US3688450A

US3688450A - Paint and enamel touch-up tool

Info

Publication number: US3688450A
Application number: US142624A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edwin Brockman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-05-12
Filing date: 1971-05-12
Publication date: 1972-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-05

Abstract

A paint and enamel touch-up tool assembly comprising a pair of replaceable cartridge inserts containing desired coating compositions enclosed in a pair of cylindrical housings attached to the opposite ends of a nipple. Tool implements are carried by the other ends of the housings for preparing and treating the surface to be reconditioned. End covers are mounted on the housings about the tool implements and are provided with elements for treating the reconditioned surface.

Description

United States Patent Brockman 1 Sept. 5, 1972 [$4] PAINT AND ENAMEL TOUCH-UP 1,969,874 8/1934 Butterfield ..5l/205 R TOOL 1,218,741 3/1917 Boughton ..51/181 [72] Inventor: Edwin Brocknnn, 31 Joseph Drive,

m N Y 14150 Pnmary Exam ner-Donald G. Kelly Attorney-Chnstel 8: Bean [22] Filed: May 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 142,624 [57] ABSTRACT A paint and enamel touch-up tool assembly compris- [52] US. Cl. ..5l/l8l, 51/205 R, 222/215, ing a pair of replaceable cartridge inserts containing 4 1/195 desired coating compositions enclosed in a pair of [51] [IL C]. ..B24d 15/02 cylindfieal housings attached to the ends of a [58] Field of 1/181, 205 R, 392; 101/195', nipph implemcms are carried by the other ends 222/25 of the housings for preparing and treating the surface to be reconditioned. End covers are mounted on the [561 W cm housings about the tool implements and are provided UNITED STATES PATENTS with elements for treating the reconditioned surface.

Steiger ..40l/ 195 X PATENTEDSEP 5 I972 SHEEI 2 BF 2 Fae. 5.

INVENTOQ EDWW BROCKMAN ATTORNEYS PAINT AND ENAMEL TOUCH-UP TOOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a tool assembly and, more particularly, to a paint and enamel touch-up tool assembly for reconditioning a damaged area on a coated surface.

It is often desirable to touch-up damaged or exposed areas on a coated surface such as might be found on automobiles, household appliances, furniture and the like. While this often can be accomplished by the ordinary layman, he is discouraged by the lack of appropriate tools and equipment and usually engages the expensive services of a skilled technician.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The paint and enamel touch-up tool assembly of the present invention, as hereinafter described, provides a solution to the above problem by providing a simple and inexpensive tool assembly for touching-up painted or otherwise coated surfaces and which includes the necessary coating compositions together with the necessary tools required for the job in a convenient compact unitary device.

Generally speaking, the touch-up tool assembly comprises a pair of housings connected to the opposite ends of a nipple for enclosing a pair of paint cartridges, each of which is provided with a paint applicator. A pair of accessory tools are attached to the other ends of said housings and are enclosed within end covers mounted about the end portions of the housings. Portions of these end covers may be covered with fibrous or abrasive material for treating the surface to be reconditioned and for polishing or buffing the surface after the coating operation.

BRIEF DESCRlPTlON OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a front elevational view of one form of a touch-up tool assembly constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tool assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the left end of the tool assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the right end of the tool assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of a paint or enamel cartridge that may be incorporated in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is shown one form of a touch-up tool assembly, generally designated and constructed in accordance with the present invention, comprising a retainer member 12 in the form of a pipe nipple having a tubular body provided with a smooth internal bore 14 extending longitudinally therethrough. The member 12 is provided with an annular formation 16 and a pair of threaded portions 18 projecting axially from opposite sides of the annular formation 16 and connected thereto by cylindrical necked portions 20. The annular formation 16 is suitably knurled about its outer periphery to facilitate gripping thereof for ease of handling.

A pair of generally cylindrical housings 22 are internally threaded at their one ends for attachment to the portions 18 of member 12, the other ends of housings 22 having reduced diameter end portions 24 defining annular shoulders 26. A threaded axial extension 28 projects outwardly from each portion 24 for detachably securing accessory tool implements thereto, as will presently appear. Each of the housings 22 is provided with an internal bore 30 terminating in a reduced diameter portion 32 within extension 28, the transition between bore 30 and reduced diameter portion 32 defining a conical shoulder 34. The outer peripheral surfaces of the housings 22 are fluted as at 36 to facilitate the gripping thereof in handling and when threadably attaching and detaching the same to and from member 12.

The housings 22 serve as containers for replaceable cartridge inserts 38 adapted to contain paint, enamel or any other suitable coating composition. For example, one of the cartridge inserts may contain a primer coating composition and the other may contain a finished enamel composition of desired color adapted to be applied over the primer coating on the desired surface. Each of the inserts 38 comprises a cylindrical casing 40 having a hollow tubular projection 42 extending axially outwardly from one end of the insert 38 for receiving an applicator 44 in the form of an elongated fibrous wick extending longitudinally within the casing 40 and extending outwardly through projection 42. As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 40 fits loosely within the housing 22 while projection 42 fits snugly within the extension 28 in the assembled relation. The outer end of the applicator 44 terminates in a tip having an inclined surface 46 for ease of application of the container contents. While the tip of the applicator 44 is provided with an inclined surface in the illustrative embodiment, it should be understood that variously configurated tips are contemplated within the purview of this invention. Moreover, these tips can be formed separately from wick 44 and selectively inserted within the projection 42, as desired. The other end of each cartridge insert 38 is provided with a projection 50 received in the bore 14 of member 12 in the assembled relation.

A pair of

tool implements

52 and 54 are detachably mounted on the threaded extensions 28 of housings 22. Implement 52 comprises a cylindrical body 56 of substantially the same outside diameter as the end portion 24 of housing 22 and terminates in a frusto-conical portion 58 having an abrasive tool bit 60 extending axially outwardly from portion 58 for scraping rust and/or other undesirable scale from the surface to be painted or coated. The other end of body 56 is provided with a threaded bore 62 for attachment to the housing extension 28. When tightened on the threaded extension 28, the body 56 abuts against the face of the end portion 24 of housing 22, as shown in FIG. 2.

The tool implement 54 comprises a cylindrical body 64 of substantially the same outside diameter as the end portion 24 of housing 22 and terminates in a conical portion 66 constituting a tool bit. One half of the peripheral surface of conical portion 66 may be provided with fine abrasive grit adhesively secured thereto as shown at 68 in FIG. 3 and the other half may be provided with a coarser abrasive grain such as shown at 70 to comprise a dual abrasive sanding cone for honing or otherwise preparing the surface to be painted or coated. While the conical portion 66 is formed of metal having abrasive grain adhesively secured thereto in the illustrative embodiment, it should be understood that the conical portion 66 may be molded of a plastic or fibrous material or a resinous composition, as desired, having abrasive particles bonded thereto. The other end of body 64 is provided with a threaded bore 72 for attachment to the housing extension 28 as shown in FIG. 2.

A pair of end covers 76 and I8 are provided for enclosing the

tool implements

52 and 54 in the assembled relation of tool assembly 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The cover 76 comprises a relatively thin cylindrical side wall 80 and a slightly curved end wall 82. The closed end portion of cover 76 is covered with a relatively soft fibrous flock 84 impregnated with a suitable cleaning solution for wiping and preparing the surface to be painted. in a similar construction, the end cover 78 comprises a thin cylindrical side wall 86 and an end wall 88. A fibrous flock 90 may be applied to the closed end portion of cover 78 for polishing the finished surface after the touch-up operation. While the end covers 76 and 78 preferably are formed of metal, they may be composed of a suitable plastic material, and are adapted to fit snugly about the peripheral surfaces of

tools

52 and 54 and the end portions 24 of housings 22 with a friction fit abutting against shoulders 26.

An important feature of the present invention is the provision of a plurality of implements, including dispensible cartridge inserts containing coating compositions and applicators, assembled in a relatively small and convenient compact kit form for use in touching up a coated surface. As shown in FIG. 2, the housings 22 are threadably secured to the member 12 for captively retaining the cartridge inserts 38 therein. The

tool elements

52 and 54 are provided with threaded bores for releasable engagement with the housing extensions 28 and for enclosing the tips of the applicators 44, thus precluding exposure of the latter to dirt or other contaminants when not in use. Likewise, the covers 76 and 78 shield the tool bits against damage when not in use and protect the user's hands and fingers.

When it is desired to use either the tool bit 60 or the sanding tool portion 66, the associated cover is readily removed by simply exerting an outward pull on such cover. The remainder of the tool assembly remains intact and serves as a streamlined handle for the user with the other tool implements effectively shrouded. When it is desired to use either applicator, the associated tool element is detached exposing the tip of such applicator. The tool assembly may be gripped in the manner of a pencil or crayon for ease in applying the coating composition. The flocked ends of

covers

76 and 78 are used as required without disassembly of the parts.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second form of cartridge insert 38' that may be used in lieu of the cartridge insert 38 described above. The insert 38' comprises a container body 92 having a closed end 94 and a discharge outlet end in the form of a spout 96. The body 92 defines a reservoir for the paint, enamel or other coating composition and is slightly tapered toward the spout 96. The body 92 is formed of a resiliently yieldable material, preferably plastic, and is provided with a plurality of peripheral grooves 98 facilitating collapse of the body to eject the cartridge contents outwardly through spout 96.

An elongated, tapered wick 100, formed of a suitable fibrous material, is mounted centrally within container body 92. The wick 100 is enclosed in a thin, permeable sheating 102 allowing the container contents to readily flow therethrough. The wick 100 is provided with a central longitudinal passage 104 for increasing the rate of flow through wick 100. A plurality of peripheral grooves 106 also are provided in the wick 100 for facilitating collapse thereof to aid in ejecting the container contents outwardly through spout 96. An applicator 108 is rigidly secured to the outer end of wick 100 within spout 96 and has a tapered edge 100 which aids in applying the container contents to the surface to be coated. Various types of differently configurated applicators, including brushes, can be employed in place of applicator 108, if desired.

In use, the tapered edge 110 is placed against the surface to be coated and application of pressure to the closed end 94 of container body 92 compresses the body 92 axially forcing the coating composition outwardly through passage 104 to applicator 108. The

grooves

98 and 106 in body 92 and wick 100 not only facilitate the collapse of the latter but also serve to agitate the container contents to maintain the same of uniform consistency. The cartridge inserts 38' can be enclosed in housings 22 in the same manner as inserts 38, previously described.

As a result of the present invention, a touch-up tool assembly is provided for use in reconditioning or touching-up an exposed or damaged area on a coated surface. The assembly includes replaceable cartridges for containing the desired coating compositions, applicators and other accessory tools used in connection with the touch-up operation, all contained within a relatively small compact kit assembly for convenience in handling and storage.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention having been herein described and illustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood that modifications thereof can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

lclaim:

l. A tool assembly comprising: a pair of coaxially aligned, spaced-apart housings connected at their proximate ends to an intermediate support member, each of said housings having an extension projecting axially outwardly from the outer end thereof, a replaceable cartridge containing a coating composition mounted in each of said housings, a tool element detachably secured to each of said housing extensions, and end covers encasing said tool elements and the outer portions of said housings to form a compact tool assembly for reconditioning or touch-up damaged coated surfaces.

2. A tool assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said cartridges is provided with a projection extending through the associated housing extension, and an applicator mounted in said projection and extending outwardly therefrom for applying said coating com position to the desired surface, said tool elements covering said applicators in the assembled relation.

3. A tool assembly according to claim 1 wherein one of said end covers is provided with means for treating the area to be coated and the other of said end covers is provided with means for polishing such area after being coated.

4. A tool assembly according to claim 1 wherein on of said tool elements comprises a cylindrical body mounted on said housing extension and a conical portion formed integral with said body and having abrasive means thereon for preparing the surface to be coated.

5. A tool assembly according to claim 1 wherein said cartridge comprises an elongated, tapered tubular body terminating in a discharge outlet, an elongated wick

Claims

1. A tool assembly comprising: a pair of coaxially aligned, spaced-apart housings connected at their proximate ends to an intermediate support member, each of said housings having an extension projecting axially outwardly from the outer end thereof, a replaceable cartridge containing a coating composition mounted in each of said housings, a tool element detachably secured to each of said housing extensions, and end covers encasing said tool elements and the outer portions of said housings to form a compact tool assembly for reconditioning or touch-up damaged coated surfaces.

2. A tool assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said cartridges is provided with a projection extending through the associated housing extension, and an applicator mounted in said projection and extending outwardly therefrom for applying said coating composition to the desired surface, said tool elements covering said applicators in the assembled relation.

5. A tool assembly according to claim 1 wherein said cartridge comprises an elongated, tapered tubular body terminating in a discharge outlet, an elongated wick mounted centrally within said body and an applicator connected to the outer end of said wick and extending outwardly through said discharge outlet.

6. A tool assembly according to claim 5 wherein said tubular body is formed of a resiliently compressible material.

7. A tool assembly according to claim 6 wherein said tapered body and said wick are provided with peripheral grooves for facilitating the collapse thereof upon axial compression of said body to dispense said coating composition.