초록 ▼

An automatic and adjustable valving mechanism in which a spray of pressurized fluid from 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 elev

An automatic and adjustable valving mechanism in which a spray of pressurized fluid from 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 the first chamber into a second chamber, which raises a piston which, in turn, raises the rods supporting the actuating bar, to terminate the discharge of the pressurized fluid from the aerosol can. 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. In one embodiment, the aerosol can contains a pine tree scent and the valving mechanism, as well as the aerosol can are mounted within a lighted ornament which may be attached to an artificial Christmas tree.

대표청구항 ▼

1. 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

1. 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 actuating 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; second adjustment means for adjusting the timing of actuation of said second release means; support means for supporting said pressurized fluid source in a fixed position relative to said valving mechanism; and a plastic cover to which said support means is secured and housing said valving mechanism and said pressurized fluid source. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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 exceptt when said portion of said hydraulic fluid has been transferred from said first subchamber to said second subchamber. 5. 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 drive rod and contacting said fluid pressure means. 6. 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. 7. The mechanism of claim 6 wherein said timing bar contacts said piston means. 8. 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. 9. 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. 10. 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. 11. 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. 12. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said second release means is constructed so as to be actuated by said fluid pressure means. 13. 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. 14. 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. 15. 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. 16. 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. 17. 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. 18. 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. 19. 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. 20. 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. 21. The mechanism of claim 4 including: an opening in said plastic cover; and a fluid conduit connecting said opening in said plastic cover with said opening in a wall portion of said first chamber, whereby said pressurized fluid from said valving mechanism may be discharged from said cover. 22. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said pressurized fluid source is an aerosol can having an axis and a valve which is actuated by movement along said axis of said aerosol can, and wherein said support mechanism supports said aerosol can relative to said valving mechanism such that said axis of said aerosol can is parallel to said housing axis. 23. The mechanism of claim 22 wherein said cover is in the form of a cylinder having a cylindrical axis transverse to said axis of said housing, and wherein said opening in said cover lies on said cylindrical axis. 24. The mechanism of claim 22 wherein said cover is formed by two cylindrical halves, each of said cylindrical halves having means for securing said cylindrical halves to one another. 25. The mechanism of claim 23 wherein said cover is at least partially translucent and includes illuminating means within said cover. 26. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said pressurized fluid includes a pine tree scent.