Abstract:
A modified frame style caulking gun includes a gun body with front and back blocks to receive a caulk cartridge, a gun rack in close fitting with the gun body and having a trigger, a frame driving section having structure for distally moving a push rod upon proximal movement of the trigger for releasing caulk via a spout of the caulk cartridge, and a braking assembly for preventing movement of the push rod. The gun rack and gun body include structure for providing a strong and rigid connection there between. The caulking gun includes structure for performing the functions of cutting the nib or distal end of the spout of the caulk cartridge and dredging the mouth of the caulk cartridge.

Description:
PRIORITY  
         [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. Section 119 from a Chinese patent application filed on Apr. 16, 2003 and assigned Chinese Patent Application Filing Number 03245228.4, the contents of this Chinese patent application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.  
         TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a caulking gun, and more particularly to a modified frame style caulking gun.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In a conventional caulking gun, a front block and a back block are mounted on a gun body. A caulk-cleaning needle is pin jointed at the lower end of the front block, and a needle-securing groove is formed at the protruding ridge of the gun body; a rabbet-type through hole is formed on the central portion of the back block. A fixed handle is provided on the outside of the back block, and a through hole is formed on the fixed handle. A forward push element is fixed at the front end of a push rod. A driving element and a driving spring are mounted surrounding the push rod and are placed inside the gun body. A trigger is pin jointed to the fixed handle through a pivot on which a dialing spring is set. A driving shaft is provided on the trigger, and the driving element is extended to the front of the driving shaft in the trigger. An adjusting part encircles the push rod. The forward push element on the push rod pushes ahead the pistol of the caulk cartridge to push out caulk  
           [0004]    It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a caulking gun having a modified frame and novel structure, and thereby providing several advantages over conventional caulking guns.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention provides a caulking gun having a modified frame and novel structure. The modified frame style caulking gun according to the present invention includes a gun body in fixed alignment with a gun rack having a trigger, and a push rod capable of traversing through the gun rack and the gun body. The gun rack is located proximally with respect to the gun body which is configured and dimensioned for receiving a caulk cartridge. As used herein, the word “distal” refers to that portion of the caulking gun, or component thereof which is further from the user while the word “proximal” refers to that portion of the caulking gun or component thereof which is closer to the user.  
           [0006]    The gun rack includes a frame driving section, a jointing section and a fixed handle. The jointing section is provided at a distal end of the gun rack. The jointing section includes a central through hole for receiving at least one coupling component for strongly and rigidly connecting the gun rack and the gun body.  
           [0007]    The frame driving section which includes a driving girder, a driving chamber, a T-shaped braking bolt and a braking bulge is located proximally with respect to the jointing section. The driving chamber is a quadrate chamber formed with two parallel jambs for providing strength to the connection between the gun rack and the gun body and is located proximally with respect to the jointing section. The fixed handle is located under the driving chamber. The driving girder is provided between the fixed handle and the jointing section. A pin hole for pin jointing the trigger to the driving girder is provided on the driving girder. The braking bolt and the braking bulge protrude proximally from a back wall of the driving chamber. A through hole for allowing the push rod to pass through the gun rack and gun body is provided in the back wall of the driving chamber, or between the T-shaped braking bolt and the braking bulge.  
           [0008]    In order for the gun body to receive the caulk cartridge, a front block is welded at a distal end thereof. The front block includes an opening for mounting and supporting a nozzle or spout of the caulk cartridge. A cylindrically-shaped back block is welded to the gun body at a proximal location with respect to the front block. An assembling hole for coupling with the at least one coupling component, such as a screw having a central through hole, is provided at a central portion of the back block for coupling the back block with the gun rack at the jointing section.  
           [0009]    After coupling the back block with the gun rack, the central through hole of the at least one coupling component aligns with the central through hole of the driving chamber and the push rod for traversal of the push rod through the gun rack and gun body via the two central through holes. A forward push element shaped as a flat disc is fixed via a nut or other connecting device at a distal end of the push rod. The flat disc is configured to push out caulk from the caulk cartridge as the trigger is moved proximally, i.e., towards the fixed handle.  
           [0010]    A position-limiting tube, a driving element and a driving spring are mounted within the driving chamber of the gun rack and surround the push rod. The driving element is provided distally with respect to a driving shaft on the trigger in order for the driving shaft to push the driving element distally upon proximal movement of the trigger to create a driving force for also moving the push rod distally.  
           [0011]    A braking assembly includes a braking element which can be caught by the T-shaped braking bolt and a braking spring surrounding the push rod on the outside of the driving chamber adjacent to the back wall. The braking bulge acts as a fulcrum for the braking element. The braking assembly prevents movement of the push rod.  
           [0012]    The modified frame style caulking gun of the present invention includes a streamlined bulge protruding on the outside of the fixed handle, and a protruding rib is formed on the inside of the fixed handle. A first pin jointing hole for pin jointing a caulk-cleaning needle is provided on the upper portion of the protruding rib in proximity to the bulge. A protruding step is provided for catching the caulk-cleaning needle on the lower portion of the protruding rib. The caulk-cleaning needle is used for dredging the spout of the caulk cartridge.  
           [0013]    An ergonomically designed curving portion for ease of handling the caulking gun by a user is formed on a lower to middle part of the trigger. The upper part of the trigger is formed as two parallel driving arms which is pin jointed on the driving girder of the gun rack through a pivot which is encircled by a dialing spring.  
           [0014]    The driving shaft is riveted between the two driving arms on the top end of the trigger. A cutting assembly for cutting a nib or a distal end of the spout of the caulk cartridge includes a cutting member which is provided to the top part of the trigger and held in place by the driving shaft and the pivot encircled by the dialing spring. The cutting member extends opposite the curved portion of the trigger and is movable along a circular path upon movement of the trigger. A blade is formed or provided on an edge of the cutting member for cutting the nib or the distal end of the spout of the caulk cartridge while inserted within a caulk-cutting hole. The blade is maintained within the driving chamber at all times to prevent the user from accidentally injuring himself and the caulk-cutting hole is preferably dimensioned to prevent a user&#39;s finger from entering the driving chamber.  
           [0015]    A female rabbet is provided at the end section of the jointing section and is concentric with the central through hole of the jointing section for receiving a male tab plastic gasket. A plastic gasket is provided between the back block of the gun body and the at least one coupling component, and the male tab plastic gasket is provided between the back block and the gun rack to match with the female rabbet at the end section of the jointing section for coupling and securing the gun rack and the gun body. This structure fastens the binding of the gun body and gun rack.  
           [0016]    The modified frame style caulking gun according to the present invention is easy to assemble and improves the strength of the caulking gun. Further, the modified frame style caulking gun includes structure for performing the functions of cutting the nib of the caulking cartridge and dredging the spout of the caulk cartridge. Therefore, the caulking gun of the present invention provides for the performance of additional functions. Additionally, the modified frame style caulking gun is convenient, safe and reliable.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a side partially phantom view of the modified frame style caulking gun in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 a  is an enlarged, side phantom view of a gun rack of the caulking gun shown by FIG. 1; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 b  is a front view of a driving girder and other components of the gun rack shown by FIG. 2 a.   
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. A preferred embodiment of the modified frame style caulking gun corresponds to the JM-3001S caulking gun manufactured and commercially available from Tianjin Jinmao Corporation, Ltd., having offices and manufacturing facilities in Tianjin, China. Documents showing the structural configuration, and detailing the specifications and method of operation of the JM-3001S caulking gun are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0021]    Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the modified frame style caulking gun is shown and designated generally by reference numeral  100 . The caulking gun  100  includes a gun body  1  in fixed aligned with a gun rack  2  having a trigger  3 , and a push rod  5  capable of traversing the gun rack  2  and the gun body  1 . The gun rack  2  is located proximally with respect to the gun body  1  which is configured and dimensioned for receiving a caulk cartridge. As used herein, the word “distal” refers to that portion of the caulking gun  100 , or component thereof which is further from the user while the word “proximal” refers to that portion of the caulking gun  100  or component thereof which is closer to the user.  
         [0022]    The gun rack  2  is preferably integrally formed by cast-molding. As shown by FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , the gun rack  2  includes a frame driving section  23  having a jamb  235 , a jointing section  21  and a fixed or stationary handle  22 . The jointing section  21  is provided at a distal end of the gun rack  2 . A female central hole  211  is formed on the jointing section  21  for receiving at least one coupling component for connecting the gun rack  2  and the gun body  1 . The at least one coupling component may include a screw  8 , rabbet or other well-known coupling components, and has a central through hole for allowing the push rod  5  to traverse through the gun rack  2  and gun body  1 .  
         [0023]    A female rabbet  212  is preferably provided at the end section of the jointing section  21  and is concentric with the central hole  211  of the jointing section  21  for receiving a male tab plastic gasket  10 . A plastic gasket  9  is provided between a cylindrically-shaped back block  12  of the gun body  1  and the at least one coupling component, and the male tab plastic gasket  10  is provided between the back block  12  and the gun rack  2  to match with the female rabbet  212  at the end section of the jointing section  21  for coupling and securing the gun rack  2  and the gun body  1 . This structure fastens the binding of the gun body  1  and gun rack  2 .  
         [0024]    The driving section  23  which includes a driving girder  231 , a driving chamber  23   a , a braking bolt  243  and a braking bulge  244  is provided proximally with respect to the jointing section  21 . The braking bolt  243  and the braking bulge  244  are part of a braking assembly  102  as further described below.  
         [0025]    The driving chamber  23   a , as shown by FIG. 2 b , is a quadrate chamber formed with two parallel jambs  234   a ,  234   b  for providing strength to the connection between the gun rack  2  and the gun body  1  and is located proximally with respect to the jointing section  21 . The jambs  234   a ,  234   b  act as reinforcing bars for maintaining a strong and rigid connection between the gun rack  2  and the gun body  1 . Hence, the jambs  234   a ,  234   b  provide strength and rigidity to the caulking gun  100 , especially at the gun rack-gun body connection point.  
         [0026]    The fixed handle  22  is located under the driving chamber  23   a . A streamlined bulge  221  protrudes proximally from the fixed handle  22  and is ergonomically designed for a user&#39;s thumb to rest thereon for securely grasping the caulking gun  100 . A protruding rib  222  is formed on the inside of the fixed handle  22 . A first pin jointing hole  223  for pin jointing a caulk-cleaning needle  6  is provided on the upper portion of the protruding rib  222  in proximity to the bulge  221 . A protruding step  224  is provided for catching the caulk-cleaning needle on the lower portion of the protruding rib  222 . Hence, the caulk-cleaning needle  6  is secured to the fixed handle  22  and is prevented from unintentionally moving during use of the caulking gun  100 . The caulk-cleaning needle  6  is used for dredging the spout of the caulk cartridge.  
         [0027]    The driving girder  231  is provided between the fixed handle  22  and the jointing section  21 . A pin hole for pin jointing the trigger  3  to the driving girder  231  is provided on the driving girder  231 . The braking bolt  243  and the braking bulge  244  which are part of the braking assembly  102  protrude proximally from a back wall  112  of the driving chamber  23   a . The braking bolt  243  is preferably T-shaped for catching and securing the braking element  242 . The braking bulge  244  acts as a fulcrum under the braking bolt  243  as shown by FIGS. 1 and 2 a . A through hole  114  for allowing the push rod  5  to pass through the gun rack  2  and the gun body  1  is provided in the back wall  112  of the driving chamber  23   a , or between the braking bolt  243  and the braking bulge  244 .  
         [0028]    An ergonomically designed curving or knurled portion  31  for ease of handling the caulking gun  100  by a user is formed on a lower to middle part of the trigger  3 . The upper part of the trigger  3  is formed as two parallel driving arms  32  which is pin jointed on the driving girder  231  of the gun rack  2  through a pivot  33  which is encircled by a dialing spring. A driving shaft  34  is riveted between the two driving arms  32  on the top end of the trigger  3 .  
         [0029]    A cutting assembly  104  for cutting a nib or a distal end of the spout of the caulk cartridge includes a cutting member  110  which is provided to the top part of the trigger  3  and held in place by the driving shaft  34  and the pivot  33  encircled by the dialing spring. The cutting member  110  extends opposite the curved portion  31  of the trigger  3  and is movable along a circular path upon movement of the trigger  3 . A blade  7  is formed or provided on an edge of the cutting member  110  for cutting the nib or the distal end of the spout of the caulk cartridge while inserted within a caulk-cutting hole  235   a  provided on the jamb  235  prior to positioning the caulk cartridge within the gun body  1 . The blade  7  is maintained within the driving chamber  23   a  at all times to prevent the user from accidentally injuring himself and the caulk-cutting hole is preferably dimensioned to prevent a user&#39;s finger from entering the driving chamber  23   a.    
         [0030]    The push rod  5  is J-shaped as shown by FIG. 1. A proximal end of the push rod is curved for conveniently being grasped by a user for pulling the push rod  5  proximally after a caulk cartridge has been spent to remove the spent caulk cartridge. A major part of the non-curved section of the push rod  5  is designed for traversing the gun rack  2  and gun body  1  via through holes in the gun rack  2  and the gun body  1  and for compressing the caulk within the caulk cartridge to release caulk from the spout.  
         [0031]    To accomplish the latter task, a forward push element  51  shaped as a flat disc is fixed via a nut or other connecting device at a distal end of the push rod  5 . The flat disc is configured to push out caulk from the caulk cartridge as the trigger  3  is moved proximally, i.e., towards the fixed handle  22 , as known in the art.  
         [0032]    A position-limiting tube  238 , a driving element  237  and a driving spring  236  are mounted within the gun rack  2  and surround the push rod  5  within the driving chamber  23   a  of the gun rack  2 . The driving element  237  is provided distally with respect to the driving shaft  34  on the trigger  3 , in order for the driving shaft  34  to push the driving element  237  distally upon proximal movement of the trigger  3  to create a driving force for also moving the push rod distally.  
         [0033]    The braking assembly  102 , besides the braking bolt  243  and braking bulge  244 , further includes a braking element  242  which can be caught by the T-shaped braking bolt  243  and a braking spring  241  surrounding the push rod on the outside of the driving chamber  23   a  adjacent to the back wall  112 . The braking bulge  244  acts as a fulcrum for the braking element  242 . The braking assembly  102  prevents movement of the push rod  5 .  
         [0034]    The gun body  1  includes a semi-cylindrical support  106  configured and dimensioned for receiving a caulk cartridge. A front block  11  having a U-shaped opening is provided to the semi-cylindrical support  106  for mounting and supporting the caulk nozzle or spout. The front block  11  is welded at a distal end of the support  106 . The cylindrically-shaped back block  12  is welded to the gun body  1  at a proximal location with respect to the front block  11 . An assembling hole  108  for coupling with the at least one coupling component, such as a screw  8  having a central through hole, is provided at a central portion of the back block  12  for coupling the back block  12  with the gun rack  2 .  
         [0035]    After coupling the back block  12  with the gun rack  2 , a central through hole of the at least one coupling component aligns with the central through hole  211  of the driving chamber  23   a  and the push rod  5  for traversal of the push rod  5  through the gun rack  2  and gun body  1  via the two central through holes.  
         [0036]    The method of operation of the modified frame style caulking gun  100  according to the present invention is similar as with conventional caulking guns, and hence, a detailed description of the method of operation is not presented herein.  
         [0037]    The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.