US3739949A

US3739949A - Door operated device for spraying a room

Info

Publication number: US3739949A
Application number: US00163255A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Chimer; G Richer
Original assignee: PREST HYGIA SA
Current assignee: PREST HYGIA SA
Priority date: 1970-07-20
Filing date: 1971-07-16
Publication date: 1973-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-19
Also published as: FR2128258A6

Abstract

A device for spraying a room in response to the opening or closing of a door comprises a holder for an aerosol can having an upper compartment carrying a pivotal lever which rests on the dispensing button of the aerosol can. A slide is carried in the compartment above the lever and it is arranged to project so as to be operated either upon the closing or the opening of a door. The housing for the aerosol can is adapted to be mounted on the door in a position at which operation of the aerosol spray will be effected by either the opening or the closing of the door in which the slide moves over the lever to cause it to move downwardly to operate the dispensing button for effecting the spray.

Description

United States Patent [191 Chimer et a1.

[ DOOR OPERATED DEVICE FOR SPRAYING A ROOM [75] Inventors: Francois Jean Chimer; Georges Richer, both of Nice, France [73] Assignee: S.A. PrestHygia,Principaute,

Monaco [22] Filed: July 16, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 163,255

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 19, 1973 3,595,444 7/1971 Chimer 222/180 3,662,958 7/1970 German 239/274 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 457,309 7/1968 Switzerland 1, 239/274 467,636 3/1967 Switzerland 239/274 Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Attorney-John .1. McGlew and Alfred E. Page [57] ABSTRACT A device for spraying a room in response to the opening or closing of a door comprises a holder for an aerosol can having an upper compartment carrying a pivotal lever which rests on the dispensing button of the aerosol can. A slide is carried in the compartment above the lever and it is arranged to project so as to be operated either upon the closing or the opening of a door. The housing for the aerosol. can is adapted to be mounted on the door in a position at which operation of the aerosol spray will be effected by either the opening or the closing of the door in which the slide moves over the lever to cause it to move downwardly to operate the dispensing button for effecting the spray.

11 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUN! 9575 PATENIEB J11!" 9373 sum-nor? PATiNIED- '3'.739.949

sun I 7 DOOR OPERATED DEVICE FOR SPRAYING A ROOM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION to dispense a jet of spray while when the door is opened there is no spraying effect. Devices of this kind have the disadvantage of requiring a precise adjustment in height between what is fixed to the door frame and what is fixed to the bracket containing the spray dispenser. Such devices must be installed with complicated interfitted operational parts so that the cost is rather high. In addition, the action of the weight of the door on its hinges often causes a slight gradual lowering of the level of the upper edge of the supporting bracket and the least modification of this level may disturb the initial adjustment and interfere with the functioning of the aerosol spray can. Lastly,the attachment of such devices to the door frame spoils its appearance and construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided a device which includes a mounting housing for an aerosol spray can which may be simply and easily attached in position for operation thereon by the opening or closing ofa door. The housing is such that the installation does not require precise adjustment but may be effected instantly and simply. The holder for the spray dispensing container includes a housing located directly over a centering recess for the aerosol dispensing button which pivotally supports an actuating lever for the button and a slideway which moves upon the opening or the closing of the door to deflect the lever to cause a dispensing of a spray of the liquid from the container. The slide is arranged so that it will be actuated when it strikes against the door frame or a portion adjacent the wall of the door which is operated.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for automatically spraying a room in response to the opening or closing of a door.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for actuating an aerosol spray container which includes a housing mounting the container in a position directly below a pivotal lever and which carries a slide member which moves backwardly and forwardly to actuate the lever and which is positionedfor operation either upon opening or closing of a door.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for effecting the automatic spraying of a room in response to the opening or closing of a door which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view indicating a door actuated device for mounting an aerosol spray container constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of slide for actuating the lever operating mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of slide;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a spray operating device installed on a door for operation when the door is closed;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the parts shown in the closed condition after operation;

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are views similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 in a construction in which the upper edge of the door overlaps the door frame;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing an embodiment of the invention in which the operation occurs when the door is open;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a holder for a spray operating device;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view indicating the installation of the holder for the device;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view of still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 12 in a closed operated position;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention with the device mounted on a hinge pin;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 but with the device shown in an opened position.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings in particular the invention embodied therein in FIGS. 1 to 7 comprises a device for holding an aerosol spray container in association with a door so that it may be operated either upon the opening or the closing of the door. The device includes a holder or housing S having a lower portion with a semi-cylindrical recess 1a which continues downwardly as a post portion lb ending in a supporting shoulder 2 at the lower end. An aerosol container or bomb B is adapted to be placed on the shoulder 2 and held within a desired operational position by a securing strap or collar 3 having one end with an opening 5a which is adapted to be secured in by a bolt threaded into a receiving recess 5 in a projecting side of the housing. The opposite end is provided with an engagement hook 3a which engages into a recess 4 having a plurality of locking projections behind which the hook portion 3a is engaged. The bomb B is positioned so an upper portion thereof is centered within a semi-cylindrical notch 7 in the top wall 8 of the housing S. The outer face of the housing S is advantageously mad-e with a flat portion which can apply flatly against the door P and be affixed there by screws extending through holes 9a and 9b or by gluing or other securing means.

The operating mechanism for the aerosol container B includes an operating lever or finger D having a pivot journal 3 extending outwardly therefrom which is journalled in an opening of a sidewall of an upper compartment portion T. The rear end of the lever D carries a stud 13 extending outwardly from each side for its articulation at the holder and the front carries an adjusting screw 15 which is adapted to rest on the push button of the aerosol container B. For operational purposes the upper surface of the lever D is provided with a protuberance forming a cam surface I.

The upper compartment or holder T includes side walls l0, l and an upper wall 11.

Ribs

12, 12 extend outwardly from each interior side adjacent the top thereof and form a slide for accommodating a slide member f. The slide f is constructed with a cutaway portion accommodating an eccentric roller m which is journalled therein and which is adapted to engage over the cam surface I during operation. The pivot journals 13 of the lever D fit into the notches 14 formed in the housing below the slide projections 12. These notches 14 are closed at their rear end either by the door upon which the device is mounted or by a metal mounting plate.

The device may be operated with either the slide C1 or the slide C2 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively. As

shown in FIG. 4 when the slide C1 is employed the operation of the device occurs when the door P is closed within the door frame H. The eccentric roller m is supported on a forked shaped end f and is prevented from oscillating in the direction which it would receive when the door closes, while it is free to oscillate in the direction of the opening of the door in order that this will be without effect on the push button of the bomb.

The slide Cl is brought back into its free position as shown in FIG. 4 by a spring R which is made of a stiff wire having one end blocked on the wall of the bridge T by a nut 20 which is screwed on a pin 16, which is threaded into a hole 17 of this wall. Its other bent end enters, after passage through a circular slot 18 in the wall, at the location 19 into a transverse hole of the slide Cl.

For doors opening into the room the slide has the form of the slide C1 shown in FIG. 2. In FIGS. 4 and 5 it is seen that the closing of the door by pushing in the direction of the arrow F causes the operation. When the door is open as shown in FIG. 4, the slide is held by the spring in a position in which it projects above the inner face of the door which will be flush when it is closed within the jamb H. The slide Cl is displaced in its slideway by the end c striking against the door frame H. This causes the roller m to engage the cam surface I of the finger D just prior to complete closing of the door, and it leaves this surface just before the complete closing as shown in FIG. 5. The bomb thus acts for only a short jet spray time and only in the direction of closing. Adjustment of the screw permits adjusting of the intensity of the jet spray. This system is therefore both efficient and economical.

If the door which opens inwardly as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, overlaps the door frame as shown, the slide will have the same form and will function in the same manner as before in respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5.

When the construction is such that the door will open out of the room, a slide such as C3 as shown in FIG. 3

will be provided putting the operation shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9. The slide C3 includes an upper portion with a stop member 21 which when the door is pulled in the direction of the arrow Fa to close it, strikes against the rabbet 22 of the doorcase to move in a direction toward the door upon which it is mounted rather than in the opposite direction as in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5. The operation of the roller m with the cam surface 11 is the same as in the other embodiment.

As indicated in FIGS. 10 and 11 there is shown a preferred mounting device for the dispensing of a liquid spray which includes a metal plate 23 having openings 9a and 9b corresponding to those of the holder, shown in FIG. 1, and which is affixed by screws or rivets to the back of the holder. The plate 23 is wider than the bridge T and it extends above the top of the ribs 12 leaving the slide passage free. The plate 23 carries a horizontal slot 24 at its upper end to accommodate a holding plate 25 which has an outer end 25a which extends downwardly beyond the door P. The assembly of the

plates

23 and 25 forms a hook which is hooked over the top of the door P. In order to permit the adaptation of the device to doors of different thicknesses the spacing between the plate 23 and the hook portion 25a is adjustable due to the interengagement of

arm portions

26,26 having teeth 27 forming notches therebetween which permit engagement with

tooth elements

28, 28 arranged at respective opposite ends of the slot 24. FIG. 11 shows the installation of the assembly on a door which opens inwardly. The plate 25 is made relatively thin and it does not hinder the closing of the door because there is always some clearance between the top of the door and the sash frame. In the case where a door opens outwardly as shown in FIG. 8 and 9, the device described in FlGS.10 and 11 may be applied by positioning the plate 25 in an inverted manner with the back wall 25a applied against the face of the door when arranged as shown in FIG. 8. The toothed arms 26 which project outwardly from the room blocked, for example, by clips which extend through the notches and bear against the outer face of the door.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 there is provided a holding device for actuating the aerosol container B which includes a cylindrical wall 41 which engages around a top shoulder b of the container and which includes an intermediate partition wall or diaphragm 42 having an opening through its center 40 to accommodate the push button 6 of the container B. The cylinder 41 is open at both ends and it is shaped at its lower edge as a peripheral engaging hook which hooks over the flange b of the container B. A tab 44 is formed, for example, as an extension of the partition wall 42 which forms an actuating lever for the push button 6.

The upper portion of the cylinder 41 is provided with through openings 45 to accommodate the arms 26 of a formed mounting bracket 25 which is adapted to be engaged on the top of a door. The cylinder 41 also has two openings 46 arranged diametrically opposite to accommodate a slider C, which is formed as a rod-like member with a support for the eccentrically operable roller m. The roller m engages the lever 44 to press it into engagement with the operating button 6 as in the other embodiment. A spring 33 is coiled around the rod-like slide c and has one end abutting against a collar portion 33a and an opposite end biased against the interior of the cylinder 41 to urge the slide 0' toward the right as shown in FIG. 12.

A device similar to that shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 may be mounted on a hinge of a door as shown in FIGS. 15 to 17. In such an arrangement the two plates 23 and.25 are replaced by a single plate 31 as shown in FIG. 15. The plate 31 is fixed to the holes 9a and 9b in the holder but arranged crosswise to provide a prolongation on each side forming a hinge for turning at 31a which encompasses the hinge pin 32. This hinge is fixed to the door on which it replaces the usual hinge. The slide C3 is a simple rod which passes through the cylinder 1' which forms the housing holding the container B. The return spring 33 located between the interior wall of the cylinder 1 and a shoulder 34 of the rod-like member C3 urges the rod to an engagement with the door. If the door opens inwardly the slide C3 is oriented to interengage the door frame in the same manner as the slides C1 and C2 in the other embodiments. FIGS. 16 and 17 show the manner in which the rod member C3 engages back against the door jamb H when the door is opened as shown in FIG.17. When the rod-like member C3 strikes against the door frame H the roller m engages the finger D or the operating tab 44 (as the case may be) to cause actuation of the push button 6 of the container B. The return spring 33 then brings the slider C3 back to its inoperative position.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will beunderstood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A door operated device for automatically operating an aerosol spray container with a movable operating spray button which is displaceable to permit the 'dispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprising housing means for holding a spray dispensing con tainer in aposition for association with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted on said housing, spring means urging said slider in a direction to position a portion thereof for engagement during the movement of the door, said slider being movable by the movement of the door in a direction opposite to the biasing of said spring, and lever member carried by said housing means at a location overlying the operating spray button and having a portion disposed in the path of movement of said slider and being deflectable by said slider to move the operating button to dispense the liquid spray; spring means for urging said slider in a direction to position a portionthereof for engagement during movement of the door, said slider being movable backwardly by said spring means to release said lever member; said spring means comprises a wire member, said housing including a bridge having a slot defined therein, said wire member being secured at its one end and extending through said slot of said bridge member into engagement with said slider.

2. A door operated device for automatically operat ing an aerosol spray container with a movable operating spray button which is displaceable to permit the dispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprising housing means for holding a spray dispensing container in a position for association with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted on said housing,

spring means urging said slider in a direction to position a portion thereof for engagement during the movement of the door, said slider being movable by the movement of the door in a direction opposite to the biasing of said spring, and a lever member carried by said housing means at a location overlying the operating spray button and having a portion disposed. inthe path of movement of said slider and being deflectable by said slider to move the operating button to dispense the liquid spray; said housing means includes a bridge overlying the actuating button and formed by two spaced parallel walls, said walls having inwardly extending ribs forming a slideway on which said slider is movable.

3. A door operated device according to claim 2, wherein said slider includes an outwardly projecting stop portion extending in a direction of the door jamb.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said stop portion extends in a direction upwardly from the top of the door in a position to engage in the door jamb to move in a direction against said biasing means towards said door when said door is closed.

5. A device according to claim 2, including means for mounting said housing means on a door. I

6. A device according to claim 2, including means for mounting said housing means on a door hinge including a plate member having a curved portion forming a hinge engageable over a hinge pin and being pivotal in respect thereto, said housing means being held by said hinge member.

7. A door operated device for automatically operating an aerosol spray container with a movable operating spray button which is displaceable to permit the dispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprising housing means for holding a spray dispensing container in a position for association with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted on said housing, spring means urging said slider in a direction to position a portion thereof for engagement during the movement of the door, said slider being movable by the movement of the door in a direction opposite to the biasing of said spring, and a lever member carried by said housing means at a location overlying the operating spray button and having a portion disposed in the path of movement of said slider and being deflectable by said slider to move the operating button to dispense the liquid spray; means for mounting said housing means on a door; said mounting means comprises a flat plate adapted to be secured to saidhouising means and being engageable over a face of the door, said plate having a slot extending therethrough and a hook plate engageable over the top of said door and being hookable thereto, and having an opposite end engageable through the slot of said flat plate, and locking means locking said hook plate to said flat plate.

8. A door operated .device for automatically operat ing an aerosol container with a movable operating spray button which is displaceable to permit the dispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprising housing means for holding a :spray dispensing container in a position for association with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted on said housing, spring means urging said slider in a direction to position a portion thereof for engagement during the movement of the door, said slider being movable by the movement of the door in a direction opposite to the biasing of said spring, and a lever member carried by said housing means at a location overlying the operating spray butber.

10. A device according to claim 8, wherein said cylindrical housing has an opening at each diametric side forming a slide support for said slider.

11. A device according to claim 10, including means mounting said housing means on a door comprising a plate which is adapted 'to be hooked over the door and has an opposite end with two leg portions which are spaced apart, said housing means comprising an opening in each side of said cylinder into which said leg portions of said hook member extend.

Claims

1. A door operated device for automatically operating an aerosol spray container with a movable operating spray button which is displaceable to permit the dispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprising housing means for holding a spray dispensing container in a position for association with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted on said housing, spring means urging said slider in a direction to position a portion thereof for engagement during the movement of the door, said slider being movable by the movement of the door in a direction opposite to the biasing of said spring, and lever member carried by said housing means at a location overlying the operating spray button and having a portion disposed in the path of movement of said slider and being deflectable by said slider to move the operating button to dispense the liquid spray; spring means for urging said slider in a direction to position a portion thereof for engagement during movement of the door, said slider being movable backwardly by said spring means to release said lever member; said spring means comprises a wire member, said housing including a bridge having a slot defined therein, said wire member being secured at its one end and extending through said slot of said bridge member into engagement with said slider.

2. A door operated device for automatically operating an aerosol spray container with a movable operating spray button which is displaceable to permit the dispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprising housing means for holding a spray dispensing container in a position for association with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted on said housing, spring means urging said slider in a direction to position a portion thereof for engagement during the movement of the door, said slider being movable by the movement of the door in a direction opposite to the biasing of said spring, and a lever member carried by said housing means at a location overlying the operating spray button and having a portion disposed in the path of movement of said slider and being deflectable by said slider to move the operating button to dispense the liquid spray; said housing means includes a bridge overlying the actuating button and formed by two spaced parallel walls, said walls having inwardly extending ribs forming a slideway on which said slider is movable.

5. A device according to claim 2, including means for mounting said housing means on a door.

7. A door operated device for automatically operating an aerosol spray container with a movable operating spray button which Is displaceable to permit the dispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprising housing means for holding a spray dispensing container in a position for association with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted on said housing, spring means urging said slider in a direction to position a portion thereof for engagement during the movement of the door, said slider being movable by the movement of the door in a direction opposite to the biasing of said spring, and a lever member carried by said housing means at a location overlying the operating spray button and having a portion disposed in the path of movement of said slider and being deflectable by said slider to move the operating button to dispense the liquid spray; means for mounting said housing means on a door; said mounting means comprises a flat plate adapted to be secured to said housing means and being engageable over a face of the door, said plate having a slot extending therethrough and a hook plate engageable over the top of said door and being hookable thereto, and having an opposite end engageable through the slot of said flat plate, and locking means locking said hook plate to said flat plate.

8. A door operated device for automatically operating an aerosol container with a movable operating spray button which is displaceable to permit the dispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprising housing means for holding a spray dispensing container in a position for association with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted on said housing, spring means urging said slider in a direction to position a portion thereof for engagement during the movement of the door, said slider being movable by the movement of the door in a direction opposite to the biasing of said spring, and a lever member carried by said housing means at a location overlying the operating spray button and having a portion disposed in the path of movement of said slider and being deflectable by said slider to move the operating button to dispense the liquid spray; said housing means comprises a cylincrical member of plastic material having an opening at each end with one end being engageable over the top of the container and including an intermediate wall therethrough having an opening through which the push button of the container extends.

9. A device according to claim 8, including a tab portion of said intermediate wall forming said lever member.

11. A device according to claim 10, including means mounting said housing means on a door comprising a plate which is adapted to be hooked over the door and has an opposite end with two leg portions which are spaced apart, said housing means comprising an opening in each side of said cylinder into which said leg portions of said hook member extend.