Vertical travel governor for a pump bottle

Abstract

The invention is a vertical travel governor for a pump bottle. The governor is provided in a range of thicknesses, corresponding to a range of distances that the nozzle of a pump bottle will be allowed to travel downward vertically, and is comprised of a semi-rigid C-shaped clamp and a handle terminating in a knob. The clamp is easily secured around the shaft of the pump, and stops the downward travel of the nozzle. The knob enables the user to easily remove the governor when the bottle is empty, and transfer the governor to a new bottle.

Claims

1. A vertical travel governor for a pump bottle, comprised of a semi rigid C-shaped clamp and a handle terminating in a knob, to be used with a pump bottle which is not provided.

2. The governor of claim 1, wherein the end of one jaw of the clamp provides a tongue which may be inserted into a corresponding aperture in the end of the opposing jaw of the clamp, securing the clamp 11 in the closed position by friction and flexibility, thus stopping the downward travel of the nozzle.

3. The governor of claim 1, wherein the knob enables the user to easily remove the governor when the pump bottle is empty, and transfer the governor to a new pump bottle.

4. The governor of claim 1, wherein the governor is preferably provided in three versions which provide a range of thicknesses, corresponding to a range of distances that the nozzle of the pump bottle will be allowed to travel downward vertically.

5. The governor of claim 1, wherein the user may place the governor such that the clamp rests against the shaft of the pump bottle. The user may then press firmly on the knob, which opens the clamp sufficiently to pass and close around the shaft.

6. The governor of claim 1, wherein when the pump bottle is empty, the user may grasp the knob firmly with the thumb and forefinger, and pull the governor off the shaft for placement on a new pump bottle.

7. The governor of claim 1, wherein the governor is preferably manufactured from a semi-rigid, durable material which is corrosion resistant, such as plastic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a top view of the first exemplary embodiment in the closed position, displaying the governor 10, the clamp 11, the handle 12, and the knob 13.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a top view of the first exemplary embodiment in the open position, displaying the governor 10, the clamp 11, the tongue 11A, the handle 12, and the knob 13.

[0018] FIG. 3 provides rear perspective views of the small, medium, and large versions of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the clamps 11, and the knobs 13.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a pump bottle in the recovered position with the first exemplary embodiment affixed, displaying the governor 10, the clamp 11, the handle 12, the knob 13, the pump bottle 14, the nozzle 15, and the shaft 16.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a pump bottle in the depressed position with the first exemplary embodiment affixed, displaying the governor 10, the clamp 11, the handle 12, the knob 13, the pump bottle 14, and the nozzle 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is a vertical travel governor for a pump bottle.

[0022] It is to be understood that while the invention is intended for use with a pump bottle, this is not intended as a limitation. With suitable modifications or with no modifications at all, the invention may be used on any generally cylindrical body, wherein a moving part or protrusion travels downward vertically along the axis of the cylindrical body, and limiting the distance of downward travel is desired.

[0023] The first exemplary embodiment provides a governor 10, comprised of a semi rigid C-shaped clamp 11 and a handle 12 terminating in a knob 13, to be used with a pump bottle 14 which is not provided. The end of one jaw of the clamp 11 provides a tongue 11A which may be inserted into a corresponding aperture in the end of the opposing jaw of the clamp 11. This secures the clamp 11 in the closed position. The tongue 11A is secured by friction and flexibility.

[0024] Thus the clamp 11 is easily secured around the shaft 16 of the pump bottle 14, and stops the downward travel of the nozzle 15. The knob 13 enables the user to easily remove the governor 10 when the pump bottle 14 is empty, and transfer the governor 10 to a new pump bottle 14.

[0025] The first exemplary embodiment is provided in a plurality of versions, and is preferably provided in three versions. The versions provide a range of thicknesses, corresponding to a range of distances that the nozzle 15 of the pump bottle 14 will be allowed to travel downward vertically. The three preferred versions are small, medium, and large.

[0026] To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may place the governor 10 such that the clamp 11 rests against the shaft 16 of the pump bottle 14. The user may then press firmly on the knob 13, which opens the clamp 11 sufficiently to pass and close around the shaft 16. When the pump bottle 14 is empty, the user may grasp the knob 13 firmly with the thumb and forefinger, and pull the governor 10 off the shaft for placement on a new pump bottle 14.

[0027] The governor 10 is preferably manufactured from a semi-rigid, durable material which is corrosion resistant, such as plastic. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

[0028] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.