NZ536176A - Paint brush holder - Google Patents

Abstract

A paint applicator holding device for a paint applicator having, when in use, a handle portion and an applicator portion, the device comprising: a body portion supporting a horizontally disposed plate have one or more handle receiving apertures adapted to receive and hold a narrow portion of the handle portion, the arrangement and construction of the body portion and the plate being such as to allow the applicator portion to be suspended below the plate without contacting another surface, the suspension being achieved by a wide portion of the handle portion engaging a rigid perimeter of the handle receiving aperture.

Description

No: 537282 Date: 16 December 2004 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION J J fi w > i y E D PAINT APPLICATOR HOLDER We, J S V NEW ZEALAND LIMITED, a company duly incorporated under the laws of New Zealand of 37 Roseanne Road, Manurewa, Auckland, New Zealand (as trustee for J S V NEW ZEALAND TRUST), do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a paint applicator holder, more particularly for paint brushes.

In particular, although not solely, this invention relates to a paint brush holder system for domestic and/or industrial use.

There are many paint brush holding devices described in the prior art. However, these are holders for single paint brushes which either attach to a paint tin or a ladder for securing a single paint brush article while the paint brush items or articles are in use.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a paint utensil holder which at least goes some way to addressing the above disadvantages of the prior art or at least provides the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention consists in a paint applicator holding device for a paint applicator having, when in use, a handle portion and an applicator portion, the device comprising, a body portion supporting a horizontally disposed plate having one or more handle receiving apertures adapted to receive and hold a narrow portion of said handle portion, the arrangement and construction of the body portion and the plate being such as to allow said applicator portion to be suspended below said plate without contacting another surface, wherein said suspension is achieved by a wide portion of said handle portion engaging a rigid perimeter of said handle receiving aperture.

Preferably said plate is substantially horizontal in use.

Preferably a side wall forms a supporting means for the plate when extending below the plate.

Preferably said body portion is tapered inwardly to be placeable inside a standard bucket for the suspension of stored paint applicator articles within a cleansing fluid or the like while in use or in storage.

Preferably said plate is supported on a lip or inward projection from said body portion.

Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. - 8 DEC 2006 Preferably said side walls and plate are integrally moulded with said body portion.

Preferably said side walls extend from the perimeter of the plate substantially orthogonal to the plane in which said perimeter lies.

Preferably a wide orifice is provided in said plate of sufficient geometrical dimension to admit said applicator portion of said paint applicator.

Preferably said handle receiving apertures communicate with said orifice by a link aperture.

Preferably said link aperture is of sufficient geometrical dimension to admit the narrow portion of said handle portion of said paint applicator.

Preferably said body portion comprises an attachment means adapted to receive a means for transporting said paint applicator storage device for said paint applicator, such as a handle.

Preferably said attachment means is at least one loop fastened to said body portion.

Preferably said attachment means is located at opposite regions of said device for balance and stability of said paint applicator storage device during transport.

Preferably said attachment means is at least two projections, each adapted to receive an end portion of a gripping means.

Preferably said attachment means is at least one longitudinal slit, each adapted to receive an end portion of said gripping means.

Preferably said paint applicator is a paint brush.

In a further aspect, the present invention consists in a paint applicator storage device for a paint applicator as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. - 8 DEC 2006 RECEIVED Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein, Figure 1A shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a paint brush holder in accordance with the present invention, Figure IB shows a perspective view of a portion of a paint brush holder of Figure 1A, Figure 2A shows a normal paint brush, Figure 2B shows a paint brush being inserted within the paint brush holder of Figure 1A, Figure 2C shows the sequence (as indicated by the arrow) required for manoeuvring the paint brush for securement within an aperture holder, Figure 2D shows the final movements required for appropriate location of the paint brush, Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the current invention, Figure 4A shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4B shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 shows a shaded perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention, Figure 8 shows a plan view of a further embodiment of the present invention, Figure 9 shows an elevation section view of A-A' as identified in Figure 8.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a paint applicator storage device in accordance with the present invention where paint applicator handle receiving apertures 3 provide for the locating and storing of one of a plurality of paint applicator utensils.

The handle receiving aperture is provided within a substantially horizontal plate 1. The plate 1 is supported by a body portion which may be integrally moulded with the plate 1. Body portion 36 can thus be vertically disposed second and third panels 7 and 7A. The plate 1 has an orifice 6 of sufficient size for the applicator portion of the paint applicator to pass. Each paint brush 50, as shown in Figure 2A has a handle portion 2 and an applicator portion 5. The orifice 6 of the plate allows for the paint applicator portion 5 of the paint applicator orifice to be admitted without hindrance or interference so that the paint applicator 50 may be located adequately as shown in Figure 2B.

It can be seen from Figure 1A that the geometry of the plate 1 allows for multiple paint applicators such as brushes 50 to be removeably stored. The spacing of the handle receiving apertures 3 allow a plurality of brushes to be held for ease of transport and such that contact between adjacent brushes is minimised.

Figure IB shows a typical paint brush 50 secured in an appropriate location within a handle receiving aperture 3 of the plate 1 for storage. Each aperture has two portions, a neck or link portion 4 and the securing portion 3. The paint brush handle is located within the securing portion 3. A normal paint brush handle has a narrow portion 2a (Figure 2A) and a thicker upper portion 2b. The securing aperture has a portion of circumference 3A which is narrower in circumference than the thickest portion of 2b. Hence the narrow portion 2a of the handle 2 of the paint brush can be fed through neck portion 4 and into the securing portion 3 as shown in Figure 2c and 2d. A paint brush handle is normally somewhat elliptical in shape and hence the portion 3 of the aperture can be of complementary shape. It will be appreciated that the geometry of the handle receiving apertures within the plate 1 may be altered and varied appropriately so that multiple geometries of paint brush handles 2 may be accommodated accordingly.

The circumferential rim 3A of the apertures 3 can be provided with a surface finish or edge trim to provide a relatively firm and secure grip may be achieved. This will allow the brushes to be transported within the device 20 without inconvenient loss of a brush 50 or similar.

Transportation of the device 20 may be aided by a handle or strap (shown in Figure 3) 45 being fixed to the body portion 36 so that a rigid and secure attachment is obtained. The handle 45 may typically comprise a strip of flexible material such as plastic or fabric. For providing optimal balance and therefore safe and convenient transport of the device 20, the handle is attached to opposite ends of the body portion 36.

The desired method of insertion and appropriate securement of paint brush 50 is shown in Figures 2A to D. Figure 2A shows a paint brush 50 prior to insertion into the device 20 of the current invention. Depending upon the orientation of the paint brush 50 prior to insertion, there may be a need to rotate the paint brush 50 such that the bristle region 5 may fit through the wide orifice 6. It will be appreciated that the geometry of the orifice 6 may be varied so that no pre-rotation of the paint brushes 50 is required.

Figure 2B illustrates the subsequent step where the paint brush 2A is inserted wholly within the orifice 6 ready for the handle to be secured in any one of the handle receiving apertures 3.

Figure 2C shows the paint brush lowered to a level where the narrowest region of the paint brush handle 2 can move through the aperture channel 4 provided in accordance with the direction of the arrows.

The sequence is completed in Figure 2D where the paint brush 50 is located at the receiving aperture 3 and lowered (in accordance with the direction of the arrows) so that the wider part of the paint brush handle 2 engages the circumference of the appropriate handle receiving aperture 3.

It may be also appreciated that an inherent advantage of the current invention is the ability to provide a system which may utilise a variety of plates 1 with various sized handle receiving apertures 3 for locating and securing paint brushes 50 of different sizes and for different uses. There exists a great number of paint brush sizes reflecting a large variety of specialised uses. The device 20 of the present invention may be varied and extended to include removable plates 1 which may be manufactured in accordance with a variety of different aperture geometries corresponding to specialised paint brush handle 2 shapes and associated sizes. Further, the plate 1 may be fabricated allowing paint roller handles or similar to be suspended in accordance with those of paint brushes 50.

The aperture plates 1 may be fastened to the body portion by resting upon a lip or projection (not shown), projecting from the body panels 7 and 7A such that the aperture plate is wholly supported. However, it is appreciated that the most convenient and cost effective form of the present invention is for both the aperture plate 1 and body portion to be integrally moulded or manufactured from the same material.

A further feature of the current invention is that the internal circumference of each of the handle receiving apertures 3 used to locate the paint brushes 50 may be modified to vary the gripping strength. Such varying grip means may be achieved by the use of inserts to line the internal circumference of the handle receiving apertures 3. For example, a user may wish to secure a plurality of paint brushes for immediate travel or portability in an upright condition. In this instance a specific insert may be attached to any one of the apertures to securely hold the paint brushes 50 accordingly. However, the user may also wish to remove the paint brush 50 periodically and frequently and, in this instance, the presence of such an insert may restrict the ease at which this is done. Further a user may wish for reasons of safety to restrict access such as to prevent unknown use by children, e.g., where paint brushes have been exposed to hazardous chemicals and the like. The flexibility of the use of inserts is potentially beneficial to a high end or industrial user, but can also be of value to domestic users.

A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 4. Figure 4A which shows a generally circular geometry for the aperture plate 1 surrounded by a circular body portion 36 having upstanding portion 31 and a lower portion 30 with paint brush handle receiving apertures 3 spaced circumferentially around the wide orifice 6. The same method is used for admitting and locating a paint brush 50, as has been described previously.

Transport of the device can be provided by clips, recesses or grooves applied to the upper rim of the upstanding 31 panel, or a similarly appropriate location, for locating and fixing a carry handle 45. Such fixtures are located on opposite sides to allow for the device 20 to be optimally balanced during transport.

Another feature of the invention illustrated in Figure 4A is that the lower sidewall 30 of the body portion 36 is tapered. The sidewall 30 extends downward from the peripheral rim 38 of the aperture plate and further acts as the main supporting means for the device 20. The height of the side wall portion 30 is such that adequate space is provided for the applicator portion 5 of the paint applicators 50 when secured in the apertures 3, above any resting surface upon which the device 20 is placed.

Figure 4B shows a further embodiment of the present invention. A rectangular form of the aperture plate 1 and body portion 36 is provided. It will be appreciated that many geometrical shapes may be adopted for the plate and body portion.

For each instance shown in Figure 4, the sidewall(s) 30 may rise above the perimeter 38 of the aperture plate forming an upstanding portion 31. Depending upon ease of manufacture, this upstanding region 31 may taper outwards as an extension of a complementary inward taper of the lower portion 30. The upstanding portion 31 may exist to provide a region of the body portion 36 to which the handle clips or engagement means 40 may be located or manufactured for receiving a convenient handle.

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the present invention whereby the lower sidewall portion 30 has cut-away portions to reduce the amount of material used, and therefore reduce the overall cost. The lower side wall 30 may be suitably moulded to fit within a standard household bucket or similar. Hence leg portions 30A may be tapered concentrically inward. It may also be appreciated that a similar adaptation can be provided for non-circular body portion 36 shapes such as that shown in Figure 4B.

A further benefit of the embodiment is shown in Figures 4A through Figure 9 where it may be placed inside a bucket during operation or storage. The geometry of the device 20 can be such that it can be a snug fit within the inside of a standard household bucket. Each paint applicator 50 may be suspended within a cleansing liquid within the bucket, such that a brush 50 remains in a cleansed and ready to use condition.

In this embodiment, the device 20 may require suitable gripping means to allow simple removal of the device 20 from the bucket. Suitable surface relief can be provided around the periphery of the device 20 to allow adequate friction between the material or substrate surface and the user's fingers. Furthermore portions of textured surface of the upstanding side wall 31 or grooves in which loops are attached to provide gripping means for fingers of a user can be provided.

Body portion can be a side wall extending substantially vertically above and below the plate, from the plate and can be of any suitable shape it is present primarily to provide a support for the horizontal plate. Preferably it is substantially orthogonal to the rim of the plate. A circular body portion does allow the device to fit over or within the upper rim of a bucket for storage purposes. The bucket can contain suitable liquids to maintain the applicator portion in a usable form.

Claims (17)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A paint applicator holding device for a paint applicator having, when in use, a handle portion and an applicator portion, the device comprising, a body portion supporting a horizontally disposed plate having one or more handle receiving apertures adapted to receive and hold a narrow portion of said handle portion, the arrangement and construction of the body portion and the plate being such as to allow said applicator portion to be suspended below said plate without contacting another surface, wherein said suspension is achieved by a wide portion of said handle portion engaging a rigid perimeter of said handle receiving aperture.

2. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate is substantially horizontal in use.

3. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein a side wall forms a supporting means for the plate when extending below the plate.

4. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said body portion is tapered inwardly to be placeable inside a standard bucket for the suspension of stored paint applicator articles within a cleansing fluid or the like while in use or in storage.

5. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said plate is supported on a lip or inward projection from said body portion.

6. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein said side walls and plate are integrally moulded with said body portion.

7. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein said side walls extend from the perimeter of the plate substantially orthogonal to the plane in which said perimeter lies. Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. -8 DEC 2006

8. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein a wide orifice is provided in said plate of sufficient geometrical dimension to admit said applicator portion of said paint applicator.

9. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said handle receiving apertures communicate with said orifice by a link aperture.

10. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said link aperture is of sufficient geometrical dimension to admit the narrow portion of said handle portion of said paint applicator.

11. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said body portion comprises an attachment means adapted to receive a means for transporting said paint applicator storage device for said paint applicator, such as a handle.

12. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said attachment means is at least one loop fastened to said body portion.

13. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 12 wherein said attachment means is located at opposite regions of said device for balance and stability of said paint applicator storage device during transport.

14. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein said attachment means is at least two projections, each adapted to receive an end portion of a gripping means.

15. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said attachment means is at least one longitudinal slit, each adapted to receive an end portion of said gripping means.

16. A paint applicator holding device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein said paint applicator is a paint brush.

17. A paint applicator storage device for a paint applicator as claimed herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS QZfck PAY OF [\)o Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. - 8 DEC 2006