With Solid Means As Guard Or Protector Patents (Class 239/288)
  • Patent number: 6186416
    Abstract: A trim ring is placed around an in-ground lawn sprinkler to discourage grass growth around it and to protect the sprinkler assembly by indicating its location. The sprinkler trim ring comprises two complementary plates, each having a notch or indents which, when assembled, forms a central aperture fitting around a sprinkler body. The overlapped plates are engaged and secured to each other by screws through slots in the upper plate and screwed into the lower plate. The slots permit sliding of the plates to increase or decrease the tightness on the sprinkler body. Grooves are provided on the bottom of both plates allowing breaking off portions to adapt to a larger sprinkler body and/or to installation site limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Brady Products Incorporated
    Inventor: Curtis M. Jones
  • Patent number: 6152385
    Abstract: The invention relates to a covering device (1) for a spray nozzle passage opening (64) of a headlight washer system (66) for a motor vehicle. The covering device has a hinged door (14) which fits flush into a pivoting mounting frame (10) placed in the opening (64) and which, in the closed position under spring tension visibly covers the entire opening (64) in which the mounting frame (10) is inserted. In this way, the covering device (1) fits flush into the surrounding exterior skin (80), thus ensuring a smooth and even seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft and Magna Pebra GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Nuber, Manfred Huttner, Andreas Langer
  • Patent number: 6145756
    Abstract: A gardening applicator for efficiently delivering liquid chemicals to selected vegetation is disclosed. The applicator includes a wind guard chamber through which a stream of emitted liquid chemicals may be directed in a predetermined path along a central axis of the wind guard chamber. The wind guard chamber is preferably tube shaped over a predetermined length and can incorporate a diffuser screen or mesh which extends transversely across the predetermined path at the exit end of the wind guard chamber such that the liquid chemicals are finely dispersed upon passing through the diffuser screen. Actuation of a pressure activated pump head may provide a pressurized stream of liquid chemicals through the wind guard chamber and onto the diffuser screen for dispersion onto selected vegetation. The pressure activated pump head may conveniently be connectable to a liquid chemical reservoir such as a generally commercially available bottle with a standard sized threaded opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Corwin Kohls
  • Patent number: 6142393
    Abstract: A cap assembly for covering an injector of a lubricant metering device to sealingly protect the injector from moisture and dirt. The injector has a generally cylindric body and an end structure narrower than the body projecting endwise from the body. The assembly has a cap including a generally cylindric tube having a side wall, an open end, a closed end and a configuration such that the cap is shaped and sized for detachable mounting on the body of the injector in a covering position in which the tube encloses the end structure of the injector. A flexibly resilient gasket has an annular shape with an inner edge sized for surrounding the end structure to enable the gasket to be sealingly secured to the structure and an outer edge sized for engaging an inner surface of the side wall of the cap and forming a fluid-tight seal thereon when the cap is mounted in its covering position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Lincoln Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Kotyk
  • Patent number: 6131822
    Abstract: A protection device designed to protect pendent-type sprinkler heads includes a shroud member that removably encloses a selected sprinkler head and a positioning member that selectively maintains the shroud member in a preferred orientation with respect to the sprinkler head. An included tearing member facilitates removal of the shroud member; the tearing member is a flexible, inelastic member that, when pulled correctly, will tear the shroud member along a predetermined path. The shroud member, itself, is characterized by lines of perforation that cooperate with the tearing member to ease shroud member removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Robert E. Farmer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6116519
    Abstract: A plurality of pivotable spray chambers are mounted on an elongated beam extending from a boom secured to a three-point trailer hitch of a tractor. Controlled herbicide spraying of the unwanted growth which occurs in the furrows between dikes in fields of strawberries, lettuce, corn, tomatoes, onions, and other crops is achieved. Each furrow is sprayed by at least two spray chambers pivotally mounted from a beam. Each spray chamber includes an open bottomed box, with each of the two spray chambers being movable towards and away from each other against the bias of springs so that varying widths of furrows between adjacent dikes are accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignees: G. Marvin Brown, M. Glenn Williamson, Lisa Williamson
    Inventor: John C. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6113008
    Abstract: Actuator system is used to dispense a defined volume of a formulation from a pressurized vial. The system houses the vial in a receptacle of a base section that also includes a dispensing section (e.g., a funnel) through which the formulation is sprayed. The system includes a sleeve that fits over at least the vial and that can be pumped by the user to controllably spray the formulation from the vial onto the host animal. For instance, in a preferred mode of operation, the user places the system onto the host at the desired treatment site and then pushes or pulls down on the sleeve. This actuates a valve mechanism on the vial to spray an amount of the formulation through the dispensing section onto the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Cathleen M. Arsenault, James A. Wilson, David J. Wirtanen
  • Patent number: 6105204
    Abstract: A jet cleaning device for connection to one or more liquid pumps which includes a telescoping ram having a pivotally mounted cleaning head. The telescoping ram may be mounted on a manlift or a self propelled cart and has extension compensators which maintain a constant distance between the cleaning head and the surface to be cleaned. The jetting head or heads inside the cleaning head are adjustable so as to control the standoff distance and the jetting pattern. The perimeter of the base of the cleaning head shroud is also fitted with a brush which reduces the amount of misting produced by the operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Frank E. Scharwat
  • Patent number: 6102306
    Abstract: A nozzle for spraying deicing liquid onto surfaces lies flush with surfaces to prevent obstruction of surface treatment. The nozzles may be integral nozzles formed with the surface and may have relief channels designed to spread spray into a stream or a flatter pattern by adsorption of the streaming spray to the relief channel. The nozzles may be adapted for mounting and have an alignment base. An integral check valve and a flow switch are provided in the system. Additionally, either combined with the movement of the nozzle assembly or independently, a pump is regulated to vary the substance flow and pressure to get the desired spray distance and droplet size. Different programs may drive the nozzle and pump assembly depending on the target surface and rheology of the substance under the conditions to be sprayed. The nozzle may be of composite material, stainless or other metal, cast or molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Odin Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Ask, Tom Ask
  • Patent number: 6058661
    Abstract: A crawling pest barrier for placement on a conduit to prevent crawling insects or pests from reaching the outlet of the conduit. A combination of -tactic, ultraviolet light and other barriers are positioned along the conduit with respect to the path of travel of the crawling pest to the outlet of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventors: Herbert H. Hand, Herbert G. Hand
  • Patent number: 6056211
    Abstract: A hydrant flushing diffuser handles a flow of water from a hydrant as it is being flushed. The diffuser allows the flushing to take place in a safe manner and without destroying surrounding landscaping or other objects. The invention includes a hydrant flushing diffuser having a hood and a chute. The hood has a closed top and an open base and includes an aperture. The chute further comprises a porous fabric bag that is open on one end, wherein the chute is connected to the hood so that open end of the bag surrounds the aperture in the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Atlantic Construction Fabrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Rinaldo J. DiLoreto
  • Patent number: 6053435
    Abstract: A fog generating guide tube mounting arrangement includes a barrel having a longitudinal center through hole and two screw holes respectively provided at front and rear sides thereof in axial alignment with the longitudinal center through hole, a connector fastened to one screw hole at the rear side of the barrel to hold a pump tube, a fog generating guide tube detachably mounted in the longitudinal center through hole, the fog generating guide tube having a rear end fastened to the connector, and a front end terminating in an inner threaded portion threaded into the screw hole at the front side of the barrel, an outer threaded portion, a polygonal collar disposed between the inner threaded portion and the outer threaded portion and stopped outside the front side of the barrel, and a nozzle cap threaded onto the outer threaded portion of the fog generating guide tube outside the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Ping Fa Hung
  • Patent number: 5996906
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method to reduce unwanted spraying of fluids from hose nozzles. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a hole filled cover is attached over an open end of the nozzle of the hose. When the hose is in a position where unwanted spray is unlikely to take place the spray stream passes through the cover unaltered. If the nozzle moves to a position where unwanted spray is likely to take place, the cover deflects over the liquid stream causing it to be disbursed or scattered rather than sprayed over a long distance. The invention finds particular application in the prevention of spraying of water from the high pressure cleaning nozzle in swimming pool cleaners onto nearby objects or persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: J. Carl Cooper
  • Patent number: 5947381
    Abstract: A spray tip housing includes a turret member having a stem portion and a handle, an axial passageway having an outlet and an inlet, and a seal insert operatively disposed in the axial passageway. The handle is configured to enter the outlet of the axial passageway to push the seal insert at least partially through the axial passageway. The axial passageway has a rectangular cross section and the handle is tapered and includes a rectangular cross section that is sized to enter the axial passageway. The turret member is movable between a spraying position and a cleaning position, and the handle is made of soft plastic and includes direction indicia for indicating the position of the turret member. The direction indicia includes an arrow-shaped portion for pushing the seal from the axial passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Wagner Titan Inc.
    Inventor: Danuta H. Carey
  • Patent number: 5941456
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a coating gun nozzle used in spraying the inner surface of cans with a coating material comprises a cleaning solution spray nozzle having a cleaning spray extension and a cleaning spray nozzle for spraying a cleaning solution onto the coating gun nozzle to remove oversprayed coating material collecting thereon. The coating gun nozzle is disposed at an end of a coating gun nozzle extension. A single spray shield is disposed over the end of the coating gun nozzle extension, and has a flange portion which extends at least to an external surface of the cleaning nozzle extension to shield the components of the apparatus from oversprayed coating material. A check valve mechanism disposed within the cleaning spray extension prevents cleaning solution from dribbling or drooling from the cleaning spray nozzle. A control system controls the operation of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Waryu, Thomas A. Loparo, Sean Scott Davis
  • Patent number: 5931385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cover for a sprinkler head the sprinkler system being associated with a lawn system. The cover is a dome shaped disk with a center aperture to accommodate the sprinkler head. At least three conically shaped posts are attached on the under side of the cover to anchor the cover to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Howard W. Miller
  • Patent number: 5918807
    Abstract: A fire hose nozzle cover apparatus (10) for a fire hose nozzle (12) includes cover structure (28) configured for covering at least a portion of a fire hose nozzle (12). The cover structure (28) broadly includes an end wall (30) and a tubular sidewall (32). The sidewall (32) has a first margin (34) coupled with and circumscribing the end wall (30) and has an opposed second margin (36). The end wall (30) and sidewall (32) cooperatively define a recess (38) for receiving and enclosing the nozzle (12) therein. Once the nozzle (12) is received in the recess (38), the second margin (36) of the sidewall (32) is then cinched about the rearward end (18) of the nozzle (12) to secure the nozzle (12) within the cover structure (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Jack Doss
  • Patent number: 5918814
    Abstract: Five embodiments of a sprinkler head protector provide an annular body defining a central hole and having a variety of differently designed spikes for retaining the body in place about a sprinkler head. A first version of the invention provides an annular body anchored by four large nails or spikes that may be driven into place by use of a hammer. A second version of the invention provides a one-piece unit including a body having four attached fastening spikes. A third version provides an annular body anchored by four spikes each having tapered top portions that insert into, and are frictionally engaged by, holes in the bottom of the annular body. A fourth version of the invention provides an annular body as in the first version, but provides four spikes which are attached to the body by fasteners such as screws. A fifth version of the invention provides an annular body 100 having four spikes which are threadedly attached to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: James S Hough
  • Patent number: 5897057
    Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention provides a more efficient and cost effective method and apparatus for applying agents to plants, crops, vegetation, and trees, while avoiding the problems associated with conventional impingement velocity tunnel sprayers. The method and apparatus of the present invention utilizes the conditions in a controlled atmosphere to deposit agents on plants and provides a device which increases the maneuverability of pesticide spray rigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Dauenhauer Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: John Hulls
  • Patent number: 5893418
    Abstract: In the particular embodiments described in the specification, a sprinkler guard is formed from eight U-shaped wire members arranged uniformly about a sprinkler axis and joined at one end to a ring and at the other end to two opposed base plates which each receive four of the U-shaped members, leaving an opening through which a conventional sprinkler head can be inserted into the guard. The base plates have downwardly projecting portions with opposed surfaces to engage flat outwardly facing surfaces on the conventional sprinkler head and also have outwardly facing surfaces for receiving a wrench to mount the sprinkler head after the guard has been assembled on it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Ponte
  • Patent number: 5862989
    Abstract: A cover for a spray gun designed to be placed over a spray gun when spraying to prevent overspray on the spray gun and the user's hand and forearm. The cover is made from a thin panel made of flexible fabric or paper. The panel is of sufficient size and shape so that when its lateral edges are attached together, it forms a partially enclosed structure which covers the assembled spray gun and the user's hand when operating the spray gun. Formed along the front section of the cover is a front opening which enables the tip of the spray gun to extend through the cover when the spray gun is placed inside the cover. The rear edges of the panel are unattached thereby forming a wide rear opening into the cover so that the spray gun and user's hand may be easily inserted into the cover to operate the spray gun. An optional top opening is also created on the panel which allows a hook element on the spray gun to extend through so that the spray gun may be temporarily suspended from a hook in between uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Jeffery C. Cirillo
  • Patent number: 5860462
    Abstract: A protective apparatus for use with a fuel pump filler gun having in sequence a barrel, a head, and a handle, includes a protective body. The protective body has an energy absorbing inner layer, e.g., upholstery material, surrounding a portion of the filler gun to protect the filler gun from impact forces. The protective body also includes an outer layer surrounding at least a portion of the inner layer. The outer layer is harder than the inner layer so as to resist scratching, absorb the initial impact, and distribute the forces over the softer inner layer. The protective apparatus further includes means for attaching the protective body to the filler gun or to a boot covering a portion of the filler gun. A spring can be provided between the filler gun and outer shell to absorb direct impacts, and ribs can be provided on the inner surface of the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Alvern-Norway
    Inventors: Stein Alvern, Oyvind Alvern
  • Patent number: 5829680
    Abstract: There is disclosed an airless spray head having a rotatable turret orifice tip holder with a floating turret seal preloaded with a compression spring within a spray head body having a distal circular rim, a through longitudinal passageway and an intersecting orthogonal bore which receives the cylindrical turret. A retainer nut surrounds and receives the spray head body which is captured by the circular rim, and a low friction washer is located between the rim and the retainer nut. The compression spring is biased against the upstream face of the turret seal by a spring retainer with a boss on its downstream face and an annular groove on its upstream face in which an annular sealing washer is permanently received. The compression spring is mounted on the downstream boss and retained thereon by spring detents of the boss. A second annular sealing washer is located between the downstream face of the retainer and the end of the spray head body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: Robert J. Perret, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5823237
    Abstract: A protective apparatus for use with a filler gun having in sequence a barrel, a head, and a handle, includes a protective body. The protective body includes an outer shell surrounding at least a portion of the filler gun. The outer layer is made of a hard material so as to resist scratching, absorb the initial impact, and distribute the forces away from the filler gun. A pair of arcuate ribs are provided between the filler gun and outer shell to assist in the distribution of impact forces, absorb direct impacts, and act as spacers between the outer shell and the filler gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Alvern-Norway A/S
    Inventors: Stein Alvern, Oyvind Alvern
  • Patent number: 5810256
    Abstract: There is disclosed the combination of an airless spray head for spraying liquids under high pressure in which an orifice tip holder is positioned in the spray head to locate the orifice tip in a longitudinal through passage of the spray head body and a comminuter mechanism having a turbine mounted within a comminuter casing with a liquid flow header to direct the liquid flow across the turbine blades, causing rotation of the turbine wheel and a coaxially mounted comminuting member to comminute solids in the liquid being sprayed prior to discharge of the liquid to the orifice tip. In the preferred embodiment the comminuting member is a axially fluted cylinder mounted in a cylindrical comminuting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Robert Perret
  • Patent number: 5794855
    Abstract: A new precision cone-overspray protector for applying sprayed materials to precise areas. The inventive device includes a hollow hood member having a narrow end and an enlarged end, made from a sheet material having overlapped edges which are secured together to maintain the shape of the hood member, and apparatus associated with the hood member for securing the hood member around a sprayer head of a spraying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Bobie C. Ledford
  • Patent number: 5785727
    Abstract: A spray device which is provided with a nozzle for spraying a lubricant is arranged in proximity to a bottom mold and/or a plunger, and the nozzle is operated and controlled by a control device to spray the lubricant on a mold surface of the bottom mold and/or the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Mine, Yutaka Segawa, Masao Tamura
  • Patent number: 5782415
    Abstract: A floor washer with a housing having a plurality of spray nozzles therein rotatable to different angular relationships to a floor. A nozzle angular relationship to the floor is set prior to use of the washer and held in a fixed position during use of the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Joseph Kepiro
  • Patent number: 5765758
    Abstract: A Solvent Prayer for Assembling the Golf Shaft and Grip is an improvement to the conventional process by simplifying both the solvent painting step and air injecting step in one process, and that will make an even painting and spraying of the solvent and will produce a better looking for the golf club. The present invention has a cylinder socket seated onto the forward section of a nozzle to hold the upward end of the grip and when the top of the golf shaft with pre-winded adhesive tape approaches the opening of the grip, the operator can depress and open the button-switch allowing the high pressure air and sucked solvent mists evenly spread and inject into the internal wall of the grip that enable the top of the golf shaft to be smoothly and effectively planted into the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Inventor: Anna Chu
  • Patent number: 5765754
    Abstract: A mobile unit for applying fluids, such as paint, on large surfaces, in particular floor surfaces, comprises a number of spraying means (14) mounted in a casing (7). The spraying means are surrounded by an encircling shielding (9). The casing (7) has an opening exposed towards a fluid application surface. In the unit there is an air evacuating device (21) having the task of providing a flow of air into the interior of the casing (7) from an air gap established between the application surface and a free edge (16) of the shielding, so as to minimize the emission of particles from the unit to the surroundings in connection with the application of fluid onto the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Inventor: Hakan Emilsson
  • Patent number: 5749528
    Abstract: There is provided a reversible spray tip or nozzle used with a spray gun or like device for hydraulically atomizing and spraying liquids such as paint. The spray tip includes a plastic housing having a forward extending spray tip guard integral therewith, a cylindrically shaped rotatable turret member diametrically received for rotation in the housing and having a diametric bore therethrough for receipt of a spray tip insert, and an elongated seal insert axially received in the housing upstream from the turret member. A securing nut rotatably mounted to the housing at the spray gun end thereof secures the reversible spray tip to the discharge end of the spray gun. The enhanced sealing effectiveness of the reversible spray tip permits effective sealing of the assembly by finger tightening of the securing nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Titan Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Danuta H. Carey, John D. Geberth, John Walsh, Daniel S. Hosley
  • Patent number: 5722595
    Abstract: The grip assembly is made of two members each of which is formed of a plastic. A one piece base member forms a barrel having a radial shoulder at one end and a radial flange at the opposite end. A cover member telescopes over the base member and is received at the respective ends on the shoulder and on the flange of the base member in a locked relation. The base member has an internally threaded collar at one end for receiving a threaded stem of a spray head unit while the opposite end is provided with an externally threaded stem to thread into a fitting of a hose assembly. A relatively large annular chamber is provided between the cover and the base member for insulation purposes to protect the user against the heat of hot water flowing through the grip assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Component Hardware Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard Parisi
  • Patent number: 5700421
    Abstract: A novel cutting nozzle assembly for a postmixed oxygen-fuel gas torch is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a cylindrical shroud which surrounds and extends away from the gas discharge orifices in the gas discharge end of the cutting nozzle. The cylindrical shroud has the advantage of producing a tighter gas stream and of promoting a more thorough mixing of the preheat oxygen and the fuel gas to provide a hotter, more compact flame which produces a more parallel-sided cut through metal workpieces. The cutting tip therefore conserves metal as well as cutting gases. It also cuts faster than prior art postmixed cutting nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Claude Bissonnette
  • Patent number: 5662267
    Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention provides a more efficient and cost effective method and apparatus for applying agents to plants, crops, vegetation, and trees, while avoiding the problems associated with conventional impingement velocity tunnel sprayers. The method and apparatus of the present invention utilizes the conditions in a controlled atmosphere to deposit agents on plants and provides a device which increases the maneuverability of pesticide spray rigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Dauenhauer Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: John Hulls
  • Patent number: 5645228
    Abstract: The invention features three types of shielding for rotary spreaders. The shields protect the user against spreader blow-back, i.e., most materials that are radially thrust outwardly from the rotary paddle of the spreader, are blocked from impinging upon the operator. The different shields of this invention are: (a) a molded, thin, clear, plastic plate; (b) a V-shaped, thin, clear, plastic plate; and (c) a rectangular-shaped, wrap-around, thin, clear, plastic housing having a protective top plate. Each shield plate attaches to the tubular frame at the rear of the spreader by removable, semi-circular tube/conduit fasteners for ease of assembly or removal. The shield plate can also be attached by permanently fixtured screw fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Herman N. Zwart
    Inventor: Richard K. Zwart
  • Patent number: 5560381
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wash arm assembly for a dishwasher which includes a molded plastic wash arm and a stainless steel cover. The plastic wash arm has a top surface, lateral surfaces, and a bottom surface and the stainless steel cover wraps over the top surface of the plastic wash arm, around the lateral surfaces of the plastic wash arm, and over a portion of the bottom surface of the plastic spray arm to hold the cover on the spray arm. The top surface of the plastic wash arm defines a series of wash jets and the stainless steel cover defines openings aligned with the wash jets so that the metal cover does not interfere with the wash jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5478393
    Abstract: An ice painting apparatus which paints all the necessary lines, circles and insignia used on an ice rink (e.g., for ice hockey). The device includes a series of guide mechanisms which allow spray shields of particular widths to follow predetermined patterns, including as straight lines or circles. The shields contain spray ports which are connected to a pressurized paint dispersal system. The system allows the necessary lines to be painted in an accurate and expeditious manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: William J. Vacanti
  • Patent number: 5441201
    Abstract: A liquid spray device particularly for agricultural and horticultural apparatuses is disclosed. A nozzle is provided through which liquid is emitted in a sheet, preferably a conical sheet. A source of heated air or gas, preferably a burner, is directed to interact with the liquid and is drawn through the liquid curtain to initiate the breakup into droplets of a liquid sheet, thus regulating the droplet size to minimize wastage of expensive agrochemicals or other materials. A shroud is provided to protect the gas in the vicinity of the nozzle from drafts. A thermal sensor is located in the shroud to interrupt the fuel supply to the flame or heated gas if the spray is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: The University of Leeds
    Inventor: Norman Dombrowski
  • Patent number: 5429305
    Abstract: In an effort to give a conifer seedling a chance to grow, it is common practice to apply fertilizer to the seedling itself while spraying a herbicide onto the area around the seedling. Both of these tasks can be arduous and time consuming especially in view of the nature of the terrain where seedlings are planted. Uncontrolled herbicide application can harm the seedling as much as the weeds. The present invention provides a device, which is easy to manipulate manually, and which enables the user to apply fertilizer to the seedling while simultaneously applying herbicide to the area around the seedling. The invention also provides a shroud for protecting the seedling while herbicide is being sprayed therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Ross N. Munsey
  • Patent number: 5425506
    Abstract: There is provided an electrically conductive plastic tip guard for a hydraulic or airless spray gun adapted for the hydraulic atomization and spraying of fluid such as paint. The electrically conductive plastic tip guard when in contact with a grounded surface dissipates to ground the static electricity generated by the passage of the fluid through the spray tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Titan Tool Inc.
    Inventor: Danuta H. Carey
  • Patent number: 5407135
    Abstract: A hand-held air blower device for directing a jet of air in a desired direction, including a barrel having a longitudinal axis and having a low pressure air inlet at an upstream end for admitting air at atmospheric pressure and an outlet at an opposite downstream end for the jet of air, the barrel having a throat, intermediate its ends, whose inner wall has a convex contour, and the barrel having a narrow high pressure air inlet slot, with an upstream and a downstream side wall in relation to the direction of air flow through the barrel immediately adjacent the throat on the low pressure air inlet side of the throat. The convex contour of the inner wall of the throat, along the longitudinal axis of the barrel between its ends, is disposed at a small acute angle to the downstream side wall of the high pressure air inlet slot, and changes progressively downstream to being disposed at a small acute angle to the longitudinal axis. A handle is connected to the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventor: Christopher S. Jeffs
  • Patent number: 5405087
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a coating gun nozzle used in spraying the inner surface of cans with a coating material comprises a cleaning nozzle of a cleaning gun for spraying a cleaning solution onto the spray nozzle to remove oversprayed coating material collecting thereon. The cleaning nozzle is secured to an end of an elongated cleaning gun extension and is positioned above a spray nozzle secured to one end of a coating gun extension for Spraying cleaning solution onto said spray nozzle. Cover sleeves, forming liquid-tight seals with the cleaning and spray nozzles, have removable friction engagement with the cleaning and spray gun extensions to shield the cleaning and spray guns from oversprayed coating material. A control system controls the operation of the coating and cleaning guns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Waryu, Thomas A. Loparo, Guy H. McMillan, Mark W. Norvotny, Jeffrey M. Buckler
  • Patent number: 5398874
    Abstract: An agriculture sprayer for applying herbicides between crop rows while simultaneously applying root growth stimulants, fungicides, fertilizers and/or insecticides to plant rows. The sprayer includes a tool bar to which a plurality of adjustable primary spray hood assemblies are pivotally mounted so as to be vertically movable as well as adjustable in pitch angle from front to rear so that the assemblies will follow the terrain of a field being sprayed. The primary spray hood assemblies include detachable nozzles for supplying chemicals to weeds confined within the hoods of the assemblies. Auxiliary spray nozzles are mounted exteriorly of the hoods for spraying chemicals toward the base of adjacent crop rows. In some embodiments secondary hood assemblies for covering plant rows are provided intermediate the primary spray hood assemblies and are used for spraying chemicals to the foliage of the plants in the crop rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Darrell R. Dailey
  • Patent number: 5370321
    Abstract: A deflecting guard device securable to the hopper section of a broadcast spreader includes inclined plates for deflecting dry material as it is scattered by the spreader. First and second inclined plates diverge below the apertured bottom surface of the hopper section and arc secured to the hopper section in such a manner that they arc axially positionable into a plurality of vertically spaced positions relative thereto. In this manner, the width of the area to which dry materials placed in the hopper section arc applied can be controlled. A third inclined plate which interconnects the first and second inclined plates also prevents the dry material from being scattered outside a selected zone of application. The first and second inclined plates can be angularly reoriented relative to the bottom of the hopper section for further adjust the width of the area of application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Joseph A. Bianco
  • Patent number: 5361991
    Abstract: A mobile spray unit including a frame member which forms part of a motive assembly and from which is supported a horizontally disposed spray bar which carries a plurality of spray nozzles oriented to direct their spray downwardly, Positioned laterally about the downwardly directed spray of these nozzles is an anti-drift shield, This shield comprises a skirt or curtain of flexible material hanging down from a tubular frame. The frame is of generally racetrack configuration with the spray bar being located centrally thereof and with the frame being supported in a manner that permits it to be adjusted vertically with respect to the spray bar and accordingly the spray nozzles. The frame includes a central section and U-shaped end sections with the end section being telescopically mounted on the central section so that they may be laterally adjusted with respect to the central section to thereby accommodate spray bars of different length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Margaret O. Baran
    Inventor: Walter Baran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5360165
    Abstract: An atomized spray applicator nozzle and nozzle shroud, for applying spray fluid to a surface. The shroud captures the unused spray spillage and spray vapors and recycles it. The shroud and nozzle design makes precise application of the fluid to the surface possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Inventor: Tara C. Singhal
  • Patent number: 5344073
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a coating gun nozzle used in spraying the inner surface of cans with a coating material comprises a cleaning nozzle of a cleaning gun for spraying a cleaning solution onto the coating gun nozzle to remove oversprayed coating material collecting thereon. The cleaning nozzle is secured to an end of an elongated cleaning gun extension and is positioned above the coating gun nozzle secured to one end of a coating gun extension for spraying cleaning solution onto the coating gun nozzle. Cover sleeves, forming liquid-tight seals with the cleaning and coating gun nozzles, have removable friction engagement with the cleaning and coating gun extensions to shield the cleaning and coating guns from oversprayed coating material. A control system controls the operation of the coating and cleaning guns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Waryu, Thomas A. Loparo, Guy H. McMillan, Mark W. Novotny, Jeffrey M. Buckler
  • Patent number: 5332156
    Abstract: A removable cover for a paint spray gun and similar tools. The cover is formed into two halves which enclose opposite sides of the gun. A tab on the front of each cover half is retained in a notch in the gun. Rear ends of the cover halves are releasable secured together by a first spring clip positioned in aligned grooves in the cover halves. Ends of the cover halves which extend over a gun handle are releasable secured together by a second spring clip positioned in aligned grooves in the cover halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Ransburg Corporation
    Inventor: Roger D. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5314119
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying thin coatings of fluid droplets to an adjacent surface includes a pickup roll rotating in a supply of fluid and a rapidly rotating brush roll having a surface formed by bristles thereon. The two rolls rotate with an interference between them whereupon the bristles are bent as the tips thereof pick up a droplet of fluid. After passing out of inteference, the bristles snap forwardly and project the droplets in a mist form against the adjacent surface. The spray pattern is maintained with uniformity in both a cross-machine direction and a machine- direction by a windage control device which may incorporate, selectively, a spray-doctor, a knife doctor blade, windage control mechanism including end-cavity windage dams, spacers, brush windage knife, mist eliminator, brush end rings, seals and spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Latanick Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Watt
  • Patent number: 5310116
    Abstract: A drift control enclosure for an agricultural sprayer comprising a plurality of elongated flexible filaments which extend downwardly from the spray bar of the sprayer towards the ground in an enclosure fashion so as to enclose the spray nozzles and the spray pattern thereof to prevent spray drift. The elongated flexible filaments not only prevent spray drift but allow obstructions to pass beneath the spray boom uninhindered, a feature not found in other agricultural sprayers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: The Broyhill Company
    Inventor: Craig G. Broyhill