 112 and a collet 114. The connector body 112
includes an axial bore 116 and a boss 118 which is centrally
disposed within the axial bore 116. The collet 114 of the connector
106 is at least partially seated within the bore at a distal end
120 of the connector 106. Finally, the collet 114 includes a
plurality of gripping teeth 104 oriented inwardly toward the boss
118. The teeth are positioned at an engagement distance 122 from
the boss 118. Other configurations and various equivalents for the
collet 114 and the gripping teeth 104 may be designed and may be
presently available in the art. These, and other features of the
connector 106 may be variously modified and adapted to be utilized
with embodiments of the present invention. The connector 106 may
also be made of various materials as known in the art.
[0024] As show in FIG. 2b, the nozzle 100 may be a straight nozzle
100 with a venturi 124 that converges to an axial bore 126.
However, the nozzle 100 is not limited to a particular internal
configuration, but may be configured to include single or double
venturis 124 of various lengths, angled blast outputs of various
configurations and number, water induction, siphons, and various
blast patterns configurations, to name a few. Additionally, as will
be noted through the teachings herein, the nozzle 100 may be
manufactured of various materials such as tungsten carbide,
aluminum oxide, boron carbide, silicon carbide, and various new
materials such as that manufactured by Cerbide.TM..
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the nozzle 100 includes a
nozzle body 128 defining an inlet end 130 and including the axial
bore 126. The nozzle body 128 may be variously configured, such as
to be cylindrical, which configuration is generally used in the
industry. However, other configurations of the nozzle body 128 may
be developed and utilized. The nozzle 100 may thus be variously
configured to include features that may affect the size, shape, and
geometry of the axial bore 126.
[0026] The capture band 102 of the nozzle 100 is positioned about
the nozzle body 128. The band is sized and configured to
substantially engage the gripping teeth 104 of the collet 114 to
restrict axial movement of the nozzle 100 upon insertion into the
connector 106. The engagement of the capture band 102 to the
gripping teeth 104 may occur during insertion of the nozzle 100
into the connector 106 as the inlet end 130 of the nozzle 100
converges upon the boss 118 of the connector 106. Additionally, the
nozzle 100 may need to be rotated or moved within the connector 106
in order to complete the engagement or to adjust and verify the
engagement prior to use.
[0027] One of the primary beneficial features of the embodiments of
the present invention lies in the fact that the engagement may be
accomplished without the use of tools. In addition, the engagement
allows the nozzle 100 to remain mounted in the connector 106 during
use, instead of being transformed into an unsafe, high-speed
projectile once the pressure from the abrasive fluid is applied. In
this regard, the nozzle 100 may be non-removably engaged to the
connector 106 for axial forces exerted by the fluid that are
slightly greater than the maximum pressure of the connector 106. As
is known in the art, the connector 106 may be capable of handling a
certain maximum pressure. It is contemplated that the engagement of
the nozzle 100 may be able to withstand the maximum pressure force
that the connector 106 can withstand without being discharged from
the inlet end 130 of the connector 106. This will ensure that if
the connector 106 is used according to its safety standards and
ratings, the nozzle 100 will also be safely engaged by the
connector 106. Thus, according to preferred embodiments, the nozzle
100 is non-removably engaged to the connector 106 once proper
engagement between the teeth 104 and the capture band 102 has been
made.
[0028] The nozzle 100 may be sold together with a proper connector
106 as a nozzle assembly 134, although they may also be sold
separately. Although pictured with a length of hose 112, it will be
understood that the nozzle assembly 134 may simply include the
nozzle 100 and the connector 106. Because the nozzle 100 will
eventually be disposed of when it reaches its services life, and
because the connector 106 is relatively inexpensive, the connector
106 may be disposed of along with the nozzle 100 when the nozzle
100 reaches its service life.
[0029] The engagement of the capture band 102 and the gripping
teeth 104 is due in part to the orientation of the teeth 104 of the
connector 106, which may be oriented inwardly both axially and
toward the boss 118, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The teeth 104 are
preferably angularly oriented with respect to the nozzle body 128.
In other words, the teeth 104 may preferably be configured to
converge toward the capture band 102 of the inserted nozzle 100,
also converging inwardly toward the boss 118 of the connector 106.
The gripping teeth 104 are operative to dig into softer material
types, such as a rubber pneumatic hose 110. However, because the
nozzle 100 may typically be made of a very hard material, the
capture band 102 is required to ensure that the gripping teeth 104
are able to properly engage the nozzle 100 to prevent axial
movement. Various teeth configurations may be utilized and may
correspond to the dimensions and configuration of the capture band
102 of the nozzle 100, and vice versa.
[0030] Further, although possibly less preferable, the nozzle 100
may alternatively be configured to include a sleeve being made of a
material that is soft enough to be properly engaged (dug into) by
the gripping teeth 104. However, in such a situation, the nozzle
100 would only be indirectly engaged within the connector 106.
Thus, the incorporation of the sleeve may be problematic because it
must be fixedly secured to the nozzle 100 utilizing an adhesive or
structural component. Nevertheless, it is contemplated that the
engagement of the nozzle 100 with the gripping teeth 104 may
include such indirect forms of engagement.
[0031] Once the teeth 104 are engaged with the capture band 102, an
axial force directed to remove the nozzle 100 from the connector
106 causes the teeth 104 of the collet 114 to dig or be thrust
further into the capture band 102, thereby impeding removal of the
nozzle 100. In a typical use, this axial force may be supplied by
the axial force created by fluid being urged through the connector
106 and out through the nozzle 100, and attempting manual removal
of the nozzle 100 from the connector 106 may require similar axial
forces. The engagement of the capture band 102 with the teeth 104
is strong enough to counterbalance the axial forces on the nozzle
100. As mentioned above, the nozzle 100 may be non-removably
engaged by the gripping teeth 104 when the forces of the fluid are
applied thereto.
[0032] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the capture band 102 preferably encircles the entire nozzle body
128 in a circumferential manner, as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The
capture band 102 may be continuous or discontinuous, and may also
be raised or indented, as discussed below. The capture band 102 may
therefore be annular and is preferably a continuous band. For
example, as also shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the capture band 102 may
be a groove 132 that circumferentially covers the nozzle body 128.
In this regard, the groove 132 may be configured to define a
rectangular cross section, as shown in FIGS. 2a, 3, and 4. The
cross-section of the capture band 102 may also be modified to
correspond to the gripping teeth 104 of the collet. As mentioned,
the teeth 104 may dig or be thrust into or toward the capture band
102. Thus, the teeth 104 may be lodged to within the groove 132.
The teeth 104 may also be forced against other portions of the
groove 132, such as edges or boundaries of the groove 132.
Therefore, the teeth 104 may be axially compressed against the
groove 132 or may also provide a longitudinal impediment to axial
movement.
[0033] The groove 132 may also be variously configured. For
example, if the collet 114 includes only three gripping teeth 104,
the capture band 102 may be configured to include three notches
wherein the three teeth 104 may be seated upon engagement. Further,
if the teeth 104 are configured to include a specific pattern or
design at their distal end 120, the capture band 102 may be
designed to lock the distal ends 120 of the teeth 104 therein in
order to complete engagement. The groove 132 may also be planar. In
such an embodiment, groove 132 may define a plane and the nozzle
100 may define a central axis. The plane may be perpendicular to
the central axis of the nozzle 100, and the groove 132 may be
parallel to the plane. This embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 2a
and 2b. However, the groove 132 may also be shaped as a zig-zag
pattern, offset rings, or multiple indentations. Thus, although the
groove 132 may not be a continuous slot about the nozzle body 128,
the groove 132 may provide a discrete number of indentations
suitably sized and configured to receive the gripping teeth 104 for
engagement. Further, the groove 132 may be other than rectangular
in its cross sectional geometry. For example, the groove 132 may be
configured similarly to a parallelogram to correspond to the shape
of the gripping teeth 104. Such configuration may allow the
gripping teeth 104 to be axially slidably receivable within the
groove 132. However, a slidable engagement between the nozzle 100
and the connector 106 should be configured to ensure that any gap
between the inlet end 130 of the nozzle 100 and the boss 118 of the
connector 106 is minimized, as described below, so as to protect
against blowing the connector 106. Additionally, the groove 132 may
also be configured to provide other forms of engagement such as by
twisting the nozzle 100.
[0034] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the capture band 102 may also be configured as a raised portion of
the nozzle body 128, such as a protrusion or a bump. In such an
embodiment, engagement preferably occurs when the capture band 102
is axially forced past the teeth 104 upon insertion of the nozzle
100 into the connector 106. Although not shown, a continuous or
discontinuous protrusion about the nozzle body 128 may also serve
to provide the engagement with the gripping teeth 104, as similarly
described above in relation to the groove 132. In such an
embodiment, the protrusion is preferably continuous about the
nozzle body 128, such as a continuous raised rib. In use, when the
teeth 104 engage the capture band 102, and the axial force directed
to remove the nozzle 100 from the connector 106 is exerted, the
teeth 104 dig into or are thrust into the raised rib and thus
impede removal by tending to limit axial movement of the nozzle
100. The exertion of these forces may result in axial compression
of the capture band/raised rib 102 by the teeth 104. Alternatively
however, the raised rib may be sufficient to restrict the axial
movement of the nozzle 100 because the teeth 104 block passage of
the capture band/raised rib 102.
[0035] Furthermore, the capture band 102 may be configured to
include both the groove 132 and the raised portion. With such a
combination, various types of engagements between the nozzle 100
and the gripping teeth 104 are possible. The slidable and twisting
engagement may be performed utilizing the groove 132 and the raised
portion.
[0036] In addition, the capture band 102 is preferably disposed at
approximately the engagement distance 122 from the inlet end 130 of
the nozzle 100. Due to the forces exerted on the connector 106 by
accelerated fluid or abrasive particles, proper seating of the
nozzle 100 within the connector 106 is extremely important to
ensure proper engagement. The nozzle 100 should preferably be
seated within the connector 106 with the inlet end 130 of the
nozzle 100 substantially abutting the boss 118 of the connector
106. If a gap remains between the inlet end 130 of the nozzle 100
and the boss 118 of the connector 106, the forces exerted by the
fluid may blow the connector 106, which is extremely dangerous. The
connector 106 may also be blown if the hose 110 is cut crooked,
i.e., not cut perpendicularly aligned to the axis of the hose 110.
Thus, in order to ensure proper engagement of the nozzle 100, the
capture band 102 is preferably spaced from the inlet end 130 of the
nozzle 100 at the same distance from which the teeth 104 are
disposed from the boss 118 of the connector 106, referred to herein
as the engagement distance 122. The engagement distance 122 may be
adjusted to compensate for peculiarities in the engagement of the
teeth 104 with the capture band 102, such as for the geometry of
the teeth 104 and capture band 102. It is contemplated that various
alternative embodiments of the teeth 104 and/or capture band 102
may require specific attention to determine the engagement distance
122 in order to ensure that the nozzle 100 is properly seated in
the connector 106.
[0037] The above description is given by way of example, and not
limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art
could devise variations that are within the scope of the invention
disclosed herein, including various ways of manufacturing and
utilizing the nozzle 100 and nozzle assembly 134. Further, the
various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used
alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not
intended to be limited to the specific combination described
herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the
illustrated embodiments.
* * * * *