BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of three embodiments referring to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a holding and actuating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the holding and actuating device shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a can held by the holding and actuating device shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the holding and actuating device in another position than shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the holding and actuating device taken along a line 5-5 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the holding and actuating device in another position than shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a top view of the holding and actuating device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a top view of the holding and actuating device than shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a holding and actuating device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the holding and actuating device shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a front view of the holding and actuating device in another position than shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a holding and actuating device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the holding and actuating device shown in FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a front view of the holding and actuating device shown in FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, there is shown a holding and actuating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The holding and actuating device is used to hold and actuate a can 50 that contains pressurized spray. The can 50 includes a neck 52 of a reduced size, a rim 53 formed around the neck 52, a push-button valve 54 installed on the neck 52 and a nozzle 51 installed on the push-button valve 54.
The holding and actuating device includes a body 10, a holder 13 installed on the body 10 and a trigger 20 installed on the body 10. The holder 13 is used to hold the rim 53. The trigger 20 is used to actuate the push-button valve 54. The body 10 includes two halves 11 joined together. Each of the halves 11 of the body 10 includes a half of a handle 12 and a half of a connective portion 14 extended from the half of the handle 12. The connective portion defines an opening 15 for receiving the holder 13. The trigger 20 is installed on the handle.
The holder 13 is in the form of a clip. The holder 13 includes two jaws 134 and two handles 133. Each of the jaws 134 and a related one of the halves of the connective portion 14 are preferably made as one piece. However, each of the jaws 134 and a related one of the halves of the connective portion 14 may be made separately and then connected to each other. A slit 15 is defined between a portion of each of the jaws 134 and a portion of a related of the halves of the connective portion 14 for increasing the flexibility. The jaws 134 are pivotally connected to each other by a pin 40. Each of the handles 133 is extended from a related one of the jaws 134. An elastic element 30 is arranged between the handles 133. The elastic element 30 is preferably a torque spring. When the handles 133 are pushed towards each other, the jaws 134 are opened. The jaws 134 define a space 130 and an aperture 131 in communication with the space 130. Each of the jaws 134 includes a support surface 135 for supporting the rim 53 of the can 50 and a plurality of buckles 136 extended from the support surface 135. Each of the buckles 136 includes a base 138 extended from the support surface 135 and a tip 137 extended from the base 138.
The trigger 20 includes a first end 21 located in front of the handle and a second end 22 extended through the opening 15. The first end 21 of the trigger 20 is to be operated by a user's finger. The second end 22 of the trigger 20 is used to push the push-button valve 54.
Referring to FIG. 7, the jaws 134 are closed.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, the handles 133 are pushed towards each other so that the jaws 134 are opened, and a gap 139 is defined between the jaws 134. The jaws 134 are arranged around the neck 52, and the support surfaces 135 are located beneath a lower surface of the rim 53.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the handles 133 are released so that the jaws 134 are closed due to the elasticity of the jaws 134 and that of the elastic element 30. The neck 52 is clipped by the jaws 134. The lower surface of the rim 53 is located on the support surfaces 135, and an upper surface of the rim 53 is located beneath the tips 137 of the buckles 136. The rim 53 is clipped by the bases 138 of the buckles 136. The can 50 is held by the holding and actuating device.
Referring to FIG. 3, the first end 21 of the trigger 20 is not pushed, and the push-button valve 54 is not pushed by the second end 22 of the trigger 20.
Referring to FIG. 4, the first end 21 of the trigger 20 is pushed so that the push-button valve 54 is pushed by the second end 22 of the trigger 20. Spray leaves the nozzle 51 and further travels through the aperture 131.
Referring to FIGS. 9 through 11, there is shown a holding and actuating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except including a holder 60 instead of the holder 130. The holder 60 includes two jaws 62 and two handles 63. The holder 60 is like the holder 13 except that the jaws 62 and the handles 63 are pivotal in a vertical plane while the jaws 134 and the handles 133 are pivotal in a horizontal plane.
Referring to FIG. 10, the handles 63 are released so that the jaws 62 are closed. The neck 52 is clipped by the jaws 62.
Referring to FIG. 11, the handles 63 are pushed towards each other so that the jaws 62 are opened, and there is a gap 64 defined between the jaws 62. The jaws 62 are arranged around the neck 52.
Referring to FIGS. 12 through 14, there is shown a holding and actuating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is like the first embodiment except including a C-clip 32 arranged on the jaws 134 instead of the torque spring 30 arranged between the handles 133. The C-clip 32 includes two halves each located in a groove 34 defined in a related one of the jaws 134.
The holding and actuating device according to the present invention exhibits several advantages. Firstly, it is structurally simple for most of the elements are made in one piece. Secondly, it is robust for most of the elements are made in one piece and are not worn away against one another. Thirdly, it provides convenient operation because the jaws can be much opened for receiving the neck of the bottle and because the handles provide large areas for contact with a user's fingers.
The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.
Patent Application
20080017674
