The disclosure generally relates to a spray manifold assembly, and, more particularly, a spray manifold assembly for the roofing industry.
In the roofing industry, replacing an old roof, re-roofing or installing a new roof, requires a new roofing layer to be laid down. Multiple different materials are required to lay down a new roofing layer, such as, for example, roofing adhesive (e.g., a foam adhesive) and insulation (e.g., spray foam insulation).
It would, therefore, be advantageous to manufacture a mobile spray manifold assembly configured to spray a large area, such as a rooftop, in a more efficient manner.
Briefly stated, one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile spray manifold assembly having a frame and at least one attachment arm secured to and extending from the frame and configured to removably mount to a vehicle for movement and maneuvering of the mobile spray assembly. A spray manifold is removably secured to, and supported by, the frame and has a plurality of spray nozzles mounted thereto and configured to spray a substance onto an underlying surface. A distribution manifold has an inlet and a plurality of outlets fluidly connected with the plurality of spray nozzles in parallel. A valve system is positioned upstream of the distribution manifold and fluidly connected with the inlet of the distribution manifold. The valve system includes a first flow control valve configured for fluid connection with a first substance containing container and a second flow control valve configured for fluid connection with a second substance containing container. The first flow control valve is selectively actuatable between an open position fluidly connecting the first container with the distribution manifold, and, in turn, with the spray nozzles, and a closed position, fluidly disconnecting the first container from the distribution manifold, and in turn, from the spray nozzles. The second flow control valve is independently selectively actuatable between an open position fluidly connecting the second container with the distribution manifold, and, in turn, with the spray nozzles, and a closed position, fluidly disconnecting the second container from the distribution manifold, and in turn, from the spray nozzles.
The following description of the disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “upwardly” and “downwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the spray manifold assembly, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. In describing the tray, the term proximal is used in relation to the upper end of the device and the term distal is used in relation to the bottom end of the device. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
It should also be understood that the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially” and like terms, used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a component of the disclosure, indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude minor variations therefrom that are functionally similar. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.
Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in
As shown, the spray manifold assembly 10 includes a frame 12 upon which a spray manifold 14 is mounted. In one configuration, the frame 12 includes a main support bracket 16 and at least one attachment arm 18 extending therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the support bracket 16 is generally linear and horizontally oriented (in a ready to use orientation), but the disclosure is not so limited. In the illustrated embodiment, two spaced apart attachment arms 18 project generally transversely from the support bracket 16, but the disclosure is not so limited (as one or more than two attachment arms 18 or other attachment mechanisms may be employed). In one configuration, the attachment arm(s) 18 is fixedly attached to the support bracket 16, e.g., welded or otherwise integrated with the support bracket 16 or monolithically formed therewith. The attachment arm(s) 18 is formed to removably attach the spray manifold assembly 10 to a vehicle, e.g., such as the mobile cart 50, to assist with moving and maneuvering the assembly 10. Conversely, the attachment arm(s) 18 may operate as a handle for holding the assembly 10.
As shown best in
In the illustrated embodiment, and similar to the support bracket 16, the spray manifold 14 also includes a manifold bracket 20 having a top member 20a, a bottom member 20b and a side member 20c oriented perpendicularly therebetween, forming a generally U-shaped channel 20d. In one configuration, the manifold bracket 20 is approximately five feet in length, but the disclosure is not so limited. The spray manifold 14 is generally dimensioned for slidable engagement with the support bracket 16. The spray manifold 14 has plurality of pairs of coaxial attachment apertures 20f spaced apart to enable alignment with at least some of the plurality of pairs of coaxial attachment apertures 16e, for advancement of the respective pins 17 through a set of aligned apertures 16e and 20f and to secure the spray manifold 14 to the support bracket 16. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the spray manifold 14 may be mountable upon, and securable to, the support bracket 16 via any of numerous mounting and fixation means currently known or that later become known.
The spray manifold 14 further includes a plurality of spray nozzles/tips 22 mounted therein and projecting out of, or otherwise facing, corresponding openings 20e in the bottom member 20b of the manifold bracket 20. In one configuration, as shown in
As shown best in
As shown best in
In one example of use, the first tank 2 may contain a single component adhesive and the second tank 3 may contain an adhesive cleaner. The tank valves are opened for each tank 2, 3 with the flow control valves 28, 30 oriented in the respective closed positions thereof. Thus, the tanks 2, 3 are in fluid communication with the inlets of the flow control valves 28, 30, respectively, via the conduits 32, 34, respectively. Thereafter, the first flow control valve 28 may be actuated to the open position thereof (in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art) to fluidly communicate the tank 2 with the spray nozzles 22, via the distribution manifold 26 and the conduits 24. Thus, as shown in
In another configuration, as shown in
Each nozzle 22′ may include separate internal first and second passages 22a′ and 22b′. The first passage 22a′ is fluidly connected at an inlet thereof with the conduit 24 and the second passage 22b′ is fluidly connected at an inlet thereof with the conduit 24′, such that each passage 22a′, 22b′ receives a respective one of the components of the two-component adhesive. The outlets 23a, 23b of the first and second passages 22a′ and 22b′, respectively, are oriented such that the first and second components of the adhesive mix together downstream thereof. Optionally a disposable mixing tip 25 may be removably attached to the outlet side of the nozzle 22′ wherein the first and second components of the adhesive combined and are mixed within the tip 25 and then sprayed therefrom.
The second container 3 may remain containing an adhesive cleaner. Alternatively, the second container 3 may take the form of a pressurized air source such as an air compressor. A fourth container 3′ (e.g., also supported by the mobile cart 50) may also be provided, and may also contain an adhesive cleaner or take the form of a pressurized air source. The second valve 30, connected with the first distribution manifold 26 may be connected with the third tank/container 3. The second flow control valve 30′ connected with the second distribution manifold 26′, may be connected with a fourth container 3′ via conduit 34′. The second flow control valve 30 is connected between the second container 3 (via conduit 34) and distribution manifold 26 as previously described.
In one example of use, the tank valves are opened for each tank 2, 2′ with the first flow control valves 28, 28′ oriented in the respective closed positions thereof. Thus, the tanks 2, 2′ are in fluid communication with the inlets of the first flow control valves 28, 28′, respectively, via the conduits 32, 32′, respectively. Thereafter, the first flow control valves 28, 28′ may be actuated to the open position thereof (in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art) to fluidly communicate the tanks 2, 2′ with the respective spray nozzles 22′, via the respective distribution manifolds 26, 26′ and the conduits 24, 24′. The spray nozzles 22′ deliver the two components to the respectively attached mixing tips 25, wherein the two components are mixed to form the two-part adhesive and subsequently sprayed onto the underlying surface, e.g., in a bead pattern. To cease spray, the first flow control valves 28, 28′ are actuated back to the closed position thereof. As should be understood, this configuration may still be used with a single part adhesive, wherein one of this distribution manifolds 26, 26′ is not used, i.e., the flow control valves associated therewith remain closed.
Optionally, at least one of the second and fourth containers 3, 3′ may be employed in the form of a source of pressurized air or an air compressor. Accordingly, at least one of the second flow control valves 30, 30′ may be actuated to the open position along with the first flow control valves 28, 28′ to also deliver pressurized air to the respective nozzles 22′ and the associated, respective mixing tips 25. Alternatively, a separate conduit (not shown) may extend from the source of pressurized air or an air compressor 3, 3′ directly to the mixing tip 25, and the first component, the second component and the air may mix in the mixing tip 25. Thus, the two-part adhesive in combination with the pressurized air may be sprayed onto the underlying surface in a splatter pattern.
Thereafter, and/or beforehand if desired, the second flow-control valves 30, 30′ may be connected to adhesive cleaner containing tanks and actuated to the open position thereof to fluidly communicate the adhesive cleaner containing tanks with the spray nozzles 22′ (as previously described) for the adhesive cleaner to flow through, and clean/purge, the distribution manifolds 26, 26′, the conduits 24, 24′ and the spray nozzles 22′. The mixing tips 25 may also be cleaned/purged, or replaced.
In one configuration, as shown best in
In configurations employing solenoid valves 36, a power supply box 38 (see
A user may operate the spray manifold assembly 10 as previously described. Additionally, the user actuates the switch 38c to the “on” position to electrically connect and open the solenoid valves 36, and, in turn, fluidly connect the conduits 24 (and the upstream system previously described) with the respective spray nozzles 22. A user may also selectively actuate the switch 38c to the “off” position, and, in turn, close the solenoid valves 36, thereby turning the spray nozzles 22 off. Such steps may be performed before or after closing a respective valve 28, 30 to provide the user with additional, more ergonomic control over the system. In one configuration, each solenoid valve 36 may additionally employ a respective electric switch (not shown) connected between the associated valve 36 and the power supply box 38. Accordingly, a user may also selectively activate/deactivate individual spray nozzles 22 rather than activating or deactivating all of the spray nozzles 22 together.
Advantageously, more than one spray manifold 14 may be mounted upon the support bracket 16 to increase the overall spray coverage of the spray manifold assembly 10. For example, without limitation, two five-foot-long spray manifolds 14 may be mounted to the support bracket 16 to form a ten-foot-long total spray coverage area. In the illustrated embodiment of
In a multiple spray manifold 14 configuration, such as shown in
In one configuration, the spray manifold assembly 10 may further include a wind skirt (not shown) configured to protect the spray nozzles 22 from the elements. The wind skirt may be removably attached to the support bracket 16 and/or the spray manifold 14, via any of numerous fastening means well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, and extend downwardly toward the underlying surface. The wind skirt may be configured to extend from the front side of the spray manifold assembly 10 (i.e., the side facing away from a cart 50 as explained below). Additionally, the wind skirt may wrap around the left, front and right sides of the support bracket 16 and spray manifold 14. In one configuration, the wind skirt may be transparent to enable visualization of the sprayed material during spraying. Advantageously, the wind skirt may assist in reducing the effect of wind, e.g., on a rooftop, on the spray pattern of the spray nozzles 22.
In one configuration, as shown in
The wheels 54 are connected to the frame 52 in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, such that the wheels 54 solely and freely rotate in both directions about a common central axis extending therebetween. The wheel 56 is also connected to the frame 52 in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, such that the wheel 56 can both rotate in both directions about a central axis thereof extending in a direction parallel to the underlying surface, and also may swivel about a central axis thereof extending in a direction perpendicular to the underlying surface via a standard yoke mounting arrangement 55. Accordingly, the wheel 56 is the steering wheel of the cart 50. As should be understood, the wheel 56 may be substantially aligned with a midway point of the wheelbase/track between the wheels 54 to stabilize the frame 52 atop the wheels. As also should be understood, the cart 50 may alternatively include a pair of wheels 56. Above the wheel 56, a cart handle 58 extends substantially vertically upwardly from the frame 52 for grasping by a user to move, e.g., pull, and maneuver the cart 50 and the contents thereon and/or attached thereto.
In the exemplary illustrated embodiment of the cart 50, the frame 52 includes a pair of substantially vertical frame posts 60 at an end of the frame 52 opposite the handle 58. In the illustrated embodiment of the cart 50, the frame posts 60 each define a respective corner of the frame 52, one post 60 being positioned proximate each of the wheels 54. The frame posts 60 each define an open-topped internal channel 60a. The frame 52 further includes an upper platform 62 proximate the cart handle 58, and an elevationally lower platform 64 (closer to the support surface underlying the cart 50) extending to the posts 60.
As shown in
In one configuration, the first and/or second containers 2, 3 may additionally or alternatively be fluidly connected to spray wands (not shown) to assist with adhesive spraying of a desired area. The spray manifold assembly 10 and the spray wand(s) may both be fluidly connected with one or both of the first and second containers 2, 3, via a distribution manifold (not shown) or a conventional three-way valve (not shown) attached to the outlet valve of each of the containers 2, 3. Each three-way valve may be actuated between three positions: fluidly disconnected, fluidly connected to the spray manifold assembly 10, and fluidly connected to the spray wand, in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The spray wand(s) may also be supported upon the cart 50.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations could be made to disclosure above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. Some of these have been discussed above and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as set forth in the appended claims.
This application claims priority from similarly-titled U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/229,880, filed Aug. 5, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63229880 | Aug 2021 | US |