Personal water misting apparatus with counter pressure delivery

Abstract

A personal pressurized water misting apparatus with counter pressure delivery, comprising a rigid reservoir with a flexible bladder within, a filler with check valve, a flexible delivery hose with a misting nozzle and a spray nozzle, a pressure shelf within the reservoir, the pressure placed against a side of the bladder, at least one compression spring anchored within the reservoir and exerting pressure against the pressure shelf, such that pressurized filling of the bladder moves the pressure shelf, thereby compressing the spring, whereby counter pressure delivery is actuated with the on/off control.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Keeping cool in any hot environment can be challenging. Water has long been recognized as a preferred means for cooling, but carrying and using water to cool a person is a challenge. Misting water assists further in cooling and requires less water. Portable personal misting devices, though, are a further challenge, especially without using electrical powered delivery. Additionally, a proper mist requires significant pressure, something few portable powering devices can effectively supply. The current invention solves these problems.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The current invention relates to water misting devices and more specifically to a portable personal water misting apparatus with counter pressure delivery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the personal water misting device with counter pressure delivery, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a personal water misting device with counter pressure delivery which has many novel features that result in an improved personal water misting device with counter pressure delivery which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.

The personal pressurized water misting apparatus with counter pressure delivery is comprised of a rigid reservoir with a flexible bladder within. The bladder is designed to hold water. The bladder is acted upon by a movable pressure shelf. The pressure shelf moves within the length of the reservoir. One example of the invention offers a flexible, bendable bladder. This example allows edges of the bladder to fold as needed in passing the edges of the pressure platform. Other examples employ a flexible, expandable bladder such that the bladder expands and contracts within the reservoir and below the pressure shelf as needed with the influx and outflow of water. One example of the invention is supplied as a backpack. Yet another example is supplied as a belt with the reservoir positioned as chosen. A filler with a check valve is conveniently disposed on all examples of the invention. A filler cap covers the filler. A one way check valve resides just within the filler. The check valve is in sealed communication with the bladder. The filler is a threaded female fitting. The fitting is a typical water hose female fitting. The female hose fitting is designed to accept a typical water hose threaded male fitting.

A water hose is used to fill the bladder of the invention. Water hoses typically supply water pressure from 35-100 pounds per square inch (psi).

A pressure shelf is disposed within the reservoir. A compression spring is anchored within the reservoir. Still other examples of the invention utilize more than one spring. In the backpack example of the invention, each spring is anchored against the inside of the top of the reservoir in a spring rest. The opposite end of each spring is anchored in a spring rest against the pressure shelf. In the waist belt example of the invention, the spring is anchored against in inner end of the reservoir opposite the filler end. The spring is between the end of the reservoir and the pressure shelf. The pressure shelf acts against the bladder to pressure the water contained within the bladder. As water hose is used to fill the bladder. Water pressure presses against the pressure shelf. The spring is thereby compressed. Spring compression ceases when pressure within the bladder equals water pressure from the hose supplied to the invention. The air within the reservoir but not within the bladder is compressed. Therefore the springs and the air pressure are imposing an expansion force against the pressure shelf. When internal pressure equals that of the water pressure applied, the check valve sees equilibrium and closes. Withdrawing the water hose from the invention therefore does not allow water flow out of the invention.

In an additional example of the invention, the pressure within the bladder is further enhanced by a handle operated mechanism. The mechanism is used after the bladder is filled with water.

The handle operated mechanism comprises a handle external to the reservoir. The handle is generally T-shaped. The handle extends into a sleeve. The sleeve passes through the reservoir top. The passage of the sleeve through the reservoir is fitted with a seal. Air pressure is prevented from escaping from the reservoir by the seal. A plunger is fitted to the sleeve, within the reservoir. As the handle is pushed inward toward the reservoir, the plunger compresses the spring circling about the handle sleeve. The sleeve is guided by a rod that slideably fits within the sleeve. The rod is anchored to the pressure shelf. The sleeve exterior to the reservoir is fitted with a perpendicularly affixed t-lock. The top of the reservoir exterior is fitted with a lock tab. The lock tab accepts the t-lock of the sleeve. The T-handle is pushed into the reservoir until the t-lock is aligned with the abbreviated lock tab. The t-lock is then twisted. The sleeve and handle are thereby held in a position which compresses the spring within the reservoir, thereby retaining the spring pressure resulting from compressing the plunger against the spring force. This additional spring pressure provides for the plunger to exert more pressure against the pressure shelf, thereby further pressuring the water held within the reservoir bladder to a psi greater than what only the water pressure filling can provide.

The filling water pressure exerts pressure against the pressure shelf, such that pressurized filling of the bladder moves the pressure shelf, thereby compressing springs within the bladder, whereby counter pressure delivery is actuated with the on/off control. The on/off control is fitted within the flex tube. The flex tube exits the bladder and passes outside of the reservoir.

The flex tube provides for positioning the delivery of water from the bladder as desired. One example of the invention provides a misting nozzle at the end of the flex tube. The misting nozzle is, in one example, fitted to the top of a hat. Turning on the on/off control allows for water pressure to force water into the misting nozzle, thereby spraying water mist above and outward from the top of the hat. The on/off control offers graduated opening such that mist volume is controlled. Still another example of the invention offer a stream nozzle with a trigger. The water stream provided is controlled by the trigger, much as a typical water gun. Various other nozzles and water deliveries are provided.

The invention therefore offers counter pressure delivery of water in mist or stream form. The reservoir's internal compression of air and springs by the pressurized introduction of water stores the potential energy. The examples of the invention featuring added spring pressure via the plunger and handle further store additional energy. The on/off control provides for releasing that stored energy by forcing water out through the delivery system. No pumping or electric pumps are required.

Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the personal water misting device with counter pressure delivery so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the personal water misting device with counter pressure delivery will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, examples of the personal water misting device with counter pressure delivery when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current examples of the personal water misting device with counter pressure delivery in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. The invention is capable of other examples and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the personal water misting device with counter pressure delivery. It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Objects of the personal water misting device with counter pressure delivery, along with various novel features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure.

For better understanding of the personal water misting device with counter pressure delivery, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a back elevation cross sectional view of the reservoir with related components, illustrating the flexible bladder as acted upon by spring pressure, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is the belted worn reservoir of the invention, as connected to a hat with misting nozzle.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the reservoir of FIG. 3 taken along the line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the reservoir of the invention, with T-handle fully pressed into the reservoir and held in the locked position by t-lock 33 and lock tabs 35.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional elevation of the reservoir of FIG. 5 taken along the line 6-6, the springs in mid travel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, example of the personal water misting device with counter pressure delivery employing the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 1, the invention 10 is comprised of a reservoir 12. The reservoir 12 is further comprised of vertical panels: front (not shown), an opposite spaced apart back 47, and two opposing spaced apart sides 46. The back 47 and the sides 46 are connected by vertical rounded corners 45. The front is meant to be worn against a user (not shown) in a backpack (not shown). The threadably removable filler cap 24 is disposed on the lower portion of one side 46. The horizontal top 48 and bottom 43 affix to the outer edges of the front, back 47, sides 46 and rounded corners 45 to seal the reservoir. A flex tube 14 transfers water from the reservoir 12 to the nozzle 16. The nozzle 16 is fitted atop the hat 18. Water mist 50 emanates from the nozzle 16 to surround the hat 18 and fall beyond the hat 18.

Referring to FIG. 2, the reservoir is internally comprised of a flexible bladder 20. The bladder 20 fits internally against sides 46, bottom 43 and back 47 (FIG. 1), and front (not shown). The bladder 20 also substantially fits against the pressure shelf 34.

Edges of the bladder 20 are provided for passing relief beyond the edges of pressure shelf 34 as the pressure shelf 34 moves downward against the water 52. The springs 30 are therefore in a partially compressed state. The springs 30 reside vertically and are captured at both top and bottom by springs rests 31. The upper spring rests 31 are supportedly fixed against the top inside 49 of the reservoir 12. The lower spring rests 31 are supportedly affixed to the top of the pressure shelf 34. The compression springs 30 are thereby captured and forced to work in the vertical plane in compression. The flex tube 14 is fitted with on/off control 32. On/off control 32 provides for metered release of water 52 from bladder 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, the belt 38 example of the invention 10 is clasped about a user by the typical buckle 40. The reservoir 12 is disposed horizontally along a portion of the belt 38. The reservoir 12 is fitted with easily accessed threaded filler cap 24. Filler cap 24 covers filler 21. the flex tube 14 extends to meet the hat 18. The mist nozzle 16 is fitted atop hat 18. Mist nozzle 16 disperses water mist 50 about and beyond hat 18.

Referring to FIG. 4, the reservoir 12 of FIG. 3 is partially filled with water 52. The spring 30 is half compressed. Water hose 56 is connected to the female connection (not shown) of the filler 21. Water flow 58 is flowing toward and within the bladder 20 of the reservoir 12. Water 52 pressure is acting against the spring pressure of spring 30. Spring 30 is pushing against the plunger 26. Water 52 pressure is pushing against the bladder 20. Bladder 20 thereby pushes against the plunger 26. Water 52 pressure causes the spring 30 to compress until pressure is equalized between incoming water flow 58 and spring 30 pressure.

The plunger 26 is affixed to linear sleeve 25. The sleeve 25 slideably surrounds the rod 28. The rod 28 is firmly affixed to the rod stop 29 within the end of the reservoir 12 opposite the filler 21. The spring 30 is fully compressed when the sleeve 25 reaches the rod stop 29.

Referring to FIG. 5, the T-handle of the backpack example of the invention 10 is in the fully compressed locked position. The sleeve 25 is fitted with perpendicular t-lock 33. The T-handle 23 has been twisted such that the t-lock 33 is caught under the lock tabs 35. The lock tabs 35 are affixed to the top 48 of the reservoir 12. The flex tube 14 emanates from the side 46 of the reservoir 12 opposite the filler 21 and filler cap 24. The flex tube 14 is fitted with a tube clip 54 for conveniently clipping to a user.

Referring to FIG. 6, the sleeve 25 of the T-handle 23 partially surrounds rod 28, within the reservoir. The t-lock 33 is above and disengaged from the lock tabs 35. Lock tabs 35 are affixed to the top 48 of the reservoir 12. the sleeve 25 passes into the reservoir 12 via sleeve seal 27. Sleeve seal 27 prevents air pressure leak from the inside of reservoir 12. Plunger 27 is affixed to the bottom of the sleeve 25. Plunger 27 is forced against the top inside 49 of the reservoir 12. The springs 30 are extended. The on/off control 32 of flex tube 14 is off.

In use, the filler cap 24 is removed from the filler 21. A male fitting of a water hose 56 is hooked to the female fitting (not shown) of the filler 21. The on/off control 32 is turned off. The hose 56 is turned on. Water flow 58 flows into the bladder 20 of the invention 10.

The pressure shelf 34 pushes against springs 30, thereby compressing the springs 30 until the water 52 pressure equals the air pressure and the spring 30 pressure within the reservoir. Water 52 ceases to flow into the bladder 20. The hose 56 is removed. The check valve (not shown) within the filler 21 prevents backflow of the water 52 from within the bladder 20. The water 52 within the reservoir 12 is pressurized equivalent to the water 52 that was dispensed to the reservoir from a water 52 faucet. With the more complete example of the invention 10, the T-handle 23 with sleeve 25 and plunger 26 is employed to further increase internal water 52 pressure within the bladder 20. The T-handle 23 is used after the bladder 20 is filled with water 52. The T-handle 23 is then twisted a partial turn and pushed within the reservoir 12 until the t-lock 33 stops against the top 48 of the reservoir 12. The plunger 26 is thereby pushed against the spring 30. The spring 30 is compressed. The T-handle 23 is twisted back such that the t-lock engages the lock tabs 35. The T-handle 23 thereby locks into position and holds the tension against the spring 30. This tension increases the pressure applied to the pressure shelf 24, thereby increasing outflow pressure of water 52 through the flex tube 14.

In one example of use, the hat 18 is placed atop a user's head. The on/off control 32 is turned on. The flow of the water 52 through the control 32 is adjustably metered by the control 32 position. The water 52 flows to and through the misting nozzle 16. Water mist 50 is thereby dispersed above a user's head.

In an additional example of the invention 10, the stream nozzle (not shown) is used. The stream nozzle is fitted with a trigger switch (not shown) for triggering the stream spray of water 52 from the nozzle. In either example of the invention 10, the tube clip 54 is clipped to a user to more conveniently position and hold the flex tube 54.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the personal water misting device with counter pressure delivery, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Directional terms such as “front”, “back”, “in”, “out”, “downward”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may have been used in the description. These terms are applicable to the examples shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely used for the purpose of description in connection with the drawings and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the present invention may be used.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A personal pressurized water misting apparatus with counter pressure delivery, comprising:

a rigid reservoir;

a flexible bladder within the reservoir;

a filling means for filling the bladder with water;

a check valve within the filling means;

a delivery means for delivering water from the bladder;

an on/off control of the delivery means;

a pressure shelf within the reservoir, the pressure placed against a side of the bladder;

at least one compression spring, the spring anchored within the reservoir, the spring exerting pressure against the pressure shelf,

such that pressurized filling of the bladder moves the pressure shelf, thereby compressing the spring, whereby counter pressure delivery is actuated with the on/off control.

2. The invention in claim 1 wherein the filling means is a female water hose connector for receiving a typical male water hose end.

3. The invention in claim 2 wherein the reservoir is further comprised of attachment means for attaching the reservoir to the person.

4. The invention in claim 3 wherein the delivery means further comprises a misting nozzle, the misting nozzle delivering a mist of water.

5. The invention in claim 4 further comprising a hat;

the delivery means further comprising a flexible hose between the hat and the misting nozzle;

the misting nozzle mounted atop the hat.

6. The invention in claim 4 wherein the delivery means comprises a stream nozzle at an end of the delivery means, the stream nozzle delivering a stream of water.

7. The invention in claim 6 wherein the on/off switching means is a hand held trigger.

8. A personal pressurized water misting apparatus with counter pressure delivery, comprising:

a rigid reservoir;

a flexible bladder within the reservoir;

a filling means for filling the bladder with water;

a check valve within the filling means;

a delivery means for delivering water from the bladder;

an on/off control of the delivery means;

a pressure shelf within the reservoir, the pressure placed against a side of the bladder;

at least one compression spring, the spring anchored within the reservoir, the spring exerting pressure against the pressure shelf;

such that pressurized filling of the bladder moves the pressure shelf, thereby compressing the spring, whereby counter pressure delivery is actuated with the on/off control;

a handle exiting the reservoir, the handle attached to a sleeve, the sleeve within the reservoir, the sleeve ending in a compression disc;

a locking means for the handle;

a rod sliding within the sleeve of the handle, the rod attached to the pressure shelf, the rod slideably fitted within the spring,

such that pushing the handle into the reservoir compresses the spring, thereby exerting pressure against the pressure shelf.

9. The invention in claim 8 wherein the filling means is a female water hose connector for receiving a typical male water hose end.

10. The invention in claim 9 wherein the reservoir is further comprised of attachment means for attaching the reservoir to the person.

11. The invention in claim 10 wherein the delivery means further comprises a misting nozzle, the misting nozzle delivering a mist of water.

12. The invention in claim 11 further comprising a hat;

the delivery means further comprising a flexible hose between the hat and the misting nozzle;

the misting nozzle mounted atop the hat.

13. The invention in claim 10 wherein the delivery means further comprises a misting nozzle, the misting nozzle delivering a mist of water.

14. The invention in claim 13 further comprising a hat;

the delivery means further comprising a flexible hose between the hat and the misting nozzle;

the misting nozzle mounted atop the hat.

15. The invention in claim 10 wherein the delivery means comprises a stream nozzle at an end of the delivery means, the stream nozzle delivering a stream of water.

16. The invention in claim 11 wherein the on/off switching means is a hand held trigger.