Apparatus and method for three-dimensionally planting pile

In an apparatus including a shooting device, a planting device, a drive source for feeding pressurized air to the shooting device, a pile feeding container in communication with the shooting device, and a charge supply including positive and negative charge supply terminals, a method for three-dimensionally planting pile includes coating adhesive on one or more surfaces of a three-dimensional member; electrically connecting the positive charge supply terminal to the planting device for forming a positive electric field thereon; electrically connecting the negative charge supply terminal to the member to be planted for forming a negative electric field thereon with an electrostatic field from the planting device to the member being established; activating the shooting device to project pile through the planting device toward the one or more surfaces of the member as driven by the electrostatic field; and adhering the pile to the one or more surfaces of the member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to pile planting and more particularly to apparatus and method for three-dimensionally planting pile with improved characteristics.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional pile planting methods are either downward pile planting methods or upward pile planting methods. Either method involves projecting pile toward a flat surface coated with adhesive by utilizing the principle of electrostatic field and free falling so as to plant piles thereon. Such methods are disclosed in a number of Taiwanese Utility Model Patents. The characteristics of the prior patents are that an electrostatic field is disposed in parallel with and above a flat surface and quality of planted pile on the surface is determined by the strength of the electrostatic field. However, pile planting on each surface of a hollow three-dimensional object or non-flat surface is not possible by carrying out the prior patents. This is also true for a surface disposed perpendicular to the electrostatic field, inside and outside surfaces of a cylindrical member or inner and outer walls of a recessed or tank member. Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide in an apparatus including a shooting device, a planting device, a drive source for feeding pressurized air to the shooting device, a pile feeding container in pile communication with the shooting device, and a charge supply including a positive charge supply terminal and a negative charge supply terminal, a method for three-dimensionally planting pile comprising coating or spraying adhesive on one or more surfaces of a three-dimensional member; electrically connecting the positive charge supply terminal to the planting device for forming a positive electric field thereon; electrically connecting the negative charge supply terminal to the member for forming a negative electric field thereon with an electrostatic field from the planting device to the member being established; activating the shooting device to project pile through the planting device toward the one or more surfaces of the member as driven by the electrostatic field; and adhering the pile to the one or more surfaces of the member.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for three-dimensionally planting pile comprising a shooting device; a planting device mounted at the shooting device; a pile feeding container in pile communication with the shooting device through a flexible pipe; a drive source for feeding pressurized air to the shooting device; and a charge supply for supplying positive charges to the planting device and negative charges to a member to be planted with pile so as to establish an electrostatic field from the planting device to the member.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide in an apparatus including a shooting device having a forward elongate nozzle, a drive source for feeding pressurized air to the shooting device, a pile feeding container in pile communication with the shooting device, and a charge supply including a positive charge supply terminal and a negative charge supply terminal, a method for three-dimensionally planting pile comprising coating adhesive on an inner surface of an elongate hollow member; electrically connecting the positive charge supply terminal to the nozzle for forming a positive electric field thereon; electrically connecting the negative charge supply terminal to the member to be planted for forming a negative electric field thereon with an electrostatic field from the nozzle to the member being established; activating the shooting device and moving the nozzle into the member and leaving same alternately to project pile through the nozzle toward the inner surface of the member as driven by the electrostatic field; and adhering the pile to the one or more surfaces of the member (FIG. 6).

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for three-dimensionally planting pile comprising a shooting device; a planting device mounted at the shooting device; a pile feeding container in pile communication with the shooting device through a flexible pipe; a drive source for feeding pressurized air to the shooting device; and a charge supply for supplying positive charges to the planting device and negative charges to an elongate hollow member to be planted with pile so as to establish an electrostatic field from the planting device to inside of the member.

It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide in an apparatus including a shooting device having a forward nozzle, a drive source for feeding pressurized air to the shooting device, a pile feeding container in pile communication with the shooting device, a metal mesh mounted at the nozzle, and a charge supply including a positive charge supply terminal and a negative charge supply terminal, a method for three-dimensionally planting pile comprising coating adhesive on a surface of a member having a large surface area; electrically connecting the positive charge supply terminal to the mesh for forming a positive electric field thereon; electrically connecting the negative charge supply terminal to the member for forming a negative electric field thereon with an electrostatic field from the mesh to the member being established; activating the shooting device to project pile through the nozzle toward the surface of the member as driven by the electrostatic field; and adhering the pile to the surface of the member.

It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for three-dimensionally planting pile comprising a shooting device including a forward nozzle; a metal mesh assembly; a pile feeding container in pile communication with the shooting device through a flexible pipe; a drive source for feeding pressurized air to the shooting device; and a charge supply for supplying positive charges to the mesh assembly and negative charges to a member to be planted with pile so as to establish an electrostatic field from the mesh assembly to the member.

In one aspect of the present invention, the planting device is a mesh having a plurality of rectangular or square openings, a plurality of parallel longitudinal openings, a plurality of parallel transverse openings, a plurality of parallel first oblique openings, a plurality of parallel second oblique openings perpendicular to that the first oblique openings, a plurality of openings formed by intersections of a first plurality of parallel oblique lines and a second plurality of parallel oblique lines perpendicular to the first plurality of parallel lines, a plurality of circular openings, or a plurality of parallel hexagonal openings.

In another aspect of the present invention, the planting device comprises a metal mesh assembly or a ring member, and the metal mesh assembly being a flat surface, a curved surface and the member to be planted with pile comprising except inside and outside surfaces of a cylindrical member or inner and outer walls of a recessed or tank member, further comprising a large surface area implemented as a wall, a ceiling, or a floor.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the mesh assembly comprises a lower platform having a plurality of wheels and a brake provided at each of the wheels, and top and bottom U-shaped insulative members each having both ends engaged with the member.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the planting device is shaped as an L-shaped cylinder and comprises an L-shaped member having an open end secured to an insulative tube-shaped nozzle of the shooting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, an apparatus for three-dimensionally planting pile in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a shooting device (e.g., spray gun)1including a front nozzle11, a rear inlet12, a drive inlet13, and a control member14; and a hollow, cylindrical planting device2mounted at the nozzle11and including a peripheral mesh section21and a forward mesh section22in which the peripheral mesh section21has a plurality of rectangular openings (seeFIG. 2A), a plurality of parallel longitudinal openings (seeFIG. 2B), a plurality of parallel transverse openings (seeFIG. 2C), a plurality of parallel oblique openings (seeFIG. 2D), a plurality of parallel oblique openings perpendicular to that shown inFIG. 2D(seeFIG. 2E), a plurality of openings formed by intersections of a first plurality of parallel oblique lines and a second plurality of parallel oblique lines perpendicular to the first plurality of parallel lines (seeFIG. 2F), a plurality of circular openings (seeFIGS. 2G and 2H), or a plurality of parallel hexagonal openings (seeFIG. 2I). The forward mesh section22also has a plurality of openings each being shaped the same but smaller than that shown in the corresponding peripheral mesh section21of the same figure. Such configuration can prevent most pile from throwing out of the forward mesh section22. That is, most pile leaves the planting device2from the peripheral mesh section21with only a small amount of pile leaving the planting device2from the forward mesh section22.

The apparatus further comprises a pile feeding container3including a top pile inlet30, a flexible pipe33interconnecting the pile feeding container3and the inlet12, and spiral grooves34(seeFIG. 1A) inside the pipe33for facilitating the conveying of pile; a drive source (e.g., air compressor)4connected to the drive inlet13and adapted to supply pressurized air to the spray gun1via the drive inlet13; and a charge supply5including a positive charge supply terminal51electrically connected to the planting device2for forming a positive electric field thereon, and a negative charge supply terminal52electrically connected to a member6to be planted with pile for forming a negative electric field thereon. As a result, an electrostatic field from the planting device2to the member6is established. Also, the member6is a three-dimensional one and has its one or more surfaces coated with adhesive. Thus, pile is projected from the planting device2due to the driving of the electrostatic field and pile is then adhered to one or more surfaces of the member6after reaching it. Finally, a pile planting operation is finished. Note that the control member14is implemented as a trigger (as shown) or push button in another embodiment and is adapted to control on/off of both the pile feeding container3and the drive source4.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, two pile planting operations according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention are illustrated. Either operation involves coating adhesive on one or more surfaces of the three-dimensional member6; electrically connecting the positive charge supply terminal51to the planting device2for forming a positive electric field thereon; electrically connecting the negative charge supply terminal52to the member6for forming a negative electric field thereon and thus establishing an electrostatic field from the planting device2to the member6; activating the spray gun1to project pile from the planting device2toward the surfaces of the member6in high speed as driven by the electrostatic field and pressurized air fed from the drive source4; and causing the pile to adhere to the surfaces of the member6after reaching it. A movement of the planting device2relative to the member6or not is determined by shape and size of the planting device2. For example, the planting device2may rotate around an inner surface of the member6if the planting device2has a size much smaller than that of the member6(seeFIG. 3). Alternatively, the planting device2may not rotate relative to the member6(i.e., stationary) if most internal space of the member6is occupied by the planting device2(seeFIG. 4). Either configuration aims at providing an optimum pile planting effect.

Referring toFIG. 5, a pile planting operation according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The third preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the second preferred embodiment. The characteristics of the third preferred embodiment are detailed below. The spray gun1is eliminated. The peripheral mesh section21occupies most internal space of the member6. An insulative ring pad22is provided on bottom of the planting device2. A central hole is formed on a bed with the positive charge supply terminal51passed through. The positive planting device2is electrically insulated from the negative member6. Pile F is filled in the planting device2on top of the bed. Pile F may uniformly adhere to the inner surfaces of the member6in response to establishing an electrostatic field from the planting device2to the member6(i.e., activation of the charge supply5).

Referring toFIG. 5A, another configuration of the third preferred embodiment is shown. Another configuration substantially has same structure as the third preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 5with certain exceptions. A spray gun1is provided above the member6. The planting device2is disposed in the member6. A peripheral lip22of the planting device2is rested upon edge of the member6for anchoring the planting device2. In a pile planting operation, a person may move the spray gun1to spray pile onto inner surface of the member6.

Referring toFIG. 6, it shows major components including spray gun, planting device, and member to be planted with pile according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention and a pile planting operation thereof is illustrated. The fourth preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the first preferred embodiment. The characteristics of the fourth preferred embodiment are detailed below. An elongate tube2′ has a flared end secured to a forward mouth of the spray gun1. The elongate tube2′ is adapted to insert into inside of an elongate member6′ to be planted with pile. The tube2′ is adapted to move into the member6′ and leave same in one of a plurality of continuous cycles (i.e., reciprocative) so as to uniformly adhere pile to the inner surface of the member6′.

Preferably, a nozzle21′ of the tube2′ has a diameter in the range of about 1 mm to 3 mm. Also, the opening21′ may have a section of circle, square, rectangle, or the like. The pile planting operation involves coating adhesive on the inner surface of the three-dimensional member6′; electrically connecting the positive charge supply terminal51to the tube2′ for forming a positive electric field thereon; electrically connecting the negative charge supply terminal52to the member6′ for forming a negative electric field thereon and thus establishing an electrostatic field from the tube2′ to the member6′; activating the spray gun1to project pile from the tube2′ toward the inner surface of the member6′ in high speed as driven by the electrostatic field and pressurized air fed from the drive source4as the tube2′ moved into the member6′ and left same alternately; and causing the pile to adhere to the surface of the member6′ after reaching it.

Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, a fifth preferred embodiment of apparatus for three-dimensionally planting pile on a large area according to the invention is shown. The apparatus comprises the following components. A rectangular planting device9is provided upright in front of a member having a large area to be planted with pile (e.g., wall W). The planting device9is flat, substantially flat, or curved and is formed of metal meshes. The planting device9comprises a lower rectangular platform90having four wheels91on four corners and a brake93at each of the wheels91(i.e., the planting device9is thus movable), and top and bottom U-shaped insulative members94each having both ends engaged with the wall W and a transverse member94A provided on top or bottom of the planting device9in which the transverse member94A of the bottom insulative member94is rested upon the platform90. A spray gun8includes a front nozzle81, a rear inlet82, and a drive inlet83. A pile feeding container3includes a top pile inlet30, and a flexible pipe33′ interconnecting the pile feeding container3and the inlet82. A drive source (e.g., air compressor)4is connected to the drive inlet83and is adapted to supply pressurized air to the spray gun8via the drive inlet83. A charge supply5includes a positive charge supply terminal51electrically connected to the planting device9for forming a positive electric field thereon, and a negative charge supply terminal52electrically connected to the wall W for forming a negative electric field thereon. As a result, an electrostatic field from the planting device9to the wall W is established. In response to activating the spray gun8, the drive source4, and the charge supply5, pile is projected from the spray gun8due to the driving of the electrostatic field and pile is then adhered to the surface of the wall W by passing the planting device9. Preferably, a distance between the wall W and the planting device9is maintained in the range of about 3 cm to 10 cm for obtaining an optimum pile planting effect. Also, the planting device9may be shaped as one of the forms shown inFIGS. 2A to 21. Further, the member having a large area to be planted with pile may be a ceiling, floor, or the like other than wall W in other embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 9,9A, and10, a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention for three-dimensionally planting pile on a large area is shown. The sixth preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the fifth preferred embodiment. The characteristics of the sixth preferred embodiment are detailed below. As shown inFIGS. 9 and 9A, the planting device9is shaped as an L-shaped cylinder and comprises an L-shaped member95having an open end secured to an insulative tube-shaped nozzle81of the spray gun8, a mesh-like member98of curved section together with the upright portion of the member95forming a complete cylinder, a fine mesh member96provided at a top opening, and a hinged cap97provided at the top opening. The cap97is pivoted to close the top opening in pile planting operation for preventing pile from leaving the planting device9through the top opening. The cap97is open after the pile planting operation such that a fine modification of the pile planted on a member can be made through the mesh member96. The positive charge supply terminal51of the charge supply5is electrically connected to a bent portion of the planting device9for establishing a positive electric field thereon. Also, the negative charge supply terminal52thereof is electrically connected to the member W for establishing a negative electric field thereon. As a result, an electrostatic field from the planting device9to the member W is established.

As shown inFIG. 10, another planting device9shaped as a horn is provided. The planting device9A comprises a narrow tube secured to the tube-shaped nozzle81of the spray gun8and a flared portion99having metal meshes on its mouth and which is electrically connected to the positive charge supply terminal51.

The pile planting operation involves coating adhesive on the surface of the member W; electrically connecting the positive charge supply terminal51to the planting device9A for forming a positive electric field thereon; electrically connecting the negative charge supply terminal52to the member W for forming a negative electric field thereon and thus establishing an electrostatic field from the planting device9A to the member W activating the spray gun8to project pile from the planting device9A toward the surface of the member Win high speed as driven by the electrostatic field and pressurized air fed from the drive source (not shown); and causing the pile to adhere to the surface of the member W after reaching it.

Referring toFIG. 11, a seventh preferred embodiment of the invention for three-dimensionally planting pile is shown. The seventh preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the first preferred embodiment. The characteristics of the seventh preferred embodiment are detailed below. As shown inFIG. 11, The mesh section of the planting device2A is eliminated and replaced with a metal ring member21A mounted on the front nozzle. The remaining components are all same as the first embodiment and thus the related descriptions are omitted.

Referring toFIG. 12, a eighth preferred embodiment of the invention for three-dimensionally planting pile is shown. The eighth preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the fifth preferred embodiment. The characteristics of the eighth preferred embodiment are detailed below. As shown inFIG. 12, The metal mesh of the planting device2B is eliminated and replaced with a metal ring member21B mounted on the front nozzle81. The remaining components are all same as the fifth embodiment and thus the related descriptions are omitted.

Referring toFIG. 13, a ninth preferred embodiment of the invention for three-dimensionally planting pile is shown. The ninth preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the first preferred embodiment. The characteristics of the seventh preferred embodiment are detailed below. As shown inFIG. 13, the drive source now is replaced with a vacuum pumping device4A. The vacuum pumping device4A has a suction port41in communicated with the pile feeding container3through the flexible pipe33, a discharging port42connected to a metal ring member21C of the planting device2(which is also electrically connector to the positive charge supply terminal51) through the flexible pipe43and a power switch (not shown) to control the power supply of the vacuum pumping device4A, thus the shooting device1in this embodiment is therefore omitted. In this way, the vacuum pumping device4A can also perform with the same function as the air compressor4mentioned in the first embodiment. The remaining components are all same as the first embodiment and the related descriptions are hereby omitted.

The pile according to the present invention may be nylon, polyester (e.g., artificial fiber pile), cotton, wool (e.g., natural fiber pile), mineral substance or the like. Preferably, the opening of the planting device2or the planting device9has a size larger than a length of pile.