Abstract: A hand-held, electrostatically- and/or compressed gas-aided coating material dispensing device comprises a barrel and a handle extending downward from the barrel. The handle includes a module selected from modules having a number of different characteristics for coupling sources of coating material, compressed gas and/or electrical supply to the coating material dispensing device.

Abstract: A hand-held, electrostatically- and/or compressed gas-aided coating material dispensing device comprises a barrel and a handle extending downward from the barrel. The handle includes a module selected from modules having a number of different characteristics for coupling sources of coating material, compressed gas and/or electrical supply to the coating material dispensing device.

Abstract: A hand-held, electrostatically- and/or compressed gas-aided coating material dispensing device comprises a barrel and a handle extending downward from the barrel. The handle includes a module selected from modules having a number of different characteristics for coupling sources of coating material, compressed gas and/or electrical supply to the coating material dispensing device.

Abstract: A hand-held, electrostatically- and/or compressed gas-aided coating material dispensing device comprises a barrel and a handle extending downward from the barrel. The handle includes a module selected from modules having a number of different characteristics for coupling sources of coating material, compressed gas and/or electrical supply to the coating material dispensing device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electrostatically aided atomization and dispensing of coating material. The apparatus includes a power supply for supplying operating potential and a coating dispensing device remote from the power supply. The coating dispensing device includes an input/output (I/O) device. The I/O device includes at least one indicator for selectively indicating a commanded state of the power supply and a fault state of at least one of the power supply and the coating dispensing device. A pair of conductors couple the I/O device to the power supply. Commands are coupled from the I/O device to the power supply. Commanded state information and fault state information are coupled from the power supply to the I/O device.

Abstract: A device for dispensing coating material includes a handle and a barrel coupled to the handle and extending therefrom toward a forward end from which coating material is dispensed. A first component is provided on the dispensing device. Multiple second components each include a portion which is complementary to the first component. At least one of the multiple second components comprises a tool for use in conjunction with the operation of the dispensing device.

Abstract: A retaining ring for a coating material dispenser including a nozzle for the discharge of coating material and a cap having a plurality of orifices arrayed in a spatial orientation with respect to the nozzle to supply a flow of gas or a mixture of gases to aid in dispensing of the coating material from the nozzle. The retaining ring is adapted for retaining the cap on the coating material dispenser with the plurality of orifices in the spatial orientation. The retaining ring includes first and second members. The second member is adapted for coupling to the coating material dispenser. The first member includes a first torque limiting driving member. The second member includes a second torque limiting driven member for engaging the first torque limiting driving member to limit the torque which the second member can apply to the coating material dispenser in response to manipulation of the first member.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a gas or mixture of gases through a passageway in a coating material dispensing device includes first and second valve portions. The first valve portion is adjustable with respect to the second valve portion selectively to adjust the flow through the passageway. One of the first and second valve portions includes a first engagement member and the other of the first and second valve portions includes a second engagement member. Engagement of the first and second engagement members indicates the relative orientation of the first and second valve portions.

Abstract: Shaped neon light spark plug connectors which include a continuous length of neon tubing fitted with electrodes at each end and configured to extend between and connect to the spark plug and coil of a motorcycle engine. The spark plug connectors are each characterized by a continuous, shaped neon tube light source that pulsates and flickers with operation of the engine at low engine speeds and displays a substantially continuous glow of a selected color at higher engine speeds. A specially designed jig is provided for bending the heated neon tubing into the desired configuration and fitting it between the spark plug and the coil locations.

Abstract: A grip cover is provided for fitting over the hand grip of a coating dispensing device for dispensing coating material. The grip cover includes material for cushioning a hand of an operator using the coating dispensing device.

Abstract: A seal includes a first seal retainer, a seal holder and a second seal retainer. A somewhat cup-shaped recess of the first seal retainer opens in a first direction of motion of a movable member against which the seal is to seal. The seal holder includes a first somewhat cuplike portion adjacent to the first seal retainer and a second somewhat cuplike portion more remote from the first seal retainer. The first somewhat cuplike portion opens in a second direction of motion opposite the first. The second somewhat cuplike portion opens in the first direction. The second seal retainer includes a first portion closer to the seal holder and a second portion more remote from the seal holder. The second somewhat cuplike portion of the seal holder receives the first portion of the second seal retainer.

Abstract: A coating material dispensing device includes an output port through which the coating material is dispensed and an electrode projecting from the dispensing device adjacent the output port for transferring electrical charge to the coating material dispensed through the output port. The coating material dispensing device further includes a shield for shielding a portion of the electrode adjacent the electrode's connection to the dispensing device.

Abstract: A grip cover is provided for fitting over the hand grip of a coating dispensing device for dispensing coating material. The grip cover includes material for cushioning a hand of an operator using the coating dispensing device.

Abstract: A system for dispensing coating material includes a source of coating material to be dispensed and a device for dispensing the coating material. The coating material is provided from the source under pressure to the device. The device includes a body having a passageway therethrough. A valve includes a valve seat provided in the passageway and a valve member for engaging the valve seat to close the valve and moving away from the valve seat to open the valve. In one embodiment, the valve seat and valve member are so dimensioned that when the valve member is against the valve seat, a portion of the valve member facing the valve seat is exposed to the pressurized coating material. In another, the valve seat, a downstream-most portion of the valve member, and a shoulder on the valve member are so dimensioned that the shoulder isolates the downstream-most portion from the liquid under pressure when the downstream-most portion is against the valve seat.

Abstract: A seal includes a first seal retainer, a seal holder and a second seal retainer. A somewhat cup-shaped recess of the first seal retainer opens in a first direction of motion of a movable member against which the seal is to seal. The seal holder includes a first somewhat cuplike portion adjacent to the first seal retainer and a second somewhat cuplike portion more remote from the first seal retainer. The first somewhat cuplike portion opens in a second direction of motion opposite the first. The second somewhat cuplike portion opens in the first direction. The second seal retainer includes a first portion closer to the seal holder and a second portion more remote from the seal holder. The second somewhat cuplike portion of the seal holder receives the first portion of the second seal retainer.

Abstract: A dispensing device for powder coating material includes an outer device portion having a first inner surface and a central passageway for mounting the outer portion on a rotary shaft for rotating the dispensing device. An inner portion of the dispensing device has a second outer surface shaped complementarily to the first surface and a somewhat bell- or cup-shaped third inner surface. Threaded fasteners retain the inner portion in the outer portion with the first and second surfaces in engagement. The outer portion is constructed from a first material having mechanical strength to withstand the stresses attending rotation of the dispensing device. The inner portion is constructed from a second material relatively more inert to the movement of the powder coating material across the third surface.

Abstract: A coating dispensing head includes a rotary dispensing device, a rotator for rotating the rotary dispensing device and a tachometer for generating a light signal in response to rotation of the rotator. The head includes a first connection for supplying the coating to the dispensing device, a second connection for supplying motive power to the rotator and a first optical fiber having a first end for receiving the light signal and a second end. At least one of the first and second connections includes first and second passageways terminating at respective first and second generally flat surfaces and connectors for holding the first and second surfaces against each other with the first and second passageways aligned so that the one of coating and motive power supplied to one of the first and second passageways flows into the other of the first and second passageways and thence to the one of the dispensing device and rotator.

Abstract: A system for atomizing and dispensing powder comprises a fluidized powder bed for entraining the powder fluidized in a bearing air stream, a dispenser, and a motor for rotating the dispenser. The dispenser has a somewhat bell-shaped interior. The motor has an output shaft having a first passageway extending lengthwise thereof. A feed tube extends through the first passageway. The fluidized powder is fed to an end of the feed tube passageway remote from the dispenser to be supplied through the feed tube to the interior as the motor rotates the dispenser. A diffuser is mounted within the interior. A discharge slot is defined between the dispenser and an edge of the diffuser. The feed tube is mounted so that it does not rotate with the output shaft. The diffuser includes a back side facing the interior and bounded by the edge. The back side includes a generally part-spherical concavity into which the fluidized powder is directed from the feed tube.