Paintbrush and can opener combination

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6823553
  • Patent Number
    6,823,553
  • Date Filed
    Friday, December 12, 2003
    20 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 30, 2004
    19 years ago
Abstract
A paintbrush and can opener combination includes an elongated handle that has a first end and a second end. The second end includes an elongated forward edge. A plurality of bristles is attached to and extends away from the forward edge. An elongated plate has an attached end and a free end. The attached end is positioned within the handle and attached thereto such that the plate extends outwardly from the first end of the handle. The plate has a bend therein positioned generally between the free end and the handle.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to paintbrush devices and more particularly pertains to a new paintbrush device for providing a combination of a paintbrush and tool for opening a paint can.




2. Description of the Prior Art




The use of paintbrush devices is known in the prior art. Some of these devices, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,603,994 and 5,575,030 include a tool for aiding a person in opening a paint can. While these device fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that provides for a better tool for opening a paint can lid.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention meets the needs presented above by generally comprising an elongated handle that has a first end and a second end. The second end includes an elongated forward edge. A plurality of bristles is attached to and extends away from the forward edge. An elongated plate has an attached end and a free end. The attached end is positioned within the handle and attached thereto such that the plate extends outwardly from the first end of the handle. The plate has a bend therein positioned generally between the free end and the handle. The plate forms a lid key for opening a paint can lid.




There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.




The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:





FIG. 1

is a schematic side environmental view of a paintbrush and can opener combination according to the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a schematic perspective view of the present invention.





FIG. 3

is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first end of the handle of the present invention.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to

FIGS. 1 through 3

thereof, a new paintbrush device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral


10


will be described.




As best illustrated in

FIGS. 1 through 3

, the paintbrush and can opener combination


10


generally comprises an elongated handle


12


that has a first end


14


and a second end


16


. The second end


16


includes an elongated forward edge. A plurality of bristles


18


is attached to and extends away from the forward edge, or second end


16


. The handle


12


has a top surface


20


, a bottom surface


22


and a peripheral edge


24


.




An elongated plate


26


has an attached end


28


and a free end


30


. The attached end


28


is positioned within the handle


12


and attached thereto such that the plate


26


extends outwardly from the first end


14


of the handle


12


. The plate


26


has a bend


32


therein positioned generally between the free end


30


and the handle


12


. The bend


32


is substantially equal to ninety degrees. A line extending between the free end


30


and the bend


32


is orientated substantially perpendicular to a plane of the top surface


20


. The plate


26


extends generally between ¼ and 2 inches away from the handle


12


. The plate


26


has a length from the bend


32


to the free end


30


generally between ¼ inch and 1 inch. The plate


26


is comprised of a rigid metallic material such as, for example, steel.




A loop member


34


is mounted in the handle


12


and extends through the top


20


and bottom


22


surfaces of the handle. The loop member


34


is positioned adjacent to the first end


14


of the handle


12


. The loop member


34


comprises a metallic material which is preferably the same material of which the plate


26


is constructed. The loop member


34


is integrally coupled to the attached end


28


of the plate


26


.




In use, the paintbrush


12


is used as a conventional paintbrush used for painting. The loop member


34


may be used as a ring for hanging the combination


10


on a vertical surface and as an anchor for the plate


26


. The plate


26


is used for lifting a cover


8


up from a paint can


7


as shown in FIG.


1


. This will prevent the need for a tool, such as a screwdriver, for lifting the cover


8


from the can


7


.




With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.




Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.



Claims
  • 1. A paintbrush and can opener combination device comprising:an elongated handle having a first end and a second end, said second end including an elongated forward edge, a plurality of bristles being attached to and extending away from said forward edge, said handle having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge; an elongated plate having an attached end and a free end, said attached end being positioned within said handle and attached thereto such that said plate extends outwardly from said first end of said handle, said plate having a bend therein positioned generally between said free end and said handle said bend being substantially equal to ninety degrees, a line extending between said free end and said bend being orientated substantially perpendicular to a plane of said top surface; and a loop member being mounted in said handle and extending through said top and bottom surfaces of said handle, said loop member being positioned adjacent to said first end of said handle, said loop member comprising a metallic material, said loop member being integrally coupled to said attached end of said plate.
  • 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said plate extends generally between ¼ and 2 inches away from said handle.
  • 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said plate has a length from said bend to said free end generally between ¼ inch and 1 inch.
  • 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said plate has a length from said bend to said free end generally between ¼ inch and 1 inch.
  • 5. A paintbrush and can opener combination device comprising:an elongated handle having a first end and a second end, said second end including an elongated forward edge, a plurality of bristles being attached to and extending away from said forward edge, said handle having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge; an elongated plate having an attached end and a free end, said attached end being positioned within said handle and attached thereto such that said plate extends outwardly from said first end of said handle, said plate having a bend therein positioned generally between said free end and said handle, said bend being substantially equal to ninety degrees, a line extending between said free end and said bend being orientated substantially perpendicular to a plane of said top surface, said plate extending generally between ¼ and 2 inches away from said handle, said plate having a length from said bend to said free end generally between ¼ inch and 1 inch; and a loop member being mounted in said handle and extending through said top and bottom surfaces of said handle, said loop member being positioned adjacent to said first end of said handle, said loop member comprising a metallic material, said loop member being integrally coupled to said attached end of said plate.
US Referenced Citations (12)
Number Name Date Kind
122186 Michaels et al. Dec 1871 A
1421478 Hope Jul 1922 A
D117933 Manchester et al. Dec 1939 S
2447862 Kane Aug 1948 A
2603991 Oliver Jul 1952 A
3109619 Krug et al. Nov 1963 A
4741064 Riegert et al. May 1988 A
4757568 Jones Jul 1988 A
4835812 Su Jun 1989 A
5419000 Amato et al. May 1995 A
D366150 Suchomel Jan 1996 S
5575030 Girard Nov 1996 A
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
2602223 Jul 1977 DE
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry
Derwent publication 1999-181335 relating to 1997AU-0007932, published Jan. 1999.