The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 14, 1999
Filed:
Nov. 06, 1997
Richard J Klein, Waterloo, IA (US);
University of Northern Iowa Foundation (UNIF), Cedar Falls, IA (US);
Abstract
An optical spray painting practice gun emits a shaped optical beam onto a practice surface to simulate an actual paint spray on the surface. The gun preferably uses a class 2 diode laser to generate a laser beam which is reshaped by a collimating lens into a diverging beam that illuminates the practice surface. The collimating lens creates an elongated image on the practice surface having a length corresponding linearly to the distance of the practice gun nozzle to the practice surface as with a conventional spray gun. The illuminated image distorts when the practice gun is not perpendicular to the practice surface. The collimating lens is located in a rotatable collar so that the orientation of the elongated image on the practice surface can be adjusted. In other respects, the structure of the practice gun is preferably the same as a conventional spray gun. A DC battery is contained in the removable paint container for the practice gun and supplies power to the laser when a trigger-actuated electric switch is engaged. Placing the battery in the removable container helps to simulate proper spray gun weight and weight distribution.