Abstract:
A pole apparatus for supporting and operating the push button of a spray can. The apparatus includes an elongated pole having a base end and a top end, a body member mounted at the top end of the pole, means for supporting the spray can from the body member, an actuation slide supported by the body member and including an actuation tab for engagement with the push button of the spray can, a biasing member for biasing the actuation slide to an un-actuated position and a cord that extends between the base and top ends of the pole for operating the slide member. The cord is operable by manually engaging the cord and moving the cord orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pole to move the slide member so that the actuation tab operates the spray can push button.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a pole device that is particularly adapted for mounting a spray can or the like for actuation from the ground. The pole device of the present invention includes among its uses the pruning of trees and the associated cleaning and repair of damaged tree branches or other tree parts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In pruning a tree the branches of the tree are typically cut and this leaves an exposed wound. If the exposed branch wound is left untreated, the tree is then vulnerable to invasion by insects and infection by diseases such as Oak Wilt. In order to prevent an infestation of a disease the wound is usually sealed. One sealing technique is to use a spray tree wound sealant. The sealant is typically provided in a 12 ounce push-button spray can. 
     In order to properly apply the sealant one has to be relatively close to the area of the wound. For tall trees this involves either the use of a ladder or a bucket truck. The use of a ladder can be dangerous and the bucket truck expensive. While pole devices with saws and the like are relatively readily available for carrying out the pruning step, there is presently no effective pole device available that can be operated from the ground to apply a proper sealant or dressing to the wound area of the tree. Moreover there is presently no pole device available that can combine both a cleaning step and a sealing step in a single and yet relatively simple pole structure. Furthermore existing device for remote sealant application are ineffective in use. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for applying a sealant to a tree part wound. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device that combines both a cleaning action and a sealing action in a single and yet relatively simple pole structure. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a device that is effective in its use, that is durable and that is safe to operate as it is constructed of electrically non-conducting material. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a pole device that can be used for any number of different applications in remotely controlling a spray can or the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To accomplish the foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention there is provided a device for mounting an aerosol spray can having a push-button. The device comprises a pole having a base end and a top end; a body member mounted at the top end of the pole; means for supporting the spray can from the body member; a cleaning member supported at the top end and including abrasion means for performing a cleaning action; an actuation slide supported at the body member and including an actuation tab for engagement with the push button of the spray can; a biasing member for biasing the actuation slide to an un-actuated position; and a cord that extends between the base end and top end of the pole for operating the slide member. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the present invention the cleaning member may comprise a metal wire brush that is directed in an opposite direction to the spray can; the body member may comprise a channel member having a lower leg for support of the bottom of the spray can; the body member may also include a channel mounting block for receiving and guiding the slide member; the means for supporting the spray can may include strap means; a collar member may be supported from the pole below the body member and for accepting the cord; and a holder may be provided at the base end of the pole for retaining the lower end of the cord, said cord being operable by manually engaging the cord and moving the cord orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pole to move the slide member so that the actuation tab operates the spray can push button. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a pole apparatus for supporting and operating the push button of a spray can. The pole apparatus comprises an elongated pole having a base end and a top end; a body member mounted at the top end of the pole; means for supporting the spray can from the body member; an actuation slide supported at said body member and including an actuation tab for engagement with the push button of the spray can; a biasing member for biasing the actuation slide to an un-actuated position; and a cord that extends between the base and top ends of the pole for operating the slide member. The cord is operable by manually engaging the cord and moving the cord orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pole to move the slide member so that the actuation tab operates the spray can push button. 
     In accordance with still other aspects of the present invention there may be provided an integral cleaning member that is also supported at the top end of the elongated pole and including abrasion means for performing a cleaning action; the cleaning member may comprise a metal wire brush that is directed in an opposite directions to the spray can; the body member may comprise a channel member having a lower leg for support of the bottom of the spray can; the body member may also include a channel mounting block for receiving and guiding the slide member; the means for supporting the spray can may include strap means; a collar member may be supported from the pole below the body member and for accepting the cord; and a holder may be provided at the base end of the pole for retaining the lower end of the cord so that the cord is operable by manually engaging the cord and moving the cord orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pole. 
     In still another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a pole device for mounting an aerosol spray can having a push-button. The device comprises a pole having a base end and a top end; a body member mounted at the top end of the pole; the spray can being supported from the body member; an actuation slide supported by said body member and including an actuation tab for engagement with the push button of the spray can; and a cord that extends between the base and top ends of the pole for operating the slide member. The cord at its top end is connected to the actuation slide and at its bottom end is held at a fixed position. The cord is operable by manually engaging the cord at a location over the fixed position and moving the cord orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pole to move the slide member so that the actuation tab operates the spray can push button. 
     In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention there may be provided a cleaning member supported at the top end and including abrasion means for performing a cleaning action; a biasing member for biasing the actuation slide to an un-actuated position; a channel member having a lower leg for support of the bottom of the spray can; and a channel mounting block for receiving and guiding the slide member. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Numerous other objects, advantages and features of the present invention is now realized by reference to the following detailed description of the invention which are taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the pole apparatus or pole device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the top end of the pole device including the mounting for the spray can; 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmentary perspective view at a lower position of the pole device illustrating the cord attached at a fixed location; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the cleaning member that is attached at the top of the pole device and is in the form of a wire brush; 
         FIGS. 6-8  are views illustrating the details of the mounting block; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the actuation slide; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating the channel member and associated attachment straps; 
         FIG. 11  is a further front view of the channel member and also illustrating the associated attachment straps; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the L-shaped retainer; 
         FIG. 13  is a fragmentary perspective view of the pole apparatus of the present invention illustrating the spray can in place; 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation view at the top of a pole apparatus illustrating the placement of the spray can; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the pole apparatus illustrating the manner in which the cord is attached; 
         FIG. 16  is a view similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 15  and showing the actuation of the spray can by movement of the actuation cord; 
         FIG. 17  is a fragmentary side view illustrating the side view illustrating the manner in which the cord is actuated; and 
         FIG. 18  is a fragmentary side view illustrating the operation of the slide member for actuation of the push button of the spray can. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is now made to the drawings for an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the pole device or apparatus of the present invention. The device of the present invention is particularly adapted for use in a pruning operation in which tree branches are cut. The next step in the process is usually to clean the cut area followed by the application of a sealant. The pole device of the present invention is particularly adapted for the cleaning and sealing operation particularly from a ground position. 
     Thus, as illustrated in, for example,  FIGS. 1 and 2  the device includes an elongated pole  10 . The pole  10  may be provided in a variety of different lengths and typically has a length on the order of 6-12 feet. The pole  10  is preferably telescopic including multiple extendable sections.  FIG. 1  illustrates two sections  10 A and  10 B. The top end of the pole supports the spray can  12  from the body member  20 . A cleaning member  30  is disposed in opposed position to the spray can  12  such as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . An actuation slide  40  is controlled from the cord  60  having a top end for engagement with the nozzle  14  of the spray can  12 .  FIG. 14  illustrates the slide member or actuation slide  40  in its release position away from the nozzle  14 . On the other hand,  FIG. 18  illustrates the slide member  40  engaging the nozzle  14  for the purpose of spraying the sealant from the can  12 . The control of the slide member  40  is from the cord  60 . A biasing member in the form of a coil spring  50  is positioned so as to normally bias the actuation slide  40  to an upper position, or in other words the position illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The pole  10  also accommodates an adjustment slide collar  82  that has a vertical channel or passage for receiving and slideably holding the cord  60  and a knob  83  for tightening and loosening the collar  82  on the pole  10 . The collar  82  is preferably fixed on the pole section  10 A, but alternatively could be attached to the pole section  10 B. The rotation of the knob  83  permits the telescoping action and also the tightening of the pole sections once in place. 
     As illustrated in, for example,  FIG. 2 , the body member  20  is basically comprised of the U-channel member  22  and the mounting block  24 . The cleaning member  30  is basically comprised of a wire brush  32 . Refer also to  FIGS. 4 and 5  for an illustration of the wire brush  32  which has its shaft received in the top end section  10 B of the pole  10 . The wire brush  32  may be secured in the top section  10 B of a pole  10  in a number of different ways including the use of a fastener  34  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The wire brush  32  is provided with stiff wire bristles  36 . The bristles  36  extend in the opposite direction to the spray can and useable by the operator to clean the wound area by rubbing across the wound surface. 
     Refer to  FIGS. 6-8  for the details of the mounting block  24 . The mounting block  24  is rectangular shape and includes a channel  25  that is dimensioned so as to receive the actuation slide  40 . The mounting block  24  is also provided with a series of holes for receiving fasteners for attaching the mounting block with the wire brush  32 .  FIG. 10  shows fasteners  26  that may be used to fasten through the holes in the mounting block. The fasteners  26  also extend through holes in the channel member  22 .  FIG. 2  also illustrates the straps  80  that may be sandwiched between the channel member  22  and the mounting block  24 . Each of the straps  80  has an end fastener. The straps  80  may also include Velcro strips. The straps  80  are used to secure the spray can in place as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
     Refer to  FIG. 9  for a perspective view of the slide member  40 . The slide member  40  includes a main stem  42 . It is the main stem  42  of the slider  40  that is adapted to fit within the channel  25  of the mounting block  24 . At the bottom end of the slide member  40  there is provided a tab  44  having a hole indicated at  45 . At the top end of the slide member  40  there is provided a tab  46  that is used for actuation of the spray can button or nozzle. Refer to  FIG. 14  showing the actuation tab  46  spaced above the spray can nozzle  14  in an un-actuated position of the slide member. Refer to  FIG. 18  for an illustration of the actuator position of the slide member with the tab  46  contacting the spray button  14  so as to eject a spray as illustrated at  15  in  FIG. 18 . Refer also to  FIG. 13  which shows the bottom tab  44  of the slide member  40  and the cord  60  attached thereto at  47 . This attachment may be by means of a single or double knot so that the cord  60  is firmly attached to the slide member for actuation thereof. It is also noted in  FIG. 13  that the cord  60  passes through a lower end  51  of the biasing spring  50 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 10 and 11  for further details of the channel member  22 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  also illustrate the straps  80 . The channel member  22  is of U-shape having side walls  22 A and  22 B and a base wall  22 C. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the fasteners  26  extend through holes in the base wall  22 C, then through holes in the mounting block, and into the wire brush structure. The wire brush structure is typically wood while the channel member is typically metal and the mounting block is preferably constructed of a hard plastic material, but could also be made of wood or other suitable hard materials. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  also illustrate that, at the bottom of the channel member  22 , there is provided a base leg  28 . This leg functions as a rest point for the spray can  12  such as is illustrated in  FIG. 14  where the base of the can is shown resting upon the leg  28 . As also illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 13 , the side walls  22 A and  22 B form a channel for receiving and holding the spray can  12 . That channel, along with the straps  80  firmly secures the spray can in place. As indicated previously, the base leg  28  holds the bottom of the spray can  12 . The spray can  12  is thus in a position for actuation by the slide member  40 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 12  which shows an L-shaped retainer  70 . The retainer  70  includes legs  72  and  74 , as well as a slotted end  75 . As illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 3  the leg  72  of the retainer  70  is secured by means of bands or rings  77  to the pole  10 . The bands  77  may be any number of variety of different types of fasteners that can be tightened to secure the retainer  70  in the desired position. The bands are preferably constructed to fix the position of the retainer  70 , but the bands could also be adjustable. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the slotted end  75  of the retainer  70  holds the cord  60  preferably with the use of a knot  79 . Refer also to the side elevational view of  FIG. 17  showing the position of the retainer  70  with respect to the cord  60 .  FIG. 17  also illustrates the knot at  79  that is used to hold the cord  60  in position. 
     As indicated previously, the spring  50  is normally used to bias the slide member  40  to an upper position as illustrated in  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  also illustrates the spring  50  attached at its bottom end  51  to the cord  60  and attached at its top end to the eyelet  54  which is in turn secured into the mounting block  24 . Thus, the top end of the spring  50  is maintained at a fixed position while the bottom end of the spring moves with the movement of the cord  60 . The attachment at the ends of the spring, as shown in  FIG. 14 , is by means of respective closed end loops. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates the pole apparatus in its normal, un-actuated state. It is noted that the cord  60  is held in a relatively taut position at the retainer  70 . The cord  60  is in a taut position between the retainer  70  and the collar  82 . Below the retainer  70 , the cord may also be maintained in a relatively straight position as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . The bottom end of the cord  60  may be secured in some manner as at  61 . Pole section  10 B is extended relative to pole section  10 A so as to make the cord  60  taut and can then be locked in the desired position by means of the knob  83 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the lower end of the cord is provided with several spaced knots  79 . Depending on the extended length of the preferred telescopic pole, one of the knots can be engaged at the retainer  70 . The pole section  10 B is extended so as to tighten the cord, particularly between the retainer  70  and collar  82 . 
     The following are direction for adjusting the tension on the cord  60 . First, one determines the approximate desired length of the pole by loosening the knob  83  of the collar  82 . Next, the appropriate knot  79  on the cord  60  is selected, and the cord is then inserted into the slotted end  75  of the L-shaped retainer  70 . The pole section  10 B is then extended until there is a slight tension on the cord  60 . At that point the actuation tab  46  is about one-half inch from the spray nozzle  14 . The knob  83  can then be tightened and the pole apparatus is ready for use. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 16 and 17  to show the preferred mode of operation of the pole device of the present invention.  FIG. 17  shows the hand  90  grasping the pole with one of the fingers wrapped about the cord  60 . This action pulls the cord  60  in the direction of arrow  92 , so as to, in turn, move the cord  60  in the direction of arrow  94  in  FIG. 18 . This action likewise moves the slide member downwardly in the direction of arrows  96  in  FIG. 18 . This action in turn moves the actuation tab  46  downwardly as illustrated in  FIG. 18  depressing the button or nozzle  14  so as to cause a spraying action. This action goes against the spring force of spring  50 . Thus, when the cord is released the spring force returns the slide member to its upper position, such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
     Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, it should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.