US3174660A - Fluid dispensing gun - Google Patents

Description

March 23, 1965 M. G. BUNDY 3,174,650

' FLUID DISPENSING GUN Filed Aug. 27. 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 /20 INVENTOR. Maurice 6. Bandy Arrow/5%.

March 23, 1965 M. G. BUNDY 3,174,660

FLUID DISPENSING GUN Filed Aug. 27, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Maurice 6. Bundy I BY M. G. BUNDY FLUID DISPENSING GUN 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Maurice 6. Bandy March 23, 1965 Filed Aug. 27, 1962 United States Patent 3,174,660 FLUID DISRENSING GUN Maurice G. Bandy, Kansas fity, Hans, assignor to The Industrial Fumigant (10., Kansas (Sity, Mo., a corporation of Iliinois Filed Aug. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 219,511 7 (Ilairns. (Cl. ZZZ-424.5)

This invention relates to a fluid dispensing gun, and more particularly, to such a gun used for applying controlled dosages of fumigant material to products as the same pass through milling machinery and equipment of a related nature.

It is the most important object of this invention to provide a fluid dispensing gun which can be used in the application of fumigants, insecticides and the like, and which gun automatically delivers a predetermined amount of the fluid material to the area to be treated.

It is a yet further object of this invention to provide a fluid dispensing gun which is adapted to receive fluid under pressure, and which gun has therewithin means for regulating the pressure of the fluid within the gun, such means taking the form of a floating valve and associated diaphragm disposed within the gun and in the path of the fluid entering the gun.

It is a yet further object of this invention to provide a fluid dispensing gun which has an outer housing and an inner casing which cooperate to define a fluid receiving chamber, the inner casing defining an air chamber, there being a diaphragm separating one end of the air chamber from the fluid chamber, there also being means associated with said diaphragm and the fluid chamber which serve to control the dosage delivered by the gun by controlling the length of time which the gun remains open upon an initial actuation thereof.

A yet further object is to provide a fluid dispensing gun which has a fluid chamber, there being a fluid outlet spout in communication with said chamber and suitable mechanism carried by the gun for opening a valve of the outlet spout whereby to deliver therethrough a controlled amount of fluid fumigant or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fluid dispensing gun which is positive in all respects of its operation, and which will not drip or leak fluid subsequent to the closing of the valve in the fluid delivery spout.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispensing gun which delivers a controlled dosage of fumigant to the selected products, the means for controlling the dosage delivered by the gun being a part of the gun itself and thereby rendering unnecessary, controls disposed at a remote position for controlling the dosage delivered by the gun.

A yet further aim is to provide a liquid dispensing gun which will handle all known conventional and standard fluid fumigants, which is lightweight and compact, making the same easy to handle, and which gun may be fully controlled as to its operation by the operator thereof.

Other objects of this invention include details of construction which will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the liquid dispensing gun;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the gun showing the same prior to the delivery of fluid thereinto;

FIG. 2B is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the spout of the gun showing the same in a condition comparable to the other components shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of 3,l74,66 Patented Mar. 23, 1965 the gun showing the same at the moment the trigger has been pulled to commence delivery of liquid;

FIG. 4B is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the spout of the gun showing the same in a delivery condition corresponding to the other components as shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 4B; and

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of: the closure member.

The present fluid dispensing gun broadly designated by the numeral 10 is intended for use in the application of liquid fumigants and the like which are used in controlling pests and insects in flour mills and other areas where grain is milled or processed. It is desirable in such application of fumigants and the like to deliver to the portions of the grain to be treated, a controlled dosage of fumigant whereby the milled product will not become over-saturated, but yet will be treated with a sufficient amount of fumigant to achieve the desired result.

Thus, the gun 10 is adapted to be coupled to one end of a main supply line 12 which is coupled with a source of fluid fumigant under pressure, there normally being a main supply valve interposed in line 12 whereby to control the delivery of the fluid therethrough.

For purposes of illustration, the pressure in line 12 will be described as being at a rate of 40 pounds, although it will be appreciated that any sutflcient pressure may be utilized to force fluid through line 12 and into the gun 1'0.

Gun 10 includes a housing 14 disposed within a cover 15, said cover 15 having a configuration as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings whereby to give the gun a pistol-like appearance. Gun 10 also includes a trigger 16 and a fluid delivery spout 18.

Furnigant fluid is delivered into the interior of housing 14 by line 12 and thence through the apparatus hereinafter described whereby it subsequently is delivered to the milled product or the like through the outlet spout 18. Housing 14 receives the fluid through a first delivery passage 20 which is in communication with an inlet supply port 22 to which line 12 is connected, the fluid passing through passage 26 and then entering the interior of housing 14 and substantially filling the same, with the major exception of an air chamber 24, which air chamber 24 is primarily defined by a casing 26 which has a piston 23 reciprocably disposed therewithin, the casing 26 being generally cylindrical in configuration and being closed at one end by a diaphragm, hereinafter described in detail, and at the other end by a sealing ring 32 whereby to prevent the entrance of the fluid into the air chamber 24.

Casing 26 and housing 14 cooperate to define a main fluid-receiving chamber 34 which surrounds the casing 26 and also extends forwardly thereof, viewing FIGS. 2A and 4A, whereby to also surround a toggle assembly broadly designated as 36, the main fluid-receiving chamber 34 also extending along the barrel 38 and spout 13 of the gun It) and into surrounding relationship with a valve rod 40 which carries means closing the front end of chamber 34. The rear end of chamber 34 is closed by a diaphragm 46 which is suitably held, adjacent its marginal edges, by a closure member 48 which is threaded onto the rear portion of the housing 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 4A.

Closure member 48 also retains therewithin a coil spring 56 which has one end thereof bearing against an adjustment screw 52, the other end of spring 50 bearing against a plate 54, which plate overlies the diaphragm 46. The closure member 43 defines, on one side of diaphragm 46, that being the left or rear side thereof viewing FIG. 2A,

an air chamber 56, no fluid being allowed to enter this chamber as a result of the provision of diaphragm 46, chamber 56 containing air under atmospheric pressure.

A regulator valve broadly designated as 58, is coupled with diaphragm 46 by a main shaft 60, the diaphragm 46 being in surrounding relationship to said shaft 60 and secured thereto as a result of being clamped between plate 54 and a plate 62 carried by shaft 60 on the side of diaphragm 46 opposite to that upon which plate 54 is disposed. V

Shaft 60 also has formed thereon, in surrounding relationship thereto, an outwardly extending ring 64, which ring 64 has a beveled surface thereon whereby the same may seat upon a shoulder 66 to effect closing of the valve 58, it being apparent that shaft 60 of valve 8 is reciprocable in a longitudinal direction viewing FIG. 2A of the drawings. The end of shaft 68 opposite to that to which plate 54 and plate 62 are secured, is received within a valve housing 68, the valve housing extending into the air chamber 24 in the manner illustrated and cooperating with sealing ring 32 whereby to close one end of the air chamber 24.

Air chamber 24 carries therewithin a rated coil spring 70 which, for purposes of illustration, will be defined as being rated at pounds pressure, although a spring of any suitable rating may be utilized, depending upon the pressure of the fluid delivered into the gun 10.

One end of spring 70 bears against a flange 72 provided as a part of valve housing 68, the opposite end of spring 70 hearing against the bottom wall 74 of reciprocable cup-shaped piston 28. As previously described, the casing 26 encloses piston 28 and'spring 70, said casing 26 being configured in such a manner that there is provided an annular shoulder 76 adjacent one end thereof, which shoulder 76 is disposed interiorly of air chamber 24 and serves as a stop for piston 28 as the same moves to the left or toward the rear of the gun.

Disposed within the confines of casing 26 and closing the forward end of the air chamber 24, viewing FIGS. 2A and 4A, is a flexible diaphragm 78 which overlies the bottom wall 74 of piston 28. A disc. 81) also overlies bottom wall 74 of piston 28, the disc 88 being secured to the piston as shown in FIG. 2A and serving to clamp the diaphragm 78 between the bottom wall 74 of piston 28 and the disc 89, the peripheral edge of the diaphragm 78 being suitably secured to the interior wall of casing 26 by a sleeve 81.

Disposed forwardly of diaphragm 78, its holding disc 80, and sleeve 81, is toggle assembly 36 which is fixed in place within the housing 14, the assembly 36 including a toggle frame 82, the frame 82 pivotally carrying a pair of pawls 84 under pressure from a spring 85, the pawls 84 being urged into engagement with an actuating shaft 86 coupled with and operated by a'trigger shaft 87. Trigger shaft 87 extends inwardly into housing 14 from the normally uppermost end of trigger 16, and a seal, broadly designated as 88, surrounds said shaft 87 at its point of entrance into the housing 14 whereby to prevent the loss of fluid from the housing 14 around said shaft 87.

Actuating shaft 86 carries a plunger 90 and also has formed thereon, for cooperation with pawls 84, a pair of opposed, beveled rings 94 which define a central ditch 96 which is engaged by the apex portion of the pawls 84, the same being urged thereinto by the spring 85. Shaft 8-6, to the rear of rings 94, passes through toggle frame 82 and is surrounded by a washer 98, the shaft 86 cooperating with said washer 98 in the manner hereinafter described to selectively prevent and allow the flow of fluid past the portion of shaft 86 surrounded by Washer 98 and into a secondary chamber within air chamber 24, as will be hereinafter explained.

The peripheral edge of plunger 90 has a notch 18% formed therein, the notch 100 embracing valve rod 48,

there being a loose fit between said rod 40 and the notch 189 for purposes hereinafter described. A stop rod 102 is supported by toggle frame 82 and extends toward rod 4 the rod 182 being engaged by a disc 104 secured to the innermost end of rod 40 when the gun is under certain conditions of operation. Rod 40 extends along the length of barrel 38 and outlet spout 18, the rod 40 being surrounded intermediate its ends by a coil spring 105, best shown in FIG. 2A of the drawings, one end of coil spring 106 resting against a sleeve 108 which is aflixed to rod 48, and the other end of the spring 186 resting against a threaded portion of the coupling which secures the spout 18 to the barrel 38. Rod 48 carries, at the end thereof opposite to disc 184, a valve member 110, which valve member 118'is movable into and out of engagement with a seat 112 formed adjacent the outlet aperture 114 of delivery spout 18, it being apparent that the rod 48 is reciprocable in a longitudinal path.

Gun 10 also carries adjusting mechanism 116 for controlling the amount of fluid which passes therethrough in a given dosage, this adjusting mechanism taking the form of a needle valve 118 adjustable by a screw 120 with respect to a seat 122, the operation of adjusting mechanism being hereinafter more fully detailed.

Trigger 16 is'pivotally secured to housing 14 by means of a pin 124 and is normally urged to a closed position or to the right, viewing F165. 2A and 4A, by means of a spring 125 suitably secured thereto and bearing against a portion of the housing 14.

The major components of the fluid dispensing gun 10 having been hereinabove described, the operation of said gun will now be explained.

Fluid enters gun 10 by line 12, said fluid being under a preselected pressure delivered by an outside source, this pressure being defined as 40 pounds per square inch for purposes of illustration. The fluid enters gun 16 through port 22 and passage 20 and subsequently fills the entire main chamber 34 of the gun 10. To accomplish this result, fluid initially enters an annular portion 128 of chamber 34 and a given amount thereof passes through a passage portion 130 into a centrally disposed portion 132 surrounding the valve 58, the fiuid then continuing to fill chamber 34 by moving along passage 134 which surrounds that portion of shaft 60 disposed rearwardly of ring 64, the fluid then moving into a portion 136 of chamber 34 and acting against the diaphragm 46.

The fluid then moves from portion 136 of the chamber 34 through a longitudinal passage portion 138 and into the main portion of chamber 34, that is the portion most immediately surrounding casing 26. It should be noted that fluid enters said main portion of the chamber 34 not only through passage 138 after following the route abovedescribed, but also initially enters said main portion under its introduction pressure through a bleed hole 140 which places the main portion of chamber 34 into communication with portion 128.

The fluid entering through passage portion 138 and hole 140 passes along the main portion of chamber 34 and moves into portion 142 thereof which is adjacent toggle assembly 36 and plunger 90, the fluid then moving along a passage portion 144 which surrounds that portion of shaft 86 between washer 98 and rings 94. Fluid then enters a secondary fluid-receiving chamber 146 within air chamber 24, chamber 146 being defined by the toggle frame 82 on one end, and the diaphragm 78 on the other, sleeve 81 forming the side wall thereof, there being a sealing ring 147 between frame 82 and sleeve 81, the fluid entering said chamber 146 by moving along a passage 148 defined by washer 98 whereby to bring the diaphragm 78 and piston 28 under the pressure of 40 pounds.

Fluid also moves along the barrel 38 and spout 18 of the gun 10 in surrounding relationship to rod 40, the fluid filling the outlet spout 18 until such time as further forward flow thereof in chamber 34 is prevented by valve member 110 which is in the position shown in FIG. 2B.

of the drawings as the gun is being filled as above de scribed.

As the main chamber 34 fills with fluid as detailed hereinabove, secondary chamber 14-6 is also filled, whereby pressure is exerted against diaphragm 78 causing the same to flex and thereby move from the position shown in FIG. 2A of the drawings to the position shown in FIG. 4A of the drawings. As the diaphragm 78 is so flexed, piston 28 is pushed rearwardly in chamber 24 thus compressing the air within chamber 24 and also compressing the coil spring 70 which, as heretofore indicated, is rated at a pressure less than that under which the fluid is introduced into the gun and into chamber 146, the figure of 40 pounds pressure being given as illustrative of the fluid pressure and the figure of pounds being chosen in connection with the rated spring 70.

When the fluid has progressed to the point above described, the gun is in what may be termed a ready con dition, it also being noted that as the fluid enters the main chamber 34 in the manner above described, the diaphragm 46 is flexed to the left as the pressure builds thereupon whereby to compress the coil spring 50 when the pressure against diaphragm 4d has become sutficient to overcome the tension pressure of spring 50, the valve 58 thereby being closed by moving ring 64 into engagement with shoulder 66, it being apparent that upon the closing of valve 58, the rate of which closing is controlled by spring 50, the only route by which fluid may enter the main portion of chamber 34 is from portion 128 through bleed hole 140. Valve 58 is shown as open in FIG. 2A of the drawings, but as closed in FIG. 4A of the drawings, the said FIGURE 2A illustrating the gun immediately prior to receiving the fluid under pressure, and FIG. 4A illustrating the gun at the moment the trigger has been pulled to commence delivery of the fluid from the gun after it has been filled as above described.

With the gun filled, the trigger 16 is manually actuated by swinging the same about pin 124- in a clockwise direction viewing FIG. 4A of the drawings, said trigger acting through its trigger shaft 87 to push plunger 90 to the left or rear, viewing FIG. 4A, the movement of the plunger 9G and its associated components being aided by spring 195 which urges sleeve 108 against plunger 90, said sleeve 108 being secured to rod 40, the urging movement of spring 106 also serving to shift rod 40 to the left when the plunger is pushed in said direction under urging by shaft 87. At approximately the same moment that rearward movement of rod 40 is stopped as a result of disc 1G4 engaging stop in 102, pawls 84 reach an over-center position and, as a result of their engagement with ditch 96, hurry actuating shaft 86 to the left under the continued pushing of trigger shaft 87 against plunger 99.

As shaft 86 moves to the left, a shoulder 152 formed thereon seats on washer 8 whereby to prevent the further flow of fluid through passage 148 and into secondary chamber 146. As rod 40 is moved to the left, as above described, valve member 116 is moved away from seat 112 to an open condition shown in FIG. 4B of the drawings, whereby passage of the fluid out of the aperture 114- of spout 18 and into the material to be fumigated is permitted.

As fluid passes out of aperture 114, the pressure of the fluid within the gun is reduced, the reduction of pressure within the main chamber 34 as a result of fluid flowing therefrom, causing the reduction of pressure upon diaphragm 46 whereby the valve 58, which has been closed, is carried to the right under the urging of spring 50, moving the same to an open condition, the extent of its opening being controlled by the rate of flow of the fluid from the gun, said rate of flow being determined by the diameter of aperture 114 and the size of passage portion 138 and bleed hole 146 As valve 58 opens, it allows a continuous flow of fluid through the gun under approximately 6 to 7 pounds pressure, this pressure being achieved and regulated by the balance between spring 50 and the pressure of the fluid within the gun, valve 53 functioning to reduce the pressure of incoming fluid from 40 pounds to 6 or 7 pounds.

The extent of movement of the valve 58 is controlled by adjustment screw 52, said screw being normally set in such a manner that the valve 58 will allow the fluid entering the main portion of chamber 34 through portion 136 and passage portion 138, to be under a pressure of approximately 6 or 7 pounds. Said pressure is maintained by the regulator assembly during delivery of fluid from the gun inasmuch as hole 140 is not of a size to alone allow a suflicient flow of fluid under 40 pounds pressure into the main portion of chamber 34 to alter the controlled pressure achieved by the regulator assembly.

As the pressure within the gun 10 is reduced during the delivery of fluid therefrom, a reduction in pressure of the fluid within secondary chamber 146 is achieved, fluid being allowed to leave chamber 146, at a controlled rate, through a passage 154 formed in toggle frame 82. The rate of flow of fluid through said passage 154 is controlled by needle valve 122 which is interposed within said passage, said valve 122 being adjustable by screw 120, all as is apparent from FIG. 5 of the drawings. A passage 156, in communication with passage 154, allows the fluid leaving chamber 146 to return to main chamber 34 for subsequent expulsion from the gun 10.

As the pressure in chamber 146 is reduced to below 20 pounds, the rating of spring 70, said spring 70 urges piston 28 and diaphragm 78 to the right from the position shown in FIG. 4A to return the same to the position shown in FIG. 2A. As a result of such movement, plate 80 is brought into engagement with the rearmost end of the actuating shaft 86 whereby to urge shaft 86 and the plunger 90 forward or to the right, such movement being hurried by the action of pawls 84 within ditch 96. As the plunger 90 is so moved, the portion thereof adjacent notch 10%) re-engages sleeve 108, thereby pushing rod 48 to the right and seating valve member upon seat 112 whereby to close aperture 114 and terminate the flow of fluid from the gun.

As is apparent, the period of time which aperture 114 remains open and, therefore, the dosage of fumigant delivered by gun 10, is controlled by the speed of movement of piston 28 to a position actuating the shaft 86 whereby to cause the valve closing movements above described. In turn, the speed of such movement of piston 28 is directly controlled by assembly 116 and particularly the needle valve 122 which controls the rate of flow of fluid from the secondary chamber 146. Thus, it will be appreciated that the dosage delivered by gun 10 is under the direct control of the operator thereof who can readily adjust such dosage through rotation of screw 120, it not being necessary to adjust the dosage at a position remote from the gun 10.

Once the components of the gun 10 have moved to the position above described and the flow of fluid has thereby been terminated, the cycle of operation is again commenced, fluid pressure being allowed to build up within the chambers whereby when the trigger is again actuated, the gun operates to repeat the steps above set forth and deliver, under a controlled pressure, a measured dosage of fumigant fluid.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A fluid dispensing gun comprising a chamber for receiving fluid under pressure; means for regulating the pressure of the fluid delivered to said chamber; an air chamber formed within said fluid chamber; a diaphragm separating one end of said air chamber from said fluid chamber, said diaphragm being flexible whereby to define a secondary fluid filled chamber when fluid is delivered to the gun; an actuating shaft carried by said gun; a fluid delivery spout in communication with said fluid chamber; a valve for said spout, said valve being controlled by the movement of said actuating shaft; a trigger shaft for moving said actuating shaft in-one direction, said diaphragm moving the actuating shaft in the other direction and mechanism for predetermining the dosage of fluid which will' be dispensed by the gun upon the actuation thereof.

2. A fluid dispensing gun as set forth in claim 1, there being a piston insaid air chamber and in engagement with said diaphragm and a spring for said piston whereby to urge the same against the diaphragm.

3. A fluid dispensing gun as set forth in claim 2, there being a plunger carried by said actuating shaft; a rod carrying the valve for the spout; and a sleeve aflixed to said rod, said plunger engaging said sleeve whereby upon movement of the shaft in one direction the spout is allowed to open, and upon movement of the shaft in the other direction the spout is closed.

4. A fluid dispensing gun as set forth in claim 3, there being a toggle assembly within the fluid chamber and acting upon said actuating shaft whereby to aid in the movement thereof in said directionsj 5. A fluid dispensing gun comprising a chamber for receiving fluid under pressure; a diaphragm closing one end of said chamber; a fluid delivery spout in communication With said chamber; a valve normally closing said spout and thereby the other end of said chamber; a closure member for said gun, said member cooperating with said diaphragm to define an atmospheric air chamber at one end of the'gun; a spring within said atmospheric air chamber and bearing against one face of said diaphragm, the fluid within the fluid-receiving chamber bearing against the other face of saiddiaphragm; a valve carried by said diaphragm and extending into said fluid-receiving chamber whereby to control the flow of fluid into said chamher; means for opening the valve in the fluid delivery spout to allow the flow of fluid out of the chamber through the spout; and mechanism forpredetermining the dosage of fluid which will be dispensed by the gun upon the actuation thereof.

6. A fluid dispensing gun comprising an outer housing; an inner casing; a chamber defined by said housing and said casing for receiving fluid under pressure; anair chamber defined primarily by said casing; a diaphragm separating one end of said air chamber from said fluid chamber; a spring within said air chamber for normally urging said diaphragm in one direction; a fluid delivery spout in communication with said fluid chamber; a valve for said spout; means for regulating the pressure of the fluid within the gun; and actuating means for opening said valve of the fluid delivery spout to allow flow of a predetermined dosage of fluid from the gun, the amount of such dosage being determined by the rate of movement of said diaphragm under the urging of said spring.

7. A dispensing gun as set forth in claim 6, there being a valve in said chamber for controlling the rate of movement of said diaphragm under the urging of said spring.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,402,036 6/46 Giger 14l225 2,809,665 10/57 Crowe 138--30 2,818,890 1/58 Ryan 141-225 2,902,988 9/59 Rippingille 138-30X 3,013,696 12/61 Tralmer 22256 EVERETT W. KlRBY, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS I. DEMBO, RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. A FLUID DISPENSING GUN COMPRISING A CHAMBER FOR RECEIVING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE; MEANS FOR REGULATING THE PRESSURE OF THE FLUID DELIVERED TO SAID CHAMBER; AN AIR CHAMBER FORMED WITHIN SAID FLUID CHAMBER; A DIAPHRAGM SEPARATING ONE END OF SAID AIR CHAMBER FROM SAID FLUID CHAMBER, SAID DIAPHRAGM BEING FLEXIBLE WHEREBY TO DEFINE A SECONDARY FLUID FILLED CHAMBER WHEN FLUID IS DELIVERED TO THE GUN; AN ACTUATING SHAFT CARRIED BY SAID GUN; A FLUID DELIVERY SPOUT IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID FLUID CHAMBER; A VALVE FOR SAID SPOUT, SAID VALVE BEING CONTROLLED BY THE MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING SHAFT; A TRIGGER SHAFT FOR MOVING SAID ACTUATING SHAFT IN ONE DIRECTION, SAID DIAPHRAGM MOVING THE ACTUATING SHAFT IN THE OTHER DIRECTION AND MECHANISM FOR PREDETERMING THE DOSAGE OF FLUID WHICH WILL BE DISPENSED BY THE GUN UPON THE ACTUATION THEREOF.

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