GB2187979A

GB2187979A - Paint masking device

Info

Publication number: GB2187979A
Application number: GB08606750A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Harry Edwards
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-03-19
Filing date: 1986-03-19
Publication date: 1987-09-23
Also published as: GB8606750D0

Abstract

A device suitable for use in painting and decorating comprising a sheet member (1) having at least one edge region (2) formed as a double edge (3, 4), the two edges forming the double edge extending parallel to one another but being offset and spaced apart from one another. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Paint masking device The present invention relates to a masking device suitable for use by a painter and decorator. More particularly, the present inventin relates to a masking device for which the primary intended use is to prevent paint being smeared onto window panes whilst the frame of the window is being painted.

The problems involved in painting window frames are well known to amateur and, to a lesser extent, professional decorators. The chief problem experienced by most decorators is to paint the frame completely whilst preventing paint from being smeared onto the window pane. The simplest solution to this problem is, in theory, to apply masking tape to the peripheral edges of the window pane prior to painting and to remove such masking tape once the paint has completely dried.

Even this relatively simple solution is not entirely successful. Firstly, masking tape generally has an adhesive backing and at least part of this tends to remain on the window pane when the masking tape is removed. This residual adhesive is not easy to remove. Secondly, if the tape is removed before the paint is completely dry, such removal of the tape may also remove some of the paint on the window frame.

In an attempt to overcome these problems, various masking devices have been manufactured and are readily available. Probably the best known of such masking devices comprises a sheet of rigid plastics material. This sheet of plastics material, often provided with a handle, terminates in a bevelled leading edge. In certain devices, two bevelled edges extending at right angles to one another are provided so as, in theory, to facilitate the painting of the corner regions of a window frame. In use, the bevelled leading edge is aligned with, and located on, the line of abutment between the window frame and the window pane. The frame can then be painted and the plastics sheet, which is hand-held, acts as a shield and prevents paint being appiied to the window pane.

However, even such a device has certain disadvantages associated therewith. Firstly, once the painting has been effected, the device must be lifted clear of the wet paint without touching it. Equally obviously, the device must not be allowed to contact the window pane. This should not prove unduly difficult for a user who has relatively steady hands.

However, the more major problem is that it is almost inevitable that some paint will become located on the leading edge of the device and, due to its surface tension, will then seep underneath the leading edge into the gap between the device and the window pane. Accordingly, the initial movement of moving the device from the line of abutment between the window frame and the window pane will often cause wet paint to be smeared over the window pane.

The present invention seeks to provide a masking device for use in painting and decorating which does not suffer from the abovementioned disadvantages. More particularly the present invention seeks to provide a device which is simple in nature and therefore economic to produce and which can be efficiently used by any decorator irrespective of his decorating skill.

According to the present invention, there is provided a device suitable for use in painting and decorating comprising a sheet member having at least one edge region formed as a double edge, the two edges forming the double edge extending substantially parallel to one another but being offset and spaced apart from one another. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the two edges are chamfered in opposite directions so as to define a groove therebetween. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the edge region of the device opposed to the double edge is in the form of a bent-over flange portion. Further desirably, a handle portion is mounted on or integrally formed with one face of the sheet.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1A shows one embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 1B shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of the edge region formed as a double edge and forming part of the device shown in Fig. 1A.

In the drawings, there is shown a masking device or paint shield in accordance with the present invention and which comprises a sheet 1. In this embodiment, the sheet 1 is formed from a rigid plastics material such as polyvinylchloride. At least one edge region 2 of the sheet is formed as a double-edge, the two edges being referenced 3 and 4. It will be seen from the drawings, particularly Fig.

1 B, that the edge 3 protrudes beyond the edge 4 and is spaced therefrom. Nevertheless, the edges 3 and 4 extend parallel to one another. The edges 3 and 4 are bevelled at 5 and 6 respectively so that a groove 7 having a substantially V-shaped cross-section is defined therebetween.

The edge region 8 of the sheet 1 opposed to the edge region 2 is in the form of a bentover flange. The angle between the major portion of the sheet and the bent-over flange portion 8 is preferably slightly less than 90". The reason for the provision of this bent-over flange portion will become apparent hereinafter. The upper face 9 of the sheet member 1 is provided with a handle portion 10. The handle portion 10 may be mounted on the sheet 1 or, as shown, may be integrally formed therewith.

The use of the device described hereinbefore will now be described. The user of the device locates the edge 3 along the line of abutment between a window frame and a window pane. By so doing, the edge 4 will be in abutment with the glass of the window pane. The user can now paint the window frame and any brush strokes which would otherwise deposit paint on the window frame are instead applied to the upper surface 9 of the device.

As is customary with such devices, the surface tension of the wet paint will tend to cause paint to seep under the edge 3. However, this paint passes into the groove 7 and, although an extremely thin smear of paint may be deposited on the glass of the window, spreading of the paint over a much greater distance is prevented by the edge 4.

By suitably selecting the distance by which the edge 3 protrudes beyond the edge 4, by suitably selecting the spacing of the two edges 3 and 4 from one another and by suitably dimensioning the flange portion, the free edge 11 of the flanged edge portion 8 may also be caused to abut the window pane whilst the edges 3 and 4 are in their desired locations. This provides another support for the device of the present invention and means that the device can be held steady by the user whilst he is painting.

Various minor modifications can, of course, be made to the device of the present invention without departing from the scope thereof.

Thus, for example, it will be readily apparent that more than one edge region of the sheet may be formed as a double-edge. Thus, for example, if two adjacent edges are both formed as double-edges, the device can be used for painting the corner regions of a window frame without removing the device from its desired location.

As described hereinbefore, the groove 7 is produced by chamfering the two edges. This will, obviously, produce a groove which is substantially V-shaped in cross-section. However, it will be readily apparent that the groove may have any other suitable cross-sectional shape such as a U-shape. In fact, a further possibility is to provide one edge 3 of the double-edge with a chamfer whilst the edge 4 simply extends at right angles to the surface 9 of the sheet. Since the device is held, in use, at an angle to the window pane, the edge 4 will still be in contact with the window pane and a groove will still, effectively, be formed between the edges 3 and 4.

Claims

1. A device suitable for use in painting and decorating comprising a sheet member having at least one edge region formed as a double edge, the two edges forming the double edge extending substantially parallel to one another but being offset and spaced apart from one another.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the two edges forming the double edge are each chamfered, the chamfering being in opposite directions such that a groove is defined therebetween.

3. A device a claimed in claim 1 wherein one of the edges forming the double edge is chamfered and the other edge extends at right angles to the major surface of the sheet member.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the edge region of the device remote from the double edge is in the form of a bentover flange portion.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a handle portion is mounted on or integrally formed with one face of the sheet member.

6. A device suitable for use in painting and decorating as claimed in claim 1 constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.