Bar Gun Holster Assembly with Segmented Drain and Spaced Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bar gun holsters often lead to nozzle contamination due to fluid accumulation in the holster assembly, and they are not easily cleanable or removable for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A three-piece assembly comprising a mounting plate, a holster, and a drain body that allows for tool-free assembly and disassembly, with a design that keeps the nozzle tip spaced from the pan to prevent contamination and includes a large drain tube to prevent backup, enabling easy washing of contaminated parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the bar gun is holstered with the nozzle close to the pan, then the holster structure is simple, but the nozzle becomes contaminated by fluid accumulation in the pan
Solution Approach 1:
The holster assembly is divided into separate components: a mounting plate, a holster body, and a drain pan. This segmentation allows the pan to be positioned away from the nozzle while maintaining structural integrity, preventing contamination without significantly increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain pan is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the nozzle, using vertical spacing and lateral offset to create separation. The pan receives dripping fluid below and away from the nozzle tip, eliminating direct contact while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Device complexity
If the holster is made as a single integrated piece, then the structure is simple, but it cannot be easily removed or cleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The holster assembly is divided into separate components: a mounting plate, a holster body, and a drain pan. This segmentation allows the pan and holster body to be easily removed from the mounting plate for cleaning without requiring disassembly of the entire assembly or special tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate uses a dynamic retention mechanism that allows the holster body and pan to be easily inserted and removed. The design incorporates flexible retainers or snap-fit features that provide secure mounting during use but allow tool-free removal for cleaning.
3Device complexity
If a small drain tube is used, then the drain structure is simple, but fluid backup occurs in the pan
Solution Approach 1:
The drain system uses hydraulic principles with a large-diameter drain tube (1/2 inch ID or greater) to ensure adequate fluid flow capacity. The tube size is selected to prevent backup under various operating conditions, providing reliable drainage without requiring complex pneumatic or hydraulic systems.
4Volume of moving object
If the nozzle is positioned close to the pan for compact design, then the overall assembly is compact, but the nozzle tip becomes contaminated by accumulated fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pan is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the nozzle, using vertical spacing and lateral offset to create separation. The pan is located below and away from the nozzle tip, allowing compact overall design while preventing fluid accumulation at the nozzle.
Solution Approach 2:
The holster body acts as an intermediary structure between the nozzle and the drain pan. It provides a pathway for dripping fluid to reach the pan while maintaining separation between the nozzle tip and the fluid accumulation area, preventing contamination in a compact arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A bar gun holster assembly for receiving a bar gun. Bar guns are used to dispense beverages, typically soda and/or water therefrom. A holster assembly is a device that provides a place for a user to put the bar gun, nozzle first when it is not being used. Applicant's bar gun includes three components: a mounting plate, a holster portion, and a drain portion. The mounting plate is designed to attach to a support surface, such as the underside of a table or bar. The holster portion includes a cylindrical bar gun nozzle receiving member for receiving the nozzle of a bar gun slideably therein. The drain body is adapted to receive fluids dripping from the end of a nozzle and passing them to a drain line. Applicant's device includes walls that releasably couple the three members one to the other.