Shield apparatus and methods of use

Abstract

A shield apparatus for use with a mechanism including a reservoir for distribution of an extrudable substance such as an adhesive. The invention includes a body which extends along an axis. The body defines a concave recess which can contain at least some of the extrudable substance that is intended to be extruded when the body portion of the apparatus is inverted.

1 . A shield apparatus for use with a reservoir having an outlet through which a substance is extrudable, comprising: 
 a body extending along an axis between a front end and a back end, the body having an upper surface and a lower surface; 
 the body allowing at least part of the substance extrudable through the reservoir outlet to be encompassed by a shield portion of the body;  
 wherein the body defines a concave recess extending outwardly from the shield portion; and  
 wherein the recess contains at least some of the substance that is unintendedly extruded from the reservoir along the lower surface of the body; and  
   means for attaching the body to the reservoir.    
   
   
       2 . The shield apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the body defines a channel extending along the axis of the body, and wherein an end of the channel is formed by the front end of the body.  
   
   
       3 . The shield apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the body further comprises left side and right side baffles spaced at a distance to allow at least part of each side baffle to be positioned adjacent a corresponding edge of a workpiece.  
   
   
       4 . The shield apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the body is transparent.  
   
   
       5 . The shield apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the shield portion of the body defines the front end of the body.  
   
   
       6 . The shield apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the recess is configured to allow at least part of the reservoir outlet to be positioned above the recess at times when the shield apparatus is inverted.  
   
   
       7 . The shield apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the body of material further comprises a left side baffle and a right side baffle and wherein the recess extends between the side baffles of the body.  
   
   
       8 . The shield apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for attaching comprises a resilient collar and a clamp.  
   
   
       9 . The shield apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for attaching is configured to attach to a manifold.  
   
   
       10 . The shield apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the body and the means for attaching are flexibly connected.  
   
   
       11 . The shield apparatus of  claim 10  wherein a living hinge is used in connecting the body and the means for attaching.  
   
   
       12 . A shield apparatus for use with a caulk gun, a caulk tube, and an adaptor manifold having an outlet through which a substance is extrudable, comprising: 
 a body extending along a longitudinal axis between a front end and a back end, the body comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; 
 the body being configured to allow the adaptor manifold outlet to be substantially encompassed by a shield portion of the body;  
 wherein the body defines at least one concavity extending outwardly from the upper surface of the body; and  
 wherein the concavity is configured to accommodate extrudable substance extruded through the adaptor manifold outlet at times when the shield apparatus is inverted; and  
   means for attaching the shield apparatus to the adaptor manifold.