Abstract:
A device for dispensing flowable materials to low locations without the user being required to bend over or kneel down during dispensing provides relief from back strain or other injuries. The device includes a cylinder having a piston mounted therein which reciprocates between forward ejecting and return directions. A driven rod, connected to the piston, extends through a front wall of the cylinder. Upon actuation, a trigger mechanism supplies a pressure medium within the cylinder for displacing the piston in the forward ejecting direction to dispense flowable material from the dispensing device. The trigger mechanism is oriented to enable the user to hold the dispensing device like a suitcase and is spaced a sufficient distance from where the flowable material is dispensed to enable a user to remain standing erect while dispensing to low areas such as where a floor and wall meet.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to dispensing devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dispensing device that enables a user 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. The present invention also reduces the need for the user to contort the arm, wrist, hand, and other body parts, where the low location to which flowable material is to be dispensed is difficult to access. 
         [0002]    Commercially available devices for dispensing flowable compositions such as caulking materials, grease, automotive windshield sealant, reactive resins, and the like, generally consist of a rearward driving section and a forward section in the form of a carriage assembly for housing a composition to be dispensed. The rearward drive section includes a cylinder having a front end wall, a rear end wall, and a cylindrically-shaped sidewall. A piston disposed within the cylinder divides the cylinder into a front portion and a rear portion. At least one driven rod is connected to the piston and extends through the front end wall of the cylinder. The driven rod terminates in an ejector ram. The piston, its driven rod and ejector ram, are driven in an ejecting direction in response to pressure provided within the rear portion of the cylinder to dispense flowable material stored in the forward section of the dispensing device. The flowable material may be stored in bulk or in cartridge form, e.g., hard cartridges or sausage-type cartridges. As the driven rod and ejector ram are driven in the ejecting direction, material from one or more cartridges is ejected from the dispenser to the area of application. 
         [0003]    Introduction of pressure behind the piston is controlled by actuation of a trigger mechanism on the dispensing device. On commercially available dispensing devices, the trigger mechanism is located beneath the cylinder during dispensing. The trigger mechanism includes a handle and an actuable trigger, both of which extend downwardly in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the hollow cylinder. Such commercially available dispensing devices have several drawbacks, especially when applying flowable material to low locations, such as along the perimeter of a room or a shower stall where the wall meets the floor. The main drawback is that due to the location and orientation of the trigger mechanism on such dispensing devices, it is usually necessary for the user to bend over, kneel down, or squat towards the floor to accurately apply the flowable materials to such low locations. Another drawback associated with the location and orientation of the trigger mechanism on commercially available dispensing devices is that the user may need to twist or contort his or her arm, wrist, hand, and other body part when using such a commercially available dispensing device to apply flowable material to low locations that are difficult to access. This can be an uncomfortable operation for many users, and may result in back strain or other injury. Because it is physically difficult for some users to dispense flowable materials to such low locations using a conventional dispensing device, the material may not be properly applied. 
         [0004]    Therefore, what is needed is a dispenser that is arranged to facilitate the application of flowable materials to these low areas. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    These and other objects of this invention are achieved by providing a device for dispensing flowable materials to low locations without the user being required to bend over or kneel down during dispensing which provides relief from back strain or other injuries. The device includes a cylinder having a piston mounted therein which reciprocates between forward ejecting and return directions. A driven rod, connected to the piston, extends through a front wall of the cylinder. Upon actuation, a trigger mechanism supplies a pressure medium within the cylinder for displacing the piston in the forward ejecting direction to dispense flowable material from the dispensing device. The trigger mechanism is oriented to enable the user to hold the dispensing device like a suitcase and is spaced a sufficient distance from where the flowable material is dispensed to enable a user to remain standing erect while dispensing to low areas such as where a floor and wall meet. Moreover, the trigger mechanism is positioned and oriented to allow a more comfortable dispensing position when such low locations are in areas which are difficult to access. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The objects and many attendant features of this invention will become readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the dispensing device of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged, sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged, sectional view of a portion of the dispensing device of the present invention illustrating the trigger mechanism in the unactuated position; and, 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, sectional view of a portion of the dispensing device of the present invention illustrating the trigger mechanism in the actuated position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0011]    Referring now to the drawings, a device for dispensing materials in accordance with the present invention is shown generally at  10  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The dispensing device  10  includes a rearward driving section  14  and a forward section in the form of a dual component carriage assembly  18  of conventional design for housing a composition to be dispensed. The rearward driving section  14  includes an air cylinder assembly  22  ( FIG. 2 ) within which there is positioned a piston  26 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the piston  26  operates two driven rods  30  which terminate in ejector rams  34 . 
         [0012]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the dual component carriage assembly  18  houses a plurality, e.g., two, cartridge assemblies (not shown) containing components to be dispensed. It should be understood that the carriage assembly  18  can be of any desired construction 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 the composition in a dual disposable and replaceable hard cartridges or containers (not shown), the dispensing devices incorporating this invention can also include a fixed and permanent container for receiving material to be dispensed that initially is packaged in bulk form, or for receiving material to be dispensed from a flexible, sausage-type cartridge. Moreover, all of these latter-mentioned options (i.e., hard cartridge, bulk form and sausage-type cartridge) can be employed in single component dispensing devices as well as in dual component dispensing devices as shown in the drawings herein. 
         [0013]    The hard cartridges that are used in conjunction with such dispensing devices are of a standard size and configuration and comprise a tubular cylindrical body portion containing material to be dispensed, a cup-shaped movable plunger at the rearward end of the body portion, and dispensing nozzles located at the forward end of the cartridges. The moveable plunger provides means for the dispensing device to apply dispensing pressure to the material within the cartridges. When the cartridges are appropriately registered within the carriage assembly  18 , each moveable plunger is arranged to be moved in a forward ejecting direction towards the nozzles to expel material from the body portion of the cartridges. 
         [0014]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the carriage assembly  18  includes at its forward end a forward support bracket  38  having one or more openings  42  positioned thereon for passage of the dispensing nozzles of the cartridges therethrough. The forward support bracket  38  also includes an upper stirrup  46  to assist in positioning and retaining the cartridges within the carriage assembly  18 . Optionally, a lower stirrup (not shown) may be included for added support. The forward support bracket  38  is joined to a pair of elongate support members  50  by any suitable means, e.g., welding. Structures  54  and  58  are disposed between the support members  50  to add rigidity to the elongated support members  50 , and also to locate and retain the cartridge assemblies (not shown), e.g., hard cartridges, within the carriage assembly  18 . 
         [0015]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown in section the internal components of the dispensing device  10 . The air cylinder assembly  22  includes a front bulk head  62 , a rear bulk head  66  and a cylindrical side wall  70 . The carriage assembly  18  is secured to the outer surface of the front bulk head  62  by a spacer  74  and appropriate fastening hardware, e.g., retaining screws  82 . As previously mentioned, disposed within the air cylinder assembly  22  is a piston  26  which operates two driven rods  30  that terminate in ejector rams  34 . At the end opposite the ejector rams  34 , each driven rod  30  is provided with hardware, e.g., a securing nut  86 , to enable securement of the driven rod  30  to the piston  26 . Each driven rod  30  chosen for illustration herein is a smooth-surfaced rod of a generally circular cross-section, and each rod  30  extends through a generally circular-shaped opening (not shown) located in the forward bulkhead  62 . The piston  26  is arranged for movement within the air cylinder assembly  22  in a forward ejecting direction as illustrated by arrow  90 . When moved in this direction, the driven rods  30  move forward to dispense the materials from the cartridges (not shown) through the ejection nozzles. The piston  26  is also arranged to be moved in the opposite direction to a fully returned position wherein the piston  26  engages with the rear bulkhead  66  to enable the removal of the previously emptied cartridges and the insertion of fresh cartridges. 
         [0016]    As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the piston  26  is circular in shape and includes an associated seal  94  of conventional design, e.g., an o-ring, a leather seal, metal ring or glide ring, located in a land formed on the outer circumference of the piston  26 . The seal  94  prevents air from passing between the piston  26  and the cylindrical wall  70  during movement of the piston  26  in the forward ejecting direction and in the opposite, returning direction. 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , it should be understood that the piston  26  is driven in the forward ejecting direction  90  by actuation of a trigger  98  in a direction toward a carrying handle  102 , as indicated by arrow  107  in  FIG. 3 . The carrying handle  102  is positioned centrally over the dispensing device  10  for balance when dispensing from the dispensing device  10 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the carrying handle  102  is positioned above the driving section  14  and carriage assembly  18  and is separated from the rearward driving section  14  and carriage assembly  18  by an elongated extension piece  142 . The carrying handle  102  is secured to the extension piece by appropriate fastening hardware, e.g., a plurality of retaining screws  103 . 
         [0018]    The extension piece  142  is secured in proximity to the front bulkhead  62  by appropriate fastening hardware, e.g., a plurality of retaining screws  143 , and extends upwardly from the air cylinder assembly  22 . In this manner, during use, the extension piece  142  of the dispensing device  10  enables a user 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. Due to the extension piece and orientation of the trigger  98  and carrying handle  102 , the dispensing device  10  may be held like a suitcase. 
         [0019]    By removal of the retaining screws  143 , the extension piece  142  may be disconnected from the cylinder assembly  22 ; and, by removal of the retaining screws  103 , the carrying handle  102  may be separated from the extension piece  142 . In this manner, the extension piece  142  may be easily eliminated and the carrying handle  102  may be connected directly to the air cylinder assembly  22  in proximity to the front bulk head  62 , to enable quick and easy conversion to a dispensing device similar to those that are currently commercially available. 
         [0020]    Trigger  98  is pivotally mounted to the carrying handle  102  by any suitable means, e.g., a pivot pin  104  passing through the carrying handle  102 . It should be understood that the pivot pin  104  could be replaced with any other desired pivot support. The trigger  98  is in contact with a bearing  100  which biases the trigger  98  away from the carrying handle  102  by means of a conventional compression spring  106 . The bearing  100  includes a through opening  100   a.  Disposed within the carrying handle  102  is an internal air passageway  110  which allows the passage of pressurized air from an external air pressure supply (not shown) into the dispensing gun  10 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the air passageway  110  extends through the carrying handle  102  and communicates with an air passageway  112  extending through the extension piece  142  which, in turn, communicates with an air tube  145 , which communicates with an air passageway  147  located in the rear bulk head  66 . The air passageway  147  opens into the cylinder assembly  22 . The air passageway  110  is connected to an appropriate air line  114  by means of a suitable coupling  118 . In turn, the air line  114  may be attached to an appropriate hose  122  by means of a suitable coupling  126 . The air hose  122  may be connected to the air pressure supply (not shown). 
         [0021]    As best shown in  FIG. 3 , when not actuated, the compression spring  106  biases the trigger  98  away from the carrying handle  102  and the through opening  100   a  of the bearing  100  is out of the path of the air passageway  110  and the bearing blocks passage of pressurized air through the air passageway  110 . In operation, when the trigger  98  is depressed, the compression spring  106  is compressed and the through opening  100   a  of the bearing  100  aligns with the internal air passageway  110  to permit the passage of pressurized gas, e.g., air, through the air passageways  110   112 ,  145 , and  147  and into the cylinder assembly  22  through the rear bulk head  66  to drive the piston  26  in the forward direction as indicated by the arrow  90 . Pressurized air enters a rear portion  130  of the air cylinder assembly  22  between the piston  26  and the rear bulkhead  66 . Parenthetically, the cylinder assembly  22  also includes a front portion  134  defined as being that portion of the cylinder assembly  22  between the piston  26  and the front bulkhead  62 . In this manner, air pressure within the rear portion  130  of the cylinder assembly  22  forces the piston  26  to travel in the forward direction indicated by the arrow  90 . The driven rods  30 , operating through the ejector rams  34 , cause the material to be extruded from the cartridges (not shown) and ejected from the caulking gun. By providing distance between the handle  102  and the rearward driving section  14 , the extension piece  142  enables a user to dispense flowable material to low locations without bending over or kneeling down, thus reducing strain or other back injury. 
         [0022]    It should be understood that although the dispensing device described herein utilizes a pneumatic source, i.e., pressurized air, for dispensing flowable material therefrom, the dispensing device could be of any desired construction, and such use of pressurized air or another pneumatic source does not constitute a limitation on the present invention. For example, the dispensing device of the present invention could be a battery-powered cordless dispensing device or, alternatively, a manually-actuated dispensing device. 
         [0023]    The device of the present invention has been described in respect to the particular embodiment 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.