Structure Painting System And Method

Abstract

A double ended painting implement for painting structures. Various kinds of paint heads (such as paint brushes) may be present at each end of the double ended painting implement. A multiple compartment paint bucket assembly for holding paint used to paint structures. the multiple compartment paint bucket includes an outer shell and at least two inner sleeves, with each sleeve being able to hold a separate supply of paint. Using the painting implement and/or paint bucket assembly of the present invention, a structure painter can more quickly and/or effectively paint on a job that requires two different paint colors, or two different types of paint (for example, water based and latex based).

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. design patent application No. 29/308, 717, filed on 2 Jul. 2008; all of the foregoing patent-related document(s) are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their respective entirety(ies).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the painting of structures (see DEFINITIONS section) and more particularly to the painting of structures using multiple kinds of paint (see DEFINITIONS section). Note that references to paint, painting and/or painters made herein will refer only to the painting of structures and not (unless otherwise indicated) refer to painting of other objects such as artist canvasses, eyelids, eyelashes, small scale models and so on.

2. Description of the Related Art

The painting of structures is known. Typically, at any given time while painting, a painter uses a single bucket of paint and a painting implement having a handle and a single paint head. Typically, when structures are to painted with multiple colors, then the painter uses multiple containers of paint, with each container having its own associated painting implement.

U.S. Pat. 11,302 (reissued, herein referred to as “Deming”) discloses a paint bucket having a partition therein so that two colors of paint may be carried in a single bucket. More specifically, the Demming bucket includes a generally planar partition across the middle of its interior space to form two compartments which are fluid tight with respect to each other. This is potentially helpful because it means that the painter can carry around and keep track of fewer paint cans (for example, one paint container, instead of two, for a two color job).

Double-ended brushes for applying facial make-up are know. An example of this is shown by U.S. Pat. D458,456 (“Dragan”). It is also believed that double-ended paintbrushes may known, as of 2008 at the latest, in the area of scale modeling for toy model airplanes, toy model automobiles and the like. It is noted that these types of painting, such as scale model painting and applying makeup are considered to be highly non-analogous to the painting of structures, largely because structure painting is performed on such a vastly larger scale.

The following published documents may also include helpful background information: (i) U.S. Pat. No. 3,142,080 (“Nelson”); (ii) U.S. Pat. No. 2,039,510 (“Anderson”); (iii) U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,633 (“Abbey”); (iv) US patent application 2008/0035650 (“Rittman”); (v) US patent application 2007/0138190 (“Byrne”); (vi) U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,128 (“Pfister”); and/or US patent application (vii) 2006/0081637 (“Lundy”).

Description of the Related Art Section Disclaimer: To the extent that specific publications are discussed above in this Description of the Related Art Section, these discussions should not be taken as an admission that the discussed publications (for example, published patents) are prior art for patent law purposes. For example, some or all of the discussed publications may not be sufficiently early in time, may not reflect subject matter developed early enough in time and/or may not be sufficiently enabling so as to amount to prior art for patent law purposes. To the extent that specific publications are discussed above in this Description of the Related Art Section, they are all hereby incorporated by reference into this document in their respective entirety(ies).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, the various aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems where a structure painter uses a multiple compartment paint bucket in conjunction with a double ended brush. The conventional thinking is that structure painters should paint with only a single color at a time, to avoid mixing colors and similar potential mishaps. However, the present invention recognizes that painting a structure with only a single color at any given time requires much more time than painting the structure with two or more colors (or types of paint) at one time. The extra time required to paint with one color after another in series is so great that it is believed that many (if not most) structure painters will be more effective and efficient on many jobs if they paint with two colors at once, notwithstanding the increased potential for painting mishaps and/or errors.

This increased efficiency and/or effectiveness is especially improved if special equipment according to the present invention is used to paint with two colors at once. Still, before proceeding to an identification of this special painting equipment, it should be realized that the very idea that a structure painter might want to paint with two (or more) colors (or different types of paint) at once may be considered as an important indicia of creativity and inventiveness with respect to the present invention. To put it a slightly different way, recognizing that single-color-at-a-time-structure painting represented a problem to be solved may be considered as inventive and creative problem recognition.

One aspect of the present invention is a double ended brush, where both ends are sized and shaped to be suitable for painting structures. It is noted that small double ended brushes for applying make-up and/or painting small scale models (for example, model airplanes) are not suitable for painting structures as would be readily understood by those of skill in the art of painting structures.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a paint bucket having an outer shell and at least two removable inner sleeves. The inner sleeves are each shaped, sized and otherwise structured to hold paint, and a sufficient quantity of paint for painting structures. The inner sleeves are further sized and shaped to at least substantially fill the profile of a top opening in the outer shell. For example, if there are two inner sleeves, then each one may be sized and shaped to occupy 50% of the area of the top opening of the outer shell. Preferably, the inner sleeves are sized and shaped to collectively fill substantially the entire interior volume of the outer shell. Preferably, each inner sleeve includes a rim that extends beyond the interior space of the outer shell, when the inner sleeve is in place inside of the outer shell, with the rim being sized and shaped to allow a user to pull the inner sleeve out of the outer shell by grabbing and pulling the rim portion. In some preferred embodiments, the outer shell and each inner sleeve may be shaped in a corresponding manner so that the inner shells will only fit within the outer shell in a certain predetermined orientation, and will not move relative to the outer shell when all of the inner sleeves are in place within the outer shell. In some embodiments of the present invention, the inner shells may be secured within the outer shell to some extent by a friction or pressure fit or by a locking device, but this is not necessarily preferred. In some embodiments of the present invention, the inner sleeves may be sized and shaped to fit within an outer shell that has standard, predetermined dimensions (such as a standard paint can or a standard can of drive way asphalt). In this case the inner sleeves may be sold to consumers without the inner shell, with the understanding that the end user will separately obtain the standardized outer shell from some other source.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a painter uses the double ended structure painting brush, according to the present invention, in conjunction with the multiple sleeve paint bucket, again according to the present invention. In order to facilitate this method, kits may be sold that include at least a double ended brush and two inner shells.

Various embodiments of the present invention may exhibit one or more of the following objects, features and/or advantages:

(i) painting of structures with multiple types of paint can be accomplished more quickly;

(ii) improved quality of structure painting; and/or

(iii) improved safety due to fewer trips up and down ladders during painting.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a paint bucket assembly includes: an outer shell; and a plurality of inner sleeves. Each inner sleeve of the plurality of inner sleeves includes a peripheral wall and a bottom wall. The bottom wall and peripheral wall of each inner sleeve respectively defines a top opening and a fluid tight paint holding chamber. Each paint holding chamber has a sufficient volume so that the associated inner sleeve can be used for painting a structure. Each top opening has a sufficient area so that the associated inner sleeve can be used for painting a structure. The outer shell comprises a bottom wall and a peripheral wall. The bottom wall and the peripheral wall of the outer shell define an interior space of the outer shell and a sleeve insertion opening. The outer shell and plurality of inner sleeves are sized and/or shaped so that the plurality of inner sleeves can be at least partially inserted into the interior volume of outer shell, through the sleeve insertion opening. The outer shell and plurality of inner sleeves are further sized and/or shaped so that when all inner sleeves of the plurality of inner sleeves are inserted into the interior volume of outer shell, the inserted inner sleeves are sufficiently secured in proximity to each other by the inner sleeve so that the assembly can be used for structure painting.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a double ended painting implement includes: a first painting head; a first connection hardware set; a second painting head; a second connection hardware set; and a handle. The first paint head is structured, sized and/or shaped to be used for painting structures. The second paint head is structured, sized and/or shaped to be used for painting structures. The handle comprises a first head attachment end and a second head attachment end. The first connection hardware set is structured, located and/or connected to mechanically connect the first painting head to the first head attachment end. The second connection hardware set is structured, located and/or connected to mechanically connect the second painting head to the second head attachment end.

A painting implement includes: a first painting head (in the form of a paint brush including a plurality of parallel elongated bristles); a first connection hardware set; and a handle. The first paint head is structured, sized and/or shaped to be used for painting structures. The handle comprises a first head attachment end. The first connection hardware set is structured, located and/or connected to mechanically connect the first painting head to the first head attachment end. The first connection hardware set includes a trough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an orthographic left side view of a first embodiment of a paint bucket assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an orthographic front view of the first embodiment assembly;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are, respectively, orthographic top views of two inner sleeves of the first embodiment assembly;

FIG. 4 is an orthographic top view of the first embodiment assembly;

FIG. 5 is a partially cut away, orthographic front view of the first embodiment assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a paint bucket assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an orthographic rear view of the first embodiment assembly;

FIG. 8 is an orthographic rear view of an inner sleeve portion of the first embodiment assembly;

FIG. 9 is an orthographic side view of a third embodiment of a paint bucket assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 10A is an orthographic top view of a fourth embodiment of a paint bucket assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 10B is an orthographic rear view of the fourth embodiment paint bucket assembly;

FIG. 11 is an orthographic top view of a first embodiment of a painting implement according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an orthographic top view of a portion of the first embodiment implement;

FIG. 13 is a partially cut away view of a portion of a second embodiment of a painting implement according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of a third embodiment of a painting implement according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of a fourth embodiment of a painting implement according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an orthographic top view of a fifth embodiment of a painting implement according to the present invention; and

FIG. 17 is an orthographic top view of a sixth embodiment of a painting implement according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As one example, to evoke one typical way that the present invention might be used, imagine a structure painter painting fascia in a tight alleyway. Conventionally, a large chunk of her day will be spent travelling up and down a ladder, moving a ladder and switching buckets and brushes every time that paint color or paint type is switched. Painting in two colors effectively doubles the number of trips up the ladder and effectively doubles the number of times that the ladder needs to be moved. However, by using a multiple compartment paint bucket and a double ended structure painting brush, as explained in more detail below, the set of trips up and down the ladder associated with merely changing color, as well as the movements of the ladder associated with changing color, can be avoided, thereby greatly reducing the amount of work the structure painter must do. Also, while one might strongly believe that dripping paint would be an insurmountable problem when a structure painter uses a double ended structure painting brush according to the present invention, this turns out to be much less problematic than it might seem to one of ordinary skill in the relevant arts, at least in the experience of the present inventor. It is true that some extra margin of care needs to be taken when using a double ended brush, but, perhaps counter-intuitively, not so much extra care that the efficiency gains noted above are offset or rendered nugatory.

FIGS. 1 to 5, 7 and 8 show a paint bucket assembly 100 according to the present invention including: outer shell 102; left (when viewed from the front) sleeve 103 and right sleeve 105. Outer shell 102 includes: handle 150; peripheral wall 152; and bottom wall 153. peripheral wall 152 defines top opening area 154 and interior volume 155. Left sleeve 103 includes: peripheral wall 104; rim 108; divider wall 112; and bottom wall 120. In FIG. 5, the left sleeve is shown holding liquid paint 160. Right sleeve 105 includes: peripheral wall 106; rim 116; divider wall 114; and bottom wall 122.

It is noted that the sleeves are sized to hold a substantial amount of paint—enough for painting structures (as opposed to being sized for painting, say model airplanes or art canvasses or watercolor paintings). The shell and/or sleeves may be made of metal, plastic and/or any other material or materials (now known or to be developed in the future) that are suitable for holding paint. In some embodiments, the sleeves may be disposable and intended only for a single use. This might potentially open up the sleeves to being constructed of non-traditional structure paint holding materials, such as paper and/or Styrofoam. An appeal of disposable sleeves is that can be discarded, and thereby avoid the need for cleaning.

As shown in FIG. 5, each sleeve is fluid tight to prevent paint from leaking into the other sleeve and/or from leaking into the outer shell. As shown by comparing FIGS. 1 and 2 to FIG. 5, the sleeves can be freely removed from the outer shell of this two compartment paint bucket. Alternatively, there may be some type of mechanism and/or device for helping to secure the inner sleeves in the outer shell. For example, magnets, latches, tab-and-slot engagements and so on could be used. However, in at least many preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is no mechanism and/or device holding the inner sleeves inside of the outer shell—in these embodiments, the weight of the paint, friction and/or gravity will tend to keep the sleeve securely in place within the interior space of the outer shell.

The fact that the inner sleeves are removably insertable into the outer sleeve leads to several advantages over multiple compartment paint containers that do not have removable sleeves. One advantages is that a sleeve can be removed to fill/empty it with paint, so that it does not need to be filled/emptied in close proximity to the other compartment(s) in the multiple compartment paint container. Another advantage is that the sleeve can be removed for easier cleaning. Another advantage is that several sleeves may be filled and these may be interchangeably inserted as needed as the structure painter moves from an area having one color scheme to an area having another color scheme. Providing removable sleeves in an outer shell is extremely beneficial as far as paint cleaning, paint changing and paint color changing operations go. It is much easier for the structure painter to move a shell away from the outer shell and away from the other compartment(s) prior to cleaning a shell, changing paint color (that is cleaning and refilling) and/or refilling an inner shell with paint. It should be kept in mind that because a structure is being painted, there are significant volumes of paint generally involved, with an attendant high potential for spills and splashing of paint and/or cleaning fluid. If an inner shell is removed from the outer shell, these inevitable spills and splashes will not harm the outer shell, the other inner sleeve(s) and/or the contents of the other sleeve(s).

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the sleeves cannot turn in the angular direction A (see FIG. 4) relative to the outer shell. Now in embodiment 100, the top opening 154, the peripheral wall 152 and the bottom wall 153 of the outer shell 102 are all generally circular (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4), which could lead to angular R1 direction turning of the sleeves. However, this angular R1 direction turning is prevented because the top opening 154 and the rims 108,116 of the sleeves that rest upon the top opening are not perpendicular to axial direction A (see FIG. 1) and are not parallel to bottom wall 153 (see FIG. 7), but rather these features are inclined at an angle. For example, the incline of rim 108 is best shown in FIG. 8. This incline prevents the sleeves from turning in the R1 direction, at least when the sleeves are weighted down into the interior space of the outer shell with the paint they contain. As will be discussed below, there are other ways of preventing rotation of the sleeves in the R1 direction. Alternatively, the sleeves could be allowed to rotate freely within the outer shell.

As best shown by comparing FIGS. 5 and 7, the sleeves 103,105 of assembly 100 fill up substantially the entire interior space 155 of outer shell 102. This is preferred. While, in some embodiments, the sleeves may not fill the entire space, this tends to be less preferred because: (i) it increases the probability that stray paint will get into interior space 155; and/or (ii) it means that some interior space 155 is effectively wasted and not holding paint. In some alternative embodiments, the sleeves may extend substantially out of interior space of the outer shell, but this is not necessarily preferred.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, rims 108, 116 serve a couple of functions: (i) provide a gripping surface to help a structure painter get the sleeve out of the outer shell; and/or (ii) help mechanically secure the sleeves with respect to the outer shell when the sleeves are fully inserted into the outer shell. While the rims in assembly 100 extend in the horizontal direction, the rims may extend in other directions, or may be curved. For example, they may curve around the top opening 154 of outer shell 102. As a further alternative, the rims may be omitted all together, or may extend into the interior space of the outer shell, rather than extending out of the interior space of the outer shell.

As a design alternative, the bottom wall of the outer shell may be hinged, or have two hinged segments, to allow insertion of sleeves through the bottom wall of the outer shell. As a further alternative, the sleeves could be inserted through an opening, door or recess, in the peripheral wall. However, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, the inner shells are lowered into the top opening of the outer shell.

FIG. 6 shows paint bucket assembly 200 that includes handle 202 and connection hardware sets 206. Handle 202 includes recess 204. This recess in the handle helps to more securely hang the paint bucket. Generally, U-shaped handles having a recess, like recess 204, at the bottom center of the U-shape may be used in conjunction with conventional single compartment paint containers. However, the handle design of assembly 200 works especially well with multiple compartment, multiple piece paint bucket assemblies according to the present invention because it can help reduce translations and/or rotations of the assembly in the generally R3 direction (see FIG. 6), which can reduce the possibility that paint will spill from one compartment into the other. Connection hardware sets 206 mechanically connects (see DEFINITIONS section) the handle to the outer shell. This may be a rotatable mechanical connection or a rigid mechanical connection.

FIG. 9 shows paint bucket assembly 300 that includes: outer shell 302 and inner sleeve 303. Shell 302 includes peripheral wall 352. Sleeve 303 includes: rim 308; peripheral wall 304; divider wall 312 and handle 313. Handle 313 defines finger hole 315. Handle 313 is used to help lift the inner sleeve out of the outer shell.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show paint bucket assembly 400 that includes: outer shell 402; first inner sleeve 403; second inner sleeve 405; and third inner sleeve 407. As shown in FIG. 10A, the inner sleeves fill up the entire area of the top opening of the outer shell. As shown in FIG. 10B, the inner sleeves (taken collectively) also fill up the entire interior volume of the outer shell, and, indeed, extend a significant distance beyond the top opening. As shown in FIG. 10B, the outer shell is not fluid tight, and has large openings in its peripheral wall 452. As shown in FIG. 10A, not all of the inner sleeves have the same shape perimeter. As shown in FIG. 10B, not all of the sleeves have the same height. As shown in FIG. 10B, single ended paint brush 410 is used for the paint in third inner sleeve 407, and double ended paint brush 412 is used for the paint in first inner sleeves 403 and second inner sleeve 405. As shown in FIG. 10A, the inner sleeves and outer sleeves are shaped so that: (i) the inner sleeves cannot rotate about a vertical axis within the outer sleeve; and (ii) the sleeves can only be placed in the outer sleeve in a single predetermined layout. However, neither of the features identified in the preceding sentence is necessarily required for all embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a double-ended painting implement 500 including: first painting head 502; first painting head hardware connection set 504; handle 506; second painting head 510; and second painting head hardware connection set 508. In this embodiment, the first and second painting heads are brushed, sized suitably to paint structures. More particularly, the first and second painting heads and their respective hardware connection sets are similar to those used on conventional single ended structure painting paint brushes, except for the crenellations which will now be discussed in connection with FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 12, the ends of the bristles of first painting head 510 are crenellated so that there are gaps 512 in the bristle profile at the distal end of brush-style painting head 510. In this embodiment, these gaps have a width of D3 and a height of D1. The width of the run of bristle ends between each gap is D2. Alternatively, the crenellations do not need to be uniform. As a further alternative, some double ended paint brushes according to the present invention may use painting heads in the form of conventional paint brushes that have no crenellations.

The crenellated bristle pattern described in the preceding paragraph is believed to be helpful for preventing and/or reducing dripping. This is especially helpful in the context of a double ended painting implement because it is not good to drip on the painting head at the other end from the crenellated bristles. However, the crenellated bristles may also be useful and inventive in the context of a single ended paintbrush because it is better to prevent drips even when a single ended paintbrush is used by a structure painter painting the old-fashioned way, with a single paint color at a time. While no exhaustive study has been undertaken by the inventor to determine why the crenellations prevent dripping, it may have to do with the fact that excess paint can be more effectively wiped off the tip of the paintbrush immediately after it is dipped in the paint (for example, wiped off at the top of the inner sleeve). It also may be that the crenellations increase the effective bristle surface at the tip of the brush, thereby increasing the surface tension per unit volume of the paint at the tip of the brush. Regardless of the theory, the crenellations seem to work well. It is also believed that the crenellations may decrease the weight of the brush after it is dipped and wiped, which, if true, would help reduce the exertion required by a structure painter over the course of a work shift.

As shown in FIG. 11, handle 506 is made of a single unitary piece of material, such as wood, plastic, metal or composite. As shown in FIG. 13, an alternative handle 606 can be made of multiple pieces. For example, handle 606 includes first handle portion 606a; mutual connector member 606b; and second handle portion 606c. the connector member connects the ends of two different handles. To secure this connection, various means, such as adhesive or press fit may be used. The embodiment of FIG. 13 may be especially useful where pre-existing, conventional paint brushes are used to create double ended paint brushes according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a paint brush 700 according to the present invention, including brush 702; connection hardware set 704 and handle 706. The connection hardware set includes trough 720. Trough 720 is sized, shaped and located to catch paint that runs along the brush in direction D4. This trough is especially helpful for use in conjunction with double ended structure painting brushes and multiple compartment paint buckets because: (i) double ended brushes will often be held so that the bristles on a given end are pointed upward, causing paint to run in the D4 direction under the influence of gravity; and (ii) structure painting brushes carry enough paint that dripping and associated contamination of a paint bucket compartment with the wrong type and/or color of paint can be a potential problem. Preferably, the trough entirely surrounds the brush style paint head around its angular direction, but this is not necessarily required in all embodiments of the present invention. It is noted that the embodiment of implement 700 actually shows the trough in a non-preferred location. More particularly, the trough is located near the base-side terminations of the brush bristles, which could cause paint to collect in the interstices between the bristle-bottoms. This is not preferred. Preferably, the trough should be moved along the axial direction of the brush down to the vicinity of handle and connection hardware set interface 705. While the trough is thought to be especially helpful on double ended structure painting implements, it may also be useful and inventive in the context of a single ended paintbrush.

FIG. 15 shows paint brush 800 including: bristles 810; connection hardware set 808; and handle 806. In this embodiment, the trough has been removed to show a trough angle line 820. As shown in FIG. 15 it is possible to have any trough run at an inclined angle A along a major surface of the connection hardware set. It is noted that line 820 is moved down away from the bristle bottoms and is located at an intermediate location on the connection hardware set. It is noted that brush 800 (when fully assembled) includes both a trough (not shown) and crenellations.

FIG. 16 shows painting implement 850 including: brush style painting head 852; first connection hardware set 854; handle 856 (including angled portion 857); second connection hardware set 858; and roller style painting head 860. The roller style painting head rotates is direction R2.

FIG. 17 shows painting implement 900 including: spray nozzle style painting head 902; first connection hardware set 904; handle 906; second connection hardware set 908; sponge stamper style painting head 910; and paint feed line 911. The sponge stamper head can provide texture and/or patterns (for example floral patterns) on a structure (for example, a bathroom wall) that is being painted.

DEFINITIONS

Any and all published documents mentioned herein shall be considered to be incorporated by reference, in their respective entireties, herein to the fullest extent of the patent law. The following definitions are provided for claim construction purposes:

Present invention: means at least some embodiments of the present invention; references to various feature(s) of the “present invention” throughout this document do not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods include the referenced feature(s).

Embodiment: a machine, manufacture, system, method, process and/or composition that may (not must) meet the embodiment of a present, past or future patent claim based on this patent document; for example, an “embodiment” might not be covered by any claims filed with this patent document, but described as an “embodiment” to show the scope of the invention and indicate that it might (or might not) covered in a later arising claim (for example, an amended claim, a continuation application claim, a divisional application claim, a reissue application claim, a re-examination proceeding claim, an interference count); also, an embodiment that is indeed covered by claims filed with this patent document might cease to be covered by claim amendments made during prosecution.

First, second, third, etc. (“ordinals”): Unless otherwise noted, ordinals only serve to distinguish or identify (e.g., various members of a group); the mere use of ordinals shall not be taken to necessarily imply order (for example, time order, space order).

Mechanically connected: Includes both direct mechanical connections, and indirect mechanical connections made through intermediate components; includes rigid mechanical connections as well as mechanical connection that allows for relative motion between the mechanically connected components; includes, but is not limited, to welded connections, solder connections, connections by fasteners (for example, nails, bolts, screws, nuts, hook-and-loop fasteners, knots, rivets, quick-release connections, latches and/or magnetic connections), force fit connections, friction fit connections, connections secured by engagement caused by gravitational forces, pivoting or rotatable connections, and/or slidable mechanical connections.

Kind of paint: may be different colors of paint, or different paints of the same color that differ only in viscosity, chemical makeup, homogeneity or the like.

Painting structures: refers to painting architectural structures and does not include small scale painting such as applying paint to scale models (for example, toy model airplanes), commercial products or the application of makeup to the human body.

To the extent that the definitions provided above are consistent with ordinary, plain, and accustomed meanings (as generally shown by documents such as dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), the above definitions shall be considered supplemental in nature. To the extent that the definitions provided above are inconsistent with ordinary, plain, and accustomed meanings (as generally shown by documents such as dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), the above definitions shall control.

Unless otherwise explicitly provided in the claim language, steps in method steps or process claims need only be performed in the same time order as the order the steps are recited in the claim only to the extent that impossibility or extreme feasibility problems dictate that the recited step order be used. This broad interpretation with respect to step order is to be used regardless of whether the alternative time ordering(s) of the claimed steps is particularly mentioned or discussed in this document—in other words, any step order discussed in the above specification shall be considered as required by a method claim only if the step order is explicitly set forth in the words of the method claim itself. Also, if some time ordering is explicitly set forth in a method claim, the time ordering claim language shall not be taken as an implicit limitation on whether claimed steps are immediately consecutive in time, or as an implicit limitation against intervening steps.

Claims

1. A paint bucket assembly comprising:

an outer shell; and

a plurality of inner sleeves;

wherein:

each inner sleeve of the plurality of inner sleeves includes a peripheral wall and a bottom wall;

the bottom wall and peripheral wall of each inner sleeve respectively defines a top opening and a fluid tight paint holding chamber;

each paint holding chamber has a sufficient volume so that the associated inner sleeve can be used for painting a structure;

each top opening has a sufficient area so that the associated inner sleeve can be used for painting a structure;

the outer shell comprises a bottom wall and a peripheral wall;

the bottom wall and the peripheral wall of the outer shell define an interior space of the outer shell and a sleeve insertion opening;

the outer shell and plurality of inner sleeves are sized and/or shaped so that the plurality of inner sleeves can be at least partially inserted into the interior volume of outer shell, through the sleeve insertion opening; and

the outer shell and plurality of inner sleeves are further sized and/or shaped so that when all inner sleeves of the plurality of inner sleeves are inserted into the interior volume of outer shell, the inserted inner sleeves are sufficiently secured in proximity to each other by the inner sleeve so that the assembly can be used for structure painting.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of inner sleeves is constituted by two inner sleeves.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer shell comprises a handle.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the outer shell and plurality of inner sleeves are further sized and/or shaped so that when all inner sleeves of the plurality of inner sleeves are inserted into the interior volume of outer shell:

the bottom wall of each inner sleeves of the plurality of inner sleeves rests on the bottom wall of the outer shell; and

the paint holding chambers, taken collectively, are substantially co-extensive with the interior space of the outer shell.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each inner sleeve of the plurality of inner sleeves includes a rim extending from its peripheral wall in proximity to an interface between the inner sleeve and the outer shell.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each inner sleeve of the plurality of inner sleeves includes a divider wall extending from its peripheral wall in proximity to an interface between two inner sleeves.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the outer shell and plurality of inner sleeves are further sized and/or shaped so that when all inner sleeves of the plurality of inner sleeves are inserted into the interior volume of outer shell the top openings of the plurality of inner sleeves, taken collectively, are substantially co-extensive with the sleeve insertion opening of the outer shell.

8. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a double ended painting implement that comprises:

a first painting head;

a first connection hardware set;

a second painting head;

a second connection hardware set; and

a handle;

wherein:

the first paint head is structured, sized and/or shaped to be used for painting structures;

the second paint head is structured, sized and/or shaped to be used for painting structures;

the handle comprises a first head attachment end and a second head attachment end;

the first connection hardware set is structured, located and/or connected to mechanically connect the first painting head to the first head attachment end; and

the second connection hardware set is structured, located and/or connected to mechanically connect the second painting head to the second head attachment end.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein:

the first painting head is a paint brush;

the first connection hardware set includes a trough.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the first painting head is a paint brush with a crenellated end.

11. A double ended painting implement comprising:

a first painting head;

a first connection hardware set;

a second painting head;

a second connection hardware set; and

a handle;

wherein:

the first paint head is structured, sized and/or shaped to be used for painting structures;

the second paint head is structured, sized and/or shaped to be used for painting structures;

the handle comprises a first head attachment end and a second head attachment end;

the first connection hardware set is structured, located and/or connected to mechanically connect the first painting head to the first head attachment end; and

the second connection hardware set is structured, located and/or connected to mechanically connect the second painting head to the second head attachment end.

12. The implement of claim 11 wherein:

the first painting head is a paint brush;

the first connection hardware set includes a trough.

13. The implement of claim 11 wherein the first painting head is a paint brush with a crenellated end.

14. A painting implement comprising:

a first painting head in the form of a paint brush including a plurality of parallel elongated bristles;

a first connection hardware set; and

a handle;

wherein:

the first paint head is structured, sized and/or shaped to be used for painting structures;

the handle comprises a first head attachment end;

the first connection hardware set is structured, located and/or connected to mechanically connect the first painting head to the first head attachment end; and

the first connection hardware set includes a trough.

15. The implement of claim 14 wherein the trough runs around an entire perimeter of the first connection hardware set.

16. The implement of claim 14 wherein:

the parallel bristles define a normal direction that is normal to the direction of the elongation of the plurality of bristles; and

the at least a portion of the trough runs at an acute angle relative to the normal direction.

17. The implement of claim 14 wherein the first painting head in the form of a brush has a crenellated end.