Abstract: A brush of the present disclosure includes a handle, a plurality of bristles, and a sleeve configured to couple the plurality of bristles to the handle. A plug strip is disposed within the sleeve and may be configured to orient the plurality of bristles to provide increased coating performance. The plug strip has opposed sides extending along a central longitudinal axis of the plug strip. At least one of the opposed sides has an undulating surface forming tapered ridges alternating with tapered valleys.

Abstract: A brush of the present disclosure includes a handle, a plurality of bristles, and a sleeve configured to couple the plurality of bristles to the handle. A plug strip is disposed within the sleeve and may be configured to orient the plurality of bristles to provide increased coating performance. The plug strip has opposed sides extending along a central longitudinal axis of the plug strip. At least one of the opposed sides has an undulating surface forming tapered ridges alternating with tapered valleys.

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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.