Abstract: A fill port assembly for coupling accessories to a feed pump system comprises a feed hose, a mounting plate and a quick-connect adapter. The feed hose has an inlet end for connecting to a feed pump manifold, and an outlet end. The mounting plate comprises a linkage coupled to the mounting plate for joining the fill port assembly to a feed pump system, and a discharge orifice extending through the mounting plate for receiving the outlet end. The quick-connect adapter extends from the mounting plate for joining accessory couplings to the mounting plate adjacent the discharge orifice.

Abstract: Z-swivel 10 is comprised of a female coupling 12 designed to attach to a hose 30 (or application device 32) and in turn is attached to an inlet stud 14 which is rotatably located in seal housing 16. Seals 18 and 20 seal and allow rotation between stud 14 and seal housing 16. Similarly, seal housing 16 contains seals 34 which allow rotation of seal housing 16 relative to center stud 22. Outlet coupling 24 is rotatably attached to center stud 22 with seals 28 and retained in place by retaining ring 26. Pipe plug 36 seals the end of center stud 22. Passages 38, 42, 40, 46 and 44 connect in that order to allow flow of fluid including thick and viscous fluids such as drywall mud through the swivel.

Abstract: A coupler utilizes a conventional sanitary clamp member 12 having a handle 14 releasably clamping first and second halves 16 and 18 together. The inner surface of halves 16 and 18 is provided with a groove 20 having angled sides 20a and 20b which serve to axially press together male 22 and female 28 members together as handle 14 is tightened. Male member 22 has a generally cylindrical plug 24 with end 30 which extends into socket 28b of female member 28. An O-ring 26 is located on the circumference of plug 24 and seals against the inner cylindrical surface of socket 28b.

Abstract: A pump 24 with speed control is utilized. A dispenser 12 may have a trigger 16 which actuates a valve 16. Dispenser control 18 has “up” and “down” buttons, 20 and 22 respectively. The controls 28 (comprising elements 18, 20 and 22) for the pump 24 are remote from pump 24. The controls communicate with the pump via wires or radio frequency (RF) 26 to regulate pump speed. Quick button (20 and 22) presses will incrementally change the flow setting while long button (20 and 22) presses will change the settings at a higher rate. This control method can also be tied to the controls located on the pump 24. The potentiometer 30 on the pump 24 will set a max setting, and any adjustments at the valve can go below this setting and back up to it, but never exceed it.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a handle system for use with finishing tools utilized to finish wallboard joints. A finishing tool may be connected to the handle system and moved relative to a wallboard joint to appropriately apply mastic over the joint. In one embodiment, the handle system includes an elongate handle body having a tear drop cross-sectional shape. The shape enables the handle body to fit ergonomically within a user's hand and improves the user's ability to resist torque tending to cause the handle body to twist and a connected finishing tool to come out of contact with wallboard during use. The handle system further includes a pivoting connector assembly that permits a connected finishing tool to rotate relative to the handle body and that has a unique pivot pin that allows mastic to flow through the handle body, through the pivoting connector assembly, and into the connected finishing tool.

Abstract: A hand trigger (16) is pivotally mounted on the handlebar (12) of the striper (14). A pair of selectors (26) are pivotally mounted at the trigger pivot points. The selectors (26) are made from a spring or spring-like steel, which allows the selectors (26) to springingly deform for gun selection and adjustment yet return to their original position and shape. This allows delayed gun activation, disabling of one or both guns from the trigger (16) and functioning as a one-handed gun selector.

Abstract: Sensors (18, 20 and 22) and an interactive display (12) are added to an airless gas powered line striping machine (10) to provide the operator with a variety of information about the operating parameters. In addition to the pressure sensor/transducer (14) required to control the pressure through a clutch, the system includes a sensor (reed switch in the preferred embodiment) (18) to count pump strokes or drive revolutions, a sensor (22) to monitor when the gun trigger is activated and a sensor (26) to monitor wheel rotation (hall effect sensor detecting pulses from gear mounted on wheel in the preferred embodiment). A digital display (12) is included to read out measured and calculated values.