Patents by Inventor James P. Baltz

James P. Baltz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6969057
    Abstract: A device and a method are provided for positioning an air cap of a pneumatically aided atomizer. The air cap has air horns extending from its face to provide flows of air to aid in atomizing and shaping the atomized particle stream. The method and apparatus contemplate providing a device having at least one first opening adapted to receive the horns and a first level for indicating when the horns received in the at least one first opening are in a desired orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Baltz, Brian J. Shull
  • Patent number: 6918551
    Abstract: A coating material dispensing system including a coating dispenser having a terminal for coupling to a high-magnitude potential supply, supply valves having respective input ports, respective output ports, and respective control ports, first purge valves having respective input ports, respective output ports, and respective control ports, a second purge valve having an input port, an output port and a control port, and means for coupling: the output port of a first one of the supply valves to a common point in a fluid circuit; the output port of a second one of the supply valves to the common point; the output port of the second purge valve to the common point; and, the common point to the coating dispenser, the common point also coupled to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Baltz
  • Publication number: 20030080207
    Abstract: A device and a method are provided for positioning an air cap of a pneumatically aided atomizer. The air cap has air horns extending from its face to provide flows of air to aid in atomizing and shaping the atomized particle stream. The method and apparatus contemplate providing a device having at least one first opening adapted to receive the horns and a first level for indicating when the horns received in the at least one first opening are in a desired orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: James P. Baltz, Brain J. Shull
  • Patent number: 6522039
    Abstract: A remote low voltage power source for electrostatic paint applicators used in hazardous locations. A low voltage generator and voltage conditioning and regulating circuitry are mounted in a small explosion proof housing. A generator shaft and a shaft on a voltage level adjusting potentiometer extend through and projects from the housing. The flamepath and the flame gap for the shafts meet explosion proof standards while permitting shaft rotation. An air driven turbine is mounted on the exterior of the housing and is connected to the projecting generator shaft to drive the generator. The low voltage is applied to a spray gun which includes circuitry for increasing the voltage to a high level for electrostatic charging sprayed paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Baltz, Gene P. Altenburger, Brian E. Gorrell, Varce E. Howe, Richard P. Bolger
  • Patent number: 6471778
    Abstract: An electrostatic coating system for dispensing multi-component waterborne coating materials from a coating material supply container having an insulated outer portion and a coating material supply line coupled to a dispenser, a metal tube disposed in the container in contact with coating material therein, a first non-conductive fitting coupling a first end portion of the tube to a first opening of the container, a second non-conductive fitting coupling a second end portion of the tube to a second opening of the container, and a cooling fluid supply device coupled to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Baltz, Dennis P. Stephens
  • Patent number: 6154355
    Abstract: An apparatus for independent voltage, air pressure, and/or fluid pressure control of multiple material or coating applicators, such as paint spray guns, includes a multiple gun control board that allows a single power supply to provide voltage to a plurality of paint guns and an independent gun control board that can output a different voltage signal for each gun to generate different gun operating voltages, different air pressures, and/or different fluid pressures. The independent gun control board includes a separate relay and potentiometer for each gun to be controlled. The potentiometer is adjustable so that the output voltage of the independent gun control board can be varied. The output voltage can be used to control the paint spray gun operating voltage and/or be sent to a pressure transducer to adjust the air and/or fluid pressure at which the triggered gun operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Gene P. Altenburger, James P. Baltz
  • Patent number: 5332159
    Abstract: A paint spray gun having a dual operating mode trigger. The trigger pivots on a gun body about an axis. The two operating modes are selected by radially positioning the trigger relative to the axis. In a first operating mode, fluid flow to a nozzle is gradually increased as the trigger is gradually squeezed to permit fluid flow control for feathering the applied coating. In this mode, the trigger is mechanically linked for actuating a valve needle. In a second operating mode, a small actuating movement of the trigger operates a valve which causes a piston to move the valve needle to its fully open position. The second operating mode provides only on-off fluid control with a very short trigger stoke and a low trigger force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Ransburg Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Grime, James P. Baltz, Roger T. Cedoz, John F. Schaupp
  • Patent number: 5330108
    Abstract: An ergonomic hand held paint spray gun which reduces operator fatigue and stress. The handle of spray gun has an ergonomically designed shape and the size of the handle may be changed through the use of different size handle covers. The spray gun has a plurality of triggers arranged to be operated by different fingers and to facilitate operation when the gun is held in different orientations to reduce fatigue and operating frequency stress on an operator's fingers. Some of the triggers operate low force valves which supply pilot air to a pilot valve which opens the fluid and air valves. The paint and air hoses may be attached to alternate locations on the gun to reduce hand and wrist fatigue when painting predominantly vertical surfaces or predominantly horizontal surfaces. A junction box may be located in the paint and air hoses to allow connection of lighter weight hoses to the gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Ransburg Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Grime, James P. Baltz, Roger T. Cedoz
  • Patent number: 5236129
    Abstract: An ergonomic hand held paint spray gun which reduces operator fatigue and stress. The handle of spray gun has an ergonomically designed shape and the size of the handle may be changed through the use of different size handle covers. The spray gun has a plurality of triggers arranged to be operated by different fingers and to facilitate operation when the gun is held in different orientations to reduce fatigue and operating frequency stress on an operator's fingers. Some of the triggers operate low force valves which supply pilot air to a pilot valve which opens the fluid and air valves. The paint and air hoses may be attached to alternate locations on the gun to reduce hand and wrist fatigue when painting predominantly vertical surfaces or predominantly horizontal surfaces. A junction box may be located in the paint and air hoses to allow connection of lighter weight hoses to the gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Ransburg Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Grime, James P. Baltz, Roger T. Cedoz
  • Patent number: 4576270
    Abstract: An improved torque control and fluid shutoff mechanism for a fluid operated tool includes an output shaft with an axially slidable cam sleeve mounted on the shaft. The cam sleeve is coupled with a driven tool bit holder to provide a clutch connection. The cam sleeve is biased for engagement with a cam surface on the tool bit holder whereby during normal operation of the tool, the tool bit holder remains fixed relative to the cam sleeve. When a threshold torque acts on the tool bit holder, the tool bit holder rotates relative to the cam sleeve axially driving the cam sleeve to release a biased kickout sleeve from retaining a radially displaceable member. The radially displaceable member engages a throttle rod and a thrust pin. The throttle rod extends to a fluid control valve which controls inlet fluid. Release of the radially displaceable member from being retained by the kickout sleeve permits axial translation of the throttle rod to terminate fluid flow to the motor of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: The Aro Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Baltz, Richard E. Plouck