Abstract: A VOC (volatile organic compounds) adsorbent material is treated with a masking agent to reduce its affinity for VOC's to a level that the material can be regenerated at a predetermined low temperature which will not desorb the masking agent. Preferably, the adsorbent material is a water adsorbent desiccant which is treated with water vapor. The treated adsorbent material is used to adsorb VOC's from gas and is periodically regenerated with heated air. The desorbed VOC's may be destroyed by oxidizing, for example, with a catalyst.

Abstract: A spray gun having a fluid flow control valve which is preferably located in a spray head. The flow control valve eliminates the need to change the spray head or fluid tip to change the flow rate in a suction feed and/or gravity feed paint spray gun when different materials are sprayed. The valve has a member which is rotatable over no greater than 3600.degree. and preferably over about 90.degree. for adjusting the flow rate. Calibration marks may be provided for setting the valve for flow rates produced by standard fluid discharge orifice sizes.

Abstract: A VOC (volatile organic compounds) adsorbent material such as an alumino-silicate gel desiccant is treated with a masking agent to reduce its affinity for VOC's to a level that the material can be regenerated at a predetermined low temperature which will not desorb the masking agent. The treated adsorbent material is used to adsorb VOC's and is periodically regenerated with heated air. The treated adsorbent material may be used to adsorb VOC's from recirculated spray booth air while spraying a coating on a workpiece. Subsequent to spraying, the spray booth air is heated to above the VOC regeneration temperature to regenerate the adsorbent material and optionally to cure the applied coating. As the heated spray booth air is circulated through the adsorbent material, the previously adsorbed VOC's are desorbed. The desorbed VOC's may be destroyed by oxidizing, for example, with a catalyst.

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.

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.

Abstract: An improved hand held spray gun. The spray gun includes at least one manual trigger which when squeezed moves a valve needle to initiate fluid flow. A knob is provided to adjust the maximum fluid flow when the trigger is squeezed. When the trigger is released, a compression spring returns the valve needle to its closed position. An over travel spring is compressed only if an excessive force is applied to the trigger to prevent damage to the spray gun. The over travel spring is stronger than the valve needle return spring so that it compresses only after the spray gun is fully on. If the maximum fluid flow adjustment knob is turned too far, compressed air is vented through the knob as a tactile warning to the spray gun operator to not turn the knob further. The vented air also may whistle to provide an audible warning that the knob should not be turned further.

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.

Abstract: An improved paint spray gun with a regulated pressure feed paint cup. High pressure air is supplied through a hose and a fitting to the spray gun handle. The air pressure is reduced to a low pressure high volume flow within the gun for atomizing the paint. The inlet of a pressure regulator is connected through a quick connect fitting directly to the gun handle for receiving high pressure air. The regulator outlet is connected through a flexible hose to a barbed fitting on a check valve on a paint cup lid for applying a controlled paint feed pressure to the cup. The location of the regulator does not adversely affect the maneuverability or balance of the gun during use and the regulator can be quickly disconnected from the gun to facilitate cleaning the gun.

Abstract: An improved high volume low pressure air (HVLP) operated paint spray gun of the type having adjustable fan air and suitable for operation from a high pressure air source. The high pressure air passes from a high pressure chamber through first or second parallel calibrated orifices to supply both low pressure atomization air and low pressure fan air for controlling the shape of the spray pattern. In one embodiment, both orifices supply air to a low pressure chamber which in turn supplies both atomization air and fan air. A fan air control ring adjusts the flow of low pressure air to fan jet orifices. Rotating the fan air control ring controls both air flow through the second orifice to the low pressure chamber and air flow from the low pressure chamber to the fan jet orifices. In a second embodiment, one orifice supplies only low pressure atomization air and the other orifice supplies only low pressure fan air. A valve adjusts the flow of fan air.

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 paint cup assembly for a suction feed paint spray gun having an improved drip free vent. An annular groove forming a tortuous vent passage in the lid is covered by a gasket which seals the lid to the paint cup. Removal of the gasket provides access to the vent passage for cleaning. In a modified embodiment, a valve is provided selecting either a direct vent passage or a tortuous drip free vent passage.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a compressor and a motor on an air receiving tank. One end of a compressor base is provided with legs which rest on the top of the tank and an opposite end of the compressor base is provided with a tongue which is connected to an adaptor on the tank. Preferably, the adaptor is a check valve which is threaded into a tank opening. The motor is attached to the compressor base adjacent the legs for pivoting towards and away from the compressor to maintain tension on a drive belt interconnecting the motor and the compressor. An optional ratchet mechanism restricts the motor to pivoting only away from the compressor to maintain a minimum tension on the drive belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a motor is disclosed in this application. A means for loading the motor is provided and the loading means is operatively connected to the motor. A variable drive means is operatively connected between the motor and the drive means. The variable drive means is capable of changing the loading on the motor. A sensing means is provided for actuating the variable drive means so the loading on the motor can be varied to keep the motor operating at substantially the maximum capacity of the motor.

Abstract: A washing attachment for a compressed fluid spray gun is disclosed. The washing attachment includes a conduit, having a compressed fluid passageway positioned on the discharge end of the spray gun. An elongated member defining first, second and third passageways is in communication with the conduit with the second passageway in communication with the compressed fluid passageway. The first passageway is in communication with a source of cleaning fluid, a valve regulates the flow of cleaning fluid to the first passageway. The second passageway also communicates with the first passageway establishing a region of reduced pressure for drawing cleaning fluid into the first passageway. The first, second and third passageway terminate in discharge apertures adjacent the elongated member discharge opening. An opening in the elongated member communicates with the third passageway and is connected to a source of water.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gun for supplying a compressed fluid having a housing defining a passageway for supplying the compressible fluid. A valve is moveably positioned with respect to the passageway for controlling the supply of the compressible fluid. The valve defines an aperture and the valve is moveable with respect to the passageway to vary the position of the aperture with respect to the passageway to control the supply of the compressible fluid. A discharge end is located on one end of the passageway. The discharge end is adapted to receive discharge nozzles for the gun whereby the compressible fluid acts as a driving fluid for different driven fluids or solids. There is also provided a number of attachments which can be utilized with the gun of the present invention.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a paint spray attachment for a compressed fluid gun. The paint spray attachment includes an adapter. One end of the adapter is positioned on the discharge end of the gun and the other end of the adapter defines a discharge opening. A passageway is positioned in the adapter and the passageway is in communication with the aperture in the wall of the adapter. The passageway terminates at the discharge aperture. A chamber is defined in the adapter around the passageway. An air cap is positioned on the end of the adapter. At least one fluid aperture is disposed in the air cap adjacent the discharge aperture in the passageway. The fluid aperture and the chamber are in communication. A cup is positioned in a spaced apart relationship to the aperture in the wall of the adapter. A bracket is provided for attaching the cup to the handle of the spray gun wherein the bracket is removably positioned in the handle cavity of the gun.

Abstract: An improved hand held spray gun. The spray gun includes at least one manual trigger which when squeezed moves a valve needle to initiate fluid flow. A knob is provided to adjust the maximum fluid flow when the trigger is squeezed. When the trigger is released, a compression spring returns the valve needle to its closed position. An over travel spring is compressed only if an excessive force is applied to the trigger to prevent damage to the spray gun. The over travel spring is stronger than the valve needle return spring so that it compresses only after the spray gun is fully on. If the maximum fluid flow adjustment knob is turned too far, compressed air is vented through the knob as a tactile warning to the spray gun operator to not turn the knob further. The vented air also may whistle to provide an audible warning that the knob should not be turned further.