U.S. patent application number 10/242503 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-18 for paint brush protective cover and method therefor.
Invention is credited to Baker, Justin M..
Application Number | 20040050732 10/242503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31991423 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040050732 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baker, Justin M. |
March 18, 2004 |
Paint brush protective cover and method therefor
Abstract
A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush has a body member having a hollow interior section. The
body member has a first section and a second section wherein a
first side of the first section is permanently coupled to a first
side of the second section and a second side of the first section
being removably coupled to a second side of the second section. A
plurality of openings are located on the body member for allowing
air to circulate within the cover. A central opening is formed on a
bottom surface of the body member for allowing a handle of the
paint brush to protrude out of the cover.
Inventors: |
Baker, Justin M.; (Phoenix,
AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEISS & MOY PC
4204 NORTH BROWN AVENUE
SCOTTSDALE
AZ
85251
US
|
Family ID: |
31991423 |
Appl. No.: |
10/242503 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/361 ;
206/15.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 17/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/361 ;
206/015.2 |
International
Class: |
B65D 083/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush comprising: a body member having a hollow interior
section, the body member having a first section and a second
section wherein a first side of the first section is permanently
coupled to a first side of the second section and a second side of
the first section being removably coupled to a second side of the
second section; a plurality of openings located on the body member
for allowing air to circulate within the cover; and a central
opening formed on a bottom surface of the body member for allowing
a handle of the paint brush to protrude out of the cover.
2. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a locking
mechanism coupled to the first section and the second section for
securing the first section to the second section.
3. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 2 wherein the locking
mechanism comprises: a first tab member coupled to the body member
and having a plurality of small notches formed thereon; and a
second tab member coupled to the body member and having a plurality
of small ridge members wherein the small ridge members will slide
into the small notches of the first tab member securing the first
side of the body member to the second side of the body member.
4. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of
openings are formed on a front surface of the body member to allow
air to circulate within the cover.
5. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of
openings are formed on a rear surface of the body member to allow
air to circulate within the cover.
6. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of
openings are formed on a top and side surface of the body member to
allow air to circulate within the cover.
7. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 1 wherein the body member is
rectangular in shape.
8. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 1 wherein the body member is
tapered to have a wider bottom section than a top section to more
securely hold and align the bristles of the paint brush in the
cover.
9. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush comprising: a body member having a hollow interior
section, the body member having a first section and a second
section wherein a first side of the first section is permanently
coupled to a first side of the second section and a second side of
the first section being removably coupled to a second side of the
second section; a plurality of openings located on the body member
for allowing air to circulate within the cover; a central opening
formed on a bottom surface of the body member for allowing a handle
of the paint brush to protrude out of the cover; and a locking
mechanism coupled to the first section and the second section for
securing the first section to the second section wherein the
locking mechanism comprises: a first tab member coupled to the body
member and having a plurality of small notches formed thereon; and
a second tab member coupled to the body member and having a
plurality of small ridge members wherein the small ridge members
will slide into the small notches of the first tab member securing
the first side of the body member to the second side of the body
member.
10. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 9 wherein the plurality of
openings are formed on a front surface of the body member to allow
air to circulate within the cover.
11. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 9 wherein the plurality of
openings are formed on a rear surface of the body member to allow
air to circulate within the cover.
12. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 9 wherein the plurality of
openings are formed on a top and side surface of the body member to
allow air to circulate within the cover.
13. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 9 wherein the body member is
rectangular in shape.
14. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 9 wherein the body member is
tapered to have a wider bottom section than a top section to more
securely hold and align the bristles of the paint brush in the
cover.
15. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush comprising: a rectangular body member having a hollow
interior section, the body member having a first section and a
second section wherein a first side of the first section is
permanently coupled to a first side of the second section and a
second side of the first section being removably coupled to a
second side of the second section, wherein the body member is
tapered to have a wider bottom section than a top section to more
securely hold and align the bristles of the paint brush in the
cover; a plurality of openings located on the body member for
allowing air to circulate within the cover; a central opening
formed on a bottom surface of the body member for allowing a handle
of the paint brush to protrude out of the cover; and a locking
mechanism coupled to the first section and the second section for
securing the first section to the second section wherein the
locking mechanism comprises: a first tab member coupled to the body
member and having a plurality of small notches formed thereon; and
a second tab member coupled to the body member and having a
plurality of small ridge members wherein the small ridge members
will slide into the small notches of the first tab member securing
the first side of the body member to the second side of the body
member.
16. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 15 wherein the plurality of
openings are formed on a front surface of the body member to allow
air to circulate within the cover.
17. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 15 wherein the plurality of
openings are formed on a rear surface of the body member to allow
air to circulate within the cover.
18. A paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a
paint brush in accordance with claim 15 wherein the plurality of
openings are formed on a top and side surface of the body member to
allow air to circulate within the cover.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to paint brushes and, more
specifically, to a highly durable paint brush protective cover that
protects the bristles of paint brushes from being damaged during
storage or nonuse thereby extending the life of the paint
brush.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In the professional industry of painting, painters rely on
expensive paint brushes as an industry of the trade. Professional
painters desire excellent coverage from their paint brush,
durability from their paint brush, greater efficiency in
production, precise lines, proven results for smooth finishes and a
lack of bristles or filaments left behind from the paint brush.
When a paint brush no longer fulfills the above expectations of the
painter, the paint brush will be discarded and a new paint brush is
purchased to replace the old paint brush.
[0005] After a paint brush is used, the painter must clean the
brush in an appropriate solution to remove all of the remaining
paint that is still on the paint brush. After the paint brush has
been cleaned, sometimes the bristles tend to separate and fray off
in nonuniform directions. This becomes a problem when the painter
needs to use the paint brush again since the edges of the brush are
not uniformly aligned. If the bristles are aligned properly, the
painter has control over the paint when painting around tight
corners and can obtain an even distribution of paint onto a
surface. However, when the bristles are not aligned properly, when
the painter tries to paint on tight corners or tries to get an even
distribution of paint onto a surface, the out of aligned bristles
tend to scatter the paint and produce substandard results.
[0006] Generally, after painters clean their paint brushes with a
cleaning solution, painters will store their paint brushes in the
covers that the brushes were sold in or with no cover at all.
Generally, the covers that the paint brushes are sold in are rather
flimsy and easily tear. Thus, these types of covers do not last
very long. If no protective cover is used, dust and other particles
generally stick and become imbedded inside the bristles. Thus, when
the brush is used to paint again, these particles will collect on
the paint producing a nonuniform streaks of paint during use.
[0007] One prior art solution to covering paint brushes is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,453 (hereinafter '453 patent). The
'453 patent discloses a paint brush protective cover. The paint
brush protective cover comprising a flexible cover and a hard
cover. The flexible cover further comprising a plurality of flaps
that are wrapped around the bristles of the paint brush and secured
together. The flexible cover further comprising a plurality of vent
openings and a handle opening to allow a paint brush handle to be
inserted therein. After the flexible cover is installed over the
bristles of the paint brush, a hard cover is slipped over the
flexible cover and locked in place by a top lid to complete the
task.
[0008] The problem with the prior art paint brush cover is that it
is too complex and expensive to use. First, the '453 patent
requires a flexible cover to be wrapped around the paint brush. The
flexible cover requires that the bristles be wrapped up similar to
wrapping a present up. The flexible cover does not have any type of
locking means to secure the flexible cover. Thus, the flexible
cover can not be used alone to securely hold the bristles in proper
alignment. Second, the '453 patent requires the use a second hard
cover. The paint brush must first be wrapped in the flexible cover,
then the brush and the flexible cover are inserted into the hard
cover. The use of two covers is too complex and expensive to use.
Furthermore, the use of two covers requires too much time.
Professional painter prefer a simpler and easier to use protective
cover than the one disclosed in the '453 patent.
[0009] Therefore, a need existed to provide an improved paint brush
protective cover. The improved paint brush cover must be simple to
use. The improved brush cover must allow one to easily close and
secure a paint brush within the paint brush cover. The improved
paint brush cover must further be durable. The improved paint brush
cover must also be inexpensive for the end user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved
paint brush protective cover.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
improved paint brush cover that is simple to use.
[0012] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an improved brush cover that allows one to easily close and
secure a paint brush within the paint brush cover.
[0013] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an improved paint brush cover that is durable.
[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an improved paint brush cover that is inexpensive for the end
user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0015] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a
paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of bristles of a paint
brush is disclosed. The paint brush cover has a body member having
a hollow interior section. The body member has a first section and
a second section wherein a first side of the first section is
permanently coupled to a first side of the second section and a
second side of the first section being removably coupled to a
second side of the second section. A plurality of openings are
located on the body member for allowing air to circulate within the
cover. A central opening is formed on a bottom surface of the body
member for allowing a handle of the paint brush to protrude out of
the cover.
[0016] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a paint brush cover for protecting a plurality of
bristles of a paint brush is disclosed. The paint brush cover has a
body member having a hollow interior section. The body member has a
first section and a second section wherein a first side of the
first section is permanently coupled to a first side of the second
section and a second side of the first section being removably
coupled to a second side of the second section. A plurality of
openings are located on the body member for allowing air to
circulate within the cover. A central opening is formed on a bottom
surface of the body member for allowing a handle of the paint brush
to protrude out of the cover. A locking mechanism is coupled to the
first section and the second section for securing the first section
to the second section. The locking mechanism has a first tab member
coupled to the body member and having a plurality of small notches
formed thereon. A second tab member is coupled to the body member
and has a plurality of small ridge members. The small ridge members
will slide into the small notches of the first tab member securing
the first side of the body member to the second side of the body
member.
[0017] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of
the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular,
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well
as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be
understood by reference to the following detailed description of
illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
[0019] FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of the paint brush
cover of the present invention in a closed position covering the
bristles of a paint brush.
[0020] FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of the paint brush
cover of the present invention in an open position.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view of the paint brush cover of the
present invention, the opposite side being a mirror image
thereof.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a top view of the paint brush cover of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the locking
mechanism used in the paint brush cover of the present invention
taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] Referring to the FIGS. 1-5, a paint brush cover 10
(hereinafter cover 10) is shown. The paint brush cover 10 is
comprised of a single body member 12. The body member 12 is made
from a semi-rigid material such as a semi-hard plastic. The
semi-rigid material will allow the cover 10 to be more durable.
Thus, the cover 10 will last longer than prior art paint brush
covers.
[0025] The body section 12 is rectangular in shape. The body member
12 may be slightly tapered such that the bottom section of the body
member 12 is slightly wider than the top section. The slight taper
is due to the fact that the lower end of the paint brush 11 is
slightly wider than the section of the paint brush 11 near the top
end of the bristles. The slight taper of the body member 12 will
further allow the cover 10 to more securely hold and align the
bristles of the paint brush 11.
[0026] One may open the body member 12 to expose a hollow interior
section 14. The interior section 14 is where the bristles of the
paint brush will be stored. A first side 16 of the body member 12
is permanent coupled together. A second side 18 of the body member
12 is removably coupled together. Thus, by opening the second side
18, one will expose the hollow interior section 14. By opening the
body section 12, one can easily position the bristles of the paint
brush 11 within the cover 10.
[0027] The front and rear surfaces of the body section 12 will have
a plurality of small openings 20. The openings 20 will allow air to
circulate within the cover 10. The air will allow the bristles of
the paint brush 11 to dry more quickly after being cleaned. The air
circulation will further prevent mold and mildew from forming
inside the cover 12 since the air circulation will allow the
bristles to completely dry after being cleaned.
[0028] A plurality of small openings 22 are formed on the top and
side sections of the body member 12. The openings 22 are also used
to allow the bristles of the paint brush to dry more quickly after
being cleaned. The openings 22 are formed in the following manner.
Each half of the body member 12 (i.e., first side 16 and second
side 18) will have a plurality of semi-circular cut-outs located
along the top section and the side sections. Thus, when the first
side 16 and the second side 18 are coupled together, the
semi-circular cut outs on each half of the body section 12 will
align with each other to form the openings 22.
[0029] On the bottom section of the body member 12, a larger
opening 24 is formed. The opening 24 is formed in a similar manner
as the openings 22. Each half of the body member 12 (i.e., first
side 16 and second side 18) will have a semi-circular cut-out
located along the a central area of the bottom section of the body
member 12. Thus, when the first side 16 and the second side 18 are
coupled together, the semi-circular cut out on each half of the
bottom section of the body member 12 will align with each other to
form the opening 24. The opening 24 is used to allow the handle 11A
of the paint brush 11 to protrude out of the cover 10.
[0030] The cover 10 has a locking mechanism 26 located on the
second side 18 of the cover 10. The locking mechanism 26 will lock
the body member 12 together in order to securely hold the paint
brush 11 in the cover 10. In accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention, the locking member 12 is comprised of a first
tab member 28 and a second tab member 30. The first tab member 28
will have a plurality of small notches 32 formed therein. The
second tab member 30 will have a plurality of small ridge members
34. The small ridge members 34 will slide into the notches 32
securing the first side 16 to the second side 18.
[0031] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and
other changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *