MXPA00006600A - Paint brush with two component brush handle and method of making same - Google Patents

Abstract

A paint brush includes a two component brush handle having a head portion made of a relatively rigid plastic material and a grip portion made of a relatively soft, flexible elastomeric material. The head portion has one end adapted to fit within the ferrule of a brush and an other end having an integral web portion protruding axially outwardly therefrom about which the grip portion is over molded to secure the grip portion to the head portion. One or more openings are provided in the web portion through which the material of the grip portion is caused to extend during the over molding step to provide a mechanical connection between the grip portion and head portion.

Description

PAINT BRUSH WITH TWO-COMPONENT HANDLE AND METHOD FOR ITS MANUFACTURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a paint brush that includes a handle having an upper portion made of a relatively rigid plastic material and a grip portion made from a relatively soft flexible elastomeric material and manufacturing method. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is generally known to provide brushes with handles having an outer layer of a relatively soft elastic elastomeric material such as thermoplastic rubber which gives comfort in grip and an inner core of a relatively rigid thermoplastic material which retains in a Secure the fasteners used to attach the splints of the brush to the handles. However, those rigid cores - do not allow bending to conform to a variety of shapes and sizes of the hand. The desired flexibility can be obtained by manufacturing the brush handles completely from a relatively soft elastic elastomeric material. However, this makes it difficult to secure the handles to the brush splints using fixation techniques conventional Also most of the brush handles are too rigid and long to be maneuverable to paint corners and narrow spaces and the like. The brush of the present invention overcomes these and other disadvantages of previously known brushes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a brush handle with an upper portion which is made of a relatively rigid plastic material having an end adapted to be inserted into the splint of a brush and another end having a portion of integral honeycomb projecting axially outwardly around which a grip portion made of relatively soft flexible elastomeric material is over-molded to secure the grasping portion to the upper portion. According to another aspect of the invention, the grip portion is made of a thermoplastic material that is compatible with the thermoplastic material of the upper portion to form a chemical bond with the upper portion including particularly the honeycomb portion the grip portion it is overmoulded around the network portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, one or more openings are provided in the honeycomb portion through which the material of the grip portion extends to provide a mechanical connection between the upper portion and the grasping portion. According to another aspect of the invention, the other end of the upper portion has a transverse end wall from which the honeycomb portion that serves as a seal for the grip portion during overmolding of the grip portion around the honeycomb extends. the network portion. According to another aspect of the invention, the transverse end wall has substantially flat wall portions that are spaced apart from each other, from the approximate center of the end wall to opposite sides of the top portion to serve as a seal for the grip portion and cover any variation of thickness of the upper portion during overmolding of the grip portion around the net portion. According to another aspect of the invention, a raised band extends around the periphery of the other end of the upper portion to provide a stop and a transition point for the brush splint.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, cavities are provided on opposite sides of the upper portion to reduce the thickness of the upper portion to provide more uniform cooling of the upper portion during overmolding of the upper portion. According to another aspect of the invention, a cross honeycomb extends transversely through the approximate center of the cavities to provide additional support for the brush splint one end of the upper portion is inserted into the brush splint. According to another aspect of the invention, the upper portion includes planar areas at opposite ends of the cavities to receive the fasteners used to attach the brush splint to the upper portion. According to this aspect of the invention, the flat areas may have slots in which portions of the brush splint may be trapped to secure the splint to the upper portion. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the grip portion can desirably have a length of 2 to 3 inches, to make a brush of a more maneuverable size for painting corners and narrow spaces and the like.

These and other objects, advantages, features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. To achieve the foregoing, and related purposes, the invention comprises the features described fully below and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the accompanying drawings describe in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, being indicative, however, of a of the various ways in which the principles of the invention can be employed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the accompanying drawing: FIGURE 1 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred form of a brush according to the present invention shown to be held in one of many ways in the hand of a user; FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the brush of FIG. 1; FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section fragmented through the brush of Fig. 2, taken generally along the plane of line 3-3; FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal section fragmented through the brush of Fig. 3, taken generally along the plane of line 4-4; and FIGURE 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of the handle of the brush of FIGS. 1 to 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In Fig. 1, a preferred form of the paintbrush 1, according to the invention, is schematically illustrated and consists of a handle 2, bristles or filaments-3, and a splint 4, to connect the filaments to the handle 2. As is conventional, the filaments 3 are placed in a suitable adhesive 5, such as an epoxide that extends in one or more annular grooves that protrude outwards 6, in the internal wall of the the splint 4, to securely fix the filaments to the splint as shown schematically in Figs. 3 and 4. In the embodiment described herein, the outer ends 7 of the filaments 3 are progressively longer across the width of the brush to provide an angular brush that is typically used for detail. However, it will be appreciated that the outer ends of the filaments may be substantially of the same length if it is left. The handle "2" consists of two main components, an upper portion 7, (shown in FIG. ) and a grip portion 8 (see Figs 3 and 4). The upper portion 7 is pre-molded from a relatively rigid plastic such as polypropylene, which is impervious to most paint solvents. The lower end 9 of the upper portion 7 is shaped to provide a narrow fit within the upper end of the metal ferrule 4. On opposite sides of the upper portion 7, at half its width are cavities 15, which reduce the thickness of the upper portion to provide a more uniform cooling of the upper portion during injection overmolding of the upper portion. Extending transversely through the center of each cavity 15, there is a cross honeycomb 16 which provides additional support for the splint 4 of the brush when the upper portion is inserted into the brush splint (see Fig. 3). At opposite ends of the cavities, on each side of the upper portion 7 there are flat areas 18 containing a gripping groove 19 to allow portions 20 of the ferrule 4 to be trapped in the grooves (see Fig. 1) for Fix the splint to the upper portion. Alternatively, if desired, suitable fasteners such as nails 21 can be inserted through the splint into the flat areas 18 adjacent to the spikes. grip slots 19 for securely fixing the brush ferrule to the upper portion without the need to jam the ferrule in the grooves. It is clear that other fasteners can be used in addition to the nails, such as screws, staples, rims or the like. The fasteners 21, securely retain the splint, when penetrating the flat areas 18. Two of those fasteners, are shown schematically in phantom lines in Fig. 2. Extending around the periphery of the upper end of the upper portion 7, it is found a raised band 22, to provide a stop and transition point for the splint 4 when the lower end of the upper portion is inside the splint as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. At the uppermost end of the upper portion 7, there is a transverse end wall having an integral honeycomb portion projecting axially outwards and upwards from the axial center of the transverse end wall through which the grasping portion 8 is overmolded to fix the grasping portion to the upper portion. The thermoplastic material of the grip portion 8 is desirably compatible with the thermoplastic material of the upper portion 7, whereby during the overmolding operation, the grip portion forms a chemical bond with the honeycomb portion. 24, and the transverse end wall 23 of the upper portion. Also one or more openings 25 (two are shown), are provided in the honeycomb portion 24 through which the material of the grip portion 8, is overmold during the overmolding operation to provide a mechanical connection between the upper portion and the grip portion. Preferably, the transverse end wall of the upper portion 7, has substantially two flat wall portions 30, 31 that are separated from each other in an inclined downward direction, from the approximate axial center of the end wall to opposite sides of the upper portion ( see Figs 3 and 5). Those wall portions, 30, 31, serve as a seal for the gripping portion 8 and cover any variation in the thickness of the upper portion 7 during the overmolding portion. After closing the mold, the seal areas of the flat wall portions 30, 31 are compressed slightly to prevent the gripping material from flowing past the transverse end wall 23. In the preferred embodiment described herein, the portion of grip 8 desirably has a general length of about 2 to 3 inches and opposite flat sides 32, 33 and concave opposite edges 34, 35 terminating at a rounded outer end 36. Such a general shape allows the portion of grip 8 is held in a variety of ways including that shown in Fig. 1, in which the thumb and the middle finger of the user's hand grasp opposite sides of the splint and the index finger rests on the upper edge 37 of the splint and rounded outer end 36 of the grip portion rests in the space formed between the thumb and forefinger. The grip of the brush in this way provides greater control and mapiobrability of the brush, which is particularly advantageous when painting corners and narrow spaces and the like. Also, by providing a brush handle with a relatively short grip portion 8, the grip portion is allowed to fit in the palm of a user's hand when the splint is being grasped between the thumb and middle fingers and the index finger e ^ tá placed on the upper edge of the splint. However, it should be appreciated that the grip portion may be longer, for example, up to 6 inches and still provide greater control and manisability of the brush due to the greater flexibility of the grip portion. A hole 37 may be provided at the outer end 36 of the grip portion 8 to allow the brush to be hung with a wire hanger or the like. Cavities can also be provided of triangular shape 38, 39, on opposite sides 32, 33 of the gripping portion 8, for decorative purposes and to help slightly in cooling the gripping portion during the overmolding operation. Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment, it is obvious that alterations and equivalent modifications will occur to other experts in the art when reading and understanding the description. The present invention includes all such alterations and modifications and is only limited by the scope of the claims.

Claims (32)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the invention as above, the contents of the following are claimed as claimed: 1. A brush handle for painting characterized in that it consists of an upper portion made of a relatively rigid plastic material and a grip portion. of a relatively soft flexible elastomeric material, the upper portion has an appropriate end to be inserted into a ferrule of a brush and another end having an integral honeycomb portion projecting axially outwardly from the other end, the grip portion being overmoulded around the honeycomb portion thereby fixing the grasping portion to the upper portion.
2. 2. The handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the honeycomb portion has at least one opening through which the grip portion extends to provide a mechanical connection between the upper portion and the grip portion. .
3. 3. The handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the honeycomb portion has a plurality of openings through which the grip portion extends to provide a mechanical connection between the upper portion and the grip portion.
4. 4. - The handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the other end of the portion has a transverse end wall through which the honeycomb portion extends and which serves as a seal for the grip portion during the overmolding of the grip portion around the network portion.
5. 5. - The handle according to claim 4, characterized in that the transverse end wall has two substantially flat wall portions that are separated from each other in an inclined manner from the approximate center of the end wall to opposite sides of the upper portion that it serves as a seal for the gripping portion and covers any variation in thickness of the upper portion during overmolding of the gripping portion around the network portion.
6. 6. The handle according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a raised band around the periphery of the other end of the upper portion which acts as a stop and transition point for the brush ferrule when the end of the The upper portion is "inserted into the brush splint."
7. 7. The handle according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper portion has one or more slots on opposite sides, in which portions of the brush splint are adapted. to be trapped for Fix the brush splint to the upper portion.
8. 8. - The handle according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper portion has planar shafts on opposite sides to receive fasteners for fixing the brush splint to the upper portion.
9. 9. - The handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper portion has cavities on opposite sides intermediate the width of those sides to reduce the thickness of the upper portion to provide a more uniform cooling of the upper portion during overmolding of that upper portion.
10. 10. The handle according to claim 9, further comprising a cross-anal that extends transversely through the approximate center of the cavities to provide additional support for the brush splint when the end of the upper portion is located. inserted in the splint of the brush.
11. 11. - The handle according to claim 9, characterized in that the upper portion includes flat areas adjacent to opposite ends of the cavities to receive fasteners to fix the splint of the brush to the upper portion.
12. 12. - The handle according to claim 11, characterized in that the flat areas have grooves in which portions of the brush ferrule are adapted to be caught to fix the brqcha splint to the upper portion.
13. 13. - The handle according to the claim 1, characterized in that the grip portion is made of a thermoplastic material that forms a chemical bond when the grip portion is overmolded around the net portion.
14. 14. - The handle according to claim 13, characterized in that the upper portion is made of polypropylene and the grip portion is made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
15. 15. - The handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip portion has a length of 2 to 3 inches or 5 to 7.5 cm.
16. 16. - A paint brush characterized in that it consists of a splint, brush filaments fixed inside the splint, and a handle consisting of an upper portion made of a relatively rigid plastic material and a grip portion made of a flexible elastomeric material relatively smooth, that upper portion has one end fixed within the ferrule and another end having a honeycomb portion projecting axially outwardly around which the grasping portion is over-molded to secure the grip portion to the upper portion.
17. 17. - The brush according to the claim 16, characterized in that, the honeycomb portion includes one or more openings through which the material of the grip portion extends to provide a mechanical connection between the grip portion and the top portion.
18. 18.- The brush according to the claim 17, characterized in that the other end of the upper portion has one or more flat regions that serve as a seal for the gripping portion during overmolding of the gripping portion around the protruding portion.
19. 19. - The brush according to claim 16, characterized in that one end of the upper portion is shaped to provide a narrow fit within the ferrule and the other end of the upper portion has a raised band extending around the periphery from the other end to provide a stop and transition point for the splint.
20. 20. - The brush according to the claim 19, characterized in that the upper portion has slots on opposite sides in which portions of the splint are trapped to fix the splint to the upper portion.
21. 21. - The brush according to the claim 19, characterized in that, the upper portion has planar areas on opposite sides and fasteners extend through the splint to the planar areas to attach the splint to the upper portion.
22. 22. The brush according to the claim 21, characterized in that, the upper portion has cavities on opposite sides intermediate the width of the sides to reduce the thickness of the upper portion and a crossed honeycomb extends through the transverse center of the cavities to provide additional support to the splint in the region of the cavities.
23. 23. The brush according to claim 16, characterized in that the grip portion has a length of approximately 2 to 3 inches or 5 to 7.5 cm.
24. 24. - A method for manufacturing a brush handle for painting characterized in that it comprises the steps of pre-molding an upper portion of a relatively rigid plastic material having an end formed to be-inserted into a ferrule of a brush and another end formed with a honeycomb portion projecting axially outwardly and overmolding a grasping portion of a relatively soft flexible elastomeric material around the protruding portion of the honeycomb to secure the grasping portion to the upper portion.
25. 25. - The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, the protruding honeycomb portion includes one or more openings through which the material of the grip portion extends during the overmolding step to provide a mechanical connection between the portion of grip and the upper portion.
26. 26. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that the outer end of the upper portion has a transverse end wall from which a protruding honeycomb portion extends, and one or more planar regions are provided in the wall. transverse end that serve as a seal for grip portion during the overmolding stage.
27. 27.- The method according to the claim 24, characterized in that one end of the upper portion is shaped to provide a narrow fit within the ferrule, and the other end of the upper portion has a raised band extending around the periphery of the other end to provide a point of stop and transition for the splint.
28. 28. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that the upper portion is formed with cavities on opposite sides to reduce the thickness of the upper portion in the region of the cavities for provide a more uniform cooling of the upper portion during the pre-casting step.
29. 29.- The method according to the claim 28, characterized in that a cross honeycomb is overmolded through the transverse center of the cavities during the pre-casting step to provide additional support for the splint.
30. 30.- The method according to the claim 29, characterized in that planar areas are formed on opposite sides of the cavities during the pre-casting step to receive fasteners used to fix the splint to the upper portion.
31. 31.- The method according to the claim 29, characterized in that flat areas are formed on opposite sides of the cavities and grooves are formed in the flat areas during the pre-casting step, within which portions of the ferrule are adapted to be trapped to fix the ferrule to the upper portion .
32. 32. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that the upper portion is made of polypropylene and the grip portion is made of a thermoplastic elastomer.