US4469255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic and adjustable valving mechanism
Assignee: Cook International Inc
•
Filing: 1982-11-19
•
Granted: 1984-09-04
•
Expires: 2002-11-19
Abstract
Abstract An automatic and adjustable valving mechanism is disclosed in which a spray of pressurized fluid from a pressurized source having a pressure release gate, such as an aerosol can, is released in intermittent sprays occurring in cycles of adjustable length. The valving mechanism consists of a body having an actuating bar mounted on drive rods which can be latched in an elevated position by a latch plate. Contact between the actuating bar and the nozzle of a pressure source, such as an aerosol can, releases pressurized fluid from the aerosol can into a first internal chamber of the valving mechanism. The pressurized fluid acts upon a diaphragm to force hydraulic fluid from a first chamber into a second chamber, which has the effect of raising a piston which, in turn, raises the rods supporting the actuating bar, so that the discharge of the pressurize fluid from the nozzle of the aerosol can is terminated. The raising of the drive rods supporting the actuating bar permits a latch plate to lock the drive rods in an elevated position while a sufficient transfer of hydraulic fluid from the first chamber to the second opens a discharge conduit for the valving mechanism. A release of the pressurized fluid from the valving mechanism permits the piston rod to drop and disengage the latch plate from the drive rods so that the actuating bar can again contact the aerosol can nozzle for initiating a further cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 James J. Hill
- 👤 Al Marven
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:13
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D83/00; B65D83/14; B65D83/16; B65D83/26; B65D83/265; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389; Y10T137/86405; Y10T137/86413
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
An automatic and adjustable valving mechanism for the timed release of pressurized fluid from an output valve of a pressurized fluid source, said valving mechanism comprising: a housing having an axis; actuating means on said housing and movable into contact with said output valve in a first position for releasing pressurized fluid from said fluid source; first biasing means for biasing said actuating means into said first position; fluid pressure means in said housing for moving said actuating means from a first position to a second position wherein said actuating means and said output valve are not in contact; means for communicating said pressurized fluid released from said fluid source with fluid pressure means for actuating said fluid pressure means; first adjustment means for adjusting the timing of said actuation of said fluid pressure means; latch means on said housing for latching said actuating means in said second position; first release means in said housing for releasing and discharging said pressurized fluid from said fluid pressure means; second release means in said housing for releasing the latching of said actuating means by said latch means; and second adjustment means for adjusting the timing of actuation of said second release means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
An automatic and adjustable valving mechanism for the timed release of pressurized fluid from an output valve of a pressurized fluid source, said valving mechanism comprising: a housing having an axis; actuating means on said housing and movable into contact with said output valve in a first position for releasing pressurized fluid from said fluid source; first biasing means for biasing said actuating means into said first position; fluid pressure means in said housing for moving said actuating means from a first position to a second position wherein said actuating means and said output valve are not in contact; means for communicating said pressurized fluid released from said fluid source with fluid pressure means for actuating said fluid pressure means; first adjustment means for adjusting the timing of said actuation of said fluid pressure means; latch means on said housing for latching said actuating means in said second position; first release means in said housing for releasing and discharging said pressurized fluid from said fluid pressure means; second release means in said housing for releasing the latching of said actuating means by said latch means; and second adjustment means for adjusting the timing of actuation of said second release means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
222 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said fluid pressure means comprise: first and second diaphragms in said housing, said diaphragms dividing the interior of said housing into three axially spaced chambers, a first of said chambers defined in part by said first diaphragm including said means for communicating, a second of said chambers being positioned between said diaphragms, and a third of said chambers being defined in part by said second diaphragm; a valve body in said second chamber, said valve body dividing said second chamber into a first subchamber defined by said valve body and said first diaphragm, and a second subchamber defined by said valve body and said second diaphragm; hydraulic fluid in said second chamber; aperture means in said valve body permitting said hydraulic fluid to communicate between said first and second subchambers; and piston means positioned in said third chamber and movable in an axial direction and in contact with at least one of said second diaphragm and said actuating means, whereby the introduction of said pressurized fluid from said means for communicating into said first chamber causes a portion of said hydraulic fluid to be transferred from said first subchamber to said second subchamber, whereby said second diaphragm moves said piston means so as to move said actuating means from said first position to said second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The mechanism of claim 2 wherein said aperture means comprises: a metering bore in said valve body; orifice means in said valve body for providing hydraulic fluid flow parallel to said metering bore; and one way valve means associated with said orifice means for preventing fluid flow through said orifice means from said second subchamber to said first subchamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The mechanism of claim 2 wherein said first release means comprises: a transverse bore through said housing, said transverse bore defining an opening in a wall portion of said first chamber; and a first portion of said first diaphragm positioned so as to seal said opening except when said portion of said hydraulic fluid has been transferred from said first subchamber to said second subchamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises: at least one axial bore in said housing; a drive rod movable in each said axial bore; actuating bar means releasably connected to one end of each said drive rod and contacting said output valve of said pressurized fluid source when said actuating means is in said first position; and timing bar means releasably connected to a second end of each said drive rod and contacting said fluid pressure means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
The mechanism of claim 2 wherein said actuating means comprises: at least one axial bore in said housing; a drive rod movable in each said axial bore; actuating bar means releasably connected to one end of each said drive rod and contacting said output valve of said pressurized fluid source when said actuating means is in said first position; and timing bar means releasably connected to a second end of each said drive rod and contacting said fluid pressure means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The mechanism of claim 6 wherein said timing bar contacts said piston means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The mechanism of claim 5 wherein said latch means comprises: detent means on each said drive rod; a latch element movable into and out of engagement with said detent means when said actuating means are in said second position; and means for moving said latch element into engagement with said detent means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The mechanism of claim 6 wherein said latch means comprises: detent means on each said drive rod; a latch element movable into and out of engagement with said detent means when said actuating means are in said second position; and means for moving said latch element into engagement with said detent means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The mechanism of claim 8 wherein said latch element comprises a plate constrained to move in a direction transverse to said axis and wherein said means for moving said latch element into engagement with said detent means comprises gravity acting upon the mass of said latch element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The mechanism of claim 9 wherein said latch element comprises a plate constrained to move in a direction transverse to said axis and wherein said means for moving said latch element into engagement with said detent means comprises gravity acting upon the mass of said latch element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said second release means is constructed so as to be actuated by said fluid pressure means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mechanism of claim 2 wherein said second release means comprises transverse arm means fixed to said piston means and a latch release element selectively engageable with said arm means and connected to said latch means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mechanism of claim 7 wherein said second release means comprises transverse arm means fixed to said piston means and a latch release element selectively engageable with said arm means and connected to said latch means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
The mechanism of claim 10 wherein said second release means comprises: a latch release element pivotable about an axle connected to said housing, said latch release element being in engagement with said latch plate, whereby the pivoting of said latch release element moves said latch plate; and transverse arm means fixed to said fluid pressure means and selectively engageable with a portion of said latch release element for pivoting said latch release element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
73 words
The mechanism of claim 11 wherein said second release means comprises: a latch release element pivotable about an axle connected to said housing, said latch release element being in engagement with said latch plate, whereby the pivoting of said latch release element moves said latch plate; and transverse arm means fixed to said fluid pressure means and selectively engageable with a portion of said latch release element for pivoting said latch release element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mechanism of claim 16 wherein said transverse arm means is fixed to said piston means, and said second release means includes means for biasing said piston means towards said second diaphragm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mechanism of claim 5 wherein said first adjusting means comprise means for adjusting the axial positions of said actuating bar means and said timing bar means on said drive rods.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mechanism of claim 15 wherein said second adjustment means comprises means for axially adjusting the position of said portion of said latch release element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mechanism of claim 17 wherein said second adjustment means comprises means for axially adjusting the position of said portion of said latch release element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-04 | 1988-03-05 | 1988-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-04 | 1992-03-05 | 1992-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-04 | 1996-03-05 | 1996-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |