Abstract: An improved spray gun for mounting on a programmable industrial robot. A housing and manifold are attached to the robot and a spray head is removably attached to the manifold. The manifold includes fluid passages for supplying liquid, atomization air, fan air and pilot air to the spray head and for returning fluid from the spray head. A remotely controlled regulator is located in the manifold liquid passage and a remotely controlled valve is located in the manifold fluid return passage. One or two electrically actuated pilot valves supply pilot air to simultaneously operate atomization air and pattern shaping air control valves in the manifold passages and to operate a trigger valve in the spray head. A power supply module may be located in the housing for applying an electrostatic voltage through the manifold to the spray head for charging the coating liquid.

Abstract: A paint color change system and method for sequentially supplying different color electrically conductive paints to an electrostatic applicator. Paint is supplied through a supply hose to a first isolated reservoir and the supply hose is purged and dried to form a voltage block. While paint is supplied through a first delivery hose from the first reservoir to an applicator, a second reservoir is cleaned, paint is supplied to the second reservoir through a supply hose, and the supply hose is purged of paint and dried to form a voltage block. Upon completion of coating with the first color paint, the first delivery hose is purged of paint and dried to form a voltage block and paint then is supplied from the second reservoir through a second delivery hose to the coating applicator. If the same color paint is applied from both reservoirs, the first delivery hose can be cleaned and dried after paint delivery from the second reservoir has started to permit continuous coating.

Abstract: An improved hold down mechanism for a motor which is pivotably mounted on an upper surface of a base is disclosed. The motor is connected by means of a drive belt to a driven device also mounted on the base. A mounting bracket is rigidly attached to the motor and includes a pair of spaced apart parallel leg portions which extend outwardly therefrom. The base includes a corresponding pair of spaced apart parallel mounting ears. A pivot pin is provided for pivotably connecting the leg portions to the mounting ears. The leg portions have respective projections formed thereon which extend inwardly toward one another. A hold down plate extends between the leg portions and rests upon the projections. The hold down plate is not rigidly attached to the leg portions, and a small amount of free movement is permitted relative thereto. An angled stud is provided to restrict the pivoting movement of the hold down plate and, therefore, of the mounting bracket and the motor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rolling piston rotary compressor in which a cylinder block is adjusted during manufacture to provide a desired vane slot width. The cylinder block is provided with a thin walled section located radially out from the vane slot. The thin walled section is plastically deformed during manufacture to provide a desired vane slot width for receiving a previously finished blade having a known thickness.

Abstract: An improved valve plate assembly for use with a reciprocating piston fluid pump such as a low capacity air compressor. A resilient rubber valve molding is positioned over a plate defining inlet and outlet ports for forming a seal between the plate and a cylinder head, for forming an inlet check valve and for forming an outlet check valve.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a ratchet or hold-down mechanism for a motor which is pivotally connected to a base of a compressor attached to an air receiving tank. The compressor is provided with a base having a pair of legs at one end which terminate at resilient pads resting on the tank. The motor is attached to the compressor base adjacent the legs for limited pivotal movement toward and away from the compressor. A ratchet or hold-down mechanism is provided between the motor and the compressor base to restrict pivotal movement of the motor toward the compressor while allowing the motor to pivot away from the compressor to increase the tension on a belt connected therebetween. The ratchet mechanism maintains tension on the belt in the event that the portable air compressor is picked up by the motor or is accidently tipped on its side. In addition, the ratchet mechanism maintains a minimum tension on the belt during operation of the motor.

Abstract: A reciprocating device for spray painting an object includes a plurality of mounting arms each having one end releasably retaining a spray painting device and an opposite end releasably coupled to one of a pair of spaced apart generally parallel vertically extending posts. The posts are attached to a driving mechanism which includes a servomotor coupled to one end of a crank arm having its other end rotatably coupled to a sliding block engaging a generally horizontally extending rod to convert the rotary motion of the motor to vertical motion of the rod. The rod is coupled to the ends of the posts and the motor is controlled as to its direction of rotation, speed of rotation and degree of rotation to define the excursion of the reciprocating movement and the speed of the movement. The assembly is mounted on rails for movement toward and away from the object to be painted by another driving mechanism.

Abstract: A paint cup and lid assembly for a spray gun of the type operated from a source of compressed air. A shroud connects the paint cup to the spray gun. The shroud is indexed between a first position which provides for pressure assisted paint feed and a second position which provides for suction paint feed.

Abstract: An external mix miniature spray gun of the airbrush type obtains a spray of paint by directing a jet of gas from a source over a nozzle. A reducing valve for the flow of gas is connected at one end to the source and to an outlet at the other end for discharge into the body of the gun. The reducing valve includes a body of circular end profile with the inlet leading to first generally radial flow passages opening to the side of the valve body and second generally radial flow passages leading from the side of the valve body to the outlet. A sleeve is rotatably retained on the valve body by interengaging threads and spans between the first and second radial passages to define an internal space for gas flow therebetween. A tapered surface in the gas flow space on the interior of the sleeve is arranged to approach or withdraw from a portion of the valve body to enlarge or diminish the gap therebetween as the sleeve is rotated relative to the body.