Spraygun with built-in quick-fit connector

Abstract

A spray gun and a detachable liquid reservoir releasably attached to the spray gun by engagement of mateable, non-threaded formations provided on the spray gun and the reservoir. The spray gun has an integral connector boss with a socket for reception of a connector tube of the reservoir. The boss has an external flange at the distal end and the reservoir has hook members separate from the connector tube. The hook members are co-operable with the flange when the connector tube is received in the socket to secure releasably the reservoir to the spray gun. In another arrangement, the connector tube is an interference friction-fit in the socket to secure releasably the reservoir to the spray gun. In yet another arrangement, the connector tube has bayonet lugs co-operable with bayonet grooves in the wall of the socket when the connector tube is received in the socket to secure releasably the reservoir to the spray gun. In a still further arrangement, the reservoir has an integral spout received in the socket integral with the spray gun and provided with a helical projection co-operable with the underside of a radial lug externally of the socket to secure the reservoir.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from GB Ser. No. 0224698.1, filed Oct. 24, 2002, GB Ser. No. 0305614.0 filed Mar. 12, 2003, and GB Ser. No. 0311014.5 filed May 14, 2003.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] This invention concerns improvements in or relating to liquid spraying apparatus such as a spray gun. More especially, the invention relates to the connection between the spray gun and a reservoir containing the liquid to be sprayed. The invention has particular, but not exclusive, application to a releasable connection for detachably mounting the reservoir on the spray gun and to a spray gun adapted for such connection.[0004] 2. Background of the Invention[0005] Spray guns are widely used in vehicle body repair shops when re-spraying a vehicle that has been repaired following an accident. In the known spray guns, the liquid is contained in a reservoir attached to the gun from where it is fed to a spray nozzle. On emerging from the spray nozzle, the liquid is atomised an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Furthermore, at least one embodiment of the present invention provides such improved connection between the gun and reservoir that allows the reservoir to be attached directly to the gun without additional separate components that may be lost and / or may not match the connections on the gun and reservoir.

[0016] Moreover, at least one embodiment of the present invention provides a spray gun adapted for rapid, releasable connection to a reservoir that enables the reservoir to be connected when filled with liquid with less risk of spillage and does not require a high degree of dexterity on the part of the user to connect / disconnect the reservoir.

[0017] Additionally, at least one embodiment of the present invention provides a spray gun provided with an integral connector for detachably mounting a reservoir having a mateable connector, and an adapter for converting the spray gun connector for releasably mounting a reservoir provided with a non-mateable connector in a simple manner.

Problems solved by technology

With this arrangement, the threads on the gun and pot may be damaged by mis-use, for example if an attempt is made to secure a pot having a non-matching thread.

Damaged or blocked threads may render the gun unusable requiring the purchase of a new gun.

This adds to costs and is inconvenient if working time is lost because a spare gun is not to hand to continue spraying.

The use of solvents is undesirable from health and safety considerations and causes problems for disposal of the solvent after use.

This is time consuming and requires considerable care and dexterity on the part of the user to prevent spillage when the reservoir is full of liquid.

However, problems can arise if an adaptor having a thread matching the thread on the gun is not to hand, for example if the adaptor is removed for cleaning and lost.

The gun cannot then be used with the disposable reservoir and working time may be lost if the user does not have a spare adaptor or a rigid pot that can be screwed into the spray gun without the adaptor.

Also, the screw threaded connection between the gun and adaptor is susceptible to damage from mis-use in the same way as the connection between the gun and pot that may result in the gun being unusable.

Images