Modular coatings sprayer

A modular coatings sprayer includes a valve housing in which there is defined a nozzle orifice and a valve-shaft bore opposite the nozzle orifice. A housing side wall extends between the orifice and bore and defines an internal fluid passage. The side wall includes an opening through which pressurized fluid is introduced into the fluid passage. A valve including a valve shaft with opposed back and nozzle-closing ends is sealably supported within the bore such that (i) the nozzle-closing end is situated within the housing and the back end is situated external to the housing and (ii) the valve shaft can axially reciprocated between a first position in which the nozzle-closing end does not seal the nozzle orifice and a nozzle-closing position in which the nozzle-closing end seals the nozzle orifice such that pressurized fluid within the fluid passage is prevented from exiting through the nozzle orifice. The valve housing is configured for selective cooperative coupling to a valve-actuating assembly having a body and a lever mounted for pivotable movement relative to the body. The lever selectively engages a portion of the valve shaft external to the valve housing such that (i) when the lever is pivoted in a first direction, the valve shaft is axially displaced in order to open the nozzle orifice and (ii) when the lever is pivoted in a second direction, the valve shaft is axially displaced toward the nozzle-closing position.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention relate to coatings sprayers and, in various more particular aspects, to paint sprayers. A typical paint sprayer includes a handheld spray gun with a spring-loaded trigger that is actuated by 2 or 3 fingers. The trigger selectively opens a valve to spray pressurized paint through a nozzle. In order to facilitate access to “overhead” spray targets, some manufactures produce and market elongated spray guns. An elongated spray gun includes, for example, a handheld trigger body from which extends an elongated rigid paint conduit with longitudinally opposed proximate and distal conduit ends. The distal end of the conduit includes a nozzled tip through which paint is ejected when the user squeezes the trigger near the proximate end of the conduit.

A second type of painting product, referred to for purposes of description as a “triggered extension pole,” includes a rigid pole with proximate and distal ends. The distal end of the pole includes mechanisms for selectively retaining a spray gun originally designed to be held in a user's hand, while the proximate end of the pole includes a trigger that, when actuated, actuates a linkage connected to a mechanism(s) that pulls on the trigger of the handheld sprayer, thereby facilitating remote (e.g., overhead) actuation of the handheld sprayer.

Each of the known apparatus described above is accompanied by advantages and disadvantages. For example, unless a user of an elongated sprayer has two separate paint-supply lines (e.g., hoses)—one for a handheld sprayer and the other for the elongated sprayer—he or she must depressurize the paint supply line in order to change from one sprayer to the other. Depressurizing and switching sprayers is inconvenient, messy and, worse, may result in discontinuity in the appearance of the painted surface. A triggered extension pole obviates the depressurization issue because a user can alternatively insert into and remove from the retaining mechanisms at the distal end of the pole a handheld spray gun. However, depending on the length of the pole, the angle of spray, and the distance between the user and the targeted surface, the use of a triggered extension pole can be awkward and tiresome, facts that can fatigue the user and impact the quality of work.

Accordingly, a need exists for paint spraying apparatus that provide the balance and ease of use of an elongated spray gun, while obviating the inconvenience and mess associated with depressurizing a paint supply line and switching spray guns during the course of a single painting project.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first illustrative embodiment, a modular coatings sprayer is in the form of a hand-held spray gun configured for applying to surfaces liquid coatings such as paint and lacquer. The spray gun comprises a valve housing and a trigger body that are selectively coupleable to, and separable from, one another. The valve housing has a front end in which there is defined a nozzle orifice, a rear end opposite the front end through which there is defined a valve-shaft bore for accommodating a valve shaft, a housing side wall extending between the front and rear ends and defining a central, internal fluid passage, and a fluid-supply opening in the housing side wall.

Supported by the valve housing is a valve having an elongated valve shaft with a back end and a nozzle-closing front end opposite the back end. The valve shaft extends along a valve-shaft axis through the valve-shaft bore. The valve shaft is sealably supported within the valve-shaft bore and retained thereby for fluid-tight axial reciprocation with respect to the valve housing such that the nozzle-closing end is situated within the internal fluid passage and the back end is situated rearwardly of the rear end of the valve housing. The seal between the valve shaft and the portion of the valve housing defining the valve-shaft bore may be accomplished by a packing gland, a device known to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. The valve shaft is normally biased toward a nozzle-closing position in which the nozzle-closing end seals the nozzle orifice such that fluid introduced through the fluid-supply opening into the fluid passage is prevented from exiting through the nozzle orifice. The valve shaft is biased forwardly toward the nozzle-closing position by a biasing element such as, by way of non-limiting example, a coiled spring retained within the valve housing and helically disposed about a portion of the valve shaft. The nozzle-closing end of the valve shaft can be alternatively configured. In one version, the valve is a needle valve with a pointed nozzle-closing end that directly plugs the nozzle orifice. In an alternative version, the nozzle-closing end of the valve shaft urges a separate orifice-sealing element (e.g. a ball) against the portion of the valve housing defining the nozzle orifice in order to close the orifice.

In one embodiment, the trigger body comprises a handle configured for grasping by a human hand. The handle is typically of the pistol-grip type well known to painters and designers of spray-painting implements. A barrel depends forwardly from the handle and includes a housing-retaining bore that is configured for selectively receiving and retaining a rearward housing portion that extends along a portion of the length of the valve housing including the rear end of the valve housing. In one version, the housing-retaining bore and the rearward housing portion are cylindrical in cross-section; however, it is to be understood that, absent an express limitation to the contrary, the invention as defined in the appended claims is not so limited. In some versions, the barrel or the rearward housing portion carries a catch spring-loaded for mechanical bias into a catch-receiving recess in the other of the barrel and rearward housing portion. In one example, the barrel carriers a spring-loaded ball biased inwardly toward the housing-retaining bore and the outer surface of the rearward housing portion has defined therein a recess for receiving a portion of the spring-loaded ball catch. In still additional versions, the recess is an endless annular recess disposed about the outer surface of the rearward housing portion such that, when the rearward housing portion is retained within the barrel, the valve housing can be rotated with respect to the trigger body. It will be appreciated that retention of the valve housing could alternatively by achieved by a set screw, but the mechanisms described above render coupling and decoupling tool-less.

The trigger body furthermore carries a trigger. The trigger is disposed forwardly of the handle and retained for pivotable movement, relative to the handle, by a trigger-pivot pin. The trigger includes a lower trigger end and an upper trigger end defining a yoke with transversely spaced apart first and second yoke fingers. The pivot pin retains the trigger by passing through the trigger body and each of the yoke fingers. The trigger further includes a finger-engaging trigger surface configured for engagement by human fingers and extending transversely between the yoke fingers. Defined through the finger-engaging surface is a valve-shaft notch that communicates with the space between the yoke fingers, extends toward the lower trigger end, and is narrower than the distance between the yoke fingers.

The trigger-pivot pin is retained within an elongated pin slot defined in the trigger body in order to facilitate selective lineal displacement of the pin and trigger, along, but not necessarily parallel to, an axis orthogonal to the valve-shaft axis, between upper and lower trigger positions. That is, the pin and trigger can be selectively displaced along a lineal path having at least one component of spatial extension that is perpendicular to the valve-shaft axis. The upper position is defined such that, when the valve housing is cooperatively coupled with the trigger body (i.e., the rearward housing portion is retained by the barrel), the valve shaft extends through the valve-shaft notch such that the back end of the valve shaft is situated behind the trigger. A portion of the length of the valve shaft situated behind the trigger is of enlarged cross section relative to the portion of the length of the valve shaft passing through the valve-shaft notch. The enlarged valve-shaft portion is sufficiently large along a least one transverse dimension orthogonal to the valve-shaft axis that it cannot pass through the valve-shaft notch in the trigger. In this way, as the trigger is pivoted rearwardly toward the handle by a user's fingers, a rear, valve-engaging surface, opposite the finger-engaging trigger surface, can selectively engage the enlarged valve-shaft portion, and the valve shaft can be pulled rearwardly by the trigger in order to open the nozzle orifice and allow pressurized coating material to be expelled therefrom.

When removal from, or insertion into, the trigger body of a valve housing is desired, the trigger and pin are displaced toward the lower trigger position. The lower trigger position is such that the enlarged valve-shaft portion can clear the trigger, and pass between the yoke fingers unobstructed by trigger material defining the valve-shaft notch, thereby facilitating insertion and removal of the valve housing. However, in an operative mode, the trigger and pin are retained in an upper trigger position. In order to facilitate retention of the trigger and pin in an operative mode, the trigger body carries a cam bolt that is selectively displaceable between a first bolt position and a second bolt position. In various versions, the cam bolt includes a wedge-shaped portion with a sloped pin-engaging surface. The wedge-shaped portion interacts with the trigger-pivot pin such that, as the cam bolt is axially displaced toward the first bolt position, the trigger-pivot pin rides along the sloped pin-engaging surface and the pin and trigger are displaced toward the upper trigger position. Conversely, as the cam bolt is displaced toward the second bolt position, the pin and trigger are free to displace toward the lower trigger position. In order to selectively retain the pin and trigger in the upper trigger position, and the cam bolt in the corresponding first bolt position, the cam bolt includes a pin cradle in which the trigger-pivot pin is seated when the pin and trigger are in an upper trigger position. More specifically, as the cam bolt is displaced toward the first bolt position, the trigger-pivot pin rides along the sloped pin-engaging surface of the cam bolt until it reaches an uppermost position. The pin cradle is situated behind the portion of the pin-engaging surface defining the uppermost trigger position such that, as the cam bolt is displaced all the way into the first bolt position, the pin drops into the pin cradle. The seating of the trigger-pivot pin in the pin cradle acts to prevent unintended displacement of the cam bolt toward the second bolt position, and associated displacement of the trigger and trigger-pivot pin to a lower trigger position. In order to enhance the interactive functionality of the cam bolt and trigger-pivot pin, each of various versions includes a pin-biasing element that normally biases the trigger-pivot pin toward a lower trigger position. Among other functions, the pin-biasing element acts to provide resistance against the movement of the trigger-pivot pin from a seated position in the pin cradle. The pin-biasing element provides a biasing force sufficiently large in magnitude to prevent the unintentional unseating of the pin from the pin cradle in normal use, but sufficiently low in magnitude that the pin can be intentionally unseated by a user's urging of the cam bolt toward the second bolt position. In a typical version, the second bolt position is situated rearwardly of the first bolt position relative to the trigger body.

An alternative embodiment of a modular coatings sprayer includes a valve body and valve such as the valve body and valve described above in connection with an illustrative hand-held version and a pole-mountable actuator head that is selectively cooperatively coupleable to, and decoupleable from, the valve housing for actuating the valve. In an illustrative version, the valve-actuating actuator head has a head housing including front and rear ends and a pole mount by which the heading housing can be secured to the distal end of an extension pole having, in addition to the distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end and a pivotable trigger mounted more proximate the proximal end than the distal end. A barrel including a housing-retaining channel that is open to the front end of the head housing is configured for selectively receiving and retaining a portion of the length of the valve housing. A valve-shaft lever is mounted within the head housing for pivotable displacement, relative to the head housing, between a forwardmost position and a backward position. The valve-shaft lever includes a valve-engaging surface that selectively engages a portion of the valve shaft external to the valve housing such that a forwardmost position of the valve-shaft lever corresponds to the nozzle-closing position of the valve shaft. The valve-shaft lever is linked to an elongated flexible linkage that enables displacement of the valve-shaft lever toward the backward position, and the corresponding rearward displacement of the valve shaft, in order to open the nozzle orifice. Another portion of the flexible linkage is mechanically linked to the trigger such that, when pivoted, the remotely situated trigger causes the valve shaft to displace away from the nozzle-closing position.

Representative, non-limiting embodiments are more completely described and depicted in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of various embodiments of a modular coatings sprayer system is illustrative in nature and is therefore not intended to limit the scope of the invention or its application of uses. Accordingly, the various implementations, aspects, versions and embodiments described in the summary and detailed description are in the nature of non-limiting examples falling within the scope of the appended claims and do not serve to define the maximum scope of the claims.

Referring collectively toFIGS. 1 through 4, a first illustrative embodiment of a modular coatings sprayer is a spray gun20configured for dispensing liquid coatings (e.g., paint) including a valve housing30and a valve-actuating assembly in the form of a trigger body100. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the valve housing30and trigger body100are mutually coupleable and separable. As shown most clearly inFIG. 2, in which the valve housing30is separated from the trigger body100, the valve housing30has a front end40in which there is defined a nozzle orifice42, a rear end50opposite the front end40, a housing side wall60extending between the front and rear ends40and50and defining a central, internal fluid passage70, and a fluid-supply opening72in the housing side wall60. The fluid-supply opening72can be selectively coupled with, and decoupled from, a fluid-supply conduit74, such as the coating-supply hose74hinFIG. 1, linked to a reservoir (not shown) of pressurized fluid coating material (e.g., paint) through a conduit coupling76. Defined through the rear end50of the valve housing30is a valve-shaft bore52for accommodating a valve shaft, as described below.

Referring principally toFIGS. 2 and 3, the valve housing30supports a valve80. The valve80includes an elongated valve shaft82with a back end84and a nozzle-closing front end86opposite the back end84. The valve shaft82extends along a valve-shaft axis AVSthrough the valve-shaft bore52in the rear end50of the valve housing30. The valve shaft82is sealably supported within the valve-shaft bore52for fluid-tight axial reciprocation with respect to the valve housing30such that the front end86is disposed within the fluid passage70and the back end84is situated rearwardly of the rear end50of the valve housing30. The seal between the valve shaft82and the portion of the valve housing30defining the valve-shaft bore52may accomplished by a packing gland, a device known to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains and, therefore, not shown.

The valve shaft82is normally biased toward a nozzle-closing position in which the nozzle-closing end86seals the nozzle orifice42such that fluid introduced through the fluid-supply opening72into the fluid passage70is prevented from exiting through the nozzle orifice42. The valve shaft82is biased forwardly toward the nozzle-closing position by a biasing element88such as, by way of non-limiting example, a coiled spring88CSretained within the valve housing30and helically disposed about a portion of the valve shaft82. As mentioned in the summary, the nozzle-closing end86of the valve shaft82can be alternatively configured. However, the valve configuration is not of particular relevance to the present invention. Accordingly, for purposes of non-limiting, illustrative example, the valve80shown in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 3includes a valve shaft82that selectively urges an orifice-sealing element89(e.g. a ball) against the portion of the valve housing30defining the nozzle orifice42in order to close the orifice42.

In one embodiment, the trigger body100comprises a handle110configured for grasping by a human hand (not shown). A barrel120depends forwardly from the handle and includes a housing-retaining bore122that is configured for selectively receiving and retaining a rearward housing portion54that extends along a portion of the length of the valve housing30including the rear end50of the valve housing30. In the version variously depicted in the drawings, the housing-retaining bore122and the rearward housing portion54are cylindrical in cross-section. The barrel120carries a catch126mechanically biased radially inwardly toward the housing-retaining bore122by a catch-spring128. Although the catch126can be variously configured, the illustrative version depicted in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 3is cylindrical with a hemispherical tip129. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the outer surface55of the rearward housing portion54has defined therein a catch-receiving recess56for receiving the tip129of the spring-loaded catch126. In the version depicted, the recess56is an endless annular recess disposed about the outer surface55of the rearward housing portion54. This latter feature obviates the need for a specific relative angular alignment between the valve housing30and the trigger body100as they are selectively coupled and, furthermore, permits rotation of the valve housing30with respect to the trigger body100when the rearward housing portion54is retained by the barrel120.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1-4, the trigger body100further includes a lever in the form of a trigger140situated forwardly of the handle110. The trigger140includes a lower trigger end142and an upper trigger end144defining a yoke146with transversely spaced apart first and second yoke fingers148aand148b. A trigger-pivot pin160passing through the trigger body and each of the yoke fingers148aand148bretains the trigger140for pivotable movement relative to the handle110. The trigger140further includes a forward-facing finger-engaging trigger surface150and an opposed, rearward-facing valve-engaging surface154. The surfaces150and154extend below the yoke fingers148aand148bto the lower trigger end142and transversely between the yoke fingers148aand148b. Defined through the finger-engaging and valve-engaging surfaces150and154is a valve-shaft notch156that communicates with, but is narrower than, the space between the yoke fingers148aand148b, and extends downwardly toward the lower trigger end142.

Referring toFIG. 2, the trigger-pivot pin160is retained within an elongated pin slot164defined in the trigger body100. The pin slot164enables selective lineal displacement of the pin160and trigger140in a direction including a component of spatial extension orthogonal to the valve-shaft axis AVSwhen the valve-housing30is cooperatively coupled with the trigger body100. The pin160and trigger140are lineally displaceable between upper and lower trigger positions PTUand PTLas shown in, respectively,FIGS. 1 and 2. The upper trigger position PTUis defined such that, when the valve housing30is cooperatively coupled with the trigger body100(i.e., the rearward housing portion54is retained by the barrel120), the valve shaft82extends through the valve-shaft notch156such that the back end84of the valve shaft82is situated behind the valve-engaging surface154. A portion of the length of the valve shaft82situated behind the trigger140is of enlarged cross section relative to the portion of the length of the valve shaft82passing through the valve-shaft notch156. The enlarged valve-shaft portion85is sufficiently large along a least one transverse dimension orthogonal to the valve-shaft axis AVSthat it defines a shaft shoulder85S that cannot pass through the valve-shaft notch156in the trigger140. Accordingly, as the trigger140is pivoted rearwardly toward the handle110by a user's fingers, the valve-engaging surface154can selectively engage the shaft shoulder85S of the enlarged valve-shaft portion, and the valve shaft82can be pulled rearwardly by the trigger140in order to open the nozzle orifice42. It is to be understood that the valve shaft82could comprise more than a single piece and that, for example, the enlarged valve-shaft portion85defining the shaft shoulder85S could be comprised of a separate piece (e.g., a nut, sleeve or cap) threaded onto a thinner shaft component.

Referring toFIG. 2, when removal from, or insertion into, the trigger body100of a valve housing30is desired, the trigger140and pin160are displaced toward the lower trigger position PTL. The lower trigger position PTLis such that the enlarged valve-shaft portion85can clear the trigger140. That is, the enlarged valve-shaft portion85can pass between the yoke fingers148aand148bunobstructed by trigger material defining the valve-shaft notch156, thereby facilitating insertion and removal of the valve housing30. Conversely, in operation, the trigger140and pin160are retained in an upper trigger position PTU, such as the position shown inFIG. 1. In order to retain the trigger140and pin160in an upper trigger position PTU, the trigger body100carriers a cam bolt180that is selectively displaceable between a first bolt position PB1and a second bolt position PB2as depicted in, respectively,FIGS. 1 and 2. With additional reference to the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 3and the exploded view ofFIG. 4, the cam bolt180includes opposed first end and second bolt ends181and182. Extending along a portion of the length of the cam bolt180from the first end181is a bolt actuator184including gripping surfaces185configured for gripping by (e.g., squeezing between) a user's fingers (not shown). Situated between the bolt actuator184and the second bolt end182is a wedge-shaped portion186with a sloped pin-engaging surface187.

The wedge-shaped portion186interacts with the trigger-pivot pin160such that, as the cam bolt180is axially displaced toward the first bolt position PB1, the trigger-pivot pin160rides along the sloped pin-engaging surface187and the pin160and trigger140are displaced toward the upper trigger position PTU. Conversely, as the cam bolt180is displaced toward the second bolt position PB1, the pin160and trigger140are free to displace toward the lower trigger position PTL. In order to selectively retain the pin160and trigger140in the upper trigger position PTU, and the cam bolt180in the corresponding first bolt position PB1, the cam bolt180includes a pin cradle188in which the trigger-pivot pin160is seated when the pin160and trigger140are in an upper trigger position PTU. More specifically, as the cam bolt180is displaced toward the first bolt position PB1, the trigger-pivot pin160rides along the sloped pin-engaging surface187until the pin160reaches an uppermost position. The pin cradle188is situated between the portion of the sloped pin-engaging surface187defining the uppermost trigger position and the bolt actuator184such that, as the cam bolt180is displaced all the way toward the first bolt position PB1, the pin160sets into the pin cradle188.

As perhapsFIG. 3illustrates most clearly, the seating of the trigger-pivot pin160in the pin cradle188acts to prevent unintended displacement of the cam bolt180toward the second bolt position PB2, and associated displacement of the trigger140and trigger-pivot pin160to a lower trigger position PTL. In order to enhance the interactive functionality of the cam bolt180and trigger-pivot pin160, each of various versions includes a pin-biasing element162that normally biases the trigger-pivot pin160toward a lower trigger position PTL. Among other functions, the pin-biasing element162acts to provide resistance against the movement of the trigger-pivot pin160from a seated position in the pin cradle188. The pin-biasing element162provides a biasing force sufficiently large in magnitude to prevent the unintentional unseating of the pin160from the pin cradle188in normal use, but sufficiently small in magnitude that the pin160can be intentionally unseated by a user's gripping the gripping surfaces185and urging of the cam bolt180toward the second bolt position PB2.

Referring again toFIG. 1, various versions include a hose retainer190that depends downwardly from the butt end112of the handle110. The hose retainer190shown inFIG. 1comprises a rigid material such as metal wound to define a helical guide192. Retainers similar to hose retainer190are known to those skilled in the relevant arts. However, such retainers have heretofore been too tightly wound to permit a hose of typical diameter to be removed from the helix, except axially through the helix. Accordingly, in order to remove a paint-supply hose from a helical hose retainer constructed in accordance with previous specifications, a user is required to decouple the hose from the conduit coupling by which the hose is linked to the spray gun. Such decoupling requires depressurization of the system that supplies the pressurized coating material. Distinguishably, in various versions of the present invention, the pitch z of the helical guide192is defined such that a coating-supply hose74hof a specified maximum outer hose diameter DOHcan be removed from the helical guide192by “winding” it out of the helix. This will typically mean that the pitch z is at least as large as the outer hose diameter DOH, but will usually be larger in order to account for factors that indicate a larger pitch z, such as, for example, the rigidity of the material from which the hose74his fabricated. Because the hose74hcan be freed from the helical guide192without disconnecting the valve housing30from the hose74h, trigger body100can be readily coupled to another valve housing30linked, for example, to another color of paint or, the valve housing30that has been decoupled from the trigger body100can be readily coupled to another hand-held trigger body100or an alternative valve-actuating assembly such as the illustrative pole-mounted actuator head300discussed and described below in conjunctionFIGS. 5 through 7.

The actuator head300shown inFIGS. 5 through 7is configured for mounting to an extension pole (not shown) in order to facilitate reach to high places that are to be coated. With initial reference to the exterior views ofFIGS. 5 and 5A, the actuator head300includes a body in the form of a head housing310with front and rear ends312and314and left and right sides316and318. The heading housing310further includes a pole mount319by which the head housing310can be secured to the distal end of an extension pole that includes a trigger at a proximal pole end opposite the distal end. An illustrative extension pole is not shown because illustration of the same is not necessary to the comprehension of the invention by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. In various versions, the mechanisms by which the pole mount319is secured to the distal end of an extension pole are such that the heading housing310can pivot with respect to the extension pole.

A barrel320defined within the head housing310includes a housing-retaining bore322that is open to the front end312of the head housing310and is configured for selectively receiving and retaining the rearward housing portion54previously described in connection with the illustrative trigger body100. In the version variously depicted in the drawings, the housing-retaining bore322and the rearward housing portion54are cylindrical in cross-section. The barrel320carries a catch326analogous to the catch126discussed in association with trigger body100. The catch326is mechanically biased radially inwardly toward the housing-retaining bore322by a catch-spring328. Although the catch326can be variously configured, the illustrative version depicted in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 6is cylindrical with a hemispherical tip329. As discussed in conjunction withFIG. 3, the outer surface55of the rearward housing portion54has defined therein a catch-receiving recess56. The catch-receiving recess56is configured for receiving the tip329of the spring-loaded catch326in a manner similar to which the recess56is shown to have received tip129of the spring-loaded catch126inFIG. 3. When the recess56is an endless annular recess disposed about the outer surface55of the rearward housing portion54, as inFIGS. 3 and 6, there is no need for a specific relative angular alignment between the valve housing30and the actuator head300as they are selectively coupled. Moreover, an endless annular recess56permits rotation of the valve housing30with respect to the actuator head300when the rearward housing portion54is retained within the barrel320.

With continued reference to the interior view ofFIG. 6and, additionally, to the exploded view ofFIG. 7, the actuator head300further includes a valve-shaft lever340. The valve-shaft lever340is mounted within the head housing310for pivotable displacement, relative to the head housing310, between a forward position (shown inFIG. 6) and a backward position (indicated by arrow inFIG. 6). In various versions, the lever340is retained by a lever carriage which, in the illustrative version depicted inFIGS. 6 and 7, is in the form of a lever casing350. In actuality, while the indications of to the forward and backward positions shown inFIG. 6are intended to indicate an illustrative displacement of the lever340, they are labeled with reference to the lever casing350, rather than the lever340itself, in order to obviate crowding in the drawing. The lever carriage (i.e., casing350) is itself pivotably mounted via a lever-pivot pin360within and to the head housing310, thereby rendering the valve-shaft lever340pivotably mounted within the head housing310. The lever340further includes a lever wall341having defined through a portion thereof a keyed valve-shaft opening342with a first opening portion342aand a second opening portion342blarger (e.g., wider) than the first opening portion342a. The lever wall341further includes a rearward-facing valve-engaging surface344, the purpose of which is explained in greater detail below.

Referring still toFIGS. 6 and 7, when the valve-housing30is cooperatively coupled with the actuator head300, the valve shaft82extends through the keyed valve-shaft opening342, and front and back valve-shaft openings (not labeled) in the casing350, such that the back end84of the valve shaft82is situated behind the valve-engaging surface344. A portion of the length of the valve shaft82situated behind the valve-engaging surface344is of enlarged cross section relative to the portion of the length of the valve shaft82passing through the keyed valve-shaft opening342. The enlarged valve-shaft portion85is sufficiently large along at least one dimension orthogonal to the valve-shaft axis AVSthat it defines a shoulder85S that cannot pass through the smaller, first opening portion342aof the keyed valve-shaft opening342.

The forward position of the lever340is such that the valve-shaft82(seeFIG. 3) is in a nozzle-closing position in which the nozzle-closing end86seals the nozzle orifice42in the front end40of the valve housing30. As the lever340is pivoted rearwardly toward its backward position, the valve-engaging surface344engages the shaft shoulder85S of the enlarged valve-shaft portion, and the valve shaft82is displaced rearwardly by the lever340in order to open the nozzle orifice42.

In order to enable displacement of the lever340toward the backward position by to remotely situated mechanisms including, for instance, a trigger located near the proximal end of an extension pole, the lever340is linked to an elongated flexible linkage400. In the version ofFIGS. 6 and 7, the lever340is not directly coupled to flexible linkage400; instead, the casing350in which the lever340is retained is coupled to flexible linkage400. In order to facilitate selective removal from, or insertion into, the actuator head300of a valve housing30, the lever340can be lineally displaced in a direction having a component of spatial extension orthogonal to the valve-shaft axis AVSin order to accommodate passage of the enlarged valve-shaft portion85through the larger, second opening portion342bof the keyed valve-shaft opening342. More specifically, the lever340is carried by the lever carriage350such that it can be lineally displaced, with respect to the carriage350, between opposed first and second lineal positions. InFIG. 6, the lever340is shown in a first lineal position. A first lineal position is defined such that the first opening portion342ain the lever340is sufficiently aligned with the shaft shoulder85S that the valve shaft82cannot be axially displaced through the valve-shaft opening342in the lever340and, consequently, such that, as the lever340is pivoted toward the backward position, the valve-engaging surface344engages the shaft shoulder85S, and the valve shaft82is displaced rearwardly in order to open the nozzle orifice42. A second lineal position is defined such that the shaft shoulder85Scan be axially displaced through the larger, second opening portion342bof the keyed valve-shaft opening342, thereby facilitating selective removal from, or insertion into, the actuator head300of the valve housing30.

In various versions, the lever340is normally biased toward both the forward pivot position and the first lineal position. To this end, the illustrative version ofFIGS. 6 and 7includes a single lever-biasing element370that serves both biasing functions. In the version depicted, the lever-biasing element370is in the form of a coiled spring372coupled to the housing head310and lever340so as to provide a contractive restorative force toward the first lineal position (downward, in this case) when the lever340is urged, by an external force, toward the second lineal position (upward, in this case). The spring372is furthermore aligned with respect to the lever340such that the helical portion thereof is more “on-axis” when the lever340is in the forward pivot position than when the lever340is in the backward pivot position. It will be appreciated that the tendency of the coiled spring372toward an attitude in which the helix thereof extends along a straight axis biases the lever340toward the forward pivot position. It will also be appreciated that the biasing functions described above can be provided by alternative, and even separate, biasing elements370and the example of a single coiled spring372is illustrative in nature and in no way limits the invention as defined in the appended claims.

In order to facilitate the selective displacement of the lever340into the second lineal position for selective removal from, or insertion into, the actuator head300of a valve housing30, a post352mechanically links the lever340to the exterior of the housing head310so that a user can manually displace the lever340. In the illustrative version ofFIGS. 5 through 7, the post depends from the lever340and extends laterally through a post opening355in one side of the housing head310. Moreover, in the version ofFIGS. 5 through 7, the end of the post350extending to the exterior of the housing head310is a lever button357including a fingering-engaging surface358.

The foregoing is considered to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since modifications and changes to various aspects and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that the foregoing does not limit the invention as expressed in the appended claims to the exact constructions, implementations and versions shown and described.