# US 9,751,101 B2 · Trigger locking device for a liquid applicator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,101 B2 - Document ID: US9751101B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/049,874 - Filed: 2016-02-22 - Published: 2016-10-20 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2015-04-17 - Assignees: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation - Applicants: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation - Inventors: Heiko Tullney; Matthias Mazur; Joseph W. Kieffer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751101B2 ## CPC - B05B 12/0026: {to inhibit delivery} - B05B 9/01: Spray pistols, {discharge devices}(B05B9/03 takes precedence) - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) ## Abstract A trigger locking system for a liquid applicator having a trigger with an opening is provided. The trigger locking system comprises trigger locking device configured to extend through the opening. The trigger locking device is configured to move, when actuated, between a defined locked position and a defined unlocked position. While the system is in a locked position, the trigger is nonactuable. While the system is in an unlocked position, the trigger is actuable such that, when actuated, a liquid is released from the liquid applicator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A trigger locking system for a liquid applicator having a trigger with an opening, the trigger locking system comprising: a trigger locking device configured to extend through the opening, wherein the trigger locking device is configured to move, when actuated, between a locked position and an unlocked position; wherein, in the locked position, the trigger is nonactuable; wherein, in the unlocked position, the trigger is actuable such that, when actuated, a liquid is released from the liquid applicator; and wherein the trigger locking device is configured to receive a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to engage a first position or a second position on the trigger locking device, wherein the first position comprises the trigger locking device in the locked position, and wherein the second position comprises the trigger locking device in the unlocked position, and wherein the first position and the second position each comprise an indentation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The trigger locking system of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises a paint. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The trigger locking system of claim 1, wherein, in the locked position, the trigger is substantially immovable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The trigger locking system of claim 3, wherein the locked position further comprises the trigger locking device overlapping an element of the liquid applicator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The trigger locking system of claim 1, and further comprising: a restricting component configured to stop the trigger locking device from sliding out of the opening. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The trigger locking system of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprise a ball and spring within a locking mechanism housing, wherein the ball is configured to engage the indentation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The trigger locking system of claim 1, and further comprising: a fixing mechanism configured to hold the trigger locking device substantially in a fixed position within the liquid applicator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The trigger locking system of claim 1, wherein actuating the trigger locking device comprises an applied pressure to an edge of the trigger locking device. ### Claim 9 An applicator configured to apply a fluid, comprising: a fluid path extending from an inlet of the applicator to an outlet of the applicator; a trigger configured to, when actuated, allow the fluid to flow through entirety full length of the fluid path; a trigger locking device configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position comprises the trigger locking device positioned such that the trigger locking device substantially inhibits actuation of the trigger; and a locking mechanism configured to maintain the trigger locking device in either the locked position or the unlocked position, and wherein the locking mechanism comprises a ball and spring configuration, wherein the spring is configured to provide a biasing force against the ball, such that the ball engages an indent of the trigger locking device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The applicator of claim 9, wherein the trigger locking device is held in a fixed position by a fixing mechanism during manufacture. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The applicator of claim 9, and further comprising: a locking housing configured to house the locking mechanism such that the locking mechanism is housed substantially within the applicator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The applicator of claim 9, wherein moving the trigger locking device between the locked position and the unlocked position comprises application of sufficient pressure to an edge of the trigger locking device to force the ball to disengage from a first indent and reengage to a second indent. ### Claim 13 A method for locking and unlocking a paint applicator, comprising: receiving, at a fluid inlet of a paint applicator, a source of paint; actuating a trigger locking device, such that the trigger locking device, when actuated, moves from a locked position to an unlocked position, wherein, in the locked position, the source of paint is blocked from moving to a fluid outlet of the paint applicator, wherein the trigger locking device comprises a ball and spring configuration such that the spring is configured to provide a biasing force against the ball, such that the ball engages an indent of the trigger locking device, and wherein actuating the trigger locking device comprises application of sufficient pressure to an edge of the trigger locking device to force the ball to disengage from a first indent and reengage to a second indent of the trigger locking device; and actuating a trigger of the paint applicator such that the source of paint moves from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein, in the locked position, the trigger is substantially immovable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, and further comprising: removing a fixing mechanism configured to hold the trigger locking device in a fixed position.