PAINT BRUSH WITH CANTILEVERED CLAMPING PANEL AND REMOVABLE BRISTLE PACK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention pertains to a novel paint brush with a removable bristle pack and a cantilevered bristle pack clamping panel. The paint brash provides easy cleaning after use by depressing one end of the cantilevered bristle clamping panel, releasing the bristle pack from the handle and rinsing the bristles of the bristle pack in a cleaning solution, without the handle. The paint brash also enables bristle pack replacement without requiring replacement of the paint brash handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A longstanding problem with paint brashes that are used for industrial and domestic painting applications is that with repeated use, paint tends to build up within the bristles of the brash in the region where the bristles are held by the ferrule clamp that joins the bristles with the paint brash handle and base. The collected paint in this confined area is difficult to clean away. Usually, some residual paint is left in the bristles at the junction with the ferrule even after the used brash has been cleaned. This paint dries and builds up over time with repeated use of the paint brash. This causes the bristles of the brash to spread and thereby reduces the efficiency of the brash. Also, the build up of dried paint tends to cause the bristles to wear and break at the location of the dried paint. This reduces the life of the paint brash.

[0003] Proper cleaning of a paint brash requires a considerable amount of solvent, if the person cleaning the brash is meticulous. If the paint has a water base, large amounts of water are wasted attempting to thoroughly clean the brash. If the paint is an oil base paint, expensive petroleum paint solvent or thinner are required for cleaning. The use of a petroleum base solvent constitutes a waste of costly solvent and at the same time creates an environmental pollutant. Most commercial painters tend to minimize costs by balancing the amount of the solvent used with the number of times the paint brash is used. It may be economic, for instance, to only expect a paint brash to be used a half-dozen times before it is discarded, rather than incur the cost and waste a considerable amount of solvent attempting to meticulously clean the brash after each use, and prolonging the life of the paint brash.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the

above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.

[0005] Unlike conventional paint brushes, which typically are constructed of a wooden handle, a ferrule, a bristle separating member, nails and bristles, the main components of the paint brush according to the invention comprise four pieces, namely a one-piece injection molded handle with bristle pack receiving cavity, a bristle holder with a bundle of bristles, a cantilevered bristle gripping panel and a panel pressure yield spring. The panel pressure yield spring holds the cantilevered panel in a bristle pack holding position unless the panel is pressed at a pressure site to tip the panel off the bristle pack and release the bristle pack.

[0006] The invention is directed to a paint brush comprising: (a) a paint brush body and handle, the body having formed therein a cavity open on one side for receiving a bundle of bristles and a bristle holder; (b) a bristle holder holding a bundle of bristles, the holder removably fitting into the cavity; and (c) a bristle and bristle holder engaging member biased in cantilever orientation, the member in a first position gripping the bristles and bristle holder and in a second position releasing the bristles and bristle holder.

[0007] The bristle engaging member can have on opposite sides thereof protrusions which fit in corresponding openings in the sides of the cavity of the paint brush body, thereby enabling the member to be moved in a cantilever manner in relation to the paint brush body and cavity. The member can have formed therein a bristle gripping ridge. The panel can have formed therein a second bristle gripping ridge.

[0008] The cavity can include in the interior thereof a spring means which when in a first position holds the member in a bristle gripping manner and when moved to a second position enables the member to release the bristles and bristle pack. The bristle holder can have formed in the interior thereof a bristle gripping ridge.

[0009] The member can include thereon opposite the bristle clamping end of the member a location for manually depressing the member. The member can include a device which prevents the member from being depressed beyond a certain point. The member can have a device for holding the spring means in position. The device can be a post. The spring means can be a coil spring.

[0010] The interior of the cavity can have a stop device for preventing the bristle holder and bristles from being inserted into the cavity beyond a designated point.

[0011] The member can have a pentagonal configuration. The panel can have a rectangular configuration. The bristle holder can have thereon a ridge which can fit in a groove in the interior of the cavity.

DRAWINGS

[0012] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of a paint brush with a cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel.

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a paint brush with a bristle pack with the cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel removed.

[0015] Figure 3 illustrates a plan view of a paint brush with the cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel removed.

[0016] Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of a cantilevered bristle clamping panel.

[0017] Figure 5 illustrates an isometric view of a box-shaped bristle holder.

[0018] Figure 6 illustrates a plan view of a cantilevered bristle clamping panel.

[0019] Figure 7 illustrates an end view of a cantilevered bristle clamping panel.

[0020] Figure 8 illustrates a side view of a cantilevered bristle clamping panel.

[0021] Figure 9 illustrates a plan view of a box-shaped bristle holder.

[0022] Figure 10 illustrates a front view of a box-shaped bristle holder.

[0023] Figure 11 illustrates a side partial section view of a bristle holder glue and bristles.

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[0024] Figure 12 illustrates an isometric view of a paint brush with an alternative rectangular design of cantilevered bristle clamping panel.

[0025] Figure 13 illustrates an isometric view of a paint brush with an alternative rectangular design of cantilevered bristle clamping panel and ergonomically shaped handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

[0027] Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of a paint brush with the cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel according to one embodiment of the invention. As seen in Figure 1 , the paint brush 2 is constructed with a removable bristle pack 4 and a pentagonal shaped cantilevered bristle pack clamping panel 6, which pivots about pivot point 8. The removable bristle pack 4 includes a bundle of bristles such as polyester/nylon filaments or pig bristles and can be removed from the cavity in the base of the paint brush 2 by pressing down on the cantilevered bristle gripping panel 6 at pressure site 12. This pressure tilts the opposite end 22 of the panel 6 upwardly, thereby releasing the holding force exerted by opposite end 22 and the bristle clamping ridge 30 (not visible but indicated in Figure 4) on the bristle pack 4.

[0028] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a paint brush 2 with the cantilevered panel 6 removed, thereby illustrating the manner in which the bristle pack 4 and bristle holder 16 fit within the interior cavity of the base of the paint brush 2. As seen in Figure 2, the bristle pack 4 with the bristles glued into one end in the bristle holder 16 has optional ridges 18 on each side which enable the bristle holder 16 to slide readily and accurately into the cavity in the body of the paint brush. The ridges 18 fit in corresponding grooves which are formed in the side walls of the cavity in the body of the paint brush. The ridges 18 are optional and can be removed if required. When the cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel 6 is in place as shown in Figure 1, the bristle pack 4 with bristle holder 16 can be inserted

readily into and removed from the cavity of the paint brush by depressing the cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel 6 at pressure point 12. Also seen in Figure 2 is a coil spring 34 which is held in a recess in the base 36 of the cavity of the paint brush. The coil spring 34 holds the cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel 6 in a raised position when not depressed at point 12. The end 22 and clamping ridge 30 exert a downward force and hold the bristle pack 4 and holder 16 in place. Also shown in Figure 2 is a retaining bar 40, which ensures that the bristle holder 16 stops at a designated point in the cavity.

[0029] Figure 3 illustrates a plan view of a paint brush 2 with bristle clamping panel 6 removed. The coil spring 34 is held in a recess in base 36 formed in the interior of the cavity. Figure 3 also illustrates a pair of retaining bars 40 which as mentioned above ensure that the bristle holder 16 holding the bristles stops at the correct position in the cavity of the paint brush 2.

[0030] Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of a pentagonal shape cantilevered bristle clamping panel. As seen in Figure 4, the cantilever bristle pack gripping panel 6 is constructed with a pivot rod 20 extending laterally on the underside across the width of the panel 6. A downwardly extending bristle clamp ridge 22 is formed at the end of the panel 6 opposite the pressure site 12. The ridge 22 holds the bristle pack 4 in position and also defers paint from penetrating into the cavity of the brush. The panel 6 also has on the underside of the panel a parallel bristle gripping ridge 30 which fits in an opening in the top of the bristle holder 16 adjacent edge 31 (see Figure 5) and enhances gripping action of the panel 6 on the bristle pack 4 and holder 16. The ridge 30 also assists in retarding paint seeping into the bristles under the panel 6. A pair of laterally extending stiffening ridges 26 are formed in the top of the panel 6. A circular convex dome 12 in the end of the panel 6 opposite ridge 22 identifies the pressure site 12. When depressed at this site, the panel 6 tilts about rod 20, thereby lifting ridge 22 and gripping ridge 30 off the bristle pack 16 and bristles 4. The bristle holder 16 and bristle pack 4 can then be removed from the cavity. Figure 4 also illustrates downwardly extending post 28 that extends into the interior of the coil spring 34 and holds it in place. A pair of downwardly extending posts 38 prevent the panel 6 from being depressed beyond a predetermined point.

[0031] Figure 5 illustrates an isometric view of a bristle holder 16. As seen in Figure 5, the bristle holder 16 has a hollow box-like construction. A pair of optional guide ridges 18 are formed on the exterior of each side of the holder 16.

The interior of the holder 16 has formed therein a groove 32 which receives some of the glue that is injected at one end of the bristles and assists in enabling the holder 16 to hold the bristles. The glue can be epoxy or some other suitable glue. Figure 5 also illustrates bristle holder edge 31 which is abutted by clamping ridge 30 of panel 6 when bristle holder 16 is in place in the cavity of the brush 2.

[0032] Figure 6 illustrates a plan view of the cantilevered bristle clamping panel 6. As seen in Figure 6, the panel 6 has a laterally extending pivot rod 20, the ends of which fit in corresponding holes 8 formed in each side of the cavity in the paint brush body (see Figure 2). The panel 6 also has formed on the top side, stiffening ridges 26 and pressure site 12. The panel 6 has formed on the underside, bristle clamping ridge 22, bristle holder gripping ridge 30, downwardly protruding post 28 which holds the coil spring 34, and the pair of restraining posts 38.

[0033] Figure 7 illustrates an end view of the cantilevered bristle clamping panel with pivot rod 20, coil spring holding post 28 and restraining posts 38. Figure 8 illustrates a side view of the cantilevered bristle clamping panel. Figure 8, in particular, illustrates the downwardly protruding post 28, which holds the coil spring 34 and the pair of posts 38 on either side of post 28 which prevent the cantilevered panel 6 from being depressed beyond a designated point. The gripping ridge 30 and the bristle clamping ridge 22 cooperate to grip the bristles through the open top defined by edge 31 of the bristle holder 16 (see Figure 5).

[0034] Figure 9 illustrates a plan view of the bristle holder 16. As seen in Figure 9, the bristle holder 16, in a specific embodiment, has a rectangular box-like construction, with optional opposite guide ridges 18 on each side. As stated previously, the ridges 18 can be eliminated. The front portion of the top of the bristle holder 16 is cut away to leave an opening which is defined by end ridge 31. The corners of the opening defined by edge 31 can be rounded at 24 to prevent bristle entrapment. With heavy use of the paint brush 2, there is a tendency of the bristle filaments to get caught in a square corner opening. The rounded corners 24 deter this. The opening enables the bristle clamping ridge 22 and the gripping ridge 30 of the panel 6, encouraged by coil spring 34, to descend through the opening and onto the bristles held by the bristle holder 16, thereby gripping the bristle holder 16 and bristles firmly in place. As an option, the word "TOP" and a pair of directional triangles can be formed in the top surface of the bristle holder 16 to facilitate the painter inserting the bristle pack 4 properly into the interior cavity of the body of the paint brush (see Figure 2).

[0035] Figure 10 illustrates a front view of the bristle holder 16. Figure 10 illustrates smooth exterior sides of the bristle holder 16. The guide ridges 18 shown in Figure 9 can be omitted if desired. Figure 11 illustrates a side partial section view of a bristle holder 16. As seen in Figure 11 , a portion of the top surface of the bristle holder 16 is cut away to form an opening with edge 31 at the interior edge. Figure 11 also illustrates injected glue 14 and in dotted lines, the glue and bristle gripping groove 32 on the interior of the bristle holder 16. Groove 32 receives some of the glue 14 holding the ends of the bristles 4 and facilitates the bristle holder 16 holding the bristles.

[0036] Figure 12 illustrates an isometric view of a paint brush with an alternative design of cantilevered bristle clamping panel 6. The panel 6 shown in Figure 12 is rectangular. Figure 13 illustrates an isometric view of a paint brush with an ergonomic handle.

[0037] The pentagonal shaped panel 6 illustrated in Figures 1 , 4 and 6 is a preferred embodiment and is helpful in identifying the location of the pressure joint 12 of the cantilevered panel 6. It is understood that other outlines of panels are within the scope of the invention. The coil spring 34 illustrated in Figure 2 is a preferred design of spring, but it is understood that other designs of springs are feasible within the scope of the invention. To enable left-handed painters to use the ergonomic handle paint brush shown in Figure 13, panel receiving openings are cut on both sides of the holder 16 so that the angled edge of the bristle pack 4 and the bristle holder 16 can be reversed. As seen in Figure 13, the paint brush with bristle pack is suitable for right-handed painters. There is no problem with the straight handle paint brush. Left handed painters simply flip the brush over.

[0038] The cantilevered panel paint brush has a number of advantages over conventional paint brushes:

1. The bristle holder box 16 that holds the bristles or filaments of the bristle pack 4 provides precision measurements and allows the bristle pack 4 to slide easily and snugly into the cavity in the paint brush body. This secure fit prevents movement of the box and bristles in the body while painting. The box 16 has an interior circumferential groove 32 which holds the glue

14 holding the bristles together.

2. The paint brush handle and body can be produced in two steps. The first step involves forming the bristle pack holding part which has base 36 and

retaining bars 40. The handle and body are produced from a tough and durable plastic such as high density polyethylene. The second step is to apply a soft touch coating to the handle to give a more comfortable feel for the user. As an option, the handle can be formed in an ergonomic shape, which with openings on both sides of the bristle holder 16 is suitable for left or right handed painters.

3. The cantilevered bristle pack gripping panel 6 has ridges 22 and 30 that fit into the opening defined by edge 31 of bristle holder 16 and squeeze the bristles and hold the bristle pack 4 securely. The combination of the ridges and pressure on the bristles prevents paint from seeping onto the bristles.

[0039] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.