Abstract: A paint roller frame and cage assembly and method of manufacturing includes providing an assembly having a handle and a shaft extending from the handle, and forming a unitary cage having a radially outward surface for supporting a roller cover. The cage includes a first cavity located at an end of the cage proximate the handle and a second cavity located at an opposite end of the cage. Each cavity is defined within the radially outward surface and has a radially opening slot. A cover retainer is receivable through a first slot and into the first cavity. The cover retainer includes radially extending fingers that extend through the slot to engage an inner diameter of the roller cover and secure the cover to the cage. A fastener is receivable through a second slot and into the second cavity to hold the cage on the shaft.

Abstract: A roller cover and associated pair of cams attachable to opposite ends of the roller cover. Each of the cams has an outer diameter extending radially outwardly beyond an outer diameter of the roller cover a predetermined distance for maintaining the outer diameter of the roller cover a corresponding distance from the surface being coated during rotational movement of the roller cover over the surface to act as a thickness gauge for the coating being applied to the surface.

Abstract: A paint roller frame and cage assembly and method of manufacturing includes providing an assembly having a handle and a shaft extending from the handle, and forming a unitary cage having a radially outward surface for supporting a roller cover. The cage includes a first cavity located at an end of the cage proximate the handle and a second cavity located at an opposite end of the cage. Each cavity is defined within the radially outward surface and has a radially opening slot. A cover retainer is receivable through a first slot and into the first cavity. The cover retainer includes radially extending fingers that extend through the slot to engage an inner diameter of the roller cover and secure the cover to the cage. A fastener is receivable through a second slot and into the second cavity to hold the cage on the shaft.

Abstract: A roller cover and associated pair of cams attachable to opposite ends of the roller cover. Each of the cams has an outer diameter extending radially outwardly beyond an outer diameter of the roller cover a predetermined distance for maintaining the outer diameter of the roller cover a corresponding distance from the surface being coated during rotational movement of the roller cover over the surface to act as a thickness gauge for the coating being applied to the surface.

Abstract: A roller cover and associated pair of cams attachable to opposite ends of the roller cover. Each of the cams has an outer diameter extending radially outwardly beyond an outer diameter of the roller cover a predetermined distance for maintaining the outer diameter of the roller cover a corresponding distance from the surface being coated during rotational movement of the roller cover over the surface to act as a thickness gauge for the coating being applied to the surface.

Abstract: A tool holder comprises a cage assembly having a pair of axially spaced hollow members with axially aligned through openings sized for axial extension of tool handles of different sizes and shapes through both of the aligned openings. A cradle member is transversely movable in opposite directions between the hollow members toward and away from respective inwardly facing wall surfaces of the hollow members for releasably clamping tool handles extending through both aligned openings against the inwardly facing wall surfaces.

Abstract: A tool holder comprises a cage assembly having a pair of axially spaced hollow members with axially aligned through openings sized for axial extension of tool handles of different sizes and shapes through both of the aligned openings. A cradle member is transversely movable in opposite directions between the hollow members toward and away from respective inwardly facing wall surfaces of the hollow members for releasably clamping tool handles extending through both aligned openings against the inwardly facing wall surfaces.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for inner and outer telescoping members includes a housing fixedly attached to the axial outer end of the outer telescoping member. A cam member is mounted on the housing for pivotal movement between a locking position applying pressure urging a pressure pad in a radial through opening in the housing against the outer surface of the inner telescoping member to lock the inner telescoping member against axial movement relative to the outer telescoping member, and an unlocking position releasing the applied pressure.

Abstract: Tool holder comprises a cage assembly having a pair of axially spaced hollow members with axially aligned through openings sized for axial extension of tool handles of different sizes and shapes through both aligned openings. A cradle member is transversely movable in opposite directions between the hollow members toward and away from respective inwardly facing wall surfaces of the hollow members for releasably clamping tool handles against the inwardly facing wall surfaces. One side of the cage assembly is connected to a body member that is indexably connected to a handle member by spring loaded self-locking face gears that allow for hand pulling of the face gears apart and indexing of the cage assembly relative to the holder handle to a desired angle and releasing the pulling force to re-engage the face gears.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for inner and outer telescoping members includes a housing fixedly attached to the axial outer end of the outer telescoping member. A cam member is mounted on the housing for pivotal movement between a locking position applying pressure urging a pressure pad in a radial through opening in the housing against the outer surface of the inner telescoping member to lock the inner telescoping member against axial movement relative to the outer telescoping member, and an unlocking position releasing the applied pressure.

Abstract: A roller cover and associated pair of cams attachable to opposite ends of the roller cover. Each of the cams has an outer diameter extending radially outwardly beyond an outer diameter of the roller cover a predetermined distance for maintaining the outer diameter of the roller cover a corresponding distance from the surface being coated during rotational movement of the roller cover over the surface to act as a thickness gauge for the coating being applied to the surface.

Abstract: Tool holder comprises a cage assembly having a pair of axially spaced hollow members with axially aligned through openings sized for axial extension of tool handles of different sizes and shapes through both of the aligned openings. A cradle member is transversely movable in opposite directions between the hollow members toward and away from respective inwardly facing wall surfaces of the hollow members for releasably clamping tool handles extending through both aligned openings against the inwardly facing wall surfaces.

Abstract: A roller cover support assembly includes a roller cover support mountable for rotation on a roller frame shaft and a resiliently deformable annular retention spring including a plurality of circumferentially spaced convex arcs having peaks engageable with the inner diameter of a roller cover when forced over the retention spring for frictionally retaining the roller cover on the roller cover support. These peaks may have an axial length for increasing the frictional contact between the convex arcs and inner diameter of the roller cover when forced over the retention spring and inwardly tapered outboard ends for ease of forcing the roller cover over the retention spring. The convex arcs may be interconnected by concave arcs between the convex arcs at respective tangent points of the arcs.

Abstract: A reversible tip assembly for selectively connecting an extension pole/handle extension to tool handles having either compatible quick release lock mechanisms or conventional internally threaded sockets. The tip assembly comprises a body having oppositely extending rod-like tips at opposite ends of the body. One of the tips has a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending external thread segments. The other tip has an end portion that is compatible with quick release lock mechanisms.

Abstract: A reversible tip assembly for selectively connecting an extension pole/handle extension to tool handles having either compatible quick release lock mechanisms or conventional internally threaded sockets. The tip assembly comprises a body having oppositely extending rod-like tips at opposite ends of the body. One of the tips has a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending external thread segments. The other tip has an end portion that is compatible with quick release lock mechanisms.

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: 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: 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.