US3788273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater spraying apparatus
Assignee: Colebrand Ltd
•
Filing: 1971-08-24
•
Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1991-08-24
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for applying paint or the like to a submerged surface and includes the provision of a hollow shield with an elongated opening which shield is purged of water by compressed air the resultant airfilled space being traversed by a sheet-like spray of the paint supplied from atomising means and formed so as to be substantially uninterrupted by the internal wall of the shield. Various means are described by way of elaboration of the actual margin of the shield to accommodate different surfaces; to provide for maintaining appropriate spacing between the margin of the shield and the surface and for affording mobility of the whole apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 N Tusch
- 👤 R Watson
- 👤 J Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:00
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
An apparatus for painting a submerged surface comprising: a hollow shield having an opening of relatively long dimension in a first direction and of relatively short dimension in a second direction at right angles to the first direction; an inlet for compressed air in fluid communication with the shield interior; a spray-jet supported by and within the shield which produces a divergent sheet-like spray of droplets, the jet being so positioned that a spray of droplets produced thereby is directed towards the opening wherein the spray is produced independently of compressed air which enters the inlet; a supply of compressed air for connection to the inlet; means for directing compressed air entering the shield through the inlet towards the opening in such manner that the spray of droplets is assisted in its passage towards the opening; means connected to the shield so as to bear against the surface to maintain and limit the gap between it and the margin of the opening so that water is prevented from entering the shield by the flow of compressed air passing through the gap and from the shield; means for moving the shield along and parallel with the surface and in the second direction in which the spray of droplets in the plane of the opening corresponds in short and long dimensions to the opening but smaller.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
224 words
An apparatus for painting a submerged surface comprising: a hollow shield having an opening of relatively long dimension in a first direction and of relatively short dimension in a second direction at right angles to the first direction; an inlet for compressed air in fluid communication with the shield interior; a spray-jet supported by and within the shield which produces a divergent sheet-like spray of droplets, the jet being so positioned that a spray of droplets produced thereby is directed towards the opening wherein the spray is produced independently of compressed air which enters the inlet; a supply of compressed air for connection to the inlet; means for directing compressed air entering the shield through the inlet towards the opening in such manner that the spray of droplets is assisted in its passage towards the opening; means connected to the shield so as to bear against the surface to maintain and limit the gap between it and the margin of the opening so that water is prevented from entering the shield by the flow of compressed air passing through the gap and from the shield; means for moving the shield along and parallel with the surface and in the second direction in which the spray of droplets in the plane of the opening corresponds in short and long dimensions to the opening but smaller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said limiting means include rollers and the rollers are mounted so as to be orientable in direction to enable the apparatus to move in traVerse across the direction of painting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the opening is furnished at least along its longer marginal part with pliable sealing strips so mounted that one of them can be retracted so as to clear the newly-painted surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which means are provided whereby the retraction of a sealing strip is accompanied by retraction of a gap-limiting means from bearing on the newly-painted surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further provided with means to urge the margin of the shield towards the surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the urging means includes a magnet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the urging means includes a producer of hydrodynamic thrust.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the margin of the shield is provided with movable elements whereby the effective profile of the margin may be selectively altered to adapt the shield for use over surfaces which are substantially plane or are non-planar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the shield is so shaped and supported that its opening can be arranged to be always below the spray nozzle, so that the shield acts in effect as a ''''diving bell'''' to retain air within itself even when not continuously supplied with air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which a plurality of spray nozzles is provided, all projecting their sprays in a pattern aligned transversely to the direction of operative movement of the apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 in which a plurality of shields each with spray nozzle and air supply means, is provided in such relationship as to result in a substantially uniform pattern of spray on the surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further provided with means to deflect bubbles of air escaping from the shield so as to avoid obscuring the view of the operator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the shield is internally coated with a substance suitable to minimize adhesion of the spray to the shield.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |