Abstract: A paint brush handle has an outer layer of a comfortable, relatively soft elastomeric material that surrounds a rigid core of foamed polyolefin. The handle is made using a co-injection process in which a mold cavity is first coated by an initial partial shot of the elastomeric material and then filled by injecting more elastomeric material and polyolefin material containing a foaming agent simultaneously. The simultaneous shot of these materials is achieved by injecting the materials through a single inlet passage into the mold cavity in which the flows are concentric, with the elastomeric material surrounding the polyolefin material. The ferrule is attached to the handle using nails or other suitable fasteners which penetrate into the rigid inner core.

Abstract: A paint brush handle has an outer layer of a comfortable, relatively soft elastomeric material that surrounds a rigid core of foamed polyolefin. The handle is made using a co-injection process in which a mold cavity is first coated by an initial partial shot of the elastomeric material and then filled by injecting more elastomeric material and polyolefin material containing a foaming agent simultaneously. The simultaneous shot of these materials is achieved by injecting the materials through a single inlet passage into the mold cavity in which the flows are concentric, with the elastomeric material surrounding the polyolefin material. The ferrule is attached to the handle using nails or other suitable fasteners which penetrate into the rigid inner core.

Abstract: A paint roller cover with thermoplastic core and method and apparatus for making same by spirally wrapping a strip of hot extruded thermoplastic film onto an exterior surface of hollow thermoplastic tubing and spirally wrapping a strip of fabric having a thermoplastic backing onto the spiral wound strip of thermoplastic film while the thermoplastic film is still sufficiently hot to cause the thermoplastic film to flow into interstices in the thermoplastic backing of the fabric and permanently bond the fabric to the exterior surface of the tubing. The fabric covered tubing is then cooled and separated into a plurality of individual lengths of fabric covered tubes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a paint roller cover by spirally wrapping a strip of hot extruded thermoplastic film onto an exterior surface of hollow thermoplastic tubing and spirally wrapping a strip of fabric having a thermoplastic backing onto the spiral wound strip of thermoplastic film while the thermoplastic film is still sufficiently hot to cause the thermoplastic film to flow into interstices in the thermoplastic backing of the fabric and permanently bond the fabric to the exterior surface of the tubing. The fabric covered tubing is then cooled and separated into a plurality of individual lengths of fabric covered tubes.

Abstract: Quick release lock mechanisms for releasably connecting an extension pole to a tool handle include an adaptor attached to an end of the extension pole having a smooth cylindrical outer end portion axially slidable into and out of an internally threaded bore in the tool handle. A bearing support is provided for the cylindrical outer end portion when fully inserted into the bore. Also, a non-rotatable connection is provided between the adaptor and tool handle when the cylindrical outer end portion is fully inserted into the bore to prevent relative rotation therebetween, and a releasable latch prevents the cylindrical outer end portion from being withdrawn from the bore unless released.

Abstract: Paint roller frame includes a snap-on cover for the outboard end cap. The cover has an end wall which extends the full radial extent of the outboard end cap and an axial skirt portion which has a greater axial length than the radial outermost surface of the outboard end cap. The cover is retained on the outboard end cap by an internal annular rib which has an axially outwardly facing inclined surface that engages a correspondingly axially inwardly inclined surface on the axial inner end of the radial outermost surface of the outboard end cap.