THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE AS FOLLOWS.
1. A paint roller assembly for supplying a paint roller paint applicator, the assembly comprising: a hollow shaft having an axis, the shaft supplying paint therethrough; a generally cylindrical support structure rotatably mounted about the axis of the hollow shaft and forming an annulus therebetween, the support structure adapted for supporting the roller paint applicator thereabout and having passages therethrough for communicating paint from the annulus to the roller paint applicator, the support structure having first and second seals between the support structure and the hollow shaft to seal first and second ends of the annulus; and a pump mounted in the annulus for pumping paint from the hollow shaft and into the annulus.
2. The paint roller assembly of claim 1 wherein the pump is an electrical driven pump fit to the support structure for pumping paint from the hollow shaft and into the annulus.
3. The paint roller assembly of claim 2 wherein the electrical driven pump comprises: a linear actuator; a pump piston; and a pump cylinder wherein reciprocation of the pump piston within the pump cylinder draws paint into and discharges paint out of a pump chamber.
4. The paint roller assembly of claim 3 further comprising: a charging system having a permanent magnet and a coil, the coil and magnet operable between the rotatable support structure and the hollow shaft for charging a battery as the support structure rotates relative to the hollow shaft.
5. The paint roller assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a pump drive in drivable engagement between the rotatable support structure and the hollow shaft for operating the pump when the support structure rotates relative to the hollow shaft for pumping paint from the hollow shaft and into the annulus.
6. The paint roller assembly of claim 1 further comprising an interrupt for disabling the pump when enough paint has been pumped into the annulus.
7. The paint roller assembly of claim 1 wherein the interrupt comprises at least one check valve.
8. The paint roller assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a relief valve operable to open the hollow shaft for disabling the pump when enough paint has been pumped into the aπnulus.
9. The paint roller assembly of claim 1 wherein the support structure and shaft are concentric, the pump comprising: a pump cylinder mounted concentrically between the support structure and the shaft and having a head end and an open piston end; and a pump piston having a piston head end extending axially into the cylinder's open piston end for forming a pumping chamber between the cylinder head end and the piston head end, the pump drive axially strokes the piston relative to the pump cylinder for pumping paint from the hollow shaft into the pumping chamber and pumping paint from the pumping chamber into the annulus.
10. The paint roller assembly of claim 9 wherein: the cylinder is mounted for co-rotation with the support structure and guided axial movement relative to the support structure; the piston is co-rotatable with the support structure; and the pump drive is a helical screw for axially stroking the piston relative to the cylinder.
11. The paint roller assembly of claim 10 wherein: the cylinder head end is seaiably movable axially along the hollow shaft, and the helical screw is positioned between the cylinder and the piston so that when the support structure is rotated a first direction, the helical screw drives the cylinder axially a first pumping direction to pump paint from the pumping chamber, and when the support structure is rotated an opposing second direction, the helical screw drives the cylinder a second drawing direction to pump paint into the pumping chamber.
12. The paint roller assembly of claim 9 further comprising: an intake valve between the hollow shaft and the pumping chamber; a discharge valve between the pumping chamber and the annulus.
13. The paint roller assembly of claim 12 wherein the intake valve is a check valve and the discharge valve is a check valve.
14. The paint roller assembly of claim 11 further comprising a clutch for disabling the pump drive.
15. The paint roller assembly of claim 14 wherein: the clutch is located between the piston and the support structure for co-rotation therewith when the support structure rotates faster than a threshold rotational speed.
16. The paint roller assembly of claim 9 further comprising: a check valve operable to open the hollow shaft for disabling the pump when enough paint has been pumped into the annulus.
17. The paint roller assembly of claim 16 wherein the check valve is located outside the first and second seals.
18. The paint roller assembly of claim 9 wherein the hollow shaft further comprises a rigid intermediate portion extending between the first seal of the support structure and a handle.
19. The paint roller assembly of claim 18 further comprising: a check valve located at the hollow shaft or at the handle and operable to open the hollow shaft for disabling the pump when enough paint has been pumped into the annulus.
20. The paint roller assembly of claim 18 wherein the relief valve Is located at the second seal of the support structure.
21. A paint roller system comprising: the assembly of claim 1 ; a flexible tube connected to the hollow shaft; and a paint reservoir wherein the assembly draws paint along the flexible tube to the hollow shaft to supply the assembly with a substantially continues supply of paint. |
PAINTING ROLLER CAGE WITH INTEGRATED PUMP
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to painting roller cage assembly, and more particularly to a pump fit to a roller cage for delivering paint to a roller paint applicator, and more particularly to a pump actuated by rolling of the paint applicator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Paint and varnishes are commonly applied by brush, pad or a roller applicator. Paint is transferred from the applicator to the object being painted. The applicator is typically replenished by periodic dipping into a paint reservoir. The repeated, back-and-forth to the reservoir is time consuming. A conventional roller applicator, having a paint retaining nap for transferring the retained paint to a surface, is typically installed like a sleeve over a roller cage. The roller cage is rotatably mounted to a shaft. The shaft extends from a supporting handle member generally shaped like a question mark "?" so that a grip can be arranged at about a perpendicular to the shaft. In a roller applicator context, one solution in the prior art (s to provide a pump at the paint reservoir and pump paint to the roller. The delivery of viscous paint under pressure through an extended conduit, all of the way from a remote paint reservoir to the roller, involves significant backside pressure, risking paint flow even after turning the pump off, requiring specialty and costly pumping systems typically
outside many painter's budget, and have been found less than satisfactory for continuous painting. There is a need for a reasonably priced device for effective and substantially continuous delivery of paint to a roller applicator as required and discontinue when so desired.
SUMMARY QF THE INVENTION It has been determined that difficulties in providing a substantially continuous delivery of paint to a roller applicator can be overcome by placing the pump adjacent the roller applicator. A generally cylindrical roller cage is rotatably fit concentrically about the axis of a hollow shaft. Roller applicators are replaceably fit like sleeves about the roller cage. A paint pump is fit to the roller cage in an annular space formed between the hollow shaft and the roller cage. A paint roller assembly for supplying a paint roller paint applicator, the assembly comprising: a hollow shaft having an axis, the shaft supplying paint therethrough; a generally cylindrical support structure rotatably mounted about the axis of the hollow shaft and forming an annulus therebetween, the support structure adapted for supporting the roller paint applicator thereabout and having passages therethrough for communicating paint from the annulus to the roller paint applicator, the support structure having first and second seals between the support structure and the hollow shaft to seal first and second ends of the annulus; and a pump mounted in the annulus for pumping paint from the hollow shaft and into the annulus.
The pump can be electrically driven or through relative rotation between the roller cage and the hollow shaft. In one embodiment the pump can be manually actuated by forcibly rolling the roller cage to and fro, such as during a stoking action used to apply paint from the roller applicator to the surface being painted. The pump creates a suction which draws paint from a paint reservoir, into the pump, and dispenses the paint into the roller cage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of a roller cage assembly with a helical driven pump piston shown engaged with a pump cylinder fit to a roller cage, the cylinder and roller cage shown in cross-section. A roller applicator is shown in dotted lines; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pump cylinder according to Fig. 1 , better illustrating radial pins for enabling guided axial movement along the roller cage while providing a rotatably driven connection by the roller cage; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the pump piston according to Fig. 1 for illustrating the piston head, helical drive, and an embodiment of a polygonal connection for locking piston against rotation to the hollow shaft; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a complementary polygonal hollow shaft according to Fig. 3 in a non-clutched embodiment; Figure 5 is a plan view of a support handle having a shaft and a grip disposed thereon;
Figure 6 is a side view of a helical drive about a piston fit to a cross- section of a pump cylinder. A portion of the piston is cut-away to illustrate the seals in the piston head; Figures 7A and 7β are partial cross-sectional views of the pumping chamber illustrating, in Fig. 7A, the intake of paint as the purnp piston is stoked away from the chamber, and in Fig. 7B, the discharge of paint as the pump piston is stoked into the chamber; and Figures 8A and 8B are side and end views of the hollow shaft and pump piston illustrating one embodiment of a stop and dog for arresting co-rotation, the dog shown in an free or unlocked (dotted lines) and stopped or locked position respectively, the stop and dog being fixed to their respective components Figure 8C illustrates a stop according to Figs. 8A and 8B in which the stop exhibits an optional shock absorbing function; Figures 9A and 9B are side and end views of the pump piston illustrating one embodiment of a ceπtripetally actuable dog forming a clutch, the dog being shown in an unlocked and a locked position {dotted lines) respectively; Figures 9C and 9D are side and end views of an alternate embodiment of a centripetally actuable clutch shown in the unlocked and locked positions respectively; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a roller cage assembly, handle and grip with an electrically-powered pump and recharger. Figures 11 A, 11 B, and 11C are schematic illustrations of embodiments of a paint roller system having a roller cage assembly, paint applicator, a handle and
grip and a flexible tube connected to the hollow shaft, and a paint reservoir. Fig. 11 B additionally illustrating a conventional extension and Fig. 11C illustrating paint- conducting extension.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION With reference to Fig. 1, a roller cage assembly 10 is shown having a roller cage 11 and a hollow shaft 12. The roller cage 11 is a generally cylindrical support structure 13 concentrically and rotatably mounted about an axis A of the hollow shaft 12. An annulus 15 is formed between the roller cage 11 and the hollow shaft 12. The support structure 13 is adapted for supporting a roller paint applicator 16 thereabout (partially shown). The roller paint applicator 16 (Figs. 1 and 12A) is cylindrical having an inner diameter sized for axial installation and frictional retention upon the roller cage 11 and having a nap 17 about an outer diameter. The roller paint applicator is perforated 18 or otherwise adapted to communicate paint from its inner diameter to the nap. Paint in the annulus 15 can pass through the support structure of the cage 11 to an inner diameter 19 of the roller paint applicator 16. The support structure 13 of the roller cage can be skeletal structure or is otherwise provided with passages therethrough for communicating paint from the annulus 15 to the roller paint applicator 16. The support structure 13 has first and second seals 21 ,22 between the support structure 13 and the hollow shaft 12. The first seal 21 seals the annulus 15 between the roller cage 11 and the hollow shaft 12 as it enters the roller cage
assembly 10. The second seal 22 seals the annulus 15 between the roller cage 11 and the hollow shaft 12 at a distal end of the roller cage assembly 10. The first and second seals 21 ,22 ensure that paint is directed to the roller paint applicator 16. A pump 30 is fit in the annulus 15. The hollow shaft 12 conducts paint from a paint reservoir 31 (not shown, see Fig. 11A) into the roller cage assembly 10 and to the pump 30. The pump 30 draws paint along the hollow shaft 12 and delivers the paint for distribution along the annulus 15. With reference to Fig 1 and also to Figs. 11A 1 11B and 11C, the hollow shaft 12 extends from a handle 32 fit with a grip 33. The grip 33 is adapted for connection to a conventional extension pole 34 (FIg. 11B) having a conduit 35 attached therealong or a specific pole 36 (Fig. 11C) having the conduit 35 therein for conducting paint to the roller cage assembly 10. Metal is a suitable material for the shaft 12 and handle 32. With reference to Fig. 5, check valves 36 can be fit at one or more locations along hollow shaft 12 as an interrupt for temporarily disabling the pump 30 when enough paint has been pumped into the annulus 15. In embodiments of the invention as shown in Fig. 10, the pump 30 is an electrically driven pump, such as a peristaltic, centrifugal or piston pump. The pump 30 is activated whenever the roller cage assembly 10 needs paint such as by a switch 40 at the grip 33. A battery 41 can be housed at the grip 33 which, through the switch activates a motor 42 in a pump drive 43. In the embodiment shown In Fig. 10, the drive is a linear actuator such as an automobile door lack actuator. Such an actuator is available from A1 Electric of Torrance, California 90501,
http://www.a 1 electric.com/actuators.htm. Triggering of the switch causes a first action to direct a pump piston 50 along a pump cylinder 51 for discharging paint from a pumping chamber 53 and into the annulus and simultaneously forming a suction in a drawing chamber 54 for drawing paint through the handle 32 and into the pump 30. Upon release of the switch, or toggling the switch the other direction can return the pump piston 50 for another pumping stroke. A check valve can be provided in the hollow shaft for preventing a backflow of paint on the return stroke. A rolling action of the roller cage can also power a recharging system 60 incorporating a coil 61 and permanent magnet 62. Recharging circuits (not detailed) are known to those of skill in the art. A wiring harness 63 connects the battery 41 , switch 40, motor 42 and recharging system 60. In other embodiments of the invention, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and 6, the pump 30 is actuated by the rotation of the support structure 13 relative to the hollow shaft 12. This occurs when the roller paint applicator 16 is rolled to and fro across a surface to be painted. Accordingly, the support structure 13 generally rotates one direction, then the other. With a single action pump 30, rotation in a first direction can fill the pump 30 while rotation in the other, second direction can discharge the pump 30. In a double acting pump, rotation in the first direction can fill one chamber in the pump while a second chamber is discharged. As shown in the embodiments of Figs. 1-4 and Fig. 6, a single acting pump is provided which comprises a pump cylinder 51 mounted in the annulus 15, concentrically between the support structure 13 and the shaft 12, and has a cylinder head end 70 and an open cylinder end 71. The pump 30 further comprises a pump
piston 50 having a piston head end 72 for extending axially into the cylinder's open piston end 71. Best shown in Figs. 6, 7A and 7B, a pumping chamber 53 is formed between the cylinder head end 72 and the piston head end 73, The piston head end 73 reciprocates in the cylinder 51 for varying the volume of the pumping chamber 53. As shown in Figs. 7A and 7B, the pumping chamber 53 is fit with check valves: an intake check valve 75 situate between the hollow shaft 12 and the chamber 53 for receiving paint as the chamber volume increases, forming a suction therein. A discharge check valve 76 is fit between the pumping chamber 53 and the annulus 15 for discharging paint as the chamber volume decreases, forming a pressure therein. A drive axially strokes the pump piston 50 relative to the pump cylinder 51 for pumping paint from the hollow shaft 12 into the pumping chamber 53 and pumping paint from the pumping chamber 53 into the annulus 15. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and 6, a form of pump drive is a helical drive 80 that causes relative axial movement of the pump piston and pump cylinder as the roller cage 11 rotates about the hollow shaft 12. As shown, the pump piston 50 can be rotationally fixed or is selectively rotationally fixed to the hollow shaft 12 so that the pump piston 50 does not rotate as the roller cage 11 is rotated. In one embodiment as shown in Figs 3 and 4, the hollow shaft has a polygonal shape 78 and the piston 50 has an internal complementary polygonal shape 79 along the piston for locking the piston 50 and shaft 12 together. The pump cylinder 51 is mounted for co-rotation with the roller cage 11. With reference to Figs. 1-3, as the pump cylinder is expected to reciprocate along the pump piston 50, the cylinder 51 is movable axially along the roller cage 11 ,
such as along complementary lugs 81 and grooves 82. As shown, slide lugs 81 can be formed to extend radially from the cylinder 51 for sliding engagement axially along grooves 82 formed in the roller cage support structure 13. With reference to Fig. 6, one or the other of the pump piston 50 and pump cylinder 51 is fit with the helical screw 80 and a complementary screw engagement lug 83 or lugs 83,83. As the roller cage 13 and cylinder 51 rotate, the engagement lug 83 travels about the helical drive 80, moving the cylinder 51 axially over the piston 50. The cylinder head end 72 is sealably movable axially along the hollow shaft 12. The helical screw 80 is arranged radially and engages between the cylinder 51 and the piston 50 so that when the support structure 13 is rotated a first direction, the helical screw drives the cylinder axially a first pumping direction to pump paint from the pumping chamber 53, and when the support structure 13 is rotated an opposing second direction, the helical screw drives the cylinder a second drawing direction to pump paint into the pumping chamber 53. The cylinder head is sealed to the hollow shaft using an o-ring or lip seal 84. The pump piston 50 is sealed to the cylinder 51 using a seal such as a lip seal 85 to minimize friction and maximize tolerance to dimensional variations such as those common in plastics manufacture. In other embodiments, not detailed, the helical screw can be directed in both directions with a uni-rotation of the roller cage assembly. Such a dual helical screw is known as that used in some push-type screwdrivers or hand-drills. θ
Due to various factors, such as paint viscosity and friction, the roller cage 11 may be retarded from initially rolling if -the pump 30 is immediately engaged. The result could be a smearing of the applied paint or even a failure of the roller cage 11 to commence rotation. Accordingly, and with reference to Figs. SA, 8B and 8C, a clutch 90 is provided for locking the pump piston 50 to the non-rotating hollow shaft 12 only after the roller cage 11 is already rolling. The clutch 90 temporarily disables the pump drive. The clutch 90, which can be of any conventional design including that activated by centripetal force, is actuated at some threshold rotation. The threshold rotation can be either by an amount of rotation (such as after one revolution) or upon a certain speed of rotation. As shown in Figs. 8A - 8C, a stop and dog arrangement ensures that the roller can rotate freely about one revolution before the pump piston 50 is stopped relative to the hollow shaft. A Stop 91 fixed to the hollow shaft 12 is engaged by a pin or dog extending from the pump piston 50. The roller cage can be back rolled to maximize the roll before the dog 92 engages the stop 91. An additional stop can be provided top lessen the free rotation. As shown, the threshold is almost a full rotation. Turning to Figs. 9A and 9B, a stop 91 and a pawl or dog 92 can be actuated by centripetal force. As the roller rotation reaches a threshold rotation, the dog swings out to engage the stop 91. The stop 91 is fit to a housing which is fixed to the hollow shaft 12.
Turning to Figs. 9C and 9D, another embodiment of the stop 91 and pawl or dog 92 can again be actuated by centripetal force. As the roller rotation reaches a threshold rotation, the dog 92 swings out and a tail piece 93 swings in to engage the stop 91 formed in the hollow shaft. .