Hand held fluid dispensing apparatus
10293352 · 2019-05-21
Assignee
Inventors
- Marcos Moreno Pastor (San Nicolas de los Garza, MX)
- Jesus Rafael Flores Montano (General Escobedo, MX)
Cpc classification
B05B9/01
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A spray gun for dispensing fluids is provided. The spray gun provides a plurality of trigger members for activating a valve of the gun and enabling dispensation of a fluid. At least some of the trigger members can be provided in force transmitting communication with at least one additional trigger member, such that activation of any one or more of the trigger members is capable of enabling dispensation of a fluid.
Claims
1. A spray gun for dispensing a fluid, the spray gun comprising: a fluid inlet; a fluid outlet; a valve provided in a fluid flow path between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the valve being operable to selectively prevent a fluid from exiting the fluid outlet; a first trigger interconnected to and operable to activate the valve, the first trigger comprising a first end and a second end and a length of at least approximately 2.0 inches extending therebetween, the first end interconnected to the valve and the second end comprising a free end that is rotatable about a hinge provided proximal to the valve; a second trigger in force-transmitting communication with the first trigger, the second trigger comprising a first end having a hinge and a second end, and a length of at least approximately 2.0 inches extending therebetween, the second end of the second trigger comprising a free end and wherein the second trigger is operable to apply a force to the first trigger; a molded body member, wherein the first and second triggers are hingedly connected to the molded body member; the molded body member comprising a stock extending rearwardly beyond the first trigger, the second trigger, the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet, the stock being operable to allow a user to pull or press the molded body member into a user's body; wherein the first trigger and the second trigger are configured to be grasped by a user, and wherein the first trigger and the second trigger are operable to control the valve; wherein activation of at least one of the first trigger and the second trigger activates the valve and dispenses a fluid from the fluid outlet; wherein the second end of the first trigger comprises a free end with an elongate concave surface and wherein the free end of the second trigger comprises first and second contact points that contact the concave surface of the first trigger in at least a first position, and wherein at least one of the first and second contact points is operable to contact the elongate concave surface to cause a movement of the first trigger when the second trigger is displaced; a biasing member in direct contact with the second trigger to bias the second trigger in a first direction; and wherein the first trigger and the second trigger each comprise a surface operable for contact with a user such that operation of either or both of the first trigger and the second trigger is operable to control the valve and dispense fluid from the fluid outlet.
2. The spray gun of claim 1, wherein the second trigger comprises at least of a ramped, cammed, and arcuate surface in contact with the elongate concave surface of the first trigger.
3. The spray gun of claim 1, wherein the second end of the first trigger comprises a track or recess in which the second end of the second trigger is provided to prevent unwanted lateral displacement of the first and second triggers.
4. A spray gun for dispensing a fluid, the spray gun comprising: a molded body member comprising a stock; a fluid inlet; a fluid outlet; a valve provided in a fluid flow path between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the valve being operable to selectively prevent a fluid from exiting the fluid outlet; a first elongate trigger member interconnected to and operable to open the valve, the first elongate trigger comprising a first end and a second end, the first end operable to open the valve and the second end comprising a free end that is rotatable, and wherein the second end of the first elongate trigger comprises a concave contact surface, a second elongate trigger member in force-transmitting communication with the concave contact surface of the first trigger member, the second elongate trigger member comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the second elongate trigger member comprising a hinge and the second end of the second trigger member comprising two points of contact, and wherein at least one of the two points of contact is operable to apply a force to the concave contact surface of the first elongate trigger member to displace the first elongate trigger member and actuate the valve, and wherein the second end of the second elongate trigger member is slidably received by the first elongate trigger member; wherein the first elongate trigger member and the second elongate trigger member are configured to be grasped by a user, and wherein the first elongate trigger member and the second elongate trigger member are operable to control the valve; wherein a depression of the first elongate trigger member opens the valve and dispenses a fluid from the fluid outlet; wherein a depression of the second elongate trigger member applies a force to the first elongate trigger member and opens the valve and dispenses a fluid from the fluid outlet; wherein the first elongate trigger member and the second elongate trigger member are provided at least partially within the molded body member; wherein the stock extends rearwardly beyond the first trigger and in a direction parallel to the fluid outlet; and wherein the stock is operable to allow a user to pull or press the gun into a user's body.
5. The spray gun of claim 4, wherein the second elongate trigger member comprises at least of a ramped, cammed, and arcuate surface in contact with the concave contact surface of the first elongate trigger member.
6. The spray gun of claim 4, further comprising a biasing element in communication with the second elongate trigger member to bias the second elongate trigger member in a first direction.
7. A spray gun for dispensing a fluid, the spray gun comprising: a body member comprising a stock; a fluid inlet; a fluid outlet; a valve provided in a fluid flow path between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; a first trigger interconnected to and operable to open the valve, the first trigger comprising a first end and a second end, the first end operable to open the valve and the second end comprising a free end having a curvilinear contact surface operable to receive a force; a second trigger in force-transmitting communication with the curvilinear contact surface of the first trigger, the second trigger comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the second trigger comprising a hinge and the second end of the second trigger end slidably engaged with the curvilinear contact surface of the first trigger, and wherein the second trigger is operable to selectively displace the first trigger; wherein the first trigger and the second trigger are each at least partially disposed within the body member; wherein each of the first trigger and the second trigger comprise a length and are operable to be grasped by a human hand, wherein a displacement of the first trigger opens the valve and dispenses a fluid from the fluid outlet; wherein the stock comprises a butt and is operable to allow a user to pull or press the gun into a user's body; and wherein the second end of the second trigger and the curvilinear contact surface of the first trigger are provided at least partially within the body, and wherein the second end of the second trigger comprises a track for slidably receiving the second end of the first trigger.
8. The spray gun of claim 7, wherein the first trigger and second trigger are hingedly connected to the body.
9. The spray gun of claim 7, wherein the curvilinear contact surface comprises a concave surface.
10. The spray gun of claim 7, wherein the second trigger comprises at least of a ramped, cammed, and arcuate surface in contact with the curvilinear contact surface.
11. The spray gun of claim 7, further comprising a biasing element in communication with the second trigger to bias the second trigger in a first direction.
12. The spray gun of claim 7, wherein the first trigger comprises a hinge point proximal to the valve.
13. The spray gun of claim 7, wherein the first trigger and the second trigger each comprise a length of at least approximately two inches, and wherein the first trigger and the second trigger are adapted for use with a human hand.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments.
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(10) It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(11)
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(13) A trigger mechanism according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure and as shown in
(14) As shown in
(15) In alternative embodiments, a second trigger member 10 comprises an elongated track at the second end 26 of the trigger 10. An end 24 of the first trigger member 8 is provided in the track and translatable therein. In such embodiments, activation of the first trigger 8 will cause second and third triggers 10, 12 to move based on the direct connection to the first trigger member 8.
(16) In further embodiments, it is contemplated that the third trigger 12 is connected directly to the first trigger 8, such that activation of the third trigger 12 activates the first trigger 8 and the valve 18 without also activating the second trigger 10. In certain embodiments, the first trigger 8 comprises a forked second end 24 wherein each branch or tang of the forked member is provided in contact with the second 10 and third 12 trigger members, respectively. The third trigger 12 of the depicted embodiment comprises a rear-trigger member that is provided to move forward (i.e. toward the outlet of the gun). This trigger 12 provides a user with the ability to draw or pull the gun 2 toward the core or shoulder of the user and activate dispensation of fluid as shown and described herein. Such a method of activation or trigger depression provides various advantages, including the ability to operate the gun 2 with reduced reliance on the hands and fingers of a user and thereby provides for less fatigue and greater ergonomic comfort. Additionally, operation of the device 2 is further aided by the orientation and positioning of the third trigger member 12 wherein a blowback force of the gun provides additional force operable to depress the trigger when fluid is dispensed.
(17) Embodiments of the present disclosure further comprise a third trigger member 12. In the embodiment provided in
(18)
(19) As further shown in
(20) Referring now to
(21)
(22) As shown, the contact point 78 is provided in force transmitting communication with an angled surface 80 of the second trigger 74, such that movement of the second trigger 74 provides a corresponding movement of the first trigger 72. A safety release mechanism 76 is provided wherein at least a portion of the safety release mechanism 76 extends toward an interior portion of the handle 62, and a stop 82 is provided internal to the handle and opposite a hinge point from the user interface. The release mechanism preferably comprises a hinged and pivotable member such that depression of a user-interface portion of the safety 76 moves the stop 82 forward and into a position that does not obstruct movement or depression of the second trigger 74. The safety release mechanism 76 thus prevents or minimizes accidental depression of the second trigger 74 and generally requires a user to grasp the device 60 in a predetermined manner in order to activate fluid dispensing operations. In certain embodiments, the safety release mechanism 76 may be biased toward a position wherein movement of the second trigger is restricted, such as by a spring or similar component.
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(24) As also shown in
(25) Various types of valves are contemplated for use with spray guns and devices of the present disclosure. Such valves preferably include, but are not limited to manually-activated valves for selectively allowing the release of fluid(s). Manual valves such as trigger valves, diaphragm valves, globe valves, and other valves that may be easily activated by movement of the trigger members shown and described herein are preferably provided with embodiments of the present disclosure. In preferred embodiments, a trigger valve comprising a ball and valve seat is provided to control or limit fluid flow through an outlet of the gun. In such embodiments, a valve ball is held in a closed position by a valve spring, and the flow of water further forces the valve ball against the valve seat and blocks a flow of water unless and until a user applies a force to overcome the force of the valve spring and displace the valve ball. Specifically, when at least one trigger is depressed, the valve ball is moved away from the seat and a path is opened for water to flow through the outlet. When the trigger(s) is released, the spring returns the ball to the seat and blocks or terminates fluid flow.
(26) In addition to or in lieu of activating the first trigger 98, a user may depress or activate the second trigger 100. Although the second trigger 100 is not in direct contact with the valve 96, movement of the second trigger 100 will cause the distal end 108 of the second trigger 100, which is preferably slidably engaged with the first trigger, to move in an arc about the pivot point 116 and apply a force to the interior surface 107 of the arcuate second end 106 of the first trigger. This movement will cause the first trigger 98 to move upwardly and activate the valve 96 as if the first trigger 98 was being activated directly by a user's force. As also shown in
(27) In certain embodiments, the interior surface 107 of the second end 106 of the first trigger 98 comprises a flush contact surface for the distal end 108 of the second trigger 100 to contact. In alternative embodiments, the interior surface 107 comprises a track or recess in which at least a portion of the distal end 108 may be provided, the track or recess being operable to guide a movement of the second trigger 100 and prevent unwanted lateral displacement of the first trigger 100 which may cause misalignment of the triggers and impede proper operation of the device 90.
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(29) In various embodiments, at least one of the hinges or pivot points of comprises a biasing member to return the handle(s) to an original position. For example, torsion springs may be provided in connection with pivot points to bias the triggers toward an un-depressed or non-activated position. In alternative embodiments, a pressure in the valve provides a restoring force to the trigger members such that the system is biased toward a closed position.
(30) While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a spray gun for dispensing liquids from a pressure washing device, it will be expressly recognized that the present disclosure is not so limited. Indeed, it is contemplated that features of the present disclosure, including a dispensing mechanism with multiple modes of activation, may be provided in various devices and applications including but not limited to paint spray devices,
(31) While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or having and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.