Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6749356
-
Patent Number
6,749,356
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Date Filed
Tuesday, June 3, 200321 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 15, 200420 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 401 289
- 401 270
- 401 48
- 401 176
- 401 179
- 401 180
- 401 268
- 401 205
- 401 6
- 433 80
- 433 82
- 433 87
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International Classifications
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Abstract
The invention is a coating applicator assembly for coating a structure. In detail the invention is a spring-loaded a syringe having an outlet port. A semi-flexible tube having first and second ends is coupled by its first end to the outlet port of the syringe. A coating applicator for applying the coating material to the structure in the form of brush or contoured foam.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of coating applicators and, in particular, to a touch-up applicator for reaching remote locations.
2. Description of Related Art
It is often necessary to touch-up previously coated structures because small areas are sometimes missed or the coating is damaged during handling. Sometimes the individual components of the structure are coated separately and are assembled with fasteners that will require protective coatings. However, touch-up after assembly requires that the coating applicator assembly be small and provide accessibility to hard to reach close out areas.
Syringe type applicators are old in the art. Examples can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 1,711,516 “Plunger Shaving Brush” by M. Alland; U.S. Pat. No. 3, 519,364 “Applicator” by A. Truhan; U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,422 “Dispenser For Air Drying A Liquid” by E. J. Pillsbury; U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,008 “Fingernail Polish Capsule And Plunger” by P. J. Furlong, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,684 “Adjustable Brush Delivery Tip With Secondary Flow Path” by D. E. Fischer, et al. All these applicators have a syringe and a fixed dispensing nozzle. Having a fixed dispensing nozzle limits its use to areas that have sufficient space for both the syringe and applicator nozzle and operators hands.
This problem has long been recognized. For example having a brush attached to a flexible hose connected to a reservoir of liquid is an old concept. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,583 “Method Of Applying A Liquid Protectorant” by R. L. Waddell disclosed a automobile tire coating apparatus wherein the dispensing brush, with gripping handle and actuation lever, attached by a flexible line to a tank. Of course, portable fire extinguishers have used nozzles mounted on the end of flexible tubes.
However, one of the major problems in doing touch-up coating of aircraft structures, is that the coating material must be accurately applied in a very limited space. Thus it is sometimes necessary to have the coating material container physically separated from the applicator. Furthermore, one must be able to adjust the position of applicator to reach tight positions. In addition, if the coating applicator is going to be used with two-part coating materials, containing a resin and catalyst, it is unlikely that it can be reused, thus cost becomes a factor.
Thus, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a coating applicator assembly for use in restricted areas.
It is another primary object of the invention to provide a coating applicator assembly for use in restricted areas wherein the container for the coating is located some distance from the applicator.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a coating applicator assembly for use in restricted areas wherein the applicator positioning is adjustable.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a coating applicator assembly that is low in cost.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a non-spray applicator that does not atomize or produce hazardous air pollutants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a coating applicator assembly for touch-up coating of a structure. In detail, the invention includes a syringe for containing the coating material of the type having a plunger at a first end for expelling the coating material out a second end. A flexible tube is coupled by its first end to the second end of syringe. A hollow handgrip is connected by a first end to second or opposite end of the flexible tube. A semi-flexible tube is coupled to its first end to the opposite or second end of the hollow handgrip. By, semi-flexible is meant that the tube can be bent into different shapes, but once bent will remain in that shape. A coating applicator is coupled to the second or opposite end of the semi-flexible tube. The coating applicator can be a brush or a foam tip of the type that can imbibe coating material and apply it to the structure.
Preferably, the syringe, flexible tube, and handle are made of plastic materials. A syringe having a 10 cubic centimeter volume is preferred because it can easily be handled using one hand. The internal diameter should of the passage way through the flexible tube and handle should be around 0.0625 inch. Of particular importance is the material used for the semi-flexible tube. Here it has been found that a semi-flexible tube is preferably made from soft metal such as aluminum, brass or copper tubing coated or covered with plastic. The internal diameter should be around 0.0625 inch with an outer diameter of 0.125 inch. The use of plastic materials will keep the manufacturing costs to a minimum. This is essential, since one of its primary applications is the dispensing of two component-coating materials. That is one containing a resin premixed with a catalyst. This requires storing at low-temperatures after loading of syringe, providing a shelf life of up to six months. Thus in many instances the syringe, flexible tubing and handle are usable after the resin sets. However, the semi-flexible tubing is recycled.
An alternate version of the invention attaches the syringe directly to the semi-flexible tube. This has the advantage of allowing one hand operation, which in certain situations can be advantageous.
In another embodiment a housing is provided having an open first end adapted to receive said syringe and a closed off second end, with the second end having an aperture there through. A valve is mounted in the second end of the housing for controlling the flow of coating material through the aperture from the syringe. The housing further includes a plunger biasing assembly that bias the plunger of the syringe toward the second end thereof. Thus when said syringe is installed in the housing, the plunger biasing assembly forces the plunger toward the second end of the syringe forcing coating material out the outlet port thereof and into the aperture in the housing. The valve controls the flow there through. Semi-flexible tube can be coupled directly to the housing or via the flexible line and handle. The use of the housing with its plunger biasing assembly and valve is far easier to use, since pressure is always available.
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which the presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of examples. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a cross-sectional view of a first version of the applicator assembly.
FIG. 2
is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3
is a cross-sectional view of
FIG. 2
taken along the line
3
—
3
.
FIG. 4
is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5
is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6
is a partial perspective view of an individual applying the coating material to a remote and inaccessible location using the applicator assembly shown in FIG.
2
.
FIG. 7
is a partial perspective view of an individual applying the coating material to a remote and inaccessible location using the applicator assembly shown in FIG.
4
.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to
FIG. 1
, the applicator assembly, generally indicated by numeral
10
, includes a commercially available syringe
12
, preferably made of plastic material. A 10 cubic centimeter capacity is ideal because it has an adequate capacity and can still be operated with one hand. The syringe
12
includes a hollow body
14
with an open first end
15
having a pair of griping arms
16
A and
16
B and closed off second end
17
. A plunger
18
is movably mounted in the open first end
15
and terminates in a flange
19
at the external end and piston
21
within the body
14
. The piston
21
includes a seal
22
, which seals of the interior of the body
14
. Typically, the syringe is filled with a two-part coating material
23
comprising a resin and catalyst mixed together. However, other coating materials can be used. The closed off second end
17
has a threaded hole
24
therein, in which a needle (not shown) would be normally installed.
In this case, the needle is removed and a flexible tube assembly
26
is installed. The tube assembly
26
includes a hollow flexible plastic tube
28
. The length of the tube
28
can very, but a practical length is two to three feet and an internal diameter, indicated by numeral
29
, of about 0.0625 inch. A fitting
30
includes a hole
32
in which the end
34
of the tube
28
is installed and bonded thereto. The fitting
30
includes an externally threaded end
36
, which engages the threaded hole
24
in the syringe
12
. A handle
40
includes a first end
42
having a hole
44
extending partially therein for receiving the second end
46
of the tube
28
and which is also bonded therein. The handle
40
includes a second end
47
having a hole
48
extending partially therein. A through hole
50
having a diameter of 0.625 inch connects the two holes
44
and
48
. Thus the tube assembly
26
includes tube
28
, fitting
30
and handle
40
.
A second tube assembly
52
includes a semi-flexible tube
54
having a first end
56
inserted into the hole
48
in the second end
47
of the handle
40
and is bonded thereto. The tube
54
is preferably made of a semi-flexible metal such as aluminum, copper or brass having an internal diameter
57
also of about 0.0625 inch. The length of the second tube assembly should be between two and twelve inches. What is meant by semi-flexible is that the tube
54
can easily be bent at any angle, but is still enough to remain in the bent shape once the bending is complete. The tube
54
is coated with a plastic material
58
such as a polyvinyl chloride or similar material. A brush or foam applicator assembly
60
includes fitting
62
having a first end
64
and
1
.second end
65
that includes a hole
66
there through. The second end
68
of the tube
54
extends into the hole
66
from end
64
and is bonded therein. A brush applicator
70
or foam applicator
70
′ is inserted into the hole
66
from end
65
of the fitting
62
. Thus second tube assembly
52
includes tube
54
with plastic material
56
and brush assembly
60
. In this embodiment, one hand holds the syringe
12
and the other the handle
50
.
In
FIGS. 2 and 3
, is shown an alternate embodiment of the applicator assembly, generally indicated by numeral
10
A. The syringe
12
is installed in a hollow housing
72
. The housing
72
has an open first end
74
and a closed off second end
76
having a hole
78
there through to which tube
28
, is joined thereto by bonding or mechanical attachment. The syringe
12
is mounted within the housing
72
such that arms
16
A and
16
B abut the end
74
thereof. Arms,
80
A and
80
B, made of a semi-flexible material, are pivotally mounted by their first ends
82
A and
82
B to the housing
72
by means of pins
83
A and
83
B that engage holes
84
A and
84
B in the housing. The second ends
85
A and
85
B are connected to a spring retainer
86
having a centrally located hole
88
there through. Thus the Arms
80
A and
80
B can be attached to the housing
72
by bending the arms slightly outward such that the pins
83
A and
83
B engage the holes
84
A and
84
B.
A cup shaped member
90
is positioned over the flange
19
of the plunger
18
. A rod
102
is connected at end
104
to the cup shaped member
90
and extends through the hole
88
in the retainer
86
and terminates at its second end
106
in a handle
108
. A spring
110
is mounted between the member
90
and retainer
86
biasing the plunger
18
toward the second end
17
of the body
14
tending to expel the coating material
23
. The handle
108
prevents the cup shaped member
90
, rod
102
and spring
110
from separating from the retainer
86
when the syringe
12
is removed form the housing
72
.
A valve
112
is mounted in the second end
76
of the housing
72
for controlling flow of the coating material
23
out of the hole
78
. The valve
112
is a simple design having a shaft
113
with a hole
114
there through movably mounted in hole
115
in the housing
72
. The shaft
113
is threadably attached to a button
116
at end
117
and includes a flange
118
at its opposite end. A spring
119
biases the shaft upward so that hole
114
is out of alignment with hole
78
in the housing
72
.
0
-rings
121
A and
121
B seal the shaft
113
so that coating material cannot escape from the housing. Pressing down on the button
116
will cause the hole
114
in the shaft
113
to align with the hole
78
allowing the coating material
23
to flow into tube
28
. The advantage of this embodiment is that with the coating material
23
under pressure, the operator provides material control and need only press the button
116
to cause flow.
In a third embodiment, illustrated in FIG.
4
and generally indicated by numeral
10
B, the tube assembly
52
is joined directly to the housing
76
. This is accomplished by bonding end
56
of the tube
54
to the hole
78
of the housing
72
. This configuration has the advantage of being able to apply a coating to a part with using only one hand. However, the single hand must be used to simultaneously position the brush applicator
70
while actuating the button
116
.
A fourth embodiment of the applicator assembly is illustrated in
FIG. 5
, and generally indicated by numeral
10
C. The Applicator assembly
10
C includes a syringe
120
that includes an open first end
122
having a flange
123
and a closed off second end
124
having an aperture
126
therein. The syringe
120
includes a twist on cap
130
, which locks on to the flange
123
. A piston
132
is movably mounted within the syringe
120
biased toward the second end
124
by spring
134
positioned between it and the cap
130
. Thus, coating material
23
is pushed toward the aperture
126
. A valve
135
includes a body
136
incorporating a plastic tube
137
. A handle
138
is pivotally mounted to the body
136
and rotates about pivot axis
140
. The handle
138
is biased by spring
144
such that a protrusion
146
on the handle normally crimps the tube
137
closing it off. When the handle
138
is pushed toward the body
136
the protrusion
146
disengages from the tube
137
allowing flow there through.
The output port
148
of the valve
135
is connected to the tube
52
, which of course, delivers coating material to the brush
70
. This embodiment, with automatic feed can more easily be operated with one hand. The valve depicted is a TS102D Dispensing Pen, manufactured by Techcon Systems, Garden Grove, Calif.; however, there are numerous other types of valves that can be used.
In
FIG. 6
an individual, indicated by numeral
150
is shown using applicator assembly
10
shown in FIG.
1
. One hand
152
holds and operates the syringe
12
, while the other hand
154
holds the handle
40
. Having a flexible tube
28
and semi-flexible tube
52
, the applicator assembly
10
can be used in difficult to reach areas of a complex aircraft structure
160
. For purposes of illustration, the semi-flexible tube
52
is shown bent into two configurations
52
A and
52
B. In
FIG. 7
, the individual
150
is illustrated holding the applicator assembly
10
B, shown in
FIG. 2
, in one hand
154
and easily apply a coating. The choice of which applicator to use will be depend upon individual operator preference and the remoteness of the location where the coating must be applied. One of the main advantages of these applicator assemblies is that they are very inexpensive to manufacture. Thus when using them with prior mixed two part (resin and catalyst) coating materials, one time usage would not pose an unacceptable economic burden.
While the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it should be understood that the embodiment is merely illustrative, as there are numerous variations and modifications, which may be made by those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention is to be construed as being limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The invention has applicability to coating and paint industries
Claims
- 1. An applicator assembly for coating a structure with a coating, material comprising;a syringe having plunger for expelling coating material out an outlet port; a semi-flexible tube having first and second ends; coupling means for joining said first end of said semi-flexible tube to said outlet port of said syringe, said coupling means comprising; a flexible tube having a first end coupled to the output port of said syringe, said flexible tube having a second end; and a hollow handgrip having a first end coupled to said second end of said flexible tube, said hollow handgrip having a second end connected to said semi-flexible tube; and a coating applicator for applying the coating material to the structure mounted to said second end of said semi-flexible tube.
- 2. The coating applicator assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said semi-flexible tube is made of a flexible metal with a plastic cover.
- 3. The coating applicator assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said syringe has a capacity of approximately 10 cubic centimeters.
- 4. The coating applicator assembly as set forth in claim 3 where said semi-flexible tube has an internal diameter of approximately 0.062-inch.
- 5. The coating applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises;a housing having an open first end adapted to receive said syringe and a closed off second end, said second end having an aperture there through; a valve mounted in said second end of said housing for controlling the flow of coating material through said aperture in said second end of said housing; and plunger biasing means to bias said plunger of said syringe toward said second end thereof; such that when said syringe is installed in said housing, said plunger biasing means forces said plunger toward said second end of said housing forcing coating material out said outlet port thereof and into said aperture and said valve controlling the flow there through.
- 6. The coating applicator as set forth in claim 5 wherein said coupling means comprises:a flexible tube having a first end coupled to said aperture of said housing, said flexible tube having a second end; and a hollow handgrip having a first end coupled to said second end of said flexible tube, said hollow handgrip having a second end connected to said semi-flexible tube.
- 7. The coating applicator assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said semi-flexible tube is made of a flexible metal with a plastic cover.
- 8. The coating applicator assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein, said syringe has a capacity of approximately 10 cubic centimeters.
- 9. The coating applicator assembly as set forth in claim 8 where said semi-flexible tube has an internal diameter of approximately 0.062-inch.
- 10. A coating applicator assembly for coating a structure comprising:a syringe for containing the coating material, said syringe having a plunger at a first end for expelling the coating material out a second end; a flexible tube having a first end coupled to the second end of said syringe said flexible tube having a second end; a hollow handgrip having a first end coupled to said second end of said flexible tube, said hollow handgrip having a second end; a semi-flexible tube having a first end coupled to said second end of said hollow hand grip, said semi-flexible tube having a second end; and a coating applicator coupled to said second end of said semi-flexible tube, said coating applicator adapted to imbibe coating material and apply it to the structure.
- 11. The coating applicator assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said semi-flexible tube is made of a metal.
- 12. The coating applicator assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said semi-flexible tube is made of a flexible metal with a plastic cover.
- 13. The coating applicator assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said syringe has a capacity of approximately 10 cubic centimeters.
- 14. The coating applicator assembly as set forth in claim 13 where said semi-flexible tube has an internal diameter of approximately 0.062 inch.
US Referenced Citations (10)