Abstract: A decorative painting kit including multiple-color paint applicators and a method of decoratively painting a surface though in situ surface blending of two or more paints of different colors by using a multiple-color paint applicator which is stroked over the same surface a sufficient number of time to at least partially blend the different paint colors. The partial in situ surface blending of two or more paints produces a decorative pattern on the painted surface that is color characterized by having areas with some of the original paint colors and other areas with various blends of the original paint colors thereon to produce a decoratively painted surface.

Abstract: Briefly, the present invention is a paint tray assembly comprising a multi-use paint tray having a trough located therein and at least one removable paint containers retained in a lateral fit within the trough of the paint tray with the removable paint container being separately removable from the trough of the paint tray to allow for individual emptying of paint compartments in the paint tray.

Abstract: A decorative painting kit including multiple-color paint applicators and a method of decoratively painting a surface though in situ surface blending of two or more paints of different colors by using a multiple-color paint applicator which is stroked over the same surface a sufficient number of time to at least partially blend the different paint colors. The partial in situ surface blending of two or more paints produces a decorative pattern on the painted surface that is color characterized by having areas with some of the original paint colors and other areas with various blends of the original paint colors thereon to produce a decoratively painted surface.

Abstract: A yoke member comprises a pair of handle-engaging members supported from a connecting member with at least one of the handle-engaging members attached to the connecting member with a living hinge to provide a one-piece attachment for a tool to enable a tool handle to be secured between the handle-engaging members.

Abstract: A process of making a paint roller with a foldable end comprising the steps of: securing a paint-roller support core to a paint-roller pad and then removing a portion of the core secured to the paint-roller pad. If multiple paint rollers are being made, one cuts the paint-roller pad and support core into multiple segments with the cut ends of the segmented paint-roller pad and core coextensive with each other. Next, one removes a portion of the ends of the support core without removing the paint-roller pad extending over the support core to leave a paint roller with an unsupported free pad end that is folded over the end of the core of the paint roller to provide full corner painting abilities. The paint roller with a covered end can be rotatably mounted on different types of paint-roller frames.

Abstract: A universal paint grid for attachment to either the internal ledge of a container or the external ledge of a different container comprising a paint grid member having a porous plate for rolling a paint roller thereon to remove excess paint from the paint roller with the universal paint grid including a pair of internal lips located on the grid member for engaging an internal ledge of a first container to hold a paint grid therein and a flexible panel integrally connected to the grid member with the flexible panel having a pair of flexible ears each having an external lip for engaging an external ledge on a different container to hold the universal paint grid therein.

Abstract: An open and shut molding method of making a paint roller bearing with offsetting core support surface for use in paint roller applicators that permit the user to change a paint roller quickly and efficiently on a paint roller applicator by bringing together a first mold and a second mold until a portion of the molds contact each other to thereby provide central regions in the mold cavity to exclude moldable material therefrom and then flowing a moldable plastic material into the mold cavity formed between the first mold and the second mold and separating the first mold from the second mold to enable removable of a ready to use molded one piece paint roller bearing housing having a central opening extending therethrough for inserting of a shaft therein for rotatable supporting the ready to use paint roller bearing housing thereon.

Abstract: A paint roller frame having a wire coil female thread for attaching a plurality of different handles thereto. The wire coil female thread is formed directly in the wire frame that is used to support the roller. The wire coil female thread locks onto the rigid male threads of a handle and onto the handle to prevent accidental loosening and to also permit the user to completely replace the handle of the paint roller. The helical wire coil female thread is made of a resilient metal wire with sufficient rigidity to permits firm but yieldable direct transfer of pressure to the paint roller from a longer extension handle rather than through a permanent handle mounted directly on the wire frame. An extension member on the end of wire coil female thread enables a user to remove a handle from the wire paint roller frame without the use of a tool.

Abstract: A paint roller bearing with offsetting core support surface for use in small diameter paint roller applicators that permit the user to change a paint roller quickly and efficiently on a paint roller applicator, with the bearing having an axle-engaging member that clamps to the axle of a paint roller frame to rotatably secure the bearing to the axle of a paint roller frame. The paint roller bearing offset surfaces permit molding the bearing using in inexpensive open and shut molding process while still providing a central opening in the bearing. An alternative embodiment includes friction ridges to hold a paint roller core on the bearing.

Abstract: An insert is disclosed for a tool having a handle extending from a first end adjacent to a free second end. The handle has a hollow bore extending therethrough with an axis of the bore generally aligned with an axis of the handle. The insert includes a body having a longitudinal axis and sized to be inserted within the bore at the free end and moved through the bore to an inserted position adjacent the first end. The longitudinal axis is disposed parallel to the bore axis when the body is in the inserted position. An anchor is provided for fixing the body in the inserted position. The body in the inserted position presents a first surface opposing the bore axis. The first surface is provided with female threads selected to threadedly engage male threads on an end of an extension pole sized to be received within the bore.

Abstract: A brush device is provided which has improved paint loading and smoothing characteristics. More specifically, a brush head member formed of flexible material suitable for adsorbing and releasing liquid paint includes an outer surface comprising fine denier fibers. The brush device is particularly well suited for liquids which require a smooth and even application.

Abstract: A universal living hinge joint includes an integral, preferably molded, body having first and second ends fixedly attached to first and second implement members, connecting the implement members to each other. The integral body has a plurality of substantially rigid sections and a plurality of flexible portions of reduced thickness defining non-parallel axes of rotation which separate and connect the rigid sections to each other. The integral body is bendable along each of the flexible portions permitting rotation of the second implement member in a wide range of angular positions with respect to the first implement member.

Abstract: A pressure fed paint roller includes a paint roller shield and handle, a paint roller mounted for rotation within the shield, and a two-piece floating manifold positioned between the top of the shield and the roller. The manifold has a concave paint spreading surface with a row of spaced discharge openings from which paint is discharged under pressure onto the roller surface. An adjustable resilient loop connected between the manifold and the shield urges the manifold toward the roller so that this paint spreading surface engages the paint roller and forces the paint into the outer covering of the roller without impeding rotation of the paint roller.

Abstract: A finishing tool is used to smooth tape joints of interior walls and ceilings constructed of plasterboard or drywall. The tool includes a handle, a resilient polyester foam pad, and a wettable abrasive surface of short, stiff coarse nylon fibers bonded to the resilient foam pad so that they are oriented perpendicular to the surface of the foam pad. In use, the abrasive surface is wetted, and then is moved over the surface of the tape joint to moisten the joint cement. The tool is then moved in a scrubbing-type movement to work the joint cement to a creamy consistency. The surface of the joint cement is then smoothed by stroking the tool along the length of the joint.

Abstract: A finishing tool is used to smooth tape joints of interior walls and ceilings constructed of plaster-board or drywall. The tool includes a handle, a resilient polyester foam pad, and a wettable abrasive surface of short, stiff coarse nylon fibers bonded to the resilient foam pad so that they are oriented perpendicular to the surface of the foam pad. In use, the abrasive surface is wetted, and then is moved over the surface of the tape joint to moisten the joint cement. The tool is then moved in a scrubbing-type movement to work the joint cement to a creamy consistency. The surface of the joint cement is then smoothed by stroking the tool along the length of the joint.

Abstract: A photographic film processor including a film dryer through which photographic film is transported under tension and dried, has a film break detection system for detecting photographic film breaks within the dryer. Upper and lower substantially horizontal shafts are positioned in the dryer in a spaced relationship. Each shaft has a plurality of spools, and the photographic film is transported back and forth over the spools and between the shafts in a serpentine fashion. The lower shaft is spatially movable with respect to the upper shaft and is biased in a direction opposite to the force on the lower shaft due to film tension. A film break within the dryer causes a loss of film tension, which in turn causes a change in the spatial position of the lower shaft. A sensor senses this change in the spatial position of the lower shaft, activates an alarm, and shuts off the dryer drive system.