DRAWINGS
Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.
FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a paintbrush with a cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel.
FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a paintbrush with a cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel and an ergonomically shaped handle.
FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a paintbrush with cantilevered panel removed, thereby illustrating the manner in which the bristle pack fits within the interior cavity of the body of the paintbrush.
FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a cantilevered bristle clamping panel.
FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a box-shaped bristle holder.
FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of a cantilevered bristle clamping panel.
FIG. 7 illustrates an end view of a cantilevered bristle clamping panel.
FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a cantilevered bristle clamping panel.
FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of a bristle holder.
FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a bristle holder.
FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevation view of a bristle holder.
FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric view of a spring clip.
FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of a spring clip.
FIG. 14 illustrates a plan view of a paint brush with an alternative design of cantilevered bristle clamping panel.
FIG. 15 illustrates an isometric view of a paintbrush with cantilevered panel removed and a coil spring in place of a spring clip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
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.
Unlike conventional paint brushes, which typically are constructed of a wooden handle, a ferrule, a bristle separating member, nails and bristles, the main components of the paint brush according to the invention comprise four pieces, namely a one-piece injection molded handle with bristle pack receiving cavity, and a bristle holder, a cantilevered bristle gripping panel and a panel pressure yield spring. The panel pressure yield spring holds the cantilevered panel in a bristle pack holding position unless the panel is pressed at a pressure site to tip the panel upwardly and release the bristle pack.
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a paintbrush with the cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel according to the embodiment of the invention. As seen in FIG. 1, the paintbrush 2 is constructed with a removable bristle pack 4 and a cantilevered bristle pack clamping panel 6, which pivots about pivot point 8. The removable bristle pack 4 can be removed from the cavity in the base of the paint brush 2 by pressing down on the cantilevered bristle gripping panel 6 at pressure site 24. This action tilts the opposite end 22 of the panel 6 upwardly, thereby releasing pressure exerted by the bristle clamping ridge 22 on the bristle pack 4.
FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a paintbrush with cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel and an ergonomically shaped handle which is a second embodiment of the invention. Essentially, the basic construction of the brush is the same except that the ergonomic shaped handle 12 provides a hand friendly configuration which enables a painter to grip and to control the paintbrush 2.
FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a paintbrush with the cantilevered panel removed, thereby illustrating the manner in which the bristle pack 4 and bristle holder 16 fit within the interior of the base of the paintbrush. As seen in FIG. 3, the bristle pack 4 with its glued end encased in the bristle holder 16 has ridges 18 on each side which enable the bristle holder 16 to slide readily into the cavity in the body of the paintbrush. The ridges 18 fit in corresponding grooves which are formed in the side walls of the cavity in the body of the paintbrush. When the cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel 6 is in place, bristle pack 4 with bristle holder 16 can still be inserted readily into and removed from the cavity along the grooves formed in the side walls of the cavity of the paintbrush. Also seen in FIG. 3, is a clip spring 34 which is embedded in the handle-end of the cavity of the paintbrush.
FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a cantilevered bristle clamping panel. As seen in FIG. 4, the cantilever bristle pack gripping panel 6 is constructed with a pivot rod 20 extending laterally on the underside across the width of the panel 6. A downwardly extending bristle clamp ridge 22 is formed in one end of the panel 6. That end of the panel also has on the underside of the panel a parallel bristle gripping ridge 30 which enhances gripping action of the panel 6 on the bristle pack 4. The ridges 22 and 30 also retard paint seeping into the bristles which are under the panel 6. A pair of laterally extending stiffening ridges 26 are formed in the top of the panel 6. A circular concave depression in the opposite end of the panel 6 forms a pressure site 24. When depressed at this site, the panel tilts along rod 20, thereby lifting ridge 22.
FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a box-shaped bristle holder. As seen in FIG. 5, the bristle holder 16 has a hollow box-like construction. A pair of guide ridges 18 are formed on the exterior of each side of the holder 16. The interior of the holder 16 has formed therein a ridge 32 which assists in enabling the holder 16 to hold the bristles. The ridge 32 exerts pressure on the bristles and retards paint migration along the bristles.
FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of a cantilevered bristle clamping panel. As seen in FIG. 6, the panel 6 has a laterally extending pivot rod 20, the ends of which fit in corresponding holes formed in each side of the cavity in the paint brush body (see FIG. 1). The panel 6 also has formed on the top side, stiffening ridges 26 and pressure site 24. The panel 6 has formed on the underside, bristle clamping ridge 22, gripping ridge 30 and downwardly protruding post 28.
FIG. 7 illustrates an end view of the cantilevered bristle clamping panel. FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the cantilevered bristle clamping panel. FIG. 8, in particular, illustrates the downwardly protruding post 26, which prevents the cantilevered panel 6 from being depressed beyond a certain point. The gripping ridge 30 and the bristle clamping ridge 22 cooperate to grip the bristles through the open top edge 31 of the bristle holder 16 (see FIG. 5).
FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of the bristle holder. As seen in FIG. 9, the bristle holder 16, in a specific embodiment, has a rectangular box-like construction, with opposite guide ridges 18 on each side. The front portion of the top of the bristle holder 16 is cut away to leave an opening which is defined by ridge 31. The opening enables the bristle clamping ridge 22 and the gripping ridge 30 of the panel 6 to drop down onto the bristles held by the bristle holder 16 and thereby grip the bristle holder and bristles firmly in place. As an option, the word “TOP” and a pair of directional triangles can be formed in the top surface of the bristle holder 16 to facilitate the painter inserting the bristle pack 4 properly into the interior cavity of the body of the paint brush (see FIG. 3).
FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of the bristle holder. FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevation view of a bristle holder. FIG. 10, in particular, illustrates the pair of side guide ridges 18 formed in the exterior sides of the bristle holder 16. As seen in FIG. 11, a portion of the top surface of the bristle holder 16 is cut away to form an opening with ridge 31 at the interior edge. FIG. 11 also illustrates guide ridge 18 and, in dotted lines, the bristle gripping ridge 32 on the interior of the bristle holder 16.
FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric view of a spring clip. FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the spring clip. As seen in FIG. 12, the clip spring 34 is formed so that it has an enclosed rectangular shaped body 36 with a protrusion and lip 38 extending from one end thereof. The function of the spring clip 34, as seen in FIG. 3, is to hold the cantilevered panel 6 in an upwardly bristle and bristle holder gripping position, while the bristle pack is in place in the paintbrush and the paintbrush is in use. However, when the painter wishes to remove the bristle pack and bristle holder 16, the painter simply depresses pressure site 24, which in turn depresses the lip 38 of clip spring 34 (see FIG. 3), thereby tilting the panel 6 upwardly at the bristle gripping end 22, thereby releasing the bristle pack 4.
FIG. 14 illustrates a plan view of a paint brush with an alternative design of cantilevered bristle clamping panel. FIG. 15 illustrates an isometric view of a paintbrush with cantilevered panel removed and a coil spring in place of a spring clip. The pentagonal shaped panel 6 illustrated in FIG. 14 is a second embodiment and is useful if a larger finger pressing area is desired for operating the cantilevered panel. It is understood that other outlines of panels are within the scope of the invention. The coil spring 34 illustrated in FIG. 15 is an alternative design of spring clip. It may be preferred in certain instances. It is understood that other designs of spring clips are feasible within the scope of the invention.
The cantilevered panel paint brush has a number of improvements over conventional paint brushes:
- 1. The bristle holder box that holds the bristles or filaments. This box has precision measurements and, along with the two side tracks, allows the bristle pack to slide easily into the cavity in the paint brush body. This secure fit prevents movement of the bristles while painting. The box has extended ridges to hold the bristles and prevent seepage. These ridges also deter fanning of bristles when the bristles are squeezed by the flap.
- 2. The paint brush handle and body. The paint brush handle and body are produced in two steps. The first step is to form the main part which has two inserts in the cavity in the head for the guide ridges of the box to fit into. The handle and body are produced from a tough and durable plastic such as high density polyethylene. The second step is to apply a soft touch coating to give a more comfortable feel for the user. As an option, the handle can be formed in an ergonomic shape, suitable for left or right handed painters.
- 3. The cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel. The panel has ridges that squeeze the bristles and hold the bristle pack securely. The combination of the ridges and pressure on the bristles prevents paint from seeping onto the bristles.
- 4. The clip spring. This is flat stainless steel and is used to determine the amount of squeeze of the flap. The engineered spring allows for a professional method of just pressing the flap to release or insert the bristle pack.
Together, these components allow for a precision made high quality paint brush that affords easier cleaning and replacement of bristle at a substantial saving over buying an entire new brush merely because the bristles or filaments have become worn or clogged with paint.
While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.
Patent Application
20080060158
