SPRAYER ATTACHMENT FOR A GARDEN HOSE

Abstract

This present invention provides a gas cartridge sprayer attachment for a garden hose that is to be used in conjunction with a standard garden hose connector and increase pressure in the water flow, and thereby vary the spray distance in a manner suitable for gardening needs. The sprayer attachment has a pistol-shaped body, with a barrel portion provided with an on/off switch in its forward part, a trigger switch, which opens and closes fluid flow from the garden hose into the sprayer attachment, and a gas cartridge delivering pressuring gas into the water flow passing through the sprayer attachment body. The sprayer attachment is provided with an independent power source. A gas release switch is coupled to the power source and the gas cartridge for releasing the gas from the gas cartridge.

Claims

1. A garden hose attachment apparatus for use with a garden hose equipped with a standard hose connector, the apparatus comprising: (i) a hollow pistol-shaped body having a handle portion and a barrel portion unitary connected to the handle portion, the handle portion being configured to be fluidly coupled to a water source through the standard hose connector; and (ii) a gas delivery assembly detachably coupled to the barrel portion, the gas delivery assembly comprising a source of pressurized gas and adapted for delivery of pressurized gas into a water stream traveling through the barrel portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said barrel portion comprising a manually-operated on/off switch configured to prevent release of water when in an off position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas delivery assembly comprises a pressure gate secured to the barrel portion, a safety valve incorporated into the pressure gate, and a gas cartridge detachably mounted on the detachably pressure gate.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pressure gate with the incorporated safety valve are sandwiched between the gas cartridge and the barrel portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a gas release switch mounted on the handle portion and operationally connected to the gas delivery assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising an independent power source for activating delivery of gas from the gas cartridge.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the power source is housed in a compartment secured to the barrel portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the power source is at least one battery.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the gas release switch is operationally connected to the power source.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a trigger switch secured to the handle portion, the trigger switch being adapted to be manually depressed to allow flow of water through the barrel portion.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a water flow valve mounted in the handle portion and operationally connected to the trigger switch.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle portion is provided with external threads configured to connect the handle portion to the garden hose through the standard hose connector.

13. A method of increasing pressure of water flow through a garden hose equipped with a standard hose connector, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a hose attachment device comprising a hollow pistol-shaped body having a handle portion and a barrel portion unitary connected to the handle portion, the handle portion being configured to be fluidly coupled to a water source through the standard hose connector; (ii) providing a gas delivery assembly detachably coupled to the barrel portion, the gas delivery assembly comprising a source of pressurized gas and adapted for delivery of pressurized gas into a water stream travelling through the barrel portion; (iii) detachably coupling the hose attachment device through the standard hose connector; (iv) establishing a fluid flow from the garden hose to the attachment device; (v) admitting gas from the gas delivery assembly into the fluid flow; and (vi) causing the fluid flow to exit the attachment device at a desired pressure.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising a step of providing the barrel portion with a manually-operated on/off switch configured to prevent release of water when in an off position.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the gas delivery assembly comprises a pressure gate secured to the barrel portion, a safety valve incorporated into the pressure gate, and a gas cartridge detachably mounted on the detachably pressure gate, and wherein the pressure gate with the incorporated safety valve are sandwiched between the gas cartridge and the barrel portion.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising a step of providing the handle portion with a gas release switch operationally connected to the gas delivery assembly, providing an independent power source for activating delivery of gas from the gas cartridge, the gas release switch being operationally connected to the power source.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising a step of manually operating the gas release switch, thereby causing gas from the gas cartridge to be released into the fluid flow.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising a step of providing the barrel portion with a compartment for housing the independent power source.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of providing the handle portion with a trigger switch and manually depressing the trigger switch to allow flow of water through the barrel portion.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising a step of providing the handle portion with a water flow valve operationally connected to the trigger switch, and causing the water flow valve to be open and closed by operation of the trigger switch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gas cartridge sprayer attachment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away view of the gas cartridge sprayer attachment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away view of an alternative embodiment of the gas cartridge sprayer attachment of the present invention without a water flow valve;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away view of the gas cartridge sprayer attachment of the present invention, wherein the gas cartridge is secured on the top of a handle, and illustrating water flow in the alternative embodiment and illustrating an alternative trigger switch; and

[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the gas cartridge sprayer attachment of the present invention in use by a gardener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Referring generally to FIGS. 1-5, the drawings show the compressed gas sprayer attachment for garden hose 100 of the present invention. The gas cartridge attachment for garden hose 100 comprises a pistol-shaped hollow body 101 having a handle portion 102 and a unitary formed, barrel portion 202. The handle portion 102 has a flow entry point 104 in a bottom part 103, and the barrel portion 202 is provided with a flow exit point or outlet opening 106 in a forward end 203. If desired, the handle portion 102 can be made with anti-slip outer surface to facilitate handling of the attachment device 100 by a user.

[0031] The attachment device 100 is provided with an independent power source. The body 101 has a battery compartment 108 for housing at least one battery 109. The battery compartment 108 is secured in substantially co-axial alignment with the barrel portion 202, at a rear part 205 of the barrel portion. The battery compartment 108 can be unitary formed with the barrel portion 202 or can be detachably secured to the barrel portion.

[0032] A gas delivery assembly 200 is coupled the barrel portion 202 and is mounted in general vertical alignment with the handle portion 102. The gas delivery assembly 200 comprises a detachably mounted gas cartridge 206, a pressure gate 204, and an incorporated safety valve 208. The pressure gate 204 with the safety valve 208 are sandwiched between the gas cartridge 206 and the barrel portion 202. The gas from the gas cartridge 206 is delivered into the hollow barrel portion. The safety valve 208 prevents accidental discharge of gas when the gas cartridge 206 is removed from the barrel 202. The pressure gate 204 allows changing of gas cartridges 206 once the gas cartridge becomes empty or no longer needed. The safety valve 208 closes the outlet of the gas cartridge when the gas cartridge is removed from the attachment device 100.

[0033] In some embodiments, a pressure gauge is operationally connected to the pressure valve 208. The gas cartridge 206 must be of a material strong enough to withstand significant pressures, and it may be operationally attached under or over the pressure receiving chamber formed inside the barrel portion. In alternate embodiments of the invention, there may be two or more gas cartridges operationally connected to the pressure receiving chamber.

[0034] The barrel portion 202 is provided with a flow guide or on/off switch 114, which is mounted in a surrounding relationship over the outlet opening 106. The switch 114 rotates in relation to the barrel, closing and opening the outlet 106. If desired, a flow regulating plate can be mounted in the opening 106 to provide the user with greater flexibility in adjusting the flow pattern exiting the attachment 100. In this manner, the attachment can generate fine mist or heavier stream when the user manipulates the flow guide 114.

[0035] The handle portion 102 is provided with external threads 110 in the bottom part 103 to allow the attachment device 100 to be threadably engaged with a standard garden hose connector. A slot 303 is formed in the upper part 105 of the handle portion 102, and a sprayer trigger 302 extends outwardly therefrom. The sprayer trigger switch 302 is adapted to be manually depressed to open a flow valve mounted inside the device 100. A water flow valve 112 is fitted inside the handle portion below the sprayer trigger 302. The water flow valve 112 is operationally connected to the sprayer trigger 302 and acts to open or close the water flow from the garden hose into the attachment device 100 and to prevent backflow from the sprayer attachment device 100 to the garden hose 120.

[0036] A gas release switch 304 is mounted in the upper part 105 of the handle portion 102 opposite the sprayer trigger 302. The gas release switch 304 is operationally connected to the gas delivery assembly 200 and to the batteries 109. When depressed, the gas release switch 304 activates the release of gas from the gas cartridge 206 into the flow of water passing through the barrel portion 202, significantly increasing the pressure of the water flow exiting the attachment device 100.

[0037] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the flow of water through a garden hose 120 into the attachment device 100. In this embodiment, the water flow valve 112 is omitted, and the water flow regulation is provided by the trigger switch 302, the on-off flow guide or on/off switch 114, and the gas release switch 304. A hose connector 122 secured on the end of the garden hose 120 is threadably attached to the external threads 110 of the handle portion 102. As a result, the garden hose 120 and the attachment device 100 are fluidly connected when water is supplied to the garden hose 120 from a municipal water source or reservoir.

[0038] In an alternate embodiment of the invention, there may be a water pump powered by an analog or battery power source placed in-between the garden hose thread attachment 110 and backflow seal 112. This would be controlled by a switch 400 shown in FIG. 4. Thus, water will be pumped into the pressure receiving chamber inside the barrel 202 at a higher velocity. However, this spray may have lower velocity than spray with the gas cartridge 206.

[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates the use of the attachment device. Here a gardener 500 holds the attachment device using the handle portion 102 and pressing the sprayer trigger 302. Before water can exit the attachment device 100, the gardener rotates the on-off switch 114 into the on position and presses on the gas release switch 304 using the palm of his hand. The gas from the cartridge 206 is gradually released, mixing with the flow of water supplied from the garden hose 120.

[0040] When the gas cartridge 206 is empty, the user 500 shuts off the water flow, and then the pressure in the hollow pressure receiving chamber 202 should be released automatically through the exhaust opening 106. If gas cartridge is not completely empty, then the pressure in the gas cartridge 206 should be drained before removal of the gas cartridge 206. In that case, the user shuts off the water flow, removes the attachment device from the garden hose, vents remaining pressure in the gas cartridge, and then removes the gas cartridge from the barrel portion.

[0041] Many changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.