MXPA98008666A - Paint gun that includes a la device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable spray gun for applying a coating to a surface, characterized in that it comprises: a housing that includes a handle and defines an interior, a nozzle mounted in the housing for discharging the coating, and a device for generating a coating. light arranged inside the housing and including a light emitting arrangement or source for communicating a light beam from the light generating device, externally of the housing and towards the surface, wherein the light emitting arrangement defines a pair of sites of light emission, spaced one from the other in the housing and operable to communicate a light stop, non-parallel, externally from the housing and towards the surface

Description

PAINT GUN INCORPORATING OR LASER DEVICE BACKGROUND AND COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to spray painting systems and 'more' particularly to a spray paint optimization system which can reduce paint waste and improve the efficiency of the paint. operator applying paint or other coating to a surface. Paint spray guns are sprayed from a nozzle with compressed air on a surface to be painted. In order to optimize the quality of the finish of the painted surface, it is important to keep the spray gun in an optimal position with respect to the surface. More importantly, the distance of the nozzle from the surface and the angle of the spray paint to the surface must be carefully controlled in order to apply the paint to the surface in a manner that minimizes paint waste and maximizes efficiency when applying paint to the surface, while maintaining the proper thickness of applied paint. The patent application of the U.S.A. Copendent Series No. 08 / 504,370 filed on July 19 of 1995 (now U.S. Patent No. issued in ____) granted to the same assignee as the present application, describes a system for optimization of spray paint, optics, wherein a Laser device is mounted along a spray gun. The laser device emits a divided beam that converges towards the surface. The operator places the spray gun in such a way that the light beams converge at a single point of light on the surface, to provide. a visual indication if the nozzle is at a pre-determined distance from the surface. The point of convergence of the light beams can be adjusted to provide the optimum distance of the nozzle from the surface to adjust to varying conditions of the operator and paint characteristics. The patent application of the U.S.A. copending Serial No. 08 / 658,935 filed May 30, 1996, also owned by the same assignee as the present application, discloses an optical feedback system using a laser device mounted along a spray gun, wherein the light from the laser is reflected from the surface and received by one or more optical detectors or power devices interconnected with a processor. The optical power devices provide processor power signals that are used to provide real-time indication to the operator as to the position of the nozzle, to allow the operator to position the nozzle and apply the paint in a manner that minimizes waste and maximize the efficiency in applying the paint of the surface. The optical feed devices can also supply raw data to a processor or computer after the painting operation, to analyze total efficiency and compliance with standards or other operational parameters. The descriptions of the applications previously referred to herein are incorporated by reference. As stated above, a beam of light, such as a beam emitted by a laser, can be effectively employed in combination with a paint spray system in order to optimize the application of the paint to the surface. Past efforts have involved mounting a laser device to the spray gun in a somewhat retroactive manner, typically at a site adjacent to the nozzle portion of the spray gun. This assembly of the laser device moves the total center of gravity of the structure when compared to that of a spray gun without a laser device, and to which an operator is accustomed. The operator must compensate by adjusting his grip on the gun and the movements used to move the gun when the paint is applied to the surface. An object of the present invention is to incorporate a light emitting device such as a laser device in a spray gun without any effect significant in the total center of gravity of the spray gun. A further objective of the invention is to incorporate a laser-type light emitting device into the spray gun housing, without significantly altering the overall configuration of the spray gun. Still another object of the invention is to incorporate a laser-type light emitting device in a spray gun and emit a pair of converging light beams from the spray gun to the surface, to provide a reference in positioning the spray gun with respect to the surface. According to the invention, a portable spray gun, for applying a coating on a surface, includes a housing having a handle and defining an interior. A nozzle is mounted in the housing to discharge liquid coating from the spray gun. A light generating device is placed inside the housing and includes a light emitting source for communicating a light beam from the light generating device externally in the housing. The housing defines a leading end and a trailing end. The handle is located towards the rear end of the housing, and the nozzle is located toward the front end of the housing. The light generating device is preferably located towards the rear end of the housing and the light emitting source is preferably locate towards the front end of the housing. The light generating device preferably includes a pair of light emitting sources to emit a pair of light beams towards the surface. A first of the light emitting sources is preferably located towards the front end of the housing and a second of the light emitting sources is preferably located rearward of the first light emitting source. In a preferred form, the first light emitting source is located to emit a beam of light from a site immediately adjacent the nozzle. The pair of light emitting sources is arranged to emit a pair of light beams that converge in a direction towards the surface from the spray gun, to allow a user to evaluate the position of the spray gun with respect to the surface when observing the distance between the two beams of light. An adjustment mechanism is associated with one of the light emitting sources, to adjust the angle at which the light beams converge, to allow a user to calibrate the distance of the spray gun from the surface when the light beams match. on the surface. The invention also contemplates an interruption mechanism, to selectively prevent emission of one of the light beams, in such a way that the other light emitting source emits a single beam of light towards the surface of the light generating device. This allows a user to provide a reference to the surface, when it is desired to apply the coating on the surface in points. In one embodiment, the interrupting mechanism is in the form of a closing door member, mounted in the housing and movable between an open position wherein the second light emitting source emits a light beam from the housing, and a position closed where the door prevents the light beam from the second light emitting source from being discharged from the housing, one of the light emitting sources is located immediately adjacent to the nozzle and an interrupting mechanism is associated with the other of the light emitting sources, such that the single beam of light emitted from the spray gun emanates from a site adjacent to the nozzle. The invention also contemplates an improvement in a spray gun, which includes a housing, substantially as stated in the previous paragraph. Various other characteristic objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings illustrate a better mode currently contemplated for carrying out the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a paint spray gun, incorporating a light emitting device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the paint spray gun of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial elevation view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a partial side elevational view showing the door member, in a closed position to prevent emission of one of the light beams. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 illustrates a spray gun 10 constructed in accordance with the invention. The spray gun 10 uses compressed air to spray a coating, such as paint, from a nozzle 12 onto a surface or object that is coated (not shown). In general, the spray gun 10 includes a housing defining a spray head section 14 that extends forward from a box-like body section 16. A handle 18 in the shape of a hand grip extends downwardly. from the body section 16. The spray head section 14, the body section 16 and the handle 18, define an interior to the spray paint housing 10. In a manner as is known, a paint supply accessory 20 is mounted on the lower end of the handle 18 by a clamp, to supply paint from a supply of paint (not shown) to the spray head section 14 through a tube 22 and an accessory 24. An accessory for compressed air inlet 26 is also interconnected with the lower end of the handle 18 by a clamp, for supplying compressed air to the body section 16. A trigger or trigger 28 is pivotally mounted to the body section 16 by a pin 30 and is operable to control the position of a valve plunger 32, to selectively discharge air under pressure from the body section 16 in the spray head section 14 for mixing with paint from the supply tube 22, with the mixture discharged through the nozzle 12 on a surface to be coated. The body section 16 includes a vertical hook 34 which allows the spray gun 10 to hang for storage when not in use. Control levers as illustrated at 36, are mounted at the rear end of the body section 16 to turn the spray gun 10 off and on and to control the flow of pressurized air through the body section 16 when press the trigger 28. According to the present invention, a light generating source 38 is incorporated in the housing body section 16. The light generating source 38 can be any satisfactory device for generating an intense beam of light and in a preferred modality, it can be a class II diode laser. A control area 39 is provided at the rear end of the housing body section 16, to provide on / off and control intensity for the light generating source 38, and to control other operating conditions and functions as desired. A pair of fiber optic cables 40, 42 are interconnected with and extend forwardly from the light generating source 38 within the housing body section 16. The cable 40 extends forwardly of the housing body section 16, through the spray head section 14, and ends at the forward end of the spray head section 14. An opening 44 (Figure 2) is formed in the nozzle 12, to allow the light beam, which is emitted from the end of the fiber optic cable 40, passes through the nozzle 12 and advances towards the surface being painted. Similarly, the fiber optic cable 42 extends upward from the housing body section 16 through a passage formed in the vertical hook 34. A box 46 is provided at the upper end of the hook 34, a fiber cable optical 42 extends within the case 46. An aperture in the shape of a slot 48 is formed in the forward end of the case 46, to allow the beam of light emitted by the fiber optic cable 42 to be emitted from the box 46 forward in the direction of the surface to be painted. In a known manner, the laser source 38 generates a simple light beam that is divided according to conventional technology, and the divided beams are emitted from the laser source 38 to the fiber optic cables 40, 42. As illustrated in Figure 1, the fiber optic cable 40 and the aperture 42 are arranged such that the light beam emitted by the fiber optic cable 40, illustrated at 50, is emitted from the spray gun 10. in a direction parallel to the direction in which the coating is discharged from the nozzle 12 towards the surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the discharge direction of the light beam 50 relative to the spray gun 10 is established. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the fiber optic cable 42 and the slot 48 are constructed and disposed in such a way that the light beam, shown at 52, emitted by the fiber optic cable 42, is oriented at an angle with respect to the light beam 50, such that the light beams 50, 52 converge towards the surface Each of the light beams 50, 52 forms a point of light on the surface, and the operator uses the distance between the points of light to judge the distance of the spray gun 10 and its nozzle 12 from the surface. is established in the co-pending patent application of. the U.S. No. 08 / 504,370, the angle between the light beams 50, 52 is such that when the light points on the surface of the beams 50, 52 converge at a single point, the distance of the nozzle 12 from the surface It is optimal to apply paint on the surface with minimal waste. With reference to Figure 3, an adjustment knob 54 is rotatably mounted to a side wall of the casing 46 and an arrow 56 extends from the knob 54 to the interior of the casing 46. A collar 58 is mounted at the end of the casing. arrow 56, and fiber optic cable 42 extends through collar 58. Operator can rotate knob 54, to rotate arrow 56 and collar 58, which in turn operate to adjust the angle at which it is emitted the light beam 52 of the box 46. The slot 48 is constructed to allow light beam emission 52 through its range of angular positions relative to the box 146. Calibrations are provided in the outer side wall of the box 46 to which the knob 54 is mounted, to allow a user to calibrate the angle adjustment; of the light beam 52 relative to the spray gun 10. In this way, the user can adjust the discharge angle of the light beam 52 according to the operating conditions and paint characteristics, such that the distance of the gun of dew 10 from the surface on which the light beams 50, 52 converge on the surface, can be adjusted according to said conditions. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, a movable door 60 is mounted on the upper wall of the box 46 by a hinge structure 62. The door 60 is movable between an open position as illustrated in Figure 1, and a closed position as illustrated in Figure 4. In a preferred form, a retainer structure is provided between the door 60 and the upper wall of the box 46, to hold the door 60 in its open position, and is provided between the door 60 and the front wall of the box 46, to keep the door 60 in its closed position. When the door 60 is in its open position, the light beam 52 is emitted from the slot 48, as stated above. When the door 60 is in its closed position of Figure 4, the door 60 prevents the light beam 52 from issuing from the slot 48, so that only the light beam 50 is emitted from the spray gun 10. towards the surface. In this way, the light beam 50 functions to provide a reference on the user's surface, which is useful when it is painted by applying dots at a desired location on the surface.1 Since the light beam 50 is emitted in a parallel direction to the spray direction from the spray gun 10, the point on the surface of the light beam 50 provides a reliable reference to the user as to the location in the surface on which the paint will be applied from the nozzle 12. It is understood that the light generating source 38 can be any light source and is not limited to a laser type source. In addition, the light source and the spray gun can be constructed in such a way that the light beams 50 and 52 emanate from other places in the spray gun 10 towards the surface, and is not limited to the locations illustrated. For example, additional projections may be formed at other locations in the spray gun 10, to receive the end of the fiber optic cable and discharge a beam of light towards the surface. In this way it can be seen that the invention incorporates a light source system in the spray gun, without affecting the general configuration of the spray gun and without affecting the center of gravity of the spray gun. The spray gun in this way can be used by an operator without modifying existing techniques, and allows the operator to increase their efficiency in applying paint by accurately judging the distance of the spray gun from the surface. Various alternatives and modalities are contemplated within the scope of the following claims, particularly pointing out and claiming in a distinctive manner the matter that is considered as the invention.

Claims (19)

1. - A portable spray gun for applying a coating to a surface, characterized in that it comprises: a housing that includes a handle and defines an interior; a nozzle mounted in the housing to discharge the coating; and a light generating device disposed within the housing that includes a light emitting source for communicating a light beam from the light generating device, externally to the housing and to the surface.

2. - The spray gun according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing defines a front end and a rear end, wherein the handle is located towards the rear end and the nozzle is located towards the front end.

3. The spray gun according to claim 1, characterized in that the light generating device is located towards the rear or rear end of the housing and the light emitting source is located toward the front end of the housing.

4. - The spray gun according to claim 3, characterized in that the light emitting source is located adjacent to the nozzle.

5. - The spray gun according to claim 3, characterized in that the housing defines a box-like portion adjacent to its end further, wherein the light generating device is disposed within the box-like portion and wherein the handle interconnects with and extends downward from the box-like portion.

6. - The spray gun according to claim 2, characterized in that the light generating device includes a pair of light emitting sources, to communicate a pair of light beams externally to the housing and to the surface.

7. The spray gun according to claim 6, characterized in that a first of the light emitting sources is located towards the front end of the housing and where a second of the light emitting sources is located rearward of the front end. of the accommodation.

8. - The spray gun according to claim 7, characterized in that the first of the light emitting sources is located to emit a beam of light from a location immediately adjacent to the nozzle.

9. - The spray gun according to claim 6, characterized in that the pair of light emitting sources are arranged to emit a pair of light beams converging to each other in a direction towards the surface of the spray gun.

10. - The spray gun according to claim 9, characterized in that it also comprises an adjustment mechanism "" associated with one of the light emitting sources, to adjust the angle at which the light beams converge.

11. The spray gun according to claim 1, characterized in that the light generating device includes a pair of light emitting sources, to emit a pair of light beams towards the surface.

12. The spray gun according to claim 11, characterized in that it also comprises an interruption mechanism, to selectively prevent emission of one of the light beams, so that a single beam of light is emitted towards the surface from the light generating device.

13. - The spray gun according to claim 12, characterized in that the single light beam is emitted in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the coating is discharged from the nozzle, to provide a reference for applying the coating on the surface.

14. - The spray gun according to claim 13, characterized in that the light source from which the simple light beam is emitted, is located immediately adjacent to the nozzle.

15. - The spray gun according to claim 12, characterized in that the pair of light emitting sources are arranged to emit a pair of light beams converging towards the surface from the spray gun and further comprises an adjustment mechanism associated with one of the light emitting sources, to adjust the angle at which the light beams converge.

16. - In a spray gun including a housing defining an interior and a nozzle mounted in the housing, to apply a liquid coating to a surface, the improvement characterized in that it comprises a light generating device arranged within the housing and including a light emitting source for communicating a light beam from the light generating device externally to the housing towards the surface.

17. The improvement according to claim 16, characterized in that the light generating device includes a pair of light emitting sources, to communicate a pair of light beams from the light generating device externally to the housing towards the surface.

18. The improvement according to claim 17, characterized in that the pair of light emitting sources are constructed and arranged in such a way that the pair of light beams converge towards the surface from the spray gun.

19. - The improvement according to claim 17, characterized in that it also comprises an interruption mechanism, which selectively prevents emission of one of the light beams in such a way that the light generating device functions to emit a single beam of light towards the surface .