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Modular spray gun apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a handle module and a head module that is removeably coupled to the handle module. The head module includes a first housing having an inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of pressurized gas, a flow pas

Modular spray gun apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a handle module and a head module that is removeably coupled to the handle module. The head module includes a first housing having an inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of pressurized gas, a flow passage extending between the inlet and an outlet, and a first coupling member proximate the outlet. Similarly, the head module includes a second housing having a second coupling member removeably coupled to the first coupling member of the first housing, a nozzle fluidly communicating with a spray outlet, and a needle assembly operatively associated with the nozzle to control a flow of liquid material and pressurized gas emanating from a mixing passage through the nozzle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A modular spray apparatus, comprising:a handle module including a first housing having an inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of pressurized gas, a flow passage extending between the inlet and an outlet, and a first coupling member proximate the outlet; and a head module including a second ho

1. A modular spray apparatus, comprising:a handle module including a first housing having an inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of pressurized gas, a flow passage extending between the inlet and an outlet, and a first coupling member proximate the outlet; and a head module including a second housing having a second coupling member removeably coupled to the first coupling member of the first housing, the second housing including a first intake port fluidly communicating with the outlet of the handle module, a second intake port adapted to be coupled to a source of liquid material, a mixing passage fluidly communicating with the first and second intake ports and with a spray outlet, the head module further including a nozzle fluidly communicating with the spray outlet, and a needle assembly operatively coupled to the second housing and operatively associated with the nozzle to control a flow of liquid material and pressurized gas emanating from the mixing passage through the nozzle, whereby the second coupling member of the head module may be de-coupled from the first coupling member of the handle module without disassembly of the head module. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first coupling member comprises a first removable coupling device positioned on the outlet and the second coupling member comprises a second removable coupling device configured to detachably couple to the first removable coupling device and positioned on the first intake port.3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the handle module further includes a trigger moveably coupled to the first housing, the needle assembly projecting from the head module and being removeably coupled to the trigger.4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the handle module further includes at least one valve assembly that includes a control knob projecting from the first housing, a screw jack coupled to the control knob, and a center body coupled to the screw jack that controls a flow of pressurized gas between a first and second portions of the flow passage.5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the head module further includes an air cap coupled to the second housing proximate the nozzle.6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a supply vessel coupled to the second intake port.7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a source of pressurized gas coupled to the inlet of the handle module.8. An assembly for applying a liquid material, comprising:a source of liquid material; a source of pressurized gas; and a spray device coupled to the source of liquid material and to the source of pressurized gas, the spray device comprising a handle module including a first housing having an inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of pressurized gas, a flow passage extending between the inlet and an outlet, and a first coupling member proximate the outlet; and a head module including a second housing having a second coupling member removeably coupled to the first coupling member of the first housing, the second housing including a first intake port fluidly communicating with the outlet of the handle module, a second intake port adapted to be coupled to a source of liquid material, a mixing passage fluidly communicating with the first and second intake ports and with a spray outlet, the head module further including a nozzle fluidly communicating with the spray outlet, and a needle assembly operatively coupled to the second housing and operatively associated with the nozzle to control a flow of liquid material and pressurized gas emanating from the mixing passage through the nozzle, whereby the second coupling member of the head module may be de-coupled from the first coupling member of the handle module without disassembly of the head module. 9. The assembly according to claim 8 wherein the first coupling member comprises a first removable coupling device positioned on the outlet and the second coupling member comprises a a second removable coupling devices configured to detachably couple to the first removable coupling device and positioned on the first intake port.10. The assembly according to claim 8 wherein the handle module further includes a trigger moveably coupled to the first housing, the needle assembly projecting from the head module and being removeably coupled to the trigger.11. The assembly according to claim 8 wherein the handle module further includes at least one valve assembly that includes a control knob projecting from the first housing, a screw jack coupled to the control knob, and a center body coupled to the screw jack that controls a flow of pressurized gas between a first and second portions of the flow passage.12. The assembly according to claim 8 wherein the head module further includes an air cap coupled to the second housing proximate the nozzle.13. A method of applying a liquid material to a surface, comprising:providing a handle module including a first housing having an inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of pressurized gas, a flow passage extending between the inlet and an outlet; providing a head module including a second housing removeably coupleable to the first housing, the second housing including a first intake port adapted to fluidly communicate with the outlet of the handle module, a second intake port adapted to be coupled to a source of liquid material, and a mixing passage fluidly communicating with the first and second intake ports and with a spray outlet, the head module further including a nozzle fluidly communicating with the spray outlet, and a needle assembly operatively coupled to the second housing and operatively associated with the nozzle to control a flow of liquid material and pressurized gas emanating from the mixing passage through the nozzle, whereby the head module may be de-coupled from the handle module without disassembly of the head module; coupling the head module to the handle module; coupling a source of pressurized gas to the inlet of the handle module; coupling a source of liquid material to the second intake port of the head module; flowing liquid material from the source of liquid material through the second intake port and into the mixing passage; flowing pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas through the handle module and into the mixing passage; and flowing a mixture of liquid material and pressurized gas from the mixing passage through the nozzle of the head module. 14. The method according to claim 13 wherein coupling the head module to the handle module comprises detachably coupling the head module to the handle module.15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising de-coupling the head module from the handle module without disassembly of the head module.16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising coupling a second head module to the handle module.17. The method according to claim 13 wherein coupling a source of liquid material to the second intake port of the head module comprises coupling a gravity-fed supply vessel to the second intake port of the head module.18. The method according to claim 13 wherein coupling a source of pressurized gas to the inlet of the handle module comprises coupling an air compressor to the inlet of the handle module.19. The method according to claim 13 wherein flowing liquid material from the source of liquid material through the second intake port and into the mixing passage comprises flowing a liquid coating material through the second intake port and into the mixing passage.20. The method according to claim 13 wherein flowing liquid material from the source of liquid material through the second intake port and into the mixing passage comprises flowing a liquid cleaning material through the second intake port and into the mixing passage.