U.S. patent number 3,770,203 [Application Number 05/146,954] was granted by the patent office on 1973-11-06 for spray system.
Invention is credited to Dillard F. Dyar.
United States Patent |
3,770,203 |
Dyar |
November 6, 1973 |
SPRAY SYSTEM
Abstract
A rotatable spray head is disclosed wherein the spray head is
received in a housing designed for mounting flush with a floor or
other surface. A fluid supply line passes into the housing and is
associated with the spray head in a telescoping fashion. The spray
head is provided with a plurality of radially, outwardly extending
fluid passageways, the outer ends of which are angularly varied so
as to permit fluid to pass therethrough, cause the head to rotate
and permit fluid to exit at different angles for complete coverage
of an area being sprayed. The spray plate also serves as a cover
for the receptacle and moves upwardly therefrom to a spray position
when fluid pressure is applied to the underside thereof. In this
regard, once the fluid pressure ceases, the spray head
automatically returns to an inoperative position where it serves as
a cover for the housing. Plate return to the inoperative position
may be by gravity, by bias of a spring provided therefor or the
like. A preferred embodiment of the present invention finds the
housing also serving as a fluid drain and adapted to be connected
to a drain line. In this embodiment, the spray plate is provided
with a plurality of openings therein in direct communication with
the drain so as to permit fluid that has been sprayed or otherwise
deposited in the area to flow through the openings in the spray
plate into the drain line.
Inventors: |
Dyar; Dillard F. (Abbeville,
SC) |
Family
ID: |
22519737 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/146,954 |
Filed: |
May 26, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/205; 134/179;
239/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
15/74 (20180201); B05B 3/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
3/02 (20060101); B05B 15/10 (20060101); B05B
3/06 (20060101); B05B 15/00 (20060101); B05b
003/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/200-206 ;15/1.7
;134/166R,168R,176,179 ;4/172.15,172.16,172.17 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wood, Jr.; M. Henson
Assistant Examiner: Love; John J.
Claims
I claim:
1. An improved fluid dispensing system comprising:
a. a housing, said housing being adapted for connection to a fluid
drain line;
b. a fluid supply line associated with said housing and extending
inwardly thereof; and
c. a rotatable spray head received in said housing, said spray head
comprising a stem and a spray plate secured thereto, said stem
having an axial opening therethrough and in communication with said
fluid line, said plate having a plurality of tortuous fluid
passageways extending radially outwardly with respect thereto, said
passageways being in communication with said axial opening, said
spray head being movable to an operative position by a fluid force
thereon and returnable to an inoperative position upon cessation of
said fluid force, said spray plate further defining a plurality of
drain openings dispersed between the fluid passageways.
2. An improved fluid dispensing system as defined in claim 1
wherein said fluid supply line is integral with said housing.
3. An improved fluid dispensing system as defined in claim 1
wherein said fluid supply line and said stem are telescopingly
associated for rotational and limited axial movement of said spray
head with respect to said fluid supply line.
4. An improved fluid dispensing system as defined in claim 1
wherein said rotatable plate nests within said housing in an
inoperative position.
5. An improved fluid dispensing system as defined in claim 4
wherein spring means are received around said stem to bias said
spray head in the inoperative position.
6. An improved fluid dispensing system as defined in claim 1
wherein certain of said fluid passageways are dissimilar at their
outer ends.
7. An improved fluid dispensing system as defined in claim 6
wherein deflection plates are provided at the outer ends of said
fluid passageways to deflect fluid being dispensed in a
predetermined direction.
8. An improved fluid dispensing system as defined in claim 1
wherein said fluid passageways terminate as deflection plates and
wherein said deflection plates are varied to deflect fluid at
predetermined angles.
9. An improved fluid dispensing system comprising:
a. a housing, said housing having means thereon for connection to a
drain line;
b. a fluid supply line extending inwardly of said housing through a
portion thereof;
c. a spray nozzle received within said housing and in communication
with said fluid supply line; and
d. a cover received in said housing and completely enclosing same,
said cover being attached to said nozzle whereby said cover and
said nozzle move upwardly upon receipt of fluid pressure thereon
and return to an inoperative position upon cessation of fluid
pressure thereon, said cover further defining a plurality of drain
openings disposed thereabout, whereby fluid may pass therethrough
when said cover is in the inoperative position.
10. An improved fluid dispensing system comprising:
a. a housing, said housing having means thereon for connection to a
fluid drain line;
b. a fluid supply line associated with said housing and extending
inwardly thereof; and
c. a rotatable fluid dispensing plate operatively associated with
said fluid supply line and said housing, said plate having a
plurality of fluid passageways disposed thereabout and in
communication with said fluid supply line, said spray plate further
having a plurality of drain openings disposed between the fluid
passageways, said spray plate being movable to an operative
position by a fluid force thereon and returnable to an inoperative
position upon cessation of said fluid force.
11. An improved fluid dispensing system as defined in claim 10
wherein the fluid supply line is integral with the housing, the
housing is adapted for connection with a drain line, and the
rotatable dispensing plate is telescopingly associated with the
fluid supply line.
12. An improved fluid dispensing system as defined in claim 10
wherein said fluid passageways terminate at deflection plates and
wherein said deflection plates are varied to deflect fluid at
predetermined angles.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Spray heads for various uses have heretofore been devised. These
general types of spray heads, upon receiving a fluid pressure
thereon, force a cover plate upwardly along with the one or more
spray nozzles disposed thereunder. The fluid is then dispensed
through the spray nozzle which may be a rotating nozzle, an
oscillating nozzle or the like. This type apparatus has been
normally used for sprinkling lawns, irrigation, the dispensing of
liquid fertilizer and the like. Likewise, floor drains having
perforated covers that prevent the passage of debris into a drain
line while permitting the passage of water or other fluids
therethrough are well known and are generally mounted flush with a
floor or other surface in which the drain is used.
A problem exists today in the area of maintenance and cleaning of
restrooms, industrial areas, squeegee, station bays and the like.
The main sources of the problem are a lack of available labor to
perform the cleaning function and also the ineffectiveness of the
available labor in properly cleaning. Moreover, according to the
teachings of the prior art, the application of cleaning solutions
onto these areas has been separate from the removal of the cleaning
solutions after their purpose has been accomplished. Hence, it has
been the custom to spray, mop, etc., water and other cleaning
solutions onto the area to be cleaned after which the solutions are
removed by further mopping, by a sueegee, by drain lines or the
like. This old method of cleaning requires excessive time and
effort and generally the walls, etc., remain virtually untouched.
In fact, a health problem exists in many instances, due to improper
or poor cleaning.
The present invention provides a definite advance over the prior
art from the standpoint of equipment as well as the standpoint of
utilization of the equipment. The provision of a self-cleaning
system wherein a combined cover and spray head is provided
simplifies the cleaning operation. Additionally, the combination of
a spray head and drain pipe reduces the equipment required for the
cleaning and removal operations while permitting simplification
thereof. Much less labor is thus required when the apparatus of the
present invention is utilized while improving the cleanliness
and/or sanitation of the area being cleaned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved
rotating spray head for the dispensing of fluids.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a unique
system for the cleaning of an enclosed area such as a bathroom, or
the like.
Still further, another object of the present invention is to
provide a combined fluid spray unit with a fluid removal unit.
Generally speaking, the present invention relates to an improved
fluid spray device comprising a housing, a fluid supply line
extending into said housing, and a rotatable, dispensing plate
operatively associated with said fluid supply line and said
housing, said plate having a plurality of fluid passageways
incorporated therewith, said plate further being movable to an
operable position by a fluid force thereon and automatically
returnable to an inoperative position upon cessation of said fluid
force thereon.
More specifically, the present invention teaches a fluid spray
device wherein a cover plate for a housing therefor is both a cover
plate and a rotatable spray head. The cover plate has a conduit
depending therefrom that telescopes within a fluid supply line and
upon receipt of fluid pressure thereon, moves axially along said
fluid supply line to an operative position. Thereafter, fluid
passing through said line extends into said cover plate and through
a plurality of fluid passageways provided therefor. The fluid
passageways extend radially outwardly in a tortuous manner so as to
rotate said plate by the force of fluid passing therethrough.
Furthermore, the individual fluid passageways terminate at various
angles to horizontal at the periphery of the plate so as to
dispense fluid at varying angles and thus assure proper coverage of
an area being sprayed.
The housing in which the present system is provided may ideally be
a drain receptacle that is adapted for connection to a drain line.
In the environment where the housing is a drain receptacle, the
cover plate may have a plurality of openings therethrough to permit
direct communication between the waste fluid and the drain
receptacle. Such fluid openings are dispersed about the plate,
between the radially extending fluid passageways.
The present invention further embodies the incorporation of a
regular spray head disposed under a cover plate for a drain
facility wherein the drain plate is not the spray head, but is a
plate that permits the passage of water or other fluid therethrough
after spraying is completed or thereunder during spraying.
The present invention is quite suited for varied useage. For
example, the cemented area around a service station, animal barn,
kennel and the like may be sufficiently washed down by merely
turning on a water valve that permits a flow of water to a series
of spray heads. The spray heads will then rise from within their
respective housings and dispense water etc. onto the area to be
washed down. Likewise, numerous enclosures such as industrial
restrooms, commercial restrooms, and even residential bathrooms
could be automatically washed down with the system of the present
invention. In other words, by merely turning on a valve, a
particular area can be cleaned and the cleaning solution removed
from the area by use of the present invention.
Furthermore, it is a feature of the present invention to optionally
include cleansing, disinfecting, sanitizing, and other agents into
the wash water which are to be sprayed into the area simultaneously
with the water whereupon once the ingredients are used, they could
be left in place or removed with a rinse depending upon the
particular requirements of the environment.
In certain situations, because of a local plumbing code or
inconvenience, it may not be permissible or desirable to connect
the spray system of the present invention to an available water
supply line. Such installations may be suitably equipped with an
inlet connection at some point remote from the area to be cleaned.
A hose or mobile apparatus may then be united with the inlet
connection whereby water, cleaning agents, disinfectents, solvents,
hot air or the like can be fed into the supply lines and dispensed
by the appropriate spray heads. Such a mobile unit may thus be
transported to a restroom, connected to the supply line and during
operation, pump the desired materials to the spray heads.
Thereafter, if desired, warm air may be provided to assist in
drying the area. The mobile unit may then be disconnected,
transported to the next location to be cleaned and the procedure
repeated.
Depending upon the particular environment in which the present
invention is utilized, it may be desirable to additionally provide
manual touch up cleaning after spraying. Generally the manual
cleaning should be required only where the area is subject to
receive excessive dirt, etc. or it is quite necessary to ensure
that all the area is completely clean. A tremendous labor saving
will still result, however, and the subject area will receive a
much superior cleaning than is now being realized.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross sectional view of an embodiment of a
spray head assembly according to the teachings of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of a further embodiment
of a spray head assembly according to the teachings of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a rotating spray head according to the
teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of a portion of a spray
head according to the teachings of the present invention showing in
particular the fluid passageways therein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the Figures, specific preferred embodiments of the
present invention will now be described in detail. In FIG. 1, there
is shown a housing generally indicated as 10 having a bottom 11,
side walls 12, and a shoulder 13 defined at the upper end of side
walls 12. Shoulder 13 has an outer surface 13' that is flush with a
surface 5, such as a floor or the like, when housing 10 is mounted
therein. Surface 5 would generally be a concrete floor, a concrete
drive around a service station, a tile covered floor or the like.
Housing 10 would thus generally be set in place with the
appropriate apparatus to be hereinafter defined on the inside
thereof. The area around housing 10 would then be filled in as
desired to provide surface 5.
A fluid supply line 20 is shown integral with housing 10 and
extending through a side wall 12 thereof. Fluid supply line 20 thus
extends inside housing 10 and turns upwardly to define a spray head
support 21, terminating below an upper, open end of housing 10. A
spray head 30 is shown to be telescopingly received in spray head
support 21. Spray head 30 comprises a plate 32 and a stem 34
threadedly secured thereto at 35 which passes down into the support
end 21 of fluid line 20, passing through a removable cap 22. Plate
32 of spray head 30 is shown as a disc which resides in the opening
of housing 10, resting against shoulder 13 thereof. An upper
surface 32' of plate 32 is thus flush with the contour of surface 5
which surrounds same. Stem 34 of spray head 30 terminates at its
lower end as a flange 36, the purpose of which will be described
hereinafter. A spring 40 is positioned around stem 34 between a
washer 39 resting on flange 36 and the underside of cap 22 and
biases spray head 30 toward the closed position as illustrated in
FIG. 1. Plate 31 has a plurality of radially extending, fluid
passageways 38 therein, said passageways being in direct
communication with an axial opening 36' in stem 34 which leads to
fluid supply line 20.
Once housing 10 is in position, fluid supply line 20 is then
connected to a water line or other fluid source and surface 5 is
installed. When spray is desired, water from the source produces
pressure in supply line 20 which is applied against spray head 30
and forces spray head 30 out of housing 10. As spray head 30 moves
upwardly, flange 36 forces washer 39 against spring 40 and
compresses same against cap 22. Water or other fluid thus passes
through axial opening 34' of stem 34, through fluid passageways 38
to rotate spray head 30 and pass outwardly therefrom into the area
being sprayed. During spraying, the upward position of spray head
30 is maintained by fluid pressure thereon and spring 40 remains
compressed. Once the water or other fluid flow is ceased, however,
pressure on spray head 30 dissipates and spring 40 biases against
flange 36 to return spray head 30 to its resting position within
housing 10.
In FIG. 2, a further embodiment of the present invention is shown
wherein a housing 110 is represented as a drain pot. Drain pot 110
is thus shown to have a bottom portion 111 which is adapted to be
connected to a drain line not shown such as by threads 112
internally thereof and side walls 113, shoulder 114 and upper
surface 114'. A fluid supply line 120 is also shown integral with a
side wall 113 of drain pot 110 and having a spray plate 130
telescopingly received in an upper support end 121 thereof. Spray
head 130 functions in the same manner as described with respect to
FIG. 1 with the exception that a spring is not included. Also,
spray head 130 is illustrated in FIG. 2 in the operative position
with the closed or inoperative position being shown in phantom.
Upon cessation of fluid pressure against spray head 130, spray head
130 unassistedly returns by gravity to its resting position.
A preferred embodiment of spray head 130 is provided with the
assembly shown in FIG. 2 (See also FIGS. 3 and 4). Spray head 130
thus comprises a plate 132 having a stem 134 threadedly attached
thereto and depending downwardly therefrom, terminating at a flange
136 extending therearound. Stem 134 of spray head 130 thus passes
down through a removable cap 122 of a support end 121 of fluid
supply line 120 and telescopes within support 121. An axial opening
134' of stem 134 is thus in direct communication with fluid passing
from line 120 to spray head 130. Plate 132 is provided with a
plurality of radially extending, curved fluid passageways 138.
Furthermore a plurality of openings 139 are defined by plate 132,
said openings being positioned between the fluid passageways 138
across the surface of plate 132. Hence when spray head 130 is in
the closed position, water or other fluid may pass from surface 5,
through openings 139, through drain pot 110 and into a drain line
(not shown).
It is further quite desirable to provide a uniform coverage of an
area being sprayed. In FIGS. 2 and 4, the spray head 130 is shown
to have fluid passageways 138 that terminate at the periphery of
plate 132 at deflection plates 138' which have varying angles, with
respect to horizontal. Hence the deflection plates 138' of fluid
passageways 138 permit the passage of fluid into the surrounding
area at different angles. In so doing, the entire area is well
covered. Also, in an enclosure, where it may be desirable to apply
fluid to the walls as well as the floor, the correct angle on one
or more deflection plates 138' of fluid passageways 138 will direct
fluid for a predetermined height up a wall during rotation of spray
head 130 while other fluid passageways will direct fluid onto
varying sections of surface 5.
Though not shown in the drawings, a conventional sprinkler head
system could be employed in the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 to thus
provide a spray capability for an area and while simultaneously
providing fluid removal capability. In other words, upon receiving
water pressure from line 120, the spray heads (not shown) and a
cover plate without spray heads would move upwardly to permit the
fluid to be sprayed out of the housing 110. Thereafter, upon
cessation of spraying, the spray head and cover plate combination
would return to its seated position at shoulder 113 of drain pot
111 whereby the water or other fluid could drain through openings
139 to the drain line (not shown).
Insofar as materials of construction are concerned for the present
spray system, conventional materials may be employed. In other
words, the housing could be manufactured of cast iron, plastic or
the like for proper connection to water lines, pumps, drain lines
or the like. Moreover, while it is preferred that the fluid supply
line of the housing be integral with the housing, it is certainly
within the scope of the present invention that the fluid supply
line could be separate from the housing and merely pass through a
bottom or side wall thereof. With respect to the cover and the
combined cover and spray head, when used in an area where weight on
the cover might be a problem, it obviously should be constructed of
a material to withstand any pressure thereon without breaking.
Having described the present invention in detail, it is obvious
that one skilled in the art will be able to make variations and
modifications thereto without departing from the scope of the
invention. Accordingly, the present invention should be determined
only by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *