| Clip for mounting a fluid delivery device -> Monitor Keywords |
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  Clip for mounting a fluid delivery deviceUSPTO Application #: 20070240252Title: Clip for mounting a fluid delivery device Abstract: A clip for mounting a fluid delivery device adjacent a wall of an enclosure is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a base, a hook configured to support the base adjacent the wall, means for attaching a fluid delivery device to the base, and means for rotating the base. Additionally, a method for attaching a clip for mounting a fluid delivery device adjacent a toilet bowl is disclosed. The method includes securing a hook to a rim, engaging a tab of a base to an underside of the rim at an interface, and rotating the base in response to the interface to substantially engage the tab of the base with the underside of the rim. (end of abstract)
Agent: S.c. Johnson & Son, Inc. - Racine, WI, US Inventors: Stephen B. Leonard, Allen D. Miller, Michael M. Sawalski, Timothy R. Ordiway, Linda M. Madore, Jeffrey L. Crull, Michael J. Skalitzky, Steven Merrill Harrington USPTO Applicaton #: 20070240252 - Class: 004223000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Disinfection, Dispensing To Bowl The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070240252. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 11/312,281 filed Dec. 20, 2005. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH [0002] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] This invention relates to a clip for mounting a fluid delivery device for spraying a fluid, such as a cleaner or deodorizer, on the inside surfaces of an enclosure, such as a toilet bowl, a shower enclosure, or a bathtub enclosure, where the body of the clip can be rotatably adjusted relative to the hook of the clip to direct dispensed fluid to the inside surfaces of the enclosure. [0005] 2. Description of the Related Art [0006] Toilet bowls require care to prevent the buildup of unsightly deposits, to reduce odors, and to prevent bacteria growth. Traditionally, toilet bowls have been cleaned, deodorized, and disinfected by manual scrubbing with a liquid or powdered cleaning and sanitizing agent. This task has required manual labor to keep the toilet bowl clean. [0007] In order to eliminate the detested manual scrubbing, various toilet bowl cleaner dispensers have been proposed. One type of dispenser comprises a solid block or solid particles of a cleansing and freshening substance that is suspended from the rim of a toilet bowl in a container that is placed in the path of the flushing water. U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,670 (which is incorporated herein by reference along with all other documents cited herein) shows an example of this type of toilet bowl cleaning system. Typically, a portion of the solid block is dissolved in the flush water with each flush, and the flush water having dissolved product is dispensed into the toilet bowl for cleaning the bowl. [0008] Other toilet bowl cleaning systems use a liquid cleaning agent that is dispensed into a toilet bowl. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,178,564 and 6,230,334, and PCT International Publication Nos. WO 99/66139 and WO 99/66140 all disclose cleansing and/or freshening devices capable of being suspended from the rim of a toilet bowl for introducing liquid active substances from a bottle into the flushing water with each flush. In these under the toilet rim devices, the liquid active substances are delivered downward from a reservoir to a dispensing plate that is supported by a base that is suspended from the toilet bowl rim. The device is suspended from the toilet rim such that the flow of flush water from the toilet contacts the dispensing plate during a flush. The flush water carries the liquid active substances that are on the dispensing plate into the toilet bowl to clean and freshen the toilet. [0009] Other toilet bowl dispensers use an aerosol deodorizing and/or cleaning agent that is dispensed into a toilet bowl through a conduit attached to the toilet bowl rim. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,070 discloses an aerosol container mounted by a bracket on a toilet rim with a tube extending over the rim; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,029,286 and 5,862,532 disclose dispensers for a toilet bowl including a pressurized reservoir of fluid, a conduit connected to the source of fluid, and a spray nozzle which is installed on the toilet rim. [0010] One disadvantage with these known toilet rim dispensing devices is that these devices may only apply the deodorizing and/or cleaning agent to one location in the toilet water or a limited area in the toilet water or on the inner surface of the toilet bowl. As a result, the cleaning of the inner surface of the toilet bowl may be limited to an area of the toilet bowl near the device. [0011] U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 11/312,281, which is owned by the owner of the current invention, sets forth, among others, an automatic or manual toilet bowl cleaning device where the inner surface of the toilet bowl is cleaned around the entire circumference of the toilet bowl. In one embodiment illustrated in that application, the downstream end of the conduit terminates in a nozzle capable of spraying the fluid outwardly onto the inner surface of the toilet bowl. The nozzle is attached near the rim of the toilet bowl. [0012] Several techniques are available to provide limited adjustment for devices attached to the rim of a toilet bowl. Adjustment has been generally limited to either (1) accommodating toilet bowl rims of varying width, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,286 wherein a ratchet arrangement between two members of the hook is used to adjust the hook for varying rim widths, or (2) attempting to accommodate the depth of the rim and bowl geometry by adjusting the vertical position of the device below the rim. For example, U.S. Pat. No. Re. 32,017 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,898,806 and 7,114,199 incorporate a ratchet arrangement between the hook and the body to allow discrete vertical adjustment of the device below the rim of a toilet bowl. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,396 allows for continuous adjustment of the body with respect to the rim by the use of a friction fit wherein a flat bar hook is wedged within a hollow channel formed within the body. [0013] The previous means of adjustment, however, may not adequately position the nozzle so that the dispensed fluid reaches the extremes of the inner surface of the toilet bowl when the toilet bowl has an asymmetric or elongated rim/inner surface configuration. [0014] Therefore, there is a need for an improved clip for mounting a nozzle near the rim of the toilet bowl. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] The foregoing needs can be met with a clip according to the present invention for mounting a fluid delivery device. The clip is suitable for use in an automated or manual cleaning system for cleaning an enclosure, such as a toilet bowl, a shower enclosure, a bathtub enclosure, and the like. As used herein, the term "cleaning" also includes sanitizing and/or disinfecting, the term "deodorizing" also includes freshening, and the term "fluid" includes cleaning fluids, sanitizing fluids, disinfecting fluids, and the like. Furthermore, the term "fluid" is read broadly to include, liquids, gels, flowable powders, vapors, and the like. Without limitation, an example embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to a toilet bowl. [0016] The clip maintains the security and orientation of the fluid delivery device while in use to help ensure that the fluid is dispensed onto the desired enclosure surfaces. The clip is secured to the enclosure to prevent inadvertent or accidental movement that may cause undesired signals from the sensor and/or alter the coverage of the dispensed fluid. Additionally, the clip accommodates varying toilet sizes and shapes by adjusting for rim height, depth, angle, and curvature. Angle adjustment can be done substantially automatically as the clip is mounted to a rim. Grips on the hook help to ensure the orientation of the clip is maintained once set. Furthermore, channels are present to secure the fluid conduit to the clip to prevent pinching or kinks in the fluid conduit. [0017] The invention provides a clip for mounting a fluid delivery device adjacent a wall of an enclosure. In one embodiment, the clip includes a base, a hook configured to support the base adjacent the wall of an enclosure, means for attaching a fluid delivery device to the base, and means for rotating the base. [0018] In one aspect, the means for attaching a fluid delivery device to the base may comprises an arm extending from the body. Further, the arm may include a support segment and a barrel at the distal end of the support segment for supporting a fluid delivery device. [0019] In another aspect, the base may include a fluid inlet and the clip may include a fluid delivery device including a nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. The nozzle may include a deflection plate, a passageway in fluid communication with the fluid inlet at an upper end of the passageway and extending between the fluid inlet and the deflection plate, a channel in fluid communication with a lower end of the passageway, and a pair of fins flanking the channel and extending upwardly from the deflection plate that when contacted by fluid rotate the nozzle. [0020] In one configuration, the means for rotating the base includes a rib protruding from the hook, a channel formed in the base for receiving the hook, a slit formed in the channel comprising an entrance, an exit, and an intermediate position between the entrance and the exit for receiving the rib. Furthermore, the width of the slit decreases from the entrance to the intermediate position and increases from the intermediate position to the exit to allow relative rotation between the hook and the base about a point located near the intermediate position of the slit. Continue reading... Full patent description for Clip for mounting a fluid delivery device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Clip for mounting a fluid delivery device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Clip for mounting a fluid delivery device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: W.c. dispenser with perfuming chamber Next Patent Application: Fluid dispensing device Industry Class: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Clip for mounting a fluid delivery device patent info. 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