SOLAUN BUSTILLO, Julio (Avda. de los Castros s/n, Edificio CDTUC-Industriales, Santander Cantabria, E-39005, ES)
GONZALEZ MUNOZ, Simon (Avda. de los Castros s/n, Edificio CDTUC-Industriales, Santander Cantabria, E-39005, ES)
SOLAUN BUSTILLO, Julio (Avda. de los Castros s/n, Edificio CDTUC-Industriales, Santander Cantabria, E-39005, ES)
| CLAIMS
1.- A swiveling nozzle for unclog hoses, of the type incorporating a head (1 ), with a plurality of holes for the outlet of water under pressure, acting simultaneously as washing means and as means of forward movement for the nozzle, characterized in that the mentioned head (1 ) integrally receives a spherical segment (2), housed tightly inside an also spherical bushing (3), which spherical bushing (3) is in turn integral, opposite to the mentioned head, with a cylindrical bushing (5) that can be coupled to the end of the hose, having provided that the spherical segment (2) can rotate about its axis of rotation (8) inside the spherical bushing (3), with a movement guided by a groove (4) of the mentioned spherical bushing (3), traversed by a neck (6) connecting the spherical segment (2) with the head (1 ), said spherical segment (2) incorporating close to its axis of rotation (8), a guiding element (9-17-23-32) acted on by transmission means from an actuator (13-18-28-36) arranged inside the cylindrical bushing (5), which actuator can move due to the water pressure against a spring (14-19-29-37), all this such that every time water pressure is applied the guiding element (9-17-23-32) changes position, dragging therewith the spherical segment, which swivels from one end of the groove (4) to the other, changing the orientation of the head (1 ) by an expected angle defined by the length of said groove (4).
2.- A swiveling nozzle for unclog hoses according to claim 1 , characterized in that the guiding element is carried out in a cam (9) forming the bottom of a groove (11 ) in which one of the ends of a rocker arm (10) works through a small roller (15), which rocker arm (10) at its other end penetrates the cylindrical bushing (5) and is connected with the actuator (13) through a groove (12), said actuator (13) being carried out in a cylinder leaving a perimetral passage for water with respect to the cylindrical bushing (5) and which moves axially inside the latter, suitably guided against the tension of a spring (14) tending to force said actuator (13) to rest on the narrowed mouth (16) of the cylindrical bushing (5) in a rest situation, blocking the passage of water, and against the spring (14) of which the actuator is moved due to the thrust of the water when pressure is applied. 3.- A swiveling nozzle for unclog hoses according to claim 1 , characterized in that the guiding element is carried out in a blade (17), which swivels with the spherical segment (2) and with the head (1 ), which blade is opposite to the actuator, carried out in a disc (18) provided with a side hole (22), which disc can retract against the tension of a spring (19) resting on a support (20) fixed to the cylindrical bushing (5) and allowing the passage of water therethrough, said cylindrical bushing (5) incorporating in its inner wall, respective spiral guides (21 ) forcing the mentioned disc (18) to experience a rotational movement of 180° in each axial movement of said disc (18) due to the effect of the spring (19) when water pressure ceases, and respective diametrically opposed vertical guides (21 ') guiding the disc (18) in an axial movement when water pressure is applied, all this such that the hole (22) for the passage of water is alternatively opposite to either end of the blade (17), and such that every time water pressure is applied, the jet of water passing through the hole (22) generates pressure on the blade (17) causing the alternative swiveling thereof and accordingly of the head (1 ) in either direction. 4.- A swiveling nozzle for unclog hoses according to claim 1 , characterized in that the guiding element is carried out in a grooved wheel (23), assembled with rotational freedom about a horizontal axis (24) integral with the spherical bushing (3), which wheel is provided with a perimetral groove (25) acting as a guiding element, in which a lug (26) integral with the spherical segment (2) works, said wheel (23) being actuated in the rotational direction by the actuator (28) through a connecting rod (27) integral therewith, which actuator (28) being movable inside the cylindrical bushing (5) due to the effect of the water current and against the tension of a spring (29), such that in the absence of water pressure the spring (29) tends to move the actuator (28) towards a limit supporting position on the narrowed mouth (16') of the cylindrical bushing, and such that in each axial movement of the actuator (28) the connecting rod (27) provides a quarter turn to the wheel (23) which, due to the shape of the perimetral groove (25), in turn brings about the alternative swiveling of the head (1 ) every time water pressure is applied.
5.- A swiveling nozzle for unclog hoses according to claim 1 , characterized in that the guiding element is carried out in a grooved piece (32), provided with two side grooves (33), connected to one another at portions close to their ends by means of two other intermediate and intersecting grooves (34), said piece having a plurality of gates (35), each with a torsion spring for returning to its rest position, two gates being located at the intersection of the two intermediate grooves (34) and one gate at each of the other intersections, a lug (31 ) working in the grooves (33, 34), said lug ending at the upper end in a bar (30) which can move axially inside the cylindrical bushing (5) and is integral with an actuator (36) also working axially inside the mentioned cylindrical bushing (5) which can move due to the water current against the tension of a spring (37) coaxially assembled on the bar (30), such that in the absence of water pressure the spring (37) tends to move the actuator (36) towards a limit supporting position on the narrowed mouth (16") of the cylindrical bushing.
6.- A swiveling nozzle for unclog hoses according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the opening of the groove (4) made in the spherical bushing (3) encompasses an angle less than or equal to 90°. |
SWIVELING NOZZLE FOR UNCLOG HOSES DESCRIPTION
Object of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nozzle for unclog hoses, of the type incorporating a head, with a plurality of holes for the outlet of water under pressure, acting simultaneously as washing means and as means of forward movement for the nozzle; a nozzle of the type intended for finishing off a hose supplying water under pressure, for unclogging pipes, which nozzle due to the effect of the water pressure reaching it moves forward through the pipe, causing the cleaning and subsequent unclogging thereof.
The object of the invention is to obtain a swiveling nozzle aiding in its own change of direction throughout the pipe, specifically when there is a side bypass forming an orthogonal bend, or a bend with any other angle, therein such that this change in the forward movement direction is carried out externally by simply acting on the water supply valve.
The invention can therefore be applied in the field of cleaning equipment for any type of sewage disposal systems. Background of the Invention
Current systems for unclogging pipes are based on the use of a generally spherical cap shaped nozzle, which are appropriately fixed to the free end of the corresponding water supply hose, said nozzles being provided with one or more holes in their front or polar area for eliminating dirt with a water jet in the direction of the movement, and having a series of slanted and divergent side-rear outlets carrying out two functions; on one hand they generate the forward movement of the hose and on the other hand they remove the wastes from the walls of the pipe, which are then suitably entrained.
These nozzles, with a suitable functionality when the intention is to clean a single pipe, with any course, have significant drawbacks when the clog is located on a bypass of said pipe forming a bend therewith, and where the nozzle consequently has to make a sudden change of direction, or also when it accesses a collection box where the guiding effect caused by the pipe is interrupted.
Many times the branch or collection box cannot be accessed because they are covered with tiles or with any other type of covering material, because they are located at a great depth, because they are located in false ceilings that cannot be accessed or removed, etc, such that in these cases it is necessary to "break" them in order to
access the point at which the nozzle must be manually aided in its threading or change of direction.
These maneuvers obviously involve considerable additional work for operators, which is increased in most cases due to ignorance of the course of the piping work since it is concealed and because they do not have plans thereof, with the subsequent effect this means at both the level of direct costs and indirect costs in shopping centers or work places, where it is necessary to interrupt activity while the unclogging operations last. Description of the Invention The swiveling nozzle proposed by the invention resolves in a fully satisfactory manner the drawbacks described above by allowing their change in direction externally by simply acting on the supply valve supplying water under pressure.
To that end and more specifically, the head of the nozzle proposed by the invention integrally receives a spherical segment, housed tightly inside an also spherical bushing, which spherical bushing is in turn integral, opposite to said head, with a cylindrical bushing that can be coupled to the end of the hose. The mentioned spherical segment can rotate about its axis of rotation, inside the spherical bushing, with a movement guided by a groove of the mentioned spherical bushing, which is traversed by a neck connecting the spherical segment with the head. The spherical segment incorporates, close to its swivel center, a guiding element acted on by transmission means from an actuator arranged inside the cylindrical bushing and which can be moved due to the water pressure against a spring. Therefore, every time water pressure is applied, the guiding element changes position, dragging the spherical segment with it, which swivels from one end of the groove of the bushing to the other, changing the orientation of the head by an expected angle defined by the length of said groove.
It works as follows: when the water pressure is applied due to the opening of the corresponding valve, the mechanism will move, due to the effect of the guiding element, to its other limit position, being angularly moved with respect to the first position by a magnitude determined by the angular amplitude of the groove of the spherical bushing. When the water supply valve is closed, pressure will cease and the head of the nozzle will maintain the limit position it is located in. When pressure is applied to the nozzle again, the head will rotate until reaching its other limit position, providing the assembly with a new movement direction. If the water supply valve is closed again, the head will again maintain the limit position it is located in. This operative cycle repeats indefinitely, changing the orientation head every time the water pressure is applied by opening the
water supply valve.
To limit unwanted rotating movement of the head of the nozzle due, for example, to fluctuations or oscillations in the water pressure or possible momentary supply cutoffs, the movement of the nozzle can be limited by restricting the same by means of a clamping mechanism on each of the two end positions, such that every time water pressure is applied, such pressure must be high enough to unclamp the head and change its orientation. Unwanted changes in orientation are thus prevented.
These essential features of the swiveling nozzle proposed by the invention, which are comprised in claim 1 , are complemented with a series of additional or complementary features, which are comprised in the dependent claims, further defining different embodiments. Description of the Drawings
To complement the description that is being made and for the purpose of aiding to better understand the features of the invention according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description in which the following has been shown in an illustrative and non-limiting manner:
Figure 1 shows a schematic elevational and diametrical section view of a swiveling nozzle for unclog hoses carried out according to the object of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the spherical segment and the cam of the swiveling nozzle of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a similar view as in Figure 1 , showing the four phases corresponding to an operative cycle of the swiveling nozzle of said Figure 1.
Figure 4 shows a similar view as in Figure 1 , showing an embodiment variant of the nozzle, in which the actuation means of the guiding element are different.
Figure 5 shows a plan perspective view of the bushing participating in the mentioned movement transmission means of the nozzle of the previous figure.
Figure 6 shows a similar view as in Figure 4, showing the four phases corresponding to an operative cycle of the swiveling nozzle of said Figure 4. Figure 7 shows a similar view as in Figures 1 and 4, showing another embodiment variant of the swiveling nozzle.
Figure 8 shows the evolution of the perimetral groove of the wheel participating in the nozzle of the previous figure as the guiding element.
Figure 9 shows a similar view as in Figure 7, showing the four phases corresponding to an operative cycle of the swiveling nozzle of said Figure 7.
Figure 10 shows a similar view as in Figures 1 , 4 and 7, showing another embodiment variant of the swiveling nozzle.
Figure 1 1 shows an enlarged detail of the grooved piece participating in the swiveling nozzle of Figure 10 as a guiding element. Figure 12 shows a similar view as in Figure 10, showing the four phases corresponding to an operative cycle of the swiveling nozzle of said Figure 10. Preferred Embodiment of the Invention
In view of the discussed figures, it can be seen how the swiveling nozzle proposed by the invention incorporates a head (1 ), which is conventional in and of itself, usually having a spherical cap shape, with the classic holes for the outlet of water, which head (1 ) is integral, preferably by means of a threaded joint (1 1 ), with a spherical segment (2) working inside an also spherical bushing, provided with a groove (4) and which, through its area opposite to the head (1 ), is in turn fixed to a cylindrical bushing (5) that can be coupled to the end of the water supply hose. The opening of the groove (4) made in the spherical bushing (3) usually encompasses an angle less than or equal to 90°.
The spherical segment (2) is provided with a neck (6) through with the threading (1 1 ) is joined to the head (1 ), said neck (6) working in the groove (4) of the spherical bushing (3), the groove having a length which determines the maximum swivel angle for the spherical segment (2) and accordingly for the head (1 ). For its part, the spherical bushing (3), opposite to the head, extends into a threaded neck (7) through which it is coupled to the cylindrical bushing (5).
In the practical embodiment of Figure 1 the spherical segment (2) incorporates, in correspondence with its center of rotation (8), coinciding with its geometric center, a cam (9) as a guiding element forming the bottom of a groove (11) in which one of the ends of a rocker arm (10) works through a small roller (15). At its other end, the rocker arm (10) penetrates the cylindrical bushing (5) and is connected with the actuator (13) through a groove (12). Said actuator (13) consists of a cylinder having a diameter that is substantially smaller than the bushing (5), leaving a perimetral passage for water with respect to the cylindrical bushing (5) and which moves axially inside the latter. The actuator (13) is suitably guided against the tension of a spring (14) tending to force said actuator (13) to rest on the narrowed mouth (16) of the cylindrical bushing (5) in a rest position, blocking the passage of water. The actuator (13) is moved against the spring (14) due to the thrust of the water when pressure is applied. Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the spherical segment (2) and the
cam (9) of the swiveling nozzle of Figure 1.
According to this structure and as can be seen in Figure 3, in a first operative phase A of the swiveling nozzle, specifically in a rest phase in which the water flow valve is closed, the spring (14) is extended, the actuator (13) rests on the narrowed mouth (16) of the cylindrical bushing (5), the rocker arm (10) is separated from the cam (9), and the assembly formed by the spherical segment (2) and the head (1 ) align with the hose in one direction I. When the water flow valve is opened and, as shown in phase B of said Figure 3, the roller (15; of the rocker arm (10) makes contact with the cam (9) on the left side and forces said head-spherical segment assembly (1 ,2) to swivel throughout the groove (4) up to the provided limit situation in which the head (1 ) is oriented in direction II. In phase C of said Figure, when the water supply is interrupted again, the actuator (13) returns, due to the effect of the spring (14), to the rest position of phase A, but the head (1 ) continues to maintain the bent position of phase B, oriented in direction II, such that when water starts to circulate again through the hose, as shown in phase D, the rocker arm (10) makes contact with the opposite slope of the cam (9), forcing the latter to swivel in the opposite direction, i.e. forcing the head (1 ) to again occupy the axial position of phase A, and this cycle can be repeated indefinitely.
In the embodiment variant of Figure 4 the same reference numbers have been used as in the previous case for references made to the same elements, and more specifically, the swiveling nozzle incorporates the same head (1 ), the same spherical segment (2), the same spherical bushing (3) with groove (4) and the same cylindrical bushing (5) with actuator, but with the exception that in the present case, the guiding element is carried out in a preferably curved blade (17) to aid in rotation, which swivels with the spherical segment (2) and with the head (1 ), the blade (17) being opposite to the actuator, the latter carried out in a disc (18) provided with a side hole (22), which disc tends to retract due to the effect of the tension of a spring (19) arranged between said disc (18) and a support (20) fixed to the cylindrical bushing (5) and allowing the free passage of water therethrough. On its inner wall, the cylindrical bushing (5) incorporates respective diametrically opposed spiral guides (21 ) forcing the mentioned disc (18) to experience a rotational movement of 180° in each axial movement of said disc (18) due to the effect of the spring (19) when the water pressure ceases, and respective diametrically opposed vertical guides (21') guiding the disc (18) in a movement in the axial direction, according to the direction of the axis of the cylindrical bushing (5), when water pressure
is applied. When the water pressure ceases, the spring forces the disc (18) to follow the path marked by the spiral guides (21 ) due to a beveled ending in the upper end of the vertical guides (21'), which ending places the disc (18) in a favorable orientation in order to follow the downward path marked by the spiral guides (21 ). Both spiral and vertical guides (21 ,21') can be seen particularly in the details of Figure 5.
The hole (22) for the passage of water is alternatively opposite to either end of the blade (17), according to the phase it is in, as will be explained in Figure 6. Every time water pressure is applied, the water jet passing through the hole (22) generates pressure on the blade (17) causing the alternative swiveling of the blade, and accordingly of the head (1 ) in either direction.
According to this structure and as shown in phase A of Figure 6, in the rest position, the head (1 ) is aligned with the axis of the cylindrical bushing (5) oriented in direction I, the hole (22) of the disc (18) of the actuator is opposite to the most retracted end of the blade (17), while at the same time said disc (18) also adopts the maximum retraction position due to the effect of the spring (19). When the water supply valve is open, the jet passing through the hole (22) strikes against the mentioned end of the blade (17), and forces the latter to carry out a swiveling movement on its axis of rotation (8), the assembly adopting the position shown in phase B of said Figure 6, in which the axis of the head (1 ) forms a predetermined angle with the axis of the cylindrical bushing (5), according to direction II. In this position and when the water supply is interrupted, the spring (19) elastically recovers, dragging with it the disc (18) and forcing the latter, through the spiral guides (21 ), to rotate 180°, such that the hole (22) changes position and is opposite to the other end of the blade (17), as shown in phase C of Figure 6, the assembly being in conditions such that when the nozzle again receives water and the jet strikes against the end of the blade (17) opposite to the end in the previous case, the head (1 ) swivels again, and again towards its first position, direction I, as shown in phase D of Figure 6.
A third embodiment variant of the swiveling nozzle is shown in Figures 7 to 9 in which, as in the previous case, the same reference numbers are used to identify the components coinciding with the two other previous embodiments, and which have already been mentioned in the second case.
In this third embodiment, the guiding element is carried out in a grooved wheel (23), assembled with rotational freedom about a horizontal axis (24) integral with the spherical bushing (3). The wheel is provided with a perimetral groove (25) acting as a guiding element and which is shown in a developed view in Figure 8, in which a lug
(26) integral with the spherical segment (2) works. Said wheel (23) is actuated in the rotational direction by the actuator (28) through a connecting rod (27) integral therewith, which connecting rod eccentrically connects the wheel (23) with the actuator (28), the actuator (28) being movable inside the cylindrical bushing (5) due to the effect of the water current and against the tension of a spring (29), such that in the absence of water pressure the spring (29) tends to move the actuator (28) towards a limit supporting position on the narrowed mouth (16') of the cylindrical bushing, and such that in each axial movement of the actuator (28) the connecting rod (27) provides a quarter turn to the wheel (23) which, due to the shape of the perimetral groove (25), in turn brings about the alternative swiveling of the head (1 ) every time water pressure is applied.
In this manner and from the rest position shown in phase A of Figure 9, in which water does not reach the nozzle and in which the spring (29) is slackened, such that the actuator rests on the narrowing (16') of the mouth of the cylindrical bushing (5), closing off the passage of water, and in which the head (1 ) is coaxially aligned with said cylindrical bushing (5) according to direction I. When the valve opens and water is supplied to the hose, the water entrains with it the actuator (28) against the spring (29), and said actuator (28) acts on the connecting rod (27) providing a quarter turn to the wheel (23), which means that the perimetral groove (25) of said wheel (23) makes the assembly formed by the spherical segment (2) and the head (1 ) swivel towards the other limit position defined by the groove (4), oriented in direction II, as shown in phase B of Figure 9. A new interruption in the water supply gives rise to the arrangement of the mechanism such as the one shown in phase C of Figure 9, and the new water supply makes the mechanism return to the initial position of coaxial alignment between the head and the cylindrical bushing, according to direction I, as shown in phase D of said Figure.
Another possible practical embodiment of the swiveling nozzle is shown in Figures 10 to 12, in which the structure of the nozzle is again virtually the same, and in which the same reference numbers have also been used to identify the coinciding pieces or parts of pieces. The guiding element in this case is carried out in a grooved trapezoidal piece (32), provided with two side grooves (33), connected to one another, at portions close to their ends by means of two other intermediate and intersecting grooves (34). Said piece has a plurality of gates (35), each with a torsion spring for returning to its rest position. Two gates are located at the intersection of the two intermediate grooves (34) and one gate at each of the other intersections. Figure 11
shows a detailed view of the grooved piece (32), with its side grooves (33) and intersecting grooves (34) and gates (35). A lug (31 ) works in the grooves (33, 34), said lug ending at the upper end in a bar (30) which can move axially inside the cylindrical bushing (5) and is integral with an actuator (36) also working axially inside the mentioned cylindrical bushing (5) which can move due to the water current against the tension of a spring (37) coaxially assembled on the bar (30). In the absence of water pressure the spring (37) tends to move the actuator (36) towards a limit supporting position on the narrowed mouth (16") of the cylindrical bushing. The rest position of the gates (35) is shown with solid lines, whereas the position of said gates (35) when they are open due to the passage of the lug (31 ) is shown with discontinuous lines. When they are arranged as shown in Figure 11 , the gates (35) force the lug (31) to follow the paths shown in the different phases A, B, C and D of Figure 12.
In this case and as is shown in turn in Figure 12, every time the actuator (36) changes position due to the effect of the water current or due to the effect of the spring (37), the bar (30) moves up or down, causing in each upward movement the head (1 ) to swivel in the direction opposite to the previous movement, whereas said head maintains the position is each downward movement, but obtaining in exactly the same way as in the previous cases that, by means of simple control on the water supply valve, the orientation of the nozzle can be changed. A rest position is shown in phase A of Figure 12, the head oriented in direction I and with the spring (37) slackened. Water pressure is applied in phase B, which pressure exerts a force causing the actuator (36) and accordingly the bar (30) to move according to the direction of the axis of the cylindrical bushing (5). As a result of the rest situation, due to the action of the spring incorporated therein, of the gate (35) located in the lower left corner, the lug (31) of the bar (30) moves with respect to the piece (32) through one of the intersecting grooves (34) up to the upper right point, which causes the head (1 ) to rotate, being oriented according to a direction II, as shown in phase B. In phase C of said Figure 12, when the water no longer acts, the rest situation of the upper right gate forces the lug (31 ) to follow the side groove (33) to the lower right point, whereby it does not cause the head (1 ) to rotate. Finally, when water pressure is applied again, in phase D, the lug (31) follows the path of one of the intermediate grooves (34) until reaching the upper left point, which causes the head (1 ) to rotate such that it is oriented in the initial position, according to direction I.