Abstract: A flow-thru liquid coating applicator comprises a handle and an applicator head including a blade having a filament bundle extending crosswise adjacent the distal end of the blade. A cover surrounds the distal end of the blade and a substantial portion of the length of the blade and has side openings through which opposite end portions of the filament bundle extend.

Abstract: A re-usable, shed-resistant roller cover for use with paint and other heavy liquids is provided. This roller cover includes a non-woven, woven, or knit surface material adapted to be used with paint rollers, wherein the surface material is substantially free of texture, and wherein the surface material further includes a plurality of fibers, wherein the plurality of fibers further comprise natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a combination thereof; and wherein the plurality of fibers have been interconnected with one another by mechanical means, chemical means, thermal means, solvent means, sonic means, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Paint roller cover supports include axially spaced substantially rigid portions for supporting roller covers thereon and elastomeric material interposed between the substantially rigid portions that is compressed during axial movement of the substantially rigid portions toward one another to cause the elastomeric material to expand radially outward into frictional engagement with the inner diameter of a surrounding roller cover. In one form of the invention, the substantially rigid portions are comprised of a plurality of substantially rigid plastic rings and the elastomeric material comprises elastomeric rings interposed between the substantially rigid rings. In another form of the invention, the substantially rigid portions are formed by a helix of substantially rigid plastic material having a helical groove along the length of the helix containing the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A brush includes a first tuft holder having at least one tuft, a second tuft holder having at least one tuft, a support structure having a handle to grasp and use the brush, an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the brush between (1) a first condition where the first and second tuft holders are not movable with respect to each other; and, (2) a second condition where the first tuft holder is movable with respect to the second tuft holder, and wherein the first and second tuft holders remain attached to the support structure in the first and second conditions.

Abstract: Paint roller support includes a substantially rigid sleeve portion for supporting a roller cover thereon and a plurality of flexible fingers that are engageable by an actuator to cause outer ends of the fingers to flex outwardly. An elastomeric material at least partially covers outer surfaces of the fingers for pressing engagement of the elastomeric material against the inner diameter of a surrounding roller cover during outward flexing of the fingers for securely retaining the roller cover in place on the support.

Abstract: Paint roller cover support includes a cage assembly mounted for rotation and limited axial movement in opposite directions on the shaft portion of a roller frame. The cage assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending semi-cylindrical sleeve segments that move radially outward and inward relative to the shaft portion during axial movement of the cage assembly in opposite directions. Elastomeric rings surrounding opposite ends of the sleeve segments maintain cam members on the sleeve segments in engagement with cam lifters on respective hub members on the shaft portion. Both the elastomeric rings and elastomeric material attached to radial outer surfaces of the sleeve segments may be pressed into frictional engagement with the inner diameter of a surrounding roller cover during radial outward movement of the sleeve segments for securely retaining the roller cover on the support.

Abstract: A grip for an extension pole has an opening at one end sized to receive the inboard end of the extension pole, and another opening at the other end communicating with a storage compartment inside the grip for storing at least a portion of an adaptor. A gripper inside the grip engages the adaptor when inserted into the storage compartment to prevent the adaptor from inadvertently falling out of the storage compartment.

Abstract: Adjustable roller frame includes a pair of housing members having opposed surfaces containing laterally spaced grooves which cooperate to define laterally spaced guideways in which support arms are axially slidably received for supporting roller covers of different lengths and/or diameters between opposite outer end portions of the support arms. These support arms are held in axially adjusted position by one or more cam members movable between a clamping position for applying a friction force to the support arms to hold the support arms against axial movement and a non-clamping position releasing the friction force.

Abstract: A system for preparing a surface for painting, staining, or other treatment is provided. This system includes a surface preparation material and an optional dispenser for dispensing the surface preparation material. The surface preparation material includes a single-layer or multi-layer substrate material or fabric; a sanding portion formed on the substrate, wherein the sanding portion further includes at least one abrasive substance deposited thereon or embedded therein; and a wiping portion formed on the substrate separate from the sanding portion, wherein the wiping portion further includes cleaning means for removing debris created by the sanding portion from the surface to be painted, stained, or otherwise treated. The cleaning means may be one or more dry textured regions or areas formed on the substrate or it may be one or more sticky or tacky regions or areas formed on the substrate.

Abstract: Locking mechanisms for releasably connecting handle extensions to tool handles having either compatible lock engaging end portions or standard internally threaded sockets include an adaptor mounted on an outboard end of a handle extension, the adaptor including an extension pole tip with circumferentially spaced thread segments axially insertable into tool handle sockets having compatible lock engaging end portions and threadably connectable to tool handles having standard internally threaded sockets. Means are provided for preventing relative rotation between the adaptor and tool handles having compatible lock engaging end portions when the extension pole tip is fully inserted into the tool handle sockets and for preventing inadvertent pull out of the extension pole tip from the tool handle sockets.

Abstract: Drop cloth systems include drop cloths having edge supports extending along two opposite edges of the drop cloths for preventing folding of the opposite edges along which the edge supports extend. Extending between the edge supports is at least one spring strip having the property of being substantially straight when unwound to maintain the drop cloths substantially spread out on the surface area to be protected. Also the spring strips have the property of being windable to permit the drop cloths to be rolled up from one of the opposite edges along which the edge supports extend for easy storage and transportation when not in use.

Abstract: A re-usable, shed-resistant roller cover for use with paint and other heavy liquids is provided. This roller cover includes a non-woven, woven, or knit surface material adapted to be used with paint rollers, wherein the surface material is substantially free of texture, and wherein the surface material further includes a plurality of fibers, wherein the plurality of fibers further comprise natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a combination thereof; and wherein the plurality of fibers have been interconnected with one another by mechanical means, chemical means, thermal means, solvent means, sonic means, or combinations thereof.