Over spray guard

An over spray gun assembly that prevents over spraying of atomized paint or vanish particles and droplets into the air and onto unwanted surfaces during a spraying operation, such as painting or staining a surface. More specifically, the over spray guard includes first shroud and a second shroud, wherein the second shroud is positioned within the first shroud thereby defining an open interior space for vacuuming unwanted or over sprayed airborne fluid droplets dispensed from a nozzle of the spray gun. In addition, an elongated sleeve or extension can be connected to the first shroud, thereby allowing a user to comfortably support, hold, position, and aim the over spray gun assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for preventing liquids such as paint, stain, or varnish from unwanted over spraying.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Hand held and other spray systems, where a stream of fluid such as paint, stain, varnish or other fluids are atomized under pressure and then applied as a spray to a surface, suffers from some drawbacks. The first drawback is that the process of atomizing and spraying from the nozzle causes the fluid to be airborne and fall in areas other than the surface to which the fluid is to be applied, thereby causing unwanted surface areas to be splattered with droplets of paint. The second drawback is that the atomized fluid, once it is airborne, causes environmental and health concerns as it causes the air in the general vicinity to be suffused with the fluid particles.

Hence, what is needed is a device that can prevent, minimize, or eliminate the over spraying of paint, stain, or varnish from a pressurized spray system and that is easy to assemble, use, and manufacture.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a method, system, and apparatus are provided for a spray gun shroud or guard that prevents over spraying of atomized paint or vanish particles and droplets. In another aspect of the invention, a fluid spray guard apparatus is provided having a first shroud, a second shroud, and wherein the second shroud is positioned within the first shroud. In addition, one or more spacers can be positioned between the first shroud and second shroud. Further, an elongated sleeve can be connected to the first shroud, wherein the elongated sleeve can be further connected to a vacuum source.

In addition, the first and second shroud can define a space configured to receive fluid or liquid atomized droplets. The elongated sleeve can further enclose an extension tube coupled to a spray gun, and the elongated sleeve is can be further connected to a vacuum source or negative pressure source or air pump. The spray gun can be further connected to a fluid or liquid source. Here, the liquid source can be comprised of one or more of paint, stain, varnish, water, or any chemical substance. In addition, the second shroud can at least partially be supported by a nozzle assembly or nozzle head disposed within the second shroud. Here, the first shroud can pivot with respect to the second shroud. Further, the elongated sleeve can be connected to a joint body, and wherein the joint body is further connected to a suction tube, and wherein the suction tube is further connected to the vacuum source.

In another aspect of the present invention, a fluid spray apparatus is provided having a first cover, a second cover, wherein the distal end of the first cover extends beyond the distal end of the second cover. In addition, an elongated tube can be connected to the first cover, wherein the elongated tube can be further connected to a vacuum source.

The above summary is not intended to describe each and every disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosure. The Description that follows more particularly exemplifies the various illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and illustrate the best mode of practicing the invention. In addition, the invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1illustrates an overview for one non-limiting embodiment of an over spray guard assembly, spray gun, vacuum apparatus, and liquid source. Here, spray guard assembly100is generally comprised of a large shroud102encompassing a smaller shroud104(FIG. 4) and an extension arm or sleeve150that is connected to a vacuum or air suction source200and a spray gun, wherein the spray gun is further connected to a liquid source. Shrouds102and104can also be referred to herein as cones, guards, or covers. Here, the liquid source can include but is not limited to any type of paint, stain, varnish, paint remover, and the like. Operation of the spray guard assembly100will later be discussed in more detail.FIG. 2illustrates a frontal perspective view for the spray guard assembly100.FIG. 3illustrates a side perspective view of components150and102as being removed and detached from the assembly, such as for cleaning purposes.

FIG. 4illustrates a front and interior view of the spray gun shrouds of the spray guy assembly. More specifically, shroud102is shown encompassing and encircling shroud104, wherein shroud102is larger in dimension than shroud104, and wherein shroud104is entirely positioned within shroud102. Shroud104is at least partially secured by nozzle and atomizer assembly112and securement members108. More specifically, securement members108allow shroud104to slightly pivot with respect to shroud102. Here, members108can further include spacers108athat define the interior hollow space106for allowing over sprayed atomized liquid to be vacuumed within and through passage or space106and subsequently to the vacuum source. Here, spacing106acan include but is not limited to 0.1 inches up to and including 2.0 inches, preferably approximately 0.5 inches. In addition, referring toFIG. 6, the spacing from distal end104aof shroud104to distal end102aof shroud102can include but is not limited to 0.1 inches up to and including 3.0 inches, preferably 0.5 inches. Referring back toFIG. 4, members108and spacers108acan include but are not limited to rods, dividers, nuts, bolts, screws, rivets, fixed members, telescoping parts, and the like, and can be secured to or fastened to one or both of shrouds102and104via nuts, bolts, fusing, screws, and/or one or more adhesives. It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that shrouds102and104can include any number of securement members, either fixed or pivoting, and any number of spacers along the interior space106.

FIG. 5illustrates a cross-sectional view of the spray gun and over spray guard assembly of the present invention as being coupled to a mobile liquid source302and vacuum source202. It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that either of sources302or202can be integrated as one component, such as shown inFIG. 7(source500). Further, vacuum sources300,302, or502can include any type of Shop-Vac®, air suction device, or air pump. Here, vacuum sources300,302, or502can be of any power and size, such as from 0.5 HP (horsepower) up to and including 20.0 HP, preferably 1.5 HP, and from 1 gallon up to and including 20 gallons. Liquid sources200,202, or504can also include any type of liquid, water, paint, stain, varnish, paint remover, disinfectant, cleaning solution, and/or chemical substance.

FIG. 6illustrates a cross-sectional close-up view of one embodiment of the over spray guard assembly100of the present invention. Here, spray gun130is shown secured and fastened at its distal end outlet134to extension tubular body110. Tubular body110is further connected to nozzle and atomizer head112. Here, a joint body120is secured to the distal end134of spray gun130and the proximal end of tube110. The joint120is further secured and connected to extension sleeve150. The lower end of joint120is secured to another receiving body122that fluidly connects and secures vacuum tube250to the spray gun assembly100. It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that tube250can also directly connect to either of extension150and/or joint120. The distal end of tube110is further connected to and secured to another joint body122that further connects and is secured to shroud102. It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that any type of spray gun may be used with assembly100, including but not limited to air sprayers, airless sprayers, and high-volume low-pressure (HVLP) sprayers. In addition, extension150can also be sized and configured to allow for a greater vacuum pressure, such as minimizing the open air space or passage between rod110and extension150, or vice versa.

Still referring toFIG. 6, a method of operation for one embodiment of the over spray guard assembly will now be described. It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that the following method can be carried out in any order and may include additional steps and/or any one or more of the following steps may be omitted. Here, vacuum source300can be actuated and start providing air suction pressure210through tube250. At this time, a user can place the distal end102aof the spray gun assembly against a surface, such as a wall or wooded fence (seeFIG. 7), and actuate the spray gun130using lever132. Once spray gun130is actuated, a pressurized liquid310(such as paint, stain, or varnish) will travel through tube310and gun130and through extension tube110and subsequently be dispensed at the nozzle and atomizer112and on to the surface where the liquid is being applied thereto (seeFIG. 7). Here, as liquid310is being dispensed out of nozzle112and shroud104, the over spay droplets can be captured by the suction or vacuum force210around the ends of shrouds104and102. The over spray atomized particles or droplets are generally captured on the periphery of the spray zone by suction force210, thereby preventing unwanted atomized liquid particles from being dispersed in the air. Here, the captured liquid particles, collectively also shown as reference210, enter and travel along and through the interior space106, through space152within sleeve150, through the suction tube250, and subsequently into the suction source200,202, or502.

FIG. 7illustrates the over spray guard assembly of the present invention being used on a wooden fence. In addition, the over spray guard assembly100is shown having another embodiment of a stacked or combined vacuum source502and liquid source504, collectively as source500. Here, in one embodiment of operation, a user600can hold the extension tube body150with one hand and the spray gun130with another hand. This holding configuration allows the user to properly position and operate assembly100. In addition, the extension body150allows for the user to comfortably hold, distribute, and support the weight of assembly100. In one embodiment of operation, user600can place the end of the assembly100against the fence and at least partially firmly press against the fence with the distal end of shroud102, creating a partial seal with the surface of the fence. At this stage, the vacuum source502can be actuated or powered on and the liquid source504and spray gun actuated. Here, the liquid source504can be a wood staining substance. The user600can begin by either starting from the top or bottom of the fence and moving in an up/down or vertical pattern600until the fence is covered with the wood staining substance. However, it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that the painting or staining pattern can be in any desired direction, such as horizontally or sections. In further embodiments, the captured atomized droplets can also be directed back to the liquid source and/or re-used for future applications. In addition, while shroud102is pressed against the surface, the assembly allows for some pivoting with respect to the surface via the pivot points108while still keeping shroud102in contact, or at least partially sealed, with the surface being painted on.

Having thus described the several embodiments of the present invention, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that other embodiments may be made and used which fall within the scope of the claims attached hereto. Numerous advantages of the invention covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It will be understood that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes can be made with respect to various elements described herein without exceeding the scope of the invention.