Paint sprayer

Abstract

A paint sprayer comprises a cart unit that carries a motor and a fluid inlet line. The cart unit has a frame with a pair of spaced-apart legs for supporting the cart unit in an upright position, a telescopic handle that moves between a retracted and an extended handle position, an upper support bracket, a lower support bracket, and a pivoting support bracket that moves between a stowed position and a supported position. The pivoting support bracket supports the cart unit in a tilted position between the upright position and a horizontal position. The cart unit has a pair of lower wheels for rolling the cart unit when it is tilted backward from the upright position, and a pair of upper wheels located on the telescopic handle for rolling the cart unit together with the pair of lower wheels in the horizontal position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REGISTRATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application and claims priority pursuant to 35 USC §120 and the benefit of pending US patent application No. 18 / 140,851, filed on April 28, 2023, and US design application No. 29 / 882,620, filed on January 17, 2023, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in full by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Area of ​​the invention

[0002] The invention relates to a paint sprayer, in particular a portable paint sprayer, and a method for operating and transporting a portable paint sprayer. State of the art

[0003] Various paint sprayers are known. It is known to mount such paint sprayers on a frame with wheels to transport the sprayer to and from the place where it is to be operated. Due to their large, bulky size and considerable weight (paint sprayers can weigh between 50 and 200 pounds, even without the associated hose and spray gun), existing paint sprayers typically require two people to load and / or unload the sprayer into / out of a vehicle, such as the bed of a truck, the floor of a van, or the like.

[0004] Furthermore, operators often need to use loading ramps to roll the bulky, heavy paint sprayer onto and off the vehicle's raised platform, which is elevated above the ground. Such ramps take up additional space inside the vehicle when transporting the paint sprayer and require extra space behind the vehicle when in use. Since storage space inside the vehicle and parking space can be limited, eliminating the need for ramps when loading and unloading the paint sprayer would be advantageous.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a paint sprayer arrangement that can be easily loaded and unloaded into and out of a vehicle by one person without the need for ramps or other equipment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention relates to a paint sprayer, in particular a portable paint sprayer, and a method for operating and transporting a portable paint sprayer.

[0007] A paint sprayer according to one aspect of the invention comprises a motor with a gearbox and a fluid inlet line coupled to the motor. The fluid inlet line includes an inlet end configured to be immersed in a paint container. The paint sprayer further comprises an outlet port in fluid connection with the fluid inlet line and a carriage unit that supports the motor and the fluid inlet line.The cart comprises a frame with a pair of spaced-apart legs located at the lower part of the frame and configured to support the cart unit in an upright position; a telescopic handle located at the upper part of the frame and movable between a retracted and an extended handle position; an upper bracket projecting from the telescopic handle and configured to accommodate the first portion of a coiled flexible hose; and a telescopic support located between the lower and upper parts of the frame and movable between a retracted and an extended support position. The telescopic support is configured to support the cart unit in an inclined position between the upright and horizontal positions.The telescopic support is also configured to accommodate a second part of the coiled flexible hose.

[0008] The trolley unit further comprises a pair of lower wheels arranged on the lower part of the frame and configured to roll the trolley unit when it is tilted backwards from the upright position, and at least one upper wheel arranged on the telescopic handle and configured to roll the trolley unit together with the pair of lower wheels in the horizontal position.

[0009] A paint sprayer according to a further aspect of the invention comprises a motor with a gearbox and a fluid inlet line coupled to the motor. The fluid inlet line includes an inlet end configured to be immersed in a paint container. The paint sprayer further comprises an outlet connection in fluid link with the fluid inlet line and a carriage unit that supports the motor and the fluid inlet line.The cart comprises a frame with a pair of spaced-apart legs arranged at a lower part of the frame and configured to support the cart unit in an upright position; a telescopic handle arranged at an upper part of the frame and movable between a retracted handle position and an extended handle position; an upper bracket projecting from the telescopic handle and configured to accommodate a first portion of a coiled flexible hose; a lower bracket arranged between the lower and upper parts of the frame and configured to accommodate a second portion of the coiled flexible hose; and a pivoting support bracket coupled to the telescopic handle.The swiveling support bracket can be pivoted between a stowed position and a support position and, in the support position, is configured to support the cart unit in an inclined position between the upright position of the cart unit and a horizontal position of the cart unit.

[0010] The trolley unit further comprises a pair of lower wheels arranged at the bottom of the frame and configured to roll the trolley unit when it is tilted backward from the upright position, and a pair of upper wheels arranged at the telescopic handle and configured to roll the trolley unit together with the pair of lower wheels in the horizontal position.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the motor is an electric motor.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one upper wheel is a pair of upper wheels.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the paint sprayer has a respective handle that is arranged on each of the pairs of spaced-apart legs.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the telescopic handle has a locking mechanism configured to lock the telescopic handle in the retracted handle position and the extended handle position.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the locking mechanism for the telescopic handle comprises a plurality of spaced-apart openings and a spring-loaded button.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the telescopic support has a locking mechanism configured to lock the telescopic support in the retracted support position and the extended support position.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the locking mechanism for the telescopic support comprises a plurality of spaced-apart openings and a spring-loaded button.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, the paint sprayer comprises a first cam block arranged on a first side of the telescopic handle and a second cam block arranged on a second side of the telescopic handle, and the pivotable support bracket is pivotably coupled to each of the first cam block and the second cam block.

[0019] According to a further aspect of the invention, each first cam block and each second cam block has a first grooved channel and a second grooved channel, wherein a first part of the pivotable support bracket is pivotable between the first grooved channel and the second grooved channel of the first cam block and a second part of the pivotable support bracket is pivotable between the first grooved channel and the second grooved channel of the second cam block.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, in the stowed position the first part of the pivotable support bracket is arranged in the first grooved channel of the first cam block, the second part of the pivotable support bracket is arranged in the first grooved channel of the second cam block, and in the support position the first part of the pivotable support bracket is arranged in the second grooved channel of the first cam block, the second part of the pivotable support bracket is arranged in the second grooved channel of the second cam block.

[0021] A method for operating and transporting a paint sprayer according to one aspect of the invention comprises the step of providing a paint sprayer comprising a motor with a gearbox, a fluid inlet line coupled to the motor, an outlet port in fluid connection with the fluid inlet line, a trolley unit supporting the motor and the fluid inlet line, wherein the trolley unit comprises a frame with a pair of spaced-apart legs arranged on a lower part of the frame, a telescopic handle arranged on an upper part of the frame, an upper support projecting from the telescopic handle, and a telescopic support arranged between the lower part of the frame and the upper part of the frame, wherein the trolley unit further comprises a pair of lower wheels arranged on the lower part of the frame and at least one upper wheel arranged on the telescopic handle.

[0022] The procedure further includes the step of moving the paint sprayer to a selected location by grasping the telescopic handle, tilting the trolley unit backwards from an upright position, and rolling the trolley unit on the pair of lower wheels.

[0023] The procedure further includes the step of extending the telescopic support into an extended support position and tilting the trolley unit backwards, so that the paint sprayer is supported by the telescopic support in an inclined position of the trolley unit between the upright position of the trolley unit and a horizontal position of the trolley unit in order to place a paint container under an inlet end of the liquid inlet line.

[0024] The procedure further includes the step of retracting the telescopic support into a retracted support position and loading the paint sprayer onto a support surface of a vehicle by positioning the at least one upper wheel on the support surface of the vehicle, raising the cart unit into the horizontal position and rolling the cart unit onto the support surface on the pair of lower wheels and the at least one upper wheel.

[0025] A method for operating and transporting a paint sprayer according to a further aspect of the invention comprises the step of providing a paint sprayer comprising a motor with a gearbox, a fluid inlet line coupled to the motor, an outlet port in fluid connection with the fluid inlet line, a trolley unit supporting the motor and the fluid inlet line, wherein the trolley unit comprises a frame with a pair of spaced-apart legs arranged on a lower part of the frame, a telescopic handle arranged on an upper part of the frame, an upper support projecting from the telescopic handle, a lower support arranged between the lower and upper parts of the frame, and a pivotable support bracket coupled to the telescopic handle, wherein the trolley unit further comprises a pair of lower wheels arranged on the lower part of the frame.and includes a pair of upper wheels arranged on the telescopic handle.

[0026] The procedure further includes the step of moving the paint sprayer to a selected location by grasping the telescopic handle, tilting the trolley unit backwards from an upright position, and rolling the trolley unit on the pair of lower wheels.

[0027] The procedure further includes the step of pivoting the support bracket into a support position and tilting the trolley unit backwards, so that the paint sprayer is supported by the pivoting support bracket in an inclined position of the trolley unit between the upright position of the trolley unit and a horizontal position of the trolley unit in order to place a paint container under an inlet end of the liquid inlet line.

[0028] The procedure further includes the step of pivoting the support bracket into a stowed position and loading the paint sprayer onto a vehicle's support surface by positioning the pair of upper wheels on the vehicle's support surface, raising the cart unit into a horizontal position, and rolling the cart unit onto the support surface on the pair of lower wheels and the pair of upper wheels.

[0029] In a method according to a further aspect of the invention, the step of lifting the carriage unit into the horizontal position comprises grasping a respective handgrip arranged on each of the pairs of spaced-apart legs.

[0030] In a method according to a further aspect of the invention, the step of extending the telescopic support into the extended support position comprises locking the telescopic support in the extended support position with a locking mechanism.

[0031] In a method according to a further aspect of the invention, the step of retracting the telescopic support into the retracted support position comprises locking the telescopic support in the retracted support position with a locking mechanism.

[0032] In a method according to a further aspect of the invention, the step of pivoting the support bracket into the support position comprises pivoting a first part of the pivotable support bracket from a first grooved channel of a first cam block, which is arranged on a first side of the telescopic handle, to a second grooved channel of the first cam block and pivoting a second part of the pivotable support bracket from a first grooved channel of a second cam block, which is arranged on a second side of the telescopic handle, to a second grooved channel of the second cam block.

[0033] In a method according to a further aspect of the invention, the step of pivoting the support bracket into the stowed position comprises pivoting the first part of the pivotable support bracket from the second grooved channel of the first cam block, which is arranged on the first side of the telescopic handle, to the first grooved channel of the first cam block, and pivoting the second part of the pivotable support bracket from the second grooved channel of the second cam block, which is arranged on the second side of the telescopic handle, to the first grooved channel of the second cam block.

[0034] A method according to a further aspect of the invention comprises the steps of supporting a coiled flexible hose between the upper support and the telescopic support with the telescopic handle in an extended handle position; moving the telescopic handle from the extended handle position to a retracted handle position; and removing the coiled flexible hose from the upper support and the telescopic support.

[0035] In a method according to a further aspect of the invention, the inclined position of the carriage unit is in the range of 45 to 60 degrees from the upright position of the carriage unit.

[0036] In a method according to a further aspect of the invention, the support surface of the vehicle is a loading platform of a truck or a floor of a van.

[0037] In a method according to a further aspect of the invention, the step of loading the paint sprayer onto the vehicle's support surface is carried out without the use of a ramp.

[0038] An advantage of a paint sprayer and a method for operating and transporting a paint sprayer according to embodiments of the invention is the provision of a paint sprayer arrangement that can be easily loaded and unloaded into and out of a vehicle by one person without the need for ramps or other equipment.

[0039] Furthermore, a paint sprayer and a method for operating and transporting a paint sprayer according to embodiments of the invention can easily be loaded and unloaded into and out of a vehicle as a complete paint spraying system, including the paint sprayer and the associated hoses and paint spray guns.

[0040] A further advantage of a paint sprayer and a method for operating and transporting a paint sprayer according to embodiments of the invention is that a coiled flexible hose can be securely supported between an upper support bracket coupled with a lockable telescopic handle and a lower lockable telescopic support with the telescopic handle in an extended handle position, and the coiled flexible hose can be easily removed from the two supports when the telescopic handle is moved from the extended handle position to a retracted handle position.

[0041] A further advantage of a paint sprayer and a method for operating and transporting a paint sprayer according to embodiments of the invention is that a paint container, such as a five-gallon bucket of paint, can be easily placed in the immediate vicinity of the inlet end of a liquid inlet line of the paint sprayer by extending a telescopic support into a supported position and / or pivoting a support bracket into a supported position and tilting the cart unit backwards, so that the paint sprayer is supported by the telescopic support and / or by the pivoting support bracket in an inclined position of the cart unit between an upright position and a horizontal position, for example at an angle in the range of 45 to 60 degrees from the upright position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Other advantages, benefits, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings serve only for illustration and not as a definition of the limitations of the invention.

[0043] In the drawings, where similar reference symbols denote similar elements in the different views: Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a paint sprayer according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a side view of the in Fig. 1. Paint sprayer shown; Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a paint sprayer according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 shows a side view of the in Fig. 3 paint sprayer shown; Fig. Figure 5 shows the paint sprayer tilted backwards from an upright position to move the paint sprayer to a selected location; Fig. Figure 6 shows the paint sprayer tilted backwards and supported by a telescopic stand for placing a paint container under an inlet end of the liquid inlet line; Fig. Figure 7 shows the loading of the paint sprayer onto a support surface of a vehicle; Fig. Figure 8 shows the paint sprayer supporting a coiled flexible hose between the upper bracket and the telescopic support with the telescopic handle in an extended handle position; Fig. Figure 9 shows the telescopic handle in a retracted handle position for removing the coiled flexible hose from the upper bracket and telescopic support; Fig. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a paint sprayer according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. Figure 11 shows a side view of the in Fig. 10 paint sprayers shown; Fig. Figure 12 shows a detailed view of a swiveling support bracket of the in Fig. 10 paint sprayers shown; Fig. Figure 13 shows an exploded view of the pivoting support bracket mechanism with cam blocks with grooved channels; Fig. 14 shows that in Fig. 10. Paint sprayer shown, tilted backwards from an upright position to move the paint sprayer to a selected location; Fig. 15 shows that in Fig. 10. Paint sprayer shown, tilted backwards and supported by a swiveling support bracket to place a paint container under an inlet end of the liquid inlet line; and Fig. 16 shows that in Fig. 10. Paint sprayer shown, which is loaded onto a support surface of a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Referring now in detail to the drawings, and in particular Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a paint sprayer 1 according to an embodiment of the invention and Fig. 2 shows a side view of the in Fig. The paint sprayer shown in Figure 1 comprises a motor 2 with a gearbox. The motor 2 can be an electric motor or any suitable motor for generating pressure to spray the paint.

[0045] Motor 2 drives gears coupled to a linkage that moves a piston up and down in a fluid section of the paint sprayer. The speed and / or number of cycles (input) of this movement generates a desired output, which translates into the paint spray pressure delivered for a desired spray pattern performance.

[0046] The motor 2 can be coupled to a control box 21, which has a pressure control knob 22 for controlling the motor speed. A precision motor control mechanism (PMS) can adjust the motor speed to a desired pressure and a selected spray nozzle size and eliminate pulsation for all pressures and nozzle sizes.

[0047] The paint sprayer 1 can also include a filter system 3 including a filter housing 31 and a paint sieve filter 32, which prevents dirt or other particles from reaching the spray nozzle where they could clog the nozzle and impair the spray performance.

[0048] One or more outlet connections 33 (hose connections) can be provided on an outlet section of the filter system 3. The outlet connection or connections 33 are configured to accommodate a flexible high-pressure hose 200 (see Fig. 8 and Fig. 9) connect so that the filtered paint flows through the flexible hose 200 to a spray gun (not shown). The flexible hoses 200 allow painters to spray at greater distances from the paint sprayer 1, eliminating the need to reposition the paint sprayer. The flexible hoses 200 are typically fifty to three hundred feet long. Providing multiple outlet connections 33 allows two or more operators to spray simultaneously, each using a single hose 200 connected to a single paint sprayer unit 1.

[0049] A pressure relief valve 34 can be provided on the filter system 3. The pressure relief valve 34 can be a mechanical valve that allows the paint to be prepared by the paint sprayer 1. After preparation, the painter switches the pressure relief valve 34 to a spray position when ready to spray under high pressure. The pressure relief valve 34 can also be used to release the high pressure and allow the paint to be cleaned from the device.

[0050] A fluid inlet line 4 is coupled to the motor 2. The fluid inlet line 4 is in fluid communication with the outlet port(s) 33 and has an inlet end 41 configured to flow into a paint container 100 (see Fig. 6) to be immersed, for example, a conventional five-gallon bucket of paint. The liquid inlet line 4, or a portion thereof, is immersed in the paint container 100 for direct intake of the paint. The liquid inlet line 4 serves to draw in the paint, which is pressurized to be atomized and sprayed onto a surface by a paint spray gun with a spray nozzle (not shown).

[0051] The paint sprayer 1 may have a bucket hook 5 located at the front of the unit. The bucket hook 5 is used to secure the handle 101 of a paint container 100, such as the handle of a five-gallon paint bucket. When moving the paint sprayer to a different location, the paint container 100 can be attached to the unit by hanging the handle 101 on the bucket hook 5, tilting the paint sprayer 1 backward on its lower wheels 6, and thereby lifting the paint container 100 off the ground. In this way, the paint container 100 can be moved to a different location with the rolling paint sprayer 1, and the painter does not need to remove the liquid inlet line 4 from the paint container 100 when moving the paint sprayer 1 on a construction site.

[0052] The paint sprayer 1 may also have a power cord hook 7, which is used to hold a coiled electrical power cord when storing and transporting the paint sprayer 1.

[0053] The paint sprayer 1 further comprises a carriage unit 8, which carries the motor 2 and the liquid inlet line 4. The carriage unit 8 includes a frame 9.

[0054] The frame 9 comprises a pair of spaced-apart legs 91, which are arranged on a lower part of the frame 9 and are configured to support the carriage unit 8 in an upright position, such as in the Fig. Figures 1-4, 8, and 9 show that each of the spaced-apart legs 91 can have a corresponding handle 95. The handles 95 are configured to facilitate lifting the paint sprayer unit 1 and tilting it backward from an upright position into a horizontal position for easy loading and unloading into a vehicle 300, as shown in Fig. 7 shown.

[0055] The frame 9 also has a telescopic handle 92, which is arranged on an upper part of the frame 9 and extends between a retracted handle position, for example in the dashed line in the Fig. 1-4 shown, and an extended grip position, for example in a solid line in the Fig. Shown in 1-4, it is movable. Fig. Figure 8 shows the telescopic handle 92 in the extended handle position for supporting a wound-up flexible hose 200 and Fig. Figure 9 shows the telescopic handle 92 in the retracted handle position for removing the wound-up flexible hose 200.

[0056] The telescopic handle 92 can have a locking mechanism configured to lock the telescopic handle 92 in at least the retracted handle position and the extended handle position. The locking mechanism can comprise a plurality of spaced-apart openings 96 and a spring-loaded button 97. The spring-loaded button 97 is configured to engage in a selected spaced-apart opening to lock the telescopic handle 92 in a desired position, for example, in an extended position for rolling the paint sprayer unit 1 to a work site, as shown in Fig. 5 shown, or a retracted position for transporting or storing the paint sprayer unit 1 or for removing the coiled flexible hose 200, as shown in Fig. 9 shown.

[0057] The frame 9 has an upper support 93 which projects from the telescopic handle 92 and is configured to receive a first or upper part 201 of a coiled flexible hose 200.

[0058] The frame 9 also has a telescopic support 94, which is arranged between the lower part of the frame 9 and the upper part of the frame 9 and between a retracted support position, for example in a solid line in the Fig. 1-4 shown, and an extended support position, for example in the dashed line in the Fig. The telescopic support 94 is shown in Figures 1-4 and is movable. It is configured to support the carriage unit 8 in an inclined position between the upright position and a horizontal position, as shown in Figures 1-4. Fig. 6 shown. The telescopic support 94 is moved into its retracted position when the paint sprayer 1 is loaded and unloaded, which allows the unit to roll on its at least one upper wheel 81 and the lower wheels 6.

[0059] The telescopic support 94 may have a locking mechanism configured to lock the telescopic support 94 in at least the retracted support position and the extended support position. The locking mechanism may be essentially the same as described above for the telescopic handle 92 and may comprise a plurality of spaced-apart openings 98 and a spring-loaded button 99 configured to engage in a selected spaced-apart opening 98 to lock the telescopic support 94 in a desired position. As described in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the telescopic support 94 can be locked in a position to support the paint sprayer 1 so that a container 100 with paint can be easily placed under an inlet end 41 of the liquid inlet line 5.

[0060] The telescopic support 94 is configured to accommodate a second or lower part 202 of the coiled flexible hose 200, as shown in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shown.

[0061] The carriage unit 8 comprises a pair of lower wheels 6, which are arranged on the lower part of the frame 9 and are configured to roll the carriage unit 8 when it is tilted backward from the upright position, as shown in Fig. Figure 5 shows that at least one upper wheel 81 is arranged on the telescopic handle 92 and is configured to roll the carriage unit 8 together with the pair of lower wheels 6 when the paint sprayer 1 is in a horizontal position. The at least one upper wheel 81 can be a single upper wheel 81 arranged centrally on the cross member of the telescopic handle 92, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown, a pair of upper wheels 81, as in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown, or any suitable number of upper wheels. Preferably, the one or more upper wheels 81 have a smaller diameter than the lower wheels 6.

[0062] To operate and transport a paint sprayer 1 according to one aspect of the invention, a paint sprayer 1 is provided, comprising a motor 2 with a gearbox 21, a fluid inlet line 4 coupled to the motor 2, an outlet port 33 in fluid connection with the fluid inlet line 4, and a carriage unit 8 that supports the motor 2 and the fluid inlet line 4. The carriage unit 8 comprises a frame 9 with a pair of spaced-apart legs 91 arranged on a lower part of the frame 9, a telescopic handle 92 arranged on an upper part of the frame 9, an upper support 93 projecting from the telescopic handle 92, and a telescopic support 94 arranged between the lower part of the frame 9 and the upper part of the frame 9.The carriage unit 8 further comprises a pair of lower wheels 6 arranged on the lower part of the frame 9 and at least one upper wheel 81 arranged on the telescopic handle 92.

[0063] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the paint sprayer 1 can be moved to a selected location by grasping the telescopic handle 92, tilting the trolley unit 8 backwards from an upright position, and rolling the trolley unit 8 on the pair of lower wheels 6.

[0064] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the telescopic support 94 can be extended and locked in an extended support position, and the trolley unit 8 can be tilted backward so that the paint sprayer 1 is supported by the telescopic support 94 in an inclined position of the trolley unit 8 between the upright position of the trolley unit 8 and a horizontal position, in order to place a paint container 100 under an inlet end 41 of the liquid inlet line 4. The telescopic support 94 can be configured to support the trolley unit 8 in an inclined position in the range of 45 to 60 degrees from the upright position of the trolley unit (see Figure 6). Fig. 6, angle β).

[0065] The telescopic support 94 can also be retracted and locked in a retracted support position. The paint sprayer 1 can be loaded onto a support surface 301 of a vehicle 300 by positioning the at least one upper wheel 81 on the support surface 301 of the vehicle 300, raising the trolley unit 8 into a horizontal position, and rolling the trolley unit 8 onto the support surface 301 on the pair of lower wheels 6 and the at least one upper wheel 81. The support surface 301 of the vehicle 300 can be a truck bed, the floor of a van, a trailer bed, or any other suitable surface. In this way, loading and unloading the paint sprayer 1 can be carried out by a single operator without the use of ramps or other equipment.The loading and unloading process can be facilitated by using the respective handholds 95 provided on each of the spaced legs 91 of the frame, as shown in . Fig. 7 shown.

[0066] The telescopic support 94 is preferably locked in a selected extended support position or retracted position by a locking mechanism, for example a plurality of spaced-apart openings 98 into which a spring-loaded button 99 engages.

[0067] A coiled flexible hose 200, designed to be coupled at one end to an outlet fitting 33 and at the other end to a paint spray gun, can be supported between the upper bracket 93 and the telescopic support 94 with the telescopic handle in an extended grip position, as shown in Fig. 8 shown. The telescopic handle 92 is then moved from the extended handle position to a retracted handle position, as shown in Fig. 9 shown. This makes it easy to remove the coiled flexible hose 200 from the upper bracket 93 and the telescopic support 94, as shown in Fig. 9 shown.

[0068] Fig. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a paint sprayer 1 according to another embodiment of the invention and Fig. Figure 11 shows a side view of the in Fig. 10. Paint sprayer 1 shown. In this embodiment, the paint sprayer 1 comprises a pivoting support bracket 400, which may be provided in addition to or instead of a telescopic support 94. For example, in certain embodiments, the support 94 may be a fixed lower bracket configured to receive a lower part 202 of a coiled flexible hose 201 (see Figure 10). Fig. 8 and Fig. 9).

[0069] As in the Fig. 10 and Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the paint sprayer 1 comprises a motor 2 with a gearbox. The motor 2 can be an electric motor or any suitable motor for generating pressure to spray the paint.

[0070] Motor 2 drives gears coupled to a linkage that moves a piston up and down in a fluid section of the paint sprayer. The speed and / or number of cycles (input) of this movement generates a desired output, which translates into the paint spray pressure delivered for a desired spray pattern performance.

[0071] The motor 2 can be coupled to a control box 21, which has a pressure control knob 22 for controlling the motor speed. A precision motor control mechanism (PMS) can adjust the motor speed to a desired pressure and a selected spray nozzle size and eliminate pulsation for all pressures and nozzle sizes.

[0072] The paint sprayer 1 can also include a filter system 3 including a filter housing 31 and a paint sieve filter 32, which prevents dirt or other particles from reaching the spray nozzle where they could clog the nozzle and impair the spray performance.

[0073] One or more outlet connections 33 (hose connections) can be provided on an outlet section of the filter system 3. The outlet connection or connections 33 are configured to accommodate a flexible high-pressure hose 200 (see Fig. 8 and Fig. 9) connect so that the filtered paint flows through the flexible hose 200 to a spray gun (not shown). The flexible hoses 200 allow painters to spray at greater distances from the paint sprayer 1, eliminating the need to reposition the paint sprayer. The flexible hoses 200 are typically fifty to three hundred feet long. Providing multiple outlet connections 33 allows two or more operators to spray simultaneously, each using a single hose 200 connected to a single paint sprayer unit 1.

[0074] A pressure relief valve 34 can be provided on the filter system 3. The pressure relief valve 34 can be a mechanical valve that allows the paint to be prepared by the paint sprayer 1. After preparation, the painter switches the pressure relief valve 34 to a spray position when ready to spray under high pressure. The pressure relief valve 34 can also be used to release the high pressure and allow the paint to be cleaned from the device.

[0075] A fluid inlet line 4 is coupled to the motor 2. The fluid inlet line 4 is in fluid communication with the outlet port(s) 33 and has an inlet end 41 configured to flow into a paint container 100 (see Fig. 15) to be immersed, for example, a conventional five-gallon bucket of paint. The liquid inlet line 4, or a portion thereof, is immersed in the paint container 100 for direct intake of the paint. The liquid inlet line 4 serves to draw in the paint, which is pressurized to be atomized and sprayed onto a surface by a paint spray gun with a spray nozzle (not shown).

[0076] The paint sprayer 1 may have a bucket hook 5 located at the front of the unit. The bucket hook 5 is used to secure the handle 101 of a paint container 100, such as the handle of a five-gallon paint bucket. When moving the paint sprayer to a different location, the paint container 100 can be attached to the unit by hanging the handle 101 on the bucket hook 5, tilting the paint sprayer 1 backward on its lower wheels 6, and thereby lifting the paint container 100 off the ground. In this way, the paint container 100 can be moved to a different location with the rolling paint sprayer 1, and the painter does not need to remove the liquid inlet line 4 from the paint container 100 when moving the paint sprayer 1 on a construction site.

[0077] The paint sprayer 1 may also have a power cord hook 7, which is used to hold a coiled electrical power cord when storing and transporting the paint sprayer 1.

[0078] The paint sprayer 1 further comprises a carriage unit 8, which carries the motor 2 and the liquid inlet line 4. The carriage unit 8 includes a frame 9.

[0079] The frame 9 comprises a pair of spaced-apart legs 91, which are arranged on a lower part of the frame 9 and are configured to support the carriage unit 8 in an upright position, such as in the Fig. 10, Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 14 shows that each of the spaced legs 91 can have a corresponding handle 95. The handles 95 are configured to facilitate lifting the paint sprayer unit 1 and tilting it backward from an upright position into a horizontal position for easy loading and unloading into a vehicle 300, as shown in Figure 14. Fig. 16 shown.

[0080] The frame 9 also has a telescopic handle 92, which is arranged on an upper part of the frame 9 and extends between a retracted handle position, for example in the dashed line in the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 shown, and an extended grip position, for example in a solid line in the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 shown, is movable. Fig. Figure 8 shows the telescopic handle 92 in the extended handle position for supporting a wound-up flexible hose 200 and Fig. Figure 9 shows the telescopic handle 92 in the retracted handle position for removing the wound-up flexible hose 200.

[0081] The telescopic handle 92 can have a locking mechanism configured to lock the telescopic handle 92 in at least the retracted handle position and the extended handle position. The locking mechanism can comprise a plurality of spaced-apart openings 96 and a spring-loaded button 97. The spring-loaded button 97 is configured to engage in a selected spaced-apart opening to lock the telescopic handle 92 in a desired position, for example, in an extended position for rolling the paint sprayer unit 1 to a work site, as shown in Fig. 14 shown, or a retracted position for transporting or storing the paint sprayer unit 1 or for removing the coiled flexible hose 200, as shown in Fig. 9 shown.

[0082] The frame 9 has an upper support 93 which projects from the telescopic handle 92 and is configured to receive a first or upper part 201 of a coiled flexible hose 200.

[0083] The frame 9 also has a lower support 94, which is positioned between the lower part of the frame and the upper part of the frame and is configured to receive a second part 202 of the coiled flexible hose 200. The lower support 94 can be a fixed support or a telescopic support, as described above.

[0084] Frame 9 has a swiveling support bracket 400, which is coupled to the telescopic handle 92. The swiveling support bracket 400 is located between a stowed position, which extends in a solid line into the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 is shown, and a support position, which is shown in a dashed line in the Fig. 10 and Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the swiveling support bracket 400 is configured in the support position to support the carriage unit 8 in an inclined position between the upright position and a horizontal position, as shown in Figure 11. Fig. Figure 15 shows that the pivoting support bracket 400 is moved into its stowed position when the paint sprayer 1 is loaded and unloaded, allowing the unit to roll on the upper wheels 81 and the lower wheels 6. The lower wheels 6 are located on the lower part of the frame 9 and are configured to roll the trolley unit 8 when it is tilted backward from the upright position, and the upper wheels 81 are located on the telescopic handle 92 and are configured to roll the trolley unit 8 together with the pair of lower wheels 6 when the unit is in the horizontal position.

[0085] As in the Fig. 10, Fig. 12 and Fig. As shown in Figure 13, the paint sprayer 1 can comprise a first cam block 501, arranged on a first side of the telescopic handle 92, and a second cam block 502, arranged on a second side of the telescopic handle 92. The pivoting support bracket 400 is pivotably coupled to each of the first cam block 501 and the second cam block 502. In particular, each first cam block 501 and second cam block 502 can have a respective first grooved channel 511 and a second grooved channel 512. A first part 401 of the pivoting support bracket 400 is pivotable between the first grooved channel 511 and the second grooved channel 512 of the first cam block 501, and a second part 402 of the pivoting support bracket 400 is pivotable between the first grooved channel 511 and the second grooved channel 512 of the second cam block 502.

[0086] In the stowed position of the pivoting support bracket 400, the first part 401 of the pivoting support bracket 400 is arranged in the first grooved channel 511 of the first cam block 501, and the second part 402 of the pivoting support bracket 400 is arranged in the first grooved channel 511 of the second cam block 502.

[0087] Likewise, in the support position of the pivoting support bracket 400, the first part 401 of the pivoting support bracket 400 is arranged in the second grooved channel 512 of the first cam block 501, and the second part 402 of the pivoting support bracket 400 is arranged in the second grooved channel 512 of the second cam block 502.

[0088] In this way, the operation of the pivoting support bracket 400 is similar to that of a bicycle stand, with the first and second cam blocks 501, 502 acting like bicycle stand cams and the respective part of the pivoting support bracket 400 springing into the respective grooved channel 511, 512 to lock the support bracket 400 in the desired stowed or supported position. Only a slight force is required by an operator to move the respective part of the pivoting support bracket 400 from one grooved channel to another, for example, by overcoming a ridge or projection located between the first 511 and the second 512 grooved channel in the cam blocks 501, 502.

[0089] The cam blocks 501, 502 can be attached to an upper part of the telescopic handle 92, and the upper wheels 81 can be coupled to the telescopic handle 92 via the respective cam blocks 501, 502.

[0090] Fig. Figure 15 shows the swiveling support bracket 94, which is locked in a support position to support the paint sprayer 1 so that a container 100 with paint can be easily placed under an inlet end 41 of the liquid inlet line 5.

[0091] The carriage unit 8 comprises a pair of lower wheels 6, which are arranged on the lower part of the frame 9 and are configured to roll the carriage unit 8 when it is tilted backward from the upright position, as shown in Fig. Figure 14 shows that a pair of upper wheels 81 is arranged on the telescopic handle 92 and configured to roll the carriage unit 8 together with the pair of lower wheels 6 when the paint sprayer 1 is in a horizontal position. Preferably, the upper wheels 81 have a smaller diameter than the lower wheels 6.

[0092] To operate and transport a paint sprayer 1 according to one aspect of the invention, a paint sprayer 1 is provided, comprising a motor 2 with a gearbox 21, a fluid inlet line 4 coupled to the motor 2, an outlet port 33 in fluid connection with the fluid inlet line 4, and a carriage unit 8 that supports the motor 2 and the fluid inlet line 4. The carriage unit 8 comprises a frame 9 with a pair of spaced-apart legs 91 arranged on a lower part of the frame 9, a telescopic handle 92 arranged on an upper part of the frame 9, an upper support 93 projecting from the telescopic handle 92, a lower support 94 arranged between the lower part of the frame 9 and the upper part of the frame 9, and a pivotable support bracket 400 coupled to the telescopic handle 92.The carriage unit 8 further comprises a pair of lower wheels 6 arranged on the lower part of the frame 9 and a pair of upper wheels 81 arranged on the telescopic handle 92.

[0093] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 14, the paint sprayer 1 can be moved to a selected location by grasping the telescopic handle 92, tilting the trolley unit 8 backwards from an upright position, and rolling the trolley unit 8 on the pair of lower wheels 6.

[0094] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the swiveling support bracket 400 can be pivoted into a support position and the trolley unit 8 tilted backwards, so that the paint sprayer 1 is supported by the swiveling support bracket in an inclined position of the trolley unit 8 between the upright position of the trolley unit 8 and a horizontal position, in order to place a paint container 100 under an inlet end 41 of the liquid inlet line 4. The swiveling support bracket can be configured to support the trolley unit 8 in an inclined position in the range of 45 to 60 degrees from the upright position of the trolley unit (see Figure 15). Fig. 15, angle β).

[0095] The swiveling support bracket 400 can also be swivelled into a stowed position, and the paint sprayer 1 can be loaded onto a support surface 301 of a vehicle 300 by positioning the pair of upper wheels 81 on the support surface 301 of the vehicle 300, raising the trolley unit 8 into a horizontal position, and rolling the trolley unit 8 onto the support surface 301 on the pair of lower wheels 6 and upper wheels 81. The support surface 301 of the vehicle 300 can be the loading platform of a truck, the floor of a van, a trailer bed, or any other suitable surface. In this way, loading and unloading the paint sprayer 1 can be carried out by a single operator without the use of ramps or other equipment. The loading and unloading process can be facilitated by grasping the respective handles 95 provided on each of the spaced-apart legs 91 of the frame, as shown in Fig. 16 shown.

[0096] The pivoting support bracket 400 can be pivoted into the support position by pivoting a first part 401 of the pivoting support bracket 400 from a first grooved channel 511 of a first cam block 501, which is arranged on a first side of the telescopic handle 92, to a second grooved channel 512 of the first cam block 501, and a second part 402 of the pivoting support bracket 400 from a first grooved channel 511 of a second cam block 502, which is arranged on a second side of the telescopic handle 92, to a second grooved channel 512 of the second cam block 502.

[0097] Likewise, the pivoting support bracket 400 can be pivoted into the stowed position by pivoting the first part 401 of the pivoting support bracket 400 from the second grooved channel 512 of the first cam block 501, which is arranged on the first side of the telescopic handle 92, to the first grooved channel 511 of the first cam block 501, and by pivoting the second part 402 of the pivoting support bracket 400 from the second grooved channel 512 of the second cam block 502, which is arranged on the second side of the telescopic handle 92, to the first grooved channel 511 of the second cam block 502.

[0098] Although a number of embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications can be made to it without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 18 / 140,851

[0001] US 29 / 882,620

[0001]

Claims

[1] A paint sprayer comprising: an engine with a gearbox; a liquid inlet line coupled to the motor, wherein the liquid inlet line includes an inlet end configured to be immersed in a paint container; an outlet port in fluid connection with the fluid inlet line; and a carriage unit that carries the engine and the fluid inlet line; the wagon unit includes a frame; the framework encompasses: a pair of spaced-apart legs arranged on a lower part of the frame and configured to support the carriage unit in an upright position; a telescopic handle that is located on an upper part of the frame and is movable between a retracted handle position and an extended handle position; an upper bracket extending from the telescopic handle and configured to accommodate the first part of a coiled flexible hose; a lower support positioned between the lower part of the frame and the upper part of the frame, configured to accommodate a second part of the coiled flexible hose; and a swiveling support bracket coupled to the telescopic handle and pivotable between a stowed position and a support position, wherein the swiveling support bracket in the support position is configured to support the cart unit in an inclined position of the cart unit between the upright position of the cart unit and a horizontal position of the cart unit; wherein the trolley unit further comprises a pair of lower wheels arranged on the lower part of the frame and configured to roll the trolley unit when it is tilted backwards from the upright position, and a pair of upper wheels arranged on the telescopic handle and configured to roll the trolley unit together with the pair of lower wheels in the horizontal position. [2] The paint sprayer according to claim 1, further comprising a first cam block arranged on a first side of the telescopic handle and a second cam block arranged on a second side of the telescopic handle, wherein the pivotable support bracket is pivotably coupled to each of the first cam block and the second cam block. [3] The paint sprayer according to claim 2, wherein each first cam block and second cam block comprises a first grooved channel and a second grooved channel, wherein a first part of the pivotable support bracket is pivotable between the first grooved channel and the second grooved channel of the first cam block and a second part of the pivotable support bracket is pivotable between the first grooved channel and the second grooved channel of the second cam block. [4] The paint sprayer according to claim 3, wherein In the stowed position, the first part of the pivoting support bracket is arranged in the first grooved channel of the first cam block, and the second part of the pivoting support bracket is arranged in the first grooved channel of the second cam block, and In the support position, the first part of the pivoting support bracket is arranged in the second grooved channel of the first cam block, and the second part of the pivoting support bracket is arranged in the second grooved channel of the second cam block. [5] The paint sprayer according to claim 1, wherein the motor comprises an electric motor. [6] The paint sprayer according to claim 1, further comprising a respective handle arranged on each of the pairs of spaced-apart legs. [7] The paint sprayer according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic handle comprises a locking mechanism configured to lock the telescopic handle in the retracted handle position and the extended handle position. [8] The paint sprayer according to claim 1, wherein the inclined position of the carriage unit is in the range of 45 to 60 degrees from the upright position of the carriage unit. [9] A method for operating and transporting a paint sprayer, the method comprising the steps: Providing a paint sprayer comprising a motor with a gearbox, a fluid inlet line coupled to the motor, an outlet port in fluid connection with the fluid inlet line, a carriage unit supporting the motor and the fluid inlet line, wherein the carriage unit comprises a frame with a pair of spaced-apart legs arranged on a lower part of the frame, a telescopic handle arranged on an upper part of the frame, an upper support extending from the telescopic handle, a lower support arranged between the lower part of the frame and the upper part of the frame, and a pivoting support bracket coupled to the telescopic handle, wherein the carriage unit further comprises a pair of lower wheels arranged on the lower part of the frame and a pair of upper wheels arranged on the telescopic handle; Moving the paint sprayer to a selected location by grasping the telescopic handle, tilting the trolley unit backwards from an upright position, and rolling the trolley unit on the pair of lower wheels; Swiveling the support bracket into a support position and tilting the trolley unit backwards so that the paint sprayer is supported by the support bracket in an inclined position of the trolley unit between the upright position of the trolley unit and a horizontal position of the trolley unit, in order to place a paint container under an inlet end of the liquid inlet line; and Swiveling the support bracket into a stowed position and loading the paint sprayer onto a vehicle's support surface by positioning the pair of upper wheels on the vehicle's support surface, lifting the cart unit into a horizontal position, and rolling the cart unit onto the support surface on the pair of lower wheels and the pair of upper wheels. [10] The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of lifting the carriage unit into the horizontal position comprises grasping a respective handgrip arranged on each of the pairs of spaced-apart legs. [11] The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of pivoting the support bracket into the support position comprises pivoting a first part of the pivotable support bracket from a first grooved channel of a first cam block, which is arranged on a first side of the telescopic handle, to a second grooved channel of the first cam block and pivoting a second part of the pivotable support bracket from a first grooved channel of a second cam block, which is arranged on a second side of the telescopic handle, to a second grooved channel of the second cam block. [12] The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of pivoting the support bracket into the stowed position comprises pivoting the first part of the pivotable support bracket from the second grooved channel of the first cam block, which is arranged on the first side of the telescopic handle, to the first grooved channel of the first cam block and pivoting the second part of the pivotable support bracket from the second grooved channel of the second cam block, which is arranged on the second side of the telescopic handle, to the first grooved channel of the second cam block. [13] The method according to claim 9, wherein the inclined position of the carriage unit is in the range of 45 to 60 degrees from the upright position of the carriage unit. [14] The method according to claim 9, wherein the support surface of the vehicle comprises a loading platform of a truck or a floor of a van. [15] The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of loading the paint sprayer onto the support surface of the vehicle is carried out without the use of a ramp.

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