US3653599A

US3653599A - Fluid spray apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3653599A
Application number: US38714A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clifford L Mussehl
Original assignee: Speco Inc
Current assignee: Speco Inc
Priority date: 1970-05-19
Filing date: 1970-05-19
Publication date: 1972-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 1989-04-04

Abstract

A fluid spray apparatus having means for releasably mounting a spray gun on a support. The mounting means includes means for carrying shutoff valve means for shutting off the fluid supply at the mounting means. A rubber seal is provided for sealing the connection between the spray gun and the mounting means fluid supply passage. Mounting plates for the different types of spray guns, such as air-type spray guns and airless-type spray guns, are provided with different arrangements of the air passages for permitting use of a single fixed means on the support for delivering air to the pneumatic controls of the spray guns notwithstanding different locations of the pneumatic control inlet means on the spray guns.

Description

United States Patent Mussehl [451 Apr. 4, 1972 54 FLUID SPRAY APPARATUS 3,339,845 9/1967 Bond ..239/2s3 [72] Inventor: Clifford L. Mussehl, Wildwood, lll. Primary Examiner Ml Henson wood, Jr- [73] Assignee: SPECO, lnc., Beverly, Mass. Assistant Examiner-Thomas C. Culp, Jr. [22] Filed: May 19, 1970 Attorney-Robert T. Dunn [21] Appl. No.: 38,714 [57] ABSTRACT A fluid spray apparatus having means for releasably mounting 239/2 239/412 a spray gun on a support. The mounting means includes means [5 l llllt t for carrying shutoff valve means for shutting off the Fleld of Search upply at the mounting means A rubber eal is provided for 239/412; 248/214 sealing the connection between the spray gun and the mounting means fluid supply passage. Mounting plates for the dif- [56] References Cited ferent types of spray guns, such as air-type spray guns and air- UNITED STATES PATENTS less-type spray guns, are proyided with different arrangements of the air passages for permittmg use of a single fixed means 5 3/1967 X on the support for delivering air to the pneumatic controls of 1492526 12/1949 Gelblg "239/273 the spray guns notwithstanding different locations of the pneu- 2.719691 1955 Vance X matic control inlet means on the spray guns. 3,021,601 2/1962 Hayes ..248/2l4 X 3,166,252 1/1965 OBrien et al ..239/600 X 19 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 4 I972 SHEET 1 BF 3 FIGI I L I LQLZG 32 3| FIG INV EN TOR.

BY CLIFFQRD L.MUSSEHL ATTORNEY PATENTEDAPR 41m 3,653,599

SHEET 2 OF 3 OFF INVENTOR.

FIG 4 FIG 5 BYCLIFFORD L.MUSSEHL TTORNEY FLUID SPRAY APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to fluid spray apparatus and in par- 5 OfFIG- 3;

ticular to apparatus having means for mounting spray guns for connection thereto of suitable pressurized fluid supplies.

2. Description of the Prior Art In one form of spray apparatus, such as for use in finishing material such as leather hides, pigment fluid is delivered onto the hide by a rotary machine having a center post and a rotating head provided with a plurality of arms each adapted to carry a spray gun at the outer end thereof. The leather hides are carried on a subjacent conveyor for travel under the circular path of the spray guns. Control means are provided for automatically triggering the spray guns to commence spraying at a starting edge of the hide and to shut off the spray at a leaving edge. The spray guns are conventionally actuated by pneumatic means with the pneumatic control fluid being delivered to the spray guns by suitable conduit means extending along the spray arms. Similarly, the spray fluid, such as pigment fluid, is delivered through suitable conduit means and where the spray guns are of the air type, suitable pressurized air is delivered thereto along the arms by suitable conduit means.

The known rotary spray apparatuses of the above discussed type have the serious disadvantage of substantial spray material waste. In conventional applications, such spray guns are changed approximately five times in a 8-hour operation. Each time the gun is changed, a substantial amount of the spray fluid is lost because of the relatively long conduit delivering the spray fluid to the spray gun. Another disadvantage of the known spray apparatuses is the difficulty in effecting a change of the spray guns.

A further disadvantage of the known fluid spray apparatuses of the above discussed type is the limitation of the adaptability thereof for use with different types of spray guns such as airtype and airless-type spray guns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improved fluid spray apparatus eliminating the disadvantages of the above discussed known fluid spray apparatuses in a novel and a simple manner.

More specifically, the present invention comprehends the provision of a fluid spray apparatus having new and improved means for facilitated connection and disconnection of a spray gun therein. Further, the invention comprehends such a fluid spray apparatus wherein the loss of spray fluid is effectively minimized. More specifically, the invention comprehends the provision of shutoff valve means closely adjacent the spray gun mounting means for minimizing the flow passage extent upstream of the shutoff valve.

Further the invention comprehends the provision of such a fluid spray apparatus having new and improved means for facilitated connection in the apparatus of different types of spray guns such as air-type spray guns and airless-type spray guns.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid spray apparatus having new and improved means for providing a sealed connection of the spray gun in the apparatus while providing for ready connection and disconnection thereof.

The fluid spray apparatus of the present invention is extremely simple and economical of construction while yet providing the highly desirable features discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a fragmentary top plan view of a fluid spray apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of a portion thereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a modified form of fluid spray apparatus embodying the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in FIGS. 1-6 of the drawing, a fluid spray apparatus generally designated 10 is provided for spraying a fluid such as a pigmenting fluid on a workpiece such as a leather hide. The hide (not shown) may be carried on a suitable conveyor 11 which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a conventional Perlon filament flat conveyor. Apparatus 10 further includes a rotary spray structure generally designated 12 carried on a crossbeam 13 in superjacent spaced relationship to the conveyor 11. The rotary spray structure 12 includes a center post 14 journalled for rotation about a vertical axis in a bearing 15 carried on the beam 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary structure 12 is provided with eight radially extending arms 16. As is obvious to those skilled in the art, the rotary head structure 12 may be provided with any suitable number of such arms as desired. Each of arms 16 is provided at its distal end with a spray gun 17 for spraying the fluid downwardly onto the workpiece carried on the subjacent conveyor 11. As a result of the rotation of the head structure 12, the spray guns 17 travel in a circular arc across the workpiece carried on the conveyor. Conventionally, such rotary spray apparatuses control the spray guns so that the spray is automatically initiated at the side edge of the workpiece as the spray head moves into overlying relationship to the workpiece and is automatically shut off at the opposite side edge as the spray head moves away from overlying relationship to the workpiece. -As the workpiece is travelling on the conveyor 11, the spray pattern on the workpiece is a function of the circular movement of the spray head thereover and'the rectilinear movement of the conveyor. The movements are coordinated with the spray pattern of the spray gun so that a uniform spray of the workpiece upper surface is effected by the successive sprayings of the plurality of spray guns 17 as they swing about the axis of the post 14.

It is further conventional in such rotary spray apparatuses to provide different forms of spray guns as desired. Thus, the spray gun 17 may comprise a conventional air-type spray gun wherein the fluid is discharged by air under suitable pressure. Alternatively, the gun 17 may comprise an airless-type spray gun wherein the spraying of the fluid is effected mechanically by conventional airless spraying techniques. Where an airtype spray gun is utilized, the spray fluid is delivered thereto under relatively low pressure, such as approximately 5 pounds per square inch, the spraying air is delivered thereto at a somewhat higher pressure, such as from 40 to pounds per square inch. Where the airless-type spray gun is utilized, the paint is delivered at relatively high pressures, such as approximately 1,000 pounds per square inch.

It is further conventional in such rotary spray apparatus to provide the control of the spray gun by pneumatic means. Thus, a second air supply is provided in connection with the air-type spray guns, which air supply is suitably controlled by automatic control apparatus for effecting the desired initiating and shutting off of the spray gun as discussed above. Such air supplies are provided conventionally at pressures of approximately 40 to 80 pounds per square inch. Where the spray gun is an airless-type spray gun, a similar controlled air supply is conventionally provided.

As indicated briefly above, the present invention comprehends an improved fluid spray apparatus of the above discussed type wherein the spray gun is readily removably mounted in the apparatus for facilitated replacement. It has been found that in conventional applications where the workpiece comprises leather hides having surface pigmentation applied by heavy spray apparatus, the spray gun must be replaced approximately every hour and a half. The down time necessary to effect the spray gun replacement becomes a critical element in the cost of mass production of such finished hides. The present invention comprehends an improved means for effecting the replacement of such a spray gun in such a fluid spray apparatus in approximately seconds, thereby effectively minimizing the down time while yet providing a positive sealed connection of the spray gun in the apparatus with effectively minimum maintenance requirements.

More specifically, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, air gun 17 may comprise an air-type spray gun having a conventional spray head 18, a body 19, a spray air inlet 20, a control air inlet 21 and a spray fluid inlet 22. Spray gun 17 is carried at the distal end of arm 16 by an adapter member 23 and a mounting plate 24. The adapter member 23 is carried on a pair of depending flanges 25 on arm 16 by means of a suitable nut and bolt fastening means 26 received in a suitable through bore 27 in the adapter member. Pressurized air for mixture with the spray fluid is delivered from a suitable pressurized air supply (not shown) through a duct 28, an on-off valve 29, and a fitting 30 to the adapter member 23. Control air is delivered from a suitable supply (not shown) through a duct 31 and fitting 32 to the adapter member 23. Spray fluid is provided from a suitable pressurized supply (not shown) through a supply duct 33 to a fitting 34. Herein the fluid supply comprises a recirculating manifold fluid supply and the supply means includes a return duct 35 for returning the unsprayed portion of the delivered spray fluid to the supply. Each of

ducts

28, 31, 33 and 35 may comprise suitable flexible hoses adapted to carry the pressures and fluids discussed above.

Fitting 34 is connected to a shutoff valve 36 which, in turn, is connected through a fitting 37 to the adapter member 23. Spray air inlet 20 of the spray gun 17 is connected to the mounting plate 24 by a fitting 38, control air inlet 21 is connected to the mounting plate 24 by a fitting 39, and spray fluid inlet 22 is connected to the mounting plate 24 by a fitting 40.

As shown in FIG. 4, mounting plate 24 is provided with a spray air aperture 41, a control air aperture 42, and a spray fluid aperture 43. As shown in FIG. 5, adapter member 23 is provided with a spray air aperture 44, a control air aperture 45, and a spray fluid aperture 46. Fitting 32 is connected to adapter member 23 in fluid transfer association with aperture 45, fitting 30 is connected thereto in fluid transfer association with aperture 44, and fitting 37 is connected thereto in fluid transfer association with aperture 46. Fitting 38 is connected to the mounting plate 24 in fluid transfer association with aperture 41 fitting 39 is connected thereto in fluid transfer association with aperture 42, and fitting 40 is connected thereto in fluid transfer association with aperture 43.

Apertures

41, 42, and 43 are coaxial with

apertures

44, 45 and 46 when the mounting plate 24 is disposed in facial engagement with the adapter member 23 as shown in FIG. 6 thereby to provide a through passage for the air spray fluid.

Mounting plate 24 is releasable locked to the adapter member 23 by means ofa pair of locking

members

47 and 48. Locking member 47 is secured to the top surface 49 of the adapter member 23 by suitable securing means such asbolts 50. Locking member 47 defines a shoulder 51 spaced outwardly of the outer surface 52 of the adapter member 23. Locking member 48 is pivotally secured to the lower end 53 of adapter member 23 by suitable pivot 54. Locking member 48 defines a shoulder 55 spaced forwardly of the adapter member surface 52 when the locking member is swung to its upper locking position as shown in FIG. 6. Locking member 48 may be secured in the locking position of FIG. 6 by suitable threaded means such as thumb screw 56 threaded into the lower portion 53 of the adapter member 23. The spacing of

shoulders

51 and 55 from adapter member surface 52 is preselected to be substantially equal to the thickness of the mounting plate 24 and the vertical spacing between the locking

members

47 and 48 is preselected to be substantially equal to the height of the mounting plate 24. Mounting plate 24 is provided with a camming surface 57 defining its upper rear edge permitting the upper portion of the mounting plate 24 to be swung under the shoulder 51 for facilitated installation.

To provide a sealed connection of the flow passages 41. 42. 44, and 45, a suitable O-ring seal 58 is provided in a recess 59 in the adapter member 23 at the outer end of each of

passages

44 and 45. For sealing passage 43 to passage 46, mounting plate 24 is provided with an insert 60 having a tubular projection 61 extending through an enlarged recess 62 defining the outer end of the passage 46. The outer diameter of projection 61 is preferably slightly smaller than the diameter of passage 46. A cup-shaped seal 63 is provided in recess 62. Seal 62 includes an inner tubular wall 64, an outer tubular wall 65, and an end wall 66. A clearance space 67 is provided between the inner wall 64 and the adapter member portion defining the outer end of the passage 46 to permit spray fluid to flow under pressure into the cup member and thereby forcibly urge the wall portions 64, 65, and 66 sealingly against the confronting surfaces of the tubular projection 61, adapter member 23, and insert 60 respectively to provide an effective high pressure seal therebetween. Seal 63 may be formed of a suitable resilient material such as neoprene rubber.

The replacement of spray gun 17 when desired may dotted quickly effected with minimum loss of spray fluid. Thus, to effect such replacement, the user merely operates valve 29 to shut off the supply of pressurized air to the spray air port of the spray gun. The supply of control air is conventionally shut off at the master control (not shown) at this time. The supply of spray fluid is shut off by suitable manipulation of valve 36. The user then merely releases the mounting plate 24 by unthreading thumb piece 56 to permit the downward swinging of the lower locking member 48 as shown in FIG. 3 in dotted lines. The mounting plate 24 may then be readily swung from under shoulder 51 to remove the spray gun 17 from the apparatus. Only a small amount of spray fluid is lost in the transfer as the valve 36 is mounted closely adjacent the spray gun 17. The replacement spray gun is quickly mounted on apparatus 10 by insertion of the mounting plate 24 thereof under the shoulder 51, return of the locking member 48 to the full line position of FIG. 3, and threaded advancement of thumb screw 56 into the locking position of FIG. 6. The tubular projection 61 carried on the mounting plate 24 passes slidably through the seal member 63 to effect a high pressure seal connection of the spray fluid supply to the spray gun 17 and the O-rings 58 provide a sealed connection of the air supplies thereto as an automatic result of the movement of the mounting plate 24 into the above described mounting position. The user may then commence operation of spray gun 17 by turning each of

valves

29 and 36 to the on position.

Turning now to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, a modified form of fluid spray apparatus generally designated is shown to comprise an apparatus generally similar to apparatus 10 but utilizing an airless-type spray gun I 17 in lieu of the air-type spray gun of apparatus 10. In such an airless-type spray gun, only a single inlet for delivering air to the spray gun is provided, this inlet comprising inlet 121 for delivering pressurized air for pneumatic control of the spray gun. In such a conventional spray gun 117, inlet 121 is centered on the gun relative to the spray fluid inlet 122. In apparatus 110, therefore, the mounting plate 124 is provided with a single air passage 142 for delivering the pneumatic control air from the adapter member 123 to the spray gun. More specifically, as seen in FIG. 8, passage 142 includes an inlet portion 142a adapted to be aligned with passage 145 of the adapter member 123, and an outlet l42b adapted to be aligned with fitting 139 connected to the control air inlet 121 of spray gun 117. Passage 143 is disposed to be aligned with fitting 140 connected to the spray fluid inlet 122 of the spray gun 117. Inlet 142a is connected to outlet 142b by a transverse bore l42c opening through one side 168. The opening may be closed by suitable plug 169, as shown in FIG. 8.

Apparatus 110 functions in a manner similar to the functioning of apparatus except for the omission of the spray air means and the use of relatively high pressure spray fluid, i.e., approximately 1,000 pounds per square inch. Elements of apparatus 110 which are similar to correspondingelements of apparatus 10, are identified by similar reference numerals but 100 higher.

Each of apparatuses l0 and 110 provides for facilitated rapid substitution of the spray gun in the apparatus for facilitated mass production use thereof with minimum down time. Further, each of apparatuses l0 and 110minimizes the waste of spray fluid in the spray gun transfer. While being readily effected, the mounting of the spray gun in theapparatus provides positive sealing of the spray gun in the apparatus. The apparatus is extremely simple and economical of construction while yet providing for long trouble-free life with minimum maintenance requirements. Y

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

lclaim:

1. In a fluid spray apparatus having a support, fluid supply means for supplying fluid, air supply means for supplying air at a preselected pressure, and a spray gun, quick-disconnect means for mounting said spray gun is said apparatus comprising:

an adapter;

means for mounting said adapter to said support;

means for readily removably mounting said spray gun to said adapter;

means for mounting said fluid supply means and said air supply means to said adapter in fluid transfer association with said spray gun;

valve means supported by said adapter for selectively shutting off said fluid supply means closely adjacent said spray gun for effectively minimizing fluid loss upon replacement of said spray gun; and

means for selectively shutting off said air supply means.

2. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 1 further including means for supporting said air shutting off means on said adapter.

3. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spray gun includes pneumatic control means and said air supply means and adapter include means for selectively delivering air to said pneumatic control means for controlling operation of said spray gun.

4. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid shutting off valve means comprises manually operable valve means.

5. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said adapter to said support comprises threaded means for removably securing the adapter thereto.

6. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid supply means comprises a recirculating manifold means.

7. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 1 including a resilient seal between said spray gun and said adapter providing sealed connection of said spray gun to said fluid supply means.

8. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spray gun comprises an airless-type gun having pneumatic control means and said means for mounting said spray gun to said adapter comprises a mounting plate having a passage therethrough for delivering air to said spray gun for controlling said pneumatic control means, said passage having an inlet and an outlet laterally offset from said inlet for providing an offset connection between said air supply means and said spray gun.

9. In a fluid spray apparatus having a spray gun and means for supplying fluid under pressure.

means for delivering fluid from said supply means including first wall means having a delivery opening therein which defines an enlarged outer cylindrical recess,

means for mounting said spray gun to said wall means, said mounting means including a second wall means having a receiving opening therein coaxially aligned with said first wall means opening and defining a tubular projection ex-.

tending coaxially through said recess and having a distal end defining said receiving opening, and

a resilient seal disposed betweensaid wall means coaxially about said openings for providing a sealed connection between said openings.

10. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first wall means opening includes an inner reduced diameter portion having a diameter larger than the outside diameter of said tubular projection and said tubular projection distalend is received in said reduced diameter portion of said first wall means opening.

11. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 9 wherein said resilient seal comprises a tubular seal having an inner surface slidably receiving said tubular projection of said second wall means, the configuration of said first wall means opening being preselected to permit fluid to flow to radially outwardly of said tubular seal for urging said seal radially inwardly sealingly against said tubular projection.

12. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 11, wherein said seal comprises a pair of coaxially spaced tubular walls and an end wall interconnecting said tubular walls to define an annular cup-shaped member opening away from said second wall means to receive fluid therein.

13. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 9 wherein said seal is formed of rubber.

14. In a fluid spray apparatus,

an adapter member defining a fluid delivery passage and an air delivery passage disposed in a spaced relationship corresponding to the preselected spaced relationship of the pneumatic control inlet and fluid inlet of a conventional air-type fluid spray gun, and

means for removably mounting on said adapter an airlesstype fluid spray gunhaving a spaced relationship of the pneumatic control inlet and fluid inlet thereof different from'said preselected spaced relationship of said air-type spray gun, said mounting means having a fluid passage and an air passage therethrough, said air passage having an inlet disposed in said preselected relationship to said fluid passage and an outlet spaced from said inlet in said different spaced relationship of said airless-type spray gun to provide communication between said air delivery passage and said air pneumatic control inlet of said airless-type fluid spray gun when said fluid delivery passage is in communication with said fluid inlet thereof.

15. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 14, wherein said air passage is defined by a pair of spaced parallel bores in said mounting means and a crossbore opening through a surface of said mounting means and intersecting said bore, and plug means closing said crossbore at said surface.

16. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 14, including manually operable means for locking said mounting means to said adapter with said air passage inlet aligned with said air delivery passage of said adapter and said fluid passage aligned with said fluid delivery passage thereof.

17. In a fluid spray apparatus having a supply arm, fluid supply means for supplying fluid, air supply means for supplying air at a preselected pressure and spray gun, quick-disconnect means for mounting said spray gun in said apparatus comprising:

an adapter;

means for mounting said adapter to said support; and

means for readily removably mounting said spray gun to said adapter including a plate having a plurality of apertures, means connecting the spray gun to said plate in fluid transfer association with said apertures, and manually operable locking means for releasably securing manually movable means defining a movable shoulder adapted to cooperate with said fixed shoulder in locking said plate to said adapter, and threaded means for securing the movable shoulder means in plate locking position.

19. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 17, wherein said plate includes a cam portion for cooperation with said adapter to guide the plate into locking position relative to the adapter.

i l k

Claims

1. In a fluid spray apparatus having a support, fluid supply means for supplying fluid, air supply means for supplying air at a preselected pressure, and a spray gun, quick-disconnect means for mounting said spray gun is said apparatus comprising: an adapter; means for mounting said adapter to said support; means for readily removably mounting said spray gun to said adapter; means for mounting said fluid supply means and said air supply means to said adapter in fluid transfer association with said spray gun; valve means supported by said adapter for selectively shutting off said fluid supply means closely adjacent said spray gun fOr effectively minimizing fluid loss upon replacement of said spray gun; and means for selectively shutting off said air supply means.

9. In a fluid spray apparatus having a spray gun and means for supplying fluid under pressure, means for delivering fluid from said supply means including first wall means having a delivery opening therein which defines an enlarged outer cylindrical recess, means for mounting said spray gun to said wall means, said mounting means including a second wall means having a receiving opening therein coaxially aligned with said first wall means opening and defining a tubular projection extending coaxially through said recess and having a distal end defining said receiving opening, and a resilient seal disposed between said wall means coaxially about said openings for providing a sealed connection between said openings.

10. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first wall means opening includes an inner reduced diameter portion having a diameter larger than the outside diameter of said tubular projection and said tubular projection distal end is received in said reduced diameter portion of said first wall means opening.

13. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 9 wherein said seal is formed of rubber.

14. In a fluid spray apparatus, an adapter member defining a fluid delivery passage and an air delivery passage disposed in a spaced relationship corresponding to the preselected spaced relationship of the pneumatic control inlet and fluid inlet of a conventional air-type fluid spray gun, and means for removably mounting on said adapter an airless-type fluid spray gun having a spaced relationship of the pneumatic control inlet and fluid inlet thereof different from said preselected spaced relationship of said air-type spray gun, said mounting means having a fluid passage and an air Passage therethrough, said air passage having an inlet disposed in said preselected relationship to said fluid passage and an outlet spaced from said inlet in said different spaced relationship of said airless-type spray gun to provide communication between said air delivery passage and said air pneumatic control inlet of said airless-type fluid spray gun when said fluid delivery passage is in communication with said fluid inlet thereof.

17. In a fluid spray apparatus having a supply arm, fluid supply means for supplying fluid, air supply means for supplying air at a preselected pressure and spray gun, quick-disconnect means for mounting said spray gun in said apparatus comprising: an adapter; means for mounting said adapter to said support; and means for readily removably mounting said spray gun to said adapter including a plate having a plurality of apertures, means connecting the spray gun to said plate in fluid transfer association with said apertures, and manually operable locking means for releasably securing said plate to said adapter, said adapter having a plurality of apertures, said locking means securing said plate to said adapter with said plate apertures in fluid transfer association with said adapter apertures, said fluid supply means being connected to one of said adapter apertures and said air supply means being connected to another of said adapter apertures.

18. The fluid spray apparatus of claim 17, wherein said locking means comprises a fixed shoulder on said adapter and manually movable means defining a movable shoulder adapted to cooperate with said fixed shoulder in locking said plate to said adapter, and threaded means for securing the movable shoulder means in plate locking position.