[0001] This invention relates to an improvement in a swivelling type, orientable nozzle
particularly suitable for use in saunas and similar equipment calling normally for
the delivery of steam.
[0002] Various types of nozzles are commonly known to be suitable for use in such equipment
as whirl- pool bath-tubs, shower cabins, etc. However, all such nozzles are rather
complicated since they require the availability of inner conduits which shall enable
different liquors and gases to be both mixed and/or excluded selectively. They may
also require check valves to be appropriately included or built- in to prevent the
liquor circulating in the equipment from becoming contaminated; they further require
continuous maintenance for cleaning purposes.
[0003] A swivel-type, relatively uncomplicate nozzle for mixing air and water in applications
in connection with a shower booth is disclosed in the Italian utility model no. 0
216 885.
[0004] This nozzle is formed by a body in which a seat is provided to partially accomodate,
in a swiveling manner, an insert provided to eject the liquor under pressure. Said
insert is essentially spherical in its shape and comprises internally conduits that
flow into corresponding perforations in the outer surface of the insert to generate
the jets of liquor. Each one of said conduits contains an injector through which air
is drawn in owing to the effect of water flowing through the same conduit. The insert
itself is kept in position in its seat by means of a threaded ring that is screwed
on to the body, while a water-tight sealing ring is mounted between the insert and
its seat.
[0005] The main drawback of such a nozzle derives from the fact that it is tightly restrained
in its seat, since it can only rotate there, and that the outer surface of the spherical
insert rubs, with a definite friction effect, against both the sealing ring and the
inner edge of the fastening ring. As a consequence, through a prolonged use in time
of the nozzle, the possibility of swiveling the nozzle, ie. its orientability, decreases
to a considerable extent due to scale building up inside the nozzle itself and on
the contact surfaces, making it necessary to increase the frequency of cleaning. Such
a problem, on the other hand, usually arises also in connection with other types of
nozzles, to an ever increasing extent as the complexity of these nozzles augments.
[0006] It therefore is a purpose of the present invention to provide an improved nozzle
of the swiveling type which is such as to eliminate the above cited drawback typical
of known types of nozzles, and which is furthermore very simple in its construction,
very convenient to use and fully reliable in operation.
[0007] The features and characteristics of the nozzle according to the present invention
are substantially as specified in the appended claims.
[0008] The advantages and the features of the nozzle according to the present invention
will however become clearly apparent from the description that will be further given
below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which:
- Figure 1 is an enlarged sectional view along the axis of the nozzle according to
the present invention;
- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view from the top of a particular component part of
the nozzle according to the present invention;
- Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view from the top of a further component part of the
nozzle according to the present invention.
[0009] The nozzle shown in the Figures is substantially constituted by following elements:
- a body 1, having preferably the shape of a cylindrical cup and being made integral
with a one-way or multiple-way connection fitting 2 for the connection to the delivery
piping supplying the working medium (ie. steam, in the case of sauna equipment); said
body 1 is communicating with said fitting 2 through an inner conduit 3 in which an
axial pin 4 is provided integral therewith;
- a substantially semi-spherical insert 5 which has its hollow section facing said
conduit 3 and is provided with through-perforations 6 communicating with the conduit
3 so as to enable the working medium to flow out;
- an annular locknut 7, which is screwed on to the aperture of the body 1 opposite
to the fitting 3 and against which rests the semi-spherical surface of the insert
5;
- an elastic element 8 resting against the pin 4 and capable of pressing the insert
5 against the locknut 7.
[0010] In particular, the insert 5 has, on its side from which the working medium flows
out, a recess 10 on the bottom surface of which perforations 6 are drilled. In a most
advantageous way, the aperture of the recess 10 is flush with the outer profile of
the annular locknut 7. Furthermore, between the annular locknut 7 and the outer edge
of the body 1 there is provided an annular sealing gasket 11.
[0011] Said elastic element 8 is in a preferred way constituted by a plastic spring being
frusto-conical in its shape and having a base 12 that is closed and recessed so as
to constitute a seat for the element to rest upon the pin 4. Inside said base 12,
on the side which is opposite to the one matching with the pin 4, three tips 13 are
provided integrally therewith, said tips extending axially with the perforations 6
of the insert 5 and being adapted to move into said perforations when the insert 5
is pressed against the inner side of the body 1, so as to perform a self-cleaning
of said perforations 6 when the nozzle is operating.
[0012] In older to ensure that the tips 13 are correctly and precisely aligned with the
corresponding perforations 6, inside said insert 5 and said spring 8 there are provided,
respectively, a projecting seat 51 (Figure 2) , being preferably triangular in its
cross-section, and a projecting pin 81 (Figure 3), being also correspondingly triangular
in its cross-section, so as to couple the spring and the insert with the correct orientation.
[0013] The nozzle 1 is mounted in an opening in the wall 14 of the equipment and is fastenend
thereto by means of the annular locknut 7 and a further locknut 15, which is screwed
on to the outer surface of the body 1 and is provided with a corresponding threading
16.
[0014] As it can be inferred from the above description, the nozzle according to the present
invention is extremely simple in its construction, featuring a relatively small number
of mouldable plastic component parts. It further turns out to be very convenient and
reliable in its use.
[0015] As a matter of fact, the insert 5 is mounted elastically in the body 1 and its orientation
can be performed, ie. it can be swivelled, under a minimum of friction. Furthermore,
when the nozzle is operating, the perforations 6 of the insert 5 are cleaned in a
practically automatic way thanks to the presence of the tips 13 inside the spring
8.
[0016] It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the present invention that has been
described above by way of non-limiting example may actually be the subject of any
modification considered appropriate, for instance by providing an elastic element
8 with a different shape, or a different coupling of said elastic element 8 with the
pin 4, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as far as an equivalent
result is achieved. In fact, the actual innovatory concept of the invention lies substantially
in having the insert 5 mounted elastically inside the body 1.
1. Swivel nozzle of an improved type, particularly for use in connection with saunas
or similar equipment, comprising a body (1), which is connected with the supply of
working medium, and an insert (5) provided with perforations (6) for the working medium
to flow out, said insert (5) being housed inside said body (1) and being retained
in its seat by an annular locknut (7) screwed on the aperture of said body (1), characterized
in that the insert (5) has a substantially semi-spherical shape and is mounted in
the body (1) by means of elastic means (8) acting in contrast with a matching element
(4) provided inside the body (1).
2. Nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that said matching element is constituted
by a pin (4) provided axially inside the body (1), and that said elastic means are
constituted by a spring (8) having a frusto-conical shape and provided with a seat
(12) for coupling with said pin (4).
3. Nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said spring (8) is provided
integrally with a plurality of tips (13) that correspond axially to the perforations
(6) of the insert (5).
4. Nozzle according to any of the preceding claims from 1 to 3, characterized in that
said insert (5) and said spring (8) are coupled with each other by means of a seat
(51) and a pin (81) which are provided integrally in the insert and the spring, respectively.