CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
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COPYRIGHT NOTICE
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mechanical devices for use with aerosol spray canisters. More particularly, the present invention relates to an extendable mechanical actuator for use with conventional aerosol spray cans to enable an operator to spray substances, such as paint, in high or difficult to reach areas without the use of a ladder.
2. Description of Related Art
The use of cans of aerosol cans to apply substances, such as paint, bug spray, and a host of other substances to a wide variety of objects is well known. Aerosol spray cans typically provide pressure vessels for containing a mixture of a substance and a compressed gas. The cans provide convenient packaging for applying the contents to a surface or object in a directed manner. The cans typically include a top adapted with a button having a nozzle that functions to emit a spray when the button is manually actuated by depressing the button downward. Aerosol cans are typically hand-held and manipulated by the user while applying a substance, such as spray paint, to any given surface or structure.
One limitation present in the application of substances from aerosol spray cans relates to the difficulty of applying the substances to areas out of the user's immediate reach, such as high areas. Another limitation relates to difficulties experienced by people in attempting to actuate and control the dispensing button. Accordingly, there exists a need for an extension tool adapted for use with aerosol spray cans to facilitate application of substances to difficult to reach areas.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a mechanical device for attachment to a conventional aerosol can to allow for holding the can with a comfortable handle and controlled dispensing of substances, such as spray paint, using a trigger-type actuator. An extension pole for attachment to the spray paint can holder is provided for use in applying spray paint in high or difficult to reach areas. The extension pole further includes a trigger extension mechanism that enables the operator to accurately control the trigger of the paint sprayer mounted on the extension pole.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanical actuator for use with conventional aerosol canisters.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical actuator that enables an operator to use and control an aerosol spray can in high or difficult to reach places without the use of a ladder.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical actuator that is attachable to a conventional aerosol can purchased off-the-shelf without requiring modification.
Still another object is to provide a quick release mechanism for attaching the sprayer to, and releasing it from, the mechanical actuator.
In accordance with these and other objects, which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mechanical actuator in accordance with the present invention attached to a conventional aerosol can;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof with the mechanical actuator shown in partial section;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an aerosol can used with the mechanical actuator of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mechanical actuator attached to an extension pole;
FIG. 5 is a side view thereof;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment mechanical actuator adapted with an adjustable canister mounting structure for use with aerosol cans of various sizes;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view thereof illustrating an alternate trigger mechanism;
FIGS. 8 and 9 depict an extension pole adapted with a trigger mechanism for use with a mechanical actuator of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a transparent side view of the mechanical actuator depicting connection of the actuator and extension pole; and
FIGS. 11 and 12 depict mechanical actuators having alternate canister mounting structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-12 depict preferred and alternate embodiments of an extendable mechanical actuator for use aerosol spray canisters. As best depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mechanical actuator, generally referenced as 10, is depicted in operative relation with an aerosol canister 12, such as a can of spray paint, having a spray-generating button 13. Mechanical actuator 10 includes a base 11 that functions to enable actuator 10 to be free standing. Mechanical actuator 10 further includes elongate opposing concave mounting structures 14 having end potions adapted with a rotatable adjustment knob 16 configured for selective tightening or loosening as required for removaby securing a spray paint can to the actuator device. FIG. 12 illustrates installation of canister 12 onto mechanical actuator 10. Mechanical actuator 10 further includes a handle 18 connected to mounting structures 14. Handle 18 includes a contoured portion 19 shaped for ease of gripping, and a pivotally connected trigger assembly 20. Trigger assembly 20 is pivotally connected to handle 18 by a pivot connection, referenced as 22. Trigger assembly 20 includes a downwardly depending trigger-type member 24 positioned for manual actuation by the user's fingers, and a forwardly projecting spray actuator 26 adapted for engaging the top of the spray can dispensing button. Handle 18 may further include a clip 30 projecting therefrom for use in attaching mechanical actuator 10 to the user's belt, and/or any other suitable storage structure. As should be apparent, selective manual depression of trigger member 24 causes trigger assembly 20 to pivot about pivot connection 22 thus resulting in downward movement of spray actuator 26.
FIGS. 4 and 5 depict an alternate embodiment mechanical actuator, generally referenced as 100 in operative relation with an aerosol canister 102 having a spray button 103. Mechanical actuator 100 includes an alternate spray can mounting structure including a base 104 sized and cylindrically shaped for receiving a portion of canister 102 and a vertically adjustable latch 106 connected in slidable relation with base 104 for engaging the top rim of canister 102 for removably securing the canister. FIG. 11 illustrates mounting of a spray paint canister onto mechanical actuator 100. Mechanical actuator 100 further includes a handle 108 connected to mounting structure 104. Handle 108 includes a pivotally connected trigger assembly 120. Trigger assembly 120 is pivotally connected to handle 108 by a pivot connection, referenced as 122. Trigger assembly 120 includes a downwardly depending trigger-type member 124 positioned for manual actuation by the user's fingers, and a forwardly projecting spray actuator 126 adapted for engaging the top of the spray can dispensing button. Handle 108 may further include a clip 130 projecting therefrom for use in attaching mechanical actuator 10 to the user's belt, and/or any other suitable storage structure. As should be apparent, selective manual depression of trigger member 124 causes trigger assembly 120 to pivot about pivot connection 122 thus resulting in downward movement of spray actuator 126.
A significant aspect of the present invention relates to the provision of an extension pole, generally referenced as 50, connectable to the mechanical actuator to allow for selective activation thereof to apply sprayed substances to areas not within the user's normal reach. FIGS. 8-10 depict an extension pole 50 connected to mechanical actuator 10. Similarly, FIGS. 4 and 5 depict an extension pole 50 connected to the alternate embodiment mechanical actuator 100. Extension pole 50 preferably includes a handle grip 52 and a manual actuator 54 connected to lever actuated linkages, generally referenced as 56, housed in the interior of pole 50. As best illustrated in FIG. 10, extension pole 50 is adapted for detachable connection to the base of mechanical actuator 10 in an operative configuration wherein linkage 56 engages a projecting flange 28 on trigger assembly 20. As should now be apparent, selective manual actuation of actuator 54 on extension pole 50 causes linkages 56 to actuate trigger assembly 20 to pivot about pivot connection 22 thus resulting in downward movement of spray actuator 26 causing a spray of substance, such as paint, from canister 12.
FIGS. 6 and 7 depict yet another alternate embodiment mechanical actuator, generally referenced as 200. This alternate embodiment mechanical actuator is depicted in operative relation with an aerosol canister 202 having a spray-generating button 203. Mechanical actuator 200 includes a mounting structure 204 slidably connected to an extension rod 205. A rotatable adjustment knob 206 having an abutment plate 207 is received in extension rod 205 and configured for selective tightening or loosening as required for engagement of abutment plate 207 with canister 202 to removably secure canister 202 to actuator device 200. Mechanical actuator 200 further includes a handle assembly 208 connected to mounting structures 14. In a departure from the embodiments disclosed hereinabove, rod 205 includes a finger actuated trigger assembly 210 disposed on the distal end of rod 205 as best depicted in FIG. 7. Finger actuated trigger assembly 210 includes a thumb rest 212 and opposing manually activated finger levers 214. Finger levers 214 are mechanically connected to linkages 216 that are configured to activate spray knob 203 upon actuation of finger levers 214. As should now be apparent, selective manual actuation of finger levers 214 on extension rod 205 causes mechanical linkages to actuate a spray knob 203 thus resulting in downward movement of spray actuator 26 causing a spray to be discharged from canister 202 in a controlled manner.
The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
Patent Application
20060071036
