Patent Application
20240417986
This invention relates to a dropcloth, in particular, an improved dropcloth that includes, inter alia, a coding system.
Historically, dropcloths have been used by painters, whether professionals, or do it yourselfers, in either case, to protect surfaces of various materials, inter alia, such as metal, plastic, tile, and wood, whether walls, flooring, and/or furniture from fugitive drips. The basis for such usage is primarily driven to eliminate the need to repair and/or replace such surfaces, by merely incurring the cost of efforts of deploying a dropcloth in the work zone.
However, one issue of many exists in use during the storage of a plurality of dropcloths and then later identifying which dropcloth has certain specifications. For example, a woodworker may store his inventory of dropcloths in his vehicle, and then at a subsequent point in time, such as a second job site, he will need to select an appropriate sized dropcloth from his inventory. The woodworker is then faced with picking one that best fits the dimensions of the job site, but he typically will need to open up a plurality dropcloths to determine the desired dimensions, which wastes valuable time of unfolding and then refolding and storing each.
In this regard, there is a need for a system for identifying the dropcloth, more quickly, and efficiently.
The present invention is directed to an improved dropcloth having the primary advantage of a coding system to more efficiently identify the specifications of each.
Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The following drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts, are provided for illustration of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner whatsoever.
The following descriptions of the preferred embodiments are presented to illustrate the present invention and are not to be construed to limit the claims in any manner whatsoever. In reference to the drawings, namely
The sizes of the dropcloths can be categorized as follows. Small drop cloths sizing from about three (3) to about four (4) feet wide by about four (4) to about six (6) feet long. Medium size drop cloths from about five (5) to about six (6) feet wide by about six (6) to about nine (9) feet long. Large drop cloths from about eight (8) to ten (10) feet wide to about ten (10) to about fourteen (14) feet long. A runner having a sizing of about three (3) to about four (4) feet width by about twelve (12) to about fifteen (15) feet length.
Nonetheless,
The dropcloth 1 is made from a material having a weight in the range of about four (4) to sixteen (16) ounces per square yard fabric weight prior to infusion, although it is preferred to be made from a material having a weight in the range of about eight (8) to ten (10) ounces per square yard fabric weight prior to infusion. Heavier weight material would weigh from about ten (10) to about fourteen (14) ounces per square yard of fabric weight.
Typically, dropcloths have perimeters that are hemmed, so as to prevent fraying of the material. In the preferred embodiment, the edge 14 is hemmed using one or more lines of stitching that go through both sides of the dropcloth, this enables the user to view the stitching from either direction 12a or 12b (topside or underside). More specifically, only one side is required 12a or 12b, although by going through both sides 12a, 12b, the stitching can be viewed and identified more readily when folded and stacked during storage. The thread used to stitch is about 1/32 of an inch to about 1/16 of an inch which is heavier thread used to manufacture denim. Typically, dropcloths get washed and hence the color should sustain washing. Moreover, the distance between each stitch is generally about one quarter inch.
An improved dropcloth 1 coding system 10 having at least one identifier 16, wherein said identifier 16 is positioned about the edge 14 of a dropcloth 1, wherein the identifier 16 is visible on at least one side 12a and/or 12b of the dropcloth 1.
Coding system 10 identifier includes a sizing identifier 16a which uses a color menu 16a-a. This color menu 16a-a of the sizing identifier 16a includes the colors blue, green, red, and yellow. Each color is assigned to a different sized dropcloth. Blue is assigned to large sized drop cloths. Red is assigned to medium sized drop cloths. Green is assigned to small sized drop cloths. Yellow is assigned to drop cloths that are sized for hallway and/or staircase runners.
The identifier 16 of coding system 10 includes a safety identifier 16b, which also includes a color menu 16b-b. The safety identifier 16b includes the color orange, and black with yellow.
The identifier 16 of coding system 10 may optionally include a weight identifier 16c, which also includes a color menu 16c-c. The color menu 16c-c includes the color black thus identifying a heavier gauge fabric.
All normal gauge dropcloths would use orange 16b and heavier gauge would use black with yellow 16b. For example, a small non-safety dropcloth would have two green stitches (e.g., both 16a, and 16b) around the edge 14, and as compared to a small safety dropcloth would have one green stitch 16a and one orange 16b. The same would be for a medium sized dropcloth, except 16a would be red, and 16b would orange. The large and runner safety sizes would have 16a as blue and yellow respectively. All heavier gauge dropcloths would have a black with yellow stitch 16b, and it is envisioned that the heavier gauges may additionally have a black and yellow striped border to further call attention to it (not shown).
All of the above referenced patents; patent applications and publications are hereby incorporated by reference. Many variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above detailed description. All such obvious modifications are within the full-intended spirit and scope of the claims of the present application.
