Patent ID: 12194487

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

Definitions

As described herein, a “unit” means a series of identified physical components which are linked together and/or function together to perform a specified function.

As described throughout this document, the term “about” “approximately” “substantially” and “generally” shall be used interchangeably to describe a feature, shape or measurement of a component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.

As described herein, the term “removably secured,” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated.

As described herein, the term “connector” includes any number of different elements that work alone or together to repeatedly join two items together in a nonpermanent manner. Several nonlimiting examples of connectors include, but are not limited to, flexible strips of interlocking projections with a slider (i.e., zipper), thread-to-connect, twist-to-connect, and push-to-connect type devices, opposing strips of hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), attractively oriented magnetic elements or magnetic and metallic elements, buckles such as side release buckles, clamps, sockets, clips, carabiners, and compression fittings such as T-handle rubber draw latches, hooks, snaps and buttons, for example. Each illustrated connector and complementary connector can be permanently secured to the illustrated portion of the device via a permanent sealer such as glue, adhesive tape, or stitching, for example.

As described throughout this document, the term “complementary shape,” and “complementary dimension,” shall be used to describe a shape and size of a component that is identical to, or substantially identical to the shape and size of another identified component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.

FIGS.1-6illustrate one embodiment of a liquid spray system10that are useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. In each of the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof, shall relate to the invention as oriented inFIG.1.

As shown best atFIG.1, the system10can include a malleable backpack body11having a front surface11a, a back surface11b, a pair of opposing sides11cand11d, a top end11e, and a bottom end11f, that define a central interior pocket that is accessible via a zipper12or other type of connector. In one embodiment, a pump pocket13and controller pocket14can extend serially outward from the front surface11aand can each be accessible via additional zippers13aand14a, respectively.

In one embodiment, a pair of shoulder straps15and16can be provided along the exterior of the backpack body. The shoulder straps can function in the expected manner to allow a wearer to position and carry the backpack on their back or shoulders. In various embodiments, the shoulder straps may be individually padded and can include any number of length adjusting mechanisms to allow a user to adjust the straps to fit their body.

In one embodiment, an opening15acan be provided along the shoulder strap through which the discharge hose26and nozzle25can be located. Likewise, a pocket15bcan be provided for receiving and storing the below described remote control60.

As described herein, the main body11can be manufactured to include any number of different shapes and sizes and may include any number of other pockets or compartments for receiving and storing an unlimited number of different items. Each of these pockets may be located anywhere along or within the main body. In either instance, the backpack body will preferably be constructed from a strong fabric material such as nylon, cotton canvas, polyester pack cloth, PVC fabric and the like so as to be completely malleable while remaining a soft/non-abrasive outer surface so as to not scratch paint or other delicate surfaces into which the bag may make contact.

As shown inFIG.2wherein the main body is removed for ease of illustration, the system can include a spray nozzle25, a liquid storage bladder30, an electric pump40, a controller50, and a remote-control unit60. As described herein, the spray nozzle can be connected to an elongated discharge hose26and can include any number of different devices capable of allowing a user to selectively discharge liquid from the end of the nozzle when squeezing the trigger25ain any number of different spray patterns. To this end, the distal end of the nozzle may include a fixed or manipulable opening25b. Of course, any number of other types of nozzles such as pinch or twist-type nozzles are also contemplated.

As shown inFIG.3, the storage bladder30can be removably positioned within the main pocket area of the backpack body11defined by the inside surface of the back panel11b1and the inside surface of the front panel11a1. In the preferred embodiment, the bladder30will be constructed from durable and malleable plastic such as polyurethane, ethylene, and/or polyethylene, for example, and can include a storage capacity of between about 1 and 4 liters.

In one embodiment, the bladder can include a removable cap31along the top end for permitting a user to deposit liquids such as soapy water into the bladder, and an outlet32along the bottom end for dispensing the liquid into a supply hose33. Of course, any number of other shapes, sizes, construction materials and/or storage capacities are also contemplated.

As shown best atFIG.4, the pump40can be positioned within the pump pocket13of the main body11and can function to receive fluids from the bladder30for discharge by the nozzle25. As described herein, the pump40can include, comprise or consist of any type of battery-operated liquid pumping mechanism capable of functioning in the manner described herein. One suitable example of a pump40includes the 12V 1 GPM PowerFLO Electric Diaphragm Pump that is commercially available from DeLavan® Spray Technologies; however other pumps are also contemplated.

As shown, the pump can include a suction port41that is connected to the bladder30via the supply hose33, a discharge port42that is connected to the dispenser25via the dispenser hose26, and a communications port43that is electrically connected to the controller50via a communication cable44. Each of the components33,26and44can pass through openings13b,13cand14b, respectively in the pockets, when the system is arranged in the manner illustrated.

The controller50can be positioned within the controller pocket14and can be connected to the pump40via the power and communication cable44that passes through opening14b.FIG.5is a simplistic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the system controller50that includes a processing unit51that is conventionally connected to an internal memory52, a component interface53, a user interface54, a communication unit55, and a power source56.

Although illustrated as separate elements, those of skill in the art will recognize that one or more system components51-56may include, comprise, or consist of one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) containing any number of integrated circuit or circuits for completing the activities described herein. The controller will preferably be housed within a protective, impact resistant and watertight enclosure50a, such as plastic, for example. Of course, any number of other analog and/or digital components capable of performing the described functionality can be provided in place of, or in conjunction with the described elements, and the controller may be located at other locations.

The processing unit51can include one or more central processing units (CPU) or any other type of device, or multiple devices, capable of manipulating or processing information such as program code stored in the memory52in order to allow the device to perform the functionality described herein.

Memory52can act to store operating instructions in the form of program code for the processing unit51to execute. Although illustrated inFIG.5as a single component, memory52can include one or more physical memory devices such as, for example, local memory and/or one or more bulk storage devices. As used herein, local memory can refer to random access memory or other non-persistent memory device(s) generally used during actual execution of program code, whereas a bulk storage device can be implemented as a persistent data storage device such as a solid-state micro hard drive, for example.

The component interface unit53can function to provide a communicative link between the processing unit51and the pump40. In this regard, the component interface unit can include or can be connected to any number of different components such as the above-described communication cable44, for example. Additionally, the component interface may also include any number of additional components such as one or more PIC microcontrollers, communication bus, connection cables, and the like for linking the various components.

The user interface54can include one or more buttons54aaccessible on the controller body in order to control the operation of the system. The buttons may function to allow a user to selectively activate the pump, deactivate the pump, and/or pair the controller with the remote-control device. Of course, any number of other functions may also be utilized via the user interface.

The communication unit55can include any number of components capable of sending and/or receiving electronic signals with another device, such as the remote control60. In one embodiment, the communication unit can include a radio frequency transceiver for sending and receiving information with the controller60, such as instructions to selectively activate or deactivate the pump. Of course, any number of other wireless transceivers such as a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, for example are also contemplated.

The power source56can include one or more batteries capable of providing the necessary power requirements to each of the system components. In one embodiment, the batteries can be permanently located within the controller, or may be a separate battery pack having any number of individual cells that are connected to the controller and/or pump via power cables. In the preferred embodiment, the power source will be a rechargeable 12V DC battery pack having a port for receiving a charge via a cable.

As noted above, each of the primary components of the system e.g., the reservoir30, the pump40and the controller50are located in separate pocket areas of the backpack body. Such a feature is an important design of the system as this allows each component to be individually protected from impact with foreign objects via the backpack body which may be designed to include padding to prevent damage to the system components and/or the vehicle in which the device is used. Additionally, the separate pockets allow a user to individually access each component and/or replace the same without having to remove all components and completely reconfigure the system in the event that any one component fails.

Of course, other embodiments are contemplated wherein one or more of the above noted components30,40and50are positioned at locations other than the designated pockets. Moreover, some embodiments are contemplated wherein two or more of these components are positioned within the same pocket of the main body.

FIG.6illustrates one embodiment of the system10in operation. As shown, the main body can be worn on the back of a user1such that the shoulder straps15and16are positioned over the user's shoulders. The remote control can be positioned within the pocket15band can be accessible via an opening15b1in the pocket or via a marking on the pocket which, when pressed, activates the button(s)61on the remote control.

In operation, the remote control communicates with the controller in order to selectively activate and deactivate the pump40, thereby enabling the user to fully control the pump and system components without having to remove the backpack from their body and/or access any of the individual pockets.

When the pump is activated, the user can dispense fluid via the nozzle25while wearing the device. Moreover, because the supply hose26is routed through the backpack strap15via opening15a, the nozzle is within easy reach of the user's hand(s) at all times. Although not specifically illustrated, any number of other pockets or sleeves may be provided along the main body for allowing the user to store the nozzle when the same is not actively being used.

Although described above with regard to the nozzle and remote being located on the strap15for right-handed users, other embodiments are contemplated wherein such components are located on the opposite strap16for more efficient use by left handed individuals and/or any number of other locations along or within the main body.

As to a further description of the manner and use 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.

As described herein, one or more elements of the device10can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the term “consisting” shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.