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:
Jul. 03, 2001
Filed:
May. 25, 2000
Joseph G. Schroeder, North Royalton, OH (US);
Merle C. Lehman, Avon Lake, OH (US);
Robert J. Allsop, South Amherst, OH (US);
Nordson Corporation, Westlake, OH (US);
Abstract
A stacking arrangement for at least two controllers in a powder spray system provides for the controllers to be vertically stacked one on top of the other, and an interlock mechanism between each pair of adjacently stacked controllers. In a preferred embodiment, the interlock mechanism comprises a tab and slot arrangement between each pair of adjacent top and bottom covers of stacked controllers. The tab and slot securely hold the stacked controllers together in a stable vertically aligned configuration. Locking plates are also provided to releasably secure the controllers together. The invention also provides a vertically adjustable cover mechanism for the stacked controllers. The cover mechanism encloses various lines that are connected to the controllers in the final assembly. The cover mechanism includes a vertically fixed cover part and an adjustable cover part that telescopically slides over the fixed cover part. The adjustable cover permits controllers to be added to or removed from the spray apparatus by vertically stacking the controllers, without having to acquire a custom length cover each time the vertical height is changed.