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An airbrush apparatus for use in generating a design on a desired object is disclosed. The apparatus and method of use are disclosed wherein the airbrush apparatus comprises a housing, boom, and sprayer head. A fluid to be applied is contained in individual cartridges and is drawn out by a vacuum ef

An airbrush apparatus for use in generating a design on a desired object is disclosed. The apparatus and method of use are disclosed wherein the airbrush apparatus comprises a housing, boom, and sprayer head. A fluid to be applied is contained in individual cartridges and is drawn out by a vacuum effect caused by air that is being pumped from the housing across a feed tube which is in fluid communication with the cartridge.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An airbrush apparatus comprising: a housing; a pump at least partially contained within the housing; a boom rotatably coupled with the housing, the boom having a proximal end adjacent the housing and a distal end opposite the proximal end; a sprayer head coupled with th

The invention claimed is: 1. An airbrush apparatus comprising: a housing; a pump at least partially contained within the housing; a boom rotatably coupled with the housing, the boom having a proximal end adjacent the housing and a distal end opposite the proximal end; a sprayer head coupled with the distal end of the boom, the sprayer head having a feed tube including a passage therethrough having a plurality of fingers extending generally radially inward from a sidewall of the passage, an air nozzle, and a diffuser, wherein the air nozzle is operationally coupled with the pump; and, a cartridge removably coupleable with the sprayer head, the cartridge having a fluid therein which passes through the passage during use and out an outlet end of the feed tube. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power source for operating the pump. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a switch electrically coupled with the pump and the power source, wherein activation of the switch causes operation of the pump which in turn pushes air through the air nozzle in the sprayer head. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the air passing from the air nozzle in the sprayer head is directed across an outlet end of the feed tube, thereby drawing out and atomizing the fluid from within the cartridge. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cartridge further includes a means for allowing replacement air to enter the cartridge during use. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means for allowing replacement air to enter the cartridge during use includes a longitudinal channel in an outer surface of the feed tube. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, formed primarily of a molded plastic, wherein the sprayer head rotates approximately 180 degrees about the distal end of the boom, wherein the housing further comprises a clip for securing an object on which the fluid is to be applied to the housing, and wherein the housing further includes a plurality of flutes therein for releasably holding at least one cartridge. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the boom has at least a first joint and a second joint, wherein the first joint is located proximate the proximal end and the second joint is located proximate a mid-span of the boom. 9. A method of applying a fluid onto an object comprising: providing an airbrush apparatus comprising: a housing; a pump at least partially contained within the housing; a boom rotatably coupled with the housing and operationally coupled with the pump, the boom having a proximal end adjacent the housing and a distal end opposite the proximal end; a sprayer head coupled to the distal end of the boom, the sprayer head having a cartridge holder, a feed tube having a passage and a plurality of fingers extending generally radially inward from a sidewall of the passage, an air nozzle operationally coupled with the pump, and a diffuser; and, a cartridge removably coupleable with the sprayer head, the cartridge having a fluid therein and a valve; inserting the cartridge into an opening in the cartridge holder, thereby opening the valve in the cartridge; activating the pump by a switch; directing air from the pump through the air nozzle in the sprayer head and across an outlet end of the feed tube, thereby causing a vacuum which draws the fluid from the cartridge through the open valve, through the feed tube, out the outlet end and into the air stream, wherein the fluid is atomized in the air stream from the air nozzle in the sprayer head; and directing the atomized fluid through the diffuser onto to the object. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising deactivating the pump by deactivating the switch. 11. A sprayer mechanism for use with an air source for applying a fluid to an object, the mechanism comprising: a sprayer head having an air nozzle and a diffuser, the air nozzle being in fluid communication with the air source; a handle coupled with the sprayer head, the handle having a button for controlling activation of the air source; a cartridge holder coupled with the sprayer head, the cartridge holder having an opening and a feed tube therein, wherein the feed tube includes a passage therethrough, whereby fluid from within the cartridge passes through the passage during use and out an outlet end of the feed tube, and wherein the passage includes a plurality of fingers extending generally radially inwardly from a sidewall of the passage; and a cartridge at least partially received in and removably coupleable with the cartridge holder; wherein the cartridge contains the fluid to be applied therein, and wherein the cartridge includes a valve for selectively releasing the fluid. 12. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein the valve of the cartridge is operable to move between a closed position and an open position upon engagement with the feed tube. 13. The mechanism of claim 11, further comprising: a housing; a pump at least partially contained within the housing; and a boom rotatably coupled with the housing and operationally coupled with the sprayer head, the boom having a proximal end adjacent the housing and a distal end opposite the proximal end. 14. The mechanism of claim 13, wherein the sprayer head is rotatable up to approximately 180 degrees about the distal end of the boom. 15. The mechanism of claim 13, wherein the boom has at least a first joint and a second joint, wherein the first joint is located proximate the proximal end and wherein the second joint is located proximate a mid-span of the boom. 16. The mechanism of claim 13, further comprising a power source. 17. The mechanism of claim 16, wherein the button is coupled with an electrical switch, wherein the switch is electrically coupled with the power source, and wherein activation of the switch causes the pump to push air through the air nozzle of the sprayer head. 18. The mechanism of claim 17, wherein the air pushed through the air nozzle of the sprayer head is directed across an outlet end of the feed tube, thereby creating a low pressure area at the outlet end of the feed tube which draws the fluid out of the cartridge, through the valve, through the feed tube and into the air directed across the outlet end of the feed tube where it is atomized. 19. The mechanism of claim 11 wherein the cartridge includes a replacement air mechanism for permitting outside air into the cartridge to replace the fluid drawn out of the cartridge during use. 20. The mechanism of claim 19, wherein the replacement air mechanism includes a longitudinal channel in an outer surface of the feed tube. 21. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein the opening in the cartridge holder includes an inwardly projecting rib, wherein the cartridge includes an outwardly projecting ridge on an outer surface thereof, and wherein the inwardly projecting rib and the outwardly projecting ridge cooperate to hold the cartridge in cooperation with the cartridge holder during use. 22. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein the valve of the cartridge includes a plunger that is biased into engagement with a seat when the valve is in a closed position, wherein the valve is movable out of engagement with the seat to an open position, and wherein receipt of the cartridge into the opening of the cartridge holder moves the valve from the closed position to the open position.