Abstract:
In one embodiment, a dispensing device includes a receptacle for containing and dispensing the flowable material, such as caulk. The dispensing device also includes a drive member which moves a piston within the receptacle for dispensing the flowable material from the device. A handle is arranged to be gripped by an operator and includes a clamp member disposed over the receptacle which is arranged to move from an open position whereby the handle is moveable to any desired position along the receptacle, to a closed position for engaging the handle to the receptacle. A user input is provided on the moveable handle and adapted to be depressed by a user for operation of the device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/183,481 (“the &#39;481 application”), filed on Jul. 31, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to dispensing devices, such as caulking guns, and other types of power tools that are utilized for different applications. Such other power hand tools may include hand drills, hand saws, grass and weed trimmers, leaf blowers, vacuums, etc. More particularly, the present invention relates to a trigger for use in conjunction with such tools and devices that is moveable to a location on the tool or device that is suitable to the operator, based upon the type of work being performed. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     During the production of automotive vehicles, for example, a fabricator uses a dispensing gun to apply a bead of sealant to the vehicle frame prior to the installation of an automobile windshield. The bead is applied along a pinchweld in the frame defining the windshield periphery, and the windshield is positioned thereon. One edge of the windshield is applied to the adhesive bead in the pinch weld, and then the windshield is released and pressed into place. On commercially available dispensing devices, the trigger mechanism is located at the rear end of the device and beneath the cylinder containing the sealant, making precise application of the sealant bead difficult and cumbersome when used during the installation of a windshield. For this application, it would be desirable to locate the trigger close to the dispensing nozzle end of the device, rather than the rear. 
     By contrast, for other applications where flowable compositions such as caulking materials, grease, and reactive resins are dispensed, the area of application is often at elevated, overhead, or relatively inaccessible positions, such as a room ceiling or at a location where room floor and walls meet. For these applications, it is desirable to locate the trigger at a position that is remote from the workpiece to avoid unnecessary reaching, kneeling, or squatting, thus reducing the risk of strain or other injury. Thus, under the present invention, the trigger is moveable to different locations on the dispensing device depending upon the type of work being performed. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages. Likewise, it would be desirable to provide a moveable trigger on power hand tools to enable repositioning of the trigger to different locations on such hand tools such as drills, hand saws, weed and grass trimmers and the like, based upon the type of work being performed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a dispensing device includes a receptacle for containing and dispensing the flowable material, such as caulk. The dispensing device also includes a drive member which moves a piston within the receptacle for dispensing the flowable material from the device. A handle is arranged to be gripped by a user and includes a clamp member disposed over the receptacle which is arranged to move from an open position whereby the handle is moveable to any desired position along the receptacle, to a closed position for engaging the handle to the receptacle. A trigger is mounted on the moveable handle and can be positioned at a location on the dispenser to suit the user based upon the application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dispensing device utilizing the moveable remote trigger assembly of the present invention being used by an operator; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged cut-away elevational view of a dispensing device utilizing the moveable remote trigger assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  showing the openable clamp in the open position; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the dispensing device utilizing the moveable remote trigger assembly of the present invention showing the openable clamp in the closed position; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevational view of a dispensing device utilizing the moveable remote trigger assembly of the present invention wherein the trigger assembly is oriented in a first position and towards the dispensing end of the device; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevational view of a dispensing device utilizing the moveable remote trigger assembly of the present invention wherein the trigger assembly includes an extension piece and is oriented in a second position; 
         FIG. 7  is an elevational view of a dispensing device utilizing the moveable remote trigger assembly of the present invention wherein the trigger assembly includes an extension piece and is oriented in a third position; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a weed and grass trimmer utilizing the moveable remote trigger assembly of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment including a plurality of dispensing devices utilizing the moveable remote trigger assembly of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now in detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown at  10  in  FIGS. 1-4 , a device for dispensing materials including the moveable remote trigger in accordance with the present invention. The dispensing device  10 , e.g., a caulking gun, includes a forward located barrel  14  of conventional design for housing a composition to be dispensed, and a rearward located housing  18  for receiving a motor assembly (not shown). It should be understood that the barrel  14  can be of any desired construction or configuration for housing a composition to be dispensed, and does not constitute a limitation on the present invention. For example, although the embodiment chosen for illustration herein includes a single barrel for dispensing a composition, the dispensing device could include a dual component carriage assembly of conventional design for housing a plurality, e.g., two, cartridge assemblies containing components to be dispensed. Often such cartridge assemblies contain components which cannot be mixed together until immediately prior to use. Typical examples of such materials are epoxy resin compositions which are mixed when used with a hardener component which causes subsequent curing of the resin. Viscous materials such as caulks are also commonly dispensed from such dual component dispensing devices. 
     Fitted within the barrel  14 , is a piston assembly of conventional construction and including a piston (not shown) axially mounted to a piston rod  16 . The piston assembly serves to extrude the composition through the barrel  14  as the piston assembly advances to ultimately extrude the composition through a nozzle  22  carried by a front cap  26  generally threaded onto the dispensing end of the barrel  14 . The nozzle  22  may or may not be a part of the dispensing device  10 . For example, where composition is to be dispensed from a hard cartridge having its own nozzle, the nozzle  22  is not a part of the dispensing device  10 . The piston rod  16  is advanced by means the motor assembly (not shown), located within the drive housing  18 , through known linkages (not shown) between the motor assembly and the piston assembly. 
     Composition to be dispensed from the barrel may initially be packaged in different forms. For example the composition may initially be packaged in a single disposable and replaceable hard cartridge or container arranged for placement within the receptacle  14  for dispensing. Alternatively, the composition may initially be packaged in bulk form, or contained within a flexible, sausage-type packaging. The composition to be dispensed from the device  10  may be caulking materials, grease, automotive windshield sealant, resins, and the like. The front cap  26  also serves to contain a hard cartridge within the barrel  14  during dispensing. 
     The device  10  also includes a power supply (not shown) located within a housing  30  and a moveable trigger assembly  34 . The power supply may be a conventional battery and is electrically connected to the motor assembly through a conventional switch. The trigger assembly  34  includes a manually actuable trigger  38  which shown as being slidably mounted within a housing  42 . Alternatively, the trigger  38  could be pivotally mounted within the housing  42 . In either case, the trigger  38  is spring loaded or biased in a direction away from the housing  42  by any suitable means, e.g., a compression spring. The trigger  38  is actuated by a user moving the trigger  38  towards the housing  42  with one or more fingers. The housing  42  also serves as a hand grip. 
     In operation, the trigger  38  is pulled toward the hand grip  42  ( FIG. 1 ) which causes the piston assembly to apply a greater amount of force against the composition to be dispensed to extrude the composition through the barrel  14  and through the nozzle  22 . As the trigger  38  is pulled toward the hand grip  42  with greater or lesser force, the piston assembly applies greater or lesser pressure against the composition to be dispensed. Since the viscosity of the composition to be dispensed varies, an appropriate amount of pressure may be applied to the trigger  38  to dispense composition at a desired rate of speed through the nozzle  22 . A threshold speed control knob  74  is provided and is shown mounted onto the outside of the housing  30 . The speed control knob  74  is adjustable to control threshold speed at which the piston assembly advances through the barrel  14 . In addition, a safety lock  78  is provided to enable the user to release the trigger  38  while continuing to dispense. Additionally, as best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a return lever  82  located at the proximal end of the piston rod  16  allows the user  36  to withdraw the piston rod  16  after dispensing of the composition has been completed. Although the return lever  82  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , is shown as being of a particular shape, it is to be understood that this is not limiting and the return lever  82  can take other shapes. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the trigger assembly  34  is mounted to the barrel  14  by means of a releaseable clamp assembly  46 . The clamp assembly  46  includes a strap  50  that may be flexible and is configured to encircle the barrel  14 , although the strap  50  could be configured differently based upon a different configuration of the barrel  14 . Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the clamp assembly  46  additionally comprises a pair of opposed securement flanges  54  extending radially outwardly from the ends of the strap  50  to form a bracket. Each securement flange  54  is provided with an aperture. A suitably sized adjustment screw  58  is arranged to be disposed through apertures in the opposed flanges  54 . The adjustment screw  58  is arranged to enable movement of the strap  50  between a tightened position (best shown in  FIG. 4 ) wherein the strap  50  engages the exterior surface of the barrel  14  to prevent movement of the trigger assembly  34  along the barrel, and a release position (best shown in  FIG. 3 ), wherein the flanges  54  are maintained in a held-apart relationship. In this manner, the strap  50 , and thus the trigger assembly  34  are disengaged from the barrel  14  exterior surface and free to be moved, e.g., slid, to any desired location and orientation over the length of the barrel  14 . Thus, the location and position of the trigger assembly  34  may be adjusted depending upon the intended use of the dispensing device. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 5  through  7 , the trigger assembly  34  is shown in different positions and orientations on the barrel  14  to facilitate use of the dispensing device  10  in different applications. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a user  36  is shown carrying the rear portion of the dispensing device  10  on his shoulder and holding the trigger assembly  34  with his left hand. In  FIG. 1 , the trigger assembly  34  is shown as being situated beneath the barrel  14  and towards the dispensing end of the device  10 . In  FIG. 5 , the trigger assembly  34  is also shown as being positioned towards the dispensing end of the device  10  and beneath the device barrel  14 . For example, with the trigger assembly  34  situated in this position and orientation on the barrel  14 , the dispensing device  10  is best suited for application of a flowable material to a wall or other vertical surface when dispensing is being made in proximity of the user&#39;s torso, e.g., between the user&#39;s waist and shoulders. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the trigger assembly  34  is shown positioned towards the dispensing end of the device  10  and above the barrel  14 . The trigger assembly  34  is shown as being connected to an extension piece  62 , and in turn, the extension piece  62  is shown connected to the clamp assembly  46  utilizing suitable hardware. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the trigger assembly  34  is positioned above the barrel  14  and is separated from the barrel  14  by the elongated extension piece  62 . In this manner, during use, the extension piece  62  of the dispensing device  10  enables a 90° rotation of the trigger assembly  34  to facilitate use of the device  10  to dispense flowable material to low locations, such as where a floor meets a wall, without requiring the user to bend over, kneel down or squat during dispensing, thus reducing the risk of strain or other back injury, or to high locations. Due to the extension piece, the user holds the dispensing device  10  like a suitcase. The construction and use of the extension piece  62  is discussed in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/183,481 (“the &#39;481 patent application”). Applicants hereby incorporate by reference the entire subject matter of the &#39;481 patent application and also claim the benefit of the filing date of the &#39;481 patent application for this utility patent application. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the trigger assembly  34  is positioned above the barrel  14  using the extension piece  62 . The trigger assembly  34  situated in this position and orientation on the barrel  14  also suits use of the dispensing device  10  for applying a bead of sealant to a vehicle frame prior to the installation of an automobile windshield. Other positions and orientations of the trigger assembly  34 , with and without the extension piece  62 , are possible and within the scope of this invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the dispensing device  10  additionally includes a remote control system utilizing a transmitter  66  located on the trigger assembly  34  and a receiver  70  located on the housing  18 . The remote transmitter  66  emits light waves preferably in the infrared region upon the actuation of the trigger  38 . The receiver  70  may be an infrared light detector that receives infrared emissions from the transmitter  66 . Upon receipt of such an emission, the receiver  70  is arranged to send a signal closing a switch as is known in the art to provide electrical energy to the motor assembly within the housing  18 . The motor assembly may be actuated by electrical energy supplied by the battery (not shown) as is known. In an alternative embodiment, the motor assembly may be configured to be actuated by alternate forms of energy, for example a pneumatic type of energy. Alternatively, the remote control system may utilize a transmitter  66  having signal generating circuitry for generating signals in the radio frequency range so that the receiver does not need to be located in direct line of sight with the transmitter. In one operational configuration, which is conventional, once actuated, the motor assembly applies a force which is transferred to the piston shaft and piston, urging the piston shaft in the direction of the dispensing nozzle  22 . The piston advances through the barrel  14 . Thus, caulking material, not illustrated, may thus be extruded from dispensing nozzle  22 . Upon release of the trigger  38 , the transmitter  66  sends another signal to the receiver  70  to cut off the energy supplied to the motor assembly to stop advancement of the piston in the receptacle. 
     It should be understood that although the dispensing device described herein is described as being a cordless dispensing device utilizing a motor and battery, the dispensing device could be of any desired construction, and such use of a motor and battery does not constitute a limitation on the present invention. For example, the dispensing device of the present invention could be powered by a pneumatic source, i.e., pressurized air or another pneumatic source. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown at  100  a grass and weed trimmer including the moveable remote trigger in accordance with the present invention. Grass and weed trimmers are used to cut grass, weeds and similar unwanted vegetation around sidewalks, trees, fences and other confined areas that a lawn mower cannot reach. A conventional weed trimmer typically includes a head having a line that is rapidly rotated to cut the unwanted vegetation. Although the general construction and operation of a weed trimmer is well known, it will be described herein to the extent necessary for an understanding of the remote moveable trigger of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the weed trimmer  100  includes an elongated boom  104  having a motor  110  at one end and a cutting head  112  at the other end. One or more cutting lines  114  project from the cutting head  112 . The motor  110  may be powered by gasoline, propane, or the like or alternatively, may be powered electrically, or pneumatically. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the motor  110  is powered by gasoline and includes a small tank  108  for containing gasoline including a cap  111  to enable filling the tank  108 . The motor  110  will typically be connected to the cutting head  112  by a drive shaft (not shown) located within the elongated boom  104  in ways that are known. A guard  116  is located above the cutting head  112 . During operation of the motor  110 , the cutting head  112  rotates and the cutting line  114  cuts weeds, grass and other vegetation. During use, the operator of the weed trimmer  100  typically grasps a fixed grip  118  located adjacent the motor  110  with one hand and grasps a moveable handle  120  with the other hand to hold the trimmer head  112  over the weeds, grass or other vegetation being cut. 
     Mounted to the moveable handle  120  is a trigger assembly  124  which includes a manually actuable trigger  128  which is shown as being pivotably mounted within a housing  132 . The trigger  128  is spring loaded or biased in a direction away from the housing  132  by any suitable means, e.g., a torsional spring. The weed trimmer  100  additionally includes a remote control system utilizing a transmitter  136  located on the handle  120  and a receiver  140  located in proximity to the fixed handle  118 . The remote transmitter  136  emits light waves preferably in the infrared region upon the actuation of the trigger  128 . The receiver  140  may be an infrared light detector that receives infrared emissions from the transmitter  136 . Upon receipt of such an emission, the receiver  140  is arranged to actuate the motor  110  in known ways. Alternatively, the remote control system may utilize a transmitter having signal generating circuitry for generating signals in the radio frequency range so that the receiver does not need to be located in direct line of sight with the transmitter. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the moveable handle  120  is shown as being adjustable, e.g., slideable, to different positions along the length of the elongated boom  104 , as well as rotatable through 360° of rotation on the elongated boom  104 . In this manner, the weed trimmer  100  may be utilized for a variety of applications other than for traditional grass and weed trimming. For example, by positioning the moveable handle  120  closer to the cutting head  112  (as shown in phantom in  FIG. 8 ), the cutting head  112  can readily be raised above the ground for use in applications such as hedge trimming. The moveable handle  120  with the trigger assembly  124  mounted thereon also increases ease of use where the weed trimmer  100  is provided with a cutting head  112  that is arranged to be interchanged with heads for applications other than grass and weed trimming, e.g., reciprocating hedge shearing head, chain saw head, or leaf blower head. Positioning the moveable handle  120  closer to the working head in these other applications facilitates use in such applications. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown at  200  an embodiment of the present invention wherein a plurality of dispensing devices  210  are shown mounted to a single carriage assembly  214 . The carriage assembly  214  includes a cross piece  218  to which each of the dispensing devices  210  is mounted by any suitable means, e.g., mounting bolts (not shown). Although  FIG. 9  illustrates three dispensing devices  210  mounted to the carriage assembly  214 , it should be understood that the number of devices  210  shown in the figure is merely exemplary and a greater or fewer number of devices  210  could be mounted to the carriage assembly  214  depending upon the intended use of the embodiment  200 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the devices  210  are spaced apart from one another by an equal distance. However, depending upon the application, the dispensing devices  210  could be adjusted along the length of the cross piece  218  to different locations for equal or unequal spacing therebetween. The carriage assembly  214  includes wheels  222  retained within brackets  226  to facilitate positioning and movement of the carriage assembly  214  by an operator (not shown) over a surface  216  during dispensing a flowable material such as an adhesive, sealant or caulking material from the dispensing devices  210 . 
     The carriage assembly  214  also includes an extension piece  230  to which a trigger assembly  234  is moveably mounted. The trigger assembly  234  includes a manually actuable trigger  238  which is slidably mounted within a housing  242 . The trigger housing  242  also serves as a hand grip. As described in the earlier embodiments of  FIGS. 1 through 8 , the dispensing devices  210  utilize a remote control system for dispensing flowable material which includes a transmitter  246  located on the trigger assembly  234  and a receiver (not shown) located on each dispensing device  210 . However, under this embodiment  200 , the receiver (not shown) of each dispensing device  210 , is arranged to receive a common signal transmitted from the single transmitter  246  to dispense flowable material therefrom. Thus, upon actuation of the trigger  238 , flowable material is dispensed from each dispensing device  210  in a simultaneous fashion, thus saving both time and effort. For one application, the embodiment  200  may be utilized for simultaneously applying multiple beads of adhesive material to one or more large pieces of sheet material  216  intended for adherence to the roof of a building. Dispensing multiple beads of adhesive simultaneously saves both time and effort. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the trigger assembly  234  is free to be moved, e.g., slid, to any desired location and orientation over the length of the extension piece  230 . Thus, the location and position of the trigger assembly  234  may be adjusted depending upon the intended use of the embodiment  200 . Referring again to  FIG. 9 , the trigger assembly  234  is shown at two exemplary positions as it extends beneath the extension piece  230 . 
     At  234 , the trigger assembly is shown extending beneath the extension piece  230  and is located at a point on the extension piece  230  that is most remote from the cross piece  218 . At this location, the trigger assembly  234  is shown with the trigger  238  facing towards the cross piece  218 . However, it should be understood that the trigger assembly could be mounted at this position, or at any position along the extension piece  230 , with the trigger  238  facing away from the cross piece  218 . At  234   a , the trigger assembly is shown extending beneath the extension piece  230  and is located at a point approximately midway along the length of the extension piece  230 . It should be understood that the positions of the trigger assembly at  234  and  234   a  are merely exemplary and the trigger assembly  234  could be slid to any position along the length of the extension piece  230  to suit the operator depending upon the application in which the embodiment is to be used. Likewise, the trigger assembly  234  could be oriented at any position along the length of the extension piece  230  with the trigger  238  facing towards or away from the cross piece  218 , depending upon the preference of the operator for particular applications. At  234   b , the trigger assembly  234  is shown in an alternative exemplary orientation as extending above the extension piece  230 , with the trigger facing towards the cross piece  218 . In this orientation, the trigger assembly  234   b  is arranged to slide to any position along the length of the extension piece  230  to suit the operator&#39;s needs for a particular application. Alternatively, the trigger  238  could face away from the cross piece  218 . 
     The devices of the present invention have been described in respect to the particular embodiments thereof set forth in the specification and as illustrated in the drawings. As a result of such disclosure, other variations and modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art and therefore, no limitation as to the scope of the invention is intended by the specific embodiments disclosed but the scope of the invention is to be interpreted in view of the appended claims. For example, the moveable handle and trigger concept described herein could readily be adapted to other hand tools not disclosed herein such as power drills, leaf blowers, reciprocating hedge trimmers, hand-held power saws, etc.