PAINTBRUSH WITH ADJUSTABLE FERRULE

Abstract

A paintbrush (1) having adjustable control of bristle length comprises a handle (2), a plurality of bristles (3), an inner ferrule (4) and an outer ferrule (7) mounted on the inner ferrule (4). The outer ferrule (7) comprises at least one moveable portion (8) arranged to surround the bristles (3), the at least one moveable portion (8) being moveable from a retracted position along the bristles (3) to an extended position wherein the at least one moveable portion (8) surrounds the bristles (3) along at least a portion of the length of the bristles, the extended position being selected to provide a desired amount of bristle length beyond the distal end of the moveable portion or to extend beyond the length of the bristles.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a paintbrush having an adjustable ferrule for controlling the bristles of the paintbrush, in particular for controlling the length of the bristles for use in painting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Paintbrushes are well known for applying paint to surfaces. However, even for skilled painters, it is difficult to apply paint to narrow or restricted areas, such as edges and window frames. A variety of ways of addressing these problems have been suggested in the prior art such as using masking tape or removable bristle guards. However, most are either complicated to use or have problems such as causing smearing of paint or affecting adjacent surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a paintbrush which can provide adjustable control of bristle length. The paintbrush comprises a handle, a plurality of bristles and an inner ferrule for mounting the bristles to the handle, the inner ferrule having a proximal end adjacent the handle and a distal end adjacent the bristles. The paintbrush further comprises an outer ferrule mounted on the inner ferrule, wherein the outer ferrule comprises at least one moveable portion having proximal and distal ends and the at least one moveable portion is arranged to surround the bristles. The at least one moveable portion has a retracted position wherein it is positioned over the inner ferrule with the distal end of the at least one moveable portion positioned adjacent the distal end of the inner ferrule, and the at least one moveable portion can be moved from the retracted position along the bristles to an extended position wherein the at least one moveable portion surrounds the bristles along at least a portion of the length of the bristles, the extended position being selected to provide a desired amount of bristle length beyond the distal end of the moveable portion or to extend beyond the length of the bristles to fully enclose them.

The outer ferrule comprising at least one moveable portion provides a guard that can be used to control the length of bristles that are to be used for painting a surface. The moveable portion can be retracted to allow the brush to be replenished with paint or for use for general surface painting. The moveable portion can be moved a desired amount along the bristles to provide a controlled length of bristle for painting a particular surface or area. The moveable portion controls the spread of the bristles, with more control being provided as the moveable portion is moved towards the distal end of the bristles. In some embodiments, the moveable portion can be extended over the full length of the bristles to fully enclose them to confine and protect the bristles during storage. Advantageously the moveable portion can provide an airtight enclosure when fully extended to prevent bristles with paint still on them from drying out between uses.

The moveable portion can be formed as a sleeve that surrounds the inner ferrule and that can be slid along the length of the bristles. Alternatively the moveable portion can be formed as two or more plates. The plates may be connected together at one or more positions along their lengths or may be independently mounted on the paintbrush.

The moveable portion can be formed of a flexible material or a rigid material. In some embodiments, the rigidity of the material may also vary along the length of the moveable portion, with the material being more flexible towards the distal end of the moveable portion.

The moveable portion may have a friction fit to the inner ferrule so that it can be moved to various positions along the length of the bristles and it then remains in place due to the friction hold between the inner and outer ferrule surfaces. Alternatively, the moveable portion can be held in set positions by means of corresponding dimples and bumps on an outer surface of the inner ferrule and an inner surface of the outer ferrule or at least one moveable portion. In an advantageous arrangement, a releasable catch mechanism is provided which when released enables the moveable portion to move and when engaged holds the moveable portion in a set position. Such a catch mechanism may comprise one or more resilient tabs on the outer ferrule or moveable portion and corresponding slots on the inner ferrule. Any suitable catch mechanism can be used that allows the moveable portion to be moved as required and that retains it in the desired set position or positions.

If the at least one moveable portion comprises two or more plates, these plates can be of different lengths, depending on the requirements for use of the paintbrush. For example, the moveable portion can comprise two plates, a front plate and a back plate, and one of these can extend further along the length of the bristles than the other.

The moveable portion can also be shaped such that one side extends further up the bristles than the other side. In such an arrangement, where the bristles have a left side and a right side, the moveable portion is longer on one side than on the other side such that as the moveable portion moves along the bristles, its distal end is positioned diagonally with respect to the distal end of the inner ferrule and across the bristles, which may be straight across or cut on a diagonal with respect to the inner ferrule.

In certain advantageous embodiments, the at least one moveable portion is arranged to compress the bristles as the at least one moveable portion is moved towards the end of the bristles. Advantageously, the moveable portion comprises at least two plates arranged as a front plate and a rear plate. Advantageously, the plates may have tab portions that engage with grooves on the inner ferrule with the grooves being arranged to converge toward the distal end of the inner ferrule to bring the two plates closer together. The inner ferrule may comprise at least one pair of grooves, the grooves converging towards the distal end of the inner ferrule, and the front plate comprises at least one tab that engages with one of the pair of grooves and the rear plate comprises at least one tab that engages with the other of the pair of grooves.

In an alternative arrangement, the proximal ends of the front plate and the rear plate may be arranged to move apart as the moveable portion is moved along the bristles to rotate the distal ends of the plates together in a pincer-like action to compress bristles at the distal ends of the plates as the moveable portion is moved towards an extended position, In another alternative, the plates may be arranged to move in a scissor-like action to bring the distal ends of the plates together. Alternatively or additionally, the plates may be connected by a hinge portion and may be arranged to rotate from a position in which the plates are parallel to a position in which the distal ends of the plates are moved closer together.

The compression of the bristles can be used to provide control of the bristles for painting fine lines and other fine work, and can also be used to squeeze the bristles to remove excess paint as the moveable portion is moved to an extended position.

To have a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following non-limiting description of the invention and embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic form in the interests of clarity and conciseness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B show perspective views of a paintbrush having adjustable control of bristle length in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, with a moveable portion shown in a retracted and extended position, respectively;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the invention with a moveable portion shown in a retracted and extended position, respectively;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a perspective view of a paintbrush 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The paintbrush 1 comprises a handle 2 and a plurality of bristles 3, which are mounted to the handle 2 by an inner ferrule 4. The inner ferrule 4 has a proximal end 5 adjacent the handle 2 and a distal end 6 adjacent the bristles 3. Mounted over the inner ferrule 4 is an outer ferrule 7 which comprises a moveable portion in the form of a sleeve 8. The sleeve 8 encircles the bristles 3 at the distal end 6 of the inner ferrule 4. The sleeve 8 can be moved from a retracted position 9 as shown in FIG. 1A, where it is positioned over the inner ferrule 4, to an extended position 10 as shown in FIG. 1B. The extended position 10 can be at any desired position along the length of the bristles 3 and can extend along the full length of the bristles 3 to fully enclose them, if required.

The sleeve 8 can be slid up and down over the inner ferrule 4 and can be held in position by suitable means. Examples of such means that are not illustrated may include a friction fit, or corresponding dimples and bumps on the outer surface of the inner ferrule 4 and inner surface of the sleeve 8. One suitable means is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and this comprises a resilient tab 11 mounted on the sleeve 8 that cooperates with a corresponding slot 12 on the inner ferrule 4.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the paintbrush 1 in accordance with the invention. Those features that are the same as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B have the same reference numerals. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the outer ferrule 7 comprises a moveable portion in the form of two plates 20 and 21. The outer ferrule 7 may comprise a plurality of plates that may be interconnected or that may be mounted separately on the inner ferrule 4. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, two plates 20, 21 are mounted on opposite sides of the inner ferrule 4. The plates 20, 21 are mounted on the inner ferrule 4 by a tab 22 that is inserted in a groove 23 on the inner ferrule 4. The tab 22 can move along the groove 23 as the plate 20,21 is moved from a retracted position to an extended position and vice versa. The plates 20,21 are each retained in position by a resilient tab 24 that engages with a slot 25.

In one embodiment of the invention, the grooves 23 are parallel and the plates 20,21 move along the length of the bristles 3 on parallel paths. In an alternative embodiment, which is shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and FIG. 3, the grooves 23 converge towards the distal end 6 of the inner ferrule 4. As the plates 20,21 are moved towards an extended position the tabs 22 in the grooves 23 are brought closer together such that the distal ends of the plates 20,21 are moved towards each other and act to compress the bristles 3 together. This can be used for greater control when painting or can be used to squeeze paint out of the bristles 3 prior to storage or cleaning.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inner ferrule 4 further includes a wedge formation 26, in which the tab retention slot 25 may be formed. The wedge 26 is shaped to assist in forcing the distal ends of the plates 20,21 together as the plates 20,21 are moved to an extended position.

The plates 20,21 may be different lengths, depending on the desired use of the paintbrush. They may also be positioned with their distal ends at an angle to the bristles 3, which may also be cut on a diagonal, as is desirable for some painting applications.

The sleeve 8 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and the plates 20,21 shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3 can extend fully beyond the length of the bristles to enclose them and hence form a brush guard that can be used for protection of the bristles 3 or for storage.

Preferences and options for a given aspect, feature or parameter of the invention should, unless the context indicates otherwise, be regarded as having been disclosed in combination with any and all preferences and options of all other aspects, features and parameters of the invention.

While the embodiments described herein are intended as exemplary, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention Is not limited to the embodiments illustrated. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations and modifications by means of the skilled person's common knowledge without departing from the scope of the invention, however, such variations and modifications should fall into the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A paintbrush having adjustable control of bristle length, the paintbrush comprising: a handle;a plurality of bristles;an inner ferrule for mounting the bristles to the handle, the inner ferrule having a proximal end adjacent the handle and a distal end adjacent the bristles

2-4. canceled

5. A paintbrush according to claim 1 wherein the proximal ends of the front plate and the rear plate are moved apart to rotate the distal ends of the plates together to compress bristles at the distal ends of the plates as the at least one moveable portion is moved towards an extended position.

6. A paintbrush according to claim 1, wherein the inner ferrule comprises at least one pair of grooves, the grooves converging towards the distal end of the inner ferrule, and the front plate comprises at least one tab that engages with one of the pair of grooves and the rear plate comprises at least one tab that engages with the other of the pair of grooves.

7. A paintbrush according to claim 5, wherein the inner ferrule comprises a wedge, the wedge shaped to assist in forcing the distal ends of the plates together as the plates are moved to an extended position.

8. A paintbrush according to claim 1 wherein the front plate and the rear plate are connected by a hinge portion and are arranged to rotate from a position where the plates are parallel to one another to a position where the distal ends of the plates are moved closer to each other.

9. A paintbrush according to claim 1, wherein the front plate and the rear plate are different lengths.

10. A paintbrush according to claim 1, wherein the at least one moveable portion is retained in set positions by means of corresponding dimples and bumps on an outer surface of the inner ferrule and an inner surface of the at least one moveable portion.

11. A paintbrush according to claim 1, further comprising a releasable catch mechanism mounted on one or both of the inner ferrule and the at least one movable portion, the catch mechanism being released to allow at least one moveable portion to move.

12. A paintbrush according to claim 11 wherein the catch mechanism is operable at set positions to retain the at least one moveable portion in preselected positions over the bristles.

13. A paintbrush according to claim 11, wherein the catch mechanism comprises at least one resilient tab on the at least one moveable portion and at least one corresponding slot on the inner ferrule.

14. A paintbrush according to claim 13 wherein the slots are arranged at set positions to retain the at least one moveable portion in preselected positions relative to the length of the bristles.

15. A paintbrush according to claim 1, wherein the at least one moveable portion can be moved to an extended position that completely encloses the bristles.

16. A paintbrush according to claim 1, wherein the at least one moveable portion is arranged to compress the bristles as the at least one moveable portion is moved towards the end of the bristles.

17. A paintbrush according to claim 1, wherein the bristles have a left side and a right side and the at least one moveable portion is longer at one of the left or right sides than the other of the sides such that the distal end of the at least one moveable portion is positioned diagonally with respect to the distal end of the inner ferrule.

18. A paintbrush according to claim 5, wherein the inner ferrule comprises at least one pair of grooves, the grooves converging towards the distal end of the inner ferrule, and the front plate comprises at least one tab that engages with one of the pair of grooves and the rear plate comprises at least one tab that engages with the other of the pair of grooves.

19. A paintbrush according to claim 6, wherein the inner ferrule comprises a wedge, the wedge shaped to assist in forcing the distal ends of the plates together as the plates are moved to an extended position.

20. A paintbrush according to claim 5, wherein the front plate and the rear plate are connected by a hinge portion and are arranged to rotate from a position where the plates are parallel to one another to a position where the distal ends of the plates are moved closer to each other.

21. A paintbrush according to claim 5, wherein the front plate and the rear plate are different lengths.

22. A paintbrush according to claim 5, wherein the at least one moveable portion is retained in set positions by means of corresponding dimples and bumps on an outer surface of the inner ferrule and an inner surface of the at least one moveable portion.

23. A paintbrush according to claim 5, further comprising a releasable catch mechanism mounted on one or both of the inner ferrule and the at least one movable portion, the catch mechanism being released to allow at least one moveable portion to move.