Patent Publication Number: US-6908046-B1

Title: Self propelled fence painting system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to painting systems and more particularly pertains to a new self propelled fence painting system for painting a length of fence. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of painting systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, painting systems heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
   Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 3,861,594; U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,745; U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,324; U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,002; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 274,088; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 287,749. 
   While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new self propelled fence painting system. The inventive device includes a housing that includes a front wall, a back wall and an upper end wall that is coupled to and extends between the front and back walls. The front and back walls are spaced away from each other defining a paint spraying space between the front and back walls of the housing. In one embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the fence to be painted is positionable in the paint spraying space. A drive assembly is mounted on the front wall of the housing for driving the housing on a surface. A spraying assembly is mounted on the front and back walls of the housing for spraying paint into the paint spraying space of the housing. 
   In these respects, the self propelled fence painting system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of painting a length of fence. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of painting systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new self propelled fence painting system construction wherein the same can be utilized for painting a length of fence. 
   The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new self propelled fence painting system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the painting systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new self propelled fence painting system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art painting systems, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a housing that includes a front wall, a back wall and an upper end wall that is coupled to and extends between the front and back walls. The front and back walls are spaced away from each other defining a paint spraying space between the front and back walls of the housing. In one embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the fence to be painted is positionable in the paint spraying space. A drive assembly is mounted on the front wall of the housing for driving the housing on a surface. A spraying assembly is mounted on the front and back walls of the housing for spraying paint into the paint spraying space of the housing. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new self propelled fence painting system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the painting systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new self propelled fence painting system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art painting systems, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a new self propelled fence painting system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new self propelled fence painting system which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
   An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new self propelled fence painting system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such self propelled fence painting system economically available to the buying public. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new self propelled fence painting system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new self propelled fence painting system for painting a length of fence. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new self propelled fence painting system which includes a housing that includes a front wall, a back wall and an upper end wall that is coupled to and extends between the front and back walls. The front and back walls are spaced away from each other defining a paint spraying space between the front and back walls of the housing. In one embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the fence to be painted is positionable in the paint spraying space. A drive assembly is mounted on the front wall of the housing for driving the housing on a surface. A spraying assembly is mounted on the front and back walls of the housing for spraying paint into the paint spraying space of the housing. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new self propelled fence painting system that makes painting a fence a quick, easy and efficient process. 
   Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new self propelled fence painting system that saves a user time and money, by allowing the a single user to paint a fence. 
   These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic frontal view of a new self propelled fence painting system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic top view of the guide assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic top view of the doors of the present invention in the closed position. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic top view of the doors of the present invention in the open position. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 6  thereof, a new self propelled fence painting system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the self propelled fence painting system  10  generally comprises a housing  12  that includes a front wall  13  and a back wall  14  spaced away from the front wall  13 . The front  13  and back  14  walls may include an inner panel  15 , an outer panel  16  and a pair of peripheral side panels  17  extending between the inner  15  and outer  16  panels of the front  13  and back  14  walls of the housing  12 . The inner  15 , outer  16  and peripheral  17  side panels define an interior  18  of the front  13  and back  14  walls of the housing  12 . 
   A distance between the inner panels  15  of the front  13  and back  14  walls defines a paint spraying space  31 . In one embodiment of the present invention, as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a portion of the fence to be painted may be positionable in the paint spraying space  31 . 
   An upper end wall  19  is coupled to and extends between the front  13  and back  14  walls. The front  13  and back  14  walls may include a longitudinal axis extending between the upper end wall  19  and an end  20  of each of the front  13  and back  14  walls opposite the upper end wall  19 . 
   In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the front  13  and back  14  walls of the housing  12  may each include a bend  21  therein for positioning the housing  12  over a fence that includes barb wire. The bend  21  may be positioned generally nearer the upper end wall  19  of the housing  12  than the end  20  of the front  13  and back  14  walls of the housing  12 . 
   The housing  12  may have a height measuring approximately five feet, however, housings  12  measuring greater than or less than five feet may be employed. The housing  12  may comprise a substantially rigid material such as, for example, an aluminum material. 
   A drive assembly  22  is mounted on the front wall  13  of the housing  12  for driving the housing  12  on a surface. The drive assembly  12  may include a plurality of wheels  23  that are rotatably mounted on the end  19  of the front  13  and back  14  walls of the housing  12 . Each of the wheels  23  are preferably spaced apart from each other along the end  19  of the front  13  and back  14  walls of the housing  12 . 
   The drive assembly  22  additionally includes a motor  24  for selectively rotating the plurality of wheels  23 . The motor  24  may be mounted on the outer panel  16  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12 . The motor  24  may include a motor shaft  25  extending into the interior  18  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12 . The motor  24  may be positioned generally adjacent to the end  19  of the front wall  13 . 
   A track member  26  may be operationally mounted on the plurality of wheels  23  of the front  13  and back  14  walls of the housing  12  to aid the housing  12  in moving over a rough surface. The track member  26  may include a plurality of track shoes  27  pivotally coupled together. The track member  26  may comprise a generally flexible material such as, for example, a rubber or vinyl material. 
   As particularly illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the drive assembly  22  may include a first coupling member  29  for operationally coupling the motor  24  to the plurality of wheels  23  on the front wall  13  of the housing  12 . The coupling member  29  is preferably coupled to and extending between the motor shaft  25  and the plurality of wheels  23  on the front wall  13  of the housing  12 . 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, the drive assembly  22  may include a first drive shaft  30  that is rotatably mounted in the interior  18  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12 . The first drive shaft  30  may extend between the pair of peripheral side panels  17  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12 . 
   A second drive shaft  32  may be rotatably mounted in the interior  18  of the back wall  14  of the housing  12 . The second drive shaft  32  may extend between the pair of peripheral side panels  17  of the back wall  14  of the housing  12 . A second coupling member  33  may be provided for rotatably turning the first drive shaft  30 . The second coupling member  33  may be operationally coupled to and extending between the motor shaft  25  and the second drive shaft  30 . 
   A third coupling member  34  may be provided for rotatably turning the second drive shaft  32 . The third coupling member  34  may be coupled to and extending between the first drive shaft  30  and the second drive shaft  32 . A fourth coupling member  35  may be provided for rotatably turning the plurality of wheels  23  mounted on the end  20  of the back wall  14  of the housing  12 . The fourth coupling member  34  may be coupled to and extending between the second drive shaft  32  and the plurality of wheels  23  mounted on the end  20  of the back wall  14  of the housing  12 . 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing  12  moves along a fence by the motor shaft  25  rotating the second coupling member  33  which rotates the first drive shaft  30 . Rotation of the first drive shaft  30  rotates the third coupling member  34  which rotates the second drive shaft  32 . The rotation of the second drive shaft  32  rotates the fourth coupling member  35  which rotates the plurality of wheels  23  mounted on the back wall  14  of the housing  12 . The first  29 , second  33 , third  34  and fourth  35  coupling members may comprise a chain, however other types of coupling members may be employed. 
   A power supply  38  may be provided for selectively providing power to the motor  24 . The power supply  38  may be mounted on the outer panel  16  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12 . The power supply  38  is preferably operationally coupled to the motor  24 . The power supply  38  may comprise a tank for holding a fuel. The power supply  37  may also comprise a battery that is electrically connected to the motor  24 . 
   An actuating means  39  may be provided for selectively controlling a rightward and leftward direction of rotation of the motor shaft  25 . The actuating means  39  may be mounted on the outer panel  16  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12 . The actuating means  39  may be electrically connected to the to the motor  24 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the rightward rotation of the motor shaft  25  moves the housing  12  in a rightward direction with respect to the fence and the leftward rotation of the motor shaft  25  moves the housing  12  in a leftward direction with respect to the fence. 
   Indicia  40  may be marked on the outer panel  16  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12  for indicating to a user a movement of direction of the housing  12  with respect to the fence. The indicia  40  may include an L for indicating the leftward movement of the housing  12  with respect to the fence, an R for indicating the rightward movement of the housing  12  with respect to the fence and an N for indicating a lack of movement of the housing with respect to the fence. 
   A spraying assembly  41  is provided for spraying paint into the paint spraying space of the housing  12 . The paint spraying assembly  41  may include at least one container  42  for holding paint or any other type of material a user may want to spray onto a fence. The container  42  may be mounted on the front wall  13  of the housing  12 . The container  42  may include an end  43  with an access opening  44  for pouring paint into the container  42 . 
   The spraying assembly  41  may include a paint gauge  45  for measuring an amount of paint in the container  42 . The paint gauge  45  may be mounted on the outer panel  16  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12  and is preferably operationally coupled to the container  42 . The paint gauge  45  may employ a float to measure an amount of paint in the container  42 . 
   The spraying assembly  41  may also include a compressing means  46  for exerting pressure on a volume of air in the container  42  creating a pressurized stream of paint. The compressing means  46  may be mounted on the outer panel  16  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12  and may be positioned generally adjacent to the container  42 . The compressing means  46  is preferably fluidly coupled to the container  42 . The compressing means  46  may comprise an air compressor. 
   A power source  48  may be provided for selectively providing power to the compressing means  46 . The power source  48  may be mounted on the outer panel  16  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12  and is preferably electrically connected to the compressing means  46 . The power source  48  may comprise a battery. 
   A switch means  49  may be provided for selectively controlling the compressing means  46 . The switch means  49  may be mounted on the outer panel  16  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12 . The switch means  49  may include an ON position and an OFF position. The switch means  49  is electrically connected to the power source  48  and the compressing means  46 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the switch means  49  permits the power source to provide the compressing means  46  with power when the switch means  49  is in the ON position. The switch means  49  prevents the power source  49  from providing power to the compressing means  46  when the switch means  49  is in the OFF position. 
   The spray assembly  41  may additionally include a plurality of nozzles  50  for emitting paint into the painting spraying space. Each of the nozzles  50  is preferably mounted on the inner panel  15  of the front  13  and back  14  walls of the housing  12 . Each of the nozzles  50  may be spaced apart from each other between the upper end wall  19  and the ends  20  of the front  13  and back  14  walls. Each of the nozzles  50  may be fluidly coupled to the container  42  such that the pressurized stream of paint exits each of the plurality of nozzles  50  when the switch means  49  is in the ON position. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, as particularly illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an adjustable nozzle assembly  52  may be provided for spraying paint on a top surface of a fence positioned in the paint spraying space  31 . The adjustable nozzle assembly  52  may include a pair of guide rails  53  that may be mounted on the inner panel  16  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12 . Each of the guide rails  53  may extend between the upper end wall  19  and the end  20  of the front wall  12 . Each of the guide rails  53  may be positioned generally adjacent to the pair of peripheral side panels  17  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12 . 
   The adjustable nozzle assembly  52  may also include an elongated cylinder  54  that includes a pair of opposite ends  55  and at least one nozzle  56  that is fluidly coupled to and extending away from the elongated cylinder  54 . The elongated cylinder  54  may include a generally arcuate shape. 
   A pair of rollers  57  may be mounted on the opposite ends  55  of the elongated cylinder  54  for moving the elongated cylinder  54  in the pair of guide rails  53 . A securing means  60  may be provided for securing the elongated cylinder  54  in a position with respect to the guide rails  53 . The securing means  60  may be pivotal ly mounted on the opposite ends  55  of the elongated cylinder  54 . The securing means  60  may include an end  61  that is selectively engagable with a portion of the pair of guide rails  53 . The securing means  60  may comprise a latch. 
   A conduit  62  may be provided for transporting the pressurized stream of paint from the container  42  to the elongated cylinder  54 . The conduit  62  is preferably coupled to and extending between the elongated cylinder  54  and the container  42 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressurized stream of paint travels in the conduit  62 , through the elongated cylinder and is emitted from the nozzle  56  mounted on the elongated cylinder  54 . 
   A hand nozzle  63  may be provided for spraying paint by hand. The hand nozzle  63  may be retractably mounted on the outer panel  16  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12 . The hand nozzle  63  may be positioned generally adjacent to the compressing means  46  and may be fluidly coupled to the container  42 . 
   A plurality of buttons  64  may be provided for selecting a portion of the plurality of nozzles  50  to emit paint. Each of the buttons  64  may be depressibly mounted on the outer panel  16  of the front wall  13  of the housing  12  and may be positioned generally adjacent to the compressing means  46 . The plurality of buttons  64  may include a button for various sized fences such as, for example, a three-foot, four-foot, five-foot, six-foot, seven-foot, eight-foot, nine-foot and ten-foot button. 
   A pair of guide assemblies guides the housing along the length of the fence. The pair of guide assemblies comprises a front guide assembly  71   72  and a back guide assembly  73   71 , each being mounted on the front wall and the back wall respectively and is positioned in the paint spraying space. 
   The front guide assembly  71   72  has a front guide plate  74  for selectively abutting a front side of the fence. The front guide assembly  71   72  includes a positioning member  75  for selectively moving the front guide plate  74  between the front housing and the fence. The front side guide plate is operationally coupled to the positioning member  75 . 
   The back guide assembly  73   71  has a back guide plate  76  for abutting a bock side of the fence. The back guide plate  76  is mounted on and extends away from the back wall. 
   The front guide assembly  71   72  is positionable against the front side of the fence in such a manner so that the fence is positioned between the front guide plate  74  and the back guide plate  76  to facilitate centering of the housing with respect to the fence as the housing progressively moves along the length of the fence. 
   A plurality of doors  65  may be provided for restricting the paint that is emitted from the plurality of nozzles  50  from leaving the paint spraying space  31  of the housing  12 . Each of the doors  65  are hingably mounted on the pair of peripheral side panels  17  of front  13  and back  14  walls of the housing  12  such that each of the doors  65  are positionable between an open position  66  and a closed position  67 . 
   The open position  66  is characterized by a plane of the doors  65  being oriented substantially parallel to a plane of the panels  15 ,  16 . The closed position is characterized by a plane of the doors  65  being oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane of the panels  15 ,  16 . 
   The plurality of doors  65  may comprise a generally flexible material such as, for example, a rubber or plastic material. 
   The housing  12  may include a plurality of handles  70  for carrying the housing  12 . Each of the handles  70  may be mounted on the outer panels  16  of the front  13  and back  14  walls of the housing. 
   In use, the housing  12  is placed over a portion of fence such that the fence is positioned in the paint spraying space  31 . Once the housing  12  is positioned, a user starts the motor  24  that will drive the plurality of wheels  23  to move the housing  12  along the fence. Depending upon the height of the fence, a user may adjust the adjustable nozzle assembly  52  to desired position above the top of the fence. A user then moves the actuating means  39  to the desired direction and depresses the switching means  49  to switch on the compressing means  46  to begin emitting paint through the plurality of nozzles  50 . 
   As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.