Blast media nozzle and nozzle assembly

Abstract

A novel blast nozzle and nozzle apparatus are provided to eliminate time and tooling requirements of prior art blast nozzles. The nozzle is utilizable with a union connector, which includes a connector body having an axial bore and a boss centrally disposed within the bore. The connector also has a collet seated within the bore that includes gripping teeth. The teeth are oriented inwardly toward the boss and are positioned at an engagement distance from the boss. The nozzle includes a nozzle body with an inlet end and an axial bore. The nozzle also includes a capture band that is positioned about the nozzle body at approximately the engagement distance from the inlet end. The capture band is sized and configured to substantially engage the gripping teeth of the collet to restrict axial movement of the nozzle upon insertion into the connector.

1 . A nozzle for use with a connector, the connector including a connector body and a collet, the connector body including an axial bore and a boss, the boss being centrally disposed within the axial bore, the collet being at least partially seated within the bore at a distal end of the connector, the collet including a plurality of gripping teeth oriented inwardly toward the boss, the teeth being positioned at an engagement distance from the boss, the nozzle comprising: 
 a nozzle body defining an inlet end and including an axial bore; and    a capture band being positioned about the nozzle body at approximately the engagement distance from the inlet end, the band being sized and configured to substantially engage the gripping teeth of the collet to restrict axial movement of the nozzle upon insertion into the connector.    
   
   
       2 . The nozzle of  claim 1  wherein engagement of the capture band to the gripping teeth occurs during insertion of the nozzle into the connector as the inlet end of the nozzle converges upon the boss of the connector.  
   
   
       3 . The nozzle of  claim 1  wherein engagement of the capture band to the gripping teeth non-removably mounts the nozzle to the connector.  
   
   
       4 . The nozzle of  claim 1  wherein the capture band defines a groove.  
   
   
       5 . The nozzle of  claim 1  wherein the capture band is an annular groove on the nozzle body.  
   
   
       6 . The nozzle of  claim 5  wherein the annular groove defines a rectangular cross section.  
   
   
       7 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1  wherein the capture band is substantially planar.  
   
   
       8 . A nozzle for use with a union connector, the union connector including a connector body and a collet, the connector body including an axial bore and a boss, the boss being centrally disposed within the axial bore, the collet being at least partially seated within the bore at a distal end of the connector, the collet including a plurality of gripping teeth oriented inwardly toward the boss, the nozzle comprising: 
 a cylindrical nozzle body defining an inlet end and including an axial bore; and    a capture groove being positioned about the nozzle body proximate the inlet end, the groove being sized and configured to substantially receive the gripping teeth of the collet upon insertion of the nozzle into the distal end of the connector to restrict axial movement of the nozzle.    
   
   
       9 . The nozzle of  claim 8  wherein the gripping teeth of the collet are positioned at an engagement distance from the boss of the connector, the groove being disposed at approximately the engagement distance from the inlet end to facilitate engagement of the gripping teeth of the collet with the groove of the nozzle.  
   
   
       10 . The nozzle of  claim 8  wherein engagement of the capture band to the gripping teeth non-removably mounts the nozzle to the connector.  
   
   
       11 . The nozzle of  claim 8  wherein the groove has a rectangular cross section.  
   
   
       12 . The nozzle of  claim 8  wherein the groove is substantially planar.  
   
   
       13 . The nozzle of  claim 8  wherein the groove is annular.  
   
   
       14 . A nozzle assembly, the assembly comprising: 
 a union connector including: 
 a connector body including an axial bore and a boss, the boss being centrally disposed within the axial bore; and  
 a collet being at least partially seated within the bore at a distal end of the connector, the collet including a plurality of gripping teeth oriented inwardly toward the boss, the teeth being positioned at an engagement distance from the boss; and  
   a nozzle including: 
 a cylindrical nozzle body defining an inlet end and including an axial bore; and  
 a capture band being positioned about the nozzle body at approximately the engagement distance from the inlet end, the band being sized and configured to substantially engage the gripping teeth of the collet to restrict axial movement of the nozzle upon insertion into the connector.  
   
   
   
       15 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 14  wherein engagement of the capture band to the gripping teeth occurs during insertion of the nozzle into the connector as the inlet end of the nozzle converges upon the boss of the connector.  
   
   
       16 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 14  wherein engagement of the capture band to the gripping teeth non-removably mounts the nozzle to the connector.  
   
   
       17 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 14  wherein the capture band defines a groove.  
   
   
       18 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 14  wherein the capture band is an annular groove on the nozzle body.  
   
   
       19 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 18  wherein the annular groove defines a rectangular cross section.  
   
   
       20 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 14  wherein the capture band is substantially planar.