US2560278A - Adjustable nozzle - Google Patents

Description

July 10, 1951 C, RJCURTIS 2,560,278

ADJUSTABLE NOZZLE Filed Aug. 16, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 1o, 1951. c. R. CURTIS 2,560,278

. ADJUSTABLE NOZZLE Filed Aug. 1 6, 1947 y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIHIIIIIIHIHIHIIIIIIIIHIl .EVEHTDF f2/ujf www Patented July 10, 1951 ADJUSTABLE NozzLE Clarence R. Curtis, Lombard, Ill., assignor toVF. H. Smith Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application August 16, 1947, Serial No. 768,952

8 Claims.

This. invention relates to an improved fluid nozzle, and particularly to an adjustable nozzle for use as a garden hose nozzle, fountain spray, shower head, and similar applications. 1 large number of adjustable nozzle constructions. have been heretofore proposed and utilized. All. of such previously known constructions have, however, been subject to one or more disadvantages. For example, the most common type of hose nozzle wherein a nozzle head is rotated to produce a variation of the spray emitting from the nozzle has the well known disadvantages of requiringa large amount of rotative movement, i. e., several turns, of the nozzle head to eiect the spray adjustment and, furthermore, in beingcapable of interrupting all fluid ilow through the nozzle'v at only one extreme rotative positionofthe.rotatable nozzle head. Hence considerable manipulation of the nozzle head isreduired in ordinary usage, and it was generally necessary for the operator to devote both hands ,tothe-task of .securing proper adjustment or cut off;` Other well recognized defects of conventional nozzles are the ready tendency of such nozzles to leak after relatively limited service, the: irregularity of the degrees of spray pro- `ced by such nozzles, the failure of such nozzles produce a high velocity, cylindrical, stream of fluid for long distance projection, and the inability of such constructions to withstand any substantial amount of rough handling or usage. Many attempts have been made to overcome these well recognized disadvantages of conventional adjustable nozzle constructions but all such attempts have'been commercially unfeasible inasmuch as they involved complications of construction or manufacture,.which had the result of'` substantially increasing the manufacturing cost of .the nozzles to a point where they could notv befprotably placed in competition with the cheaper, but inferior nozzle constructions.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved adjustable nozzle, and particularly a nozzle which will overcome all of the well recognized disadvantages of existing nozzles and yet embodies a simple, sturdy and rugged construction which may be economically manufactured by large quantity, low cost production methods.

A further object of this invention is to provide 2 tation oi the nozzle head. Furthermore, an adjustable nozzle embodying this invention may be conveniently manipulated by one hand of the operator.

Still another object of vthis invention is to provide an improved adjustable nozzle construction wherein fluid leakage from the nozzle under any conditions is positively prevented by a metalto-metal seal, and such seal is maintained fluidtight not only by the pressure of the uid passing through the nozzle but in addition by a positive spring` force.

A further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable nozzle construction capable of unusually economical manufacture in that sub-r stantiallyfall ofthe components of the nozzle may be produced by automatic machinery of the automatic screw machine type. 1

Stillv another object of this invention is to provide an improved adjustable nozzle'construction wherein substantially identical components may be utilized to produce nozzles for a variety of applications, such as for a. garden hose nozzle and .a shower head for bathroom usage.

Lastly, it is an object of this invention to provide an adjustable nozzle which is of extremely compact construction and incorporates a simple yet pleasing exterior configuration and in which the various components are of unusually rugged construction assuring a long service life of the nozzle even under adverse conditions of usage.

The specific nature of this invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the: following detailed description taken in conjunction with the attached sheets of drawings which, by way of preferred example only,.illus trate two embodiments of this invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of an assembled hose nozzleembodying this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged scale, sectional view taken on'the plane II--II of Figure 1 and showing theiluid ilow. control member of the nozzle in its'forward extreme axial position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the iiuid flow control member in its rearward cxtreme axial position;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the plane'lV-IV of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged scale, elevational view, party'in section, of the nozzle head element em-v bodyingthis invention, showing in particular the formation of the spray controlling surfaces there- Figure 6 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the rear section of the fluid flow control member;

Figure 7 is an elevational View, partly in section, of the tail element of the nozzle head; and

Figure 8 is an elevational view, partly in section, along a plane passing through the axis, of a shower head construction embodying this invention.

As shown on the drawings:

As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the hose nozzle embodying this invention comprises a hollow body member I which is of substantially concentric construction permitting such body member to be conveniently manufactured by automatic screw machine processes. rIhe body 'member I0 has a bore I I extending therethrough which bore is of variable diameter along the length of the body member I0 for purposes to be described later. The front end Illal of the body 'member IG is cylindrical and of smaller exterior dimensions than the rear end Illb. The rear end portion may be provided with an external knurling I0c to facilitate the grasping of the nozzle bythe hand of the operator.

From the front to the rear of the body member II), the bore I I is defined as follows: Immediately adjacent the front end thereof, an inwardly Projecting shoulder is provided defining a small diameter bo-re portion IIa and having a conical, rearwardly facing surface IIb which is suitably finished so as to serve as one seating surface of a valve preventing fluid leakage from the nozzle.

' Next to the conical surface IIb there is provided a cylindrical bore portion Ilh which provides a 'bearing surface for journaling the tail section I3 of the rotatable valve head I2. O-n the rearward side of cylindrical bore portion Ilh, enlarged diameter, cylindrical bore portions IIc are provided' which, however, are separated by a reduced diameter bore portion IId, providing a shoulder '.therebetween. A pair of diametrically disposed,

IId and IIf provides a suitable seating surface for vthe customary rubber sealing washer (not `shown) A nozzle head unit I2 is provided having a generally cylindrical exterior front portion I2a and a reduced diameter tail portion I3 which may, .for convenience of assembly, comprise a separate member which is threadably secured to front portion` |20, as by threads I3a. In assembly, however, the threads Illa are drawn up Very tight so that in ordinary usage of the nozzle the tail portion I3 acts. for all practical purposes as an f integral part ofthe front portion I2a.

To facilitate the assemblage of the tail porl tion I3 into the front portion I2a of the nozzle head I2, a pair of opposed flats I3e are provided l on the rear end of the tail portion for engagement by a suitable tool. Flats I3e also serve to provide a flow path through the nozzle as will be later described.

Tail portion I3 has an intermediate neck portion'ISb of suitable diameter to snugly t within the bore surface IIa defined by the inwardly projecting shoulder at the front of body member `I$l. Rearwardly of neck portion I3b the tail section I3 has an enlarged diameter,Y cylindrical bearing portion I3c which is journaled by bore portion IIh of the body member II). surface A conical I3d is provided to connect neck portion Y I'3b and bearing portion Isc, and this surface cooperates with the conical surface IIb of the body member to provide a fluid seal. It will be noted that the arrangement of the valve head I2 with respect to the body member III is such that the fluid pressure applied to the nozzle urges the sealing surfaces Id and IIb together. In addition, an annular disc-type spring I5 may be mounted between the rear face of the front section I2a and the front face of the body member II) to exert a further biasing action on the sealing surfaces.

A central passage I5 is provided entirely through the Valve head unit I2 and communicating with the bore I I of the body member III. From the rear of Valve head unit I2 to the front, the passage I6 comprises the following elements: rst, a threaded portion IBa is provided at the end vof the tail portion I3. The threads Ia are preferably selected of high pitch so that a slight rotation of valve head I6, in any event not more than one turn thereof, will be sufficient to effect al1 the necessary axial movements of the fluid How control member 2l) as will be later described. Immediately forward of the threads I 6a an enlarged groove I6b is provided which, in cooperation with the flatsY I3e, provide a flow path around the threaded end of rear section 20D of the flow control member 2G. Forwardly of the groove ISI), a cylindrical bore section IBC is provided which is of sufficient diameter to provide a large clearance for unimpeded fluid flow around the flow control member 20 and also to provide bearing support for such member.

Forwardly of the cylindrical bore portion I6c, an inwardly projecting shoulder I'IY is provided defining a minimum diameter passage and on its rear side having a conically shaped surface I'Ia which functions as one of the sealing surfaces for cutting off fluid flow throughthe nozzle. Immediately forward of shoulder I'I the passage I6 is radially enlarged as -indicated at I6d and then this surface blends with an inwardly tapering surface Ie which reduces the diameter of the passage toward the forward end thereof. The negative taper provided for the bore portion I6e, and indicated by the angle a in Figure 5, is of substantial importance in achieving high velocity, cylindrical stream of uid for maximum distance projection. While the exact angle of such negative taper may obviously vary slightly according to the conditions of each particular nozzle design, a small angle on the order of 5 is preferably employed. A

The reversely tapering bore portion IIe is terminated at a point where the minimum diameter of such portion is still substantially greater than the bore diameter defined by the shoulder I'I.. At this point the bore I6 is again enlarged by a generally radial section I6f which blends into an outwardly flaring or tapering section Ig which continues out to the end of the nozzle head I2. If desired, a slight conical counterbore Ih may be provided at .the mouth of outwardly flaring portion |69. The exterior surface of the front portion I2a of the nozzle head I2 is provided with knurling I2b so as to facilitatethe grasping and rotating of the nozzle head with respect to body member I0 by the fingers of the operator.

The control of fluid through the central passage I5 is effected by a fluid flow control member 2U which, while it operates unitarily, may conveniently comprise a threaded assembly of a front element 20a and a rear element 2Gb. A screw driver slot 20d may be provided in front element 20a to facilitate assembly.

A spray head 2I of generally bulbousA configura- 1S tion is formed on the extreme front end of the flow control member 20. At least a portion of the bulbous head 2| is of greater diameter than the 'narrow bore defined by the internally projecting shoulder so that in one axial position the v bulbous head 2| will seat against the front face of shoulder I1 to effectively seal off all. iiuid flow Athrough the nozzle. When the bulbous head Il is rst moved forwardly in the passage |6 from its sealing off position, an annular orice will then be defined between the bulbous-head 2| and the reversely tapering bore portionA |6e. The fluid flowing through such annular passage will be discharged from the nozzle as a substantially cylindrical stream, and accordingly the fluid stream may be projected a maximum distance as determined by the pressure of the iiuid. The distance of projection achieved by this construction is quite remarkable.

Still further forward movement of the bulbous head 2| will position such head within the outwardly flaring portion |69 ofthe nozzle head and, by virtue of the reflection of the uid stream by the arcuate surfaces 2 la of the bulbous head to impinge against the flaring wall of passage portion |651, a spray will be produced whose characteristics will vary according to the axial position of the bulbous head portion 2| with respect to the flaring passage |69.

At a point rearwardly spaced from the bulbous head portion 2|, the iiuid flow control member is provided with a forwardly facing abutment surface 22 which may conveniently comprise the tapered front face of the rear section 2th of the composite fluid ow control member 2Q. abutment surface or flange 22 is also of greater diameter than the passage defined by the inwardly projecting shoulder Hence, when the fluid flow control member 2i! -is moved forwardly to shift the bulbous head portion 2| into cooperative relationship with the outwardly iiaring passage portion lbf, the flange 22 will be brought into engagement with the rearwardly facing conical surface lla provided on the shoulder l'! and effect a sealing off of all iiuid iiow through the nozzle in the other extreme axial position of the fluid 'flow control member 2li. Hence, a full range of flow control is obtained including both a cylindrica] stream and a variety of spray characteristics as well as a liuid cut-off condition at each vend of the range.

' The axial movement of the fluid flow control member 20 to effect the adjustmentof flow control through the nozzle may obviously be accomplished in a Variety of manners, but I preferably employ the rotation of the nozzle head I2 to produce such axial movement. This may be conveniently accomplished by providing threads 23 on the exterior .of the rear element 20h of the fluid flow control member 2S. These .threads 23 cooperate with the high pitch threads lila provided in the tail portion I3 of the nozzle head |.2 and hence will produce an axial movement of the flow control member 20 if such member is prevented from rotation while the nozzle head l2 is rotated. Y To prevent the rotation of fluid flow control member 20, yet to freely permit axial movement ofr such member, I preferably .provide a bar 24 which extends transversely across the interior of body 'member I0 and the opposite ends thereof slidably engage in the axially extending grooves le. The bar 24 may be conveniently retained in assembly in the grooves le by staking in the ends of such grooves as indicated at Hy. The bar 24 may be secured to fluid flowrcontro'l member 2!) in a variety of manners, such as by providing an elongated slot 29o in the rear end of the fluid flow control member which snugly receives the bar 24 therein.

It is apparent that rotation of the nozzle head |2 will immediately result in an axial displacement of the fluid flow control member 2l) between the limits of axial movement defined by the respective engagements of the shoulder |1 with the bulbous head portion 2| of the sealing off flange 22. To permit fluid/flow through the threaded connection between the tail portion I3 and the uid flow control member 2B, in addition to that produced by the path provided by flats |3e, the rear section 2gb of the uid ow control member 20 is formed of generally square cross section and the threads 26h formed thereon are provided only at the corners of such square in the manner best shown in Figure 4. Hence, fluid flo-W may freely occur in the clearance between each of the square sides of the rear section 2Gb and the arcuately formed threads of the tail' portion |3.

The ease and economy of manufacture -of an adjustable nozzle constructed according to this invention is readily apparent from the foregoing description. Substantially all of the major components of the nozzle are of concentric config-uration and'hence may be readily produced by 'automatic screw machine methods. The formation of the valve head unit l2 and the fluid flow control unit 2Q by threading together of two sections permits such elements to be conveniently assembled in the nozzle construction and automatically effects a permanent retention of such elements in assembly.

Although the overall dimensions of a nozzle construction embodying this invention are substantially less than that of conventional nozzles, yet all of the individual components thereof are of such sturdy design that such components may be conveniently manufactured from lightweight metals such as aluminum, magnesium or alloys of the same, without fear of structural failures even under adverse conditions of usage. Furthermore, the nozzle may be conveniently held by the operator in one hand and completely controlled by the lingers of the one hand. This leaves the other hand of the operator completely free which is of a decided convenience in manipulating a garden hose.

The iiuid flow control elements of a nozzle construction embodying this invention may be in-` corporated without change in other forms of nozzles, such as a shower head. Referring to Figure 8, there is shown a shower head embodying an adjustable nozzle constructed in accordrnce with this invention. Similar numerals in Figure 8 refer to corresponding parts in the modification of Figures l through '7, and hence it will be readily observed that the tail portion |3 of the nozzle head unit, the fluid iiow control unit 20, the spring l5, and the transverse bar 24 may be utilized in the shower head construction without change. The front portion of the nozzle head 4B embodies the same exterior configuration but, if desired, the exterior may be flared as shown at 40a.

To adapt the nozzle construction for use in the shower head, it is preferred to employ a body member 3B of somewhat different exterior configuration than the corresponding member I0 employed in the hose nozzle modification. Thus, the body member 3|! of Figure 8 has a substantially identical interior bore construction as that of the body member l heretofore described but on the exterior thereof is provided with an annular spherical segment surface 30a.. A fitting 3| is provided having a neck portion 3|a internally threaded to connect with a source of` fluid in conventional manner and an enlarged mouth portion Sib having an interior, annular spherical segment surface 3Ic correspondingly shaped to the exterior surface 30a of the body member 30. Hence, the body member 3B Imay be swivelly supported within the fitting 3l and retained therein by a retaining nut 32 which is screwed into Vthe staking operation which was employed in the hose nozzle modication.

Plug 36 is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 36a to provide unimpeded fluid flow therethrough. If desired, the forward face of plug 36 may be located so as to limit rearward movement of the control member 20 to prevent fluid cutoff in the rear position of flow control member 2U. Also, an axial flange 361) on plug 36 assists in compressing sealing washer 33.

In any event, it is apparent that the same range of fluid control and spray adjustment is provided in the shower head modification of Figure 8 as was heretofore described in connection with the hose nozzle modification. In addition, the direction of the fluid stream or spray may be conveniently adjusted by swivelling the body member 30 within the tting 3|.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be modied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted herein otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member adapted to be connected at its rear portion to a uid conduit, a head rotatably mounted on the front end of said body member and having a central passageway communicating with the bore of said body member, a shoulder projecting inwardly into said central passageway, said passageway being outwardly flared forwardly of said shoulder, a flow control member mounted in said central passageway, means for axially moving said flow control member in response to rotation of said head relative to said body member, said means including a tail portion carried by said head and extending axially therefrom to the interior of said hollow body member, said tail portion being rotatably journaled in said hollow body member and said tail portion and said body member having mating frusto-conical sealing surfaces, resilient means interposed between said head and said body member to urge said frusta-conical sealing surfaces into uid sealing engagement, said flow control member having an enlarged portion on the front end thereof disposed in said control passageway forwardly of said shoulder, said flow control member also having an annular abutment surface thereon disposed rearwardly of said shoulder, whereby the axial movements of said flow control member in either direction are limited and fluid flow shoulder with said enlarged portion or with said abutment surface, and at intermediate axial positions of said flow control member said enlarged portion cooperates with said outwardly aring surface to produce an adjustable spray.

2. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member, means for connecting the bore of said body member in communication with a fluid source, said body member having a pair of diametrically opposed, axially extending grooves in said bore, a support member bottomed in said grooves and extending transversely across said bore, a centrally passaged nozzle head rotatably supported by said body member with said central passage communicating with said bore, a flow control member mounted in said central passage, a slot in said flow control member slidably receiving said supporting member, thereby permitting axial movement but preventing rotation of said flow control member, threadable means cooperating between said nozzle head and said flow control member for axially shifting said ilow control member by rotation of said nozzle head, and means on said flow control member cooperating with said central passage to provide a variable spray annular orifice, said orifice being variable as a function of the axial position of said flow control member.

3. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member internally threaded at its rear end for coupling to a fluid source, the bore wall of said body member having at least one axially extending groove forwardly of said threaded portion, a nozzle head having a central passage and aninternally threaded tail portion rotatably journaled in the forward portion of said body member bore with said central passage aligned therewith, a fluid flow control member having a bulbous head front portion, an externally threaded `intermediate portion, and an axially slotted rear end portion, said fluid flow control member being mounted in said central passage of said nozzle head and threadably engaged in said tail portion, and a bar transversely disposed in said slotted end portion of said fluid flow control member and projecting into said groove, whereby rotation of said nozzle head produces axial shifting of said fluid flow control member, said central passage having an outwardly flaring wall surface in the front end thereof adjacent said bulbous head, whereby a variable spray is produced cutoff, by the respective engagements of said-* by the axial shifting of said fluid flow control member.

4. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said intermediate threaded portion of said fluid control member is non-circular in cross section to permit fluid flow through the cooperating threads.

5. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member internally threaded at its rear end for coupling to a fluid source, the bore wall of said body member having at least one axially extending groove forwardly of said threaded portion, a nozzle head having a central passage and an internally threaded tail portion rotatably journaled in the forward portion of said body member bore with said central passage aligned therewith, a fluid flow control member having a bulbous head front portion, an externally threaded intermediate portion, and an axially slotted rear end portion, said uid flow control member being mounted in said central passage of said nozzle head and threadably engaged in said tail portion, and a bar transversely disposed in said slotted end portion of said fluid ow control member and projecting into said groove, whereby rotation of said nozzle head produces axial shifting of said fluid flow control member, an inwardly projecting shoulder in said central passage disposed rearwardly of said bulbous head, said passage being outwardly flared forwardly of said shoulder, and a flange on said fluid flow control member disposed rearwardly of said shoulder, whereby axial movement of said fluid flow control memberis limited between two flow interrupting positions and a variable spray is produced intermediate said limiting positions.

6. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member internally threaded at its rear end for coupling to a fluid source, the bore wall of said body member having at least one axially extending groove forwardly of said threaded portion, a nozzle head having a central passage and an internally threaded tail portion rotatably journaled in the forward portion of said body member bore with said central passage aligned therewith, a fluid flow control member having a bulbous head front portion, an externally threaded intermediate portion, and an axially slotted rear end portion, said fluid flow control member being mounted in said central passage of said nozzle head and threadably engaged in said tail portion, and a bar transversely disposed in said slotted end portion of said fluid flow control member and projecting into said groove, whereby rotation of said nozzle head produces axial shifting of said fluid ow control member, an inwardly projecting shoulder in said central passageway disposed rearwardly of said bulbous head, said passage being tapered inwardly forwardly of said shoulder and then flared outwardly, and a flange on said fluid flow control member disposedrearwardly of said shoulder, whereby axial movements of said fluid flow control member are limited between two flow interrupting positions and a cylindrical stream or a variable spray is produced intermediate said limiting positions.

7. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member having a generally cylindrical bore, means for vconnecting the rear end of said bore in communication with a fluid source, an internally projecting shoulder at the front end of said bore dening a rearwardly facing seating surface, said bore having a pair of diametrically opposed, axially lextending grooves in the wall flared outwardly, and a seat on said fluid flow control member disposed rearwardly of said shoulder, whereby axial movements of said fluid flow control member are limited between two ilow 5 interrupting positions and a variable spray or cylindrical stream is produced intermediate said limiting positions.

8. An adjustable nozzle comprising a hollow body member having a generally cylindrical bore, lo means for connecting the rear end of said bore in communication with a fluid source, an internally projecting shoulder at the front end of said bore defining a rearwardly facing seating surface, said bore having a pair of diametrilo cally opposed, axially extending grooves in the wall thereof rearwardly of said shoulder, a noz- .zle head having a central passage and an internally threaded tail portion rotatably journaled in said body member bore rearwardly of said shoul- 0 der, a forwardly facing seating surface on said ,nozzle head engaging said rearwardly facing surface in fluid sealing relationship, resilient means operating axially between said body member and said nozzle to urge said seating surfaces 7, ,into engagement, a fluid flow control member having a bulbous head front portion, an externally threaded intermediate portion, and an axially slotted rear end portion, said fluid ow control member being mounted in said central 3o passage of said nozzle head and threadably engaged in said tail portion, a bar transversely disposed in said slotted rear portion of said fluid flow control member and having the ends thereof respectively projecting into said grooves, 35 whereby rotation of said nozzle head produces axial shifting of said fluid flow control member, an inwardly projecting shoulder in said central passageway disposed rearwardly of said bulbous head, said central passage being tapered inward- 40 ly forwardly of said shoulder and then flared outwardly, a seat on said fluid flow control member disposed rearwardly of said shoulder, whereby axial movements of said fluid ilow control member are limited between two flow interruptgf, ing positions and a variable spray or cylindrical stream is produced intermediate said limiting positions, said body member having an annular spherical segment external surface, a iiuid fitting having a mouth defining an interior, annular 50 spherical segment surface corresponding to that and means for securing

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