GB2225528A

GB2225528A - Paint brush guard

Info

Publication number: GB2225528A
Application number: GB8925659A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fereydoon Sepehr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-11-16
Filing date: 1989-11-14
Publication date: 1990-06-06
Also published as: GB8826806D0; GB8925659D0

Abstract

A paint brush incorporates a guard which comprises a flexible sheet member (1) attached to a hinge (4). Advantageously, the sheet member (1), hinge (4) pressure lever (3) and the brace (6) which secures the device to a brush-sleeve (7) are all produced of flexible plastic material in one single moulding. When in use, leading edge (2) is located between adjacent surfaces such as a window frame and a window pane with brush (5) facing and touching the window frame. Paint can then be applied onto the frame without any being deposited on the window pane. When the brush is to be dipped into a paint container, sheet member (1) can be lifted away from brush (5) by means of lever (3), thereby preventing any paint being deposited on member (1). <IMAGE>

Description

BRUSH GUARD This invention relates to and is -a modification and improvement on the invention described in my earlier patent application under number 8826806.5 dated 16th November 1988.

The invention relates to masking device for paint brushes suitable for use by painters and decorators. Particulary, the present invention relates to a masking device for which the primary intended use is to prevent paint being smeared onto window panes, walls or carpets whilst the frame of the window, door or skirting board is being painted.

The problems involved in painting frames are well known. The main problem experienced by amateur professional decorators is to paint a frame or skirting board completely whilst preventing paint from being smeared onto the window pane, wall or carpet.

The simplest solution to this problem is, in theory, to apply masking tape to the peripheral edges of the window pane or walls prior to painting - which is a time-consuming operation - and to remove such masking tape once the paint has completely dried.

Even this simple solution is not completely successful. Firstly, masking tape generally has an adhesive backing, part of which tends to remain on the window pane when the masking tape is removed. This residual adhesive is not easy to remove,and when used on walls, part of the paint, or wall paper, is peeled off during its removal. 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.

contd....

In an attempt to overcome such problems, various masking devices have been manufactured and are readily available. Probably the best known of such masking devices comprises a sheet of rigid plastic material. This sheet of plastic material, often provided with a handle, terminates in bevelled leading edge. 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 plastic sheet, which is handheld, acts as a shield and prevents paint being applied to the window pane or wall.

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. Also the device must not be allowed to contact the window pane or the wall. However, the 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 or the wall. Accordingly, the initial movement of the device from the line of abutment between the window frame and the window pane or between the frame and the wall will often cause wet paint to be smeared over the window pane or the wall.

contd...

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 economical to produce and which can be efficiently used by any amateur or professional decorator.

According to present invention, there is provided a masking device suitable for use in painting and decorating comprising a flexible sheet member, having at least one straight edge slightly wider than that of a painting brush permanently attached to a hinge at the opposite end.

In an advantageous embodiment of the device the sheet member hinge and the brace that secures whole of the masking device to the brush sleeve are all in one piece produced of flexible plastic material. Further preferably, the end of the sheet connected to the hinge is smaller in width than the opposite edge.

Some advantages of the present invention to the previous patent application Number 8826806.5 Dated 16th Nov. 1988 and to any similar invention are: Having a pressure lever on paint shield which enables the user to hold the masking device in position when in use, plastic hinge produced in one moulding with paint shield and brace which readily is used to secure the masking device onto the brush, no necessity for use of spring and screws therefore ease of manufacturing and low cost. contd Further desirably, a pressure lever is 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 1 shows a plan view of a paint brush having a brush guard attached thereto, and, Figure 2 is a side view of a brush with the device in a c5t-J position.

Figure 3 is a side view of a brush with the device in a open position Figure 4 is a plan view of the masking device in flat position.

In the drawings, there is shown a masking device in accordance with the present invention and which comprises a shield (l).In this embodiment the shield (1) is formed from a reasonably strong but flexible plastic material.

Shield (1) is attached to hinge (4) which in turn is attached to the securing brace (6) securing brace (6) behaves in a similar manor as an adjustable belt with a buckle (9).

The paint shield (1) is slightly curved and longer than the brush (5) and is not in contact with it when the device is not in use.

The use of the device described herein before will now be described. The user of the device can now hold the brush handle contd.....

(8) in a 'penlike' manner, then by pulling the lever (3) towards the brush handle (8) can lift the shield (1).

While holding the shield (1) in the lifted position as in Figure 3, the brush (5) can be dipped into a paint container without getting any paint on the shield (1). After getting sufficient amount of paint on the brush (5) the lever (3) can then be pushed back to its previous position as in Figure 1.

The user can now locate leading edge (2) of the shield (1) between a window frame and a window pane with the brush (5) facing and touching the frame.

By exerting pressure on lever (3) and brush handle (8) shield (l)bends permitting the brush (5) to make better contact with the frame while the shield (1) ensures that the brush does not make any contact with the window pane.

The paint can now be applied onto a frame by moving the whole arrangement along a frame until it is adequately painted.

Various 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 hinge (4) may be produced of any rigid plastic material or metal. Further, the device may be held in position on brush sleeve (7) by means of a removable rubber sleeve or plastic bracing. Also the shield (1) can be removably attached to hinge (4). The ends of the shield edge (2) can be made slightly curved in order not to get stuck in the irregularities of some window and door frames when in use.

Claims

CLAIMS: .

1. A guard for paint brushes with primary intended use to prevent paint from. being smeard onto window panes, walls or carpets whilst the frame of the window, door or skirting board is being painted.

2. A guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein said guard comprises a substantially accurate element that is slightly longer than the bristles of a paint brush.

3. A guard as claimed in claim 2 werein said guard is provided with a hinge which enables the guard to rotate around it.

4. A guard as claimed in claim 3 wherein bracing means is provided to secure the guard on the brush

5. A guard as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said guard is fixed to a paint brush by means of a brace and bucie which in turn is integrally connected to the guard.

6. A guard for a paint brush substantially as herein before described with-reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A paint brush havng fixed thereto a guard according to any preceding claim.