WO1992005106A1

WO1992005106A1 - Paint can lid and holder for airless sprayers

Info

Publication number: WO1992005106A1
Application number: PCT/US1991/006737
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen R. Townzen
Original assignee: Townzen Stephen R
Priority date: 1990-09-21
Filing date: 1991-09-19
Publication date: 1992-04-02
Also published as: AU8928891A

Abstract

A tool to secure containers of paint while serving as a hose support for airless paint sprayers and a carrying device for containers of paint used in conjunction with airless paint sprayers. A circular lid/top plate (2) is connected to a bottom plate (4) by connecting devices, securing a paint can between the plates. One connecting device is a coil spring (24) with a loop/hook (26). Another connecting device being a bolt (28) with a wing nut (32). A handle/hook (6) is incorporated into the lid (2). A gasket (8) on the underside of the lid (2) provides a seal. A suction tube (12) and a return tube (14) are incorporated into the lid (2). A suction tube (10) with a filter screen (16), extend downward from and are attached to the suction tube (12). Paint can lid and holder in figures 2, 4 and 6 incorporate a stirrer propeller (42) connected to a drive motor (40).

Description

PAINT CAN LID AND HOLDER FOR AIRLESS SPRAYERS

Backgroun —Field of Invention

This invention relates to domestic type airless paint sprayers and pertains to the method of containing paint for the sprayers.

Background—Description of Prior Art

Some domestic type airless paint sprayers have backpack containers to hold and supply paint for the spray gun, which they incorporate, while others have no container for this purpose and obtain paint directly from an open can of paint with a clip to hold their hoses to the rim of the paint can. Such airless sprayers which use clips to hold their hoses to the rim of a paint can do not adequately pre¬ vent spillage of paint while using the sprayer, and neither does this method provide a handle to hang the paint can on a ladder or set the paint can on objects such as furniture without the possibility of damaging the objects. Users regard this type of airless sprayer as unsatisfactory, not only for the above reasons, but because the sprayer hoses often come out of a paint can while in use, without the us¬ er being aware.

Another type of airless paint sprayer uses a backpack con¬ tainer for containing paint while using the sprayer and pro¬ vides no practical way to hang the paint can from a ladder. Users also regard this system as unsatisfactory because they must empty paint into the backpack container and the weight of the paint on one's back can be quite cumbersome while stooping or operating from a ladder.

A patent search was conducted for any invention which might be relevant to this invention and cited were some patents that actually had nothing to do with airless paint sprayers. U.S. patent 749,774 to H.R. Cooper, Sn. (1904) shows a paint spraying gun used in conjunction with a com¬ pressed air source and an open can of paint. U.S. patent 1,583,927 to W. Hersleb (1925) shows a device which is a container for liquids to be sprayed by a painting appliance. I see no relation of this device to airless paint sprayers. U.S. patent 2,228,861 to E.F. egener (1936) shows a device used in conjunction with compressed air painting systems and has nothing to do with airless paint sprayers. U.S. patent 2,481,813 to J.A. Bede (1947) shows a pressure operated con¬ tainer for liquids to be sprayed and is the type of contain¬ er commonly used with compressed air type sprayers. U.S. patent 4,405,088 to James . Gray (1983) shows a device used with siphon-type spray units and is entitled "Adapter For Disposable Cans For Siphon-Type Paint Guns." This device is to be connected directly to a spray gun and intended for use with compressed air type sprayers.

Most userε, therefore, would find it desirable to have a tool they could use with the domestic type airless paint sprayers that will contain paint adequately and allow the user to carry the paint and hang it from a ladder more easily, Objects and Advantages

Accordingly I claim the following as the objects and ad¬ vantages of the invention: to provide a tool used in con¬ junction with domestic type airless paint sprayers that will hold containers of paint, adequately sealing the liquid in¬ side the can, serving as a connector for the hoses from an airless sprayer, a carrying and hanging device for contain¬ ers of paint used with domestic airless paint sprayers, a device allowing the use of containers of paint without hav¬ ing to pour the contents of the can into a separate contain¬ er and a device that is easy to use and eliminates much of the mess associated with the use of domestic type airless paint sprayers. Readers will find further objects and ad¬ vantages of the invention from a consideration of the ensu¬ ing description and the accompanying drawings.

Drawing Figures:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective side view of a tool incorporating a lid/top plate and a bottom plate connected by coil springs according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective side view of a tool (the same as in fig. 1), with the addition of a stirrer propeller and shaft, drive motor and power cord with a switch according to the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective side view of a tool incorporating a lid/top plate and bottom plate connected by bolts according to the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective side view of a tool (the same as in fig. 3), with the addition of a stirrer propeller and shaft, drive motor and power cord with a switch according to the invention.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective side view of a tool with a single lid with stationary clamps and swivel latches according to the invention.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective side view of a tool (the same as in fig. 5), with the addition of a stirrer propeller and shaft, drive motor and power cord with a switch according to the invention.

Drawing Reference Numerals:

2 lid/top plate

4 bottom plate

6 handle/hook

8 gasket

10 suction hose

12 suction tube

14 return tube

16 suction screen

18 retainer clip

20 rubber feet

22 tubing cover cap

24 coil spring

26 loop/hook

28 bolt

30 U hook

32 wing nut

34 stationary clamp

36 swivel latch

38 latch lever

40 drive motor

42 propeller

44 propeller lock nut

46 propeller shaft

48 shaft collar

50 power cord

52 switch

54 power cord clamp

56 connecting shaft Description— Figs 1 to 6

Figs. 1 through 4 show a perspective side view of a typical embodiment of the tool employing a lid/top plate 2 and a bottom plate 4 (both preferably made of aluminum) attached to each other by the use of connecting devices. Rubber feet 20 are attached to the underside of the bottom plate 4 and are equally spaced near the perimeter of the bottom plate 4. Fig. 1 and fig. 2 show the lid 2 and the bottom plate 4 con¬ nected to each other by coil springs 24. One end of each coil is attached to the bottom plate 4. All of the springs are equally spaced near the perimeter of the bottom plate 4. A loop hook 26 connects the opposite end of each coil spring 24 through holes in the lid 2 near the perimeter of the lid and all of the loop/hooks are equally spaced as with the bottom plate 4. Fig. 3 and fig. 4 show the lid 2 and the bottom plate 4 connected to each other by bolts 28. One end of each bolt is attached to the bottom plate through holes drilled in the bottom plate near the perimeter of the bottom plate 4 by U hooks 30 that tie around the outer edge of the bottom plate. Four notches equally spaced in the perimeter of the lid 2 accomodate the opposite ends of the bolts 28 and wing nuts 32 supplied for securing the lid 2.

Figs 1 through 6 show a polyethelene gasket 8 glued to the underside of the lid 2, and a handle/hook 6 protrudes from the upper surface of the lid 2 and is attached through a hole in the center of the lid by a nut at both the upper and lower surfaces of the lid 2. A tube 12 protrudes from both the upper and lower surfaces of, and perpendicular to the flat surfaces of the lid 2. The tube 12 extends about 2 cm in both directions and serves as a connector for the suction hose from an airless sprayer and for the suction hose 10 which is fitted with a suction screen 16 by a retaining clip 18 under the lower side of the lid 2, perpendicular to the flat surfaces of the lid and extends about 2 cm and con¬ nects the return hose from an airless sprayer to the lid. Cover caps 22 are supplied to cover the openings of the tubes 12 and 14 when the tool is disconnected from an airless sprayer.

Fig. 5 and fig. 6 show a perspective side view of a version of the tool without the incorporation of a bottom plate. This version incorporates two stationary clamps 34 placed on the underside and on one half of the lid 2. Two swivel latches 36 on the underside of the other half of the lid 2 are con¬ nected to two latch levers 38 on the. upper surface of the lid by connecting shafts 56. The combination of the station¬ ary clamps 34, and swivel latches 36, latch levers 38 and connecting shafts 56 is used to attach the lid 2 to the up¬ per, inner rim of a 1 gal. can.

Figs. 2, 4 and 6 show the tool with an accompanying stirrer propeller 42 connected to a drive motor 40 by a propeller shaft 46 which is connected to the drive motor by a shaft collar 48. A power cord 50 is a Y shaped cord and supplies power to drive motor and the airless spray unit. A power cord clamp 54 secures the power cord to the lid 2 and an on- off switch is provided for the drive motor. The portion of the power cord that supplies power to the airless sprayer terminates into a female receptacle.

Operation of Tools in Figs. 1 through 6

Operation of Tool in Fig. 1: open 1 gal. can of paint is placed and centered on bottom plate 4. The lid/top plate 2 is placed and centered over the paint can with its spring holes, located near the perimeter of the lid 2 and equally spaced, approx. aligned with the four coil springs attached to the bottom plate and outsiόe the perimeter of the_. paint can. With one hand on top of the lid 2, and exerting slight down pressure, lift one of the loop/hooks 26 above the lid and lower the hook portion of the loop/hook into the corres¬ ponding spring hole in the lid 2. With pressure still applied to the lid, attach the loop/hook on the opposite side of the paint can to its corresponding spring hole in the lid. With no more pressure required on the lid, hook remaining two loop/hooks 26 to the lid 2. Attach hoses from an airless sprayer to the suction tube 12 and the return tube 14 on the upper side of the lid, with the larger suction hose of the sprayer connected to the suction tube 12. The paint can lid/ holder is now properly attached to the can and ready to use.

Operation of Tool in Fig. 2: The procedure for using this tool is the same as that described in the operation of the tool in fig. 1, with additional procedures for using the mot¬ orized paint stirrer. To uεe the paint stirrer, plug an ex- tention cord into the male electrical connection provided for on the power cord 50. The paint stirrer and airless paint sprayer are now ready to use.

Operation of Tool in Fig. 3: Open 1 gal. can of paint is placed and centered on bottom plate 4. The lid/top plate 2 is placed and centered over the paint can with the bolt notches on the perimeter of the lid 2 aligned with the four bolts 28 attached to the bottom plate 4, and extending up¬ ward outside the perimeter of the paint can. With the wing nuts 32 on the upper end of the bolts backed off sufficient¬ ly to clear the upper surface of the lid 2, one by one push the bolts 28 into the notches in the perimeter of the lid 2 and run the wing nuts 32 down to the lid, snug, but not overly tight. With all of the wing nuts in place and snug, continue tightening all of the wing nuts sufficiently to insure an adequate seal to contain the liquid in the paint can and to prevent movement of the paint can within the tool. Attach hoses from an airless sprayer to the suction tube 12 and the return tube 14 on the upper side of the lid, with the larger βuction hose of the sprayer connected to the suc¬ tion tube 12. The paint can lid/holder is now properly at¬ tached to the can and ready to use.

Operation of Tool in Fig. 4: The procedure for using this tool is the same as that described in the operation of tool in fig. 3 and the additional procedure for operating the motorized paint stirrer is the same as that described in the operation of tool in fig. 2.

Operation of Tool in Fig. 5: Hold the lid 2 over and close to an opened 1 gal. can of paint with the stationary clamps 34 inside the perimeter of the upper rim of the paint can just enough to clear the inner circumference of the paint can rim. With the swivel latches 36 turned counter clockwise, approx. parallel with, and just outside or the paint can perimeter, slide the stationary clamps with the beveled leading edge under the inside, top rim of the paint can and let the lid 2 sit, centered, on top of the paint can. With latch levers 38 in the up position, turn the latch levers clockwise and push them down. Attach hoses from an airless sprayer to the suction tube 12 and return tube 14 on the up- perside of the lid 2 with the larger suction hose connected to the suction tube 12. The paint can lid/holder is now pro¬ perly attached and ready to use.

Operation of Tool in Fig. 6: The procedure for using this tool is the same as that described in the operation of tool in fig. 5 and the additional procedure for operating the mo¬ torized paint stirrer is the same as that described in the operation of tool in fig. 2.

Summary, Ramifications and Scope

Accordingly, the reader will Bee that the paint can lid and holder of the invention provides a fast and easy way to con¬ tain containers of paint while using in conjunction with domestic type airless paint sprayers and allows the user to carry and hang the tool and not have to worry about spilling the contents of the can.

The tool has been illustrated and described with a variety of connecting devices to attach the tool to a paint can. Other devices could be used to serve this purpose. For ex¬ ample, the coil spring could incorporate the loop/hook into its manufacture, a strap with levers could be used in place of springs or bolts, etc. and the latch levers could be sta¬ tionary to the connecting shaft with a spring between the latch levers and lid. The plates could be molded and not nec¬ essarily be flat. An elastic material could be used in place of springs, etc.

Claims

Claims: I claim:

1. A tool for containing, carrying and hanging a container of liquid used in conjunction with airless paint sprayers and stirring the contents of said container comprising: a lid of rigid material with a gasket on the under¬ side of said lid, a tubular filtering device extending down¬ ward from said underside of said lid made to lie on the bot¬ tom of said container and terminating into a screen, a plur¬ ality of tubular hose connecting fittings attached through said lid as means for connecting hoses from said paint spray¬ er and said filtering device and a drive motor with a current controlling switch and power cord mounted on said upperside of said lid connected to a bladed rotational stirring device below said underside of said lid by a drive shaft. means of constricting said lid over said container consisting of fastening members.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein said handle is large enough as means to carry said tool with one's full hand and hang said tool from the rung of a ladder.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein said screen is tubular in shape.

4. The tool of claim 1 wherein said fastening members of one version of said tool comprise stationary clamps on said un¬ derside of said lid by connecting shafts passing through holes made perpendicular to the flat surfaces of and in said lid.

5. The tool of claim 4 wherein said fastening members of one version of said tool comprise a bottom plate approximately the size of said lid,, made to underlie said container with rigid elongated members of adequate strength hingingly con¬ nected and equally spaced near the perimeter of and to said bottom plate and made to slip into notches in the perimeter of said lid and threadedly joined with securing members at their upper end as means for securing said container between said lid and said bottom plate.

6. The tool of claim 5 wherein said elongated members of one version of said tool comprise stretchable, resilient material with means of lifting said material to attach it to holes equally spaced near the perimeter of and in said lid.

7. A tool for holding, carrying and hanging a container of liquid used in conjunction with airless paint spraying sys¬ tems comprising: a lid of rigid material with a gasket on the under¬ side of said lid, a handle protruding from the upperside of said lid, a suction hose extending below said underside of said lid, made to lay on the bottom of said container with a filtering screen attached to its lower end, a plurality of hose connectors attached through said lid at a perpendicular angle to the flat surfaces of said lid as means for connect¬ ing the hoses of said airless sprayer through said upperside of said lid and said suction hose to said underside of said lid and a plurality of fastening members as means to secure said lid to the top of said container. means of stirring contents of said container com¬ prising a stirrer propeller below said underside of said lid connected to a drive shaft through a hole in said lid to a drive motor mounted to said upperside of said lid equipped with a current controlling switch and electrical power cord.

8. The tool of claim 7 wherein said handle is large enough as means for manually carrying said tool and hanging said tool on objects including the rung of a ladder.

9. The tool of claim 7 wherein said filtering screen is of tubular shape.

10. The tool of claim 7 wherein said fastening members of said tool comprise stationary clamps on said underside of said lid and swivel latches on the underside of said lid con- nected by connecting shafts passing through holes in said lid to latch levers on the upperside of said lid.

11. The tool of claim 7 wherein said fastening members com¬ prise a bottom plate approximately the size of said lid with resilient material on its underside as means to set said tool softly upon objects, made to underlie said container with rigid elongated members of adequate strength hingingly connected and equally spaced near the perimeter of and to said bottom plate and made to slip into notches in the per¬ imeter of said lid and threadedly joined with securing mem¬ bers at their upper end as means for securing said container between said lid and said bottom plate.

12. The tool of claim 11 wherein said elongated members com¬ prise stretchable, resilient material with means for lifting said material to attach it to holes equally spaced near the perimeter of and in said lid.