GB2159733A

GB2159733A - Water dispensing device

Info

Publication number: GB2159733A
Application number: GB08414513A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Beale Wills
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-06-07
Filing date: 1984-06-07
Publication date: 1985-12-11
Also published as: GB8414513D0

Abstract

A water dispensing device for attachment to a watering can (4) or a hose has means (2) for attaching the device to the can spout (3) and a baffle (8) positioned so as to deflect water emerging from the spout into a sheet which breaks up into droplets. The plate is preferably triangular in shape with an upstanding lip at its free edge. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Water dispensing device This invention relates to a water dispensing device for attachment to a watering can or hose.

The most commonly used form of water dispensing attachment for watering cans and hoses is the so-called sprinkler rose or nozzle, which has a number of holes through which the water passes. Such attachments are prone to blockage and need to be cleaned periodically.

The present invention avoids the tendency to blockage of apertured nozzles or sprinkler roses by providing a water dispensing device comprising means for attachment of the device to the spout of a watering can or to a hose, and a baffle so positioned relative to the attachment means that in use of the device water emerging from the watering can or hose is deflected by the baffle into a sheet which breaks up into droplets.

The deflection of the water into a sheet by the baffle ensures that the water falls to the ground in the form of droplets as the sheet breaks up. If the device is used with a hose through which water flows under pressure, the deflection of the water sheet may result in the production of a spray or mist.

In addition to the advantage of having no small apertures prone to blockage in use, the device of the present invention also has the advantage of a simple construction, making it inexpensive to manufacture.

Preferably the baffle is in the form of a plate of essentially triangular shape diverging from the attachment means, the plate having a free edge which is transverse with respect to the direction of water flow from the watering can spout or hose in use of the device. The free edge of the baffle plate may be formed with a lip against which the water deflected by the baffle is further deflected in use of the device. Alternatively, or in addition, the side edges of the baffle plate may be lipped so as to contain the deflected sheet of water on the baffle plate until its impingement on the free edge of the plate.

The attachment means may conveniently be formed in one piece with the deflector plate.

In a preferred embodiment the attachment means and the deflector baffle are formed from a flat sheet metal blank. The attachment means may comprise a collar adapted to fit over the spout of a watering can, or over one end of a hose.

When the dispensing device is to be used with a low pressure water supply, and particularly when the device is to be attached to a watering can, the baffle is arranged to deflect the water impinging thereon upwards, and an upwardly projecting lip is provided for a similar purpose at the free edge of the baffle.

The invention wili be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a water dispensing device according to one embodiment of the invention shown fitted to a water- ing can; Figure 2 is a plan view in the direction of arrow II of the device shown in Fig. 1 , and Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

The drawings illustrate a water dispensing device 1 for attachment to a watering can or hose. The device 1 is made in one piece from an initially flat blank of sheet metal, for example, zinc, galvanised sheet steel, stainless steel, aluminium or copper. The device 1 includes an attachment collar 2 adapted to fit over the spout 3 of a watering can 4 (Fig. 1) or over one end of a hose. The collar 2 may be a force-fit over the spout 3, or it may be provided with any suitable form of screw clamp for securing the collar 2 to the spout 3 or to a hose. In the example illustrated the collar 2 is a split collar provided with contraposed flanges 5 which are clamped together by means of a screw interconnecting the flanges 5 and on which a wing nut 7 is threaded.

The device 1 further includes a baffle 8 integral with and extending from one side of the collar 2. The baffle 8 has an essentially triangular shape diverging in width from the collar 2, the baffle 8 being in the form of a plate inclined upwardly relative to the axis of the collar 2, when the latter is fitted to the spout 3. The free edge of the baffle 8 is transverse with respect to the direction of water flow from the spout 3, and the inclination of the baffle 8 is such that the water emerging from the spout 3 impinges on and is deflected upwardly by the baffle 8 into a sheet of water which breaks up into droplets as it falls to the ground.

To promote a smooth flow of water, without obstruction, the baffle 8 is slightly concavely curved towards the collar 2. The free edge of the baffle 8 is formed with an upstanding lip 9 against which the sheet of water formed by the baffle 8 impinges, to be spread and further deflected upwardly, the sheet of water breaking up into droplets after leaving the lip 9, as shown in Fig. 1.

The side edges of the baffle 8 are formed with lips 10, projecting upwardly from the concave side of the baffle 8, for the purpose of containing the deflected sheet of water until its impingement on the edge lip 9.

Although the baffle 8 would normally be positioned so that the lip 9 projects upwardly, as shown, a downward or lateral projection of the baffle 8, and therefore of the lip 9 may in some cases be found to be advantageous, for example when the water supplied is at high pressure, for example from a hose.

The entier device 1 need not necessarily be made of sheet metal: it could, for example, be moulded in plastics material.

The dispensing device of the present invention is capable of dispensing water, or other liquids, even liquid manure, without clogging.

A high dispensing rate can be achieved (typically a 2 gallon watering can can be emptied through the device in 1 2 seconds).

Typical dimensions for the baffle 8 would be a width (at the lip 9) of 100 mm and a length, measured along each side lip 10, of 100 mm. The angle of inclination of the baffle 8 to the axis of the collar 2 would typically be 20 degrees. The baffle 8 need not necessarily be triangular.

Where the device 1 is intended to be used with a hose, the collar 2 may be replaced by or connected to a hose fitting designed to produce a jet of water impinging on the baffle 8.

Claims

1. A water dispensing device for attachment to a watering can or hose, comprising means for attachment of the device to the spout of a watering can or to a hose, and a baffle so positioned relative to the attachment means that in use of the device water emerging from the watering can or hose is deflected by the baffle into a sheet which breaks up into droplets.

2. A device according to Claim 1, in which the baffle is in the form of a plate of essentially triangular shape diverging from the attachment means, the plate having a free edge which is transverse with respect to the direction of water flow from the watering can spout or hose in use of the device.

3. A device according to Claim 2, in which the free edge of the baffle plate is formed with a lip against which the water deflected by the baffle is further deflected in use of the device.

4. A device according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the side edges of the baffle plate are lipped so as to contain the deflected sheet of water on the baffle plate until its impingement on the free edge of the plate.

5. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the attachment means are formed in one piece with the deflector baffle.

6. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the attachment means comprise a collar adapted to fit over the spout of a watering can, or over one end of a hose.

7. A device according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, in which the attachment means and the deflector baffle are formed from a flat sheet metal blank.

8. A water dispensing device for attachment to a watering can or hose, substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. A watering can equipped with a water dispensing device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.