US3354493A

US3354493A - Paint roller end cap

Info

Publication number: US3354493A
Application number: US504494A
Authority: US
Inventors: John A Pharris
Original assignee: EZ Paintr Corp
Current assignee: EZ Paintr Corp
Priority date: 1965-10-24
Filing date: 1965-10-24
Publication date: 1967-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 1984-11-28

Description

NOV. 28, 1967 R s 3,354,493

PAINT ROLLER END CAP Filed Oct. 24, 1965 United States Patent 3,354,493 PAINT ROLLER END CAP John A. Pharris, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor t0 EZ Paint! Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 504,494 8 Claims. (Cl. 15230.11)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Phis invention pertains in general to paint applying devices, and more particularly to a new and improved paint roller.

-In the past, it has been well known to remov-ably mount a paint'applyingsieeve on the axle of a paint roller device.

jSuchtroller devices have usually included end caps (commonly formed of a suitable plastic material) at opposite 'ends of the axle that are rotatably mounted thereon, and which telescopically receive the paint applying sleeve. Stop means, such as a washer held by a screw, have been conventionally provided at the outer end of the axle to prevent the end cap on this end of the axle from being "removed. A closure member is commonly provided over the, outer end of the last mentioned end cap to prevent paint and the like from accumulating around the stop means, and to provide a more attractive finished looking product. The paint applying sleeves which are in common-use, usually employ a somewhat porous backing member; and paint remover, paint thinner, and paint itself have exhibited a tendency to seep through the paint applying sleeve, and around the outer ends thereof. Such fluids have commonly run along the axle of the paint applying member, and passed between the hub of the outer- .m'ost sleeve and the axle, to become trapped in a chamber formed between the hub and the closure member.

W|hen the paint applying device is subsequently used with .a different color paint, or with a new paint applying sleeve,

.the fluid trapped in the above mentioned chamber commonly runs outwardy therefrom and through the paint applying sleeve to cause a streaking or discoloration of the paint being. applied. Accordingly, the general purpose lot this invention is to provide a paint applying device of the character described which eliminates streaking and discoloration of the paint being applied.

Amore specific object of the invention is to provide the end cap chamber of a paint applying device as described above with passage means so that undesirable fluids will not accumulate therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide an end cap for a paint applying device which will support a paint applying sleeve for rotation with a minimum amount of friction, and which is extremely sturdy, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

These and other objects of the invention will hereinl'after become more fully apparent from the following de scription taken in connection with the annexed drawing,

wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paint applying device utiiZing'a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Patented Nov. 28, 1967 FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a typical prior art construction; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many difierent forms, there is shown in the drawing and will herein be described in detail one specific embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplifica-tion of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

The illustrated embodiment of the paint applying de vice 10 is shown in FIG. 1 to have a longitudinally extending handle 11, with a rod 12 extending outwardly therefrom and having first portion 13 inclined with respect to the axis of the handle, a second portion 14 generally parallel with handle 11, and a third portion 15 dis posed at right angles with respect to handle 11 and defining an axle. A first end cap 16 is provided on axle 15 adjacent rod portion 14, and this end cap may be of any conventional design, and will hereinafter be referred to as the inner end cap. The second end cap 17 is provided at the outer end of the axle 15, and forms the subject matter of the present invention. The end cap 17 will hereinafter be referred to as the outer end cap.

As is well known in the art, a paint applying member 20 is formed generally integrally with a suitable hollow cylindrical backing member 19, which is removab-ly retained on the end caps 16 and 17, as by friction or the like. As is well known, the backing member 19 and paint applying member 20 are somewhat porous, so as to enable fluids to seep therethrough, and around their portions of engagement with the end caps 16 and 17.

The typical prior art end cap construction will be described first, so that the advantages of applicants construction will be more easily understood. The typical prior art end cap construction 17' is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to include a hollow cylindrical hub 22, which rotatably mounts the end cap 17 on the axle 15. Hub 22 includes an enlarged portion 23 which defines a shoulder 24 against which stop means in the form of washer 25 are seated. The washer 25 is retained on axle 15 as by the outwardly struck portions 26 thereof. End cap 17 further includes a hollow cylindrical rim 27 spaced concentrically outwardly from hub 22, and a flange or end wall 28 connects enlarged hub portion 23 and rim 27. An an- :nular recess 29 is provided in flange 28, and a circular closure member 30 is seated therein. As is clear from FIG. 5, when the closure member 30 is in place, a chamber 32 is formed between the shoulder 24 and the closure member 30. Closure member 30 may be provided with axial extensions 31 that engage the wall of chamber 32 to positively retain the closure member in place. It will be readily apparent that fluid which is present within the interior of the paint applying device will have a tendency to work its way along the bore 33 of hub 22 into the chamber 32. The fluid will then be substantially trapped in chamber 32 during periods when the paint roller is not in use, and when the pain roller is subsequently used, the fluid escapes from chamber 32 along the bore 33 of hub 22 into the interior of the paint applying device, where it then seeps through the backing member 19. As will be readily understood, this results in a streaking and discoloration of the paint being presently applied.

Applicants device includes a cylindrically shaped hub 40 having an axial bore 41 receiving theaxle 15 therethrough to rotatably mount the'sleeve 19, 20--on the" axle 15. End cap 17 includes a hollow cylindrical wall 42 spaced concentrically outwardly of hub 40. As can be best seen in FIG. 3, wallt42 -is substantially longer than hub 40, and hub 40 is spaced adjacent the left hand end 435ofthe wall 42. The right hand, or outer end, of end cap 17 includes a radially inwardly extending flange- 44 having a central opening 45.

A recess is providedlin the outer periphery of wall 42 adjacent-the right-hand -thereof, ancl is defined by an antnular surface 47 disposed at substantially right angles to the'axle 15; and a convex surface 48' facing surface 47. Convex surface 48terminates-radially inwardly, of the outer periphery of wall-42 to define a somewhat pointed endcttpportion 49. A generally circular closure member 50 is provided for'the right hand end of end cap 17, and closurememberSO includes a somewhat axially and ra dially'inwardly extending hook portion 51 which is shaped generally complementarily to therecess defined by

surfaces

47 and 48. The inner diameter of the closure hook portion51 is less than the outer diameter of the end cap portion-49, so that theclosure member 50 maybe snapped into place on the end cap 17. For this'purpose, it will be understood, that the closure member tlis preferably formed'ofa plastic material having a sufiicient amount of resilience to enable the same to be snapped onto the end cap'17, and to be readily removable therefrom. The largest radial dimension of the closure member 50, which exists at th'e portion thereof sitting over-end cap portion 49 'is preferably less than, or the same as, the diameter of the other'periphery of wall 42 so that the paint applying' member canbe' readily positioned on 'the'en'd cap 17. It will be readily understood that'when the closure member 50is in place on the end cap; 17; a chamber 52 is provided. at the right-hand end of the 'end' capi 17; Passage means, to be hereinafter described, communicate with chamber52'so as to preventaccumulation of fluids-therein.

A plurality of radially extending webs 53=connect hub 40 with flange 441'Webs'53aareprovided on diametricallyvopposed sides of hubi40 frorn webs53, and are shaped generally identically therewith. Wh'ile two webs 5'3:- and two: webs 5351 have" been-shown in the illustrated embodiment; it should b'eiunde'rstood that more webs may be providediffdesired'; As can ber best seen-in FIG. 3, webs 53 are"inclined =rearwardly from flanget44-to hub 40, and asurface 54'-is providedon'the forward: face of the webs which is: generally perpendicular tothe axis: of axle'15':

A- pair of diametrically opposed webs 55': extend generally radiallyv between hub40 and wall 42, and include a forwardly extending inclinedportion .5521 whichis integraliwith'fiange 44-. Webs -55 includ'e surfaces-.56which are" disposed at substantially right'angles to theaxis of axle 15," andiwhich are substantially coplanar with..web surfacesz54- and theforward or outer end of the. hub 40. Generally cylindrically shaped strengthening ribs-57 are formed integrally witheachuweb 55;' and extend axially rearwardlyfrom fiange-44 between'hub 40 and wall :42. It'will: be: understood, of course, that webs 55" provide transverse rigidity for? wall" 421 in one I direction, while allowing it to compress sli'g-htlydn :a diametrically opposed disectionso as'to enable th'e paint applying member to be mounted on the end cap 17 Means: are provided'for preventing the end cap 17 from moving axially outwardly of axle 15; and'includes an internally threaded bore'60 at the outer end of the axle. A screw 61 is threadably received in bore 60', and

a washer 62 is provided. under the enlarged head of' screw 61. Washer 62 abuts against the outer surface of hub 40, and against the surfaces 54 and 56'on webs 53 and 55' respectively, to prevent the endcap 17' from movingjaxially outwardlyof the axle 15. Movement of the end cap 17 axially inwardly along the axle 15' is preventedby-the-engagementof 'the closure member 50 with the head of 'the'screw 61;

The above mentioned passage means-forchamber 52 are formed by the open areas between the

webs

53, 53a and 55. As can be best seen in FIG. 2, generally segment shaped openings 64 are provided between the outer diam eter of the washer 62' and' the inner diameter of the opening-45 in flange 44. Thus, any fluid which -is present in the chamber 52 will readily and quickly run outwardly therefrom, and the problem of fluid accumulation in the end cap chamber is obviated; Accordingly, it is believed obvious that each of the advantages of the invention have been fully achieved' I claim:

1. In a paint roller having a handle and an axle dis posed at generally right angles with respectthereto; a" first paint applying sleeve supporting member rotatably mounted at one end of said axle; a second 'p'aint. applying sleeve supporting member at'the other end of saidaxle and including, a hollow cylindrical outer wall havingfi'rst and second" ends, a hollow cylindricalhub' rotatablyre ceiving'said axle thereinand spacedaxially from'the first end of said'outer wall to define a'ch'amb'ertherebetween, webmeans'joining said'hub andsaid outer'wallra clo'sure member removably mounted onthe firsfendofsaid outer wall outwardly of an'end'ofsaid axle and closing one end of said chamber, passage means in the other. end of said chamber for allowing fluid to" flow outwardly therefrom; and a paintapplyingsleeve' telescopically received on said first and second supporting members.

2. In a paint roller having a handle andan axle disposed at generally right angles'w'ithrespectthereto; a fi'rstpaint applying sleeve supporting member rotatably mounted'at one end of said axle; a'secondpaint applying sleeve supporting member at the other end of said'axle and. including, a hollow'cylindrical outer'wall having-first and second en'ds, an annular'fiange extending radially irrwardly from the first end of said outer Wall, a hollow cylindrical hub rotatably receiving said axle therein and spaced axially from the first end of" said outer wallto definea'chainbe'r therebetween, a; closure niember'removably mounted on the first end of said outer wall'outwardly of an endiof'said' axle andclosing'one endbf'said'charnber, a plurality of fwebs-extending between said flange and saidhub', said webs being spaced'from one another todefine-passage means in the other endof said'chambe'r for allowingfiuidto flow outwardly therefrom; and a paint applying sleeve'telescopically received'on said first and second supporting members.

3'. A paint roller as defined in'claim2whe'rein' apair of'di'ametrically opposed'webs connect said'hub"and"said outer wall.

4. In apaint'r'oller having 'a-handle' and an axleidisposed at generallyrightangles with respect'thereto;;a first paint applying sleeve supporting member rotatably mounted at one end'of said" axle; asecond'painfapplying sleeve supportingmember atthe other endof. said axle and-including, a hollow cylindrical outer Wall'hav'ing'first and second ends; an annular-fiange extending radially inwardly from th'efirst end of'said outer' wall, a" hollow cylindrical hub rotatably receiving said 'ax1e"therein "and spaced axially from the first end-of said outer wall-to define' a= chamber therebetween, a closure member removably mounted on the first end -of said-outer walfoutward- 1y of an end of said axle and closing one end: of saidlch'amber, diametrically opposed inclined webs extending'sbetween said hub and said-flange, diametrically opposed webs extending, between said hub and said outer wall, said last named webs each including an inclined portion extending to said flange, each of said websbeing spaced fromone another to define passage means in the other end of saidchamber for allowingfiuid to flow outwardly therefrom; and a paint applying sleeve telescopically received on said first andsecondsupportingrnembers:

5. An end cap for rotatably mounting one endof a paint applying sleeve on an axle' comprising: a hollow cylindrical-hub adapted tob'e'rotatably mounted' onsai'd axle; a hollow cylindrical rim concentric with said hub and having first and second ends, said rim being longer than said hub and said hub being positioned adjacent said second rim end so as to define a chamber between said hub and the first rim end; web means extending between said hub and said rim; a closure member removably mounted on the first rim end outwardly of an end of said axle and closing one end of said chamber; and passage means in the other end of said chamber between said hub and said rim for allowing fluids in said chamber to pass freely outwardly therefrom.

6. An end cap for rotatably mounting one end of a paint applying sleeve on an axle comprising: a hollow cylindrical hub adapted to be rotatably mounted on said axle; a hollow cylindrical rim concentric with said hub and having first and second ends, said rim being longer than said hub and said hub being positioned adjacent said second rim end so as to define a chamber between said hub and the first rim end; a flange extending radially inwardly from said first rim end; a closure member removably mounted on the first rim end outwardly of an end of said axle and closing one end of said chamber; and a plurality of webs extending between said flange and said web,"said webs being spaced from one another to define passage means in the other end of said chamber between said hub and said rim for allowing fluids in said chamber to pass freely outwardly therefrom.

7. An end cap for rotatably mounting one end of a paint applying sleeve on an axle comprising: a hollow cylindrical hub adapted to be rotatably mounted on said axle and having first and second ends; a hollow cylindrical rim concentric with said hub and having first and second ends, said rim being longer than said hub and said hub being positioned with the second hub end adjacent said second rim end so as to define a chamber between the first hub end and the first rim end; a flange extending radially inwardly from said first rim end; a closure member removably mounted on the first rim end and outwardly of an end of said axle closing one end of said chamber;

diametrically opposed inclined webs extending between said hub and said flange, diametrically opposed webs extending between said hub and said rim, said last named webs each including an inclined portion extending to said flange, each of said webs being spaced from one another to define passage means in the other end of said chamber between said hub and said rim for allowing fluids in said chamber to pass freely outwardly therefrom.

8. An end cap for rotatably mounting one end of a paint applying sleeve on an axle comprising: a hollow cylindrical hub adapted to be rotatably mounted on said axle and having first and second ends; a hollow cylindrical rim concentric with said hub and having first and second ends, said rim being longer than said hub and said hub being positioned with the second hub end adjacent said second rim end so as to define a chamber between the first hub end and the first rim end; a flange extending radially inwardly from said first rim end; a closure member on the first rim end closing one end of said chamber; diametrically opposed inclined webs extending between said hub and said flange, diametrically opposed webs extending between said hub and said rim, said last named webs each including an inclined portion extending to said flange, each of said webs being spaced from one another to define passage means in the other end of said chamber between said hub and said rim for allowing fluids in said chamber to pass freely outwardly therefrom, and each of said webs including a surface generally coplanar with the first hub end to define therewith an abutment adapted to be engaged by stop means carried by said axle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,684,497 7/1954 Graham 15-23011 X 2,977,671 4/1961 Wiegaud 29-116 3,119.137 1/1964 Schueler 15230.11

DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. IN A PAINT ROLLER HAVING A HANDLE AND AN AXLE DISPOSED AT GENERALLY RIGHT ANGLES WITH RESPECT THERETO; A FIRST PAINT APPLYING SLEEVE SUPPORTING MEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED AT ONE END OF SAID AXLE; A SECOND PAINT APPLYING SLEEVE SUPPORTING MEMBER AT THE OTHER END OF SAID AXLE AND INCLUDING, A HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL OUTER WALL HAVING FIRST AND SECOND ENDS, A HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL HUB ROTATABLY RECEIVING SAID AXLE THEREIN AND SPACED AXIALLY FROM THE FIRST END OF THE SAID OUTER WALL TO DEFINE A CHAMBER THEREBETWEEN,