Abstract: The seal (10) for a spray gun (20) is tubular in form and molded from an elastomer. The seal is placed in compression between two generally parallel surfaces (12) so as to seal out the fluid (such as paint) from the rod (14). As the trigger (16) is pulled and the rod (14) moved rearward, the seal (10) bulges to accommodate the travel without exposing the rod (14) to the fluid.

Abstract: An anvil assembly for a fiber roving chopper comprises an annular roller and an annular anvil wheel. The annular roller comprises an inner diameter surface with a plurality of dovetails, and an outer diameter surface comprising a deformable material. The annular anvil wheel comprises an inner diameter surface forming a central bore for mounting the anvil assembly in the fiber roving chopper, and an outer diameter surface extending between a first end and a second end and having a plurality of dovetail slots that receive the plurality of dovetails.

Abstract: A blade cartridge for a fiber roving chopper comprises an annular support and a plurality of blade holders. Each of the plurality of blade holders comprises a main body portion, a first end, a second end, and a blade. The first end of the main body portion is connected to the annular support. The second end of the main body portion is opposite the first end such that the main body portion is cantilevered from the annular support. The blade is integrally seated in the main body portion and extends between the first end and the second end. In a further embodiment of the invention, the main body portion of the blade holder includes first and second end notches that extend through the main body portion and the blade.

Abstract: A hybrid heater that includes a structural mass into which passages are provided to create a labyrinth for chemical flow through the structural mass, the passages being sized and disposed to receive a plurality of heater rods such that the chemical is traversed through the passages in direct contact with the heater rods. A coiled spring may be disposed or other spiral arrangement provided in the space between and against the walls of the passages and the heater rod to facilitate flow uniformity around the rods. A temperature sensor may be provided in direct contact with the heating element and may be fitted with a mass sleeve to draw off any excess heat on the sensor during transitions.

Abstract: A valve comprises a valve cartridge, a valve stem and a valve seal. The valve cartridge comprises a generally cylindrical cartridge body, a bore extending longitudinally through the cartridge body, and an outlet passage and intermittent inlet passages extending through a side wall of the cartridge body to intersect the bore. The valve stem comprises an elongate body configured to slide within the bore, and a neck and a seal channel circumscribing the elongate body. The valve seal is seated within the seal channel. The valve stem slides within the bore to move the seal channel past the inlet passages. Portions of the cartridge body between the inlet passages retain the valve seal within the valve channel until the inlet passages are open to the neck. In one embodiment, the inlet passages form a crenelated edge. In another embodiment, the inlet passages form a ported end.

Abstract: In a propulsion unit having a hydrostatic drive, a pair of pedals 14 are clamped to the axle 12 in such a manner as to be comfortably positioned for the feet of the operator. The angular position of each pedal 14 relative to the axle 12 may be adjusted such that the two pedals 14 may have different angular orientations if desired. One pedal 14 may be comfortably positioned for directing forward motion of the vehicle while the other may be more comfortable for reverse motion. Set screws 16 are accessed through holes 14a in pedals 14 from above.

Abstract: A hand-held flow metering device for dispensing a pressurized fluid comprises a valve, a flow meter, a trigger lever, a trigger release mechanism and meter electronics. The valve is connected to the pressurized fluid to regulate flow of the pressurized fluid through the device. The flow meter is disposed within the flow of pressurized fluid to measure volumetric flow of the pressurized fluid. The trigger lever is configured to be manually displaced to mechanically open the valve. The trigger release mechanism is connected to the trigger lever and is selectively actuated to mechanically prevent the trigger lever from opening the valve when the trigger lever is displaced. The meter electronics is connected to the flow meter and the trigger release mechanism to actuate the trigger release mechanism based on output of the flow meter.

Abstract: The screed box (12) rides coplanar to the road surface (14) by pivoting independently of the thermo striper machine (16). This allows the user to create more uniform lines and reduces unsightly pooling of thermoplastic caused by “rocking” of the screed box (12). A machined shaft (18) attached to the screed box (12) pivots in the pre-tensioned mounting bracket (20) on the thermo striper (16). The screed box (12) pivots axially in this mount (20) when it travels over a surface (14), which may be non-coplanar to the plane created by the three wheel points on the thermo striper (16) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. To remove the screed die (12), the pivot mount (20) is relieved of spring (24) tension by pressing down by hand or foot the handle (22) mounted to the pivot (20).

Abstract: A method of cleaning and flushing a fast-set material spray gun 10 is disclosed which uses, in the preferred embodiment, a mixture of approximately 62.5% DMSO, 32.5% DBE and 5% water. This mixture 12 is non-toxic when atomized and lowers the freezing point of the liquid to below 10° F. Because the solvent is mixed with the purge air and expelled from the gun in atomized form, it is important that a non-toxic solvent be utilized and also important that the freezing point of the mixture be low enough to allow use in colder climates without freezing.

Abstract: A thermoplastic line striper has a shift box assembly (10) which guides the screed box (12) and bead dispenser box (14) to following positions: 1) the deployed position where the screed box (12) is down and screed gate (18) is open and the bead box dispenser wheel is engaged; 2) non-deployed and down on ground where the screed box (12) is down, the screed gate (18) is closed and the bead box (14) dispenser wheel is disengaged; and 3) non-deployed and raised off the ground where the screed box (12) is raised up, the screed gate (18) is closed and the bead box dispenser (14) wheel is disengaged. In this third position, the stick shift (20) is locked for transport mode by hooking it behind hook (22) in shift plate (24).

Abstract: A modular platen assembly comprises an annular hub, a wiper ring assembly and a coupling ring. The annular hub is for connecting to a ram of an inductor pump. The wiper ring assembly includes an annular wiper for sealing with a container. The coupling ring is independently joined to the hub and the wiper ring assembly at first and second connections, respectively.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device comprises a housing body, a reciprocating piston fluid pump, a primary drive element, a wobble assembly and a spray tip. The reciprocating piston fluid pump has a piston disposed within a pumping chamber inside the housing body. The primary drive element is coupled to the housing body to provide a rotary input. The wobble assembly connects the primary drive element to the reciprocating piston fluid pump to convert the rotary input into reciprocating input to the piston. The spray tip connects to an outlet of the pumping chamber.

Abstract: A cup for an air valve assembly in a positive displacement pneumatic motor includes a cup body, a gas cavity, and a first pilot slot. The cup body is rectilinear and has a sliding face as one side, and the gas cavity is concave and extends into the cup body through the sliding face and terminates within the cup body. The first pilot slot extends from the gas cavity and into the cup body through the sliding face and terminates within the cup body.

Abstract: An air-driven dual diaphragm pump comprises a pump body with a first air passage leading to a first air cavity with a first diaphragm, a second air passage leading to a second air cavity with a second diaphragm, and a reciprocating shaft which connects the first and second diaphragms. A diaphragm installation tool for the dual diaphragm pump comprises a plate which fits atop the pump body. A groove in a surface of the plate opposite from and nonadjacent to the pump body extends from the location of the first air passage to the location of the second air passage. A hole located within the groove at the location of either the first air passage or the second air passage extends through the plate. Pressurized air entering the pump body is redirected by the groove and the hole to always enter the first air passage, rather than the second, thereby slowly filling the first air cavity and positioning the second diaphragm for installation.

Abstract: An air operated pump (10) uses a magnet (14) mounted in the valve cup (16) of the air motor (18) and two reed sensors (20) mounted in the valve cover (22) to monitor the speed and position of the valve (16). A solenoid (24) is mounted on the valve cover (22) and can be commanded to extend a plunger (26) into the valve cup (16) to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away. Three methods may be used to increase battery life and monitor the solenoid plunger position, two of which use the changing inductance of the solenoid (24) to monitor the solenoid movement.