GB2499688A

GB2499688A - Prepping and painting accessory belt

Info

Publication number: GB2499688A
Application number: GB201216922A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Hutchinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-02-23
Filing date: 2012-09-21
Publication date: 2013-08-28
Also published as: GB201216922D0; GB201203130D0

Abstract

A prepping and painting accessory belt 12 suitable for use in a paint workshop comprises a belt 14 having a connector 16 for releasably interconnecting two end portions 18 of the belt 14. The belt comprises several pockets and compartments suitable for each of the following purposes: at least one main disc compartment 22, at least one water resistant removable secondary disc compartment 28 which is removably fastenable to the main disc compartment 22, at least one main flatting strip compartment 42, a first puncture resistant knife compartment 48, a first spreader compartment 50 and a tape holder 54. A detachable painting accessory pouch (60, fig 4) is also provided (see figures 4-6). The detachable painting accessory pouch (60, fig.4) includes at least one major pocket 62 having a major access cover 64 for closing the major pocket (62, fig4), at least one belt hook (70, fig 6) and a plurality of closeable minor compartments (72, fig 4) on an exterior of the pouch. The system 12 also comprises at least one air-gun holder (82, fig 4) supported by at least one of the belt 14 and the pouch 60.

Description

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Prepping And Painting Accessory Belt System

This invention relates to a prepping and painting accessory belt system, and more particularly to such a system having a prepping accessory organiser incorporated as part of a belt and a detachable painting accessory organiser which can be demountably 5 attached to the belt.

In a paint workshop, the item to be painted, such as a motor vehicle body panel, must be prepared before then being painted. It has been noted that a person undertaking the prepping job may waste a significant amount of time assembling the correct tools and items for the job in hand. Such tools may include abrasives, such as abrasive discs, a 10 blow gun, spreaders of various widths and a knife.

Additionally, once an abrasive disc has been utilised, it is often disposed of. However, typically, there is a reasonable amount of usable life left in many of the abrasive discs, but having no convenient storage facility leads to a large amount of wastage.

Furthermore, by having no convenient storage facility, tools and materials are often left 15 on a surface of the job in hand. This leads to unintentional further damage, and as a result additional prepping and painting.

Larger vehicles, such as commercial vehicles, also require ladders or platforms to reach higher surfaces. Again, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep all required tools and materials safely close to hand when working at such an elevated position.

20 Without a convenient storage location, it has been found that painters often leave the sealed environment in order to collect or replace various tools and materials. This is undesirable, since dirt, dust and other particulate matter is collected from the exterior environment and moved into the sealed environment with the prepper or painter. This particulate matter then tends to deposit itself on the prepared and/or freshly painted 25 surfaces, resulting in a marked, uneven or inconsistent finished surface. Further time must then be taken buffing out any imperfections before delivery to the customer.

It is known to provide a prep and paint trolley which is able to store tools and materials. However, although this can be utilised in a workshop environment, it is too large and

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cumbersome to be conveniently moved around the sealed environment and workshop area with the prepper and painter. Additionally, it does not solve the problem associated with working in high positions.

It is also common to utilise disposable overalls which keep a user's clothes clean, but 5 which also protect any prepared or painted surfaces from fibre pickup. However, these overalls are often devoid of any pockets and when pockets are included, they are small and designed typically for keys and/or a wallet.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided a prepping and painting accessory 10 belt system for a paint workshop, the accessory belt system comprising a belt having a connector for releasably interconnecting two end portions of the belt, at least one main disc compartment on the belt, at least one water resistant removable secondary disc compartment which is disengagably fastenable to the main disc compartment, at least one main flatting strip compartment, a first puncture resistant knife compartment 15 supported by the belt, a first spreader compartment supported by the belt, a tape holder supported by the belt, and a detachable painting accessory pouch which is supportable by the belt and which includes at least one major pocket having a major access cover for closing the major pocket, at least one belt hook for removably hooking the pouch to the belt, and a plurality of closeable spaced-apart differently-sized minor compartments on 20 an exterior of the major pocket, and an air-gun holder supported by one of the belt and the pouch.

Preferable and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 22, inclusive.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with 25 reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a prepping accessory holder part of one embodiment of a prepping and painting accessory belt system, in accordance with the present invention and showing a belt and prepping accessory holder with a detachable painting accessory pouch removed for clarity;

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Figure 2 is a front view of the belt and prepping accessory holder, as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the belt and prepping accessory holder, as shown in Figure 1;

5 Figure 4 is a perspective view of a painting accessory holder part of the prepping and painting accessory belt system, showing a detachable painting accessory pouch;

Figure 5 is a front view of the detachable painting accessory pouch; and

Figure 6 is a rear view of the detachable painting accessory pouch.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a prepping accessory holder 10 part 10 of one embodiment of a prepping and painting accessory belt system 12, which is particularly intended for use in a paint workshop and preferably in a spray booth, but which could be used in any suitable preparation and painting environment.

The prepping accessory holder part 10 comprises a belt 14 having a buckle or other suitable connector 16, such as a hook and loop fastening device or press-fit fasteners, at 15 opposing end portions 18 for releasable interengagement of the belt 14 around the waist of a user.

The belt 14 is preferably formed of a resilient antistatic material and may be water-repellent to simplify cleaning after use. The belt 14 also preferably has an enlarged posterior lumbar portion 20 for better supporting a user's lower back, with the enlarged 20 posterior lumbar portion 20 tapering towards the end portions 18.

To accommodate sanding discs, a first main disc compartment 22 is provided on the posterior lumbar portion 20 of the belt 14. Preferably, the first main disc compartment 22 is permanently attached, for example, by robust stitching, but it may include connectors, such as belt-loops, allowing it to be slid onto the belt 14.

25 The first main disc compartment 22 is preferably open and without an access cover, allowing discs accommodated therein to project thereby allowing easy access by a user. Also, beneficially, at least one divider 24 may be included to provide two separate disc

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chambers 26. This is useful for differentiating between different grades and/or sizes of disc.

A first removable secondary disc compartment 28 is engagable with the first main disc compartment 22. Preferably, engagement occurs on an exterior main surface of the first 5 main disc compartment 22, remote from the enlarged posterior lumbar portion 20 of the belt 14. Conveniently, a hook and loop fastening device, such as Velcro RTM, or press-fit fasteners may be utilised to enable releasable engagement.

The first removable secondary disc compartment 28 is preferably water resistant or waterproof, thereby allowing used sanding discs to be accommodated without allowing 10 dampness to penetrate the first main disc compartment 22.

Again, the first removable secondary disc compartment 28 may include a divider 30 thereby forming two or more interior chambers 32 and allowing segregation of different kinds of used sanding disc.

It may also be beneficial to provide a second removable secondary disc compartment 34 15 with all of the features of the first removable secondary disc compartment 28. The second removable secondary disc compartment 34 is attachable to an exterior surface of the first removable secondary disc compartment 28, remote from the enlarged posterior lumbar portion 20 of the belt 14.

A height of the first removable secondary disc compartment 28 is preferably greater 20 than a height of the second removable secondary disc compartment 34, and a height of the first main disc compartment 22 is preferably greater than a height of the first removable secondary disc compartment 28. Lateral extents are preferably the same or similar. The stepped arrangement of the sanding disc compartments aids in unsighted location and retrieval of discs and differentiation between the new and used 25 compartments.

To accommodate abrasive discs, a second main disc compartment 36 is provided on the posterior lumbar portion 20 of the belt 14, adjacent to the first main disc compartment 22. Preferably, the second main disc compartment 36 is permanently attached, for example, by robust stitching, but it may include connectors, such as belt-loops, allowing

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it to be slid onto the belt 14. As above, at least one, and preferably first and second, removable secondary disc compartments 38, 40 are also provided. The other features of the second main disc compartment 36 and the first and second removable secondary disc compartments 38, 40 are as described above, and therefore further detailed 5 description is omitted.

Although first and second main disc compartments 22, 36 are described, it is feasible to only utilise one main disc compartment or more than two main disc compartments, along with associated removable secondary disc compartments.

To accommodate flatting strips, a main flatting strip compartment 42 is provided on the 10 posterior lumbar portion 20 of the belt 14, adjacent to the first and/or second main disc compartments 22, 36. A lateral extent of the main flatting strip compartment 42 is preferably less than that of the first and second main disc compartments 22, 36. As above, the main flatting strip compartment 42 is preferably permanently attached, for example, by robust stitching, but it may include connectors, such as belt-loops, allowing 15 it to be slid onto the belt 14.

It is preferable, although not necessarily essential, to include at least one, and ideally first and second, removable secondary flatting strip compartments 44, 46. Engagement is enabled as described above in relation to the disc compartments. The other features are also similar to the disc compartments described above, although it may not be 20 necessary to provide water-resilience or waterproofing.

As with the belt material, it is preferable to form the housings of the disc compartments and the flatting strip compartments from a non-abrasive, antistatic material which is ideally easily wipeable for cleaning purposes.

The belt system 12 also includes at least one closeable puncture resistant knife 25 compartment 48 which is directly supported on one side of the belt 14, at or adjacent to the enlarged posterior lumbar portion 20. The knife compartment 48 is dimensioned to receive a utility knife or other cutting tool. Should the cutting edge be left out, the puncture resistant material should not allow penetration. By way of example, the knife

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compartment 48 may be Kevlar RTM or other spun para-aramid synthetic fibre lined, or may be formed of a composite having a metal liner or core.

The knife compartment 48 may be permanently attached to the belt 14, or may be releasably connected, for example, via belt loops, to enable adjustment. It is also 5 feasible that the knife compartment 48 is provided on one of the disc compartments, thereby being indirectly supported by the belt 14.

A first spreader compartment 50 is preferably provided directly on the belt 14 on an opposing side to the knife compartment 48. The spreader compartment 50 is dimensioned to hold a spreader or spatula tool. Again, a divider may be included to 10 separate spreaders having different head sizes, thus enabling easier location and retrieval by a user.

An adjustable strap-like holder 52 is also provided on the belt 14, in this case adjacent to the knife compartment 48. The strap-like holder 52 may include a buckle or other adjustable connector, such as a hook and loop fastening device or press-fit fasteners, to 15 enable adjustability.

At least one tape holder 54 is also provided, again in this case directly supported by the belt 14. The tape holder 54 preferably includes a recurved clip 56 which not only allows a reel of tape to be releasably fed thereon and retained, but which also presents a major exterior surface which is at least substantially devoid of sharp edges, thereby reducing 20 the likelihood of unintentional scratching if brushing against a workpiece.

To provide for painting accessories, reference is now made to Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings, which shows a painting accessory holder part 58 of the prepping and painting accessory belt system 12. A detachable painting accessory pouch 60 is provided which comprises a major pocket 62 having an access cover 64 for closure. The major pocket 25 62 in this case is divided using a partitioning element 66 longitudinally to form at least two elongate and slim compartments 68, suitable for accommodating brushes and rags, for example.

On a belt-side of the major pocket 62, at least one belt hook 70, and preferably two spaced apart belt hooks, are provided for releasably slidably hooking the pouch to the

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belt 14. The belt hooks 70 are profiled so as not to dig into the user, but provide a resiliently sprung cantilevered arm for sliding across a lateral extent of the belt 14.

A plurality of closeable spaced-apart differently-sized minor compartments 72 are provided on an exterior of the major pocket 62, opposite the belt hook 70. The plurality 5 of minor compartments 72 preferably includes a dirt remover pin compartment 74, a second puncture resistant knife compartment 76 similar to the first knife compartment 48 mentioned above, and a second spreader compartment 78 again similar to the one mentioned above. It is preferable that all of the minor compartments 72 have respective access covers 80 to prevent or limit the ingress of paint or other material and to prevent 10 or limit items falling out.

The second spreader compartment 78 has a greater lateral dimension than the second knife compartment 76 and the dirt remover pin compartment 74, and preferably the second knife compartment 76 has a greater lateral extent than the dirt remover pin compartment 74.

15 An adjustable air-gun holder 82 is also provided, preferably at one end of the pouch 60. The or another adjustable air-gun holder may alternatively be directly supported by the belt 14, dependent on necessity. Although formed as an adjustable strap, it may be a dedicated holster having a nozzle receiving portion and a body engagement portion.

It is also preferred that an air-line holder 84 is provided, in this case being on the other 20 end of the pouch 60. The air-line holder 84 may be a ring through which an air-line is fed, or an adjustable strap.

In use, a user undertaking preparation of a workpiece in readiness for painting can mount or insert all the relevant prepping materials, including sanding discs, abrasive discs, flatting strips, utility knife, tape and spreader, on or in the prepping accessory 25 holder part 10 and connect it to their person via the belt 14.

If the user is also undertaking painting, then the user can also pack all the relevant painting materials in the painting accessory holder part 58.

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The prepping and painting accessory belt system 12 is then taken into the preparation and spray booth, and the booth is closed. With all relevant materials provided on the user's person and easily to hand, there is no requirement to leave the booth, thereby reducing the chance of contamination and improving time management. The air-gun, if 5 required, can be held via the adjustable holder 82 on the belt 14 or the pouch 60 when not in use, and the air-line can be guided away from the user's legs so as not to cause an undue trip hazard by the air-line holder 84. When not required, the pouch 60 can be detached from the belt 14 without removal of the belt 14, and placed to one side. Used discs, especially if damp or wet, can be retained in the water resistant removable 10 secondary disc compartment 28, 34, 38, 40, and dependent on the size of the job, one or more secondary disc compartments 28, 34, 38, 40 can be mounted from the main disc compartment 22, 36, thereby providing useful and convenient modularity.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from 15 the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

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Claims

Claims

A prepping and painting accessory belt system for a paint workshop, the accessory belt system comprising a belt having a connector for releasably interconnecting two end portions of the belt, at least one main disc compartment on the belt, at least one water resistant removable secondary disc compartment which is disengagably fastenable to the main disc compartment, at least one main flatting strip compartment, a first puncture resistant knife compartment supported by the belt, a first spreader compartment supported by the belt, a tape holder supported by the belt, and a detachable painting accessory pouch which is supportable by the belt and which includes at least one major pocket having a major access cover for closing the major pocket, at least one belt hook for removably hooking the pouch to the belt, and a plurality of closeable spaced-apart differently-sized minor compartments on an exterior of the major pocket, and an air-gun holder supported by one of the belt and the pouch.

15 2. An accessory belt system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of minor compartments comprises a dirt remover pin compartment, a second puncture resistant knife compartment, and a second spreader compartment, the second spreader compartment having a greater lateral dimension than the dirt remover pin compartment.

20 3. An accessory belt system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a second main disc compartment is attached to the belt.

4. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each main disc compartment includes at least one partitioning element for defining two disc chambers.

25 5. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second water resistant removable secondary disc compartment which is disengagably fastenable to the first said water resistant removable secondary disc compartment.

1.

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10

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6. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each water resistant removable secondary disc compartment includes at least one further partitioning element for defining two additional disc chambers.

7. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, further 5 comprising at least one removable secondary flatting strip compartment which is disengagably fastenable to the main flatting strip compartment.

8. An accessory belt system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a second removable secondary flatting strip compartment which is disengagably fastenable to the first said removable secondary flatting strip compartment.

10 9. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the or each main flatting strip compartment includes at least one additional partitioning element for defining two additional flatting strip chambers.

10. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the or each flatting strip compartment has a lateral extent which is less than a lateral

15 extent of the or each main disc compartment.

11. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the belt has a posterior lumbar support portion which has a greater lateral extent than an anterior portion adjacent to the connector.

12. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the

20 detachable accessory pouch is formed from antistatic material.

13. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the detachable accessory pouch is formed from a water-repellent material.

14. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the tape holder includes a recurved outer arm to prevent or limit scratching.

25 15. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the pouch includes the adjustable blow-gun holder, and the belt includes an additional adjustable strap-like holder.

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16. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the pouch includes an air-line holder.

17. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the major pocket of the pouch includes a divider for providing at least two sub-compartments therewithin.

18. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising at least one of an unused sanding disc and an unused abrasive disc for receipt in the main disc compartment.

19. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising at least one of a used sanding disc and a used abrasive disc for receipt in the water resistant removable secondary disc compartment.

20. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, further comprising at least one flatting strip for receipt in at least one of the main flatting strip compartment and the removable secondary flatting strip compartment.

21. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, further comprising at least one spreader for receipt in the first or second spreader compartment.

22. An accessory belt system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, further comprising at least one knife for receipt in the first or second puncture resistant knife compartment.

23. A prepping and painting accessory belt system for a paint workshop, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.