Patent Application
20060045973
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable
The present invention relates generally to painting and, more particularly, to devices for shield for painting.
As is well known in the art, painting large structures, such as houses, is significant undertaking. To increase the overall efficiency of the project, a great deal of time is spent preparing the house or structure for an application of paint. For example, especially when spraying paint, windows, doors and the like should be covered to prevent paint intended for the exterior wall from reaching the windows and doors. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, covering and protecting surfaces that should not be painted is quite time consuming.
It would, therefore, be desirable to decrease the time required to prepare a structure to be painted.
The present invention provides a device to quickly cover predetermined areas to prevent the undesired application of paint when painting adjacent areas. With this arrangement, the preparation time for a house to be painted is decreased so that the overall painting process efficiency is enhanced.
In one embodiment, a paint shield device includes a first member overlapping with a second member and a bias member coupled to the first and second members. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second members are generally flat and somewhat rigid. A bias member biases the first and second members to a first amount of overlap at a non-use position and against a second amount of overlap less than the first amount. With this arrangement, the first and second members can be separated to some extent and secured by the bias member across a door or window for example.
In another embodiment, a paint shield device includes first and second members and a bias member secured to the first and second members. The device is well-suited for placement inside an opening to cover a window, for example. To position the device inside a window opening, the first and second members are forced together to increase an amount of overlap. Upon release, the bias member pressures the first and second members against window opening. Protruding members on the first and/or second member can enable a user to pull the device out of the window opening.
The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
In one embodiment, the system 100 includes substantially flat first and second members 102,104 that can reciprocate with respect to each other. A bias member 106 is secured to the first and second members 102, 104 to bias the first and second members in a desired position. The system 100 includes at least one gripping mechanism 108 secured to an edge or outer region of the first member 102 and at least one gripping mechanism 108 secured to an edge or outer region of the second member 104.
In operation, the paint shield system 100 is movable between a use position (shown) and a non-use position. In the non-use position, the first and second members 102, 104 are generally at a maximum overlap. In the use position, pressure is applied against the bias member 106 to separate the first and second members 102, 104 along an axis 110 to extend an area covered by the first and second members. The first and second members 102, 104 are moved to decrease the amount of overlap. At the desired separation, the opposing gripper mechanisms 108 can be applied to the desired locations to secure the paint shield in position.
For example, the first and second members 102, 104 can be separated to a length greater than a width of the door 10. A user can then place the paint shield system 100 across the door 10 so that the gripper mechanisms engage outer surfaces of a doorjamb, for example. The bias member 106 pressures the gripper mechanisms 108 against the door surfaces with a force that is sufficient to retain the paint shield system 100 in place.
In the illustrated embodiment, the first member 202 includes a first aperture 210 and the second member 204 includes a second aperture 212. In general, the first aperture 210 in the first member 202 is proximate an end of the second member 204 and the second aperture 212 in the second member 204 is proximate an end of the first member in the non-use position. The elastomeric bias member 206, here shown as a stretchable cord, is generally without tension in the non-use position.
As the first and second members 202, 204 are pulled apart to the use position, the bias member 206 is stretched and placed in tension. The resultant tension in the stretched cord of the bias member 206 pressures the hooks 208 into a surface so as to secure the paint shield in position.
In another embodiment (not shown), further flaps extend from one or both of the first and second member ends. It is understood that a range of configurations are possible to extend the coverage ability of the paint shield device about its perimeter.
Exemplary bias members include springs, elastic cords, and rubber bands. Illustrative elastic and inelastic materials for the paint-blocking member include canvas, urethane-based plastic, sheets having embedded elastic cords, and the like.
In general, the first and second end members 302, 304 are pulled apart to stretch the elastomeric member 306 such that the elastomeric member pressures the gripper mechanisms against respective surfaces while in the use position.
The paint shield 300 can further include an optional top member 310 secured to the elastomeric member 306. The top member 310 can include a telescoping member 312 to optimize coverage at a top of the paint shield 300.
It is understood that the elastomeric member can be provided in a range of materials that are suitable to block paint and to generate sufficient pressure on the gripper mechanisms in the use positions. Suitable materials for the elastomeric member will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the elastomeric member can include embedded elastics to provide a desired elasticity.
The first and second end members 302, 304 can be formed from a variety of well-known materials providing suitable rigidity. Exemplary materials include plastics, metals, and polymeric materials.
It is understood that the extendable portion 402 of the first and second members 202′, 204′ can comprise any suitable area to provide the desired elasticity. In one embodiment, the extendible portion 402 is coupled to the bottom of the first and second members 202′, 204′. A weight coupled to the extendable portion 402 is effective to extend the extendible portion down to the ground. It is understood that the extendible portion 402 can be formed from a wide range of suitable elastic and inelastic materials.
To secure the paint shield device 500 in position, the first and second members 502, 504 are pushed together to increase the amount of overlap and the device is placed within a window opening, for example. The bias member 506 biases the first and second members 502, 504 apart so as to force the first member against an upper portion of the window opening and to force the second member against a lower portion of the window opening. Protruding members 510 enable a user to easily pull the device out of the window opening after use.
When the first and second members 502, 504 are pushed together to place the device in a window opening, the cord is stretched so that the first and second members push against the window opening. Protruding members in the form of loops 510 can be pulled to remove the device from the window opening.
In general, the dimensions of the paint shield should be sized to cover a particular area. For example doors and windows typically have standard sizes to which the paint shield can be dimensioned for optimal performance. In addition, the height of the paint shield can be readily selected to meet the needs of a particular application. For example, a paint shield can have a height that substantially corresponds to that of a standard door height. In addition, while the invention is primarily shown and described in conjunction with exterior painting applications, it is understood that the invention is applicable to interior painting, painting and staining hobby projects, and applying materials to furniture.
It is understood that the various components described in the exemplary embodiments herein can be provided from a wide range of devices and parts. For example, suitable structures for the bias member include elastic cords, springs, rubber bands, stretchable fabrics, and the like. Accordingly, the term bias member should be construed broadly to include various items than can apply pressure. In addition, it will be appreciated that the bias member can be secured to the first and second members in a wide variety of ways to achieve a desired function without departing from the invention. Further, movement of first and second members can be guided by a wide range of suitable structures known to one of ordinary skill in the art including guides, rails, and the like.
Similarly, the gripper mechanism should be construed broadly to include structures that can facilitate securing the paint shield system to a desired position. Exemplary gripper mechanisms include high friction and textured surfaces, hooks, sharp protrusions, and the like.
It is further understood that the structure of the first and second members can vary. The first and second members can be provided having any suitable thickness and material that is suitable to block paint. Exemplary materials include plastic and cardboard of suitable rigidity. The first and second member can be formed from materials that are quite rigid as well as materials that are not rigid at all. Further, the term flat should not be construed to require any particular surface smoothness but rather merely to imply a length that is substantially more than a thickness.
In addition, embodiments are contemplated in which the gripper mechanisms are effective to secure the paint shield device to a structure independent from the bias member. Further, it is understood that bias member can be coupled to a perimeter component of the paint shield device without attachment to an interior member, such as a non-elastomeric sheet material.
The present invention provides a paint shield that is effective cover selected areas, such as doors and windows, while paint is applied to a structure. The paint shield can be quickly and easily placed in a desired position to reduce the paint preparation time. In addition to the concomitant convenience, professional painters will enjoy a commercial advantage from the reduced preparation and clean up time.
One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
