Patent Application
20060117509
This invention relates to a paintbrush. This invention also relates to a handgrip for a paintbrush.
Artists typically work with paintbrush tools that have long shafts that are in some cases so thin as to be difficult to grip with comfort. The difficulty frequently increases with extended use.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a paintbrush, particularly an artists' paintbrush, with a handgrip that enhances the comfort of using the paintbrush.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a paintbrush, particularly an artists' paintbrush, with a handgrip that facilitates the use of the paintbrush.
It is a related object of the present invention to provide a handgrip for a paintbrush, particularly an artist paintbrush, which enhances the comfort of using the paintbrush.
A further object of the present invention to provide a handgrip for a paintbrush, an particularly artist paintbrush, which facilitates the use the paintbrush.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide such a handgrip that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to attach to a paintbrush shaft.
These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the drawings and descriptions herein. Although every object of the invention is attained by at least one embodiment of the invention, there is not necessarily any single embodiment that achieves all of the objects of the invention.
The present invention is directed in part to a paintbrush comprising a handle or shaft member, a ferrule attached to one end of the handle, at least one brush head secured to the ferrule at an end thereof opposite the handle, and a handgrip disposed on the handle. The handgrip comprises a tubular outer body surrounding a sleeve which in turn receives a rod-like extension of the handle. The ferrule is attached to the rod via an end cap surrounding the free end of the rod and inserted inside the ferrule.
More specifically, a paintbrush in accordance with the present invention comprises a substantially rigid handle and a substantially rigid rod extending longitudinally from the handle at one end thereof. The rod has a diameter smaller than the transverse dimension (e.g., diameter) of the handle. A handgrip is disposed about and attached to the rod. The handgrip is made at least in part of a resilient material such as rubber. A ferrule is attached to the rod at a free end thereof opposite the handle, and at least one brush head is secured to the ferrule at an end thereof opposite the handle, rod, and handgrip.
Pursuant to another feature of the present invention, the handgrip comprises a substantially rigid inner sleeve and a tubular outer body made of a resilient elastic material. The rod traverses the sleeve, while the outer body surrounds the sleeve and the rod. Preferably, the rod, the sleeve, and the outer body of the handgrip are all coaxial and axially symmetric.
Pursuant to other, more specific features of the present invention, the sleeve of the handgrip is bonded or glued to the rod. The outer body is injection molded onto the sleeve, but may be attached thereto by some other method such as adhesive bonding.
The outer body of the handgrip may have a contoured shape with an outer surface tapering radially inwardly from the opposite ends of the handgrip so that the outer surface has a minimum diameter intermediate between the first end and the second end. In addition, the outer body preferably has a rounded contour at the ends and a radius of curvature (a concave profile) at the minimum diameter.
The outer body is preferably made of a rubber material such as styrene-dibutene-styrene, while the sleeve is made of a harder polymeric material such as polypropylene. The handle and the rod are preferably integrally formed of the same hard material such as an acrylic polymer.
According to additional features of the present invention, the sleeve and the outer body of the handgrip are lengthwise substantially coextensive. The rod is preferably longer than the sleeve and the outer body and extending into the ferrule.
According to yet a further feature of the present invention, the ferrule is attached to the free end of the rod via an end cap attached to the free end of the rod. The end cap may be glued on an inner side to the rod and on an outer side to the ferrule. Typically, the ferrule is made of a metallic composition. The end cap may be provided with one or more circumferential grooves that enhance the attachment of the ferrule to the handle (via the end cap and rod).
A paintbrush with a handgrip in accordance with the present invention is easier to grip than a conventional paintbrush without a handgrip. The handgrip is firmly attached to the handle of the brush via the sleeve portion of the handgrip, while the resilient or elastic character of the outer body provides for a particularly comfortable use experience.
A paintbrush with a handgrip in accordance with the present invention is more comfortable to use than a conventional paintbrush without a handgrip.
A paintbrush 10 comprises a handle 12, a ferrule 14 attached to one end of the handle, at least one brush head 16 secured to the ferrule at an end thereof opposite the handle, and a handgrip 18 disposed on the handle. Handgrip 18 comprises a tubular body (not separately designated) generally having a central longitudinal channel 20 of a diameter D1 traversed by handle 12.
Handgrip 18 is at least partially made of a resilient or elastic material such as a rubber. This material cushions the hand of the user and may also serve to enhance the friction fit of handgrip 18 to handle 12.
Handgrip 18 has a first end 22 and a second end 24 and an outer surface 26 tapering radially inwardly from the first end and the second end so that the outer surface has a minimum diameter D2 intermediate between ends 22 and 24.
Handgrip 18 has a rounded contour or edge 28 at end 22 and a rounded contour or edge 30 at end 24. Outer surface 26 has a radius of curvature R1 at minimum diameter D2.
Outer surface 26 has a first maximum diameter D3 at end 22 and a second maximum diameter D4 at end 24. Diameter D3 is larger than diameter D4. Each of these diameters D3 and D4 is larger than minimum diameter D2, as well as any diameter of outer surface 26 between rounded or contoured ends 22 and 24.
The paintbrushes illustrated in
Rod 54 is surrounded by and traverses sleeve 60, while outer body 58 surrounds the sleeve and the rod. Preferably, rod 54, sleeve 60, and outer body 58 are each axially symmetric and coaxially disposed relative to each other.
Sleeve 60 is bonded or glued to rod 54. Outer body 58 is injection molded onto sleeve 60 prior to the attachment thereof to rod 54. Sleeve 60 and outer body 50 are lengthwise substantially coextensive. Rod is longer than sleeve 60 and outer body 58 and extends into ferrule 62.
Outer body 58 of handgrip 56 has the same contoured shape discussed above with reference to
Ferrule 62 is glued to or force fit on an end cap 66 in turn glued to the free or distal end of rod 54. End cap 66 is formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced circumferential grooves 68 that enhance the attachment of ferrule 62 to the end cap and thus to rod 54.
Typically, end cap 66 is an injection molded hard polymeric material, while ferrule 63 is made of a metal or alloy. Handle 52 and rod 54 are preferably integrally formed (injection molded) of a hard synthetic material such as an acrylic polymer
Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. For instance, handgrip 18 may be mirror symmetrical about a transverse median plane, as well as about a longitudinal axis. Thus, diameters D3 and D4 are equal to each other, at least when handgrip 18 is in a relaxed or unstressed configuration prior to a slipping of the handgrip over a paintbrush handle 12. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.
