Tool-less pump head configuration

A pump having a motor end and a pump head end and a mechanics housing disposed therebetween, said pump head end having a pump head removably disposed therein, comprising:

• a manifold configured to receive fluidic connections to said pump, said manifold having a first end proximate to said mechanics housing and a second end including an engagement portion, said second end configured to receive said pump head therein;
• and
• a manually actuatable head nut having an external surface and an interior portion engagable with said engagement portion of said manifold, at least one interior surface of said head nut abutting said pump head to retain said pump head in said manifold when said interior portion is engaged with said engagement portion of said manifold,
• wherein said pump head is removable from said pump head end of said pump by grasping said external surface of said manually actuatable head nut and disengaging said interior portion from said engagement portion of said manifold to disengage said at least one interior surface of said head nut from abutment with said pump head.

A pump having a motor end and a pump head end and a mechanics housing disposed therebetween, said pump head end having a pump head removably disposed therein delivering pressurized fluid via reciprocation of an actuator portion of said pump driving a plunger that is removable from said pump, comprising:

• a plunger assembly including a plunger interface attached to said plunger;
• a plunger socket driven by said actuator and configured to receive said plunger interface;
• at least one holding mechanism proximate to said plunger socket and configured to releasably engage said plunger interface to retain it in said plunger socket;
• a release mechanism accessible from exterior to said pump and configured to be actuatable between a first position and a second position, said release mechanism being clear of said at least one holding mechanism when said plunger is reciprocating and said release mechanism is in said first position, and said release mechanism including a surface that is engagable by said at least one holding mechanism to release said plunger interface when said release mechanism is in said second position, said release mechanism having a release mechanism interior clearance permitting said plunger assembly to pass therethrough;
• a manifold adjacent said release mechanism configured to receive fluidic connections to said pump, said manifold having a first end proximate to said mechanics housing and a second end including an engagement portion, said second end configured to receive said pump head therein, said manifold having a manifold interior clearance permitting said plunger assembly to pass therethrough;
• and
• a manually actuatable head nut having an external surface and an interior portion engagable with said engagement portion of said manifold, at least one interior surface of said head nut abutting said pump head to retain said pump head in said manifold when said interior portion is engaged with said engagement portion of said manifold,
• wherein said plunger assembly is releasable by actuating said release mechanism to said second position and by actuating said actuator portion into a position whereat said at least one holding mechanism engages said surface of said release mechanism to release said plunger interface whereupon said plunger interface is removable from said plunger socket and said plunger is frictionally engaged within said pump head, and said pump head with said plunger frictionally engaged therein is removable from said pump head end of said pump by grasping said external surface of said manually actuatable head nut and disengaging said interior portion from said engagement portion of said manifold to disengage said at least one interior surface of said head nut from abutment with said pump head freeing said pump head for removal with said plunger assembly.

A method for manually disassembling a pump to remove a pump head and plunger assembly therefrom, said method comprising the steps of:

• manually unbolting a head nut knob to free said pump head;
• manually positioning a release mechanism to effect release of said plunger assembly;
• and
• driving said plunger assembly into a position whereat said plunger assembly is released from fixed engagement in said pump and is frictionally engaged within said pump head.