Patent Application
20170196349
This disclosure relates generally to a paint application device and more particularly to an adaptable paint application system having a handle that receives replaceable paint application elements containing a brush bristle packet, a paint roller or other paint applicators.
Painting ceilings or difficult heights can only be done with the use of a ladder. For the professional and do-it-yourself painter, working with ladders is always considered a potentially hazardous activity. Even painting base molding at floor level requires one to be on their hands and knees thus causing fatigue and joint strain. Another irritation for the user when working with multiple colors is the need for multiple brushes.
One problem with paint brushes used for painting of large surface areas is that paint will accumulate within the bristles of the brush, particularly in the area near the ferrule that clamps the bristles together and joins them with the paint brush handle. The collected paint in the bristles near the ferrule is practically impossible to clean and some residual paint is generally left in the bristles at the junction with the ferrule and bristles. The dried paint builds up over time with repeated use of the paint brush causing the bristles of the brush to spread. The spreading reduces the life of the paint brush, also requiring multiple brushes.
An object of this disclosure is to provide an adaptable paint application system with a mortice and tenon structure for joining and locking a paint applicator and a handle of the adaptable paint application system together.
Another object of this disclosure is to provide a method of assembly of an adaptable paint application system with a mortice and tenon structure for joining and locking a paint applicator and a handle of the adaptable paint application system together.
To accomplish at least one of these objects, an adaptable paint application system has a handle member structured to have a mortise opening for accepting a tenon member of a replaceable paint applicator mounting element. The adaptable paint application system includes at least one replaceable paint applicator mounting element, wherein in various embodiments, the paint applicator mounting element has a paint applicator mounting block that is coupled to the tenon member.
One embodiment of a replaceable paint applicator has a plurality of bristles adhered to the paint applicator mounting block. In some embodiments where the bristles are formed of a synthetic material produced of organic polymers such as polyethylene, polyvinyl-chloride (PVC), nylon, or any other polymeric fibrous compound. The bristles are then adhesively attached to the paint applicator mounting block either by solvent welding, hot air plastic welding, or ultrasonic spot welding or applying adhesives (epoxy or cyanoacrylate). In various embodiments, the paint applicator mounting block is configured for placing the tip ends of the bristles at an angle of approximately 35°. The approximately 35° angle permits a user of the adaptable paint application system better control at a ceiling line by improving the sight lines for aiding in producing a straight line.
In various embodiments, the tenon member has a first concave hemispherical indentation placed centrally on a front surface and a second concave hemispherical indentation placed on a back surface of the tenon member. The first and second concave indentations are configured receiving a first and second mating convex hemispherical protuberances that are formed with the mortice opening. The first and second mating convex hemispherical protuberances are placed on a first longer side wall and a second longer side wall of the mortice opening to mate with the first and second concave indentations.
In other embodiments, the tenon member includes a stud connector located at a bottom side of the tenon member that is forcibly placed in a socket connector constructed as part of the mortice opening of the handle member.
In some embodiments, the handle member has a threaded opening placed at an end of the handle member opposite the mortice opening. The threaded opening is configured for receiving a threaded end of an extension handle. The extension handle allows the user to reach a ceiling for painting trim and other features of the ceiling of a room.
In various embodiments, the paint applicator mounting block has a threaded opening on its top surface for receiving a threaded end of a frame of a paint roller or pad. The frame is configured for accepting a paint roller or a painting pad for application of paint to a surface of a room.
Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
As is known in the art, paint brushes are constructed of a wooden or plastic handle, a set of bristles, and a ferrule that holds the bristles together and to the handles. The bristles may be animal hair or synthetic fibers such as nylon or polyester.
The handle 10 of the adaptable paint application system 5 has a threaded opening 25 at an opposing end from the mortice opening 20. The threaded opening 25 is configured for accepting an extension handle (discussed hereinafter) with a mating threaded end on the extension handle.
In various embodiments, the paint applicator mounting block 15 has a bristle tip adapter block 35 that is bonded with the tenon member 30. A plurality of bristles 45 are assembled into a grouping and fused to the bristle tip adapter block 35 to form a joint 40 with the plurality of bristles. The joint 40 is formed with a solvent weld or an adhesive. Instances where the bristles are synthetic fibers such as nylon on polyester, the solvent weld 40 is preferable for a more durable joint. For natural animal hair fibers, an adhesive is used for forming the joint 40 between the plurality of bristles and the bristle tip adapter block 35
In a preferred implementation of the third embodiment of the adaptable paint application system 400, the socket connector 422 and the stud connector 432 are snap-fit fasteners. Snap-fit fasteners have a protruding part 433 of the stud connector 432, e.g., a hook, stud or bead that is deflected briefly during the joining operation and catches in an undercut depression 423 in the mating socket connector 422. After the joining operation, the snap-fit features return to a stress-free condition. The joint of the stud connector 432 with the socket connector 422 is separable based on the shape of the undercut 423. The force required to separate the socket connector 422 and the stud connector 432 varies greatly according to the design.
The forming (Box 520) of the paint applicator mounting block 15 may be similarly injection molding or 3D printed using appropriate synthetic materials. A tenon locking device (332 of
Once the handle 10 and the paint applicator mounting block 15 with its paint applicator (45 in
While this disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As an example, the paint applicator may be a foam pad adhered to a substrate that in turn is connected to the paint applicator mounting block 15. Any such paint applicator will embody the principals of this disclosure.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/278,059, filed on Jan. 13, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62278059 | Jan 2016 | US |
