LEVER LANCE

Abstract

 A lever lance (1) for spraying liquids is described, comprising: a spray nozzle (10), a tubular body (30,35) at one end of which the nozzle (10) is fixed and which is provided with an internal volume (40) in fluid communication with the nozzle (10), a hydraulic connector (45), which is adapted to allow the connection of the lance (1) to a source of liquid to be sprayed, is connected to the tubular body (30,35) and is in fluid communication with the internal volume (40) of the tubular body (30,35), through which it is in fluid communication with the nozzle (10), a rod (50) at least partially contained in the internal volume (40) of the tubular body (30,35), slidingly associated therewith by means of a guide sleeve (55) defining a sliding axis (Y) and which projects from an end of the tubular body (30,35), a shutter (70) fixed to an axial end of the rod (50) and movable together with said rod (50) along the sliding axis (Y) between a closed position, in which it obstructs the nozzle (10) and prevents the liquid from crossing the nozzle, and an open position, in which it does not obstruct the nozzle (10) and allows the liquid to cross it, an elastic element (80) configured to exert a force on the rod (50) such that the movement of the shutter (70) along the sliding axis (Y) from the closed position to the open position must occur in contrast to said force, a lever (100) hinged to the tubular body (30,35) according to a hinge axis R and connected to the rod (50) so that a predetermined rotation of the lever (100) with respect to the hinge axis (R) moves the shutter (70) along the sliding axis (Y) from the closed position to the open position in contrast to the force of the elastic element (80). Wherein the elastic element (80) is contained entirely within the tubular body (30,35).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention concerns a lever lance, also known as an agricultural lance.

PRIOR ART

[0002] Lever lances, or agricultural lances, are usually used to spray plants or surfaces with pesticides, fertilizers, or other chemicals in the liquid state.

[0003] A peculiarity of such devices is that they comprise a nozzle and a shutter of said nozzle conformed in such a way that moving the shutter not only activates and deactivates the spraying, i.e. the delivery of the liquid, but also allows to obtain a straight or fan-shaped jet of the liquid.

[0004] Another peculiarity is to have a lever mechanically connected to the shutter to move it in opposition to a spring that tends to keep the shutter in a closed position of the nozzle. The lever is hinged to a body, often cylindrical or tubular, which acts substantially as a handle of the lance and which is crossed by a rod connected to the shutter, in order to move said rod and consequently the shutter.

[0005] A known problem with current solutions is that the spring is implemented with one end fixed to the lever and an opposite end fixed to the external surface of the body to which the lever is hinged, so it is subject to atmospheric agents, to possible foreign objects that may get caught in it, and it is also potentially troublesome for the operator as the hand may be pinched by the coils of the spring.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to solve the drawbacks of the prior art, all within the framework of an efficient, rational, and robust construction solution.

[0007] Such object is achieved by the features of the invention reported in the independent claim. The dependent claims outline preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention, in particular, makes available a lever lance for spraying liquids comprising:

• a spray nozzle,
• a tubular body at one end of which the nozzle is fixed and which is provided with an internal volume in fluid communication with the nozzle,
• a hydraulic connector, which is adapted to allow the connection of the lance to a source of liquid to be sprayed, is connected to the tubular body and is in fluid communication with the internal volume of the tubular body, through which it is in fluid communication with the nozzle,
• a rod at least partially contained in the internal volume of the tubular body, slidingly associated therewith by means of a guide sleeve defining a sliding axis and which projects from one end of the tubular body,
• a shutter fixed to an axial end of the rod and movable together with said rod along the sliding axis between a closed position, in which it obstructs the nozzle and prevents the liquid from crossing the nozzle, and an open position, in which it does not obstruct the nozzle and allows the liquid to cross it,
• an elastic element configured to exert a force on the rod such that the movement of the shutter along the sliding axis from the closed position to the open position must occur in contrast to said force, and
• a lever hinged to the tubular body according to a hinge axis and connected to the rod in such a way that a predetermined rotation of the lever with respect to the hinge axis moves the shutter along the sliding axis from the closed position to the open position in contrast to the force of the elastic element, wherein the elastic element is contained entirely within the tubular body.

[0009] Thanks to this solution, a lever lance is made available in which the elastic element is protected from atmospheric agents and consequently its useful life is extended and also cannot risk injuring the user.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, wherein the elastic element can be coaxial from the rod.

[0011] In this way the lance is particularly compact.

[0012] Preferably the elastic element is a helical compression spring.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the elastic element can be directly interposed between a piston integral with the rod and a fixed wall of the lever lance transverse to the sliding axis.

[0014] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the elastic element can be positioned in a cavity of the tubular body coaxial to the rod, which cavity is provided with an opening crossed by the rod and partially closed by a removably associated pre-compression ring nut which makes the fixed wall available.

[0015] According to a further aspect of the invention, the lever may comprise a first longitudinal end, an opposite second longitudinal end connected to the rod so as to move therewith and an intermediate portion between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end which is hinged to the tubular body.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the tubular body can be made in a first portion to which the nozzle is fixed and a second portion to which the lever is hinged and within which the elastic element is contained.

[0017] This speeds up production.

[0018] Furthermore, the second portion of the tubular body can be made as a monolithic body with the hydraulic connector and the guide sleeve.

[0019] This speeds up the production of the lance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent after reading the following description provided by way of a non-limiting example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a side view of a lever lance for spraying according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlargement of Figure 1 in which part of a tubular body of the lever lance has been omitted.

Figure 3 is a rear orthogonal view of the lever lance of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the lever lance according to section plan IV-IV in which part of the tubular body of the lever lance has been omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] With particular reference to these figures, a lever lance for spraying a liquid has been indicated globally with 1.

[0022] The lever lance 1, hereinafter abbreviated as lance 1, comprises a spray nozzle 10 from which (all) the liquid to be sprayed flows out.

[0023] The spray nozzle 10 comprises at least one outlet hole 15, e.g. a single outlet hole. The outlet hole is made in a front portion of the nozzle 10 itself, i.e. turned towards the surfaces to be sprayed.

[0024] The outlet hole 15 is preferably preceded, with respect to the direction of the flow of liquid through the nozzle 10, by a surface that is convergent towards the nozzle 10.

[0025] The lance 1 then comprises a tubular body provided with a first longitudinal end 20 and an opposite second longitudinal end 25.

[0026] In the embodiment illustrated, the tubular body comprises, i.e. it is formed by, a first portion 30 and a second portion 35 made as separate bodies and fixed the one to the other. The first portion 30 makes available the first longitudinal end 20 and the second portion 35 makes available the second longitudinal end 25 of the tubular body itself.

[0027] For example, the first portion 30, at one end thereof distal from the first longitudinal end 20 is inserted, i.e. fitted, into an accommodating seat made in one end of the second portion 35 distal from the second longitudinal end 25.

[0028] The first portion 30, in the embodiment illustrated, is a thin-walled straight tube, for example made of metal material.

[0029] The nozzle 10 is, removably or non-removably, fixed to the first longitudinal end 20 of the tubular body (in particular a rear portion of the nozzle is fitted to the first longitudinal end of the tubular body) and is in fluid communication with an internal volume 40 of the tubular body, which internal volume is crossed by the liquid before reaching the nozzle 10, i.e. the outlet hole 15 of the nozzle.

[0030] In the embodiment illustrated, the internal volume 40 is made available partly by the first portion 30 and partly by the second portion 35

[0031] The liquid reaches the internal volume 40, and from there the nozzle 10, by means of a hydraulic connector 45 connected to the tubular body, for example to the second portion 35 thereof (in the embodiment illustrated it is made as integral body with the second portion), in direct fluid communication, i.e. without interposition of valves or other flow regulation means, with the internal volume 40 of the tubular body.

[0032] The hydraulic connector 45 is configured to allow the connection of the lance to a source of liquid to be sprayed, in particular for the connection of the lance to a pipe connected to the source of liquid. For such a pipe connection, the hydraulic connector 45 may comprise part of a quick-release mechanism (of which the pipe to be coupled must comprise a complementary part) or a thread adapted to be coupled to a complementary thread mounted on the pipe to be coupled.

[0033] The lance 1 also comprises a rod 50 partially contained in the internal volume 40 of the tubular body, for example projecting externally from the tubular body (only) with respect to the second longitudinal end 25 of the tubular body. Preferably, the rod 50 has a length greater than the length of the tubular body.

[0034] The rod 50 is accommodated in the tubular body with ample clearance, so that the fluid coming from the hydraulic connector 45 can flow around the rod, within the internal volume 40, to reach the nozzle 10. In practice, in the section of tubular body in which the internal volume 40 is made there is an annular gap crossed by the liquid between an internal surface of the tubular body and the rod 50.

[0035] The rod 50, for example made as a straight cylindrical body, is slidingly associated inside the tubular body by means of a guide sleeve 55 defining a sliding axis Y, for example coaxial to the tubular body and even more in detail coaxial to the outlet hole 15 of the nozzle 10.

[0036] The guide sleeve 55 is made available by a section of the tubular body, in particular of the second portion 35 of the tubular body, wherein an internal surface of the tubular body defines a constricted passage section in which the rod 50 is accommodated to size, i.e. with reduced clearance. In practice, the constricted section at the guide sleeve 55 occupies entirely a portion of the gap between the rod 50 and the internal surface of the tubular body at the internal volume 40.

[0037] In the embodiment illustrated, the constricted passage section of the tubular body that makes available the guide sleeve 55 comprises a first annular surface 60 transverse to the sliding axis Y that develops from a cylindrical internal surface of the tubular body, i.e., of the second portion 35 thereof, towards the sliding axis Y and that is turned towards the first longitudinal end 20.

[0038] From the first annular surface 60, in the direction of the second longitudinal end 25 the guide sleeve 55 develops in a direction coaxial to the sliding axis Y and so as to present a cross-section of constant area and dimension throughout its extension in the direction of the sliding axis Y.

[0039] From the end of the guide sleeve 55 proximal to the second longitudinal end, the constricted passage section is terminated by means of a second transverse annular surface 65 (perpendicular to the sliding axis Y) which develops in the direction away from the sliding axis Y.

[0040] The constricted passage section thus delimits the internal volume 40 on one side of said internal volume opposite with respect to the nozzle 10. On the opposite side, the internal volume 40 is delimited by the nozzle.

[0041] For example, said guide sleeve section 55 is cylindrical in shape since the used rod is cylindrical.

[0042] The rod 50 is preferably made as a solid body and is not crossed by the liquid to be sprayed.

[0043] The lance 1 comprises a shutter 70 fixed to an axial end of the rod 50 (the end opposite to that emerging from the tubular body or still, the end proximal to the first longitudinal end of the tubular body) and rigidly movable together with said rod 50 along the sliding axis Y between a closed position, in which it obstructs the nozzle 10 and prevents the liquid from crossing the nozzle 10, and an open position, in which it does not obstruct the nozzle 10 and allows the liquid to cross it.

[0044] In particular, the nozzle 10 has a seat 75 for accommodating the shutter 70 shaped so as to accommodate the shutter 70 to size when the latter is in the closed position, interrupting the flow of liquid towards the outlet hole 15. Said seat 75 is made upstream of the outlet hole 15 (and of the surface convergent towards the nozzle 10).

[0045] The lance 1 then comprises a (single) elastic element 80, for example in the form of a (single) helical compression spring, configured to exert a force on the rod 50 such that the movement of the shutter 70 along the sliding axis Y from the closed position to the open position must occur in contrast to said force. Preferably, said elastic element is the only elastic element that generates a force on the rod mainly in the direction of the sliding axis Y.

[0046] Said elastic element 80 is contained entirely in the tubular body, in particular it is contained in a cavity 85 (coaxial to the rod 50 and to the sliding axis Y) of the second portion 35 of the tubular body, which for example opens into the second end, in which it realises an opening.

[0047] The cavity 85 is separated from the internal volume 40 by means of the guide sleeve 55 (i.e. the constriction which realises this guide sleeve) and comprises a bottom portion adjacent to the guide sleeve 55 at which an annular gasket 90 is positioned adapted to sealingly embrace the rod 50.

[0048] In particular, this bottom portion develops starting from the second annular surface 65, that is, it comprises the second annular surface 65, on which the annular gasket 90 rests. The lance 1 comprises a device for holding the annular gasket 90 in place, i.e., for holding it pressed against the second annular surface 65 (in detail clamped between itself and the second annular surface 65). For example, this device is made in the form of a threaded connecting member 95 screwed into the bottom portion and provided with a passage hole coaxial to the sliding axis Y and which is crossed by the rod 50. Returning to the elastic element 80, it is directly interposed between a (rigid) piston 96 integral with the rod 50 in sliding along the axis Y, in particular a surface of said piston transverse to the sliding axis and turned towards the second longitudinal end 25, and a fixed (and rigid) wall of the tubular body, i.e. of the second portion 35, transverse to the sliding axis Y (in particular a surface of said fixed wall turned towards the first longitudinal end).

[0049] The piston is closer to the first longitudinal end 20 than to the fixed wall.

[0050] In this way, the elastic element 80 as a helical compression spring exerts a force on the piston such as to push it towards the first longitudinal end of the tubular body.

[0051] The same action would be achieved with a helical extension spring if the fixed wall were placed closer to the first longitudinal end than the piston.

[0052] This fixed wall, i.e. its surface turned towards the first longitudinal end, is made available by a threaded connecting member, for example a ring nut 97, screwed to the second longitudinal end and provided with a through hole coaxial to the sliding axis Y and crossed by the rod 50.

[0053] In particular, this threaded connecting member partially closes the opening that the cavity 85 realises in the second longitudinal end 25 of the tubular body. It partially closes as an annular gap remains between the rod 50 and the through hole of the threaded member itself.

[0054] For operating the shutter, i.e. the rod 50, the lance comprises a lever 100 hinged to the tubular body, in particular to the second portion 35 of the tubular body, according to a hinge axis R and connected to the rod 50 so that a predetermined rotation of the lever with respect to the hinge axis Y moves the shutter along the sliding axis from the closed position to the open position in contrast to the force of the elastic element 80. For example, with reference to the drawings, a rotation of the lever with respect to the hinge axis R in an anticlockwise direction causes a translation of the rod 50 to the right in contrast to the force exerted by the elastic element 80 on the rod that acts instead to the left. The rod 50 and the lever are thus configured and connected so that the straight motion of the rod 50 along the sliding axis Y is transformed into a rotation of the lever about the hinge axis R and vice versa.

[0055] In particular, the lever 100 comprises a first longitudinal end 100a, an opposite second longitudinal end 100b (further away from the first longitudinal end 20 of the tubular body with respect to the first longitudinal end 100a of the lever) connected to the rod so as to move therewith and an intermediate portion between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end is hinged to the tubular body, i.e. to its second portion.

[0056] By rotating the lever in the direction of approach to the tubular body, acting near the first longitudinal end 100a, it is possible to translate the lever, and therefore the shutter, in the direction of movement away from the nozzle 10.

[0057] In order to make the action on the lever easier, the lance comprises an appendage 105, for example fork-shaped, which develops from the tubular body itself, i.e. from the second portion, in the direction away therefrom and at the free end of which the intermediate portion is hinged.

[0058] This appendage 105 develops on one side of the tubular body diametrically opposite to the hydraulic connector 45, which also develops in the direction away from the tubular body.

[0059] Further, the lever is substantially L-shaped, i.e. it has a first section that develops from the first longitudinal end 100a and a second section that develops from the second longitudinal end 100b and is transverse (inclined at an angle between 70° and 110°) with respect to the first section and that meets the first section at the intermediate portion where it is hinged to the tubular body.

[0060] With regard to the connection between the second longitudinal end 100b of the lever 100 and rod 50, they are thus configured and connected in such a way that the straight motion of the rod is transformed into rotation of the lever and vice versa.

[0061] For example, the second end 100b may be hinged to the rod 50 according to an axis of rotation parallel to the hinge axis R, or the second end may be fork-shaped so as to partially embrace the rod, and there may be a first disc and a second disc on the rod, between which the fork is interposed.

[0062] The second portion of the tubular body substantially acts at least partially as a handle of the lance as it is contacted by the user when he has to act with the lever. In detail, the user grasps the lever and the second portion of the tubular body with one hand, so that clenching the hand brings the lever, i.e. the first longitudinal end thereof 100a, closer to the tubular body. It is therefore possible to define a section of the second portion proximal to the second longitudinal end 25 as a handle of the lance.

[0063] The lance may also comprise a pre-compression ring nut 110, which is screwed to the rod 50 with respect to a screwing axis coaxial to the sliding axis Y, e.g. it is screwed to the rod by means of a threaded bushing 115 fitted on the rod, and contacts the tubular body, e.g. the second longitudinal end 25, so that the rotation of the ring nut 110 varies the position of the rod.

[0064] This ring nut 110 thus allows to bypass the need to operate the lever 100 for moving the shutter 70.

[0065] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

[0066] Moreover, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0067] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and sizes, can be whatever according to the requirements without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

1. Lever lance (1) for spraying liquids comprising:

- a spray nozzle (10),

- a tubular body (30,35) at one end of which the nozzle (10) is fixed and which is provided with an internal volume (40) in fluid communication with the nozzle (10),

- a hydraulic connector (45), which is adapted to allow the connection of the lance (1) to a source of liquid to be sprayed, is connected to the tubular body (30,35) and is in fluid communication with the internal volume (40) of the tubular body (30,35), through which it is in fluid communication with the nozzle (10),

- a rod (50), which is at least partially contained in the internal volume (40) of the tubular body (30,35), is slidingly associated therewith by means of a guide sleeve (55) defining a sliding axis (Y), projects from one end of the tubular body (30,35), is made as a solid body and is not crossed by the liquid to be sprayed,

- a shutter (70) fixed to an axial end of the rod (50) and movable together with said rod (50) along the sliding axis (Y) between a closed position, in which it obstructs the nozzle (10) and prevents the liquid from crossing the nozzle, and an open position, in which it does not obstruct the nozzle (10) and allows the liquid to cross it,

- an elastic element (80) configured to exert a force on the rod (50) such that the movement of the shutter (70) along the sliding axis (Y) from the closed position to the open position must occur in contrast to said force,

- a lever (100) hinged to the tubular body (30,35) according to a hinge axis (R) and connected to the rod (50) in such a way that a predetermined rotation of the lever (100) with respect to the hinge axis (R) moves the shutter (70) along the sliding axis (Y) from the closed position to the open position in contrast to the force of the elastic element (80),

wherein the elastic element (80) is contained entirely within the tubular body (30,35).

2. Lance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element (80) is coaxial from the rod (50).

3. Lance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic element (80) is a helical compression spring.

4. Lance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elastic element (80) is directly interposed between a piston (96) integral with the rod (50) and a fixed wall of the lever lance (100) transverse to the sliding axis (Y).

5. Lance (1) according to claim 4, wherein the elastic element (80) is positioned in a cavity (85) of the tubular body (30,35) coaxial to the rod (50), which cavity (85) is provided with an opening crossed by the rod (50) and partially closed by a removably associated pre-compression ring nut (110) which makes the fixed wall available.

6. Lance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever (100) comprises a first longitudinal end (110a), an opposite second longitudinal end (110b) connected to the rod (50) so as to move therewith and an intermediate portion between the first longitudinal end (110a) and the second longitudinal end (110b) which is hinged to the tubular body (30,35).

7. Lance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular body (30,35) is made in a first portion (30) to which the nozzle (10) is fixed and a second portion (35) to which the lever (100) is hinged and within which the elastic element (80) is contained.

8. Lance (1) according to claim 7, wherein the second portion (35) of the tubular body (30,35) is made as a monolithic body with the hydraulic connector (45) and the guide sleeve.

9. Lance (1) according to claim 1, comprising a precompression ring nut (110), which is screwed to the rod (50) with respect to a screwing axis coaxial to the sliding axis (Y), and contacts the tubular body so that the rotation of the ring nut (110) varies the position of the rod.

Drawing