ADAPTER FOR AIR COMPRESSOR AND HANDTOOL

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 63/734,101 filed Dec. 14, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the field of etching and engraving, hand tools are used which mix a particular matter with compressed air, and dispense the mixture for etching or engraving a surface. However, these tools generally rely on compressed air from a cannister. The present application addresses these shortcomings in the art by providing an adapter to expand the versatility of hand tools for etching and engraving.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present application relates to an adapter for use with an air compressor and a hand tool comprising an abrasive particle powered by pressurized air. The adapter enables use of the hand tool directly with an air compressor.

While the air compressor adapter may have additional applications, the embodiments described herein are used with hand-held ejector tools of various kinds, which are designed to eject an abrasive material for etching or cleaning an article, such as metal, glass or other materials.

The air compressor adapter of the present application allows a user to connect their sandblasting device directly to an air compressor. The air compressor adapter provides up to 75 PSI of pressure and creates a secure connection between the compressor and portable sandblaster. An automatic blow-off safety valve automatically stops flow of compressed air above 75 PSI. A moisture collector of the adapter captures moisture from incoming compressed air and a manual on-off lever and valve allows for easy control of air flow through the adapter to the sandblaster.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present application, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: a base configured to rest the apparatus on a surface; a mount affixed to the base and configured to receive an external device; a control valve configured to prevent a flow through the control valve when the control valve is closed; a connector at the end of the control valve; and a channel extending through the base from the control valve to the mount, through which compressed air from an external air compressor is configured to pass through from the control valve to the mount.

In accordance with embodiments of the apparatus of the first aspect of the application, the apparatus may further comprise a safety valve configured to stop the flow of compressed air through the apparatus when air pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold. The predetermined pressure threshold may be between 60 and 90 pounds per square inch, and in some embodiments may be 75 pounds per square inch.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments of the apparatus of the first aspect of the application, the apparatus may further comprise a moisture collector configured to capture moisture in compressed air passing through the channel.

In further additional or alternative embodiments of the apparatus of the first aspect of the application, the control valve may comprise a handle configured to allow a user to open and close the control valve manually.

In various embodiments of the of the apparatus of the first aspect of the application, the mount may comprise threading configured to allow the external device to be threaded onto the mount. In additional or alternative embodiments, the connector at the end of the control valve comprises threading configured to allow the external air compressor to be threaded onto the control valve.

In accordance with a second aspect of the application a system is provided, the system comprising an air compressor, a handheld tool configured to eject a particulate mixed with compressed air, and an adapter connecting the air compressor and the handheld tool. The handheld tool may comprise a particulate chamber storing the particulate and in which the particulate mixes with compressed air; and a stylus configured to eject the mixture of the particulate and compressed air. The adapter may comprise a base configured to rest the adapter on a surface; a mount affixed to the base and configured to mount the handheld tool to the adapter; a control valve configured to prevent a flow through the control valve when the control valve is closed; a connector at the end of the control valve configured to connect the air compressor to the adapter; and a channel extending from the mount to the control valve through which the compressed air is configured to pass through from the air compressor to the particulate chamber of the handheld tool.

In accordance with embodiments of the system of the second aspect of the application, the air compressor comprises a hose configured to supply the compressed air from the air compressor to the adapter, and wherein the hose is connected to the adapter by the connector.

In accordance with various additional or alternative embodiments of the system of the second aspect of the application, the adapter may further comprise a safety valve configured to stop the flow of compressed air through the apparatus when air pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold. The adapter may comprise a moisture collector configured to capture moisture in the compressed air passing through the channel. The control valve of the adapter may comprise a handle configured to allow a user to open and close the control valve manually. The mount of the adapter may comprise threading configured to allow the particulate chamber of the handheld tool to be threaded onto the adapter. The connector at the end of the control valve may comprise threading configured to allow the external air compressor to be threaded onto the adapter.

In additional or alternative embodiments of the system, the stylus of the handheld tool may comprise an on-off switch, and when the control valve is open, the stylus is configured to be turned on and off by the switch to control the ejection of the mixture of the particulate and compressed air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a first view of an air compressor adapter of the present application;

FIG. 2 shows a second view of an air compressor adapter of the present application; and

FIG. 3 shows the air compressor adapter of the present application in use with an air compressor and a hand-tool for spraying abrasive material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Aspects of the subject matter of the present application will now be described with reference made to FIGS. 1-3.

FIGS. 1-3 show an example of an adapter 10 that is used with an air compressor 17 and a hand tool or stylus 24 for spraying an abrasive material. The hand tool 24 and abrasive material, such as aluminum oxide or silicon carbide, can be used for engraving or etching an object, for example, wherein the abrasive material is propelled by compressed air.

An embodiment of the air compressor adapter 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The adapter 10 comprises a base unit 11, allowing the adapter 10 to rest securely on a surface during use. A channel (not shown) for the passage of compressed air through the adapter 10, from the air compressor to the hand tool, is also provided within the base unit 11. A safety valve 12 is also affixed to the base unit 11. The safety valve 12 is configured to stop the flow of compressed air if it exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as 75 PSI (pounds per square inch) of pressure. Safety valves with other, lower pressure limits, such as 60 PSI can be utilized, and the pressure is no greater than 90 PSI. A moisture collector 13 of the adapter 10 captures moisture from incoming compressed air.

Adjacent to the base unit 11, and at one end of the adapter 10, the adapter 10 comprises a control valve 14 and an inlet into the compressor adapter 10. The control valve 14 allows for manual control of the adapter 10 by way of a handle 15, which opens and closes the control valve 14. At another end of the base unit 11 (atop the base unit 11 in the embodiment illustrated in the Figures) a mount 16 is provided for the particulate chamber 20 of the spray tool, in which the compressed air mixes with the particulate, such as sand or another abrasive particle material.

FIG. 3 shows the adapter 10 of the present application in combination with an air compressor 17 and an engraving hand tool. The air compressor 17 includes a hose 18 supplying the compressed air from the air compressor 17 to the adapter 10, and the hose 18 is connected to the inlet of the adapter 10 by a connector 19.

The hand-held ejector tool comprises a chamber 20 in which the particulate is stored, and which is mounted to the adapter 10 by way of the mount 16. Compressed air from the air compressor 17 and adapter 10 is provided into the chamber 20, where the compressed air and particulate mix. The tool comprises a hose 21 from the chamber 20, supplying the air-propellent mixture to a dispensing stylus 24 having a toggle switch 23 to control the outflow of the mixture. A more detailed description of such hand-held ejector tools, their components, and their applications, is provided in applicant's earlier U.S. Pat. No. 10,239,185 issued Mar. 26, 2019 (U.S. application Ser. No. 15/684,020 filed Aug. 23, 2017) and U.S. Pat. No. 12,434,350 issued Oct. 7, 2025 (U.S. application Ser. No. 17/689,390 filed Mar. 8, 2022), each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

An example operation of the adapter 10, air compressor 17 and hand-held ejector tool as shown in FIG. 3 is described as follows. On the air compressor 17, the user may set the compressor release pressure to a maximum of 75 PSI. The manual on-off handle 15 can be turned to the off position, to ensure no air from the compressor passes into the adapter 10. The adapter 10 can then be attached to the air compressor 17 by way of the hose 18. The chamber 20 of the tool is mounted to the mount 16 on the base unit 11. The mount 16 may comprise threading corresponding to threading on the chamber 20, allowing the chamber 20 to be screwed onto the base unit 11. The chamber 20 can be prefilled with abrasive particles and may also comprise an opening through which the particles can be added. The toggle switch 23 of the stylus 24 is turned to the “off” position to ensure that it does not release compressed air and particles upon turning on the control valve 14 of the adapter 10. The manual control valve 14 can then be slowly turned on and opened, at which point abrasive and air mix in the chamber 20, and the mixture will flow through chamber 20 into hose 21 and stylus 24, which should be closed. To activate the dispensing of the air-particle mixture for engraving or other use, the user can then open the toggle switch 23 of the stylus 24 and direct the spray towards the target.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice.