GB2520681A

GB2520681A - Paint scuttle support and paint scuttle

Info

Publication number: GB2520681A
Application number: GB1320900.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Max Bone
Original assignee: MAXBO Ltd
Current assignee: MAXBO Ltd
Priority date: 2013-11-27
Filing date: 2013-11-27
Publication date: 2015-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 2033-11-27
Also published as: GB2520681B; GB201320900D0

Abstract

A paint scuttle support 1 comprises a base 1a and side members 3, 3 extending from the base. The side members extend at an angle to the base that is substantially identical to the angle at which the walls of a paint scuttle lie. The base is wider than the distance between the side members at their intersection with the base. The support may be formed from a flat piece of material such as cardboard or a plastic sheet which is folded (figure 2). There may also be a roller support 6.

Description

Paint Scuttle Support and Paint Scuttle

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to paint scuttles, and to a support fir a paint scuttle used by decorators applying paint to surfaces with paint rollers.

Background of the Invention

Rollers have been used by painters and decorators for applying paint to surfaces for many years.

Commercial painters and decorators typically use a paint scuttle to hold the paint they are going to use. The paint roller is loaded with paint by dipping die roller head into the paint in the scuttle and then removing excess paint on an inner surface of the scuttle that is provided with ribs for this purpose.

The oldest paint scuttle configuration in use today is a scuttle formed of metal. These paint scuttles have one long wall which is taller than the parallel long wall, and the taller wall is provided with ribs on its inner surface for removing excess paint.

however, the metal paint scuttles are heavy, expensive, arc easily damaged and arc difficult to clean.

They have largely been replaced by a plastic paint scuttle, which is much lighter, is cheaper, less prone to damage and is easy to clean.

Plastic paint scuttles, whilst possessing the advantages described above, have their own disadvantages. In particular their stability is poor, particularly when the volume of paint in the scuttle is loxv, and also the side walls deform easily.

Deformation of the side walls occurs when the paint roller is pressed against the ribbed section of one of the walls to renlove exccss paint. The plastic wall against which the paint roller is pressed is not sufbciently stiff to resist the force exerted thereon, and tends to how. Ihe paint roller does not how. Ihere a is tliereforv a tendency for excess paint to be left on the central part of the roller, with too much paint being removed from the edges of the roller.

As mentioned above, comniercial painters and decorators tend to use paint scuttles when painting with rollers, principally because of their large paint holding capacity. I iowever, another widely used receptacle for holding paint when painting with a paint roller is a tray.

A paint tray typically comprises a portion for holding paint and a ribbed surface extending from the paint holding portion at a shallow angle for unloading excess paint from the roller. it is easier to unload excess paint from a roller on a wall that lies at a relatively shallow angle to the horizontal than on a wall that lies at a steep angle to the horizontal, typically, the wall angle of a plastic or metallic paint scuttle to the horizontal is between 80 and 85 degrees, giving an almost upright wall.

[he problem with reducing the wall angle of a paint scuttle is that die scuttle becomes unstable, particularly when the roller is prcssed against one of the walls to remove excess paint.

it would be desirable to provide a more stable paint scuttle.

it would he desirable to provide a paint scuttle providing a shallow wall angle.

One paint scuttle that seeks to provide a shallower wall angle is sold under the brand name WOOSTER WIDE BOY TM, This paint scuttle looks similar to a standard plastic paint scuttle extenrally, hut comprises a wall for unloading excess paint that extends inwardly of the base at a shallower angle the horizontal than the other walls, The scuttle is more stable than the standard plastic scuttle, however, the paint unh)ading wall bows in the same way the walls of standard plastic paint scuttles how, Another problem faced by painiters and decorators who use paint rollers is what to do with the roller during the painting job, hut when it is not being used. A bracket which clips on to a paint tray is sold by T S Simms (Canada) under the brand name FRAY ARM TM it would be desirable to provide users of paint scuttles with a place to put die paint toiler when it is not required.

Summary of the Invenüon

According to the invention there is provided a paint scuttle support, wherein the paint scuttle support comprises a base and side members extending from the base, wherein the side members extend at all angle to the base that is substantiaily identical to the angle at which the wall of a paint scuttle lies, and wherein the base is wider thall die distance between the side members at their intersection witll the base.

Preferably, the side members of the support are moveable between first and second positions, wherein in the first position of the support member engages and supports the side wall of the paint scuttle.

Preferably, the support provides for location of the side members in a plurality of different first positions. The plurality of different first positions may provide for a different distance between the side members, in order to accommodate paint scuttles of differing dimension, and/or for the side member to lie at a different angle, again to suit paint scuttles having wails inclined at different angles.

the paint scuttle support may include a base and attached to each end of the base a brace member, and attached to the brace member the side member. Preferably, the base and the brace member are attached to one another by a hinge, and the brace nieinber and die side member are attached to one another by a hinge.

Preferably, the hinges are living hinges.

the paint scuttle support may include a common base member and two support elements each mounted on die common base member, wherein each support element includes one of tile side members, two base elements and a brace member, wherein one of the base elements is pivotably attached to the side member ammd the other of the base elenients is pivotably attached to the brace member, and wherein the end of die base elements engage one another and wherein the position of the base elements relative to one another determines the angle of inclination of the side member, The paint scuttle support may further comprise a fastener to fasten one base element in position with respect to the other base element.

Advantageously, the paint scuttle support is formed of plastics material or cardboard, which may comprise a plurality of layers. One of the plurality ot layers may include corrugations.

The paint scuttle support may be formed of a material such as metal or wood, Advantageously, in the second position, the side member lies substantially flat with the base of the paint scuttle support.

Advantageously, the support is easily portable.

A preferred embodiment of the paint scuttle support is stackable and comprises a hollow structure having side and walls and a lower edge for engaging a surface, and included in opposing walls of the hollow structure a cutaway portion, so shaped and dimensioned as to receive a paint scuttle and to support at least the side walls thereoti Preferably, the paint scuttle support structure is configured to support the base of the paint scuttle.

The paint scuttle and paint scuttle support may be provided with co-operating inagiletic means to attach one to the other.

Advantageously, the paint scuttle support further includes a paint roller support. l'he paint roller support may include a cradle for receiving a paint roller head.

In one embodiment, the cradle is mounted on all elongate stein, winch is attached to tile paint scuttle support. The elongate stem is advantageously concave and adapted to receive the handle of a paint roller, According to another eniboctinient of the invention theft is provided a paint scuttle having a base wall, two side walls and two end walls, wherein the side walls are inclinded at an angle of between 50 and 70 degrees to the horizontal, Preferably, at least one of the side walls includes a plurality of members adapted to engage a roller to unload excess paint therefrom, Each of the plurality of members may be a rib, [he paint scuttle support may include attachment means configured to attach the paint scuttle support to a paint scuttle. The paint scuttle support and a paint scuttle for use therewith may include corresponding magnetic elements.

Alternatively, the side members include clip means for clipping the base to a paint scuttle.

In another alternative, one of the paint scuttle support and the paint scuttle includes an elastic cord which may be looped over an element of the other of the paint scuttle support and the paint scuttle.

According to another embodiment, the there is provided the combination of a paint scuttle and a paint scuttle support, wherein the paint scuttle support comprises a base and side members extending from tile base, wherein the side members extend at an angle to tile base that is substantially identical to tile angle at which the wall of the paint scuttle lies, and wherein the base is wider than the bottom of the paint scuttle, and wherein in use the side members of the support engage the side walls of the paint scuttle.

Brief Descripdon of the Drawings In the Drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the iilvention: Figure I is a schematic representation of a paint scuttle supported in a paint scuttle support; Figure 2 is a plan view of the paint scuttle support illustrated in Figure 1 in a flat coil tiguration; Figure 3 is a schematic representatlon of an alternative paint scuttle support; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a stack of paint scuttle supports of the type illustrated iii Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the paint scuttle support illustrated in Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a paint scuttle according to an aspect of the invention; Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the paint scuttle illustrated in Figure 6 mounted in a paint scuttle support according to the invention; and Figure 8 is another alternative paint scuttle support.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a paint scuttle support 1, which is configured to support an industry standard paint scuttle 8.

The. paint scuttle support 1 comprises a base a and triangular side members extending from the base la. Each triangular side member comprises a side support 3, 3' and a brace member 2, 2' extending from the base la to the side support 3, 3'. Each side support 3, 3' has a free end that is provided with a tab 3a, 3a'.

The tab extends through a corresponding slot II, Ii' ri tile base la so that the paint scuttle support I holds itself in the configuration shown 111 Figure 1.

The paint scuttle support 1 may he formed of plastic sheet material or cardboard and preferably is transformable between the flat configuration shown in Figure 2 and the erected configuration shown iii Figure 1, Alternatively, the paint scuttle support may be formed of a more rigid material such as metal or Where die paint scuttle support 1 is formed of cardboard or plastic materials the support may comprise multiple layers and for example may comprise outer layers separated by a corrugated layer.

it will be appreciated from Figures 1 and 2 that pivoting of the brace members 2, 2' with respect to the base I a and of the side supports 3, 3' with respect to the brace members 2, 2' is provided for, in order that the support 1 may be switched between its flat and erect configurations. Pivoting between respective parts of the base is provided by hinges 12, 12' and 13, 13' respectively, Where the support 1 is formed of a plastic sheet material or cardboard, the hinges may he in the form ofa "living'' hinge. Where tile support I is formed of a less flexible material, such as metal or wood, the hinges may be separate elements, For example, where the material is metal, the ends of the hingedly connected parts may comprise loops tor receiving a hinge pin.

it is of considerable advantage for the support 1 to have a flat configuration, since this allows the support to he stacked and hence transported and stored using the minimum of space.

The paint scuttle support 1 also includes a clip extending from each of the braces 2, 2'. Each clip comprises a first part 4, 4' and a second part 4a, 4a'. The first part 4, 4' is joined to the brace 2, 2' with the second part 4a, 4a' extending from the free end of the first part 4, 4'. The second part 4a, 4a' extends over and engages with a top edge 10 of the paint scuttle 8. l'he resilient nature of the material from which the paint scuttle support 1 is formed ensures that the clips press against the paint scuttle 8.

the provision of clips to engage the top edge of the paint scuttle 8 allows the paint scuttle support 1 to be moved with the paint scuttle 8. For example, if a painter or decorator needs to move to a different location, he simply lifts the paint scuttle 8 in the normal manner and the paint scuttle support I moves with it since it is attached thereto, In addition to providing a support for a paint scuttle, the pantt scuttle support 8 also provides a paint roller support 6. The paint roller support comprises an elongate stem Ga which engages with an aperture 7 in the brace member 2' and a slot 7a in the base la. The end of the elongate stem Ga may be provided with a tab, which may be folded to one side of the slot 7a when the elongate stem Ga is engaged therewith. Ihe roller support 6 fttrther includes a cradle 61) extending from the upper end of the elongate stem 61).

[he roller support 6 provides a convenient place for a paint roller to be placed during a period of work. ychen a painter or decorator needs to put down a paint roller that is being used, he places the roller head on the cradle 6b and rests the roller handle against the elongate stem 6a.

whilst the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is transformable between flat and erected configurations, a painit scuttle support very similar in appearance to the support illustrated in Figure 1 may he formed as a one piece unit, for example by plastics moulding. the plastics moulding may provide the aperture 7 and slot 7a and the paint roller support 6 may be a separate component.

Rekrring now to Figures 3 to 3, there is shown an alternative paint scuttle support 20, The paint scutde support 20 comprises side walls 21 joined together by end walls 22 and top walls 23. the side walis include openings 24, which are aligned and whose shape corresponds with the cross-sectional shape of a paint scuttle 8. The openings 24 have at their lower edge a wall portion 21a, which is apart of the side wall 21, and 111 use supports the underside of a paint scuttle 8. The side walls of the paint scuttle 8 are supported by the edges 21b of side walls 21 and the edges 23a of top walls 23.

Ihe embodiment of the paint scuttle support shown in Figures 3 to 5 is a one piece plastics moulding. However, as can he seen from Figure 4, the paint scuttle supports of this embodiment are stackable one on top of the other, providing for the efficient transportion and storage thereof Figure 6 illustrates a paint scuttle according to an eniboctiment of the invention, Ille paint scuttle 30 is configured for use with a paint scuttle support, for example of the type illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, or Figures 3 to 3. In each case, the parts of the paint scuttle support engaging the sides of the paint scuttle would lie at an angle which corresponds to the angle of inclination of the side walls of the paint scuttle 30.

The paint scuttle 30 comprises side walls 31 joined together by end walls 32 and a base 33. Each side wall 31 includes a plurality ot ribs 34.A roller head is immersed in paint contained in the paint scuttle 30 antI then rolled over the ribs 34 to iniload excess paint from the roller prior to paint being applied to a surface.

Ilie significant difference between the paint scuttle 30 and the paint scuttle 8 is the angle at which the side walls 31 lie.

The paint scuttle 30 is optirnised for loading a roller head with paint. To this end the side walls 31 lie at an angle of 50 degrees to the horizontal, In other embodiments the side walls 31 lie at an angle which is in the range of 50 to 70 degrees to the horizontal.

By optlniising the side wall angle for loading and unloading of a paint roller, the paint scuttle 30 is inherently unstable and must therefore be used iii congiction with a support means which prevents the paint scuttle 30 from tipping over inadvertently.

Figure 7 illustrates the paint scuttle 30 supported in a paint scuttle support 1 of the type illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The paint scuttle 30 is attached to the support I by clips which engage the upper edge of the paint scuttle side walls 31. Ihe side supports 3, 3' engage the side walls 31 of the paint scuttle. In doing so they both resist bowing of the side walls 31 dunng unloading of a roller head and also, threugh their connection with the base Ia prevent die paint scuttle 30 from tipping over, the paint scuttle 30 may be attached to the support by maguetic means. For example the base and/or side walls of the paint scuttle and correspondingly, the side supports 3, 3' and the base la may be provided with magentlc means to attach one to the other, Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment of the invention providing a paint scuttle support that is adjustable both for the width of the base of the paint scuttle that is to be supported thereby and the angle of inclination of the paint scuttle side wall.

The paint scuttle support 15 comprises a base member iSa, Thc paint scuttle 18 sits on the base member. Also mounted on the base member 15a are two adjustable and triangular paint scuttle support elements 16. The support elements are adjustable both in their position on the base member 1 5a and in the angle of inclination of the side that abuts the side wall of the paint scuttle 18, Each support element 16 comprises two base elements 16a, 16a', a side support lob, a brace 16c, One oftlie base elements I 6a is attacher] to a lower edge of the brace I 6c by a hinge I 6e. The other base element 16a' is attached to a lower edge of the side support lob by another hinge 16e, l'he upper edge of the brace 16c is attached to the upper edge of the side support 16b by another hinge 16e, [his arrangement allows for the angle at which the side support 16b lies to he adjusted to match the angle of the side wall of the paint scuttle 18.

The support elements 16 are secured in the desired configuration by a clamp 17, which in the illustrated embodiment also engages the base member I Sa, thereby also securing the support elements 16 in position on die base member lSa, I lowever, it is not essential that a common clamp is used to secured both the position of the support elements 16 on the base member ISa and the configuration of the support elements 16.

The irlative position of die base elements 16a, 16a' to each other may he secured by any suitable fastening or attachment means Similarly, the support elements 16 may he secured in position on the base member ISa by ally suitable fastening or attachment means.

One of the support elements 16' has a roller support 19 mounted therein. The brace 1 6c provides a bracket 16f including a hole, the brace also including hole aligned with the hole in the bracket 16e. the roller support 19 passes through the a1ied holes, the roller support 19 includes a cradle 19a. When a workman meets to put down a paint roller or extension pole lie nlay place the item in the roller support 19, Ihe invention provides a simple, yet effective solution to the problems associated with unloading excess paint from a roller.

The invention Larther provides a paint scuttle having a con figuration that is optimised for unloading excess paint from the roller.

Still further, die invention provides a stand upon which a paint roller may be placed when not being used

Claims

Claims 1. A paint scuttle support comprising a base and side members extending from the base, wherein the side members extend at all aligle to tile base that is substantiafly identicai to the angie at which the waiis of a paint scuffle he, and wherein the base is wider tilall tile distance between tile side members at their intersection with the base.
2, A paint scuttie support according to Ciaim 1, wherein the side members of the support ate moveable between first and second positions, wherein in the first position the support member engages and supports the side waii of the paint scuffle.
3. A paint scuffle support according to Ciaim 2, wllerein the support provides for location of the side members ill a piurailty of different first positions.
4. A paint scuttie sq port according to Cairn 3, wilereni the piurahty of different first positions provide for a different distance herweeen the side members, and/or for the side member to lie at a different angie.
5. A paint scuttie support according to any preceding ciaim, wherein the paint scuttie support includes a common base member and two support elements each mounted on the common base nlenlber, wherein eacll support element includes one of the side members, two base eienlents and a brace member, wherein one of the base elements is pivotablv attached to the side member and die otiler of the base elements is pivotabiy attaciled to tile brace member, and wiierein tile end of the base eiements engage one another and wherein the position of the base eienients relative to one anotiler determines file angie ofinciination of tile side nlenlher.
6. A paint scuttie support according to Ciairn 5, further comprising a fastener to fasten one base eiement In position with respect to the other base eiement.
7. A paint scuttle support according to Claim 5 or 6, comprising a fastener adapted to fasten one of the support elements to the conunon base.
8. A paint scuttle sul port according to Claim 7, wherein fastener fastening olle base element in position with respect to another base element is the fastener fastening the support element to file comnion base member.
9. A paint scuttle support according to any preceding claim, wherein tile material from which the support is formed comprises a plurality of layers of plastics material or cardboard.
10. A paint scuttle support according to Claim 9, wherein tile material from winch tile support is formed is a plastics material or cardboard,
II. A paint scuttle support according to ally of Claims I to 8, wherein the paint scuttle support is formed of metal or wood.
12. A paint scuttle support according to any of Claims 2 to il, whemin ill the second position, the side member lies substantially Hat.
13. A paint scuttle support according to Claim 1, comprising a structure ilaving side and walls and a lower edgu For engagng a surface, and included iii opposing walls of the structure a cutaway portion, so shaped and dimensioned as to receive a paint scuttle and to support at least flue side walls thereof,
14. A paint scuttle support according to Claim 13, wherein the structure is 1o11ow.
15. A paint scuttle support according to Claim 14, wherein the structure is stackable one inside another.
16. A paint scuttle support according to any of Claims 13 to 15, wherein the support structure is configured to support the base of tlue paint scuttle.
17. A paint scuttle support according to any preceding claim, further including a paint roller support.
18. A paint scuttle support according to Claim 17, wherein the paint roller support includes a cradle configured to receiving a paint roller head,
19. A paint scuttle support according to Claim 18, wherein the cradle is mounted on an elongate stem, which is attachable to the paint scuttle support.
20. A paint scuttle support according to Claim 19, wherein the elongate stem is concave and adapted to receive thc handle of a paint roller,
21. A paint scuttlc support according to any preceding claim, including artachmcnt means configured to attach the paint scuttle support to a paint scuttle.
22. A paint scuttle support according to Claim 21, wherein the paint scuttle support and a paint scuttle for use therewith each includes corresponding magnetic elements,
23. A paint scuttle support according to Claim 21, wherein the side members include clip means fir clipping the base to a paint scuttle.
24. A paint scuttle support according to claim 21 or 23, wherein one of the paint scuttle support and the paint scuttle includes an elastic cord for looping over an element of the other of the paint scuttle support and the paint scuttle.
25. A paint scuttle having a base wall, two side walls and two end walls, wherein the side walls are inclinded at an angle of between 50 and 70 degrees to the horizontal.
26. A paint scurtle according to Claim 25, wherein at least one of the side walls includes a plurality of members adapted to engage a roller to unload excess paint therefrom.
27. A paint scuttle according to Claim 26, wherein at least one of the plurality of members is a rib, 28, The combination of a paint scuttle and a paint scuttle support, wherein the paint scuttle support comprises a base and side members extending from the base, wherein the side members extend at an angle to the base that is substantially identical to the angle at which the wall of the paint scuttle lies, and wherein the base is wider than the bottom of the paint scuttle, and wherein in use the side niembers of the support engagr' the side walls of the paint scuttle.29. the combination ofC!aim 28, wherein paint scntt!e support is a paint scntt!e support of any of Claims 1 to 24.30. The combination of Claim 29, wherein the paint scuttle is a paint scuttle according to any of Claims 25 to 27.