Handle for holding and remotely actuating an aerosol container

• US 5,368,202 A
• Filed: 11/19/1993
• Issued: 11/29/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas J. Smrt
• Original Assignee: Thomas J. Smrt
• Inventors: Smrt, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): Derakshani, Philippe
• Application Number:
  US08/156,025
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: 222/174, 222/323, 222/402.14, 222/402.15, 222/473, 222/474
• US Class Current: 222/174
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/202 combined with a hand grip hand-held or body-worn self-defense devices using aerosol containers F41H9/10
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/203 comprising an extension rod located between the aerosol container and the hand grip setting-out line markings on playing courts A63C19/065; marking-out on finished paving by spraying from aerosol containers E01C23/227
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/46 Tilt valves B65D83/50 takes precedence

Abstract

A spraying apparatus for discharging the contents of a valve-equipped aerosol can comprising: an elongated, hollow tube having a front and rear end; a front housing fixed to the tube at the front end, the front housing including a can holder comprising a hollow cylinder sized to receive an aerosol can; a bell crank pivotally mounted in the front housing; a trigger rod fixed to a first arm of the bell crank; an actuator rod fixed to a second arm of the bell crank and mounted within the first housing for longitudinal movement between a discharging position and a non-discharging position; a biasing spring fixed between the trigger rod and a retaining wall in the front housing; a rear housing mounted to the rear end of the tube the rear housing including a grip portion; a trigger disposed within the rear housing and connected to the trigger rod for reciprocating horizontal movement between a discharging position and a non-discharging position; a locker rotationally mounted in the rear housing and rotatable between a non-locking position, wherein only horizontal movement of the trigger is allowed, and a locking position wherein horizontal and vertical movement of the trigger in the discharging position is allowed; and a locking land disposed within the rear housing for frictionally receiving a front surface of the trigger when it is moved vertically from the discharging position, the biasing spring biasing the trigger into engagement with the locking land and thus maintaining the trigger in the discharging position.

Claims

1. A spraying apparatus for discharging the contents of a valve-equipped aerosol can comprising:

an elongated, hollow tube having a front and rear end;

a front housing fixed to the tube at the front end, the front housing including a can holder comprising a hollow cylinder sized to receive an aerosol can;

a bell crank pivotally mounted in the front housing;

a trigger rod fixed to a first arm of the bell crank, and mounted within the front assembly and tube for sliding longitudinal movement, such movement causing rotation of the bell crank;

an actuator rod fixed to a second arm of the bell crank and mounted within the first housing for longitudinal movement between a discharging position, wherein the actuator rod pushes the can valve, and a non-discharging position;

a biasing spring fixed between the trigger rod and a retaining wall in the front housing, which biases the trigger rod to a position where the actuator rod is in the non-discharging position;

a rear housing mounted to the rear end of the tube the rear housing including a grip portion;

a trigger disposed within the rear housing and connected to the trigger rod for reciprocating horizontal movement between a discharging position, wherein the actuator rod is in the discharging position, and a non-discharging position;

a locker rotationally mounted in the rear housing and rotatable between a non-locking position, wherein only horizontal movement of the trigger is allowed, and a locking position wherein horizontal and vertical movement of the trigger in the discharging position is allowed; and

a locking land disposed within the rear housing for frictionally receiving a front surface of the trigger when it is moved vertically from the discharging position, the biasing spring biasing the trigger into engagement with the locking land and thus maintaining the trigger in the discharging position.

2. The spraying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locker is generally cylindrical and includes a flat face.

3. The spraying apparatus of claim 2, wherein the trigger rod is disposed horizontally and includes a bend and a substantially vertically-extending portion beyond the bend, the substantially vertically extending portion being fixed to the trigger, the bend contacting the cylindrical region of the locker and preventing vertical movement of the trigger when the locker is in the non-locking position.

4. The spraying apparatus of claim 2, wherein when the flat face of the locker is disposed horizontally in the locking position, the bend of the trigger rod can move vertically when the trigger is in the discharging position.

5. The spraying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking land comprises two projections from respective sidewalls of the rear housing, the land including a gap between the two projections to allow clearance for the trigger rod.

6. The spraying apparatus of claim 1, wherein a lock switch is fixed to the locker and is manually movable to selectively move the locker between the locking and non-locking positions.

7. The spraying apparatus of claim 6, wherein a visual indicator on the exterior of the rear housing indicates the position of the locker.

8. The spraying apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wheel rotationally mounted on the can holder which contacts the aerosol can and rotates when the can is inserted into the holder.