PAINTBRUSH

Abstract

A brush includes a plurality of filaments forming a head with a tip having an angled/inclined top when viewed from a side of the brush; and a top in a V-shape when viewed from a top or bottom of the brush. In an alternative embodiment, the filaments form an “Angled Flat Head” defined by tip having an angled/inclined top when viewed from a top or bottom of the brush; and a flat edge when viewed from a side of the brush. In another alternative, the filaments form an “Angled V Head” defined by a tip having an angled/inclined top when viewed from a top or bottom of the brush; and a V-shape top when viewed from a side of the brush. Such configurations of the heads of the brushes preferably are defined by the varying lengths of the filaments, the distal ends of which define the tips of the brushes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a nonprovisional of, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to, U.S. patent application 63/393,823 filed Jul. 29, 2022, incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, the disclosure of the '823 provisional application is contained in the appendix to the specification, which appendix is incorporated herein by reference. The present application also incorporates herein by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/848,049 filed Jul. 29, 2022, and any patent issuing therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to brushes and, in particular, paintbrushes for painting and especially cut-in painting relating to trim and corners.

Embodiments of one or more aspects and features of the invention are believed to represent improvements in conventional brushes, especially when used as paintbrushes for cut-in painting relating to trim and corners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, the context of painting and especially cut-in painting relating to trim and corners, the invention is not limited to use only in such contexts as will become apparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the invention.

Accordingly, in an aspect of the invention, a cut-in brush for painting comprises a plurality of brush filaments forming an “Angled Flat Head” defined by a tip having (a) an angled/inclined top when viewed from a top or bottom of the brush, thereby allowing for the brush to get close to trim without getting paint from the filaments on the trim; and (b) a flat edge when viewed from a side of the brush, thereby providing for more control of the brush during painting. This aspect is perhaps disclosed in FIGS. 15-16.

In another aspect, a cut-in brush for painting comprises a plurality of brush filaments forming an “Angled V-Head” defined by a tip having (a) an angled/inclined top when viewed from a top or bottom of the brush, thereby allowing for the brush to get close to trim without getting paint from the filaments on the trim; and (b) a V-shape top when viewed from a side of the brush, thereby providing for easy painting on both the right and left side of trim. This aspect is perhaps disclosed in FIGS. 17-18.

In another aspect, a cut-in brush for painting comprises a plurality of brush filaments forming a brush head with a tip having (a) an angled/inclined top when viewed from a side of the brush, thereby allowing for the brush to get close to trim without getting paint from the filaments on the trim; and (b) a V-shape top when viewed from a top or bottom of the brush, thereby providing for painting with a single-pass with a wide swath. This aspect is perhaps disclosed in FIGS. 19-20.

In a feature of one or more of the foregoing aspects, the brush comprises a square ferrule thereby allowing for lining up of paint for easier flow.

In a feature of one or more of the foregoing aspects, the plurality of brush filaments exceeds a conventional number of brush filaments found in a conventional brush, whereby the brush has an extra filament pack-out for fewer dips.

Preferably, the aforementioned configurations of the heads of the brushes preferably are defined by varying lengths of the filaments, the distal ends of which define the tips of the brushes.

In a feature of one or more of the foregoing aspects, the brush is a 2-inch brush.

In a feature of one or more of the foregoing aspects, the brush is a 2.5-inch brush.

Another aspect comprises a brush as disclosed herein.

Another aspect comprises a method of making a brush as disclosed herein.

Another aspect comprises a method of painting using a brush as disclosed herein.

Additional aspects and features of the invention are disclosed in the appendix, which is incorporated herein by reference and which comprises photographs of a prototype paintbrush in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the invention, it should be noted that the invention further encompasses the various logical combinations and subcombinations of such aspects and features. Thus, for example, claims in this or a divisional or continuing patent application or applications may be separately directed to any aspect, feature, or embodiment disclosed herein, or combination thereof, without requiring any other aspect, feature, or embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a top of a preferred embodiment of a paintbrush in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bottom of the paintbrush of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the top of the paintbrush of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the bottom of the paintbrush of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the top of the paintbrush of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the bottom of the paintbrush of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the paintbrush of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the opposite side of the paintbrush of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the paintbrush of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the opposite end of the paintbrush of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the opening in the top of the handle of the paintbrush of FIG. 1, which opening appears the same on the other side of the handle.

FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the opening in the top of the handle of the paintbrush of FIG. 1, which opening appears the same on the other side of the handle.

FIG. 13 is a close-up view of the top of the head of the paintbrush seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a close-up view of the bottom of the head of the paintbrush seen in FIG. 2.

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a top view of another preferred embodiment in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a side view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 15 as seen in the direction of arrow A.

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of a top view of another preferred embodiment in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of a side view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 17 as seen in the direction of arrow B.

FIG. 19 is a schematic illustration of a top view of another preferred embodiment in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of a side view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 19 as seen in the direction of arrow C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention may incorporate only one or a plurality of the aspects of the invention disclosed herein; only one or a plurality of the features disclosed herein; or combination thereof. As such, many embodiments are implicitly disclosed herein and fall within the scope of what is regarded as the invention.

Accordingly, while the invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the invention and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the invention in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

With regard solely to construction of any claim with respect to the United States, no claim element is to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to and should apply in the interpretation of such claim element. With regard to any method claim including a condition precedent step, such method requires the condition precedent to be met and the step to be performed at least once but not necessarily every time during performance of the claimed method.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “comprising” is open-ended insofar as that which follows such term is not exclusive. Additionally, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” is the same as “a picnic basket comprising an apple” and “a picnic basket including an apple”, each of which identically describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside an apple. In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside an apple. In contrast, “a picnic basket consisting of an apple” has only a single item contained therein, i.e., one apple; the picnic basket contains no other item.

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside cheese and crackers.

When used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list”. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers”, as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside cheese and crackers.

The phrase “at least one” followed by a list of items joined by “and” denotes an item of the list but does not require every item of the list. Thus, “at least one of an apple and an orange” encompasses the following mutually exclusive scenarios: there is an apple but no orange; there is an orange but no apple; and there is both an apple and an orange. In these scenarios if there is an apple, there may be more than one apple, and if there is an orange, there may be more than one orange. Moreover, the phrase “one or more” followed by a list of items joined by “and” is the equivalent of “at least one” followed by the list of items joined by “and”.

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

Turning now FIGS. 1-14, a preferred embodiment of a paintbrush 100 in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention is disclosed. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a top of the paintbrush 100; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bottom of the paintbrush 100; FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the top of the paintbrush 100; FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the bottom of the paintbrush 100; FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the top of the paintbrush 100; FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the bottom of the paintbrush 100; FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the paintbrush 100; FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the opposite side of the paintbrush 100; FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the paintbrush 100; FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the opposite end of the paintbrush 100; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the opening in the top of the handle of the paintbrush 100, which opening appears the same on the other side of the handle; FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the opening in the top of the handle of the paintbrush 100, which opening appears the same on the other side of the handle; FIG. 13 is a close-up view of the top (tip) of the head of the paintbrush 100; and FIG. 14 is a close-up view of the bottom of the head of the paintbrush 100.

Additionally, the photographs found in the appendix are of a prototype paintbrush in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention corresponding to the paintbrush 100 of the drawings, which photographs are incorporated herein by reference.

In will be appreciated that the V-shape head at the tip has fewer filaments and less paint absorption and paint release when used next to trim being painted, whereby there is less chance of getting paint on the trim and also allows for more control of painting near the trim. The “non V-Shape” portion of the brush head and back of the brush has a fuller pack out of filaments that allows for more paint absorption and release to the painting surface, but this is away from the edge of the trim being painted.

Additional preferred embodiments are disclosed in FIGS. 15-20. Specifically, FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a top view of another preferred embodiment of a paintbrush 200 in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention; and FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a side view of the paintbrush 200 as seen along the direction of arrow A.

The paintbrush 200 comprises a plurality of brush filaments forming an “Angled Flat Head” defined by a tip having (a) an angled/inclined top when viewed from a top or bottom of the brush as seen in FIG. 15, thereby allowing for the brush to get close to trim without getting paint from the filaments on the trim; and (b) a flat edge when viewed from a side of the brush as seen in FIG. 16, thereby providing for more control of the brush during painting.

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of a top view of another preferred embodiment of a paintbrush 300 in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention; and FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of a side view of the paintbrush 300 as seen along the direction of arrow B.

The paintbrush 300 comprises a plurality of brush filaments forming an “Angled V-Head” defined by a tip having (a) an angled/inclined top when viewed from a top or bottom of the brush as seen in FIG. 17, thereby allowing for the brush to get close to trim without getting paint from the filaments on the trim; and (b) a V-shape top when viewed from a side of the brush as seen in FIG. 18, thereby providing for easy painting on both the right and left side of trim.

FIG. 19 is a schematic illustration of a top view of another preferred embodiment of a paintbrush 400 in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention; and FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of a side view of the paintbrush 400 as seen along the direction of arrow C.

The paintbrush 400 comprises a plurality of brush filaments forming a brush head with a tip having (a) an angled/inclined top when viewed from a side of the brush as seen in FIG. 19, thereby allowing for the brush to get close to trim without getting paint from the filaments on the trim; and (b) a V-shape top when viewed from a top or bottom of the brush as seen in FIG. 20, thereby providing for painting with a single-pass with a wide swath. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the paintbrush 100 is schematically represented by the paintbrush 400 of FIGS. 19-20.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the invention has broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the invention.

Accordingly, while the invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A cut-in brush for painting, comprising a plurality of brush filaments at a head of the brush defining a tip having (a) an angled/inclined top when viewed from a top or bottom of the brush, thereby allowing for the brush to get close to trim without getting paint from the filaments on the trim; and (b) a flat edge when viewed from a side of the brush, thereby providing for more control of the brush during painting.

2. The brush of claim 1, comprising a square ferrule thereby allowing for lining up of paint for easier flow.

3. The brush of claim 1, wherein the plurality of brush filaments exceeds a conventional number of brush filaments found in a conventional brush, whereby the brush has an extra filament pack-out for fewer dips.

4. The brush of claim 1, wherein the brush is a 2-inch brush.

5. The brush of claim 1, wherein the brush is a 2.5-inch brush.

6. A cut-in brush for painting, comprising a plurality of brush filaments at a head of the brush defining a tip having (a) an angled/inclined top when viewed from a top or bottom of the brush, thereby allowing for the brush to get close to trim without getting paint from the filaments on the trim; and (b) a V-shape top when viewed from a side of the brush, thereby providing for easy painting on both the right and left side of trim.

7. The brush of claim 6, comprising a square ferrule thereby allowing for lining up of paint for easier flow.

8. The brush of claim 6, wherein the plurality of brush filaments exceeds a conventional number of brush filaments found in a conventional brush, whereby the brush has an extra filament pack-out for fewer dips.

9. The brush of claim 6, wherein the brush is a 2-inch brush.

10. The brush of claim 6, wherein the brush is a 2.5-inch brush.

11. A cut-in brush for painting, comprising a plurality of brush filaments at a head of the brush defining a tip having (a) an angled/inclined top when viewed from a side of the brush, thereby allowing for the brush to get close to trim without getting paint from the filaments on the trim; and (b) a V-shape top when viewed from a top or bottom of the brush, thereby providing for painting with a single-pass with a wide swath.

12. The brush of claim 11, comprising a square ferrule thereby allowing for lining up of paint for easier flow.

13. The brush of claim 11, wherein the plurality of brush filaments exceeds a conventional number of brush filaments found in a conventional brush, whereby the brush has an extra filament pack-out for fewer dips.

14. The brush of claim 11, wherein the brush is a 2-inch brush.

15. The brush of claim 11, wherein the brush is a 2.5-inch brush.