PAINTING TOOL SYSTEM

Abstract

A painting tool system having a reusable handle, the handle having first and second ends and a body interposed between the two ends. The first end includes an opening adapted to receive a shaft, with the handle body to be gripped in a user's hand. The system includes a painting tool attachment couplable to the handle. The attachment having a first end for performing a function of the painting tool and a second end including a protruding shaft receivable within the opening in the handle. The system also includes a handle lock mounted within the handle, the lock positioned and configured to secure the attachment to the handle at the shaft. The lock may be removable and formed from a cam lock inserted into a borehole in the handle body. The attachment first end may provide the function of a paintbrush, roller, scraper, putty knife or blade.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/395,061, filed May 10, 2010 and entitled PAINT APPLICATION SYSTEM, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to painting tools, including paintbrushes, paint rollers and other painting-related implements having detachable handles.

BACKGROUND

Painting, in particular, residential painting, typically involves the use of a variety of tools, such as paintbrushes and rollers, paint scrapers, putty knives and razor blades. The conventional tool has both a handle and a tool head. Usually, the head is permanently attached to the body such that the head cannot be separated from the body. A typical head features a paint applicator, such as a brush formed of bristles, a sponge, or a roller. Often, bristles are permanently attached to the handle using a ferrule, which is a metallic clamp that surrounds a lower portion of the bristles and an upper portion of the handle to bind the bristles to the handle.

BACKGROUND

Painting, in particular, residential painting, typically involves the use of a variety of tools, such as paintbrushes and rollers, paint scrapers, putty knives and razor blades. The conventional tool has both a handle and a tool head. Usually, the head is permanently attached to the body such that the head cannot be separated from the body. A typical head features a paint applicator, such as a brush formed of bristles, a sponge, or a roller. Often, bristles are permanently attached to the handle using a ferrule, which is a metallic clamp that surrounds a lower portion of the bristles and an upper portion of the handle to bind the bristles to the handle.

Tools featuring different heads may be useful for different purposes. Therefore, a user normally purchases and maintains separate paintbrushes having heads of various sizes, shapes and materials. The same can be said for paint rollers, paint scrapers and putty knives. The result can require a significant investment in tools. These tools are typically used for a limited number of applications, in most cases just once, and then discarded, requiring the additional costs of replacing them for subsequent projects.

Not only is there a significant impact on the consumer in the cost of acquiring and replacing such tools, but there is also a significant impact on the environment by the consumption of materials for producing the tools and by the subsequent and continual increase in waste from discarding the tools. Currently, the primary material for the handles of these types of tools, especially paintbrushes, is wood. It has long been known that the destruction of the world's forests to feed the ever-increasing demands of consumerism is environmentally unsound. Although there have been some movement toward the use of sustainable and/or environmentally friendly materials in many products, the market still primarily offers basic painting implements and related tools with handles made from wood.

There are many patents and published patent applications out there showing variations on paintbrushes having detachable handles, each one more complicated than the last. There are also a number of publications showing other hand tools having detachable handles. Most of these are offered to provide a versatile tool system wherein a single handle can be utilized with multiple different tool heads, giving the user a large variety of options without having to buy a significant number of bulky and costly individual tools.

In addition, many of the paintbrush-related patents are directed to variations that provide handles that are: adjustable in angle with respect to the head; capable of catching excess paint from the head to keep the painter's hand clean or prevent drips; quickly interchangeable with other heads to allow for easy changes in color, particular location or surface; and/or capable of attaching to the head without the use of a ferrule, so that the paint or other medium can be cleaned more thoroughly from the head. Although many of these offer advantages in one or more particular aspects of painting implements, all of them still have disadvantages in other important features of the devices.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a painting tool system having a reusable handle, the handle having first and second ends and a body interposed between the two ends. The first end of the handle including an opening adapted to receive a shaft, with the handle body configured to be gripped in a user's hand. The painting tool system also including a painting tool attachment adapted to detachably couple to the handle. The tool attachment having a first end configured to perform a function of the painting tool and a second end including a protruding shaft adapted to be received within the opening in the handle. In addition, the painting tool system includes a handle lock mounted within the handle, the lock positioned and configured to secure the painting tool attachment to the handle at the shaft when the shaft is received within the opening of the handle.

The handle may include a threaded recess in the second end for attachment of a standard extension pole. The handle lock may be removable and include a cam lock with a user interface, such as a knob, to rotate the cam lock in and out of engagement with the shaft on the painting tool attachment. In another embodiment, the handle lock may include a pushpin mounted in a through hole in the handle body intersecting the handle opening. The pushpin slidable in the through hole moving in and out of engagement with the shaft.

The first end of the painting tool attachment may be configured as a paintbrush with bristles of different widths, lengths and angles. The first end may also be one of a number of painting related tools, such as a paint scraper, a razor knife for cutting, a putty knife or a multi-purpose took, such as a stiff glazier's knife with a paint roller cleaner.

The present invention is environmentally friendly and economical. The handle features a connector that allows for attaching and replacing paint applicators and at the base a threaded opening to attach standard extension poles. Adding an extension pole saves time and helps to prevent accidents when painting higher points. Less is thrown away with a reusable handle and reduces consumer cost for they will be purchasing attachable paint applicators and not replacing the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overview of one embodiment of a painting tool system having a handle device detached from a representative painting tool attachment, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overview of the painting tool system of FIG. 1, with the handle device attached to the representative paint tool attachment.

FIG. 3 is a detailed side view of the detached connection device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detailed side view of the attached connection device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is top view of the connection device shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detailed internal view of the painting tool system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a representation of another painting tool attachment that may be connected to the handle device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a representation of a group of different painting tool attachments that may be connected to and used with the handle device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of a painting tool system, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the handle shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the painting tool attachment shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the handle shown in FIGS. 9 & 10.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the handle shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the handle shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cam lock commonly used in furniture assembly.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the handle lock shown in FIGS. 9 & 10.

FIG. 17 is an embodiment of a painting tool attachment having an angled paintbrush tool.

FIG. 18 is an embodiment of a painting tool attachment having a narrow, straight paintbrush tool.

FIG. 19 is an embodiment of a painting tool attachment having a putty knife blade.

FIG. 20 is an embodiment of a painting tool attachment having a paint roller and roller support.

FIG. 21 is an embodiment of a painting tool attachment having a razor knife blade.

FIG. 22 is an embodiment of a painting tool attachment having a paint scraper blade.

FIG. 23 is a painting tool kit in accordance with the present invention, including a plurality of painting tool attachments and a reusable handle with a handle lock.

FIG. 24 is a side view of another embodiment of a painting tool handle, in accordance with the present invention, using a pushpin handle lock.

FIG. 25 is a partial front view of the handle of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional view of the handle lock shown in FIG. 24.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to selected illustrative embodiments of the invention, with occasional reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a representation of one embodiment of a painting tool system 10 according to the present invention having a reusable handle device 1, including a locking device 2, and a painting tool attachment 5, including a shaft 3 that is sized and shaped to be attached to locking device 2. In FIG. 2, the reusable handle 1 is connected to the painting tool attachment 5 with shaft 3 received and locked into locking device 2, creating a fully functioning painting tool system 10, such as a paint applicator.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed side view of a connection device 12 formed from the locking device 2 and the shaft 3. In this embodiment, locking device 2 is a hexagon shaped magnetized receptor for the hexagon shaped shaft 3. Shaft 3 is inserted about 0.50 inches (about 1.27 cm) into the magnetized receptor 2 creating a secure connection for keeping the painting tool attachment 5 connected to the handle 1 during normal use of the painting tool system 10, such as applying paint to a surface using the shown paint applicator. In addition, the painting tool attachment 5 may be quickly disconnected from the handle 1 by pulling the shaft 3 with enough force to overcome the magnetic force of the locking device 2, in order to change the painting tool attachment 5 to another type of paint applicator or tool, or for cleaning of the painting tool system 10. Locking device 2 has two perpendicular pegs 14 to increase stability when locking device 2 is secured in reusable handle 1. In a preferred embodiment, both the locking device 2 and the shaft 3 are formed from rustproof metals.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the internal construction of the handle 1 and the painting tool attachment 5. Locking device 2 is about 1.00 inches (about 2.54 cm) long and is embedded about 0.75 inches (about 1.91 cm) deep within a proximal end 16. Perpendicular pegs 14 may be added for increased support. In this illustration, about 0.25 inches (about 0.64 cm) of locking device 2 is exposed externally from the proximal end 16 of handle 1. At a distal end 18 of handle 1, internal threads 6 may be included to allow connection of handle 1 to standard extension poles having threaded ends.

In this embodiment, shaft 3 is about 2.00 inches (about 5.08 cm) in length and is embedded about 1.00 inches (about 2.54 cm) deep into painting tool attachment 5 with about 1.00 inches (about 2.54 cm) externally exposed. As stated about, when painting tool attachment 5 is connected to handle 1, about 0.50 inches (about 1.27 cm) of shaft 3 is inserted into locking device 2 leaving a total of about 0.50 inches (about 1.27 cm) exposed. This exposed portion will allow for easier access to disconnect shaft 3 from locking device 2 without getting paint all over the disconnecting hand or fingers, should the painting tool attachment 5 be removed before it is cleaned. In this embodiment, painting tool attachment 5 is a foam brush applicator that will include a flexible plastic insert (not shown) to help secure the shape of painting tool attachment 5 while adding extra support to shaft 3.

FIG. 7 illustrates another type of painting tool attachment 7. In this embodiment, painting tool attachment 7 is a paintbrush-type bristle pack having paintbrush bristles 20 at a first end 22 and support structure 24 at a second end 26 securing the paintbrush bristles 20 in place. The same type of shaft 3 is embedded within the support structure 24 protruding from the second end 26 in a manner similar to that described above for painting tool attachment 5.

FIG. 8 includes a group of the various types of painting tool attachments that may be used with and connected to handle 1 in this embodiment. These painting tool attachments are shown for illustrative purposes and variations in sizes, shapes and configurations are adaptable to the present invention. In addition, this group of painting tool attachments is not limited to those shown in FIG. 8, but includes all such painting tool devices now know or later developed that are physically operable when connected to the handle 1. Synthetic and natural types of bristles may be provided in bristle pack attachment shown by attachments 7 & 8. Variations in bristle configuration, such as angled, beveled, and straight cut can be integrated with this system. Foam brushes 5 in common widths and shapes are also easily adaptable to be used with the reusable handle 1. Roller handle 9 used with paint roller 28 can also be formed or adapted to include shaft 3, either directly during the manufacturing process or as a modification. As with the other attachments described above, variations is size, shaped, configuration and roller type may be used with the present invention.

In this embodiment, the handle 1 may be made of wood, metal, high strength plastics or composites, any of which may be new or preferably renewable or recycled materials. The length of handle 1 may vary from about 5 inches (about 12.70 cm) to about 10 inches (about 25.40 cm) and may be formed in other shapes that are comfortable for gripping in the hand of a user. Handle 1, regardless of material, shape, or size, may include the internal threads 6 at the distal end 18 for attachment to extension poles. In order to provide such connection, distal end 18 should be about 1.13 inches (about 2.86 cm) wide in order to include the standard threads 6 used in such extension poles. This width may differ depending on the material used for handle 1. The proximal end 16 of handle 1 that includes locking device 2 is about 1 inch (about 2.54 cm) wide, but may vary depending on the construction materials and shaping.

The advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited too, the following:

Environmental—only the painting tool attachments are disposed of, the reusable handle saves waste in disposal and natural resources in manufacture by eliminating the need to purchase the entire paint applicator each time a user requires a painting tool.

Consumer—lower cost when buying merely the painting tool attachments and not the entire unit. Also, allows for the purchase of several different types of painting tool attachments for use with one handle.

Ease of Use—the locking device provides for a secure connection between the handle and the painting tool attachment, but also provides for quick changes to different types of painting tool attachments, either during a painting project or between projects.

In broad embodiment, the present invention is a painting tool system that requires one permanent and reusable handle that is interchangeably attachable to a plurality of individual painting tool attachments designed for use with the handle.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate another embodiment of a painting tool system 40 in accordance with the present invention, including a reusable handle 50, a handle locking device 70 inserted into the handle 50 and a painting tool attachment 80 detachably secured to the handle 50. The handle 50 includes a first end 51, a second end 52 and a body 53 interposed between the first and second ends 51, 52. The body 53 is generally sized and shaped to fit a user's hand comfortably while efficiently providing the function of the painting tool system 40.

The painting tool attachment 80 includes a first end 81 and a second end 82. A painting tool portion 84 at the first end 81 is secured to an attachment portion 85 at the second end 82. In this embodiment, the painting tool portion 84 is shown as a bristle pack 87 formed as a plurality of natural or synthetic bristles as commonly found in a standard paintbrush. The bristle pack 87 is secured to the attachment portion 85 in a suitable and commonly known manner, often including a ferrule 86.

A shaft 90, including a proximal end 91, distal end 92 and diameter 93, protrudes from the second end 82 of the painting tool attachment 80. The shaft 90 includes a neck area 94 formed as radial groove about an axis of the shaft 90 near the distal end 92 having a diameter 95 that is smaller than the shaft diameter 93. The shaft 90 may be formed with the attachment portion 85 or inserted into it in a manner that secures the shaft 90 to the attachment portion 85. In one embodiment, the shaft 90 is a dowel connector commonly found in furniture hardware. The dowel connector is screwed into and possibly glued to the attachment portion 85.

The handle 50 includes an opening 54 in the first end 51, which extends into the handle body 53 as a blind hole down to the handle lock 70. The opening 54 is sized to smoothly receive the shaft 90 of the painting tool attachment 80. The location of the handle lock 70 in the handle body 53 corresponds to the location of the neck area 94 when the shaft 90 is received within opening 54. The handle 50 also includes at least one protrusion 56 extending from the first end 51. The protrusion 56 may be contoured to mate with a corresponding indentation 88 on the second end 82 of the painting tool attachment 80. In one embodiment, as shown in the figures, the protrusion 56 is provided as a pair of protrusions 56 that are aligned with and flanking the opening 54 in the first end 51 of the handle 50. These protrusions 56 provided added stability to the painting tool attachment 80 when a user is operating the painting tool system 40.

In the embodiment shown, the handle 50 flares outward from about the handle lock 70 toward the first end 51. The greater width provided by the flared first end 51 also provides for greater stability of the painting tool attachment 80. As can be seen best in FIGS. 10, 13 and 14, the handle body 53 is shaped to include two flat opposing sides 57 extending from the first end 51 of the handle body 53 past the handle lock 70. These flat sides 57 allow for easier and more efficient formation of the features necessary for the handle lock 70 mounting within the handle 50. The other two sides and the remaining portion of the handle body 53 continuing to the second end 52 is generally cylindrical or whatever shape and configuration is most comfortable and suitable for gripping by the user.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrated the handle 50 in more detail. FIG. 12 is a front view of the handle 50 without the handle lock 70. FIG. 12 is a side view and FIG. 14 is a top view of the handle 50 shown in FIG. 12. The handle 50 includes a borehole 58 to accommodate the handle lock 70. An access hole 60 axially aligned with the borehole 58 is also provided from the borehole 58 through the remainder of handle material to an outside surface 59 of the handle 50. As stated above, the opening 54 extends from the first end 51 toward the second end 52 to the borehole 58.

At the second end 52, a threaded opening 62 is provided for attachment to a standard painting extension pole having a threaded end. In this embodiment, the handle 50 transitions to an increased diameter towards the second end 52 to accommodate the necessary size of the threaded opening 62.

FIGS. 15 & 16 illustrate the handle lock 70 in more detail. In this embodiment, the handle lock 70 is formed from a standard type cam lock 72 commonly used in furniture hardware and designed to connect with the dowel connector type shaft 90 described above. The cam lock 72 includes a standard user interface portion 74, such as a driver inset, to allow a user to operate the cam lock 72 with a tool having a corresponding driver head, such as a screwdriver. Although the handle lock 70 could be operated by such a tool, in this embodiment, a user interface member 76 is provided and secured to the cam lock 72 to allow for easy and efficient operation of the handle lock 70 by the user. In one embodiment, the user interface member 76 is a knurled knob attached to the cam lock 72. The knob is illustrative of simple user interface members attachable to the cam lock. Many other types of user interface members 76 are feasible and within the scope of the present invention.

To assemble the painting tool system 40, the handle lock 70 is pressed into the borehole 58 in the handle body 53 with the user interface member 76 extending from the handle body 53. Multiple protrusions 78 extend from the cam lock 72 to rotatingly grip the walls of the borehole 58. In order to facilitate both the gripping and the rotation, a groove 64 may be provided around the borehole 58 into which the cam lock protrusions 78 snap when the handle lock 70 is pressed into the borehole 58. The shaft 90 of the painting tool attachment 80 is then inserted into the opening 54 until the second end 82 abuts against the first end 51 of handle 50, and the handle protrusions 56 are received within the painting tool indentation 88. The neck area 94 of the shaft 90 will then be aligned with the borehole 58 and cam lock 72. Turning the cam lock 72 in a first direction using the user interface member 76 will secure the shaft 90 within the cam lock 72 and thereby secure the painting tool attachment 80 to the handle 50.

To disassemble the painting tool system 40, the user interface member 76 is turned in an opposite direction will disengage the cam lock 72 from the shaft 90. The painting tool attachment 80 is then removable from the handle 50. The handle lock 70 may also be removed from handle 50, in order to accommodate thorough cleaning of the handle 50 or replacement of the handle lock 70. To remove the handle lock 70, any item (not shown) having sufficient length and a diameter less than that of the access hole 60 is inserted into the access hole 60. The item is then pushed against the cam lock 72 until the cam lock protrusions 78 are snapped out of the groove 64 and the handle lock 70 is dislodged from the borehole 58.

FIGS. 17 & 18 illustrate alternative embodiments of the painting tool attachment 80 wherein the painting tool portion 84 varies in size and style, but still is a bristle pack secured to the attachment portion 85. The shaft 90 is shown extending from the attachment portion 85. FIG. 19 shows a painting tool attachment 110 that is not a paintbrush or other paint application implement, but rather is flat knife unit 112 that functions as a putty knife. The flat knife unit 112 is mounted to or formed with an attachment portion 114 to which a shaft 116 is either formed or attached. When the flat knife unit 112 is connected to the handle 50, a painting-related putty knife tool is provided. The flat knife unit 112 may be formed from metal, plastic or other suitable material and the size and shape may vary to accommodate differing needs, still within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is another embodiment of a painting tool attachment 100 functioning as a paint roller, in accordance with the present invention. The painting tool attachment 100 includes a roller portion 102 rotatably attached to a support portion 104 having a shaft 106. The shaft 106 may be formed with or attached to the support portion 104.

FIG. 21 is another embodiment of a painting tool attachment 140 functioning as a razor knife, in accordance with the present invention. The painting tool attachment 140 includes a vertical blade holder 142 into which a razor blade 144 may be removably mounted. The blade holder 142 includes a shaft 146 that may be formed with or attached to the blade holder 142.

FIG. 22 is another painting tool attachment 120 in accordance with the present invention. The painting tool attachment 120 includes a horizontal blade mechanism 122 mounted to an attachment portion 124 to which a shaft 126 is formed or mounted. The blade mechanism 122 functions as a paint scraper when attached to the handle 50.

In FIG. 23, a painting tool kit 130 is shown to include a reusable handle 132 including a handle lock 134. In addition, one or more of the following painting tool attachments may be included in the kit 130: an angle paintbrush 136; a wide, straight paintbrush 137; a multi-part stiff, glazier knife, including a paint roller cleaner 138; a putty knife blade 139 and/or a paint scraper blade 140. The kit 130 may be provided as a unit or each individual component may be provided separately to meet the user's needs.

FIGS. 24-26 illustrate another embodiment of a handle 200 and handle lock 210 usable in a painting tool system 40. Handle 200 is similar to handle 50 in all respects except that through hole 202 replaces the borehole 58 and access hole 60. An opening 204 is provided for the shaft 90 of a painting tool attachment 80. The opening 204 is also formed as a blind hole that extends into the handle body 201 and intersects with the through hole 202. In this embodiment though, the through hole 202 is offset from the opening 204, as shown in FIG. 25.

Handle lock 210 is formed as a pushpin having a first end 211, second end 212, shaft portion 213 and body 214. At the first end 211, the pushpin 210 includes a user interface member 216 in the form of a circular disc. The shaft portion 213 has a smaller diameter than both the user interface member 216 and the body 214 forming a step 217 between the shaft portion 213 and the body 214. A spring 218 is positioned around the shaft portion 213 between the user interface member 216 and the handle body 201.

A retaining ring 220 is positioned in an inset 203 in the handle body 201 in a tight-fit relationship, such that the retaining ring 220 is retained in the inset 203 during normal use of the pushpin 210. As such, the retaining ring 220 does not emerge from the inset 203 until a user inserts an item of suitable length and diameter into the through hole 202 to push against the second end 212 of the pushpin 210 with sufficient force to dislodge the retaining ring 220 from the inset 203. At that time, both the retaining ring 220 and the pushpin 210 are dislodged from the handle 200.

The retaining ring 220 has an outer diameter 221 that is larger than the diameter of the through hole 202 and an inner diameter 222 that is only slightly larger than the shaft portion 213. As a result, the pushpin 210 is free to slide within the through hole 202 between the user interface member 216 and the step 217 between the shaft portion 213 and the body 214. With the inclusion of the spring 218, however, the pushpin 210 may be slid into the through hole 202 by pushing on the user interface member 216, but the pushpin 210 is automatically returned to its initial position, as shown in the detail view of FIG. 26, by the force of the spring 218 once the pushing force is removed from the user interface member 216.

The body 214 of the pushpin 210 includes a neck area 215 formed as a radial groove about the axis of the handle lock 210. The neck area 215 is positioned on the pushpin 210 to be offset from the opening 204 when the pushpin 210 is in its initial position. Pushing the pushpin 210 into the handle body 201 against the force of the spring 218 causes the neck area 215 to align with the opening 204, thereby allowing insertion or removal of the shaft 90 of a painting tool attachment 80. Once the shaft 90 is received within the opening 204, the pushpin 210 is released and returned to its initial position. As a result, the second end 212 of the body 214 becomes positioned within the neck area 94 of the shaft 90. The painting tool attachment 80 is then locked in place until the pushpin 210 is once again operated by pushing it into the handle body 201.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed

Claims

1. An environmentally friendly painting tool system comprising:

a reusable handle, the handle having first and second ends and a body interposed between the two ends, the first end including an opening adapted to receive a shaft, with the handle body configured to be gripped in a user's hand;

a painting tool attachment adapted to detachably couple to the handle, the tool attachment having a first end configured to perform a function of the painting tool and a second end including a protruding shaft adapted to be received within the opening in the handle; and

a handle lock mounted within the handle, the lock positioned and configured to secure the painting tool attachment to the handle at the shaft when the shaft is received within the opening of the handle.

2. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 1, wherein the handle is formed from recycled materials.

3. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 1, wherein the handle lock is removable.

4. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 1, wherein the handle further comprises a protrusion extending from the first end, and the painting tool attachment further comprises an indentation configured to matingly receive the handle protrusion when the painting tool attachment is coupled to the handle.

5. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 1, wherein the handle lock comprises a cam lock configured to engage with the shaft of the painting tool attachment to secure the painting tool attachment to the handle.

6. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 5, wherein the handle further comprises a borehole formed in the handle body perpendicular to the shaft opening and positioned to intersect the shaft opening, the borehole sized to receive the cam lock in a rotatably secure fit, and wherein the cam lock is rotatable into and out of locking engagement with the shaft of the painting tool attachment.

7. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 6, wherein the handle further comprises an access hole centered axially with the borehole, the access hole extending between the borehole and an outside surface of the handle body and having a smaller diameter than the borehole, the access hole providing access to the cam lock from outside the handle body in order to remove the cam lock from the handle body to allow easy cleaning of the handle and handle lock and replacement of the handle lock if needed.

8. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 7, wherein the user inserts an item of suitable length and diameter through the access hole to push the cam lock out of the borehole in the handle body.

9. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 6, wherein the borehole further comprises a groove inset from the borehole opening and wherein the cam lock includes at least one protrusion configured to snap into the borehole groove when the cam lock is positioned within the borehole, thereby securing the cam lock within the handle while still allowing for rotation of the cam lock.

10. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 5, wherein the handle lock further comprises a user interface member connected to the cam lock, the user interface member providing a user-friendly means for rotating the cam lock into and out of locking engagement with the painting tool attachment shaft.

11. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 10, wherein the user interface member comprises a knob attached to the cam lock.

12. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 5, wherein the protruding shaft of the painting tool attachment further comprises proximal and distal ends and a diameter, with the proximal end adjacent to the second end of the painting tool attachment and the distal end extending away from the painting tool attachment, the distal end comprising a neck area having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the shaft.

13. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 12, wherein the cam lock engages with the neck area of the shaft when the handle lock is operated to secure the painting tool attachment to the handle.

14. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 1, wherein the handle further comprises a threaded opening at the second end of the handle, the threaded opening configured to receive the threaded end of a standard painting extension pole.

15. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 1, wherein the first end of the painting tool attachment constitutes one of a bristle pack for providing a paintbrush function, a roller mechanism for providing a paint roller function, a foam pad for providing a foam brush function, a perpendicular blade mechanism for providing a scraping function, a parallel blade for providing a cutting function, a contoured blade having multiple portions providing multiple functions and a flat knife unit for providing a putty knife function.

16. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 1, wherein the handle lock comprises a pushpin configured to engage with the shaft of the painting tool attachment to secure the painting tool attachment to the handle.

17. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 16, wherein the handle further comprises a through hole formed in the handle body perpendicular to the shaft opening and positioned to intersect the shaft opening, the through hole sized to receive the pushpin in a slidably secure fit, and wherein the pushpin is pushed into and pulled out of locking engagement with the shaft of the painting tool attachment.

18. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 17, wherein the pushpin includes first and second ends and a body portion interposed between the two ends, the pushpin comprising:

a user interface portion formed at the first end, the user interface portion having a diameter larger the a diameter of the body;

a wide groove extending radially around the body portion of the pushpin from the user interface portion along the body toward the second end, the groove configured to receive a retaining ring;

a spring sized to fit around the body portion in the wide groove;

a retaining ring configured to be received in the wide groove, the retaining ring capturing the spring between the user interface portion and the retaining ring; and

a neck area near the second end, the neck area formed as a groove extending radially around the body portion of the pushpin, the neck area sized and configured to provide clearance for the shaft of the painting tool attachment when the neck area is aligned with the shaft,

wherein the second end of the body portion is received within the through hole up to the retaining ring, the retaining ring securing the pushpin to the body of the handle, with the user interface portion and the wide groove of the body portion surrounded by the spring extending outward from the handle body, and

wherein the user depresses the pushpin by pushing the user interface portion against the force of the spring, the pushpin thereby sliding axially in a first direction within the through hole so as to align the neck area with the shaft opening and allow insertion and removal of the shaft of the painting tool attachment, and upon release of the pushpin by the user, the force of the spring pulls the pushpin axially in an opposite direction so as to move the neck area out of alignment with the shaft opening thereby locking a shaft received within the shaft opening within the handle until the pushpin is once again depressed by the user.

19. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 18, wherein the handle further comprises an inset opening centered axially with the through hole and configured to receive the retaining ring in a tight fit.

20. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 18, wherein the user inserts an item of suitable length and diameter into the through hole at a side opposite to the user interface portion to push the pushpin out of the through hole in the handle body in order to facilitate ease of clean up of the handle.

21. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of painting tool attachments, each painting tool attachment having a different first end configuration or function.

22. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 1, wherein the painting tool attachment is configured for disposal after use, and wherein the handle is configured for repeated reuse with inexpensive and replaceable painting tool attachments.

23. An environmentally friendly painting tool kit comprising:

a reusable handle, the handle having first and second ends and a body interposed between the two ends, the first end including an opening adapted to receive a shaft, with the handle body configured to be gripped in a user's hand;

a plurality of replaceable painting tool attachments adapted to detachably couple to the handle, each of the plurality of tool attachments having a first end configured to provide a function of the painting tool and a second end including a protruding shaft adapted to be received within the opening in the handle, at least two of the plurality of painting tool attachments having different first end configurations for providing different functions; and

a handle lock mounted within the handle, the lock positioned and configured to secure one of the painting tool attachments to the handle at the shaft when the shaft is received within the opening of the handle.

24. The environmentally friendly painting tool kit of claim 23, wherein the handle is formed from recycled materials.

25. The environmentally friendly painting tool kit of claim 23, wherein the handle lock comprises a cam lock having a user interface portion connected to it allowing the user to easily rotate the cam lock into and out of engagement with the shaft of the painting tool attachment.

26. The environmentally friendly painting tool kit of claim 23, wherein the handle lock is removable.

27. An environmentally friendly painting tool comprising:

a reusable handle, the handle having first and second ends and a body interposed between the two ends, the first end including an opening adapted to receive a shaft, with the handle body configured to be gripped in a user's hand; and

a handle lock mounted within the handle, the lock positioned and configured to secure the shaft when the shaft is received within the opening of the handle,

wherein the handle is adapted to detachably couple to a replaceable painting tool attachment, the tool attachment having a first end configured to provide a function of the painting tool and a second end including a protruding shaft adapted to be received within the opening in the handle and secured to the handle by the handle lock.

28. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 27, wherein the handle is formed from recycled materials.

29. The environmentally friendly painting tool of claim 27, wherein the handle lock is removable.

30. The environmentally friendly painting tool of claim 27, wherein the handle lock comprises a cam lock configured to engage with the shaft of the painting tool attachment, and wherein the handle lock also comprises a user interface member connected to the cam lock, the user interface member providing a user-friendly means for rotating the cam lock into and out of locking engagement with the painting tool attachment shaft to secure the painting tool attachment to the handle.

31. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 30, wherein the handle further comprises a borehole formed in the handle body perpendicular to the shaft opening and positioned to intersect the shaft opening, the borehole sized to receive the cam lock in a rotatably secure fit.

32. The environmentally friendly painting tool system of claim 27, wherein the handle lock comprises a magnetized receptor inset within the opening of the handle and configured to secure magnetic metal shaft.

33. The environmentally friendly painting tool of claim 33, wherein the magnetized receptor is hexagonal and is configured to receive and secure a hexagonal shaft.

34. The environmentally friendly painting tool of claim 27 in combination with at least one replaceable painting tool attachment.