US20070280776A1

US20070280776A1 - Powered paint brush

Info

Publication number: US20070280776A1
Application number: US11/445,593
Authority: US
Inventors: Jerry D. Castellana
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-01
Filing date: 2006-06-01
Publication date: 2007-12-06

Abstract

A powered-pump fed paint brush comprises a brush assembly and a pump unit. The brush assembly includes a main body having a handle and a brush stock and a bristle bundle secured in the brush stock. A plurality of fluid distribution members extend into the bristle assembly and are multidirectionally flexible such that the distribution members flex substantially freely with the flex of the bristles in any direction. The fluid distribution members each have a proximal end which is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid from the pump unit and an open distal end within the bristle bundle which applies the fluid to the bristles. A fluid supply pathway extends through the main body from fluid distribution members to the outlet of the pump unit. The pump unit comprises a pump, a motor and battery for powering the pump, and a fluid reservoir. The pump has a pump inlet in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the fluid supply pathway. The pump unit may be separate from the brush assembly and connected thereto by a supply tube or it may be entirely disposed on the main body of the paint brush resulting in a completely self-contained powered paint brush system.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to paint brushes and more particularly to paint brushes having powered paint supply to the paint brush.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Paint brushes have been around for a very long time and are known to be relatively effective devices for applying a paint, varnish or other coating to a surface being coated. Throughout this specification, the term paint shall refer to any coating which may be applied to a surface with a paint brush, including without limitation, paint, varnish, stain, lacquer, polish, glaze, finish or other coating which can be applied with a paint brush.
Generally, a paint brush has a bundle of bristles having one end secured in a stock or head which has a handle. With a conventional paint brush, the bristles are dipped in a container of paint, such as a bucket, tray of cup. It order to most effectively apply the paint with the paint brush, it is important to get the right amount of paint on the brush, too much and the paint will drip off the brush; too little and the paint does not spread very far and may spread out too thin for providing proper coverage. Accordingly, after the brush is dipped, it is often necessary to swipe the brush over the edge of the container or on the surface of the container. The brush must be dipped in the paint numerous times to paint a large surface. The shortcomings of this very labor-intensive, time consuming process of painting with a conventional paint brush has led to the development of many alternative devices and methods for applying paint to a surface to be coated. For example, paint sprayers, paint rollers, and various types of painting pads have been developed. However, these alternative painting devices still do not have the control of a paint brush, nor do they provide the distinct and often desirable finish of paint brush.
Thus, in an attempt to alleviate the tiring, inefficient and labor intensive process of using a paint brush, several mechanisms for connecting a paint brush with a source of paint under pressure have been previously described. For example, such power-fed paint brushes, as they may be called, are typified by those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,829,850; 4,790,679; 4,676,685; 5,904,434; 5,071,278; and 5,139,357. These power-fed paint brushes all comprise a paint reservoir remote from the paint brush and a flexible tube connecting the reservoir to the paint brush. The paint reservoir has a pump for pumping paint contained in the reservoir through the tube to the paint brush. The tube is typically connected to the end of the handle of the paint brush and a lumen or tube within the handle conveys the paint to a paint distribution device which delivers the paint to the bristles of the paint brush.
However, these previously known power-fed paint brushes have a number of drawbacks. For one, the tube connecting the paint brush to the paint reservoir can be a nuisance because it gets in the way of the painting motion and makes it harder to perform the typical back and forth painting strokes. In addition, the paint distribution devices are ineffective for various reasons. For example, the paint spouts disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,829,850, extend only to the upper end of the bristles. This creates problems with dripping and the flow of the paint to the lower end of the bristles and application to a surface being coated. And for those distribution devices which do extend to near the lower end of the bristles, the devices tend to inhibit the proper flexure of the bristles during painting. For instance, the distribution devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,676,685 and 4,790,679 are wide, flat inserts with a plurality of opening near the lower (or distal) end. Although the inserts are disclosed as being flexible, it can be seen that such a device is very stiff in the transverse direction (i.e. the insets flex along with the bristles when bent by using the wide plane of the brush, but is very stiff when bent by using the narrow edge of the brush). It is common to use the edge of a paint brush to paint smaller and narrower surface areas.
Accordingly, there is need for a pump fed paint brush overcomes the shortcomings and disadvantages of previous devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pump fed paint brush which has a paint distribution which delivers paint to the proper portion of the bristles and does not unduly inhibit the proper flexure of the bristles when painting with strokes in a direction perpendicular to the wide dimension of the bristles (primary stroke) or in a direction parallel to the wide dimension of the bristles (edge stroke). In addition, the present invention provides a pump fed paint brush in which the entire device is contained in the hand-held paint brush such that there are no tubes between a remote reservoir and the paint brush.
The power fed paint brush of the present invention comprises a main body having a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bristle stock provided at the distal end of the handle. A bundle of bristles is secured in the bristle stock. In one innovative aspect of the present invention, a plurality of fluid distribution members extending from the stock into said bundle of bristles substantially parallel to the bristles. The fluid distribution members are very flexible (of similar flexibility or more flexible than the bundle of bristles) in all directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the distribution members. The distribution members preferably comprise helical springs which are of similar flexibility, or more flexible than the bundle of bristles. The property of flexibility in all directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the distribution members and having similar or more flexibility than the bundle of bristles is referred to herein as multidirectionally flexible, i.e. when the bristles are flexed in any direction, the distribution members substantially freely flex along with the bristles. Said in another way, the distribution members do not exhibit a substantial counteracting force against the direction of flexure. Moreover, when flexed or bent along with the bristles, the fluid flow path within the distribution members should not be closed or unduly restricted. In the unflexed state, the coils of the spring may be closed and when flexed (or bent) the coils open at the outer radius of the flexed spring. The proximal end of the distribution coils are in fluid communication with a source of pumped fluid, such as a manifold. The manifold is in fluid communication with a pump, such as a positive-displacement pump, which is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir. A control switch may be provided on the paint brush to control the operation of the pump, such as turning the pump on/off and/or controlling the speed of the pump.
In operation, the pump pumps fluid from the reservoir through a fluid flow path (such as a flexible tube) to the manifold of the paint brush. The fluid is then distributed through the manifold to the plurality of multidirectionally flexible distribution members. The fluid flows through the distribution members onto the bristles where it can be applied to a surface being coated using standard painting brush strokes.
In another innovative aspect of the present invention, the pump and its power source, and the fluid reservoir are fully self-contained on or in the main body of the paint brush. In this way, there is no external fluid transfer tube from the pump and reservoir to the paint brush to get in the way of the operator. Although any pump suitable for pumping fluids such as paint can be used, as an example, the pump may be a piston pump comprising a piston rod slidably received in a piston cylinder. One end of the piston cylinder is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir which is disposed on or in the main body. The piston pump is powered by an electric motor having a drive shaft and a gear attached to the drive shaft. The motor gear may be operably coupled to a drive gear. A first end of a piston arm is rotatably connected to the drive gear and a second end of the piston arm is rotatably connected to a piston rod of the piston pump. As the motor is operated, the assembly causes a reciprocating motion of the piston rod which creates a pumping pressure. An outlet fluid flow path is also in fluid communication with the pump cylinder, separated by a one-way valve which is closed during the suction stroke of the piston pump to block back-flow from the outlet fluid flow path and is open during the compression stroke to allow fluid to flow into the outlet fluid flow path. The outlet fluid flow path delivers the fluid to a manifold and plurality of fluid distribution members, the same or similar to those described above.
The power-fed paint brushes may also be configured with a paint sprayer head and a valve which can be adjusted to select either paint brush mode or paint sprayer mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view (partially cut-away) of a power fed paint brush according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a helical spring distribution member in an unflexed state according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a helical spring distribution member in a flexed state according to the present invention

FIG. 4 is side view (partially cut-away) of a fluid pump unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is side view (partially cut-away) of a fluid pump unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view (partially cut-away) of a fully self-contained power fed paint brush according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view (partially cut-away) of a power fed paint brush having an airless spray nozzle according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view (partially cut-away) of the power fed paint brush of FIG. 7 with the brush head disconnected from the handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to FIG. 1, a power fed paint brush 10 according to the present invention is shown. The power fed paint brush 10 comprises a main body 12 having a handle 14 and a bristle stock 16. A bristle bundle 17 is retained by the bristle stock 16. The main body 12 may be formed of any suitable material such as wood, plastic or metal.
A fluid flow path 18 in the form of a bore or a tube within the bore runs from the proximal end 20 of the handle to a manifold 22 located in main body 12 near the bristle stock 16. The manifold 22 has a single inlet from the flow path 18 and multiple outlets in fluid connection with a plurality of fluid distribution members 24. The manifold 22 may be as simple as a junction of fluid flow paths such as the intersection of several tubes, or it may be a block having one inlet and a plurality of outlets.
The fluid distribution members extend into the bristle bundle 17 and extend to a point near the distal end of the bristles. The fluid distribution members 24 are very flexible (of similar flexibility or more flexible than the bundle of bristles) in all directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the distribution members such that they do not inhibit the flexure of the bristles 17 when the paint brush 10 is being used. The property of flexibility in all directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the distribution members and having similar or more flexibility than the bundle of bristles is referred to herein as multidirectionally flexible. The proximal ends 27 of the distribution members 24 are in fluid communication with the manifold 22 and the distal ends 26 of the distribution members 24 are open to allow fluid to flow out from the distribution members 24 and onto the bristles 17. The distribution members 24 may have additional apertures along there length for allowing fluid to flow out and onto the bristles. The distribution members 24 may comprise any suitable structure having the proper flexure and which can effectively deliver the fluid from the manifold 22 to the bristles 17, such as a very flexible plastic tube, fabric tube, or helical spring as described below.
In the example of FIG. 1, a single inlet flow path 18 supplies a manifold which distributes the paint to a plurality of distribution members 24, in this case, three distribution members 24, but fewer or more distribution members 24 may be used. For example, in the case of a 1 inch brush, one or two distribution members may be sufficient. In the case of a 2 inch brush, two distribution members may suffice. And in the case of a 3″ brush, three distribution members may be used.
The distribution members 24 preferably comprise helical springs 25 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) which are of similar flexibility, or more flexible than the bristle bundle 17. In the unflexed state, the coils of the spring 25 may be closed as shown in FIG. 2 and when flexed (or bent) the coils 25 open at the outer radius of the flexed spring 25 as shown in FIG. 3. This provides the advantageous result that the paint will flow out of the side of the spring 25 which is toward the surface being coated by the paint brush because the surface is on the outer radius of the flexed bristles 17 and distribution members 24.
The proximal end 20 of the handle 28 has a connector 30 which may be connected to a flexible supply tube 32. The tube 32 may be connected to a suitable source of fluid under pressure such as fluid pump unit 80 shown in FIG. 4. A control switch 34 may be provided on the paint brush 10 for controlling the operation of the pump unit 80, such as turning the pump 82 on/off and/or controlling the speed of the pump 82. The control switch 34 is operably coupled to the pump unit with which the paint brush 10 is utilized. The control switch 34 may be a pneumatic switch, electrical switch, or a wireless control switch which sends a wireless signal to the pump unit. Alternatively, a valve (not shown) may be provided in the fluid flow path 18 which can be open, closed and/or adjusted to control the flow of fluid to the paint brush 10.
The paint brush head 118, comprising the bristle stock 16, bristle bundle 17, manifold 22 and distribution members 24, may be removable from the handle 14. This allows the operator to change the brush head 11 8and also facilitates cleaning of the components of the paint brush 10. In this case, the distal end of the fluid flow path 18 is detachably connected to the manifold 22. Any suitable connection may be used, including a simple male-to-female fluid tight connection having a seal such as an o-ring or gasket, or a compression fitting. An example of a suitable connection is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 between the manifold 22 and the ball valve 112. In addition, releasable fastening device may be used to releasably retain the brush head 118 to the handle 14. As an example, the clips 114 and detents 116, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, can be utilized.
Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a fluid pump unit 80 according to the present invention is illustrated. The fluid pump unit 80 comprises a housing 81 which encloses a pump assembly 82 and a fluid reservoir 83. The pump assembly 82 includes an electric motor 84, a battery power source 86, and a pump 88. The electric motor 84 is secured to a pair of motor mounts 90 which are in turn secured to a motor plate 92. The electric motor 84 is electrically connected to the battery 86 through control electronics 94. The control electronics 94 may comprise a control board (not shown) operatively connected to a master on/off switch 96 and a momentary switch 98. The master on/off switch controls the master power to the pump unit 80, while the momentary switch 98 turns the electric motor 84 on/off when the switch is actuated. The momentary switch 98 is preferably a normally “off” switch which turns the motor off when the switch is not positively depressed, and turns the motor “on” when the switch is depressed. This momentary switch 88 may be conveniently provided directly on the paint brush 10 as discussed above.
The fluid reservoir 83 may hold about one quart, or one pint or two quarts depending on the desired capacity of the pump unit 10. The fluid reservoir 83 may have a fill port (not shown) or the top part of the housing 81 may be removable to provide access to the fluid reservoir 83 in order to fill it with fluid. The battery 86 may be a 9-volt cell, such as a lithium rechargeable battery cell or a standard alkaline 9-volt battery, or other suitable battery(ies).
The pump 88 may be any suitable positive displacement pump such as a piston pump, gear pump or peristaltic pump, for instance. The pump 88 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a typical piston pump. The piston pump 88 comprises a piston cylinder 70 having a lower end placed inside the fluid reservoir 83 at or near the bottom. The piston cylinder 70 is secured to the pump unit 10 at a pivot point so that it can swivel along in order to maintain proper orientation to the reciprocating piston motion. A filter 96 may be provided between the fluid in the reservoir and the inlet to the piston cylinder for filtering the fluid before it is pumped to the paint brush 10.
A piston 72 is slidably received within the piston cylinder 70. The piston 72 may comprise a piston rod and a piston head at or near the lower end of the piston 72 or it may be a single, integral rod-like structure. A seal 73 is provided to seal between the piston 72 and the piston cylinder 70, such as an o-ring, a piston ring or other suitable seal.
The piston 72 is operably coupled to the electric motor by a piston arm 78 and a gear set. A first end of the piston arm 78 is rotatably connected to a drive gear 60 and a second end of the piston arm 78 is rotatably connected to the piston rod 72. The drive gear 60 mates with one or more gears which are coupled to a drive shaft of the electric motor 84. For example, depending on the speed and torque of the electric motor 84, one or more reduction gears may be utilized in order to adjust the speed of the motor 84 to the desired reciprocating speed of the piston pump 88. When the electric motor 84 is operated, the drive gear 60 rotates thereby causing a reciprocating motion (up and down) of the piston 72 which creates a pumping pressure.
An outlet fluid flow path 76 is also in fluid communication with the pump cylinder 70, separated by a one-way valve 74 which is closed during the suction stroke of the piston pump to block back-flow from the outlet fluid flow path 76 and is open during the compression stroke to allow fluid to flow into the outlet fluid flow path 76. A second one-way valve (not shown) may be provided between the inlet of the piston cylinder 70 and the reservoir 83 to prevent backflow into the reservoir during the compression stroke. However, it has been found that the back pressure provided by the reservoir 83 adequately prevents substantial backflow of fluid into the reservoir during the compression stroke of the pump 88. The outlet fluid flow path 76 is in fluid communication with a flexible supply tube 32 which may be connected to a power fed paint brush 10 as described above.
The fluid pump unit 80 can be provided with a belt clip or strap (not shown) attached to the housing 81 so that the unit 80 can be clipped to the operator's belt or strapped over the shoulder. In this fashion, the pump unit 10 is portable and hands free. The total height of the pump unit 80 is preferably less than 10 inches, more preferably less than 8 inches and more preferable less than 6 inches. The width of the pump unit is preferably less than 6 inches, more preferably less than 5 inches and more preferably less than 4 inches. The approximate weight of the pump unit 81, when empty of fluid, is preferably less than 3 pounds, more preferably less than 2 pounds and more preferably less than 1-½ pounds. The pressure capacity of the pump 88 is preferably about 2 to 20 psi or more.
Now referring to FIG. 6, a fully self-contained, power fed paint brush 40 is shown, in which all components are provided on and/or in the paint brush. The term “on” in reference to an element being provided, mounted, secured or disposed “on” a second element shall mean that the first element is provided on, in, within or partially on, in, or within the second element. The term “in” used in reference to an element being provided, mounted, secured, or disposed “in” a second element shall mean that the first element is substantially completely within the second element. The paint brush 40 includes many of the same elements of the paint brush 10 and the pump unit 80 described above, such that like reference numerals refer to like elements, and the description for like elements shall be applicable for all described embodiments wherever relevant. For that matter, like reference numerals throughout the drawings and specification shall refer to like elements, and the description for like elements shall be applicable for all described embodiments wherever relevant.
The paint brush 40 comprises a main body 12 having a handle 14 and a bristle stock 16 which retains a bristle bundle 17. A pump 88 is disposed on or in the main body 12. The pump 88 may be any suitable pump such as a gear pump, piston pump or peristaltic pump, but is shown as a piston pump very similar to the piston pump 88 described above. The piston pump 88 comprises a piston 72 slidably received in a piston cylinder 70. A distal end of the piston cylinder is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir 95. The distal end of the piston cylinder 88 may be placed directly into the fluid reservoir 95, or it may be connected thereto by a pick-up tube 93. The fluid reservoir 95 is secured to the handle 14 of the paint brush 40. Alternatively, the fluid reservoir can be attached to the main body 12 elsewhere from the handle 14 or it can be integral to the handle 14 such that the handle 14 is filled with a fluid. A filter 96 may be provided in the fluid path between the fluid reservoir 95 and the pick-up tube 93.
A first end of a piston arm 78 is rotatably coupled to the piston 72 and a second end of the piston arm 78 is rotatably coupled to a drive gear 60. The drive gear 60 is operably coupled to a drive shaft of an electric motor 84. A gear set 85 comprising one or more gears may be utilized between the drive gear 60 and the drive shaft of the electric motor 84, as described above. The electric motor 84 is mounted on or in the main body 12 of the paint brush 40. The motor 84 is electrically connected to a battery 86 through control electronics 94 and a control switch 34 as described above.
A one-way valve 74 is provided between the pick-up tube 93 and an outlet fluid flow path 76. Alternatively, the one-way valve 74 may be provided between the inlet to the pick-up tube 93 and the reservoir 95, or two one-way valves may be utilized as describe above. The outlet fluid flow path 76 may comprise a tube or lumen within the main body 12 and which extends distally to the inlet of a manifold 22. The outlets of the manifold 22 are in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid distribution members 24.
The piston pump is powered by an electric motor having a drive shaft and a gear attached to the drive shaft. The motor gear may be operably coupled to a drive gear. A first end of a piston arm is rotatably connected to the drive gear and a second end of the piston arm is rotatably connected to a piston rod of the piston pump. As the motor is operated, the assembly causes a reciprocating motion of the piston rod which creates a pumping pressure. An outlet fluid flow path is also in fluid communication with the pump cylinder, separated by a one-way valve which is closed during the suction stroke of the piston pump to block back-flow from the outlet fluid flow path and is open during the compression stroke to allow fluid to flow into the outlet fluid flow path. The outlet fluid flow path delivers the fluid to a manifold and plurality of fluid distribution members, the same or similar to those described above.
Thus, a completely self-contained, power-fed paint brush 40 is provided which delivers paint from a reservoir contained on the brush to the bristles of the brush without any remote or external pump, power source, or source of pressurized fluid.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show another innovative power-fed paint brush 110. The power-fed paint brush 110 includes all of the features of the brush 10 described above, and also includes an airless paint spray head 112. The distal end of the flow path 18 connects to a three-way valve 112, such as a three-way ball valve. The valve 112 can be set to direct the flow to the airless spray head 115 or to the manifold 22. The valve 112 may also have a shut position in which the valve closes the flow thereby preventing flow to both the manifold 22 and the spray head 115. The spray head 115 may be removable so that it can be replaced and/or cleaned. The flow path 18 is removably connected to a fitting on the manifold 22. As described above, any suitable connection may be used. The brush head is removably connected to the handle 14 using flexible clips 114 which are retained by detents 116. To remove the brush head 118, the clips 114 are simply pressed to release them from the detents 116.
The paint brush 110 is connected to a source of pressurized fluid in the same manner as the paint brush 10 described above. In the paint brush mode, the paint brush 110 is used the same way as the brush 10. To use the brush 110 in the spray mode, the brush head 118 is removed, the valve 112 is set to supply the paint to the spray head 115. The power-fed paint brush 110 can now be used as a paint sprayer. To convert the brush 110 back to paint brush mode, the brush head 118 is re-installed, and the valve 112 is set to supply the paint to the manifold 22.
In addition, the fully self-contained paint brush 40 can also be easily configured with the paint sprayer features of the brush 110 by adding a valve between the outlet fluid flow path 76 and the manifold 22 and adding a paint sprayer head in fluid communication with the valve.
While the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalents.

Claims

1. A power-fed paint brush for connection to a source of pressurized fluid comprising:

a main body having a handle and a brush stock;

a bristle assembly secured in said brush stock;

a fluid flow path extending through said main body having a first end which is connectable to said source of pressurized fluid and a second end in fluid communication with a fluid distribution member; and

said fluid distribution member extending into said bristle assembly, said fluid distribution member being multidirectionally flexible such that when said bristle assembly is flexed in any direction, said fluid distribution members flexes substantially freely along with said bristle assembly.

4. The paint brush of claim 1 further comprising a control switch provided on said main body for controlling the flow of fluid from said source of pressurized fluid.

5. The paint brush of claim 4 wherein said control switch is an electrical switch which is configured to be operably coupled to said source of pressurized fluid.

6. The paint brush of claim 4 wherein said control switch operates a wireless signal to said source of pressurized fluid.

7. A power-fed paint brush system comprising:

a paint brush fluidly coupled to a fluid pump unit via a flexible tube having an outlet end and an inlet end;

said paint brush comprising,

a main body having a handle and a brush stock;

a bristle assembly secured in said brush stock;

a fluid flow path extending through said main body having a supply end which is connectable to said outlet end of said flexible tube and a delivery end in fluid communication with a fluid distribution member;

said fluid distribution member extending into said bristle assembly, said fluid distribution member being multidirectionally flexible such that when said bristle assembly is flexed in any direction, said fluid distribution member flexes substantially freely along with said bristle assembly; and

said fluid pump unit comprising,

a housing enclosing a pump assembly and a fluid reservoir;

said pump assembly comprising an electric motor which is operably coupled to a pump for powering the pump, said pump having a pump inlet in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir and a pump outlet in fluid communication with said inlet end of said flexible tube.

8. The paint brush system of claim 7 wherein said fluid distribution member comprises a helical coil spring.

9. The paint brush system of claim 7 wherein the coils of said spring are substantially closed when said spring is in an unflexed state and said coils open when the spring is flexed along with the flexure of the bristle assembly.

10. The paint brush system of claim 7 further comprising a control switch provided on said main body for controlling the flow of fluid from said pump unit.

11. The paint brush system of claim 10 wherein said control switch is an electrical switch which is configured to be operably coupled to said pump unit.

12. The paint brush system of claim 10 wherein said control switch operates a wireless signal to said pump unit.

13. A self-contained, power-fed paint brush system comprising:

a main body having a handle and a brush stock;

a bristle assembly secured in said brush stock;

a fluid distribution member extending into said bristle assembly, said fluid distribution member being multidirectionally flexible such that when said bristle assembly is flexed in any direction, said fluid distribution member flexes substantially freely along with said bristle assembly; and

a pump, a power source for powering said pump, and a fluid reservoir all disposed on said main body, said pump having a pump inlet in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir and a pump outlet in fluid communication with said fluid distribution member.

14. The paint brush system of claim 13 wherein said pump is a piston pump and said power source comprises an electric motor and a battery.

15. The paint brush system of claim 13 wherein said fluid reservoir is disposed on a proximal end of said handle and further comprising a fluid supply path extending through said handle and said main body from said pump outlet to said fluid distribution member.

16. The paint brush system of claim 16 further comprising a manifold having an inlet in fluid communication with said pump outlet and a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with said fluid distribution member.

17. The paint brush system of claim 16 wherein said fluid distribution member comprises a helical coil spring.

18. The paint brush system of claim 13 wherein said pump is a piston pump comprising:

a piston slidably received in a piston cylinder, said piston cylinder having a first end in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir;

a piston arm having a first end rotatably connected to said piston and a second end rotatably connected to a drive gear;

a one-way valve placed in the fluid flow path between at least one of the pump inlet and the fluid reservoir, or the pump outlet and the fluid supply path; and

wherein said drive gear is operably coupled to said power source.

19. The paint brush system of claim 18 further comprising a reduction gear set connected between said drive gear and said power source.

20. The paint brush system of claim 13 further comprising a control switch disposed on said main body for controlling the operation of said pump.

21. The paint brush of claim I further comprising:

a valve between said second end of said fluid flow path and said fluid distribution member;

an airless paint spray head in fluid communication with said valve;

wherein said valve is adjustable to at least two settings, including a first setting which directs the pressurized fluid to said airless paint spray head and a second setting which directs the pressurized fluid to said plurality of distribution members.

22. The paint brush of claim 21 wherein said brush stock, bristles and fluid distribution member are removable from said paint brush handle in order to expose said airless paint spray head for use.