US2296814A - Clothes sprinkler - Google Patents

Description

p 1942- E. A; EBERT 2,296,814

CLOTHES SPRINKLER Filed Jan. 10, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 22, 1942- E. A. EBERT CLOTHES SPRINKLER Filed Jan. 10, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 22, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOTHES SPRINKLER Edward A. Ebert, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application January 10, 1940, Serial No. 313,276

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic sprinkler adapted more particularly, but not necessarily so limited, to the sprinkling of clothes to condition them for ironing.

The main object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler which will enable rapid and thorough sprinkling of clothes with a minimum of effort.

Another object is to provide a sprinkler which will operate on house current, either alternating or direct current, and which is automatically rendered operative when turned to a sprinkling position and inoperative when occupying a rest position.

A further object is to provide a sprinkler which is simple and light in construction and reliable in operation.

One other object is to provide a sprinkler which consumes a minimum amount of current and is always ready for immediate use.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, drawings and claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the automatic clothes sprinkler.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the sprinkler, tilted into an operative position, taken along line 33, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross section, taken along line 4-4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the electrodes, taken along line 5-5, Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modification with parts broken away.

Fig. '7 is a section taken along line Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a modified form of heating element.

Referring now to the drawings, the sprinkler comprises a .container l preferably molded of glass, which has threads H at its upper or open end. A cap or spray head l2, having threads l3 and preferably molded of insulating material, is screwed onto the threads H of the container I]. An inner flange I4 is provided in the cap |2 against which a gasket or seal member I is compressed by the mouth of the container l0.

Spray holes l8 are provided on the front side of the cap l2 and are located in such positions radially so as to give a satisfactory spray pattern on the clothes being sprinkled, the size and number of holes, of course, determining the amount of wetting.

Above the cap or spray head I2 is mounted a cover member |6 also preferably molded of insulating material and having 2. depending handle I1 which slants at an angle downwardly and to the left as shown in Fig. 2, and which also slants away from the container ID, as shown in Fig. 1.

This handle I1 is hollow and an electric cord 23 is passed through it to the terminals 2| and 22 under the cover I6. The live terminals 2| and 22 thus cannot be contacted by the hands of the operator.

Under the cap or sprayhead I2 is mounted an enclosure 34, preferably made of insulating material, which is provided with a gasket 35. A pair of screws 33 pass through openings provided in the cover Hi and aligned openings in a top wall 25 of the spray head I2 and are threaded into holes 26 in the enclosure 34. Thus, the three members, the cover 5 which is part of the handle H, the spray head |2 through its top wall 25 and the enclosure 34 are rigidly clamped together.

A tubular member or pipe 38, which is carried by the enclosure 34, slants downwardly to the right, as shown in Fig. 2, when the sprinkler is in a position of rest and, when the sprinkler is held in an operative position, extends above the level of the liquid in the container ID, as shown in Fig. 3. The angle of the pipe 38 should be determined so that the outlet will be positioned as close as is practical to that portion of the wall of the container l0 which is uppermost when the container is tilted to its operative position. The inner end of the pipe 38 connects to that portion of the enclosure 34 which is uppermost when in use.

The enclosure 34 forms a chamber 31 which encloses the electrode posts 43 and 4|, the post 40 having the terminal 2| and the post 4| having the terminal 22. Nuts 42 and 43 serve to establish an electrical connection between the wires 44 and 45 of the cord 20 and also mount the posts 40 and 4| on the upper wall 25 of the spray head I2. Washers 46 seal the electrode posts against the top wall 25 to prevent leakage.

Plates or electrodes 3| and 32 are held in slots 41 in the posts 43 and 4| by swedging the metal against the plates by means of a chisel-like tool which leaves the tool marks shown at 48.

A metering orifice 50 serves to communicate the chamber 31 with the fluid in the container I0 when it is tilted to an operative position.

The container ID is preferably enveloped at its bottom with a sheath of rubber or similar material, which insulates the container from the hands if it should be hot when being removed, from the cap |2, to be refilled. It also cushions the glass container ||J avoiding breakage and preventing the marring of any surface it contacts.

Operation shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, while the pipe 38 is still slanting downwardly water which filled the lower portion thereof is drained off, the pipe being at such an angle that as it approaches'a horizontal position the level of the water falls below its end. This prevents water from running down the pipe and flooding the chamber 31.

As soon as a sufiicient head of water isdevelo'ped bytilting the'sprinkler, wateris' forced in a metered jetthrougli the-'orifi'ce' 50ibetween the electrode" plates 3| and 32 which turns thewater into steam'because of the potential across them. The steam thus created follows'up'the' pipe 36 and createsa back pressure on the water in the icontainer l and moves it forcibly out of'the spray holes l8 in the spray head I2.

By movin the sprinkler fastor slow over the object being sprinkled any desired amount of dampness can be had.

The sprinkler is thenr'e'sted inan upright position' and water, of course, does not flow between the electrodes because it has returned to the bottom of the container.

To take advantage of the fact that the electrodes continue to' generate steam for a short time after thesprinkle'ris' returned to itsnormal position they are mounted horizontally to prevent the water from draining oif. Thus, after having been in action once the electrodes are heated and since steam is being generated'the action is instantaneous thereafter unless too long an interval permits them to dry on.

Also, the metering hole 50 is of such a size that the electrodes 3| and 32 can never be overloaded or flooded with large quantities of water. If the electrodes were flooded it would take a while for them to heat a large quantity of water to the boiling point where steam would be generated. This would make the sprinkler sluggish in action. It will be noted that, although the steam generating unit is automatically rendered operative when the sprinkler is tilted to a spraying position, it will, nevertheless, be automatically rendered inoperative when the sprinkler becomes empty. This will indicate that the sprinkler should be refilled and also provides a safety feature.

I prefer to make the electrode posts 40 and 4| and electrode plates 3| and 32 of stainless steel or similar non-corrosive metal or material to prevent discoloration and contamination of the water in the sprinkler. Since such a small amount of water is needed for steam generation and since most of it recondenses, this being practically distilled water, the discoloration and contamination of the water would be very small if it did occur.

The electrodes 3! and 32 are of rectangular shape with one end concentric with the axis of the chamber 31. The reason for making them of this shape is to turn into steam any water that accumulates in the bottom of the chamber 3l and also to permit steam, in the upper part of the chamber 31, free access to the opening in the pipe 38. This permits the steam to more or less free itself from large drops of water which tend to create a percolation in the pipe 36 and create a back pressure, preventing the flow of a steady jet of water into chamber 31 from the orifice 50. A smoother operating sprinkler is thus obtained. It will also be noted that with this shape the electrodes can economically be stamped from continuous strips of uniform width,

Since steam is blown against the bottom of the container H] from the pipe 38 it gets quite hot when it is almost empty. To avoid burning the hands when it is desirable to remove the container to refill it, the rubber sheath is provided. As stated before, this sheath acts as an insulator and also prevents breakage of the container besides preventing the marring of surfacesthe sprinkl'er rests upon.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that it is impossible to contact any live wires or charged metal parts-since they are all enclosed by parts made of non-conducting material. Also it is necessary to unscrew the spray head from the container to refill it which means that the" operr: ator leaves'that portion of the device connected to current, out of contact with the hands when the container is filled withwater.

It has been found that much' effort can be eliminated by setting the handle l1 atthe angles shown in Figs. 1 and2. Instead of having to twist the arm all the way to the shoulder as with a conventional pitcher handle, only a simple the preceding Figs. 1-5 with the exception ofia hand switch, generally indicated at fifi, in the handle Ha. In this construction the handle Ila is provided with a channel El which receives aswitch lever 62, which is pivoted near its upper end at 63- Spring contact members and 66 are mounted on an extension 610i theJEVeIE-Z which extends into and under the cover member l6 and overthe terminals-21 and 22. Aspi ing H normally urges the switch lever 62 away the handle Fla and the spring-'-contactmembers 65 and 66 away from the' terminals 2 l "and-22.

In operation when the h a'ndle is gripped by the operator the switch lever 62 is m'oved-intotl ie channel 64 o'f the handle I 1a and the springcontact members 65 and 66 contact the terminals- 2| and 22", therebyprovi'din'g them with current from the wires 44and" 35"of the cord-2B. Wh'en t'he sprinkler is brought *to rest and the handle ra. leased'the contacts 65 and" 66' are disengaged from the terminals 2 and 22 and current is cut off.

The construction sl-iown i n Fig; 6 has the-ad'- vantage that the heating element is energized when the 'handle l Td, is clasped} The resistance element 10 therefore ha's an opport'unit'y to become heated while the sprinkler is b'ei'ngtipped to its sprinkling position. The water, therefore;

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the character described having operative and inoperative positions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another and including a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, said device having a normal position of rest which corresponds to said inoperative position, a spray head carried by and communicating with said container and into which said liquid flows when the device is moved to said operative position, an electric heating element for automatically vaporizing a portion only of said liquid, said heating element being supported in said container so that it is located above the level of said liquid in the inoperative position of said device and below the level of the liquid in the operative position, and circuit means for energizing said element when said device is tipped to said operative position, whereby to create a vapor pressure in the container to expel the liquid from said head in the form of a spray.

2. A device of the character described having operative and inoperative positions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another and including a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, said device having a normal position of rest which corresponds to said inoperative position, a spray head carried by and communicating with said container and into which said liquid flows when the device is moved to said operative position, a vaporizing chamber having an inlet for permitting a restricted flow of said liquid into said chamber and an outlet through which vapor may escape, an electric heating element for vaporizing the liquid entering said chamber, said heating element being supported in said container so that it is located above the level of said liquid in the inoperative position of said device and below the level of th liquid in the operative position, and circuit means for energizing said element when said device is tipped to said operative position, whereby to create a vapor pressure in the container to expel the liq uid from said head in the form of a spray.

3. A device of the character described having operative and inoperative positions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another and including a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, said device having a normal position of rest which corresponds to said inoperative potainer which is located above the level of said liquid when the container occupies said position of rest, an open restricted passage through which said chamber communicates with the interior of said container and through which said liquid may enter said chamber when the device is tipped to said operative position, a heating element for vaporizing the liquid which enters said chamber, circuit means for energizing said heating element when the device is tipped to said operative position and a tube having one end communicating with said chamber and the other so located that it extends above the level of the liquid when the device is tipped to said last named position, whereby to conduct the vapor generated in said chamber without substantial condensation to a point above the liquid to create a pressure which will expel the liquid from said head in the form of a spray.

4. A device of the character described having operative and inoperative positions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another and including a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, a spray head carried by and communicating with said container and into which said liquid flows when the device is moved to said operative position, a heating element for vaporizing a portion of said liquid and a circuit for furnishing power to said element, said element having spaced electrodes which are included in said circuit, which are supported out of contact with respect to said liquid in the inoperative position of the device and which are electrically connected by said liquid to automatically close said circuit when the device is tipped to said operative position, whereby to create a vapor pressure in the container to expel the liquid from said head in the form of a spray.

5. A device of the character described having operative and inoperative positions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another and including a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, a spray head carried by and communieating with said container and into which said liquid flows when the device is moved to said operative position, a vaporizing chamber having a restricted passage through which a small amount of said liquid is permitted to enter the chamber when the device is tipped to.said operative position, an electric heating element for vaporizing the liquid which enters said chamber, a circuit for furnishing power to said heating element, said element having spaced electrodes which are included in said circuit, which are supported out of contact with respect to said liquid in the inoperative position of the device and which are electrically connected by the liquid to automatically close said circuit when the device is tipped to said operative position and a conduit having one end communicating with said chamber and the other extending above the level of the liquid when the device is tipped to said last named position, whereby to conduct the vapor without substantial condensation to a point above the liquid to create a pressure which will expel the liquid from said head in the form of a spray.

6. A device of the character described having operative and inoperative positions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another and including a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, said container having a normal position of rest which corresponds to said inoperative position, a spray head carried by and communicating with said container and into which said liquid flows when the device is moved to said operative position, a vaporizing chamber in said container which is located above the level of said liquid when the container occupies said position of rest, an open restricted passage through which said chamber communicates with the interior of said container and through which said liquid may enter said chamber when the device is tipped to said operative position, a heating element for vaporizing the liquid which enters said chamber, a circuit for furnishing power to said heating element, said element having spaced electrodes which are included in said circuit, which are located in said chamber and which are electrically connected by said liquid to automatically close said circuit when the device is tipped to said operative position and a tube having one end communicating with said chamber and the other so located that it extends above the level of the liquid when the device is tipped to said last named position, whereby to conduct the vapor'generated in said chamber withoutsubstantial condensation to a point above the liquid to create a pressure which will expel the liquid from said head in the form of a spray.

7.'A' device of the characterdescribed having operative andinoperative positions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another and including a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, a spray head carried by and communicating with'said container and into which said liquid'flows when the device is moved to said operativeposition, a heating element for vaporizing a portion of said liquid and a circuit for furnishing power to said element, said element comprising two series of plates of opposite polarity disposed in condenser-like arrangement and supported so that they are held'out of contact with respect to said liquid'in said inoperative position of. the device'and which are electrically connected by said liquid to close said circuit when the device is tipped to said operative position, whereby to create a vapor pressure in the container to expel the liquid from said head in the form of a spray.

8. A device of the character described having operative and inoperative positions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another and including a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, said device having a normal position 01 a rest which corresponds to said inoperative position, a spray head carried by and communicating with said container and into which said liquid flows when the'device ismoved to said operative position, an electric heating element for vaporizing a portion only ofsaidliquid to create-a vapor pressure in the container, whereby to expel the liquid from said head-in the form of aspray, said heating element being supportedi'n said container so that it is located abovethe level of said liquid in the inoperative position of said device and below the level'of the liquid in the operative position, circuit'means'for energizing said heating element, and-a handle'for manipulating said device, said: handle, in. the position of rest of the device; being located belowsaid spray head and at the side of said container and being angularly inclined. with respect to the vertical, whereby, with respect to the direction in which the device is turned to tip it from said position of rest to said operative position; the lower end of the handle-is located in advance of the upper end.

9. A device of the character described having operative and inoperative positions which are angularly displacedlwith respect to'one. another and including a container for the liquid. to be sprinkled, said device having: a normal position of rest which corresponds to said inoperative position, a

spray head carried by and communicating with said container and into which said liquid flows when the deviceismoved. to said operative position, an electric heating element which is supported in the container so that it is located above the level of said liquid in the inoperative position of said device and below the level of the liquid in the operative position, and circuit means for energizing said element to vaporize a portion of said liquid when the devicelis. tipped to said operative position, whereby to create a vapor pressure which will expel the liquid from said head in the form of a spray.

EDWARD A. EBERT.

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