A spray gun with selectively activatable automatic locking mechanism and method for manufacturing an actuator element

Abstract

Spray gun (10) with selectively activatable automatic locking mechanism comprising: - a spray gun main body comprising at least one channel body (34, 70) that provides a fluid channel for the passage of fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet of the spray gun (10); - a valve (22, 24) for selectively opening and closing the fluid channel; - an actuator element (32) operably coupled to the valve (22, 24) in such way that the valve (22, 24) can be caused to open and close the fluid channel by manual operation of the actuator element (32), wherein the actuator element (32) can be actuated into a first position in which the actuator element (32) causes the valve (22, 24) to be in a state in which the fluid channel is open and wherein the actuator element (32) can be actuated from the first position to a second position in which the actuator element (32) causes the valve (22, 24) to be in a state in which the fluid channel is closed; - a locking structure (38, 40, 42) providing a locking function to releasably lock the actuator element (32) in the first position, wherein the locking structure (38, 40, 42) is configured to be switchable for selectively activating and deactivating the locking function of the locking structure (38, 40, 42), wherein the locking structure (38, 40, 42) comprises: a rigid locking element (40) that is engageable with a rigid counterlocking element (42) to lock the actuator element (32) in the first position when the locking function is activated, and wherein the locking element (40) is not engageable with the counterlocking element (42) when the actuator element (32) is actuated into the first position, when the locking function is deactivated.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] A SPRAY GUN WITH SELECTIVELY ACTIVATABLE AUTOMATIC LOCKING MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN ACTUATOR ELEMENT

[0003] The present invention relates to a spray gun with a selectively activatable automatic locking mechanism.

[0004] Spray guns for irrigation with automatic locking mechanisms for locking the valve of the spray gun in an open or closed state are commonly known in the art.

[0005] EP 2 386 640 Bl discloses a spray switch for a spray gun with a press handle and a spray switch for changing spray modes between manually controlling the press handle or continuous spraying by a single press. An elastic wire is used in connection with a guide block that has symmetric guides and recesses on two lateral sides for guiding and holding the guide pins.

[0006] US 2014 / 0367496 Al discloses a sprinkler with a handle, a nozzle connected to the handle, a lever connected to the handle and pivotable between an idle position and an active position, and a lever locking apparatus for locking the lever in the active position. The lever locking apparatus includes a catch made from an elastic metal wire attached to the lever that can engage with an anchor attached to the handle.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a spray gun with a selectively activatable automatic locking mechanism that is advantageous over the prior art and to provide a method for manufacturing such a spray gun.

[0008] The object of the present invention is achieved by a spray gun with the features defined in claim 1.

[0009] More specifically, the present invention provides a spray gun with a selectively activatable automatic locking mechanism comprising: a spray gun main body comprising at least one channel body that provides a fluid channel for the passage of fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet of the spray gun; a valve for selectively opening and closing the fluid channel; an actuator element operably coupled to the valve in such way that the valve can be caused to open and close the fluid channel by manual operation of the actuator element, wherein the actuator element can be actuated into a first position in which the actuator element causes the valve to be in a state in which the fluid channel is open and wherein the actuator element can be actuated from the first position to a second position in which the actuator element causes the valve to be in a state in which the fluid channel is closed; a locking structure providing a locking function to releasably lock the actuator element in the first position, wherein the locking structure is configured to be switchable for selectively activating and deactivating the locking function of the locking structure, wherein the locking structure comprises: a rigid locking element and a rigid counterlocking element, wherein the locking element is engageable with the counterlocking element to lock the actuator element in the first position when the locking function is activated, and wherein the locking element is not engageable with the counterlocking element when the actuator element is actuated into the first position, when the locking function is deactivated.

[0010] In the solutions according to the prior art, only a thin spring wire is used. This results in high manufacturing tolerances that have to be met and relatively low mechanical stability. An increase of the wire diameter would improve the mechanical stability, but the wire would not be flexible enough to move through the guiding structure. Additionally, a wire with increased diameter would increase wear on the baffles of the guiding structure. According to the invention, a locking structure is provided with a rigid locking element engageable with a rigid counterlocking element so that an elastic wire element may be avoided. The mechanical stability is increased and lower manufacturing tolerances can be allowed.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a moveable on / off switch (or: slider) is arranged within the actuator element that may be, in particular immediately, coupled with the locking element, in particular wherein the on / off switch comprises a body with hooks which engage with hinge pins of the locking element. The on / off switch enables a user to easily activate and deactivate the locking function. The arrangement of the on / off switch inside of the actuator element enables the switch to cooperate with the locking element in a mechanically stable and reliable way. A simple way to move the hinge pins of the locking element is thus achieved.

[0012] Additionally, the on / off switch may be accessible for user operation in a first end section of the actuator element and / or the locking element may be located in or close to a second end section of the actuator element, in particular wherein the on / off switch extends at least from the first end section to the second end section within the actuator element.

[0013] Thus, the on / off switch can be operated by a user's finger at one end of the actuator element, e.g., close to hinge pivotably coupling the actuator element to the spray gun main body, and at the same time, the locking element may be located at a second end section, e.g., representing a free end of the actuator element fixation.

[0014] Further, the actuator element comprises a U-shaped cross-section formed by a bottom wall and two opposing side walls of the actuator element, wherein the on / off switch is movable back and forth, in particular linearly, within the actuator element, in particular wherein the actuator element is guided in this movement by the bottom wall and / or the two opposing side walls.

[0015] In this configuration, the on / off switch is reliably guided within the actuator element and protected from dirt particles that might negatively affect the sliding function of the on / off switch. The on / off switch may be movably guided within the actuator element in a form-closure.

[0016] Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment, the body of the on / off switch may comprise at least two longitudinally extending walls and at least one button block or button plate interconnecting the walls, wherein the on / off switch may be slidably supported within the actuator element, in particular wherein the walls and / or the button block or button plate are in sliding contact with the actuator element. Thus, a rigid and stable on / off switch is provided that enables a reliable sliding function within the actuator element where the risk of jamming is eliminated or at least reduced.

[0017] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the actuator element may comprise at least one switch guiding element and the body of the on / off switch may comprise at least one counter guiding element, wherein the switch guiding element and the counter guiding element interact to linearly guide, in particular along a longitudinal axis of the actuator element, the on / off switch within the actuator element.

[0018] This configuration further contributes to a reliable linear guidance of the on / off switch within the actuator element. The switch guiding element and the counter guiding element can provide for an audible sound when the on / off switch is mounted to the actuator element signalling to the worker respectively user that the on / off switch has reached its intended operative position. This effect is achieved in particular when the switch guiding element and / or the counter guiding element are provided as snap elements.

[0019] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the actuator element may be pivotably coupled to the spray gun main body, in particular to the channel body, via an actuator element hinge arranged at or close to a first end section of the actuator element, and wherein the actuator element may be operably coupled to the valve in a second end section of the actuator element, wherein the first end section may be arranged closer to a fluid inlet of the spray gun than the second end section, in particular wherein the locking structure may be arranged between the actuator element hinge and the valve, in particular wherein the locking element may be pivotably coupled to the actuator element adjacent to an area where the actuator element is or comes in contact with the valve.

[0020] In this configuration, the locking element and the part of the on / off switch coupled thereto are arranged close the area where the actuator element operates the valve stem of the valve. Therefore, the actuator element is guided close to a contact area with the valve, thereby avoiding tilting or distortion of the actuator element relative to the spray gun main body to the forces resulting from the pressure on the valve stem.

[0021] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the locking element comprises a swivel bracket pivotably coupled to the actuator element, in particular comprising a bracket body to which at least two hinge pins are attached that can be or are coupled to corresponding hinge supports attached to the actuator element, preferably wherein the hinge supports are integrally formed to the actuator element.

[0022] In that way a very stable hinge connection between swivel bracket and actuator element can be provided that allows pivotal movement of the swivel bracket.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the actuator element comprises hinge supports that may be formed to define at least a first hinge position and a second hinge position distanced from the first hinge position, in particular distanced from each other relative to the longitudinal axis of the actuator element, for the hinge pins of the locking element, in particular wherein the hinge supports comprise a first curved contour element and a second curved contour element that are connected by a straight contour element.

[0024] In that way, the hinge pins and, in consequence, the swivel bracket as a whole can be placed in a first hinge position and in a second hinge position distanced from the first hinge position within the actuator element. Curved contour elements are a particularly advantageous possibility to provide such hinge positions.

[0025] Also advantageously, the actuator element comprises a biasing element, wherein the swivel bracket is arranged between the biasing element and the hinge supports so that the biasing element pushes the swivel bracket against the hinge supports, in particular when the hinge pins are arranged within the curved contour of the first curved contour element or of the second curved contour element or when the hinge pins travel from the first curved contour element to the second curved contour element or from the second curved contour element to the first curved contour element. In this way, the swivel bracket is arranged backlash-free in the hinge positions of the hinge supports. Also, when travelling from the first curved contour element to the second curved contour element and back the swivel bracket is pushed against the hinge supports by the biasing element and is thus backlash-free during travel.

[0026] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the locking function can be deactivated when the actuator element is locked in the first position, in particular wherein deactivating the locking function when the actuator element is locked in the first position causes the locking element to disengage, particularly to entirely disengage, with the counterlocking element.

[0027] In this way, the locking function can be deactivated even when the actuator element is in a locked state. Afterwards, when the user requires the locking function to be activated again, only the on / off switch has to be moved.

[0028] The present invention provides a spray gun with a selectively activatable automatic locking mechanism which is a reliable sliding mechanism. When a locking element is in interaction with a counterlocking element (the valve being in an open position) and at the same time the on / off switch is slit in a direction opposite to the direction A (towards the position where the locking function is deactivated), the swivel bracket is preloaded to the right side. When the actuation element is pushed, the biasing element relaxes and turns the swivel bracket in the same direction, i.e., opposite to the direction A. Thereby, two guiding pins of the locking element move on a right side of the counterlocking element, and the valve is closed.

[0029] The object of the present invention is achieved by a method with the features defined in claim 12.

[0030] Such a method for manufacturing an actuator element for a spray gun is characterized by the following steps:

[0031] - providing an actuator element that has at least a support structure for a biasing element and hinge supports for operably coupling hinge pins of a swivel bracket thereto;

[0032] - providing a swivel bracket with hinge pins;

[0033] - attaching a biasing element to the support structure of the actuator element; - coupling the hinge pins of the swivel bracket to the hinge supports in such way that the swivel bracket is pushed against the hinge supports by the biasing element;

[0034] - providing an on / off switch;

[0035] - coupling the on / off switch to the swivel bracket and to the actuator element such that the on / off switch can move the hinge pins back and forth within the actuator element.

[0036] In that way an actuator element for a spray gun can be manufactured in a simple and cost-efficient way from just a few parts, wherein the actuator element is configured for use in a spray gun with a selectively activatable automatic locking mechanism.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment of the method, the on / off switch comprises hooks, and the coupling the on / off switch to the swivel bracket and to the actuator element further comprises:

[0038] - coupling the hooks with the hinge pins;

[0039] - engaging the on / off switch, in particular a counter guiding element of the on / off switch, with a switch guiding element of the actuator element.

[0040] By coupling the hinge pins with the hooks of the on / off switch, the hinge pins are safely secured to the on / off switch. By engaging the on / off switch with a switch guiding element of the actuator element, a form fit can be provided which holds the on / off switch within the actuator element and simultaneously allows the on / off switch to move linearly. The engagement of the on / off switch with the switch guiding element holds the on / off switch in a position in which the hinge pins cannot disengage from the hooks.

[0041] In a further exemplary embodiment, the actuator element comprises an opening, wherein coupling the on / off switch to the swivel bracket and to the actuator element further comprises:

[0042] - coupling the hooks with the hinge pins;

[0043] - pivoting the on / off switch about the hinge pins until the on / off switch engages with the switch guiding element of the actuator element and / or until a part, in par- ticular a button, of the on / off switch is at least partially arranged within the opening.

[0044] A pivotal movement of the on / off switch relative to the actuator element about the hinge pins provides a guiding of the on / off switch towards its intended position within the actuator element. When the on / off switch overcomes the guiding element on the actuator element during the pivotal movement, an audible sound may signal that the on / off switch has reached its intended position.

[0045] Further, the method described before can be a method for manufacturing a spray gun with an actuator element, wherein the actuator element comprises an actuator hinge part, in particular a knuckle, wherein the method comprises that steps of:

[0046] - coupling the actuator element to a spray gun main body of a spray gun that comprises a spray gun main body hinge part, in particular an actuator element hinge Pin;

[0047] - pivoting the actuator element about the hinge formed by the actuator hinge part and the spray gun main body hinge part at least until the actuator element, in particular a stopping element of the actuator element, engages with the spray gun main body.

[0048] In that way an advantageous spray gun can be manufactured in a simple and costefficient way.

[0049] Novel and inventive features of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0050] The present invention will be described in further details with reference to the accompanied drawings, in which

[0051] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic perspective sectional side view of spray gun according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2A illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the spray gun of Figure 1 in which the actuator element is in a first position (valve open) and the locking function is activated,

[0052] Figure 2B illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the spray gun of Figure 1 in which the actuator element is in a second position (valve closed) and the locking function is activated,

[0053] Figure 3A illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the spray gun of Figure 1 in which the actuator element is in the first position (valve open) and the locking function is deactivated,

[0054] Figure 3B illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the spray gun of Figure 1 in which the actuator element is in the second position (valve closed) and the locking function is deactivated,

[0055] Figure 4 illustrates schematic perspective sectional side view of an isolated actuator element,

[0056] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate schematic perspective views of an isolated on / off switch,

[0057] Figures 6A to 6C illustrate a sequence of mounting steps for coupling an actuator element with a swivel bracket and an on / off switch;

[0058] Figures 7A to 7C illustrate different positions of an on / off switch within an actuator element;

[0059] Figure 1 illustrates an irrigation spray gun 10 comprising a spray gun casing 12 that encloses a fluid channel extending from a coupling section 44 for coupling the spray gun 10 with a water hose to a spray head 14 for the outlet of water. The spray head 14 may be of the type that can be set to spray in different spray patterns. The spray gun casing 12 is made of a shell that might include two-half shells in which a structure comprising the fluid channel, can be placed. The coupling section 44 defines the upstream end of the spray gun 10, wherein the spray head 14 defines the downstream end of the spray gun 10.

[0060] More specifically, a first channel body 34 and a second channel body 70 may be provided. The first channel body 34 forms a first channel section of the fluid channel and the second channel body 70 forms a second channel section of the fluid channel.

[0061] In the embodiment, the second channel body 70 is formed integrally to a valve body 22 of a valve section of the spray gun 10 and the first channel body 34 is coupled onto a connector piece of the valve body 22. The channel bodies 34 and 70 can be coupled to the valve body 22 in suitable alternative ways.

[0062] The valve section allows to selectively open and close a passage between the first channel section and the second channel section, wherein the passage is formed by the valve section. For this purpose, the valve section forms a passage configured to fl uidically connect the first channel section with the second channel section. In said passage, a valve stem 24 is located which can move back and forth within the passage and which can be placed in a first position in which the passage between the first channel section and the second channel section is closed, thus interdicting the passage of water from the first channel section to the second channel section, and a second position in which the passage between the first channel section and the second channel section is open and in which water can pass from the first channel section to the second channel section. In general, the valve can be of any suitable type known in the art.

[0063] Selectively opening and closing the valve by opening and closing the valve stem 24 is enabled for the user by providing a manually operable actuator element 32 that can be operated by opening and closing a hand holding the spray gun 10. The actuator element 32 is formed as a hollow shell structure that encompasses an interior space 76 (illustrated in Figure 4). Further, the actuator element 32 is hinged to the first channel body 34 by a actuator element hinge 36 that enables a pivotal move- merit of the actuator element 32 relative to the spray gun casing 12 forming the hand-held part of the spray gun 10. More specifically, the actuator element hinge 36 comprises a knuckle 46 (i.a. illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B) integrally formed to a wall of the actuator element 32 that partially encompasses an actuator element hinge pin 72 (i.a. illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B) integrally formed to the first channel body 34.

[0064] Further, the actuator element 32 is arranged at the spray gun casing 12 in a way that a user's hand holding the spray gun casing 12 can actuate the actuator element 32 with one or more fingers and cause a pivotal movement of the actuator element 32 relative to the spray gun casing 12 about the actuator element hinge 36.

[0065] The Figures 2A and 2B on the one hand illustrate the spray gun 10 with activated locking function, and the Figures 3A and 3B on the other hand illustrate the spray gun 10 with deactivated locking function.

[0066] In Figure 2B the spray gun 10 is shown in closed state, i.e., in a state in which the valve stem 24 is in a first position in which the passage of the valve section is blocked by a closing section of the valve stem 24, a lower end of the valve stem 24 projects from the valve section into the space 76 formed by the actuator element 32. The lower end of the valve stem 24 comprises a disc-like portion that abuts on a support surface 50 formed inside of the actuator element 32. Furthermore, a resilient element 30, e.g., a spiral spring, arranged around the valve stem 24 is attached to the valve body 22 and to the valve stem 24 such that the resilient element 30 is provided on the valve stem 24, i.e., around the valve stem 24 such that the resilient element 30 urges the valve stem 24 out of the passage formed by the valve section. Thus, the resilient element 30 urges the valve stem 24 into the first position in which the closing section of the valve stem 24 is disposed in the passage such that the passage of water through the valve section is blocked.

[0067] The resilient element 30 that urges the valve stem 24 out of the passage, urges at the same time the actuator element 32 into a position in which the actuator element 32 is pivoted relative to the spray gun casing 12 to such an extent that a stopping element 58 (illustrated in Figure 2B) formed on the actuator element 32, engages with a corresponding counter stopping element of the spray gun casing 12 (not shown). When the stopping element 58 engages the corresponding stopping element of the spray gun casing 12, the pivotal movement of the actuator element 32 is stopped at a maximum allowed pivotal positon of the actuator element 32. The actuator element 32 partially encloses the first channel body 34 and comprises stopping elements 58 on both (particularly opposite) sides. The maximum allowed pivotal position represents the default position of the actuator element 32 in which the valve of the spray gun 10 is closed.

[0068] If the user actuates the actuator element 32 by moving it closer to or into the spray gun casing 12, the valve stem 24 is moved against the force exerted by the resilient element 30 further into the passage formed by the valve body 22. At the same time the actuator element 32 is moved further into the spray gun casing 12. The valve stem 24 can be moved up until the second position is reached in which the passage between the first channel body 34 and the second channel body 70 is open, and in which water can flow from the first channel body 34 to the second channel body 70.

[0069] An automatic locking mechanism is provided on the spray gun 10 that is explained in more detail with reference to Figures 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B illustrating side views. The locking mechanism allows to lock the actuator element 32 in a position in which the valve stem 24 is located in the second position, i.e., in a position in which the spray gun 10 is in an open or water spraying state which is shown in Figures 2A and 3A. It shall be noted that elements shown in the side views of Figures 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B may be provided on the opposite, not visible side, as well, in particular in an arrangement mirroring that of the side views that are shown. Further, an on / off switch 16 is guided in a switch guiding element 88 by interaction of a corresponding counter guiding element 96 (described in more detail with reference to Figure 4).

[0070] The locking mechanism comprises a counterlocking element 42 and a swivel bracket 40. When the actuator element 32 is pivotably moved relative to the spray gun casing 12, the movement of the swivel bracket 40 is guided on the counterlocking element 42. The swivel bracket 40 comprises a bracket body 62 (illustrated in Figures 7A to 7C) from which two bracket arms 64 (illustrated in Figures 6A to 6C and 7A to 7C) extend parallel to each other. The bracket body 62 includes two hinge pins 68 which extend from opposing sides of the bracket body 62. Each of the bracket arms 64 includes a guiding pin 66, wherein the two guiding pins 66 extend towards each other.

[0071] The hinge pins 68 can be hung or clipped into corresponding hinge support hooks 54 (illustrated and described in detail with reference to Figure 4) that are integrally formed to the actuator element 32 such that the swivel bracket 40 can pivotably move about the hinge pins 68.

[0072] When the actuator element 32 is mounted to the spray gun casing 12, each of the guiding pins 66 is engaged with a respective guiding structure formed as two counterlocking elements 42 (only one is illustrated in Figures 2A to 3B) that are fixedly attached on opposing sides of the first channel body 34. Furthermore, as illustrated in detail in Figure 4, the actuator element 32 comprises side walls that may have recesses that are formed such that the swivel bracket 40 can protrude into the recesses for allowing its swivel movement around the hinge pins 68.

[0073] The counterlocking element 42 has a base plate 86 that is integrally formed to the first channel body 34. The base plate 86 has a surface that is averted from the first channel body 34 and upon which a first guiding element 78 and a second guiding element 80 are attached, e.g., by integrally forming the first guiding element 78 and the second guiding element 80 on the base plate 86. The first guiding element 78 and the second guiding element 80 are formed to define a heart-curve formed path. When the actuator element 32 is pressed by manual force and brought closer to or into the spray gun casing 12, the guiding pins 66 of the swivel bracket 40 follow the heart-curve formed path.

[0074] Furthermore, the actuator element 32 comprises a bottom wall 82 which includes a biasing structure for exerting a biasing force onto the swivel bracket 40 in its mounted position. The biasing structure comprises two struts 48 integrally formed to the bottom wall 82. A biasing element 38, such as a stainless-steel rod spring or leaf spring or flat spring, is supported by the two struts 48 at a distance to the bottom wall 82 of the actuator element 32 such that the biasing element 38 can bend towards the bottom wall 82. The two struts 48 are formed on the bottom wall 82 at two opposite ends of the biasing element 38. A securing structure 56 prevents the biasing element 38 from being displaced and maintain it in its position on the struts 48.

[0075] The position of the hinge support hooks 54 (illustrated in detail in Figure 4) relative to the biasing element 38 that is supported on the struts 48, is selected such that, when the swivel bracket 40 is attached to the hinge support hooks 54 by its hinge pins 68, a bottom surface 84 of the swivel bracket 40 is arranged in a position such that it touches and bends the biasing element 38 towards the bottom wall 82 of the actuator element 32. Thus, the biasing element 38 exerts a biasing force onto the swivel bracket 40.

[0076] When the actuator element 32 is actuated by manual force exerted by a user's hand, the actuator element 32 interacts with the swivel bracket 40 and the valve stem 24.

[0077] More specifically, Figure 2B shows a default position of the spray gun 10, when no manual force is exerted on the actuator element 32. The actuator element 32 is at its maximum allowed pivotal positon due to the force exerted by the resilient element 30 via the valve stem 24 on the support surface 50 of the actuator element 32. The stopping element 58 engages a corresponding element of the spray gun casing 12 (not shown) and prevents the actuator element 32 from mov- ing / rotating beyond the maximum allowed pivotal positon. In this position of the actuator element 32, the swivel bracket 40 is in a position substantially perpendicular to a position the biasing element 38 would assume if it would be unloaded. Due to the contact of the swivel bracket 40 with the biasing element 38, the biasing element 38 bends out of the position it would assume if the swivel bracket 40 would not load it.

[0078] The swivel bracket 40 contacts the biasing element 38 with its substantially planar bottom surface 84. Since the biasing element 38 is bent by the swivel bracket 40, the bottom surface 84 is not in plane contact with the biasing element 38, but a first edge 74A and a second edge 74B are in contact with the biasing element 38, wherein the portion of the bottom surface 84 between the first edge 74A and the second edge 74B is distanced from the biasing element 38. Further, the first edge 74A and the second edge 74B are positioned on either side of the hinge pro- vided by the hinge pins 68 coupled to the hinge support hooks 54 at the same respective distance to the hinge axis drawn up by the hinge pins 68 and the hinge support hooks 54

[0079] In this configuration, the loaded biasing element 38 exerts substantially equal forces onto the first edge 74A and the second edge 74B which results in an equilibrium of the swivel bracket 40, keeping it in a substantially stable and stationary position relative to the actuator element 32 and the first channel body 34.

[0080] When the actuator element 32 is operated by manual force and moved towards or into the spray gun casing 12, the position and form of the first guiding element 78 of the counterlocking element 42 interacts with the guiding pin 66 of the swivel bracket 40, causing the guiding pin 66 to slide along an sliding surface of the first guiding element 78 for guiding the guiding pin 66 upwards. The movement of the guiding pin 66 along the sliding surface of the first guiding element 78 tilts the swivel bracket 40 relative to the position the biasing element 38 would assume if it would be unloaded. Therefore, the first edge 74A of the bottom surface 84 of the swivel bracket 40 loses contact with the biasing element 38 and only the second edge 74B maintains contact with the biasing element 38.

[0081] In the uppermost positon of the guiding pin 66, which corresponds to the most retracted position of the valve stem 24 relative to the valve body 22, the guiding pin 66 slides around an upper corner of the first guiding element 78 and into recess 52 formed by the first guiding element 78 (see Figure 2A). The movement of the guiding pin 66 around the upper corner of the first guiding element 78 is facilitated by the force exerted by the biasing element 38 on the second edge 74B of the bottom surface 84 of the swivel bracket 40 which urges the swivel bracket 40 to pivot towards a position in which the swivel bracket 40 is in a position substantially perpendicular to a position the biasing element 38 would assume, if it would be unloaded.

[0082] The position as shown in Figure 2A represents the open and locked position of the spray gun 10. In this position the spray gun 10 is open and, if the manual force is released from the actuator element 32, the resilient element 30 urges the actuator element 32 away from the spray gun casing 12. However, the actuator element 32 is prevented from moving into the default position as illustrated in Figure 2B, since the guide pin 66 is located within the recess 52 of the first guiding element 78 and, thus, prevents further movement of the actuator element 32 away from the spray gun casing 12 or the first channel body 34.

[0083] To release the actuator element 32 from the locked position, manual force may be applied to the actuator element 32 causing it to move further towards or into the spray gun casing 12. The guiding pin 66 is moved upwards out of the recess 52 and is forcedly guided by the second guiding element 80 towards a further sliding surface of the first guiding element 78 for guiding the guiding pin 66 downwards. The force exerted by the resilient element 30 causes the actuator element 32 to move towards its maximum allowed pivotal positon, wherein the guiding pin 66 slides along the first guiding element 78 until it reaches the lowermost tip of the first guiding element 78. After passing the lowermost tip, the swivel bracket 40 is urged by the biasing element 38 which is now only in contact with the first edge 74A of the bottom surface 84, but not with the second edge 74B, to move towards the position substantially perpendicular to a position the biasing element 38 would assume if it would be unloaded. The opening and closing cycle of the spray gun 10 is finished when the default position as shown in Figure 2B is reached in which the swivel bracket 40 is in its non-biased or neutral position in which both edges 74A and 74B are in contact with the biasing element 38.

[0084] In order to be able to selectively activate or deactivate the locking function for the actuator element 32, an on / off switch 16 in the form of a slider is provided. As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the on / off switch 16 comprises two parallel longitudinal walls 20.1 and 20.2 which are connected by a transverse wall 26 in a first end region and by a button block 28 or button plate 28 in a second end region opposite to the first end region. The longitudinal walls 20.1, 20.2 comprise hooks 92.1, 92.2 at their ends in the first end region. The longitudinal wall 20.1 comprises the hook 92.1 and the longitudinal wall 20.2 comprises the hook 92.2. Furthermore, the longitudinal walls 20.1, 20.2 each comprises a respective counter guiding element 96 attached or formed thereto. Each of the two counter guiding elements 96 is formed as a protrusion, particularly a linear protrusion, which is guided in a corresponding one of the two guiding elements 88. The button block 28 comprises a button 18 in the form of a structure suitable for being actuated by a user's finger, such as a rib or a frictional surface. Symbols 94.1 and 94.2 can be provided on both sides of the button 18, wherein the one symbol 94.1 denotes an unlocked status (when the locking function is deactivated respectively when the on / off switch 16 is in the off-position) and the symbol 94.2 denotes a locked status (when the locking function is activated respectively when the on / off switch 16 is in the on-position).

[0085] Figure 4 illustrates an isolated actuator element 32 from which the specific form of the hinge support hook 54 can be understood. The hinge support hook 54 is integrally formed to a bottom wall 82 of the actuator element 32 and is formed to define at least a first hinge position and a second hinge position of the hinge pins 68 of the locking element 40, wherein the second hinge position is distanced from the first hinge position. The hinge support hook 54 comprises a first curved contour element 54.1 and a second curved contour element 54.3 that are connected by a straight contour element 54.2. More precisely, the first curved contour element 54.1 corresponds to the first hinge position at which the locking mechanism is deactivated. The second curved contour element 54.3 corresponds to the second hinge position at which the locking mechanism is activated. Hence, the first hinge position and the second hinge position are distanced from each other relative to a longitudinal axis A of the actuator element 32 by the distance substantially corresponding to the straight contour element 54.2. Further, the bottom wall 82 of the actuator element 32 comprises struts 48 on which the biasing element 38 bears. The securing structure 56 prevents the biasing element 38 from displacement. Furthermore, an opening 90 is formed in the bottom wall 82 of the actuator element 32 to provide access to the on / off switch 16. The actuator element 32 comprises two opposite guiding elements 88 each formed as a groove in an inner lateral side of the actuator element 32. The guiding element 88 is formed as a straight respectively linear groove.

[0086] It can be perceived from the Figures 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B that on / off switch 16 is arranged within the interior space 76 formed by the actuator element 32. More specifically, the hooks 92.1 and 92.2 are coupled to the hinge pins 68 of the swivel bracket 40 in such a way that a linear movement of the on / off switch 16 along the longitudinal axis A of the actuator element 32 can move the hinge pins 68 from the first curved contour element 54.1 to the second curved contour element 54.3 or from the second curved contour element 54.3 to the first curved contour element 54.1. The first curved contour element 54.1 and the second curved contour element 54.3 with their curved contours and in cooperation with the biasing element 38 each defines a location in which the hinge pins 68 can be attached and can be fixed to the curved contour element 54.1 respectively 54.3 by the force exerted by the biasing element 38 on the swivel bracket 40. When the hinge pins 68 is moved from the first curved contour element 54.1 to the second curved contour element 54.3 or back via the straight contour element 54.2, the swivel bracket 40 is also subjected to the force of the biasing element 38 which pushes the hinge pins 68 against the straight contour of the straight contour element 54.2 during moving. The biasing element 38 allows a backlash-free attachment of the swivel bracket 40 to the first curved contour element 54.1 and the second curved contour element 54.3 and also during moving between them. This arrangement has the advantage that the swivel bracket 40 is backlash-free and immediately pushed into the end positions defined by the first curved contour element 54.1 and the second curved contour element 54.3 when reached. Additionally, an audible and haptically perceivable feedback is created when the hinge pins 68 snap or engage into the curved contours of the first curved contour element 54.1 and the second curved contour element 54.3.

[0087] In the position of the on / off switch 16 shown in Figures 2A and 2B which is the on- position in which the locking function is activated, the swivel bracket 40 and its hinge pins 68 are moved by the on / off switch 16 into the position defined by the second curved contour element 54.3. In this position of the swivel bracket 40, the guiding pins 66 engage the counterlocking element 42 attached to the first channel body 34, when the actuator element 32 is in the first position in which the valve is open. Accordingly, by engaging with the counterlocking element 42 and travelling through the heart curve provided by the first guiding element 78 and the second guiding element 80 while the actuator element 32 is in the first position, the guiding pins 66 engage in the locking recess 52 of the first guiding element 78 to lock the actuator element 32 relative to the spray gun main body.

[0088] In the position of the on / off switch 16 shown in Figures 3A and 3B which is the off- position in which the locking function is deactivated, the swivel bracket 40 and the hinge pins 68 are moved by the on / off switch 16 into the position defined by the first curved contour element 54.1. In this position of the swivel bracket 40, the guiding pins 66 by-pass the counterlocking element 42 when the actuator element 32 is actuated so that the guiding pins 66 do not engaged with the counterlocking element 42. Consequently, the guiding pins 66 do not engage with the locking recess 52 of the first guiding element 78. Therefore, the actuator element 32 is not locked automatically in its first position in which the valve is open. In consequence, the actuator element 32 has to be actuated manually to stay in the first (or: open) position. When the operator's hand releases the actuator element 32 from this position, the actuator element 32 immediately moves back into is second position (in which the valve is closed) due to the force the valve's resilient element 30 exerts on the actuator element 32. The on / off switch 16 in the activated position can be understood also from Figure 7A, wherein the on / off switch 16 in deactivated position can be additionally understood from Figure 7B.

[0089] Advantageously, the hinge pins 68 and the first guiding elements 78, and more specifically the locking recesses 52 of the first guiding elements 78, are adapted to each other in their shapes and dimensioned in such way, that when the on / off switch 16 is in the on-position and the actuator element 32 is automatically locked to the spray gun main body as shown in Figure 2A, it is possible to move the on / off switch 16 by a user's finger. Thereby, the hinge pins 68 and thus the swivel bracket 40 are moved from the second curved contour elements 54.3 to the first curved contour elements 54.1 causing the guiding pins 66 to disengage from the locking recesses 52. In order to enable this, the travelling path of the on / off switch 16 and hence the guiding pins 66 has a length I that corresponds to the distance between the first curved contour elements 54.1 and the second curved contour elements 54.3. The length I is selected to be sufficient to allow the disengagement of the guiding pins 66 out of the locking recesses 52 and to move over the first guiding elements 78 structures defining the locking recesses 52.

[0090] Figure 7C shows the on / off switch 16 in activated position. The symbols 94.1, 94.2 are arranged on the button block 28 in such way that the symbol 94.2 is visible for a user and the symbol 94.1 is covered, i.e., from outside of the actuator element 32 when the on / off switch 16 is in the activated position. When the on / off switch 16 is moved into the deactivated position, the symbol 94.2 disappears from the user's vision and the symbol 94.1 becomes visible. Reference Numerals

[0091] 10 spray gun

[0092] 12 spray gun casing

[0093] 14 spray head

[0094] 16 on / off switch (slider)

[0095] 18 button

[0096] 20.1, 20.2 longitudinal walls

[0097] 22 valve body

[0098] 24 valve stem

[0099] 26 transverse wall

[0100] 28 button block (or: button plate)

[0101] 30 resilient element

[0102] 32 actuator element

[0103] 34 first channel body

[0104] 36 actuator element hinge

[0105] 38 biasing element

[0106] 40 locking element / swivel bracket

[0107] 42 counterlocking element

[0108] 44 coupling section

[0109] 46 knuckle

[0110] 48 strut

[0111] 50 support surface

[0112] 52 recess

[0113] 54 hinge support hooks

[0114] 54.1 first curved contour element

[0115] 54.2 straight contour element

[0116] 54.3 second curved contour element

[0117] 56 securing structures

[0118] 58 stopping element

[0119] 62 bracket body

[0120] 64 bracket arms

[0121] 66 guiding pins

[0122] 68 hinge pins

[0123] 70 second channel body 72 actuator element hinge pin

[0124] 74A, 74B edges of bottom surface of swivel bracket

[0125] 76 space

[0126] 78 first guiding element

[0127] 80 second guiding element

[0128] 82 bottom wall of actuator element

[0129] 84 bottom surface of swivel bracket

[0130] 86 base plate

[0131] 88 switch guiding element

[0132] 90 opening

[0133] 92.1, 92.2 hooks

[0134] 94.1, 94.2 symbols

[0135] 96 counter guiding element

[0136] A axis

[0137] I length

Claims

Claims1. Spray gun (10) with selectively activatable automatic locking mechanism comprising: a spray gun main body comprising at least one channel body (34, 70) that provides a fluid channel for the passage of fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet of the spray gun (10); a valve (22, 24) for selectively opening and closing the fluid channel; an actuator element (32) operably coupled to the valve (22, 24) in such way that the valve (22, 24) can be caused to open and close the fluid channel by manual operation of the actuator element (32), wherein the actuator element (32) can be actuated into a first position in which the actuator element (32) causes the valve (22, 24) to be in a state in which the fluid channel is open and wherein the actuator element (32) can be actuated from the first position to a second position in which the actuator element (32) causes the valve (22, 24) to be in a state in which the fluid channel is closed; a locking structure (38, 40, 42) providing a locking function to releasa- bly lock the actuator element (32) in the first position, wherein the locking structure (38, 40, 42) is configured to be switchable for selectively activating and deactivating the locking function of the locking structure (38, 40, 42), wherein the locking structure (38, 40, 42) comprises: a rigid locking element (40) and a rigid counterlocking element (42), wherein the locking element (40) is engageable with the counterlocking element (42) to lock the actuator element (32) in the first position when the locking function is activated, and wherein the locking element (40) is not engageable with the counterlocking element (42) when the actuator element (32) is actuated into the first position, when the locking function is deactivated.

2. Spray gun (10) according to claim 1, wherein a moveable on / off switch (16) is arranged within the actuator element (32) that is, in particular immediately, coupled with the locking element (40), in particularwherein the on / off switch (16) comprises a body with hooks (92.1, 92.2) which engage with hinge pins (68) of the locking element (40).

3. Spray gun (10) according to claim 2, wherein the on / off switch (16) is accessible for user operation in a first end section of the actuator element (32), and wherein the locking element (40) is located in or close to a second end section of the actuator element (32), in particular wherein the on / off switch (16) extends at least from the first end section to the second end section within the actuator element (32).

4. Spray gun (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator element (32) comprises a U-shaped cross-section formed by a bottom wall (82) and two opposing side walls of the actuator element (32), wherein the on / off switch (16) is movable back and forth, in particular linearly, within the actuator element (32), in particular wherein the on / off switch (16) is guided in this movement by the bottom wall (82) and / or the two opposing side walls.

5. Spray gun (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body of the on / off switch (16) comprises at least two longitudinally extending walls (20.1, 20.2) and at least one button block (28) or button plate (28) interconnecting the walls (20.1, 20.2), wherein the on / off switch (16) is slidably supported within the actuator element (32), in particular wherein the walls (20.1, 20.2) and / or the button block (28) or button plate (28) are in sliding contact with the actuator element (32).

6. Spray gun (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator element (32) comprises at least one switch guiding element (88), and wherein the body of the on / off switch (16) comprises at least one counter guiding element (96), wherein the switch guiding element (88) and the counter guiding element (96) interact to linearly guide, in particular along a longitudinal axis (A) of the actuator element (32), the on / off switch (16) within the actuator element (32).

7. Spray gun (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator element (32) is pivotably coupled to the spray gun main body, in particular to the channel body (34, 70), via an actuator element hinge (36) arranged at or close to a first end section of the actuator element (32), and wherein the actuator element (32) is operably coupled to the valve (22, 24) in a second end section of the actuator element (32), wherein the first end section is arranged closer to a fluid inlet of the spray gun (10) than the second end section, in particular wherein the locking structure (38, 40, 42) is arranged between the actuator element hinge (36) and the valve (22, 24), in particular wherein the locking element (40) is pivotably coupled to the actuator element (32) adjacent to an area where the actuator element (32) is or comes in contact with the valve (20, 22).

8. Spray gun (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking element (40) comprises a swivel bracket (40) pivotably coupled to the actuator element (32), in particular comprising a bracket body (62) to which at least two hinge pins (68) are attached that can be or are coupled to corresponding hinge supports (54) attached to the actuator element (32), preferably wherein the hinge supports (54) are integrally formed to the actuator element (32).

9. Spray gun (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator element (32) comprises two hinge supports (54) that are formed to define at least a first hinge position and a second hinge position distanced from the first hinge position, in particular distanced from each other relative to the longitudinal axis (A) of the actuator element (32), for the hinge pins (68) of the locking element (40), in particular wherein the hinge supports (54) comprise a first curved contour element (54.1) and a second curved contour element (54.3) that are connected by a straight contour element (54.2).

10. Spray gun (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking function can be deactivated when the actuator element (32) is locked in the first position, in particular wherein deactivating the lock-ing function when the actuator element (32) is locked in the first position causes the locking element (40) to disengage with the counterlocking element (42).

11. Spray gun (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator element (32) comprises a biasing element (38), wherein the swivel bracket (40) is arranged between the biasing element (38) and the hinge supports (54) so that the biasing element (38) pushes the swivel bracket (40) against the hinge supports (54), in particular when the hinge pins (68) are arranged within the curved contour of the first curved contour element (54.1) or of the second curved contour element (54.3) or when the hinge pins (68) move from the first curved contour element (54.1) to the second curved contour element (54.3) or from the second curved contour element (54.3) to the first curved contour element (54.1).

12. Method for manufacturing an actuator element (32) for a spray gun (10), in particular a spray gun (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the following steps:- providing an actuator element (32) that has at least a support structure for a biasing element (38) and hinge supports (54) for operably coupling hinge pins (68) of a swivel bracket (40) thereto;- providing a swivel bracket (40) with hinge pins (68);- attaching a biasing element (38) to the support structure of the actuator element (32);- coupling the hinge pins (68) of the swivel bracket (40) to the hinge supports (54) in such way that the swivel bracket (40) is pushed against the hinge supports (54) by the biasing element (38);- providing an on / off switch (16);- coupling the on / off switch (16) to the swivel bracket (40) and to the actuator element (32) such that the on / off switch (16) can move the hinge pins (68) back and forth within the actuator element (32).

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the on / off switch (16) comprises hooks (92.1, 92.2), and wherein coupling the on / off switch (16) tothe swivel bracket (40) and to the actuator element (32) further comprises:- coupling the hooks (92.1, 92.2) with the hinge pins (68);- engaging the on / off switch (16), in particular a counter guiding element (96) of the on / off switch (16), with a guiding element (88) of the actuator element (32);14. Method according to any of the claims 12 or 13, wherein the actuator element (32) comprises an opening (90) and in that the coupling the on / off switch (16) to the swivel bracket (40) and to the actuator element (32) further comprises:- coupling the hooks (92.1, 92.2) with the hinge pins (68);- pivoting the on / off switch (16) about the hinge pins (68) until the on / off switch (16) engages with the guiding element (88) of the actuator element (32) and / or until a part, in particular a button (18), of the on / off switch (16) is at least partially arranged within the opening (90);15. Method for manufacturing a spray gun (10), in particular a spray gun (10) according to any of the preceding claims, with an actuator element (32) manufactured according to any of the claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the actuator element (32) comprises an actuator hinge part, in particular a knuckle (46), wherein the method comprises that steps of:- coupling the actuator element (32) to a spray gun main body of a spray gun (10) that comprises a spray gun main body hinge part, in particular an actuator element hinge pin (72);- pivoting the actuator element (32) about the hinge formed by actuator hinge part and the spray gun main body hinge part at least until the actuator element (32), in particular a stopping element (58) of the actuator element (32), engages with the spray gun main body.

Images