Pushbutton controlled sprinkler

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a sprinkler, and more particularly to a pistol-grip sprinkler having a handle provided with an inlet, an outlet, a control chamber defined to communicate with the outlet and a pushbutton assembly to control the water flow.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Sprinklers, especially pistol-grip sprinklers for use in gardening and car washing, have been widely used throughout the world. The current available sprinkler normally has a handle attached with a hose at the inlet thereof and a spray head at the outlet and a trigger pivotally connected to the handle to control the operation of a valve in the sprinkler. The design of the sprinkler is not suitable for a user to operate for a long period of time because the user will have to apply a force to the trigger continuously, which causes muscle fatigue. To solve the problem, there is a securing device provided to maintain the valve open so as to continuously keep the sprinkler in operation and solve the muscle fatigue problem. Although, the design does have the function to meet the user's requirement, the design still has its shortcoming. Obviously, hand sizes vary all over the world, and even now people of one country or continent may generally have a hand size different to those of another. If sprinklers are made to one international size, users in one region may find the handle too small while those elsewhere might find it too big. Thus, some users will find it very difficult to apply a force properly and comfortably. Furthermore, the sprinkler manufacturer is not like the shoe maker that is able to make shoes according to the customers' different requirements and sizes. The sprinkler manufacturer can only make sprinklers in one size, which brings a lot of inconvenience to different users.

[0006] To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved sprinkler to mitigate and obviate the aforementioned problems.

[0007] The primary objective of the invention is to provide an improved sprinkler having a pushbutton to control the water flow, such that the user will not have to hold the trigger during the entire operation process. The pushbutton is able to maintain the valve open or closed depending on the user's choice. Therefore, the sprinkler having a pushbutton undoubtedly brings convenience and comfort to the user.

[0008] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sprinkler constructed in accordance with the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the sprinkler of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the sprinkler of FIG. 1 showing the internal structure of the sprinkler;

[0012] FIG. 4 is an operational view in section showing the movement of the piston in the chamber in the sprinkler;

[0013] FIG. 5A is an exploded side view showing the structure of the tubular body, the pushbutton and the rotation button;

[0014] FIG. 5B is a schematic side view showing the engagement of the tubular body, the pushbutton and the rotation button;

[0015] FIG. 5C is a schematic side view showing the movement rotation button by the trigger of the pushbutton;

[0016] FIG. 5D is a schematic side view showing the shift of the rotation button due to the engagement between the ribs and the positioning bosses;

[0017] FIG. 6 shows a different preferred embodiment of the structure of the rotation button, the pushbutton and the tubular body;

[0018] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a still another preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing the internal structure after the parts in FIG. 7 are assembled;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing the operation of the piston when the pushbutton is pressed;

[0021] FIG. 10 is an exploded side view showing the structure of the pushbutton, the controlling sleeve and the rotation button;

[0022] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing another preferred embodiment of the sprinkler constructed in accordance with the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view showing the internal structure of the assembled sprinkler of FIG. 11;

[0024] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the controlling plate of the invention; and

[0025] FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of the controlling ring of the invention.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a sprinkler (10) constructed in accordance with the present invention has a handle (12), a chamber (14) defined in the handle (12), a pushbutton assembly (20) received in a first end of the chamber (14), and a piston assembly (16) received in a second end of the chamber (14).

[0027] The handle (12) has an inlet (120) for connection with a hose (not shown), an outlet (19) for connection with a spray head (190) (shown in phantom line) and a cover (144) for covering the second end of the chamber (14).

[0028] The pushbutton assembly (20) includes a hollow tubular body (22), a pushbutton (24), a rotation button (26) and a first spring (28). The hollow tubular body (22) has an outer threading (220) formed to connect with the first end of the chamber (14), a flange (222) formed on a distal end thereof to stop a sealing ring (228) that is mounted around the tubular body (22) and multiple first and second positioning slots (2241, 2242) respectively defined in an internal periphery of the body (22). The depth of the first positioning slot (2241) is greater than that of the second positioning slot (2242).

[0029] The pushbutton (24) has an open end and a closed end. The open end has an undulated edge (240) and multiple positioning bosses (242) formed near the undulated edge (240). The closed end of the pushbutton (24) is inserted into the hollow body (22). Because the multiple positioning bosses (242) are respectively received in a corresponding one of the multiple first or second positioning slots (2241, 2242), the pushbutton (24) partially extends out of the hollow body (22).

[0030] The rotation button (26) has an open end and a closed end. The rotation button (26) is received in the pushbutton (24) from the open end of the pushbutton (24) and has multiple ribs (260) formed on an outer periphery of the open end to correspond to the undulated edge (240) of the pushbutton (24). When the tubular body (22), the pushbutton (24) and the rotation button (26) are assembled, the multiple positioning bosses (242) are received in the first positioning slots (2241) so as to secure the engagement between the hollow body (22) and the pushbutton (24) to prevent any relative movement therebetween. The ribs (260) abut a side face of the undulated edge (240) and then are respectively received in the first positioning slots (2241). The ribs (260) of the rotation button (26) are selectively received between the first and the second positioning slots (2241,2242), which allows the rotation button (26) to be rotatably received in the pushbutton (24). The first spring (28) is inserted in the rotation button (26) from the open end of the rotation button (26) and located around a tube (262) formed inside the rotation button (26). After the tubular body (22), the sealing ring (228), the pushbutton (24), the rotation button (26) and the first spring (28) are assembled according to the previously described process, a cover (226) securely fitted in the chamber (14) and having a central opening (2260) and a seal (2262) is able to allocate the above mentioned parts in one side of the chamber (14). It is noted from FIG. 2 that a linkage (18) is provided between the piston assembly (16) and the pushbutton assembly (20). One end of the linkage (18) extends through the seal (2262), the central opening (2260) of the cover (226), the first spring (28) and rests in the tube (262). The other end of the linkage (18) extends through a piston (160) and is inserted into an abutting member (162). The abutting member (162) abuts a second spring (164) that is received in a cavity (1440) of an outer cover (144) threadingly engaged with the second end of the chamber (14).

[0031] With reference to FIG. 3, an assembled sprinkler in accordance with the present invention is shown. The assembled sprinkler shows that the piston (160) abuts and thus closes the second end of the chamber (14) such that water from the inlet (120) can not be ejected out of the outlet (19). Referring to FIG. 4, when the pushbutton (24) is pressed toward the chamber (14), the positioning bosses (242) together with the ribs (260) slide in the first positioning slot (2241), which pushes the first spring (28) and one end of the linkage (18). The linkage (18) after being pushed will drive the abutting member (162) to press the second spring (162). Meanwhile, the water pressure in the chamber (14) will thus force the piston (160) to move toward the outer cover (144), as shown in FIG. 4, to allow the water to flow out of the outlet (19). To provide a comfortable operation mode, the handle (12) is provided with a function that allows the user to maintain the piston (160) in an open state. Hereinafter is the description and principle of the mechanism.

[0032] With reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, when the pushbutton (24), the rotation button (26) and the tubular body (22) are assembled, the positioning bosses (242) and the ribs (260) are received in the first positioning slots (2241). Furthermore, due to the undulating edge (240), the ribs (260) only stay half way in the first positioning slots (2241), which is exactly the same as that shown in FIG. 3. After the pushbutton (24) is pushed toward the chamber (14), the positioning bosses (242) slide in the first positioning slots (2241) and the ribs (260) are pushed out of the first positioning slots (2241) by the undulating edge (240). Because of the inclined side faces of the undulating edge (240), after the ribs (260) are pushed out of the first positioning slots (2241), the ribs (260) are forced to enter the second positioning slots (2242) each having a less length than that of each first positioning slots (2241). That is, the linkage (18) is continually pushed and thus the piston (160) is kept open to allow the water to flow out of the outlet (19), as shown in FIG. 4. However, when the user once again pushes the pushbutton (24), the ribs (260) are forced to leave the second positioning slots (2242) by the undulating edge (240). When the user stops pressing the pushbutton (24), because of the inclined side face of the undulating edge (240), the ribs (260) slide into the first positioning slots (2241) to allow the piston (160) to close the second end of the chamber (14) so as to stop the water flow out of the outlet (19), as shown from FIG. 4 to FIG. 3. To further secure the sealing effect of the piston (160) to the chamber (14), at least one aperture is provided in the piston (160), such that when the piston (160) is in its chamber closing state, the water from the inlet (120) will flow through the piston (160) by means of the aperture (1602) and stays between the piston (160) and the outer cover (144). Accordingly, the water in between the outer cover (144) and the piston (160) will further force the piston (160) toward the chamber (14) to secure the watertight engagement.

[0033] With reference to FIG. 6, another preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the structure is somewhat similar to that shown in FIG. 2. The difference therebetween is that the hollow tubular body (22′) has multiple guiding blocks (224′) spatially formed in an internal face of the tubular body (22′). Because of the provision of the multiple guiding blocks (224′), multiple first positioning slots (2242′), second positioning slots (2243′) and third positioning slots (2244′) are respectively defined among the guiding blocks (224′). Each of the first positioning slots (2242′) has a length longer than that of each of the second positioning slots (2243′). Each of the second positioning slots (2243′) has a length greater than that of each of the third positioning slots (2244′).

[0034] The pushbutton (24′) has an undulating edge (240′) formed on the open end thereof and multiple positioning bosses (242′) having a total number corresponding to that of the first positioning slots (2242′).

[0035] The rotation button (26′) has multiple ribs (26′) having a total number corresponding to that of the first positioning slots (2242′).

[0036] When the tubular body (22′), the pushbutton (24′) and the rotation button (26′) are assembled as in the previously described manner, the multiple positioning bosses (242′) and the ribs (260′) are respectively received in the first positioning slots (2242′) and the ribs (260′) are in engagement with the inclined side face of the undulated edge (240′), which makes the ribs (260′) extend only half way into the first positioning slots (2242′). When the pushbutton (24′) is pushed toward the chamber (14), the ribs (260′) are pushed out of the first positioning slots (2242′). Due to the inclined side face of the undulated edge (240′) and the free end of the ribs (260′), the ribs (260′) are forced to be received in the second positioning slots (2243′) to maintain the piston (160) away from the engagement with the chamber (14), such that the water from the inlet (120) will continue to flow out of the outlet (19). If the pushbutton (24′) is pushed again, the ribs (260′) are forced to leave the limit of the second positioning slots (2243′) and into the third positioning slots (2244′) in the same manner as described earlier, which allows the sprinkler of the invention to have a smaller amount of water outflow from the outlet (19). Therefore, the user thus has three different water flow controls: stop, medium and small.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 7, another preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The sprinkler (10) has a handle (12), a piston assembly (16) received in a chamber (14) in the handle (12) and a linkage (18) movably received in the chamber (14) and engaged with the piston assembly (16). The parts described above are the same as that described in FIG. 2. The difference resides in the following description.

[0038] The sprinkler (10) further has a pushbutton assembly (30) received in the chamber (14) and relative to the piston assembly (16). The pushbutton assembly (30) has a tubular body (32), a pushbutton (34), a controlling sleeve (35), a rotation button (36) and a spring (38).

[0039] The tubular body (32) has a threading (320) for assembly with the handle (12), a flange (322) formed on a distal end thereof for limiting the movement of a sealing ring (328) after being mounted around the tubular body (32) and a step (324) formed on a inside periphery thereof, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0040] The pushbutton (34) has an open end and a closed end. The pushbutton (34) further has a block ring (340) formed near the open end, and an inner tube (342) formed inside the pushbutton (34) and having an undulating edge (344) formed on a free end thereof. The pushbutton (34) is inserted in the tubular body (32) and the block ring (340) engages the step (324) so as to limit the further insertion of the pushbutton (34) into the tubular body (32).

[0041] The controlling sleeve (35) is received in the pushbutton (34) and outside the inner tube (342). The controlling sleeve (35) has a stop (350) formed on an outer periphery thereof and multiple positioning slots (352) defined in an inner periphery thereof. The positioning slots (352) are composed of multiple first positioning slots (3520) and multiple second positioning slots (3522). Each first positioning slot (3520) has a length greater than that of each second positioning slot (3522).

[0042] The rotation button (36) is movably received in the controlling sleeve (35) and has a head (362) formed on a distal end thereof. The head (362) has at least one boss (364) formed on an outside periphery thereof to correspond to one of the first and second positioning slots (3520,3522) of the controlling sleeve (35), and a blind hole (366) defined in a center thereof. The rotation button (36) is inserted into the controlling sleeve (35) from a distal end relative to the head (362). After the rotation button (36) is inserted in the controlling sleeve (35), the boss (364) is received in one of the multiple positioning slots (352) and abuts an inclined side face of the undulating edge (344). A distal end of the spring (38) engages with an outside face of the head (362).

[0043] After the pushbutton (34), the controlling sleeve (35), the rotation button (36) and the spring (38) are assembled in the tubular body (32), a cover (326) is provided to enclose the above mentioned parts in the tubular body (32).

[0044] The cover (326) has a recess (3260) for receiving therein a securing ring (3266), a through hole (3262) in a bottom face defining the recess (3260) and a notch (3264) defined in a back face of the cover (326) and corresponding to the stop (350) of the controlling sleeve (35). When the pushbutton (34) is pressed toward the chamber (14), the inclined side face of the undulating edge (344) pushes the boss (364) of the rotation button (36) away from the limit of the first position slot (3520). After the boss (364) is pushed away from the limit of the first positioning slot (3520), due to the provision of the relative end faces of the boss (364) and the inclined side face of the undulating edge (344), the boss (364) slides into the second positioning slot (3522). Referring to FIG. 9 and taking FIG. 10 for reference, when the piston (160) is in watertight engagement with the chamber (14), the boss (364) is received in the first positioning slot (3520). After the pushbutton (34) is pressed, the boss (364) leaves the limit of the first positioning slot (3520) and falls into the second positioning slot (3522). Because each first positioning slot (3520) has a length greater than that of each second positioning slot (3522), the piston (160) will not engage with the chamber (14), and thus water is allowed to enter the chamber (14) and exit from the outlet (19).

[0045] While the boss (364) stays in the second positioning slot (3522), the user will not have to continue pressing the pushbutton (34), which brings convenience to the user.

[0046] With reference to FIG. 11, a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The sprinkler (10) has a handle (12), a piston assembly (16) received in a chamber (14) in the handle (12) and a linkage (18) movably received in the chamber (14) and engaged with the piston assembly (16). The parts described above are the same as those described in FIG. 2. The difference resides in the following description.

[0047] The sprinkler (10) further has a pushbutton assembly (40). The push button (40) has a tubular body (42), a pushbutton (44), a first positioning seat (45), and a second positioning seat (46).

[0048] The tubular body (42) has a threading (420) for assembly with the handle (12), a flange (422) formed on a distal end thereof for limiting the movement of a sealing ring (428) after being mounted around the tubular body (42), and a step (424) formed on an inside periphery thereof, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0049] The pushbutton (44) is a tube-like member and has a plug (440) provided to extend out of the tubular body (42) for the user to press, an engaging end (442) located relatively to the plug (440), a channel (444) defined therein for movably receiving a first spring (446) and a pin (448).

[0050] The first positioning seat (45) has a central opening (450) defined to allow the engaging end (442) to extend therethrough and a controlling plate (48) located in a periphery defining the central opening (450) and corresponding to the channel (444) of the pushbutton (44).

[0051] The second positioning seat (46) has a path (460) defined to receive therein a slider (462) and a second spring (464). The slider (462) has a blind hole (4620) defined to receive a distal end of the linkage (18).

[0052] When the above mentioned parts are assembled in the tubular body (42), as shown in FIG. 12, that is, the plug (440) of the pushbutton (44) extends out of the tubular body (42) and the engaging end (442) engages with the slider (462) after extending through the central opening (450) and into the path (460) of the second positioning seat (46), a cover (426) with a through hole (4260) is provided to enclose all the above parts in the tubular body (42). Then the tubular body (42) is threadingly connected to the handle (12) of the sprinkler (10) of the invention. Before the cover (426) encloses the mentioned parts in the tubular body (42), a seal (4262) is located in the through hole (4260). After the above mentioned assembly is finished, one distal end of the linkage (18) extends through the seal (4262), the through hole (4260) of the cover (426), the second spring (464) and into the blind hole (4260) in the slider (462). The other end of the linkage (18) extends through the piston (160) and into the abutting member (162). Thereafter, when the user pushes the plug (440), the push of the engaging end (442) to the slider (462) and accordingly to the linkage (18) will make the piston (160) to open and thus allow water to enter the chamber (14) in the handle (10). Thus, the water in the chamber (14) will be ejected from the outlet (19). To facilitate the operation of the sprinkler (10), a positioning device is provided to maintain the piston (160) in an open state, such that the user will not have to keep pressing the plug (440) all the time during the operation of the sprinkler (10). That is, referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, when the user presses the plug (440), the pin (448) in the pushbutton (44) will also be pushed and will move from a first position (481) in a limiting groove (480) defined in the controlling plate (48) to a second position (482). During the movement of the pin (448), due to the provision of a first turning point (483) before the second position (482) and a second turning point (484) after the second position (482), when the pin (448) reaches the first turning point (483), the user releases the plug (440), the force in the compressed second spring (464) will push the pin (448) backward to the second position (482). While the pin (448) stays in the second position (482), the piston (160) stays separate from the second end of the chamber (14) to allow water to be ejected from the outlet (19). When the plug (440) is pressed again, the pin (448) will move from the second position (482) to the second turning point (484) and the force from the compressed second spring (464) will force the pin (448) back to the first position (481) to allow the piston (160) to close the chamber (14), which stops the ejection of water from the outlet (19).

[0053] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.