WO2009003215A1

WO2009003215A1 - A fluid dispensing device

Info

Publication number: WO2009003215A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000923
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew John Gaal
Original assignee: BRSV PROJECT GROUP Pty Ltd
Current assignee: BRSV PROJECT GROUP Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-07-02
Filing date: 2008-06-25
Publication date: 2009-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-02

Abstract

A fluid dispensing device including a base member (3); an elongate handle member (11) connected to the base member (3) and to be manipulated by a user to position at least a part of the base member under the structure. At least one nozzle (13) mounted on the base and having an inlet to receive a flow of fluid from a fluid source and an upwardly directed outlet to provide an upwardly directed stream of fluid to an underside of the structure. A conduit (17) having an inlet to receive fluid from a fluid source and an outlet to deliver fluid to the inlet of the nozzle (13). A plurality of wheels (19) to support the base on a surface below the structure so that the nozzle is oriented to direct the stream generally upwardly relative to the surface.

Description

A FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing device and in particular to a device to be positioned under a structure to dispense a fluid thereto.

Background of the Invention

There are many structures such as buildings, vehicles, machinery and the like that are regularly cleaned for aesthetic reasons and to assist in preparing, cleaning, disinfecting and prolonging the life of the structure. Due to the size and shape of structures throughout the world, various devices have been developed to assist a person gain access to an underside of the structure when cleaning for example. Structures such as tables, vehicles and the like which generally rest on a supporting surface, such as the ground, typically have a small clearance gap between the structure and the ground which provides access to the underside of the structure. For example, if the structure is a vehicle, a clearance between the ground surface and the underside of the vehicle body is typically about 15 cm. This small clearance gap makes it difficult for a person to clean the underside of the vehicle without having to lie on their back on the ground or on a trolley or "creeper". Such a position typically results in a substantial amount of cleaning fluid or the like ending up on the person. An alternative approach is to raise the vehicle or other structure further off the supporting surface to increase the size of the clearance gap. This however requires additional machinery and is difficult to do when the structure is of a substantial weight or size. A further alternate approach is to use a high pressure hose or the like to clean the underside of the structure. However, the user is forced to lean towards the ground to gain access to the underside of the structure which causes problems with a user's back leading to OH&S safety issues. Also, the nozzle of the hose is directed downwardly and not upwardly in the direction of the underside of the structure.

It would therefore be desirable to have a device that can clean the underside of a structure with the user positioned away from the structure standing in a substantially normal position. It is also desirable to provide a device that can easily, safely access all areas of the underside of a structure when that underside is being cleaned. Object of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative Summary of the Invention

There is disclosed herein a fluid dispensing device including: a base member; an elongate handle member connected to said base member and to be manipulated by a user to position at least a part of said base member under said structure; at least one nozzle mounted on the base and having an inlet to receive a flow of fluid from a fluid source and an upwardly directed outlet to provide an upwardly directed stream of said fluid to an underside of said structure; a conduit having an inlet to receive said fluid from said fluid source and an outlet to deliver said fluid to said inlet of said nozzle; and a plurality of wheels to support the base on a surface below said structure so that said nozzle is oriented to direct said stream upwardly.

Preferably, including a nozzle housing mounted on said base to support at least one arm extending radially away from said housing, an end of said arm remote said housing supporting said nozzle. Preferably, said housing includes means to urge said arm to rotate about said housing.

Preferably, said means includes positioning said nozzle at such an angle relative to said arm that a pressure of the fluid being dispensed from said outlet generates a rotational force to urge said arm radially about said housing. Preferably, including a plurality of nozzles and arms.

Preferably, said handle member at an end remote said base member includes an actuator to permit manual operation of the device.

Preferably, said actuator includes control means to regulate the flow of fluid delivered to said nozzle from said fluid source. Preferably, said base member and handle member are pivotally attached to permit said handle member to move relative to said base member.

Preferably, including means to change a vertical distance between said nozzle and said base member. Preferably, said means includes a pair of operatively associated elongate members, said members arranged substantially adjacent to the base member in a retracted configuration to form a substantially obtuse angle therebetween, said members to be extended vertically away from the base member in an expanded configuration so that said angle between said members decreases.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 3 is an alternate side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a fluid dispensing device 1 including a base member 3 having a first end 5 longitudinally spaced from a second end 7. At least two wheels 9 (usually four wheels) are located longitudinally between the ends 5, 7 to support the base member 3 on a surface below a structure (not shown). An elongate handle member 11 is connected to the base member 3 and is to be manipulated by a user to position a part of the base member 3 (such as the first end 5) under the structure. At least one nozzle 13 is mounted on the base member 3 preferably adjacent the first end 5 and has an inlet (not shown) to receive a flow of fluid from a fluid source (not shown) and an upwardly directed outlet 15 of the nozzle 13 to provide an upwardly directed stream of fluid to an underside (not shown) of the structure. The nozzle 13 can have a variable selection of spraying angles or positions. A conduit 17 has an inlet (not shown) to receive the fluid from the fluid source and an outlet (not shown) to deliver the fluid to the inlet of the nozzle 13. The wheels 9 support the base 3 on the surface below the structure so that the nozzle 13 is oriented to direct the stream generally upwardly relative to the surface.

In the preferred form shown in Figures 1 to 3, the device 1 includes a nozzle housing 19 located adjacent the first end 5 to support at least one arm 21 (usually two arms) extending radially away from the housing 19. An end 23 of the arm 21 remote the housing 19 supports one or more nozzles 13. The housing 19 includes means to urge the arms 21 to rotate about the housing 19. The means could include sprockets, bushes, bearings or the like. The means could be activated by water pressure alone or include a motor or the like. Preferably the means positions the nozzle 13 at such an angle relative to the arm 21 that a pressure of the fluid being dispensed from the outlet 15 generates a rotational force to urge the arm 21 radially about the housing 19. The device 1 in a preferred form includes a plurality of nozzles 13 and arms 21.

The handle member 11 at an end 25 remote the base member 3 includes an actuator 27 to permit manual operation of the device 1. In the preferred form, the actuator 27 includes control means to regulate the flow of fluid delivered to the nozzle 13 from the fluid source. Also included could be a handle 26 and trigger 27. The base member 3 and handle member 11 are pivotally or hingedly attached by a pivot, hinge 29 or the like to permit the handle member 11 to move relative to the base member 3. The device 1 further includes means 31 to change a vertical distance between the nozzle 13 and the base member 3. In the preferred form, the means 31 includes a pair of operatively associated elongate members 33, 35 arranged substantially adjacent to the base member 3 in a retracted configuration (see Figure 3) to form a substantially obtuse angle therebetween. The members 33, 35 are to be extended vertically away from the base member 3 in an expanded configuration (see Figure 1) so that the angle α between the members 33, 35 decreases. The member 33 could include a number of slots 37 having recesses 39 to receive a corresponding pin 41 located on the member 35. However, other typical adjustment mechanisms such as a scissor lift for example could be utilised. The members 33, 35 move about pivots 43 or the like. In use, when a user wishes to clean the underside of a structure such as a vehicle or the like, the device 1 would be taken out of storage where it would be folded as shown in Figure 3. The handle member 11 would be moved away from the base member 3 and an external pressure pump connected to a fluid source such as a garden hose, tank or the like which would be fluidly connected to the inlet of the conduit 17. Once the pressure has been built up from the fluid source, the base member 3 is pushed by the user under the structure to be cleaned. The user then activates the actuation means 27 to control the dispensing of fluid from the outlet 15 of the nozzles 13. The nozzle housing 19 includes means to rotate the arms 21 about the housing 19 as discussed above. However, the device 1 could include other different typical rotation means for fluids. If the distance to the underside of the structure is higher than expected, the user utilises the means to raise the nozzle 13 away from the base member 3. In this way the underside of the structure would be cleaned without the need for the user to bend over or get themselves dirty or wet. The device 1 could also include adjustable detergent, disinfectant, solvent or degreaser mixing containers that could be fluidly connectable to the conduit 17. The device 1 can be manufactured of any material such as steel, aluminium, plastic, rubber, wood or any combination thereof. In the preferred form the pressure created to drive the 5 arms 21 about the nozzle housing 19 would be water pressure. However, a pressurisation device such as a pump or the like could be attached to the device 1 and could include pressure variation valves and switches or the like. The wheels 19 can be unidirectional or steerable and steering means could also be incorporated at or near the end 25 of the handle member 11. The arms 21 could also include brushes or the like to assist with the i o cleaning of the underside of the structure.

Advantageously, the present invention at least in a preferred form, provides a safe working environment and prevents leaning down or lying down of a user to clean the underside of a structure. There is also no reason to lift a structure to be cleaned above the supporting surface by way of jacks or lifting devices. Accordingly, the operator is kept is safe and clean.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A fluid dispensing device including: a base member; an elongate handle member connected to said base member and to be manipulated by a user to position at least a part of said base member under said structure; at least one nozzle mounted on the base and having an inlet to receive a flow of fluid from a fluid source and an upwardly directed outlet to provide an upwardly directed stream of said fluid to an underside of said structure; a conduit having an inlet to receive said fluid from said fluid source and an outlet to deliver said fluid to said inlet of said nozzle; and a plurality of wheels to support the base on a surface below said structure so that said nozzle is oriented to direct said stream upwardly.

2. The device of claim 1 , including a nozzle housing mounted on said base to support at least one arm extending radially away from said housing, an end of said arm remote said housing supporting said nozzle.

3. The device of claim 2, said housing includes means to urge said arm to rotate about said housing.

4. The device of claim 3, said means includes positioning said nozzle at such an angle relative to said arm that a pressure of the fluid being dispensed from said outlet generates a rotational force to urge said arm radially about said housing.

5. The device of any one of claims 2 to 4, including a plurality of nozzles and arms.

6. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said handle member at an end remote said base member includes an actuator to permit manual operation of the device.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said actuator includes control means to regulate the flow of fluid delivered to said nozzle from said fluid source.

8. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base member and handle member are pivotally attached to permit said handle member to move relative to said base member.

9. The device of any one of the preceding claims, including means to change a vertical distance between said nozzle and said base member.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said means includes a pair of operatively associated elongate members, said members arranged substantially adjacent to the base member in a retracted configuration to form a substantially obtuse angle therebetween, said members to be extended vertically away from the base member in an expanded configuration so that said angle between said members decreases.