US3127065A - Spray-dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

March 31, 1964 sTEvENsoN 3,127,065

SPRAY-DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1961 FIG. l. l2

INVENTOR LINCOLN L. STEVENSON BY MM@ l ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent Oil-ice 3,127,065 Patented Mar. 31, 1964 annees SPRAY-DlSPENSlNG AFPARATUS Lincoln L. Stevenson, 27 Villa Road, Larchrnont, N Y. Filed Apr. 25, 1961, Ser. No. 105,484 2 claims. (er. zzzian This invention relates to a unique device for operating spray-dispensing containers.

As is well known, pressurized spray-dispensing containers, such as aerosol containers and others, inherently require two-handed operation in the spraying of a users hand or articles held in the hand. This is so, as at least one hand is required to hold the container and operate the spray tip.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a unique apparatus wherein operation of a spraydispensing container, to spray a hand or an article held in the hand, may be accomplished quickly and easily with the use of only a single hand or by electricity.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spray-operating apparatus of the type described which is inherently well adapted for use with an extremely wide variety of spray-dispensing containers, so as to be readily capable of use in many diverse industries and occupations, including those where it is desirable to spray the hands with a disinfectant or the like, and where it is essential to rapidly spray a wide variety or small parts, as with paint, santizing solution, and other spray materials.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide a spray-operating apparatus having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which is extremely simple in structure, capable of quick and easy operation even by unskilled persons, entirely reliable and durable in operation throughout a long useful life, and which can be economically manufactured for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

ln the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view showing a sprayoperating apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 2--2 of FlG. l; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing certain elements of the apparatus in exploded relation.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a boxlike housing is there generally designated itl, and may include bottom and top Walls l1 and 12, a rear wall 13, side walls 14 (only one being shown in the drawings), and a front wall l5. The front wall 15 may be hinged along one vertical edge, as at 16, to one side wall 14, and is provided in its lower region with an opening 17 affording access to the interior of the housing l when the front wall is closed. Thus, the front Wall 15 denes a swingable door and may be provided with any suitable latch means, as desired. The housing Ill may be recessed in a building Wall at convenient height, or may be hung or otherwise secured to any suitable support. Y

A base plate or tray 2t) may be removably, conformably seated on the bottom housing wall 1l., and may include an upstanding peripheral wall or flange 21, so that t cured at longitudinally spaced locations along the clip to the baseplate may serve as an evaporator tray for received spray material.

Located generally centrally within the housing 10 is a carrier, generally designated 24. The carrier is of an elongate, generally cradlelike structure, which may be formed of still resilient strip stock for releasable, resilient embracing engagement with a spray-dispensing container, as at 23. The cradle structure may consist of a strip 25 bent to a generally rectangular U shape, including a substantially straight bight or end portion 26, and a pair of substantially straight legs 27 and 28 extending in parallelism from opposite ends of the end portion 26. The legs 27 and 2S terminate at slightly outturned freeend portions 29 and 3l), respectively, remote from the end portion 26. An additional strip 31 includes a substantially straight, transverse end portion 32 extending across and preferably ixedly secured by suitable means to a medial region of the end portion 26. From one end of the transverse strip portion 32 extends a longitudinal strip portion or leg 33 generally parallel to and in substantially equally spaced relation from the longitudinal legs 27 and 2S. The transverse strip portion 32 terminates remote from the longitudinal strip portion 33 in an outturned end region 34, and the distal region end 35 of the longitudinal strip portion is also outturned.

A pair of additional resilient strips 37 and 38 are bent to generally 'C shape, and arranged in parallel spaced relation with each other, each being located in the spaces between the longitudinal strip portions 27, 23 and 33, extending transversely across the several longitudinal strip portions and being secured to the latter as by spot-welding or other suitable means. As best seen in FIG. 3, the generally =Cshaped strip or clip 37 is located intermediate the ends of longitudinal strip portions 27, 23 and 33, extending transversely thereof and secured at longitudinally spaced locations along the clip to the respective longitudinal strip portions. The generally C-shaped resilient clip 38 is located proximate to and spaced slightly inward from the free ends 29, 30 and 35 of the longitudinal strip portions 27, 2S and 31, and is similarly sethe respective longitudinal strip portions.

It will thus be appreciated that the cradle structure 24 has one end closed, as by the strip portions 26 and 32, the opposite end being open, and is adapted to resiliently, frictionally engage with and removably receive a container 23.

The closed end region of the cradle 24, as defined by the strip portions 26 and 32, is preferably provided with suitable means for adjustably extending container 23 a selected distance beyond the open end of the cradle structure. Such adjustable extension means r'nay consist of a thumbscrew dit extending longitudinally of the cradle and in threaded engagement through the crossover regions of the strip portions 26 and 32. On the inner end of the thumbscrew may be provided an abutment pad 41 for engagement with a container received in the cradle structure.

The cradle structure 24 is arranged in the housing 10 with its open side upward, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, and its open end facing generally forward or toward the door 15. Suitable means are provided to mount the cradle structure 24 for pivotal or rocking movement about a generally horizontal axis extending laterally or transversely of the cradle. Toward this end, a generally horizontal rod or shaft i3 projects laterally from one side of the cradle structure, say from the longitudinal strip portion 27 through a mounting block 44 which may be iixedly secured to a side housing wall 14. That is, the mounting block may be provided with a generally horizontal, lateraia/,eee

c', ally extending through bore 45 for rotatably receiving the shaft 43; and, the shaft may extend through a washer or spacer 46, thence through the bore 45, and thence through the housing wall 14 where it is provided with a nut 47 or other suitable holding means. The mounting block 46 is further secured in position on the housing wall 14 by threaded engagement of a fastener through the housing wall into a threaded hole 48 in the mounting block. The mounting block 44 is thus firmly fixed to the housing wall 14 and may journal the shaft 43 to mount the cradle 24 for rocking or rotary oscillation about the shaft axis, as between the solid and phantom positions shown in FIG. 1. Of course, the mounting block 44 may be selectively adjustably positionable on the housing wall 14 by any suitable adjustment means, as to accommodate different sizes and shapes of cradles and containers.

The mounting block 44 may be further provided with a generally vertical through hole or bore t) which slidably receives a vertically disposed and vertically shiftable elongate member or rod 51. One or more suitable guide brackets 52 may be secured in vertically spaced relation with respect to the mounting block 44 for receiving and guiding the elongate member 51. An upper end enlargement or head 53 may be provided on the elongate member 5l, and may be adjustable thereon, as by suitable threads or otherwise, for limiting abutting engagement with an upper guide bracket 52, if desired.

Carried on the lower end region of the elongate member 51 is a laterally outstanding, generally horizontal actuating member, platform or plate 55. The actuating member 55 may be provided with an upstanding boss 56 having a generally vertical through bore receiving the lower end region of elongate member or rod 51. Suitable means for adjustably and removably securing the rod 51 in the boss 56 may be provided, such as a setscrew 57. By this connection, the actuating member or platform extends laterally, generally horizontally from the lower end region of rod 51, and is spaced over the baseplate 2t).

Beneath the actuating platform 55, and preferably in alignment with the rod 51, is located a coil compression spring 59. The upper end of spring 59 may engage with the underside of the platform 55, while the lower end of the spring may be provided with a locating element 60 adapted to seat on the tray and having a lateral exten sion 61 engageable with or secured to the adjacent housing side wall 14 to properly locate the spring 59. Thus, the actuating platform 52 is mounted for vertical shifting movement with the rod 51, as between the solid-line and phantom positions of FIG. l, and is resiliently biased upward to the solid-line position by the spring 59.

An elongate connecting member 63, such as a stilir wire or rod, extends generally vertically upward from the actuating platform 55 for connection to the cradle 24. More specifically, the connecting member 63 has its lower end anchored by a suitable fastener 64 to the actuating member at a location rearwardly of the axis of shaft 43 rockably supporting the cradle 24, and extends upward therefrom for connection of its upper end by suitable fastening means 65 to the underside of the cradle. The upper end connection of connecting member 63 to the cradle 24 is offset or eccentric with respect to the cradle axis of shaft 43, so that depression of the actuating platform 55 to its phantom-line position of FIG. l serves to rotate or rock the cradle to its phantom-line position.

The spray-dispensing container 23 may be conventional, and of any suitable type, being shown for purposes of illustration as a generally cylindrical can 67 having its forward region extending beyond the open end of the cradle 24 and there provided with a dispensing valve 68.

Located in the path of movement of the dispensing valve 68 upon rocking of the container 23 to its phantom position, i.e. upon upward swinging movement of the forward container end, is a valve-activator cam or engaging member 69. The engaging member or cam 69 is specifically configured and located for engagement with the dispensing valve 68 upon rocking movement of the carrier 24 as caused by depression of the actuating member 55, to activate the dispensing valve and dispense spray material from the container, as to a users hand 70, see FIG. 1. The engaging member or cam 69 may be adjustably positionable on the door 15, as by any suitable fastener means 71, and is also removable for replacement by a differently configured cam, when desired.

While operation of the instant device is believed apparent from the foregoing descripion, it may be briey reviewed. When a user desires to have his hands sprayed, as with a sanitizing solution, or any spray material, it is only necessary to engage the hand through the door opening 17 and depress the actuating member or platform 55. Of course, the contents of the users hand may be similarly sprayed. Further, articles to be sprayed may be placed on the platform, and the weight cause depression of the platfrom to effect spraying operation. This may be done by passage of articles to be sprayed through the door opening 17; or, operation may be achieved by opening the door 15 and placing the articles on the platform 55. It will be noted that when the door is open, although the platform 55 is depressed by the weight of supported articles, spray operation does not commence until the door is closed and the cam 69 engages the spray valve 68. Similarly, upon opening of the door 15, the cam 69 is disengaged from the spray valve to deactivate the latter.

For relatively light containers 23, the illustrated single pivot 43 at one side of cradle 24 is sufficient. For heavier containers, the cradle 24 may have coaxial pivots 43 at each side thereof.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a spray-operaing apparatus which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well-adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Apparatus for spraying, comprising, in combination. a relatively elongated carrier arranged to support a container of pressurized iiuid having a deflectable operator at its discharge end; means mounting said carrier for oscillation about an axis transverse thereof, for movement of the carrier between a non-operating position and an operating position; engaging means fixedly located for engagement with the operator of a container, supported on said carrier, in such carrier operating position to discharge the container contents in a selected direction; means biasing said carrier to said non-operating position; actuating means connected to said carrier and manually movable to oscillate said carrier to said operating position; the position of said actuating means, relative to said engaging means, being such that, when a users hand is in contact with said actuating means to move the latter, the users hand is in the path of discharge of the containers contents; and a housing enclosing said carrier, said mounting means, said engaging means, and said actuating means; said housing having a front opening for access to said actuating means; said housing including an openable door affording access to said carrier for replacing a container thereon; said engaging means comprising a cam adjustably and replaceably mounted on said door for operating engagement with the deflectable operators of containers carried by said carrier; said cam being movable with said door, upon opening of the latter, out of the path of movement of a container operator to prevent operation of the container when said door is open.

2. Apparatus for spraying a users hand comprising a housing including a base, a front wall, and side walls; vertically spaced and aligned apertured brackets on one side wall; a rod slidably mounted in said brackets; said front wall having an opening adjacent said base for insertion of a users hand into the housing; a platform secured to the lower end of said rod and extending toward said opening for engagement by the hand of a user; means biasing said platform and said rod upwardly; a mounting block on said one side wall adjacent said rod and intermediate the height of the housing; a relatively elongated cradle structure pivoted, intermediate its ends, on said mounting block for oscillation about a substantially horizontal axis; resilient embracing means on said cradle structure for frictional embracing engagement with a container of pressurized fluid having a deflectable operator at its discharge end; said cradle structure having a substantially closed end toward the rear of said housing and an open end toward the front of said housing whereby, when a container is mounted in said cradle structure, its discharge end may project beyond the open end of said cradle structure; engaging means xedly located on said front wall intermediate of the height of the housing for engagement with the operator of a container, supported on said cradle structure; rigid means interconnecting said platform and a portion of said cradle structure rearwardly of the pivot axis thereof, the length of said rigid means being such that, under the inuence of the means biasing said rod and platform upwardly, said cradle structure is tilted downwardly and forwardly to a non-operating position; said cradle structure, upon depression of said platform by the hand of an operator inserted through said opening, being swung toward a substantially horizontal operating position in which said engaging means will engage and deect the operator of the container to discharge the container contents through its discharge end; the position of said actuating means relative to said engaging means being such that, when a users hand is in contact with and depressing said platform, the users hand is in the path of discharge of the containers contents.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,289,505 Mariner Dec. 31, 1918 1,368,687 Bennetts Feb. 15, 1921 2,722,224 Blann Nov. 1, 1955 2,787,501 Tuma Apr. 2, 1957 2,861,857 Lee et a1 Nov. 25, 1958 20 2,904,223 Ryan sept. 15, 1959

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION. A RELATIVELY ELONGATED CARRIER ARRANGED TO SUPPORT A CONTAINER OF PRESSURIZED FLUID HAVING A DEFLECTABLE OPERATOR AT ITS DISCHARGE END; MEANS MOUNTING SAID CARRIER FOR OSCILLATION ABOUT AN AXIS TRANSVERSE THEREOF, FOR MOVEMENT OF THE CARRIER BETWEEN A NON-OPERATING POSITION AND AN OPERATING POSITION; ENGAGING MEANS FIXEDLY LOCATED FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OPERATOR OF A CONTAINER, SUPPORTED ON SAID CARRIER, IN SUCH CARRIER OPERATING POSITION TO DISCHARGE THE CONTAINER CONTENTS IN A SELECTED DIRECTION; MEANS BIASING SAID CARRIER TO SAID NON-OPERATING POSITION; ACTUATING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID CARRIER AND MANUALLY MOVABLE TO OSCILLATE SAID CARRIER TO SAID OPERATING POSITION; THE POSITION OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS, RELATIVE TO SAID ENGAGING MEANS, BEING SUCH THAT, WHEN USER''S HAND IS IN CONTACT WITH SAID ACTUATING MEANS TO MOVE THE LATTER, THE USER''S

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