Abstract:
A mechanical device for attachment to an aerosol can to allow for holding the can with a comfortable handle, and to facilitate controlled sprayed dispensing of the contents using a trigger-type actuator. An extension pole for attachment to the device is provided for use in applying sprayed substances in high or difficult to reach areas. The extension pole further includes a trigger extension mechanism that enables the operator to accurately control the trigger of the aerosol sprayer mounted on the extension pole.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     N/A  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     N/A  
       COPYRIGHT NOTICE  
       [0003]     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The present invention relates to mechanical devices for use with aerosol spray canisters. More particularly, the present invention relates to an extendable mechanical actuator for use with conventional aerosol spray cans to enable an operator to spray substances, such as paint, in high or difficult to reach areas without the use of a ladder.  
         [0006]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0007]     The use of cans of aerosol cans to apply substances, such as paint, bug spray, and a host of other substances to a wide variety of objects is well known. Aerosol spray cans typically provide pressure vessels for containing a mixture of a substance and a compressed gas. The cans provide convenient packaging for applying the contents to a surface or object in a directed manner. The cans typically include a top adapted with a button having a nozzle that functions to emit a spray when the button is manually actuated by depressing the button downward. Aerosol cans are typically hand-held and manipulated by the user while applying a substance, such as spray paint, to any given surface or structure.  
         [0008]     One limitation present in the application of substances from aerosol spray cans relates to the difficulty of applying the substances to areas out of the user&#39;s immediate reach, such as high areas. Another limitation relates to difficulties experienced by people in attempting to actuate and control the dispensing button. Accordingly, there exists a need for an extension tool adapted for use with aerosol spray cans to facilitate application of substances to difficult to reach areas.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention provides a mechanical device for attachment to a conventional aerosol can to allow for holding the can with a comfortable handle and controlled dispensing of substances, such as spray paint, using a trigger-type actuator. An extension pole for attachment to the spray paint can holder is provided for use in applying spray paint in high or difficult to reach areas. The extension pole further includes a trigger extension mechanism that enables the operator to accurately control the trigger of the paint sprayer mounted on the extension pole.  
         [0010]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanical actuator for use with conventional aerosol canisters.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical actuator that enables an operator to use and control an aerosol spray can in high or difficult to reach places without the use of a ladder.  
         [0012]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical actuator that is attachable to a conventional aerosol can purchased off-the-shelf without requiring modification.  
         [0013]     Still another object is to provide a quick release mechanism for attaching the sprayer to, and releasing it from, the mechanical actuator.  
         [0014]     In accordance with these and other objects, which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mechanical actuator in accordance with the present invention attached to a conventional aerosol can;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view thereof with the mechanical actuator shown in partial section;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an aerosol can used with the mechanical actuator of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the mechanical actuator attached to an extension pole;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side view thereof;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment mechanical actuator adapted with an adjustable canister mounting structure for use with aerosol cans of various sizes;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view thereof illustrating an alternate trigger mechanism;  
         [0022]      FIGS. 8 and 9  depict an extension pole adapted with a trigger mechanism for use with a mechanical actuator of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a transparent side view of the mechanical actuator depicting connection of the actuator and extension pole; and  
         [0024]      FIGS. 11 and 12  depict mechanical actuators having alternate canister mounting structures.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     With reference now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-12  depict preferred and alternate embodiments of an extendable mechanical actuator for use aerosol spray canisters. As best depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mechanical actuator, generally referenced as  10 , is depicted in operative relation with an aerosol canister  12 , such as a can of spray paint, having a spray-generating button  13 . Mechanical actuator  10  includes a base  11  that functions to enable actuator  10  to be free standing. Mechanical actuator  10  further includes elongate opposing concave mounting structures  14  having end potions adapted with a rotatable adjustment knob  16  configured for selective tightening or loosening as required for removaby securing a spray paint can to the actuator device.  FIG. 12  illustrates installation of canister  12  onto mechanical actuator  10 . Mechanical actuator  10  further includes a handle  18  connected to mounting structures  14 . Handle  18  includes a contoured portion  19  shaped for ease of gripping, and a pivotally connected trigger assembly  20 . Trigger assembly  20  is pivotally connected to handle  18  by a pivot connection, referenced as  22 . Trigger assembly  20  includes a downwardly depending trigger-type member  24  positioned for manual actuation by the user&#39;s fingers, and a forwardly projecting spray actuator  26  adapted for engaging the top of the spray can dispensing button. Handle  18  may further include a clip  30  projecting therefrom for use in attaching mechanical actuator  10  to the user&#39;s belt, and/or any other suitable storage structure. As should be apparent, selective manual depression of trigger member  24  causes trigger assembly  20  to pivot about pivot connection  22  thus resulting in downward movement of spray actuator  26 .  
         [0026]      FIGS. 4 and 5  depict an alternate embodiment mechanical actuator, generally referenced as  100  in operative relation with an aerosol canister  102  having a spray button  103 . Mechanical actuator  100  includes an alternate spray can mounting structure including a base  104  sized and cylindrically shaped for receiving a portion of canister  102  and a vertically adjustable latch  106  connected in slidable relation with base  104  for engaging the top rim of canister  102  for removably securing the canister.  FIG. 11  illustrates mounting of a spray paint canister onto mechanical actuator  100 . Mechanical actuator  100  further includes a handle  108  connected to mounting structure  104 . Handle  108  includes a pivotally connected trigger assembly  120 . Trigger assembly  120  is pivotally connected to handle  108  by a pivot connection, referenced as  122 . Trigger assembly  120  includes a downwardly depending trigger-type member  124  positioned for manual actuation by the user&#39;s fingers, and a forwardly projecting spray actuator  126  adapted for engaging the top of the spray can dispensing button. Handle  108  may further include a clip  130  projecting therefrom for use in attaching mechanical actuator  10  to the user&#39;s belt, and/or any other suitable storage structure. As should be apparent, selective manual depression of trigger member  124  causes trigger assembly  120  to pivot about pivot connection  122  thus resulting in downward movement of spray actuator  126 .  
         [0027]     A significant aspect of the present invention relates to the provision of an extension pole, generally referenced as  50 , connectable to the mechanical actuator to allow for selective activation thereof to apply sprayed substances to areas not within the user&#39;s normal reach.  FIGS. 8-10  depict an extension pole  50  connected to mechanical actuator  10 . Similarly,  FIGS. 4 and 5  depict an extension pole  50  connected to the alternate embodiment mechanical actuator  100 . Extension pole  50  preferably includes a handle grip  52  and a manual actuator  54  connected to lever actuated linkages, generally referenced as  56 , housed in the interior of pole  50 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 10 , extension pole  50  is adapted for detachable connection to the base of mechanical actuator  10  in an operative configuration wherein linkage  56  engages a projecting flange  28  on trigger assembly  20 . As should now be apparent, selective manual actuation of actuator  54  on extension pole  50  causes linkages  56  to actuate trigger assembly  20  to pivot about pivot connection  22  thus resulting in downward movement of spray actuator  26  causing a spray of substance, such as paint, from canister  12 .  
         [0028]      FIGS. 6 and 7  depict yet another alternate embodiment mechanical actuator, generally referenced as  200 . This alternate embodiment mechanical actuator is depicted in operative relation with an aerosol canister  202  having a spray-generating button  203 . Mechanical actuator  200  includes a mounting structure  204  slidably connected to an extension rod  205 . A rotatable adjustment knob  206  having an abutment plate  207  is received in extension rod  205  and configured for selective tightening or loosening as required for engagement of abutment plate  207  with canister  202  to removably secure canister  202  to actuator device  200 . Mechanical actuator  200  further includes a handle assembly  208  connected to mounting structures  14 . In a departure from the embodiments disclosed hereinabove, rod  205  includes a finger actuated trigger assembly  210  disposed on the distal end of rod  205  as best depicted in  FIG. 7 . Finger actuated trigger assembly  210  includes a thumb rest  212  and opposing manually activated finger levers  214 . Finger levers  214  are mechanically connected to linkages  216  that are configured to activate spray knob  203  upon actuation of finger levers  214 . As should now be apparent, selective manual actuation of finger levers  214  on extension rod  205  causes mechanical linkages to actuate a spray knob  203  thus resulting in downward movement of spray actuator  26  causing a spray to be discharged from canister  202  in a controlled manner.  
         [0029]     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.