Patent Application
20110031136
The invention generally relates to a device for holding artist supplies.
One of the most basic and well known tools of an artist is a paintbrush. An artist may use many different sizes and types of paintbrushes when painting a single work. Some of the types of paintbrushes include round, flat, bright, fan, and filbert to name a few. Paintbrushes also come in a variety of sizes including 10/0, 7/0, 6/0, 5/0, 4/0, 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, and 30. In addition to having a variety of types and sizes, different materials may be used in constructing a paintbrush. For example, the bristle of the paintbrush may be made from a variety of different materials. The materials include sable hair, ox hair, squirrel hair, goat hair, mongoose hair, hog bristle or synthetic hair.
Given the various types, sizes and material available, purchasing a number of paintbrushes in a variety types and sizes can be an expensive undertaking. Thus, once a paintbrush has been purchased, it may be desirable to securely store the paintbrushes in an easy and convenient manner. However, storing the paintbrushes properly can be difficult given the variety of types and sizes of the paintbrushes. What is needed therefore, is an apparatus that can store a plurality of paintbrushes of varying sizes in a secure manner that will not damage the handle or bristles of a paintbrush.
This disclosure will now more fully describe exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which specific embodiments are shown. Other aspects may be embodied in many different forms and the inclusion of specific embodiments in the disclosure should not be construed as limiting such aspects to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the embodiments depicted in the drawings are included to provide a disclosure that is thorough and complete and which fully conveys the intended scope to those skilled in the art. When referring to the figures, like structures and elements are shown throughout are indicated with like reference numerals.
The terms and phrases as indicated in quotes (“ ”) in this section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology section applied to them throughout this document including the claims unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's case, to the singular and plural variations of the defined word or phrase.
The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims is not meant to be exclusive rather the term is inclusive meaning “either or both”.
References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment” and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment.
The term “couple” or “coupled” as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to either an indirect or direct connection between the identified elements, components or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact.
Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specific orientation of an applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.
The term “wave-shaped” means a non-linear shape. For example, the apparatus may have an s-shaped or sinusoidal configuration.
Described herein are embodiments for an apparatus for holding artist supplies. In embodiments the apparatus consists of a base coupled to at least a first side and a second side. The apparatus also has a first tier with a plurality of round openings disposed therein. Each round opening of the first plurality of round openings on the first tier of the apparatus has a first diameter. In addition, a receptacle is positioned below each of the round openings. Resilient elastomeric membranes having at least one slit cover each of the plurality of round openings on the first tier. The apparatus also has a second tier with a second plurality of round openings disposed thereon. Each of the second plurality of round openings have a second diameter and each of the round openings on the second tier open to a receptacle positioned directly below the second plurality of round openings. A second set of resilient elastomeric membranes cover the second plurality of round openings, with each of the second set of resilient elastomeric membranes having at least one slit. A third tier is also included on the apparatus. The third tier has a third plurality or round openings, each having a third diameter. A receptacle is positioned directly below each of the third plurality of round openings. A third set of resilient elastomeric membranes covers each of the third plurality of round openings on the third tier and each resilient elastomeric membrane has at least one slit.
In another embodiment, a multi-tiered apparatus for holding artist supplies is disclosed. The multi-tiered apparatus has a base and is coupled to first and second end pieces. The multi-tiered apparatus also includes a first planar surface on a first tier having a plurality of round holes with a first diameter. Each of the round holes on the first tier is covered with a resilient elastomeric membrane having at least one slit. Also included is a second planar surface on a second tier of the multi-tiered apparatus. The second planar surface has a second plurality of round holes. Each of the second plurality of round holes has a second diameter and is covered with a resilient elastomeric membrane having at least one slit. A third planar surface on a third tier of the multi-tiered apparatus is also included. The third planar surface has a third plurality of round holes with each of the third plurality of round holes having a third diameter. A resilient elastomeric membrane having at least one slit covers each of the third plurality of round holes.
In still yet other embodiments, an apparatus for holding a plurality of paintbrushes in an upright configuration is disclosed. According to such embodiments, the apparatus has a plurality of tiers with each tier having a wave-shaped configuration. A plurality of round openings are disposed on each tier of the plurality of tiers. Each of the plurality of round openings are covered with resilient elastomeric membranes having at least one slit to enable the paintbrush to be inserted into the round opening.
The apparatus 100 consists of a base 110, a front portion 112, a first side portion 114, a second side portion 116 (
As shown by
In embodiments, the diameter of the first plurality of round openings 130 is large enough to hold smaller sized paintbrushes. For example, using the sizes of paintbrushes discussed above, the first plurality of round openings 130 on the first tier 120 of the apparatus 100 can have a diameter large enough to enable paintbrushes having a diameter of 10/0, 7/0, 6/0, 5/0, 4/0, 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 to be inserted and stored in an upright position.
Embodiments provide that apparatus 100 also includes a second tier 140 with a second plurality of round openings 150 disposed on a planar surface of the second tier 140. Although
According to embodiments, each of the second plurality of round openings 150 has a second diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the first plurality of round openings 130 on the first tier 120. Continuing with the above example, the diameter of each of the second plurality of round openings 150 may have a diameter large enough to not only hold paintbrushes having a diameter ranging from 10/0-4, but can also hold paintbrushes having diameters of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 18. In alternative embodiments, the diameter of the second plurality of round openings 150 may have a diameter equal to the diameter of the first plurality of round openings 130.
Apparatus 100 also includes a third tier 160 according to embodiments. In such embodiments, a third plurality of round openings 170 are disposed on a planar surface of the third tier 160 of the apparatus 100. The third plurality of round openings 160 can be configured as a single row as is shown in FIG. IA. Alternatively, the third tier 160 may have two or more rows of the third plurality of round openings 170. In embodiments, each of the third plurality of round openings 170 has a diameter that is larger than the first plurality of round openings 130 and the second plurality of round openings 150. Continuing with the above example, the diameter of the third plurality of openings 170 can be large enough to not only hold paintbrushes having diameters in the range of 10/0-18, but also hold paintbrushes having diameters of 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, and 30. Alternatively, each of the round openings on each of the tiers may have the same diameter. Still yet other embodiments provide that the openings can have a variety of diameters disposed on the same tiers.
Included on a first side 114 of the apparatus 100 is a female, or receiving, portion 180 of a connection mechanism. In embodiments, a male, or connection, portion 190 (
According to embodiments, the apparatus 100 has a non-linear, or wave-shaped, configuration. This configuration is extended throughout the entire apparatus 100. Thus, each of the first tier 120, second tier 140, and third tier 160 has the wave-shape configuration. In such embodiments, each of the rows of round openings on each tier also follows the wave-shape of the apparatus 100. Having a wave-shaped configuration can give the apparatus 100 more stability when an artist inserts and removes a paintbrush from one of the plurality of round openings. Alternative embodiments provide that the apparatus 100 may be configured in a variety of different non-linear shapes (for example an S-shape) that would increase the stability of the apparatus 100 as compared to an apparatus having a rectangle shaped base.
In embodiments, the length of the combination of the receptacle 210 and conical shaped well 220 is substantially equivalent to the distance between the third tier 160 and the base 110 of the apparatus 100. Alternative embodiments provide that the length of the receptacle 210 may be any size sufficient to securely hold a shaft of a paintbrush.
Embodiments provide that a receptacle 230 is positioned below the second plurality of round openings 150 on the second tier 140 of the apparatus 100. In such embodiments, the receptacle 230 has a diameter that is equivalent to the second plurality of round openings 150. A conical shaped well 240 is positioned at the bottom of the receptacle 230. The length of the receptacle, including the conical shaped well 240 is substantially equivalent to the distance between the second tier 140 and the base 110 of the apparatus 100. Alternative embodiments provide that the receptacle 230 may be shorter than the distance between the second tier 140 and the base 110 of the apparatus 100. Although only two receptacles 230 are shown in
In still yet other embodiments, a receptacle 250 and a conical shaped well 260 is positioned below each of the first plurality of round openings 130 on the first tier 120 of the apparatus 100. The diameter of the receptacle 250 is equivalent to the diameter of the first plurality of round openings 130. The length of the combination of the receptacle 250 and conical shaped well 260 is substantially equivalent to the distance between the top tier 120 and the base 110 of the apparatus 100. In alternative embodiments, the length of the receptacle 250 and conical shaped well 260 can have any length sufficient to securely hold at least a portion of a shaft of a paintbrush.
According to embodiments, each of the first plurality of round openings 130 on the first tier 120 of the apparatus 100 has a resilient elastomeric membrane 310 covering the round opening. Embodiments provide that the resilient elastomeric membrane has at least one slit 340 on the face thereof to permit a shaft or handle of a paintbrush (e.g. paintbrush 370) to slide through the resilient elastomeric membrane 320 and rest inside the receptacle 250. The resilient elastomeric membrane 310, along with the conical shaped well 260 act in concert to securely hold the paintbrush in place when a diameter of the paintbrush 370 is smaller than the diameter of the first plurality of round openings 130.
As shown in
Embodiments also provide that resilient elastomeric membranes 330 cover each of the plurality of round openings 170 on the third tier 160 of the apparatus 100. Each of the resilient elastomeric membranes 330 on the third tier 160 have at least one slit 340 to enable a paintbrush 350 to slide through the resilient elastomeric membrane 330. The resilient elastomeric membrane functions to hold an upper portion of a shaft of the paintbrush 350 in place while the conical shaped well 220 holds a tapered end of the paintbrush 350 in place.
Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments. As such, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either individually or as part of an embodiment can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the other features and embodiments make no mentioned of the particular feature. Thus, the absence of describing combinations should not preclude the inventor from claiming rights to such combinations.
