Patent Application
20180098654
The present invention relates to the hanging of articles, for example articles of manufacture, primarily for the purpose of drying. While such articles may include virtually any article, including tools, textiles, sponges, scrub brushes, footwear, and the like, the focus herein will be on paintbrushes.
Most manufacturers of paintbrushes have recommended guidelines or procedures for cleaning and properly caring for a paintbrush following its use. Indeed, these guidelines or procedures often come printed on the paintbrush package itself. While the actual cleaning procedures may differ depending on the paint or stain having been used, for example whether it is oil or water based, most manufacturers recommend hanging the paintbrush to air dry after cleaning. Only after complete drying should the paintbrush be returned to its original package. This helps to maintain bristle integrity and shape.
Despite the recommendation to hang a paintbrush for drying, to date there have been no completely suitable, simple, and clean solutions for hanging a brush. As such, a device to hang paintbrushes to dry is presented herein.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the invention provides for a drying clip for hanging articles from a member having a cross-sectional dimension, where the drying clip includes a grasping portion forming an arc with a first end and a second end, and an opening between the ends, the opening having a dimension less than the cross-sectional dimension of the member; a first arm extending from the grasping portion; a second arm extending from the grasping portion; wherein, when the grasping portion is fitted around the member, the member supports the drying clip and articles hung from the first and second arms thereof.
The member may have a circular cross-section.
The member may be a spout of a water faucet.
The articles may be paint brushes.
The drying clip may be unitarily formed.
The arc may be of constant radius.
The grasping portion may be resilient.
The first end and the second end may include terminus members angled outwardly to facilitate widening of the opening upon exertion of pressure thereon.
The first arm may extend from the grasping portion with a linear extension area thereof, the linear extension area extending to an inflection point.
The dimension of the opening may be less than 18 mm.
The drying clip may further comprise a flange extending along at least some portion of the grasping portion, first arm, and second arm, the flange providing strength for stiffening the drying clip.
The first end and the second end may include terminus members angled outwardly to facilitate widening of the opening upon exertion of pressure thereon, and the drying clip may further include a flange extending along at least some portion of the grasping portion, first arm, arid second arm, the flange providing strength for stiffening the drying clip.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a clip for attaching to a member with a circular cross-section is provided, the clip including a resilient grasping portion having an opening, the resilient grasping portion having a minor dimension; and a first arm and a second arm extending from the grasping portion in opposite directions from one another; wherein the opening of the resilient grasping portion may be spread apart to expand the minor dimension to fit over the member, and subsequently released to resiliently impart pressure upon the member, thereby attaching the clip to the member.
The minor dimension may be less than the diameter of the circular cross-section of the member.
The clip may further include a flange extending along the grasping portion for stiffening the grasping portion.
The clip may further include a flange extending along at least some portion of the resilient grasping portion, the first arm, and the second arm, for stiffening the drying clip.
In a still further embodiment of the invention, a kit of components may include at least one paint brush; at least one drying clip, each of the at least one drying clips comprising a grasping portion forming an arc with a first end and a second end, and an opening between the ends; a first arm extending from the grasping portion; a second arm extending from the grasping portion; wherein the grasping portion of one of the at least one drying clip may be fitted around a member to support the one of the at least one drying clip and at least one of the at least one paint brush may be hung from at least one of the first arm and the second arm.
Each of the at least one drying clips may further include a strengthening flange.
The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with features, objects, and advantages thereof, will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings. It is intended that any additional organizations, methods of operation, features, objects or advantages ascertained by one skilled in the art be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
With respect to the drawings,
In the following are described the preferred embodiments of the DRYING CLIP in accordance with the present invention. In describing the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner
to accomplish a similar purpose. Where like elements nave been depicted in multiple embodiments, identical reference numerals have been used in the multiple embodiments for ease of understanding.
As shown in
A grasping portion 108 is formed within the central portion 102 as a constant radius arc having a length greater than that of a semi-circle. This grasping portion 108 preferably spans approximately 315°, leaving an opening 110 of approximately 45°. In other embodiments, the grasping portion 108 may span greater or less than 315°, with preferred embodiments leaving an opening 110 having an opening distance “A” less than the diameter “B” of the grasping portion 108 (see
As will be discussed below, in preferred embodiments, the diameter “B” of the grasping portion 108 is less than the spout diameter of a conventional water faucet upon which the drying clip 100 will be placed, thus requiring the grasping portion 108 to be spread apart, temporarily lengthening the opening distance “A” (i.e. widening the opening), when fitted over a water faucet spout. In other embodiments where the grasping portion 108 may foe other than a constant radius arc, the “S” dimension is generally to be construed as the minor, or shortest dimension, across the grasping portion.
In the preferred embodiment, the “B” dimension is 18 mm. In other embodiments, the dimension may be less than 18 mm or greater than 18 mm, with preference to the dimensions of or between approximately 12 mm and 30 mm.
The inside surface 109 of the grasping portion is shown as being smooth, but it may be textured or otherwise treated, such as with an additional component, to increase friction between the inside surface 109 and the member upon which it is mounted.
Defining the opening 110 of the central portion 102 are terminus members 112, 114. In the embodiment shown in
As previously mentioned, the drying clip 100 includes two arms 104, 106 extending from the central portion 102 in opposite directions. Specifically, in the embodiment shown in
Each arm 104, 106 initially extends parallel to one another in respective linear extension areas 116, 118 until they reach inflection points 120, 122, and begin to bend in a direction, in the preferred embodiment, toward the head portion 124 of the grasping member 108, defined as that portion opposite the opening 110. Beyond the inflection points 120, 122 are respective curved portions 126, 128 of the arms 104, 106. In other embodiments the arms 104, 106 may take on different geometric configurations.
Although not required, in the embodiment of the drying clip 100 shown in
As previously discussed,
For completeness, it is noted that the drying clip 100′ also includes a grasping portion 108′ positioned between a pair of arms 104′, 106′, where the grasping portion has an inner surface 109′. Also provided is a flange 130′ extending around the grasping portion 108′ and the arms 104′, 106′. In this particular embodiment, it will be appreciated that the flange 130′ is not as pronounced in the arm area 104′, 106′ as in the area of the grasping portion 108′.
Paint brushes “PB,” and specifically apertures formed in their handles, may then be threaded through the arms 104, 106 respectively to hang the paint brushes for drying. While hanging, water trapped in the bristles of the paint brushes “PB” is permitted to drip into a sink. Notably, the curvature of the arms 104, 106 aids in preventing the paint brushes “PB” from sliding off the arms, as they might if the arms were completely linear.
Although reference has been made to water faucets and their spouts, the drying clips shown and described herein can be fitted over other members, preferably those having circular cross-sections, such as pipes, conduits, and the like.
Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/328,126, filed Apr. 27, 2016, entitled “Device/Clip On Faucet For The Ability To Allow Something To Hang Dry Over A Sink,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62328126 | Apr 2016 | US |
