Patent Application
20120024927
The present invention generally relates to utility belts designed for painters, decorators, caulkers, and similar workers for carrying or holding tools, painting apparatuses, supplies, and the like.
Painters and decorators, by profession, typically provide services such as painting sections of walls, ceilings, and trim pieces, by applying heavy duty finishes to these structures. In addition to these services, painters and decorators are also responsible for scraping such surfaces, wallpaper removal, wall or wood repairs, sanding, removal of stains, filling of holes or other uneven surfaces, caulking and the like. Painters and decorators have to be accustomed to number of tools and apparatuses in order to accomplish these job duties. Painters and decorators typically use sanders, scrapers, sprayers, utility knives, screw drivers, putty knives, brushes, rollers, ladders, scaffolding, caulking guns, etc., in the course of their duties.
Painters working on elevated areas have to spend considerable amount of time on ladders and scaffolding to reach upper levels of the structure to be painted. While moving up and down on the ladders and scaffolds, the painter has to carry along with himself the various tools and apparatuses to be used for painting. This process becomes tiresome and cumbersome, as the painter or decorator has to bend each time to pick up the tools and apparatus. Further, carrying of tools and apparatuses by the painter increases the risk of danger to the life and limb, as such carrying can prevent the painter from otherwise using his or her hands to hold onto the ladder or scaffolding while climbing thereon. Even in the ladders and scaffolds provided with shelves the risk of danger to the life and limb of the painter is potent.
Painters and decorators also have to accomplish the job of caulking. Caulking is process of sealing walls or other structures, and particularly, cracks and joints thereon, against intrusions of air and moisture. Caulking is accomplished by the use of a caulking gun. A caulk or sealant is available in tubes and cartridges and is loaded into the caulking gun. Painters and decorators while using the caulking guns are frequently posed with the problem of storing the caulking guns, so that the caulking gun can be easily removed from the stored place when applying the caulk to a surface. Also, after the caulk cartridge gets finished the painter or decorator has to get down from the ladder or scaffold to get a refill of the caulk cartridge.
In order to overcome the difficulties faced by the painters and decorators and to reduce the risk to their life and limb while on their job, several attempts have been made to provide a hands-free option to the painters and decorators. A notable example of such an attempt is a utility belt worn by the painter or decorator around his waist to store effectively the various tools and apparatuses.
Although various utility belts exist in the prior art, the existing utility belts still pose the problem of risk to life and limb as the tools and apparatus loosely suspended from the belt might cause the painter to trip or lose balance against the shelf of the ladder or scaffold causing risk of danger to the life and limb of the painter. Further, utility belts existing in the prior art have a limited storage capacity to hold only few of the painting tools and apparatus. Also, utility belts existing in the prior art are structurally and configurationally complex and are otherwise unduly expensive.
Therefore, as a consequence of the foregoing situation, there exists a continuing need in the art for a utility belt for painters for holding usual tools and apparatus used to accomplish regular painting jobs. Further, there is a need felt in the art for a utility belt that is not structurally and configurationally complex and that is painter friendly and inexpensive.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a utility belt for the painters, to include all the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein
In one aspect, the present invention provides a utility belt for carrying tools. The utility belt comprises an elongated band for wrapping around a waist of a user and a tool holder capable of holding a tool in an upright vertical position. The tool holder comprises a plate, a first ring and a second ring. The plate has a proximal end portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the plate is coupled to the elongated band. The first ring is coupled to the intermediate portion of the plate and extending transversely therefrom. The second ring is coupled to the distal end portion of the plate and extending transversely therefrom. The second ring has a size smaller than a size of the first ring. The tool comprises a cartridge receiving body and a handle portion. The cartridge receiving body has a first end and a second end. The cartridge receiving body is capable of receiving a cartridge with a nozzle, such that the nozzle extends out of the second end of the cartridge receiving body. In the upright vertical position, the cartridge receiving body with the cartridge passes through the first ring with the handle portion resting on the first ring, and only the nozzle passes through second ring with the second end of the cartridge receiving body resting on the second ring.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a utility belt for carrying tools. The utility belt comprises an elongated band for wrapping around a waist of a user and a caulking gun holder capable of holding a caulking gun in an upright vertical position. The caulking gun holder comprises a plate, a first ring and a second ring. The plate has a proximal end portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the plate is coupled to the elongated band. The first ring is coupled to the intermediate portion of the plate and extending transversely therefrom. The second ring is coupled to the distal end portion of the plate and extending transversely therefrom. The second ring has a size smaller than a size of the first ring. The caulking gun comprises a cartridge receiving body and a handle portion. The cartridge receiving body has a first end and a second end. The cartridge receiving body is capable of receiving a cartridge with a nozzle, such that the nozzle extends out of the second end of the cartridge receiving body. In the upright vertical position, the cartridge receiving body with the cartridge passes through the first ring with the handle portion resting on the first ring, and only the nozzle passes through second ring with the second end of the cartridge receiving body resting on the second ring.
The utility belt further comprises additional tools for additional caulk tubes or cartridges, sanders, scrapers, sprayers, utility knives, screw drivers, putty knives, brushes, rollers, wiping cloths, and the like, thereby keeping the user's (painter/caulker/decorator) hands free while accomplishing the job of painting or moving up or down a ladder or scaffolding
Another feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved utility belt for carrying tools which may be quickly and easily attached and detached from the painter's body.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.
For a thorough understanding of the present invention, refer to the following detailed description, including the appended claims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present invention is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
The present invention provides a novel and economically advantageous solution to longstanding problems faced by those in the painting industry by providing means to accomplish the more difficult painting tasks with greater ease and efficiency. More specifically, the present invention provides a utility belt with means (tool holders) for carrying or holding caulking guns, additional caulk tubes or cartridges, sanders, scrapers, sprayers, utility knives, screw drivers, putty knives, brushes, rollers, wiping cloth, and the like, thereby keeping the user's (painter/caulker/decorator) hands free while accomplishing the job of painting or moving up or down a ladder or scaffolding. The simple design of the present invention permits a painter to hold a caulking gun in an upright vertical position, without regard to the position of the body of the painter.
Referring to
The elongated band 10 has a first end portion 22, a second end portion 24. For using the utility belt, the first end portion 22 and the second end portion 24 are capable of being removably engaged to each other for securing the utility belt 200 around a user's waist. Such an engagement may be carried out using any of several types of engagement arrangements that permit the first end portion 22 and the second end portion 24 of the elongated band 10 to be fastened together firmly but pivotally. Suitable engagement arrangements, as used herein, include any readily connectable yet readily, and involuntarily, releasable element, such as, but not limited to, side release buckle arrangements, hook and loop material arrangements (also referred to as Velcro® fasteners), and snaps. In one embodiment, the utility belt 200 has a side release buckle arrangement. More specifically, the first end portion 22 has a buckle feature 26a that removably engages with a complementary buckle feature 26b of the second end portion 24. The advantage of the side release buckle is that the side release buckle is inexpensive, durable, and resistant to damage from paint and to jamming from dried paint hardening therein.
The elongated band 10 is provided with an adjustment means 28 for adjusting the length of the utility belt 200 according to the girth of the particular user's waist. The utility belt 200 is generally symmetrical about a midpoint thereof for even load distribution.
The utility belt 200 further comprises a plurality of tool holders for holding a variety of tools, painting apparatuses, and supplies. In one embodiment, the utility belt 200 further comprises a tool holder capable of holding a tool in an upright vertical position. More specifically, the tool holder is a caulking gun holder 40, as best illustrated in
The caulking gun holder 40 further comprises a first ring 44 and a second ring 46 coupled to the plate 42. The first ring 44 coupled to the intermediate portion 50 of the plate 42 and extending transversely therefrom, and the second ring 46 coupled to the distal end portion 52 of the plate 42 and extending transversely therefrom. More specifically, the first ring 44 is coupled to the intermediate portion 50 of the plate 42 in a manner such that an outer peripheral portion of the first ring 44 is coupling the plate 42 and a plane of the first ring 44 is perpendicular to the plate 42 thereby the first ring 44 is extending laterally from the plate 42. Further, the second ring 46 is coupled to the distal end portion 52 of the plate 42 in a manner such that an outer peripheral portion of the second ring 46 is coupling the plate 42 and a plane of the second ring 46 is perpendicular to the plate 42 thereby the second ring 46 is extending laterally from the plate 42. The caulking gun holder 40 may be made from any material which has a sufficient strength to retain a caulking gun 120 within the caulking gun holder 40. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, plastic, vinyl, steel, iron, metal, rubber, and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the tool holder is capable of holding a caulking gun 120. Referring to
The size of the first ring 44 is such that the cartridge receiving body 124 of the caulking gun 120 easily passes through the first ring 44, while restricting a passage of handle portion 122. The second ring 46 is smaller in size than the first ring 44, to allow only the passage of the nozzle 130 through the second ring 46, while restricting the passage of the cartridge receiving body 124 (with the cartridge 126). The caulking gun 120 is disposed in the caulking gun holder 40 in an upright position with the face of the nozzle 130 downwards. In such an orientation, the caulking gun 120 is securely held in the caulking gun holder 40 such that the handle portion 122 rests on the first ring 44 and the lower portion of the cartridge receiving body 124 (with the cartridge 126) rests on the second ring 46.
For removal of the caulking gun 120 from the caulking gun holder 40, the painter has to grab the handle 132 and withdraw the caulking gun 120 from a stored position. The placement of the caulking gun holder 40 is such that the mobility and the movement of the painter is not obstructed in any manner.
The painter utility belt 200 further comprises a plurality of differently sized tool pockets for holding differently sized tools. In one embodiment the utility belt 200 has a tool pocket 60 and a tool pocket 70 smaller in size than the tool pocket 60. The tool pockets 60, 70 are attached to the elongated band 10 by stitching or other suitable means known in the art. More specifically, top portions of the tool pockets 60, 70 are stitched to the back surface 14 of the elongated band 10. The tool pockets 60, 70 may be made from any material providing sufficient strength to retain painting tools such as sanders, scrapers, utility knives, screw drivers, putty knives, brushes, rollers and the like. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, nylon, plastic, cotton, fiber, cloth (synthetic or natural, woven or non-woven), vinyl, leather, metal, rubber, and combination thereof.
The painter utility belt 200 further comprises a cartridge holster 80 for holding an additional cartridge 126a. The cartridge holster 80 comprises an upper loop portion 84 and a planar flap 82. The upper loop portion 84 and the planar flap 82 are coupled to the elongated band 10. The upper loop portion 84 is a flat rectangular strap like structure having a first end portion 96 and a second end portion 98. The first end portion 96 and the second end portion 98 is coupled to the front surface 12 of the elongated band 10 in such a manner that the upper loop portion 84 configures a loop/cavity over the front surface 12. In one embodiment of the present invention the first end portion 96 and the second end portion 98 of the upper loop portion 84 are coupled to the front surface 12 of the elongated band 10 by stitching or other suitable means known in the art.
The planar flap 82 is a flat rectangular strap like structure having a proximal end portion 88, an intermediate portion 90 and a distal end portion 92. The planar flap 82 passes through the loop/cavity configured by the upper loop portion 84 and couples to the elongated band 10 thereon. The planar flap 82 is coupled to the elongated band 10 in such a manner that the proximal end portion 88 of the planner flap 82 passes through the loop, configured by the upper loop portion 84, and wraps around the elongated band 10 and the proximal end portion 88 contacting a back of the intermediate portion 90 and secured therein using a fastener element 94. The fastener element 94 used herein is rivet, however it may be noted that rivet has been mentioned as an example and not by way of limitation. The planar flap 82 further comprises a lower loop 86 configured at the distal end portion 92 of the planar flap 82. The lower loop 86 is a flat strap like structure having a first end portion 102 longer than a second end portion 104. The first end portion 102 and the second end portion 104 are coupled to the proximal end portion 88 using stitching and a fastener element 106, respectively, in a manner such that the distal loop portion 86 configures a loop/cavity over the distal end portion 92 of the planar flap 82.
The cartridge holster 80 serves the purpose of storing additional cartridge 126a of caulk, making it convenient for the painter to have an easy access to the additional cartridge 126a of caulk when the original cartridge 126 fitted in the caulking gun 120 is depleted. The cartridge holster 80 may be made from any material which is durable and provides sufficient strength to retain additional cartridge 126a of caulk. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, nylon, plastic, cotton, fiber, cloth (synthetic or natural, woven or non-woven), vinyl, leather, metal, rubber, and combination thereof.
The additional cartridge 126a of caulk includes cylindrical body 128a containing viscous caulking mastic such as a thixotropic caulking material or compound. One end of the cylindrical body 128a is provided with a nozzle 130a. The additional cartridge 126a of caulk is disposed in the cartridge holster 80 in an upright position with the face of the nozzle 130a downwards. The cylindrical body 128a of the additional cartridge 126a easily slides through the upper loop 84 and is securely held by the upper loop 84. The lower loop 86 because of its smaller size allows only the nozzle 130a to pass and the cylindrical body 128a is restrained by the lower loop 86 to pass. By such an arrangement the additional cartridge is securely held in an upright position and at the same time the mobility and the movement of the painter is not obstructed in any manner.
Further, the painter utility belt comprises a wiping cloth engager 110. The wiping cloth engager 110 is securely attached to the elongated band 10 by means of a fastener element 112. The fastener element 112 used herein is rivet, however it may be noted that rivet has been mentioned as an example and not by way of limitation. The wiping cloth engager 110 has a flap 114 attached to the elongated band 10 and a clip 116 coupled to the end of the flap 114. The hook is capable of removably engaging a wiping cloth 118. The clip 116 used herein is a suspender clip, however it may be noted that suspender clip has been mentioned as an example and not by way of limitation. When the painter is performing the task of painting, caulking, or performing similar tasks, the painter very often needs a damp wiping cloth to remove grease, paint, or caulk from his hands. Conventionally, the painter must store a rag within a trouser pocket resulting in needlessly soiled and soaked clothing. The wiping cloth engager 110 provides a means for removably attaching the wiping cloth 118 for cleaning tools or wiping the painter's hands eliminating the undesirable practice of carrying a rag in one's pocket.
In use, the painter utility belt 200 is mounted around a waist of a painter and is openable and closeable respectively by means of buckle feature 26a of the first end portion 22 that removably engages with a complementary buckle feature 26b of the second end portion 24. The caulking gun 120 is disposed in the caulking gun holder 40. Painting tools, for example, but not limited to, sanders, scrapers, utility knives, screw drivers, putty knives, brushes and rollers are safely placed in the plurality of tool pockets 60, 70. An additional cartridge 126a of caulk is stored in the cartridge holster 80. A wiping cloth 118 is suspended from the wiping cloth engager 110 for easy access. The painter removes the caulking gun 120 from the caulking gun holder 40 as needed, and places the caulking gun 120 back into the caulking gun holder 40, when the painter is not using the caulking gun 120. Various storage means, such as the caulking gun holder 40, plurality of tool pockets 60 & 70, cartridge holster 80, and wiping cloth engager 110 disposed on the elongated band 10 of the painter utility belt 200 are configured in such a manner that the same do not get detached from the elongated band 10 when subjected to pulling or tugging by the user. Further, the various storage means, such as the caulking gun holder 40, plurality of tool pockets 60 & 70, cartridge holster 80, and wiping cloth engager 110 have a low enough profile to avoid obstructing the free arm movements of the painter, and to keep tool handles below a beltline to avoiding poking the painter.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
