US 2019/0170271 A1 · CABLE ACTUATOR GUIDE FOR LIQUID DISPENSER AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

Abstract

A cable guide for improving performance and longevity of a dispenser actuator for remotely operating a dispensing unit with a flexible cable connected between a valve of the dispensing unit and the actuator. The cable opens or closes the valve by manipulating the actuator adjacent the discharge end of the tube. The guide is positioned within the actuator in physical contact with the cable. The guide may comprise a thin arched body extending upward from a leading edge to a peak and downward to a trailing edge. The cable can slide over the guide as the the actuator operates the valve. The guide prevents the cable from bending with a small bend radius, e.g., smaller than five or ten or even twenty times a diameter of the cable as the the actuator operates the valve. Methods are disclosed for assembling the actuator with the cable guide.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of assembling a dispenser actuator for remotely operating a dispensing unit having a proportioner for combining and dispensing a plurality of liquids in a selected proportion and a valve for passing and cutting off at least one of said liquids, the method comprising:

detaching a flexible elongated member operably connected between the valve of the dispensing unit from a lever of the actuator, the flexible elongated member configured to open and close the valve by manipulating the lever of the actuator adjacent the discharge end of the tube;
inserting an arched guide for controlling a path of travel of the flexible elongated member as the actuator is manipulated to operate the valve in the dispensing unit, the step of inserting comprising positioning a leading end of the guide into an opening in the dispenser actuator and under the detached flexible elongated member and elastically deforming a trailing end of the guide to positively engage the trailing end of the guide within the opening in the dispenser actuator;
and
routing the flexible elongated member over a peak of the arched guide and re-attaching the flexible elongated member to the lever of the actuator.

1 more element

providing a dispensing tube having an inlet end and a discharge end, said tube adapted to be in liquid communication with the dispensing unit at the inlet end of the dispensing tube and the dispenser actuator being disposed adjacent the discharge end of said dispensing tube, and a flexible elongated member operably connected between the valve of the dispensing unit and the actuator such that the valve is opened and closed by manipulating a lever of the actuator adjacent the discharge end of the tube;
inserting an arched guide for controlling a path of travel of the flexible elongated member as the actuator is manipulated to operate the valve in the dispensing unit, the step of inserting comprising positioning a leading end of the guide into an opening in the dispenser actuator and under the flexible elongated member and elastically deforming a trailing end of the guide to positively engage the trailing end of the guide within the opening in the dispenser actuator;
and
routing the flexible elongated member over a peak of the arched guide and attaching the flexible elongated member to the lever of the actuator.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cable actuator guide for liquid dispenser and associated methods

Life of this patent

Cable actuator guide for liquid dispenser and associated methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20