Patent Publication Number: US-8979001-B2

Title: Portable fluid sprayer with fluid container support features

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     An exemplary fluid sprayer includes a portable airless paint sprayer having a pumping unit for pumping paint supplied from a paint source, such as a paint container. In one instance, the pumping unit is driven by an electric motor to supply a flow of pressurized paint to an output nozzle or tip of a spray gun. The output nozzle or tip has a particular shape and size to generate a desired spray pattern. Other types of fluid sprayers include air-driven or air-assisted devices. For example, some types of paint sprayers employ compressed gas, usually air compressed by an air compressor or turbine, to atomize and direct paint particles onto a surface. 
     Many painting applications require user mobility and necessitate portability of a paint source, such as a paint container. Some application examples include, but are not limited to, painting an exterior of a building, painting interior walls and ceilings of a building, painting or staining a deck or fence, to name a few. 
     The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a fluid sprayer pump assembly is provided and includes a pump assembly housing and a fluid intake conduit configured to provide a fluid path to the pump assembly housing. The fluid sprayer pump assembly also includes a frame assembly supporting the pump assembly housing and including a plurality of fluid container support features. Each of the fluid container support features is configured to accommodate a respective fluid container such that an inlet end of the fluid intake conduit is positionable within the respective fluid container. In one example, a fluid container support feature includes a fluid container holder pivotably attached to the frame assembly and movable between first and second positions. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a frame for a fluid sprayer is provided. The frame includes a pump assembly frame, a base assembly configured to support the pump assembly frame at an elevated position above a support surface, and a fluid container support mechanism that is movable between a first position and second position in which the fluid container support mechanism is configured to receive and support a handle of a fluid container thereon. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a fluid container support feature for a fluid sprayer is provided. The fluid container support feature includes a first portion configured to be pivotably attached to a frame of a fluid sprayer such that the fluid container support feature is movable with respect to the frame about a pivot axis between first and second positions. The fluid container support feature includes a second portion spaced from the first portion by a pair of arms extending between the first portion and second portion. The second portion includes a fluid container support surface configured to accommodate a fluid container. 
     These and various other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fluid sprayer including a portable fluid pump assembly, under one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a portable fluid pump assembly including fluid container support features, under one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are side views of a portable fluid pump assembly including fluid container support features, under one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a fluid pump assembly frame including fluid container support features, under one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are side views of a fluid pump assembly frame including fluid container support features, under one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate exemplary fluid containers. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fluid sprayer  100  comprising a portable fluid pump assembly  101 . Fluid sprayer  100  is configured to spray fluid material supplied from a fluid container (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) through the air onto a surface. As used herein, “fluid” or “fluid material” refers to liquids for spray-coating applications such as, but not limited to, paints, varnishes, stains, inks, and the like. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , sprayer  100  comprises an airless sprayer configured to spray atomized paint. However, sprayer  100  can include other configurations and can be utilized to spray other types of fluid materials. 
     A housing  102  of pump assembly  101  houses an electric drive or motor operably configured to drive a fluid pump mechanism. In one embodiment, the fluid pump mechanism comprises a reciprocating piston pump that delivers pressurized paint to an output port  106 . A conduit, such as a sprayer hose  107 , can be connected to housing  102  at output port  106  and supply the pressurized paint to a spray gun  109 , for example. Pump assembly  101  includes a power switch  108  (illustratively an on/off switch) and a pressure adjustment mechanism  110  (illustratively a rotatable dial). A power cord (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) is configured to provide electrical power from a wall outlet, for example. 
     Pump assembly  101  includes a fluid intake conduit  114  and a fluid return conduit  116  (collectively referred to as conduit set  115 ). Fluid intake conduit  114  illustratively comprises a suction or siphon tube having an inlet end  112  positionable within the fluid container. Conduit  114  is configured to supply an inlet paint flow from the inlet end  112  to the fluid pump mechanism in housing  102 . In one embodiment, a fluid filter  113  is mounted at the inlet end  112  of conduit  114 . Preferably, inlet end  112  is positioned at (i.e., in contact with or spaced a small distance away from) the bottom of the fluid container. In this arrangement, conduit  114  can remove substantially all the contents of the fluid container while minimizing the possibility of air entering inlet end  112  during operation of sprayer  100 . Fluid return conduit  116  illustratively comprises a return tube providing a return path from housing  102  for paint and/or air, for example during priming of the fluid pump mechanism. 
     Housing  102  is supported by a pump assembly frame  104  comprising a housing support assembly  118  connected to a frame base  120 . Assembly  118  comprises a platform supporting housing  102  at an elevated position above a support surface  122  (such as a floor of a worksite) on which base  120  is positioned. Intake conduit  114  depends from a bottom of housing  102  and into an interior of the paint container. In the illustrated embodiment, frame base  120  includes a pair of wheels  124  connected by an axle  126 . Axle  126  is mounted at ends of a pair of downwardly extending legs  128 , which are attached to housing support assembly  118 . In one embodiment, legs  128  are formed as separate components, each being mounted to platform  118  individually. In the illustrated embodiment, legs  128  are integral, formed of a single unitary body. In this manner, legs  128  form a support structure that is substantially U-shaped. Assembly  118  is secured to legs  128  such that the platform formed by assembly  118  is substantially parallel to support surface  122 . 
     Frame base  120  includes a second pair of legs  130  that are connected to the first pair of legs  128 . A first end  132  of each leg  130  is configured to engage surface  122 . A second end  133  of each leg  130  is configured to accommodate a handle  134 . In one embodiment, the second end  133  of each leg  130  comprises a handle adjustment mechanism  135  that slidably receives a portion of handle  134  therein. Handle  134  is configured to telescope from the second end  133  of legs  130  in directions  136 , thereby enabling a user to adjust the height of handle  134 . In one embodiment, handle adjustment mechanism  135  comprises a locking mechanism  138  that is configured to engage and secure handle  134 . In one example, locking mechanism  138  comprises a spring loaded button having a pin that is selectively insertable into one of a series of holes formed in handle  134 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  are front and side views, respectively, of portable fluid pump assembly  101 . As shown, housing  102  is supported on housing support assembly  118  of frame  104  at an elevated position above support surface  122 . In the illustrated embodiment, a length of fluid intake conduit  114  is such that inlet end  112  is positioned in close proximity to support surface  122 , when legs  130  are positioned on support surface  122 . In other embodiments, the length of fluid intake conduit  114  can be longer or shorter (i.e., smaller or larger gaps between inlet end  112  and surface  122 ). Preferably, the length of fluid intake conduit  114  is such that inlet end  112  is positioned at the bottom of the fluid container. 
     Pump assembly  101  includes one or more fluid container support features configured to accommodate a fluid container under support assembly  118 . For example, the fluid container support features include one or more fluid container holders each configured to suspend a fluid container from assembly  118 . For instance, an exemplary fluid container holder is configured to suspend a fluid container above surface  122  when a user tilts assembly  101  backward on wheels  124  (i.e., in direction  142 ), for example to move assembly  101  about a worksite. This enables the user to easily transport assembly  101  without requiring the user to remove and separately carry the fluid container. Further, the one or more fluid container holders are configured such that the inlet end  112  of intake conduit  114  is positioned within the interior of the paint container proximate (i.e., near and/or in contact with) an interior bottom surface of the paint container. In one example, a height of a fluid container holder from surface  122  is such that a fluid container is suspended therefrom with a small gap between the fluid container and surface  122 , when legs  130  are also supported on surface  122  (i.e., the user is not tilting assembly  101 ). In another example, a height of a fluid container holder from surface  122  is such that the fluid container rests on surface  122 , when legs  130  are also supported on surface  122  (i.e., the user is not tilting assembly  101 ). 
     In accordance with one embodiment, assembly  101  includes a plurality of fluid container support features configured to accommodate fluid containers of different sizes. This is advantageous as it enables greater user flexibility in selecting and using paint sources (e.g., a user can use either one gallon or five gallon paint containers, for example). Because different sized containers can be utilized, the user is not required to transfer paint from one container to another, for example if paint is only available in one type of container. In contrast, when using conventional sprayers that only accommodate a single paint container size, a user must transfer (i.e., pour) paint from one container to another if the user does not have a full paint container of the correct size. This is time consuming and can result in spillage, which can result in waste and require cleanup. 
     Frame  104  illustratively includes a first fluid container holder  140  configured to accommodate fluid containers having a first size. In one example, holder  140  is configured to receive a fluid container having the same (or similar) dimensions to a conventional five-gallon pail such that intake conduit  114  is properly positioned in the fluid container. One example of a fluid container is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . As shown, fluid container  600  includes a body  601  having an interior for holding fluid (e.g., paint). A bail  602  comprises a handle  604 , and is attached to and extends from body  601 . Container  600  has a height  606  from a bottom surface  608  to handle  604  of bail  602 . In one particular example, height  606  is approximately 20 inches. It is noted that this is one example of a container for use with container holder  140  and is not intended to limit the scope of the concepts described herein. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in one embodiment fluid container holder  140  is rigidly attached to and extends from assembly  118 . Holder  140  includes a top surface  141  configured to receive and support bail  602  of container  600  thereon. Holder  140  also includes a vertically extending portion  143  to retain bail  602  on holder  140 . In one embodiment, a height  147  from surface  141  to support surface  122  is based on the height  606  of container  600  to be supported on holder  140 . For example, height  147  can be the same as height  606 . In another example, height  147  is slightly less than, or is slightly greater than, height  606 . In one particular example, height  147  is approximately 19 to 20 inches. In this manner, when frame base  120  rests on surface  122  fluid container  600  also rests on surface  122 , thereby removing some or all of the weight of container  600  from holder  140 . The height of vertically extending portion  143  is sufficient to retain bail  602  on holder  140 . In one embodiment, the height of portion  143  is approximately 0.5 to 1 inch. To remove container  600  from holder  140 , a user lifts container  600  upwardly to lift bail  602  over portion  143 . 
     Frame  104  illustratively includes a second fluid container holder  144  configured to accommodate fluid containers having a second, different size. In one example, holder  144  is configured to receive a fluid container having the same (or similar) dimensions to a conventional one-gallon pail such that intake conduit  114  is properly positioned in the fluid container. One example of a fluid container is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . As shown, fluid container  700  includes a body  701  having an interior for holding fluid (e.g., paint). A bail  702  is attached to and extends from body  701 . Container  700  has a height  706  from a bottom surface  708  to an apex  704  of bail  702 . In one particular example, height  706  is approximately 10.75 inches. It is noted that this is one example of a container for use with container holder  144  and is not intended to limit the scope of the concepts described herein. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , fluid container holder  144  is attached to a portion of assembly  118  and includes a container engaging portion  170 . A container support surface (generally represented by arrow  171 ) is configured to receive and support bail  702  of container  700  thereon. In one embodiment, a height  146  from surface  171  to support surface  122  is based on the height  706  of container  700  to be supported on holder  144 . For example, in one embodiment, height  146  is the same as height  706 . In another example, height  146  is slightly less than, or is slightly greater than, height  706 . In one particular example, height  146  is approximately 10 to 10.75 inches. In this manner, when frame base  120  rests on surface  122  fluid container  700  also rests on surface  122 , thereby removing some or all of the weight of container  700  from holder  144 . 
     In accordance with one embodiment, container holder  144  is movable between a first, extended position (shown in  FIG. 3 ) and a second, retracted position (shown in  FIG. 4 ). Holder  144  is rotatably connected to a portion of assembly  118  and is configured to pivot about an axis  150  (illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 5 ). Further, frame  104  includes one or more locking features for retaining holder  144  in the second position. Such features include, but are not limited to, latches, hooks, notches, and/or straps. 
     In the first position, portion  170  of container holder  144  is positioned below assembly  118  and near and/or in contact with intake conduit  114 . In the first position, container holder  144  is configured to accommodate a fluid container with fluid intake conduit  114  disposed within the fluid container. In the second position, container holder  144  of portion  170  is positioned near assembly  118  and is located away from intake conduit  114 . In the second position, container holder  144  does not interfere with use of a fluid container hung from container holder  140 . A user can selectively utilize fluid container holder  144  (depending on the particular fluid container size being used) by moving container holder  144  between the first and second positions. 
       FIGS. 5-7  illustrate one embodiment of housing support assembly  118  and container holder  144 .  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of assembly  118  and holder  144 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  are side views illustrating holder  144  in an extended position and retracted position, respectively. 
     As illustrated, assembly  118  forms a platform having a substantially planar top portion  161  and a pair of downwardly extending sidewalls  163 . Container holder  140  is attached to and extends from wall  165  of housing support assembly  118 . Container holder  144  includes a pair of arms  160 . A first end  162  of arms  160  are positioned through apertures  164  formed in sidewalls  163  of assembly  118 , such that holder  144  is pivotable with respect to assembly  118  about axis  150 . Holder  144  is configured to be pivoted about axis  150  in directions  151  and  153  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) to move holder  144  to the retracted and extended positions, respectively. 
     In one embodiment, the first end  162  of each arm  160  is angled downwardly to retain the end  162  within the corresponding aperture  164  during use. Container engaging portion  170  is mounted on a second end  167  of each arm  160 . In one embodiment, portion  170  and arms  160  are integral, formed of a single unitary body. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the container engaging portion  170  of holder  144  has an opening  174  formed by a plurality of curved sections  172  that is configured to accommodate conduit set  115 . In one embodiment, the container engaging portion  170  has a pair of lateral support bars  180  positioned on opposing sides of conduit set  115 . Conduit set  115  is supported by lateral bars  180  and a curved bar  182  that are between. In one embodiment, the curved bar  182  supports a first side of conduit set  115  and lateral bars  180  extend beyond a plain that is tangential to a second, opposite side of conduit set  115  and form the container support surface  171 . In one embodiment, a distance  184  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) between curved bar  182  and an edge of arm  160  against which a bail of a fluid container contacts when resting on support surface  171  is similar to, a width of fluid intake conduit  114 . In another embodiment, distance  184  is greater than the width of conduit  184 . In this manner, width  184  accommodates suction set  115  such that the bail of the fluid container does not exert a significant force against suction set  115 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , in the extended position container engaging portion  170  is angled upwardly to securely retain the bail (i.e., bail  704 ) of the container (i.e., container  700 ) thereon. In one embodiment, portion  170  is oriented at an angle  173  (i.e. above a horizontal plane) of approximately 20 degrees. In other embodiments, angle  173  can be greater than, or less than, approximately 20 degrees. In this manner, when the bail of the container is supported on container support surface  171  the bail also rests against arms  160 . 
     In one embodiment, the portion of each arm  160  between the first end  162  and the second end  167  is substantially straight. In the illustrated embodiment, each arm  160  has one or more curves or bends. In this manner, a point (generally represented by reference numeral  166 ) along a first arm  160  between the first end  162  and second end  167  is spaced closer to the other arm  160  than other points along the first arm  160  (i.e., distance  168  is shorter than distances  173  and  175 ). In the illustrated embodiment, points  166  are positioned closer to the second end  167  of arms  160  than the first end  162 . 
     When holder  144  is moved to the retracted position (shown in  FIG. 7 ), points  166  of arms  160  are configured to engage sidewalls  163  at apertures  169 . In one embodiment, a distance  176  between the outwardly facing surfaces of sidewalls  163  is greater than the distance  168  between points  166  of arms  160 . Thus, the shape of arms  160  operate to retain arms  160  against sidewalls  163  and require a force exerted by the user to disengage arms from apertures  169  to move holder  144  to the extended position. 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the disclosure, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, the particular elements may vary depending on the particular application for the system or method while maintaining substantially the same functionality without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure and/or the appended claims.