Modular paint brush

Abstract

Disclosed is a modular paint brush comprising a plurality of custom molded and contoured handles that are readily detachable from brush elements using a slide connector with a button stop. Also included is a rotatable brush element. Rotation is achieved through a rotational connector disposed between the handle and the brush element. The rotation of the brush element is governed by a uniform rotation resistance designed into the rotational connector to serve the dual objectives of rotationality and maintaining rotational position of the brush element when the brush is in use after rotation of the brush element. Rapid detachability between the handle and brush element serves the multiple purposes of changing handle configuration with the same brush element for different work environments, changing brush widths for use with the same paint in different work environments, and changing paint colors with the same brush handle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the general field of decorating tools, and more specifically relates to the field of paint brushes. Even more specifically, it concerns modular paint brushes having handles which are molded in contoured designs which handles are readily detachable from replaceable brush elements containing conventional brush bristles and metal band attaching them to the brush. The combination further includes a rotational connector between the brush element and handle which connector provides a uniform rotational resistance throughout its entire 360 degrees of rotation.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A number of U.S. patents have been issued concerning paint brushes. A number of these are sectional or segmented brushes in which the brush element is comprised of a plurality of pieces. See for example, Neil, U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,980, Tetzlaff, U.S. Pat. No. 2,677,841 and Ferguson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,629,125.

The closest known prior art is Raia, U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,479, which discloses a modular, multiple paint brush system. The Raia reference also includes a segmented or sectionalized brush element and a detachable handle, but does not appear to teach a rotatable brush element governed by uniform rotational resistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Bearing in mind the foregoing, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a modular paint brush that includes brush elements that are detachable from custom molded and contoured handles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a paint brush in which the brush element is rotatable with respect to the handle.

A related object of the invention is to provide the aforesaid rotational capability governed by uniform rotational resistance which optimizes the dual objectives of rotationality and maintaining a certain rotational position when the brush is in use.

An additional object of the invention is to provide for disposable brush elements while maintaining and retaining a custom molded and contoured handle.

A further object of the invention is to permit quick and easy changes of brush elements so as to enable the same custom molded and contoured handle to be used with different paint colors and different width brush elements.

A related object of the invention is to employ a simple and easily operated slide connection with a button stop for changes of the brush elements.

An alternative object of the invention is to permit different handles to be used in different painting configurations such as a short hand grip handle versus a pistol grip handle as both are illustrated in this application.

A further object of the invention is to conserve trees. Most conventional paint brush handles are made from wood, and are thrown away when the brush is discarded. The present invention utilizes a molded and contoured handle not made from wood that can be used with an almost limitless supply of brush elements, thus saving many wooden handles.

One more object of the invention is to provide all of the foregoing features and advantages in an inexpensive utilitarian product.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following descriptions and the appended drawings.

In accordance with a principal aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular paint brush comprising a plurality of custom molded and contoured handles that are readily detachable from brush elements and which further include a rotatable brush element. The rotation of the brush element is governed by a uniform rotation resistance to serve the dual objectives of rotationality and maintaining rotational position of the brush element after its rotation when the brush is in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the modular paint brush when equipped with a hand grip molded and contoured handle.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view showing the split handle design.

FIG. 3 is an alternative handle having a pistol grip and showing three phillips head screws for connecting the halves of the handle together.

FIG. 4 is a broken view of the interior side of the back half of the pistol grip handle of FIG. 3 showing the interior construction of the handle.

FIG. 5 is an end view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged broken front elevation view of the detachability structure of the brush element.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged broken side elevation view of the detachability structure of the brush element shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged front elevation view of the rotational connector when removed from a handle.

FIG. 9 is a right side elevation view of the rotational connector of FIG. 8.

FIGS. 10 is a rear elevation view of the rotational connector of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the rotational connector of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a cross section taken along the line A-A of FIG. 8 and showing the center post of the rotational connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the various figures and designated by the same referenced numerals.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the inventive modular paint brush 10 when it is equipped with a molded and contoured hand grip style handle 12. The paint brush 10 is generally comprised of handle 12, rotational connector 14, and brush element 16. Brush element 16 in turn is comprised of slide connector 18, bristles 20, and conventional brass band 22, for binding the bristles 20 to the slide connector 18.

In FIG. 2, it is seen that handle 12 is a split design that is comprised of two halves that meet at line 24. The significance of this will be explained later. Near the bottom of handle 12 is tapered flange 26. The tee-top 28 of slide connector 16 is shown in the track 30 of rotational connector 14.

FIG. 3 is an alternative handle 32 having a pistol grip and showing three phillips head screws 34 for connecting the halves of the handle together. Also seen is tapered flange 26.

FIG. 4 is a broken view of the interior side of the back half 36, pistol grip handle of FIG. 3 showing the interior construction of handle 32. In it is seen sidewalls 38, tapered flange 26, disc recess 40, rotating member center post collar 42, rotating member center post aperture 44, rotating member bolt head chamber 46, and rotating member bolt head collar 48.

FIG. 5 is end view of any of the handles intended for use with the modular paint brush 10, and shows the lower surface of tapered flange 26, the end of sidewall 38, rotating member center post collar 42, and rotating member center post aperture 44.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged broken front elevation view of the detachability structure of the brush element 16. It shows groove 50, above which is tee top 28. Disposed at the center of groove 50 is button 52 which acts as a stop in cooperation with a tab to be described later in regard to rotational connector 14.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged broken side elevation view of the brush element 16 shown in FIG. 6. On either side, grooves 50 and buttons 52 can be seen. Above grooves 50 is tee top 28.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged front elevation view of the rotational connector 14 when removed both from a handle and from brush element 16. Its base is essentially an inverted U-shaped member 54 having two front tabs 56, two rear tabs 58, and a button engaging tab 60. On the inside of each of the tabs is a projection 62 for engagement in groove 50 as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. Mounted on top of base member 54 are 2 gripping elbows 64 which engage with a handle at the top of tapered flange 26 as seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Elbow grippers 64 provide the uniform rotation resistance of rotational connector 14. Mounted between gripping elbows 64 are the portions of the rotational connector 14 that are inserted into the end of the handle. These include bolt head top 66, center post 68, and disc 70.

FIG. 9 is a right side elevation view of the rotational connector 14 seen in FIG. 8. In it is seen inverted U-shaped base member 54 with front tab 56, rear tab 58, and projections 62 for engagement in groove 50 (seen in FIGS. 6 and 7). Elbow gripper 64 is shown in front of bolt head 66, center post 68, and disc 70.

The means of assembly of rotational connector 14 with a handle is seen by reference to FIG. 4, and requires disassembly of a handle into a halves to insert or remove rotational connector 14 from a handle. Upon disassembly of the handle, center post 68 is placed in rotating member center post aperture 44, while disc 70 is placed in disc recess 40, and bolt head 66 is placed in rotating member bolt head chamber 46. Then the two halves of the handle are reassembled using phillips head screws 34 (seen in FIG. 3) such that bolt head 66 cannot escape from rotating member bolt head chamber 46, while the rotational connector 14, is centered by center post 68 being held within rotating member center post aperture 44 by rotating member center post collar 42, and with disc 70 being held within sidewalls 38 inside disc recess 40. However, bolt head 66, center post 68, and disc 70 are free to rotate together with each other in this position.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the rotational connector 14, which shows the projections 62 on the back of front tabs 56, and shows button engaging surfaces 72 on the back of button engaging tab 60. Button engaging surfaces 72 engage button 52 (as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7).

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the rotational connector 14 of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. Bolt head top 56 is shown over disc 70, which in turn is on top of inverted U-shaped base member 54. Bolt head top 66 and disc 70 are flanked on either side by elbow grippers 64.

Turning finally to FIG. 12, which shows a cross section of center post 68 taken along the line A-A of FIG. 8. It illustrates the cross shaped center post 68 looking down on the top of disc 70. It is the arms of center post 68 which rotationally contact rotating member center post collar 42, and maintains center post 68, within rotating member center post aperture 44 (as seen in FIG. 4).

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments of modifications which has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

Claims

1. A modular paint brush comprising:

a brush handle;

a brush element;

a slide connector disposed within the brush element to readily detach the brush element from and readily attach the brush element to the modular paint brush;

a rotational connector disposed between the brush handle and the slide connector to permit rotational movement of the brush element with respect to the handle; and

means to apply uniform rotational resistance to the rotational movement.

2. The brush of claim 1 in which the means to apply uniform rotational resistance to the rotational movement is at least one elbow gripper attached to the rotational connector and applying pressure on the handle.

3. The brush of claim 1 in which the slide connector contains at least one groove to cooperate with at least one projection in a track disposed within the rotational connector.

4. The brush of claim 3 which further comprises:

at least one button disposed within the at least one groove; and

a button engaging tab attached to the rotational connector to provide a stop to releasably hold the slide connector in lateral position relative to the rotational connector.

5. The brush of claim 4 in which the button engaging tab further comprises button engaging surfaces that cooperate with the at least one button to provide the stop to releasably hold the slide connector in lateral position relative to the rotational connector.

6. The brush of claim 1 in which the handles are custom molded and contoured to provide a plurality of options including a hand grip style and a pistol grip style thereby facilitating a variety of working environments.

7. The brush of claim 1 in which the detachment and attachment capability facilitates all of rapid changes of paint color using the same handle, rapid changes of brush width using the same handle, and rapid changes of handle configuration using the same brush element.

8. The brush of claim 1 in which the handle is split into two halves held together by fasteners, which handle further comprises means to positively retain members of the rotational connector when the halves have been opened to insert those members, while at the same time allowing rotation of those members within the closed handle.

9. The brush of claim 8 in which the handle includes a disc recess, a rotating member center post collar, a rotating member center post aperture, a rotating member bolt head chamber, and a rotating member bolt head collar;

while the rotational connector includes a disc, center post, and bolt head; and

Wherein the disc is disposed within the disc recess, the center post is disposed within the rotating member center post aperture centered by the rotating member center post collar, and the bolt head is confined within the rotating member bolt head chamber by the rotating member center post collar and the rotating member bolt head collar.

10. The brush of claim 1 in which the brush element further comprises conventional bristles and a metal band attaching the bristles to the brush.