GB2448795A

GB2448795A - Attachment apparatus for securing a paintbrush to a rotary chuck

Info

Publication number: GB2448795A
Application number: GB0804647A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Twigg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-13
Filing date: 2008-03-13
Publication date: 2008-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-13
Also published as: GB2448795B; GB0804647D0; GB0704857D0

Abstract

Attachment apparatus for securing a paintbrush to a rotary chuck of an electric or manual drive device. The apparatus comprises a contact surface 103, fixing element 104, in particular a tie strap, and a drive element 105. In use a paintbrush is aligned in contact with the paintbrush body contact surface 103 of the support member 101. The fixing element is releasably securable around a portion of the aligned paintbrush body to secure the paintbrush relative to the support member. The drive element 105 is releasably secured to a rotary chuck, to secure the support member relative to the rotary chuck. The support member and drive element may be integral or the support member may be releasably connected to the element. The apparatus may further comprise a releasable cover releasably attached to the support surface. A paintbrush used with the apparatus may have fixing holes which correspond with the position of the tie strap to enable the brush to be held more securely to the platform.

Description

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Cleaning Paintbrushes

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority from United Kingdom Patent Application No. 07 04 857.2, filed 13 March 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to cleaning paintbrushes and provides attachment apparatus for, and a method of, securing a paintbrush to a rotary chuck of an electric or manual drive device.

Background of the Invention

A known technique for cleaning paintbrushes involves resting a paintbrush in a receptacle containing a cleaning solution, such as white spirit, so that the cleaning solution acts upon the bristles of the paintbrush. A problem with this approach is that the cleaning solution is more effective upon the outer bristles than the inner bristles. In addition, the process is relatively slow.

Brief Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is * ** * * * * provided attachment apparatus for securing a paintbrush to a rotary

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chuck of an electric or manual drive device, comprising: a support S...

member comprising: a paintbrush body contact surface, and a fixing element releasably securable around a portion of a paintbrush body aligned in contact with said paintbrush body contact surface, for * ** ** securing said paintbrush relative to said support member; and a drive element releasably securable to a rotary chuck, for securing said support member relative to said rotary chuck.

In an embodiment, a first part provides the support member, a second part provides the drive element, and the first part and the second part are configured to be releasably engaged when a paintbrush is secured relative to the support member by the fixing element.

In an embodiment, the fixing element is a tie strap. A paintbrush is provided having a paintbrush body that defines a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough, for use with attachment apparatus having a tie strap and configured to receive the tie strap through said first aperture and said second aperture.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of securing a paintbrush to a rotary chuck of an electric or manual drive device, comprising the steps of: a) aligning a paintbrush body in contact with a paintbrush body contact surface of a support member of an attachment apparatus, b) releasably securing the aligned paintbrush body to said support member using a fixing element of said support member, and c) releasably securing said support member to a rotary chuck using a drive element of said attachment apparatus.

In an application, the method further comprises the step of * ** releasably connecting said drive element to said support member **** following step b) and prior to step c).

In an application, at step b), the fixing element is passed **S through the paintbrush body. * ** * * * * ** * **

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Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings Figure 1 shows attachment apparatus for securing a paintbrush to a rotary chuck of an electric or manual drive device; Figure 2 shows a paintbrush aligned relative to the attachment apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a paintbrush secured relative to the attachment apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows the attachment apparatus of Figure 1, along with a paintbrush secured thereto, releasably secured to a rotary chuck; Figure 5 shows an alternative arrangement of attachment apparatus; Figure 6 shows a paintbrush secured relative to the attachment apparatus of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows a second alternative arrangement of attachment apparatus; Figure 8 shows a paintbrush secured relative to the attachment apparatus of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a paintbrush and attachment apparatus for securing the paintbrush to a rotary chuck of an electric or manual drive device; Figure 10 shows the paintbrush of Figure 9 secured relative to the attachment apparatus of Figure 9. * ** *.** * I *.IS

Description of the Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Figure 1

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Figure 1 shows attachment apparatus for securing a paintbrush * ** to a rotary chuck of an electric or manual drive device. Attachment *** apparatus ioi comprises a support member 102 comprising a paintbrush body contact surface 103 and a fixing element 104, for securing a paintbrush relative to the support member 102. The attachment apparatus 101 also comprises a drive element 105, for securing the support member relative to a rotary chuck (not shown in this Figure).

Attachment apparatus 101 is suitable for use with paintbrush 106. Paintbrush 106 comprises a bristle portion indicated at 107, a ferrule portion indicated at 1 08 and a handle portion indicated at 1 09.

The paintbrush body 110 comprises the handle portion and the ferrule portion. As will be described in further detail below, when the paintbrush body is aligned in contact with the paintbrush body contact surface of the support member, the fixing element is releasably securable around a portion of the paintbrush body.

In this illustrated embodiment, the paintbrush body contact surface 1 03 defines an indentation region 111 configured to receive at least a portion of a paintbrush body. In this example, at least a portion of the indentation region 111 is profiled to compliment the contours of a paintbrush body. In this embodiment, the support member 102 defines a hood 11 2 configured to receive the end of a paintbrush body.

Figure 2 * ** Figure 2 shows paintbrush 106 aligned relative to attachment I. apparatus 101. In the shown arrangement, the free end of handle *.** portion 109 is located within hood 112. The paintbrush body is now ready to be releasably secured to support member 102 using element * 1 04. In this embodiment the fixing element 1 04 is a tie strap, however ***

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in alternative embodiments other suitable types of fixing elements may be used.

Figure 3 Figure 3 shows paintbrush 106 secured relative to attachment apparatus 101. The attachment apparatus is now ready to be secured to a device for rotating the attachment apparatus, and in turn, for rotating the paintbrush.

Figure 4 Figure 4 shows attachment apparatus 101, along with paintbrush 106 secured thereto, releasably secured to a rotary chuck 401. It is to be appreciated that the rotary chuck may be arranged for electric or manual drive. In this illustrated example, rotary chuck 401 is part of electric drill 402. Hence, in the present embodiment, drive element 1 05, comprises a bit that is releasably securable to the rotary chuck. In an embodiment, the bit is cylindrical, however alternative shapes of cross section of the drive element may be used as appropriate.

Operation of the rotary chuck drive causes the rotary chuck to rotate. This spinning motion is transferred to the attachment apparatus 101 via drive element 105. In turn the secured paintbrush * *. 20 106 is spun around, and centrifugal forces cause paint and other * * * * ** residue within the secured paintbrush 106 to spin outwardly. In this **.* way, the secured paintbrush undergoes a cleaning operation. To *S** increase the efficiency of this process, the paintbrush may be dipped in *** a suitable solvent, for example white spirit for gloss paint, prior to a duration of spinning. In circumstances in which paint has been allowed * *** to set on the paintbrush, the cycle of dipping the paintbrush in a suitable solvent and subsequently spinning the dipped paintbrush may be repeated until a satisfactory result is achieved. It is found that this type of cleaning operation typically results in bristles that are clean along the length thereof up to the ferrule of the paintbrush. Following cleaning, the spinning operation may be performed to enhance drying of the cleaned paintbrush.

The arrangement of attachment apparatus 1 01 provides a tool that is easy to use, convenient to transport, and utilises a simple construction. By means of the fixing arrangement of the support member 102 being releasable, the attachment 101 may be reused. In this embodiment, fixing element 104 has an adjustable girth, thereby allowing paintbrushes having different paint brush body dimensions to be secured to support member 1 02.

The fabrication of the attachment apparatus may include metal.

Typically this material provides a desirable degree of rigidity. A metal such as steel, tin or aluminium may be used. The fabrication of the attachment apparatus may include plastic. Typically plastic can provide appropriate resilience, and may be used to reduce the overall weight of the attachment. Though it can be seen from the arrangement of attachment apparatus 101, that drive bit 105 extends from the support member 102. In an embodiment, and as shown, a portion of e ** the bit is embedded within the support member.

Preferably, to commence smooth spinning, the attachment * 25 apparatus 101 is configured to spin, as indicated by arrow 403, about * a spinning axis, indicated at 404, that extends substantially centrally through the secured paintbrush. In this way stable rotational S. * movement is achieved. In an embodiment the attachment apparatus is manufactured by a moulding operation.

Figure 5 An alternative arrangement of attachment apparatus is shown in Figure 5. According to the arrangement of attachment apparatus 501, a first part 502 provides a support member 503 and a fixing element 504, which are arranged to provide a similar functionality to support member 1 02 and fixing element 1 04 of attachment apparatus 1 01. A second part 505 provides a drive element 506, which is arranged to provide a similar functionality to drive element 105 of attachment apparatus 101. The first part and the second part are configured to be releasably engaged, in other words, releasably connected together, when a paintbrush is secured relative to the support member by the fixing element. In this embodiment, a first of the first and second part defines a plurality of apertures, for example aperture 507 of first part 503 and the second of the first and second part presents a plurality of projections, for example projection 508 of second part 505. The plurality of apertures and projections are configured to releasably couple.

* *. 20 Figure 6 * ** Figure 6 shows a paintbrush 601 secured to attachment apparatus 501, ready for attachment to a rotary chuck for spinning. It **** is to be appreciated that in the method of securing a paintbrush to a rotary chuck using attachment apparatus 501, the drive element is *:*::* 25 releasably connected to the support member prior to releasably

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securing the support member to a rotary chuck.

Figure 7 A second alternative arrangement of attachment apparatus is shown in Figure 7. In a similar manner to attachment apparatus 501, attachment apparatus 701 comprises a first part 702 and a second part 703. The first part provides a support member 704, a fixing element 705, and a drive element 706. In this embodiment, second part 703 provides a cover. In this embodiment also, the first part and the second part are configured to be releasably engaged when a paintbrush is secured relative to the support member by the fixing element. In this arrangement the second part is hingedly connected to the first part. In other arrangements the first and the second part may be completely separate. In this illustrated example, hinges such as hinge 707 are arranged to hinge together sides of the first and second part however, in an alternative arrangement the hinges provided towards the drive element end of the attachment apparatus. A releasably connectable arrangement having a first part 708 from the side of first part 702 opposite the hinge side and a second part 709 on the opposite side of second part 703 to the hinged side is provided.

Figure8 * *.

Figure 8 shows a paintbrush 801 secured relative to attachment apparatus 701 ready for connection to a rotary chuck for spinning. It ***S can be seen in a closed arrangement of attachment 701, that the releasably connectable arrangement 708, 709 is located on the * opposite side to the hinges 707 in arrangement that is substantially

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balanced about spinning axis 802. An even distribution of weight about the spinning axis of particular importance when the apparatus and secured paintbrush is subjected to high speed rotation.

Figure 9 A further alternative arrangement of attachment apparatus is shown in Figure 9. Attachment apparatus 901 comprises a support member 902 comprising a paintbrush body contact surface 903 and a fixing element 904, for securing a paintbrush relative to the support member 902. The attachment apparatus 901 also comprises a drive element 905, for securing the support member relative to a rotary chuck (not shown in this Figure). In this embodiment the fixing element 904 is a tie strap, however in alternative embodiments other suitable types of fixing elements may be used, which may include a plurality of mutually co-operating parts.

Attachment apparatus 901 is suitable for use with paintbrush 906. As will be described in further detail below, when the paintbrush body is aligned in contact with the paintbrush body contact surface of the support member, the fixing element is releasably securable around a portion of the paintbrush body. In this illustrated example, the body of paintbrush 906 defines a first aperture 907 and a second aperture 908. The apertures 906, 907 are arranged to receive the fixing element **** 904 therethrough, in order to secure the paintbrush to the attachment *: apparatus. From the perspective of the attachment apparatus, the fixing element is passed through the paintbrush body. * * * * * **

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Figure 10 Figure 10 shows paintbrush 906 secured relative to attachment apparatus 901. The attachment apparatus is now ready to be secured to a device for rotating the attachment apparatus, and in turn, for rotating the paintbrush. The fixing element tie strap 904 is threaded through the first and second apertures of the paintbrush 906.

According to the shown arrangement, the attachment apparatus is configured to be placed over the handle of the paintbrush. In other words, the paintbrush is received inside the attachment apparatus and the paintbrush is secured relative to an internal paintbrush body contact surface. However, in alternative arrangements, a paintbrush configured to receive a fixing element through the body of the paintbrush may be secured in this way relative to an external paintbrush body contact surface of an attachment apparatus.

The fixing element 904 may be secured internally or externally of the attachment apparatus 901. In an arrangement, the support member 902 also defines a pair of apertures (not shown in this Figure) through which a fixing element such as a tie strap is threaded. * * * S * .. 5* * S *.* * *5*S

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Claims

Claims 1. Attachment apparatus for securing a paintbrush to a rotary

chuck of an electric or manual drive device, comprising: a support member comprising: a paintbrush body contact surface, and a fixing element releasably securable around a portion of a paintbrush body aligned in contact with said paintbrush body contact surface, for securing said paintbrush relative to said support member; and a drive element releasably securable to a rotary chuck, for securing said support member relative to said rotary chuck.
2. Attachment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said paintbrush body contact surface defines an indentation region configured to receive at least a portion of a paintbrush body.
3. Attachment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of said indentation region is profiled to complement the contours of a paintbrush body. *
4. Attachment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said support member defines a hood configured to receive the S...

end of a paintbrush body. * 25
5. Attachment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said drive element comprises a bit.
6. Attachment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said bit is cylindrical.
7. Attachment apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein: a first part provides said support member and said drive element, and a second part provides a cover; and said first part and said second part are configured to be releasably engaged when a paintbrush is secured relative to said support member by said fixing element.
8. Attachment apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein: a first part provides said support member, and a second part provides said drive element; and said first part and said second part are configured to be releasably engaged when a paintbrush is secured relative to said support member by said fixing element. * .S
9. Attachment apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein a first of said first part and said second part defines a plurality of apertures, the second of said first part and said second part presents a plurality of projection, and * ** said plurality of apertures and plurality of projection are configured to releasably couple.
10. Attachment apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein said second part is hingedly connected to said first part.
11. Attachment apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said bit extends from said support member.
1 2. Attachment apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a portion of said bit is embedded within said support member.
1 3. Attachment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the fabrication of the attachment apparatus includes plastic.
14. Attachment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the fabrication of the attachment apparatus includes metal.
1 5. Attachment apparatus according to claim 1 4, wherein the fabrication of the attachment apparatus includes steel, tin or aluminium. *
16. Attachment apparatus according to any preceding claim, *I. * *

wherein said fixing element is a tie strap.

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1 7. A paintbrush having a paintbrush body that defines a first ***** aperture and a second aperture therethrough, for use with attachment * ** apparatus according to claim 1 6 and configured to receive the fixing element tie strap through said first aperture and said second aperture.
8. A method of securing a paintbrush to a rotary chuck of an electric or manual drive device, comprising the steps of: a) aligning a paintbrush body in contact with a paintbrush body contact surface of a support member of an attachment apparatus, b) releasably securing the aligned paintbrush body to said support member using a fixing element of said support member, and c) releasably securing said support member to a rotary chuck using a drive element of said attachment apparatus.
19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of releasably connecting said drive element to said support member following step b) and prior to step c).
20. A method according to claim 1 8, wherein at step b), the fixing element is passed through the paintbrush body.
21. Attachment apparatus for securing a paintbrush to a rotary chuck of an electric or manual drive device, including a support member, substantially as herein described with reference to the * * accompanying Figures. * ..* *.**
22. A method of securing a paintbrush to a rotary chuck of an electric or manual drive device, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures. * ** * ***