CONTAINER AND WINTERIZING SWITCH

Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001] The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/384,531 , filed September 7, 2016 (pending), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Technical Field

[0002] The invention generally relates to pressure washers and, more particularly, to features designed to allow for an easier winterization process, and easier and more effective use of an auxiliary cleaning solution container.

Background

[0003] Pressure washers are useful for many applications involving the cleaning of various surfaces, including concrete and other hard surfaces such as outdoor patios, driveways and walkways. Other items that benefit from pressure washing include siding, fences, and automobiles. Often, for problematic surfaces and stains, an auxiliary cleaning solution such as a detergent or other liquid chemical solution will be sprayed or otherwise applied to the surface before or as the pressure washer is used. Some pressure washers will include an auxiliary container that holds a cleaning solution of any desired or necessary type which mixes with the water being applied through the hose and wand of the pressure washer. The cleaning solution helps to clean any stains or other hard to clean areas of the surface being pressure washed. Despite the advances being made in these areas, it would be helpful to provide additional features designed to more efficiently and effectively use such auxiliary cleaning solution containers.

[0004] Another area needing attention is that of "winterizing" a pressure washer. It is recommended that the pump of a pressure washer be emptied or "purged" of any remaining water prior to storing the pressure washer during cold winter months. If liquid is left in the pump during cold winter conditions, the liquid may freeze and expand. This can lead to internal damage such as cracks in the WHE pump. While any method of purging the pump can prevent such damage, it would be best to simplify this process for the user to ensure that the process is properly followed every season and that no damage is done during the purging process. One winterizing process for an electric pressure washer, for example, involves instructing the user to turn the pressure washer "on" for a very short period of time such as five seconds with the water supply hose and the output hose disconnected. However, if the user accidently leaves the pump "on" too long, this can result in damage to the pump. For at least these reasons, it would be desirable to provide more effective and user-friendly manners of winterizing an electric pressure washer.

Summary

[0005] In one general and illustrative embodiment, a pressure washer is provided and comprises a pump including a pump inlet for receiving liquid to be pressurized and a pump outlet. A hose includes a hose inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the pump outlet, and a hose outlet. A wand includes a wand inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the hose outlet, and a wand outlet. A nozzle is coupled in fluid communication with the wand outlet. An electric motor is coupled with the pump for operating the pump to pressurize liquid and direct the liquid through the hose, the wand and the nozzle. A control is electrically coupled to the electric motor. The control includes a first, power switch operable between "on" and "off" positions for activating and deactivating the electric motor during use of the pressure washer, and a second, winterizing switch which temporarily activates the electric motor to purge the pump of liquid. As one implementation example, the power switch and the winterizing switch may be incorporated into a multi- position switch mechanism, such as a knob rotatable or otherwise movable between the "on," "off," and "winterizing" switch positions. Alternatively, the power switch may be provided as a separate switch mechanism from the winterizing switch. For example, the power switch may be rotatable between "on" and "off" positions, and the winterizing switch may be a separate push button switch mechanism. The switches in any embodiment may be

mechanical or electronic switches, or combinations thereof. This winterizing feature should be used in connection with any pressure washer having a self- siphoning pump. [0006] In different embodiments, the winterizing switch may further comprise a momentary switch or a maintain switch. In the case of a maintain switch, the control further comprises a timer device that operates together with the maintain switch to activate the motor for only a predetermined time upon actuation of the winterizing switch. This ensures that the electric motor is not running for too long and therefore prevents motor damage during the

winterizing process. In the cases where the winterizing switch comprises a momentary switch, the momentary switch activates the electric motor for only the time that the winterizing switch is actuated by a user. For example, where the momentary switch is a push button, the electric motor will only run for the time that the user is depressing the push button.

[0007] The invention also provides a method of purging the pump of a pressure washer, wherein the pump is operated by an electric motor and the pressure washer includes a power switch operable between "on" and "off" positions for activating and deactivating the electric motor during use of the pressure washer, and a winterizing switch. The method comprises retaining liquid in the pump after use of the pressure washer; and activating the

winterizing switch to temporarily activate the electric motor to purge the pump of the retained liquid.

[0008] As discussed above, the power switch and the winterizing switch may further comprise a multi-position switch mechanism. In this case, activating the winterizing switch further comprises moving the multi-position switch mechanism to a winterizing position.

[0009] As an alternative, the winterizing switch may further comprise a maintain switch. In this case, the method further comprises actuating the maintain switch to activate the motor; and deactivating the motor at a

predetermined time after actuation of the switch.

[0010] In other embodiments, the winterizing switch further comprises a momentary switch. In this case, the method further comprises actuating the momentary switch to activate the electric motor; and releasing the momentary switch to deactivate the electric motor.

[0011] In further embodiments, the invention provides a pressure washer, comprising a frame, and a pump coupled with the frame including a pump inlet for receiving liquid to be pressurized and a pump outlet. A hose includes a hose inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the pump outlet, and a hose outlet. A wand includes a wand inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the hose outlet, and a wand outlet. A nozzle is coupled in fluid communication with the wand outlet. The pressure washer further includes a cleaning solution inlet. A motor is coupled with the frame for operating the pump to pressurize liquid and direct the liquid through the hose, the wand and the nozzle. A selectively removable and replaceable liquid storage container is coupled with the frame for containing liquid cleaning solution to be used with the pressure washer. The liquid storage container includes a fill opening with a closure element allowing the liquid cleaning solution to be selectively filled or discarded through the opening. The liquid storage container further includes a one-way valve element at another location on the container for selectively coupling and communicating with the cleaning solution inlet. In an illustrative embodiment, the fill opening is on an upper portion of the container and the one-way valve is on a lower portion of the container. This will allow easier attachment and removal of the container from the frame while simultaneously attaching or detaching the one-way valve element to/from the cleaning solution inlet.

In other illustrative embodiments, the invention provides a pressure washer, comprising a frame, and a pump coupled with the frame including a pump inlet for receiving liquid to be pressurized and a pump outlet. A hose includes a hose inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the pump outlet, and a hose outlet. A wand includes a wand inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the hose outlet, and a wand outlet. A nozzle is coupled in fluid communication with the wand outlet. The pressure washer further includes a cleaning solution inlet. A motor is coupled with the frame for operating the pump to pressurize liquid and direct the liquid through the hose, the wand and the nozzle. A selectively removable and replaceable liquid storage container is coupled with the frame for containing liquid cleaning solution to be used with the pressure washer. The liquid storage container includes a fill opening with a one-way valve element for selectively coupling and communicating with the cleaning solution inlet. A spray mechanism is selectively attachable to any desired location on the storage container for allowing a user to spray contents directly from the container. One option is to connect the spray mechanism to the fill opening. In various embodiments, the spray mechanism may be selectively attachable to one portion of the container, such as an upper portion of the container, and the container may further comprise a handle on another portion of the container, such as a lower portion of the container.

[0012] Various additional objectives, advantages, and features of the invention will be appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the invention.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pressure washer constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the pressure washer shown in FIG. 1 , including the winterizing feature.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a removable cleaning solution container constructed according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pressure washer similar to FIG. 3, but showing a removable cleaning solution container constructed according to an alternative embodiment.

Detailed Description

[0018] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one general and illustrative embodiment, a pressure washer 10 is provided and comprises a pump 12 including a pump inlet 12a for receiving liquid to be pressurized and a pump outlet 12b. In various embodiments, the pump 12 comprises a self -siphoning pump. A hose 14 includes a hose inlet 14a configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the pump outlet 12b, and a hose outlet 14b. A wand 16 includes a wand inlet 16a configured to be coupled in fluid communication with the hose outlet 14b, and a wand outlet 16b. A nozzle 18 is coupled in fluid communication with the wand outlet 16b. An electric motor 20 is coupled with the pump 12 for operating the pump 12 to pressurize liquid and direct the liquid through the hose 14, the wand 16 and the nozzle 18. While the electric motor 20 is shown as a brushless DC motor, it may instead comprise any type of electrically powered motor. A source of water 22 is coupled to the pump inlet 12a, and this source is typically a hose (not shown), which may be coupled to a spigot. An electric power source 26, which may be an AC or DC power source, is used to supply power to the motor 20. A control 30, which may be a printed circuit board (PCB) is electrically coupled to the electric motor 20. The control 30 communicates with a first, power switch 32 operable between at least "on" and "off" positions (FIG. 2) for activating and deactivating the electric motor 20 during use of the pressure washer 10. The control 30 further generally includes a second, winterizing switch 34 (FIG. 2) which temporarily activates the electric motor 20 to purge the pump 12 of liquid to prepare the pressure washer 10 for winter. The winterizing switch 34 is particularly used when the pump 12 is a self-siphoning pump. As is apparent from the options shown in FIG. 1 , the power switch 32 and winterizing switch 34 generally shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 may be implemented in various ways, as discussed further below.

[0019] As one implementation example, the power switch 32 and the winterizing switch 34 may be incorporated into a multi-position switch mechanism, such as a knob 36 (FIG. 1 ) rotatable or otherwise movable between an "on" position 36a, an "off" position 36b and a "winterizing" position 36c. When the knob 36 is in the winterizing switch position 36c, which may be a "maintain" position, a timer associated with the control 30 will supply power to the motor 20 for only a predetermined short time period, such as five seconds. Alternatively, the power switch 32 may be provided as a separate, two position switch mechanism 32' as alternatively shown in FIG. 1 . In this case, a separate winterizing switch such as a push button 34' is provided as also shown in FIG. 1 . For example, the power switch 32' may be rotatable between an "on" position 32a' and an "off" position 32b'. These switches, and any other variants within the scope of this invention may be mechanical switches or electronic switches, or combinations thereof.

[0020] In different embodiments, the winterizing switch 34, 36c, 34' may further comprise a momentary switch or a maintain switch. In the case of a maintain switch, the control 30 further comprises a timer device that operates together with the maintain switch to activate the motor 20 for only a

predetermined time upon actuation of the winterizing switch 34, 36c, 34'. This ensures that the electric motor 20 is not running for too long and therefore prevents motor damage during the winterizing process. In the cases where the winterizing switch 34, 36c, 34' comprises a momentary switch, the momentary switch activates the electric motor 20 for only the time that the winterizing switch 34, 36c, 34' is actuated by a user. For example, where the momentary switch is a push button 34', the electric motor 20 will only run for the time that the user is depressing the push button 34'. The control 30 may comprise a suitable programmable logic circuit, such as the mentioned PCB for

implementing the functions as described herein.

[0021] A method of purging the pump 12 of the pressure washer 10 may typically take place at the end of a warm weather season and before freezing temperatures are anticipated prior to storing the pressure washer 10 for the winter. At this time, there may be liquid (such as water with or without cleaning solution) retained in the pump 12 as a result of using the pressure washer 10. The purging or winterizing method generally comprises activating the

winterizing switch 34 (FIG. 2) to temporarily activate the electric motor 20 and thereby activate the pump 12 to purge the pump 12 of the retained liquid. As discussed above, the power switch 32 and the winterizing switch 34 generally shown in FIG. 2 may further comprise a multi-position switch mechanism 36 as more specifically shown as one option in FIG. 1 . In the case of using the multi- position switch 36, activating the winterizing switch 34 (FIG.2) further comprises moving the multi-position switch mechanism 36 to a winterizing position 36c. This will supply power to the motor 20 and thereby run the pump 12 to purge liquid from the pump 12. Preferably, any hose connections to the pump inlet 12a and outlet 12b are disconnected during the purge/winterizing process. The winterizing position 36c may be a "momentary" switch position in which power is maintained for only so long as the knob 36 remains in the third (winterizing) position 36c and, when released by the user, the knob 36 reverts to the "off" position 36b. Or, the winterizing switch position 36c may be a "maintain" switch position in which case the control 30 will maintain power to the motor 20 for only a short time, such as five seconds, after which the motor 20 will be shut off or deactivated. As also generally discussed above, the winterizing/purge process may instead be performed using a separate switch 34' from a main power switch 32'. In this case, it will be understood, that the three-position switch 36 would not be provided. Instead, with the power switch 32' in the "off" position 32b', the separate winterizing switch 34' would be actuated as the described "momentary" or "maintain" switch to activate the motor 20 and run the pump 12 for a short period of time to remove any retained liquid.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 3, the pressure washer 10 further includes a frame 40. The pump 12 and motor 20 are coupled with the frame 40. The pressure washer 10 further includes a cleaning solution inlet 42. In this embodiment, a selectively removable and replaceable liquid storage container 50 is coupled with the frame 40 for containing liquid cleaning solution to be used with the pressure washer 10. It will be appreciated that the embodiments described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4 may be implemented in pressure washers operated with electric or gasoline powered motors. The liquid storage container 50 includes a fill opening with a closure element 52. For example, the closure may be a threaded cap. The closure element 52 allows the liquid cleaning solution to be selectively filled or discarded through the opening. The liquid storage container 50 further includes a one-way valve element 56 at another location on the container 50 for selectively coupling and communicating with the cleaning solution inlet 42. In an illustrative embodiment, the fill opening with the closure element 52 are on an upper portion of the container 50 and the one-way valve 56 is on a lower portion of the container 50. This will allow easier attachment and removal of the container 50 from the frame 40 while simultaneously attaching or detaching the one-way valve element 56 to/from the cleaning solution inlet 42. The cleaning solution inlet 42 can lead to a fluid conduit (not shown) communicating with the pump inlet 12a and water supply 22 for mixing with the water entering the pump 12 (FIG. 2). The container 50 may be easily removed from the frame 40 for re-filling with cleaning solution and/or easily discarding the contents for any of various reasons, by removing and replacing the closure element 52. On the other hand, the container 50 may be left attached to the frame 40 for refilling purposes by simply removing the closure element 52. When the container 50 is removed from the frame 40, the one-way valve element 56 will close to ensure that liquid contents do not leak from the container 50. The container 50 may be of any desired shape or configuration.

[0023] Another illustrative embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. A pressure washer 60 includes a frame 62 and a cleaning solution inlet 64. As with previously described embodiments, the pressure washer 60 includes a pump 12 and motor 20 coupled with the frame 62 as well as a hose 14, a wand 16, and a nozzle 18 (FIG. 2), which need not be described in detail. A selectively removable and replaceable liquid storage container 70 is coupled with the frame 62 for containing liquid cleaning solution to be used with the pressure washer 60. The liquid storage container 70 includes a fill opening 72 with a one-way valve element 74 for selectively coupling and communicating with the cleaning solution inlet 64. A spray mechanism 80 is selectively attachable to any desired location on the container 70 for allowing a user to spray contents, such as cleaning solution, directly from the container onto a surface to be pressure washed. In the illustrative embodiment, the spray mechanism is coupled to the fill opening 72 such as by a threaded coupling. Any type of connection may be used instead to connect the spray mechanism to a desired location on the container 70 and the container 70 may be of any desired shape or configuration. In various embodiments, the fill opening 72 may be on an upper portion of the container 70, and the container 70 may further comprise a handle 82 on a lower portion of the container 70. It will be appreciated that the container 70 may be inverted and coupled to the cleaning solution inlet 64. In this position, the one-way valve element 74 is fluidly coupled to the cleaning solution inlet 64 to feed liquid cleaning solution from the container 70, through the one-way valve element 74 and the cleaning solution inlet 64. In this manner, the cleaning solution may be directed to a conduit (not shown) of the pressure washer 60 leading to the pump inlet 12a to mix with the water from the supply 22 (FIG. 2). This results in a diluted form of the cleaning solution being applied by the wand 16 and nozzle 18. When the user desires to use a concentrated form of the cleaning solution directly from the container 70, the container 70 may be removed as shown and the spray mechanism 80 may be attached to the fill opening 72 in any suitable manner, such as by a threaded connection. The container 70 and spray mechanism 80 may be used at this time to direct concentrated cleaning solution such as detergent or any other chemical on problematic stains, for example. A conventional tube 86 may extend from the spray mechanism 80 into the container 70 for drawing cleaning solution from the container 70.

[0024] While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various preferred embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in some detail, it is not the intention of the Applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The various features of the invention may be used alone or in any combination depending on the needs and preferences of the user. This has been a description of the present invention, along with the preferred methods of practicing the present invention as currently known. However, the invention itself should only be defined by the appended claims.