Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
21 708.~
NOZZLE WITH OUICK DISCONNECT SPRAY TIP
Backqround of the Invention
This invention relates generally to spray nozzles
and, more particularly, to a spray nozzle having a
nozzle body and a nozzle tip which are coupled by
quick disconnect means permitting quick and easy
disassembly of the tip from the body for purposes of
cleaning the tip or replacing the tip when the tip
becomes worn. The same body often may be used with
interchangeable tips capable of producing different
spray patterns.
A spray nozzle of the above type which has
enjoyed considerable success is disclosed in commonly
assigned Hamilton United States Patent 5,190,224.
Another nozzle of a generally similar type is
disclosed in United States Patent 5,421,522.
The interior of the body of the prior nozzle in
the aforementioned Hamilton patent includes thin
curved walls defining resilient detents which coact
with detents on the nozzle tip to releasably lock the
tip in assembled relation with the body. After
prolonged use of the nozzle and repeated removal and
replacement of the tip, the resilient detents in the
nozzle body tend to become permanently deformed. Such
deformation causes the detents to lose a crisp feel as
the tip moves to its fully assembled position.
The nozzle disclosed in the aforementioned
Hamilton patent also includes a sealing ring contained
and retained within the nozzle body and establishing a
fluid-tight seal between the outer side of the tip and
2l 7o8 ~
the inner side of the body. When the tip is removed,
the sealing ring may accidentally become dislodged and
fall out of the body. The user may not notice the
absence of the sealing ring and may install the new
tip without there being a sealing ring in place to
establish a seal between the tip and the body.
Moreover, a tool usually must be used to dislodge the
sealing ring from the body when replacement of the
sealing ring is required.
The aforementioned patent 5,421,522 provides for
retention of the sealing rings on the removable tip,
but utilizes a different and relatively complex
interlocking arrangement. Also, it utilizes the
resilient compression of the inner O-ring to displace
the tip outward relative to the body for detent
locking purposes.
SummarY of the Invention
One of the objects of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved quick disconnect spray
nozzle which is capable of being mass produced in
relatively small sizes in order to accommodate space
limitations.
A further object of the invention is to provide a
spray nozzle of the foregoing type in which spray tips
may be repeatedly inserted into and removed from the
nozzle body while maintaining a crisp detent action
between the tip and the body.
A further object is to achieve the foregoing by
providing a nozzle in which a detent defined by a
flexible curved wall is formed on the spray tip rather
than in the nozzle body so that replacement of a used
tip with a new tip also results in the nozzle being
provided with a new flexible detent providing a good
detent feel to the user.
23 7og5~
Yet another object is to provide a quick
disconnect spray nozzle of the above character in
which a sealing ring may be easily seen and is readily
accessible for removal and replacement when the tip is
removed from the nozzle body.
The invention also resides in the novel mounting
of the sealing ring on the spray tip in such a manner
as to enable easy endwise insertion of the tip into
the nozzle body while effecting radial compression of
the sealing ring when the tip is turned within the
body to its finally installed position.
Another object of thiq invention is to provide
new and improved designs for effecting radial
compression of the sealing ring between the tip and
the nozzle body as the tip is inserted and locked in
the body.
Another object of this invention is to provide
secure retention and positive location of the sealing
rlng .
It is another object of this invention to effect
positive sealing pressure of the sealing ring against
both the tip that is circumscribed by the ring and the
surrounding wall of the body.
It is a more specific object to obtain
redistribution of the cross sectional volume of the
sealing ring to assure effecting such a positive seal
from the axial force available in the normal seating
of the tip in the nozzle body.
It is another object of this invention to provide
a nozzle structure which assures relative ease of
withdrawal of the tip after extended periods of nozzle
operation, even in the event that a solid deposit has
accumulated against the upstream side of the sealing
ring.
2 ~ 7 0 ~ ? . ~
It is a further object of this invention to
provide an outer configuration of the downstream
portion of the nozzle tip which facilitates
manufacture, marking and manipulation of the tip
during insertion, seating and withdrawal of the tip
from a mating nozzle body.
These and other objects and advantages of the
invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description when taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIGURE 1 is a sectional view taken longitudinally
through a new and improved quick disconnect nozzle
incorporating unique features of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spray tip of
the nozzle of Fig. 1.
FIG. 3 is an end view of the nozzle tip as seen
in the direction of the arrows of the line 3-3 of FIG.
1.
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are cross-sections taken
substantially along the lines 4-4, 5-5 and 6-6,
respectively, of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-section taken
substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the spray
tip shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the spray tip shown
in FIG. 1.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the
spray tip and the nozzle body shown in Fig. 1.
FIG. 11 is an end view of the nozzle body as seen
in the direction of the arrows of the line 11-11 of
FIG. 10.
21 7~856
FIGS. 12 and 13 are cross-sections taken along
the lines 12-12 and 13-13, respectively, of FIG. 11.
FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken longitudinally
through another new and improved quick disconnect
nozzle incorporating unique features of the present
invention.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken longitudinally
through the nozzle body shown in FIG. 14.
FIGS. 16 and 17 are side and end views,
respectively, of the nozzle tip shown in FIG. 1, with
the O-rings shown in phantom in the positions which
they occupy prior to insertion of the tip into the
nozzle body.
FIG. 18 is a top view of the nozzle tip of FIG.
1, without the O-rings in place.
FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 15,
illustrating another embodiment of a nozzle body in
which a nozzle tip may be mounted as in FIG. 15.
While the invention is susceptible of various
modifications and alternative constructions, certain
illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the
drawings and will be described below in detail. It
should be understood, however, that there is no inten-
tion to limit the invention to the specific forms dis-
closed, but on the contrary, the intention is to coverall modifications, alternative constructions and
equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
Detailed DescriPtion of the Preferred Embodiment
For purposes of illustration, the invention has
been shown in Figs. 1-13 of the drawings as embodied
in a quick disconnect nozzle 10 for spraying liquid.
In certain respects, the nozzle is similar to that of
Hamilton United States Patent 5,190,224, the
21 7 085~
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
The nozzle 10 basically includes a nozzle body
11, a spray nozzle tip 12, and a seal member 14
5 interposed therebetween. The nozzle body 11 and tip
12 both preferably are formed of a suitable chemically
resistant plastic material that may be produced by
injection molding in high capacity production
equipment. The nozzle body 11 in this instance has an
upstream end portion formed with external threads 18
for connecting the nozzle body 11 to a suitable
conduit 19 from the source of spray fluid. A
hexagonal forward portion 20 of the body 11 enables a
wrench to be applied to the body to tighten the body
15 to the conduit. The interior of the nozzle body 11
has a fluid passageway defined by an internal bore 22.
Downstream of the bore 22, the body is formed with an
enlarged annular chamber 24 for receiving the seal
member 14 and an upstream end portion 25 of the spray
20 nozzle tip 12.
The upstream end portion 25 of the spray tip 12
is formed with an internal fluid passageway bore 26
aligned with the internal fluid passageway bore 22 of
the body 11. The spray tip 12 further includes a
25 forward conduit portion 28 that defines a reduced
diameter bore 29 which communicates with the bore 26
and terminates in a forward end formed with a spray
orifice 30. The spray orifice 30 in this instance is
defined by a V-shaped cut in the forward end of the
conduit portion 28 so as to form a generally elongated
outlet with diverging sides 31 for producing a
diverging spray path. Herein, the sides 31 of the
orifice are inclined at an angle of about ten degrees
relative to vertical.
~7085~
To facilitate gripping and turning of the nozzle
tip 12, the tip has an outer, cylindrical shell 34
extending in surrounding outwardly spaced relation to
the conduit portion 28. The shell 34 preferably is
formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending
ribs 35, which may be conveniently gripped between the
installer's fingers and thumb.
In order to seal the chamber 24 from the outside
environment as well as from the liquids being sprayed,
an O-ring 36 is contracted around a tapered portion of
the shell 34 and engages the forward end of the body
11. When the tip 12 is assembled with the body, the
O-ring establishes a seal between the outside of the
tip and the outside of the body in the manner
explained in detail in the aforementioned Hamilton
patent.
The nozzle body 11 and tip 12 are formed with
cooperating camming elements which cause the tip to be
drawn axially into the body when the tip is inserted
endwise into the body and then is turned relative to
the body. As an incident thereto, the interposed seal
member 14 is compressed to establish a seal between
the outside of the tip and the inside of the body and
thereby seal off the passageway 22 from the chamber
24.
Herein, the camming elements on the tip 12 are
formed by a pair of outwardly extending and
diametrically opposed camming lugs 38 which are molded
integrally with the upstream end portion of the tip.
When the tip is initially inserted into the body 11,
the tip is oriented such that the lugs 38 are aligned
angularly with a pair of diametrically opposed notches
39 in the body (see the phantom line illustration of
the lugs in FIG. 5). The notches are defined between
adjacent ends of a pair of diametrically opposed
-. 2170~S~
camming lugs 40 (FIGS. 4-6 and 11-13) molded
integrally with and projecting inwardly from the body
11, the lugs 40 forming the camming elements of the
body. The lugs 40 are spaced forwardly from an
axially facing shoulder 41 (FIG. 12) of the body and
thus a slot 42 iS defined between the shoulder and
each lug 40.
With the foregoing arrangement, the lugs 3 8 on
the tip 12 are initially aligned angularly with the
notches 39 in the body 11 as shown in phantom in FIG.
5 and pass through such notches when the tip is
inserted into the body. Once the lugs 38 pass through
the notches 39 and clear the lugs 40, the tip may be
turned clockwise through approximately one-quarter of
a turn to cause the lugs 38 to enter the slots 42.
Opposing faces of the lugs 38 and 40 are angled as
shown in FIG. 7 so as to produce a camming action
drawing the tip axially into the body as the tip is
turned in a clockwise direction. An end wall 43 (FIG.
6) is formed integrally with the body at one end of
each slot 42 and projects radially inwardly from the
body to close off the end of the slot. Engagement of
the lugs 38 with the end walls 43 limits clockwise
turning of the tip 12 to one-quarter turn.
By virtue of the lugs 38 wedgingly engaging the
lugs 40, the tip 12 is held in assembled relation with
the body 12 until such time as the tip is rotated
relative to the body through one-quarter turn in the
counterclockwise direction. When the lugs 38 become
aligned with the notches 39, the tip may be slipped
endwise out of the body. The lugs 38 engage the
opposite sides of the end walls 43 when the tip is
turned counterclockwise through one-quarter turn and
thus are prevented from turning counterclockwise
beyond the notches 39.
`- 2~708.5~
In accordance with one aspect of the present
invention, resiliently flexible detent means are
carried by the tip 12 and coact with detent means in
the body 11 to releasably hold the tip against
5 rotation within the body and thereby releasably retain
the tip and the body in assembled relation. Formation
of the resiliently flexible detent means on the tip
facilitates molding of the tip and body and enables
the nozzle 10 to be made relatively small so that the
nozzle may be used in applications where liquid is
sprayed at a low flow rate (e.g., less than one gallon
per minute) or where space limitations require the use
of a compact nozzle. Moreover, new resiliently
flexible detent means are brought into use each time a
15 tip is replaced with a new tip and thus the new detent
means provide a reliable detenting action as well as
providing the installer with a crisp detenting feel
when the tip is turned to its fully instal-led
position.
More specifically, two detents 45 are molded
integrally with the tip 12 and are diametrically
spaced from one another around the tip. Herein, each
detent 45 is in the form of a transversely extending
strip or rib of plastic having opposite ends integral
25 with an axially facing and radially extending shoulder
46 (FIGS. 2 and 9) defined near the junction of the
shell 34 with the upstream end portion 25 of the tip
12. The ribs 45 are aligned angularly with and are
spaced downstream from the camming lugs 38. Each rib
30 is curved similar to a bow and thus includes a
convexly curved side which faces axially in an
upstream direction and a concavely curved side which
faces in the opposite direction. By virtue of such
curvature, a space 47 (FIG. 7) is defined between the
35 shoulder 46 and the concave side of the rib. The
21 708S~
space 47 enables the rib 46 to flex resiliently toward
the shoulder when axially directed forces are exerted
on the rib.
The convexly curved side of the rib 45 also has a
slight convex curvature in a generally radial
direction, that is, in a direction extending from the
outer edge of the rib toward the inner margin thereof.
As a result, the shape of the convex side of the rib
somewhat resembles the shape of a fingernail.
The detent means in the body 11 are in the form
of recesses or pockets 50 (FIGS. 11 and 13) which are
molded in the downstream sides of the camming lugs 40.
Each pocket is concavely curved in two planes and thus
is complementary in shape to the rib.
As the tip 12 is turned clockwise to cause the
lugs 38 to cam against and interlock with the lugs 40,
the ribs 45 are drawn into pressing engagement with
the downstream sides of the lugs and are flexed toward
the shoulder 46 as permitted by the space 47 between
the shoulder and each rib. Because of the end-to-end
curvature of each rib, flexing of the rib is initiated
at its flexible rounded center section in contrast to
a more rigid end. Additional flexibility is imparted
to each rib by the slight radial curvature of the rib.
As the tip 12 reaches its fully installed
position, the ribs 45 move into angula~ alignment with
the pockets 50 and pop resiliently into the pockets so
as to releasably hold the tip against counterclockwise
turning. The end-to-end curvature of each rib 45
imparts spring-back resilience to the rib to cause the
rib to pop into and seat in the pocket. The
downstream sides of the lugs 40 may be shaped to cause
greater or lesser flexing of the ribs in order to
control the torque required during final turning of
the tip 12 to its fully installed position.
.. 217~S~
When the tip 12 is turned counterclockwise
preparatory to removing the tip from the body 11, the
leading end portion of each rib 45 is cammed by the
adjacent curved end of the respective pocket 50 and is
5 flexed out of the pocket. The tip thus is released
for turning of the lugs 38 into alignment with the
notches 39 to permit endwise removal of the tip.
Because the flexible ribs 45 are molded on the
outside diameter of the tip 12, the molding operation
10 is easier to achieve than is the case when flexible
detents are molded in the body. As a result, the
present nozzle 10 may be molded in smaller sizes. In
addition, more rigid plastic may be used as the
material for the nozzle since the exteriorly molded
15 ribs may be made flexible even though the plastic
itself is relatively rigid.
Molding of the flexible ribs 45 on the tip 12
produces a further significant advantage in that the
body 11 may be formed with simple pockets 50 which
20 tend to retain their original shape even after tips
have been inserted into and removed from the body many
O times. Since the pockets do not flex or wear to any
appreciable degree, the detenting capability of the
body does not deteriorate and thus a like-new
25 detenting action and feel is achieved each time a new
tip is inserted into the body. Accordingly, the body
experiences a longer service life and remains
effective for use with several replaceable tips.
The seal member 14 which is interposed between
30 the body 11 and the tip 12 within the body is in the
form of a simple O-ring. In accordance with another
aspect of the nozzle 10, the O-ring 14 is carried by
the tip 12 and is inserted and removed as a unit with
the tip when the tip is assembled with and
35 disassembled from the body. As a result, the
21 70 ~ 5~
installer can visually determine that the O-ring is in
fact present and can easily inspect the condition of
the O-ring. Moreover, mounting of the O-ring on the
tip eliminates the need to use a tool to dislodge the
O-ring from the body.
The O-ring 14 is carried on the extreme upstream
end portion of the tip 12 and is located between a
smaller diameter upstream shoulder 60 (FIGS. 7 and 8)
and a larger diameter shoulder 61 which is spaced
forwardly from the shoulder 60. Defined between the
shoulders is a groove whose bottom forms a ramp 62 of
circular cross-section, the ramp increasing in
diameter upon progressing axially from the shoulder 60
toward the shoulder 61.
The relaxed inner diameter of the O-ring 14 is
smaller than the diameter of the shoulder 60 and is
equal to or just slightly smaller than the smallest
diameter section of the ramp 62. Thus, it is
necessary to stretch the O-ring radially to enable the
O-ring to clear the shoulder 60 and to be telescoped
onto the ramp. When initially installed on the ramp,
the O-ring is located immediately adjacent the
shoulder 60 and is relaxed or virtually relaxed so
that its outside diameter is at a minimum dimension.
With the outside diameter of the O-ring 14
initially being small, i.e., preferably smaller than
at least the maximum inside diameter of an inclined
annular inner wall 66 of the body 11, no compression
of the O-ring occurs as the tip 12 is initially
inserted axially into the body 11. Thus initial
insertion may be effected with relatively low-effort
since the O-ring does not frictionally retard the tip.
When the lugs 38 move through the notches 39, the O-
ring engages and stops against an axially facing
annular shoulder 65 (FIGS. 1, 7 and 12) defined within
21 7~
the body 11. Upon rotation of the tip 12, the camming
lugs 38 and 40 draw the tip further into the body 11
and, as an incident thereto, the ramp 62 moves axially
relative to the O-ring 14 and expands the latter
5 outwardly into engagement with the inclined wall 66 of
the body 11. The wall 66 and the ramp 62 are sloped
at different angles and thus the O-ring is subjected
to a wedging action and is compressed between the wall
and the ramp as the tip reaches its finally installed
position. As a result, the inner diameter of the 0-
ring is placed in tight sealing engagement with the
ramp 62 while the outer diameter of the O-ring is
pressed tightly against the wall 66. Accordingly, a
very good seal is established between the body and the
15 tip in order to seal off the passageway 22 from the
chamber 24.
As the tip 12 is removed from the body 11, the
ramp 62 retracts from the O-ring 14 until the shoulder
60 engages the O-ring. Thereafter, the shoulder pulls
20 the O-ring out of the body as a unit with the tip.
The shoulder 60 includes a short decreasing
tapered outer surface 68 at its upstream end which
results in a relatively narrow or abrupt annular ridge
70 in closest proximity to the surrounding annular
25 wall surface 72 of the body 11. The resulting very
narrow restriction between the top of the shoulder 60
and the body wall 72 creates a weak section in any
solid deposit that may be formed around the end of the
tip upstream of the O-ring 14, at which the deposit
30 will fracture when the tip is withdrawn. The
decreasing taper 68 also serves as a draft angle and
allows the tip to be withdrawn more easily from any
such deposit that remain upstream of the shoulder 60.
Because the O-ring 14 is carried with the tip 12,
35 the installer can be certain that an O-ring of good
2:~ 7~X5~
14
condition is present when the tip is inserted in the
body 11. Moreover, there is no need of using a tool
to pry an O-ring out of the body for purposes of
inspecting or replacing the O-ring.
Those familiar with the art will appreciate that
a tip with a self-contained O-ring similar to the O-
ring 14 could be used in the body of the nozzle of the
aforementioned Hamilton patent in lieu of mounting an
O-ring in the body itself. Also, a tip having detent
ribs similar to the ribs 45 could be used in
conjunction with a nozzle in which an O-ring is
retained in the body rather than being carried by the
tip.
The nozzIe 110 illustrated in Fig. 14 is of the
same overall configuration and has the same
interlocking camming lugs and detent components and
the same outer sealing ring arrangement as the nozzle
10. Accordingly, the descriptions of those elements
above apply equally to the embodiment 110 as well as
to the nozzle 10, and corresponding parts are
identified by the same numbers as above. However, the
nozzle 110 includes a different and improved seal
arrangement between the upstream end of the tip and
the nozzle body and a different and improved design of
the outer shell of the tip. Accordingly, this is the
presently preferred embodiment.
Referring to Figs. 14-18, the nozzle 110
basically includes a nozzle body 111, a spray nozzle
tip 112, and a seal member 14 interposed therebetween.
The nozzle body 111 and tip 112 both preferably are
formed of a suitable chemically resistant plastic
material that may be produced by injection molding in
high capacity production equipment. The interior of
the nozzle body 111 has a fluid passageway defined by
an internal bore 22. Downstream of the bore 22, the
~ ~ 7 ~
body is formed with an enlarged annular chamber 124
for receiving the seal member 14 and an upstream end
portion 125 of the spray nozzle tip 112.
The upstream end portion 125 of the spray tip 112
5 is formed with an internal fluid passageway bore 26
aligned with the internal fluid passageway bore 22 of
the body 111. The spray tip 112 further includes a
forward conduit portion 28 that defines a reduced
diameter bore 29 which communicates with the bore 26
and terminates in a forward end formed with a spray
orifice 30. As in the nozzle 10 above, the spray
orifice 30 in this instance is defined by a V-shaped
recess in the forward end of the conduit portion 28 so
as to form a generally elongated outlet with diverging
15 sides 31 for producing a diverging "flat" spray
pattern. However, orifices of other configurations
may be provided in accordance with the patterns of the
spray which is desired.
To facilitate gripping and turning of the nozzle
20 tip 112, the tip has an outer cylindrical shell 134
extending in surrounding outwardly spaced relation to
the conduit portion 28. Referring particularly to
Figs. 14, 16, 17 and 18, the shell 134 preferably is
formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending
25 serrations 135 (see Figs. 16 and 18), which may be
conveniently gripped between the installer's fingers
and thumb. The shell 134 is of a generally thin-
walled cylindrical configuration, with two
diametrically opposite flat chordal portions 136 and a
30 circular end which forms ear-like extensions 137A and
137B beyond (downstream from) the ends of the flat
chordal portions 136.
The downstream end of the shell forms a flat
generally planar annular end surface 137, which is
35 radially wider over the ear portions 137A and 137B
2~ 70~
where it extends inward to the opposite parallel inner
chordal surfaces 138 of the flat portions 136. As
will be seen, these surfaces 138 extend generally
parallel to the longitudinal transverse axis of the
elongated orifice outlet, i.e., generally parallel to
the major axis of the oval-shaped orifice opening 30
and to the groove formed by the nozzle sides 31. By
so orienting the widened flat portions, convenient
widened end surface areas are created for placement of
legible identification and size information without
impeding the normal spray patterns provided by these
nozzles while maintaining the desired small overall
nozzle dimensions. The opposite flat portions 136 of
the shell 134 also permit convenient gripping of the
nozzle tip with a wrench, plier or similar device and
also provide additional convenient surfaces for
placement of further informational indicia. Such
indicia may be formed on the flat end and side
surfaces of the shell 134 during the process of
molding the tips 112 or may be created or affixed by
any other means suitable to the materials and manner
by which the tips are formed and suitable for
preservation of the indicia in the anticipated
environment of use of the nozzles, e.g., by printing,
embossments or the application of appropriate labels
or plates.
The nozzle body 111 and tip 112 are formed with
cooperating camming elements the same as described
above with respect to nozzle 10, which cause the tip
to be drawn axially into the body when the tip is
inserted endwise into the body and then is turned
relative to the body. As an incident thereto, the
interposed seal member 14 is compressed to establish a
seal between the outside of the tip and the inside of
2170~
the body and thereby seal off the passageway 22 from
the chamber 24.
The nozzle 110 includes a different inner sealing
arrangement than the nozzle 10. In nozzle 110, the O-
5 ring 14 is carried on the extreme upstream end portionof the tip 112 and is located between a smaller
diameter upstream shoulder 160 (FIGS. 14, 16 and 18)
and a larger diameter substantially radial shoulder
161 which is spaced forwardly, i.e., downstream, from
10 the shoulder 160. Defined between the shoulders is a
groove that provides secure retention and positive
location of the seal ring 14. The groove is formed
with a rounded bottom, which fully supports the O-ring
14, and an outward taper which forms a ramp 162 of
15 circular cross-section. The ramp increases in
diameter upon progressing axially upstream from the
shoulder 161 toward the shoulder 160, i . e. thereby
forming a ramped surface, which causes the O-ring 14
to be positioned at the smallest diameter of the
20 groove against the support shoulder 161.
The relaxed inner diameter of the O-ring 14 is
smaller than the diameter of the shoulder 160 and is
equal to or just slightly smaller than the smallest
diameter section of the ramp 162. Thus, it is
25 necessary to stretch the O-ring radially to enable the
O-ring to clear the shoulder 160 and to be telescoped
onto the ramp. When installed on the ramp, the O-ring
is located immediately adjacent the shoulder 161 and
is relaxed or virtually relaxed so that its outside
30 diameter is at a minimum dimension.
The nozzle body 111 is formed with a tapered
inner ramp wall 166 in the seating zone for the inner
upstream seating and sealing end of the tip 112. The
wall 166 is inclined to the line of travel of the tip
35 during insertion, having a decreasing diameter toward
2~ 70t~ ~
the upstream end of the body. With the outside
diameter of the 0-ring 14 initially being small, i.e.,
preferably smaller than at least the maximum inside
diameter of the inclined annular inner wall 166 of the
body 111, no compression of the O-ring occurs as the
tip 112 is initially inserted axially into the body
111. Thus initial insertion may be effected with
relatively low effort since the O-ring does not
frictionally retard the tip. When the lugs 38 move
through the notches 39, the O-ring engages the
angularly converging annular wall 166 defined within
the body 111. Upon rotation of the tip 112, the
camming lugs 38 and 40 draw the tip further in to the
body 111. This causes compression of the O-ring
lS between the mutually converging tapered ramp surfaces
162 and 166 as the O-ring is pressed inward by the
forced advancement of the annular shoulder 161. The
resultant squeezing of the 0-ring causes
redistribution of the cross-sectional volume of the
ring, some of which expands or reforms toward the
inlet end of the tip and body such as illustrated
schematically in Fig. 14. The result is formation of
positive compressive engagement of the 0-ring with
both of the surfaces 162 and 166 in a predetermined
position, as well as minimizing the space available
upstream of the compressed O-ring 14 for solids to
deposit between the side walls of the tip 112 and the
body 111.
Accordingly, a very good seal is established
between the body and the tip in order to seal off the
passageway 22 from the chamber 24 while allowing for a
short overall length of the nozzle assembly.
As the tip 112 is removed from the body 111, the
ramp 162 and the 0-ring 14 retract from the surface
~7Q8S~
19
166. Thereafter, the shoulder 160 pulls the O-ring
out of the body as a unit with the tip.
In the preferred form of the nozzle 110, there is
no squeezing of the O-ring 14 until its compressive
5 contact with the tapered body surface 166 is
initiated. The inner tapered surface 162 of course
retains the O-ring on the tip, against shoulder 161,
and provides the ramp surface to force the deforming
ring against the outer surface 166 as well as
providing an inner sealing engagement surface. Both
of the engagement surfaces are tapered; the outer
surface 166 tapering to a decreasing diameter
progressively upstream, and the inner surface 162
tapering to an increasing diameter progressively
15 upstream. While it is believed that these angles can
vary somewhat, in an illustrative preferred embodiment
of a nozzle 110 having an inner bore 22 of about 1/4 "
diameter, the included angle defined between these
surfaces is about 45. In this embodiment the outer
20 surface 166 is tapered inward at about 15 to the axis
of the nozzle, while the inner surface 162 is tapered
outward at about 30 to the same axis.
The shoulder 160 includes a short decreasing
tapered outer surface 68 at its upstream end which
25 results in a relatively short or abrupt annular ridge
70 in closest proximity to the surrounding annular
wall surface 166 of the body 111. The resulting very
narrow restriction between the top 70 of the shoulder
160 and the body wall 166 creates a weak section in
30 any solid deposit that may be formed around the end of
the tip upstream of the O-ring 14, in substantially
the same manner and purpose as referred to above in
respect to nozzle 10.
The nozzle body 211 illustrated in Fig. 19 is of
35 the same configuration and function as the nozzle body
21 70g~;~
111 except that it is modified somewhat at the
upstream end to accommodate a different set of threads
218 and a somewhat different form of the inner bore
222 while assuring an appropriate body wall thickness
throughout the threaded nozzle end. The downstream
portion of this nozzle body is of the same form and
function as the nozzle body 111. A similar
modification of the body 11 of course can be made, as
well as a variety of other changes to adapt the
respective nozzles 10 and 110 to various specific
installations within the capabilities of those skilled
in this art, particularly in light of the teachings
herein.
