U.S. patent application number 11/477693 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for hand-held painting tool with paint reservoir.
This patent application is currently assigned to Zibra, LLC. Invention is credited to James C. Dale, Dennis M. Futo, Scott A. Pyle, Michael M. Sherman.
Application Number | 20070003358 11/477693 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37027519 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070003358 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Futo; Dennis M. ; et
al. |
January 4, 2007 |
Hand-held painting tool with paint reservoir
Abstract
A painting tool for painting trimwork includes a housing forming
a paint reservoir, a paint applicator for applying paint to a
surface to be painted and a pumping mechanism fluidically connected
to the paint reservoir. The pumping mechanism has a first or
disabled condition and a second or activated condition, wherein the
pumping mechanism seals the paint in the reservoir when in the
disabled condition, and wherein the pumping mechanism dispenses
paint to the paint applicator when in the activated condition such
that that the release of paint to the paint applicator is
selectively controlled by pushing the paint applicator against the
surface to be painted to shift the pumping mechanism from the
disabled condition to the activated condition.
Inventors: |
Futo; Dennis M.;
(Strongsville, OH) ; Pyle; Scott A.; (Vernon
Hills, IL) ; Sherman; Michael M.; (Mooresville,
NC) ; Dale; James C.; (Taylorsville, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEGMAN, HESSLER & VANDERBURG
6055 ROCKSIDE WOODS BOULEVARD
SUITE 200
CLEVELAND
OH
44131
US
|
Assignee: |
Zibra, LLC
Mooresville
NC
|
Family ID: |
37027519 |
Appl. No.: |
11/477693 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60695643 |
Jun 30, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/188R |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05C 17/0357 20130101;
B05C 17/023 20130101; B05C 17/0341 20130101; B05C 17/002 20130101;
B05C 17/00 20130101; B05C 17/0242 20130101; B05C 17/00569 20130101;
B05C 17/0217 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/188.00R |
International
Class: |
A46B 11/02 20060101
A46B011/02 |
Claims
1. A painting tool comprising: a paint applicator for applying
paint to a surface to be painted; an upper housing forming a paint
reservoir; a lower housing slideably received by the upper housing
so that the lower housing moves between a first position and a
second position relative the upper housing, the paint applicator
being connected to the lower housing such that by pushing the paint
applicator against the surface to be painted, the lower housing
moves from the first position to the second position; and a pumping
mechanism fluidically connecting the paint reservoir to the paint
applicator, said pumping mechanism comprising a valve that is
operated by movement of the lower housing between the first
position and the second position such that the valve substantially
prevents the flow of paint from the paint reservoir to the paint
applicator when the lower housing is in the first position and the
valve permits the flow of paint from the paint reservoir to the
paint applicator when the lower housing is in the second position
such that paint is selectively caused to be released from the paint
reservoir to the paint applicator by pushing the paint applicator
against the surface to be painted.
2. The painting tool of claim 1 wherein the pumping mechanism
further comprising a spring biased to shut the valve when the lower
housing is in the first position and movement of the lower housing
to the second position opens the valve against the bias of the
spring.
3. The painting tool of claim 2 wherein the valve comprises a
poppet valve having a head that seats against a valve seat under
the force of the biasing spring, wherein the head rides on a post
that is connected to the lower housing and when the paint
applicator is pressed against the surface, the post causes the head
to move away from the valve seat, against the force of the spring,
so that paint can flow through the poppet valve and into a paint
outlet conduit and through orifices in the bottom surface of the
lower housing.
4. The painting tool of claim 1 wherein the pumping mechanism
further comprises: a paint passageway; a check valve in the paint
passageway; and a paint outlet conduit downstream of the valve that
directs the paint to the paint applicator; wherein the valve
selectively stops or permits flow through the paint passageway to
the paint outlet conduit.
5. The painting tool of claim 4 further comprising a stop plug at
an entrance end of the paint passageway, wherein when the paint
applicator is pressed against a surface, the stop plug is dislodged
by a second spring that is connected to and moves with the lower
housing permitting paint to flow into the paint passageway.
6. The painting tool of claim 1 wherein the paint applicator
comprises a paint absorbing pad.
7. The painting tool of claim 6 wherein the applicator comprises a
platform with said paint absorbing pad attached thereto, wherein
the platform has at least one boss configured to fit into a
corresponding receiving hole in a bottom surface of the painting
tool to attach the paint applicator to the painting tool.
8. The painting tool of claim 7 further comprising a trigger that
detaches the bosses on the platform to allow the paint applicator
to be disconnected from the painting tool without having to apply a
manual force directly to the paint applicator.
9. The painting tool of claim 8 wherein the platform contains a
plurality of holes spaced about the platform through which paint
from the reservoir is allowed to flow to saturate the paint
absorbing pad.
10. The painting tool of claim 1 wherein the paint applicator
comprises at least one paint roller.
11. The painting tool of claim 10 further comprising a trigger that
detaches the at least one paint roller to allow the at least one
paint roller to be disconnected from the painting tool without
having to apply a manual force directly to the paint roller.
12. The painting tool of claim 11 wherein painting tool has a
roller carriage that forms a platform for the roller with tabs that
capture an axle about which the roller is rotated, said roller
carriage having a front tab and a rear tab with a notch
therebetween configured to hold the axle, and when the trigger is
actuated, the rear tab of the carriage slides in a gap away from
the front tab expand the width of the notch and thereby release the
roller.
13. The painting tool of claim 1 wherein the lower housing has a
skirt that is movably connected with the upper housing and a spring
biases the lower housing to an extended position relative the upper
housing such that the skirt is stopped by a rail on the upper
housing, and when the paint applicator is pressed against a
surface, the lower housing moves relative the upper housing against
the force of a spring such that the skirt moves away from the
rail.
14. A painting tool comprising: a housing forming a paint
reservoir; a paint applicator for applying paint to a surface to be
painted; and a pumping mechanism fluidically connected to the paint
reservoir having a first or disabled condition and a second or
activated condition, wherein the pumping mechanism seals the paint
in the reservoir when in the disabled condition, and wherein the
pumping mechanism dispenses paint to the paint applicator when in
the activated condition such that that the release of paint to the
paint applicator is selectively controlled by pushing the paint
applicator against the surface to be painted to shift the pumping
mechanism from the disabled condition to the activated
condition.
15. The painting tool of claim 14 wherein the pumping mechanism
comprises: a paint passageway; a valve means for selectively
stopping or permitting flow through the paint passageway; and a
paint outlet conduit downstream of the valve means that directs the
paint to the paint applicator when the applicator is pressed
against the surface.
16. The painting tool of claim 15 wherein the housing includes an
upper housing that forms the reservoir and a lower housing having
the paint applicator connected thereto, wherein the upper housing
is slideably received by the lower housing such that when the paint
applicator is pushed against the surface to be painted, paint is
dispensed from the reservoir.
17. The painting tool of claim 16 wherein the paint applicator is a
paint absorbing pad, wherein the applicator comprises a platform
with said paint absorbing pad attached thereto, wherein the
platform has at least one boss configured to fit into a
corresponding receiving hole in a bottom surface of the painting
tool to attach the paint applicator to the painting tool and the
platform contains a plurality of holes spaced about the platform
through which paint from the reservoir is allowed to flow to
saturate the paint absorbing pad.
18. The painting tool of claim 16 wherein the paint applicator has
at least one paint roller and wherein painting tool has a roller
carriage that forms a platform for the roller with tabs that
capture an axle about which the roller is rotated, said roller
carriage having a front tab and a rear tab and when the trigger is
actuated, the rear tab of the carriage slides in gap away from the
front tab to release the roller and wherein the lower housing has a
skirt that is movably connected with the upper housing and a spring
that biases the lower housing to an extended position relative the
upper housing such that the skirt is stopped by a rail on the upper
housing, and when the paint applicator is pressed against a
surface, the lower housing moves relative the upper housing against
the force of a spring such that the skirt moves away from the
rail.
19. The painting tool of claim 14 wherein the valve means comprises
a poppet valve having a head that seats against valve seat under
the force of a biasing spring, wherein the head rides on a post
that is connected to the lower housing and when the paint
applicator is pressed against the surface, the post causes the head
to move away from the valve seat against the force of the spring so
that paint can flow through the poppet valve and into the paint
outlet conduit and through orifices in the bottom surface of the
lower housing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/695,643,
filed Jun. 30, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention relates to apparatus useful in painting
applications, and more specifically to a hand-held painting tool
with an internal paint reservoir that selectively dispenses paint
to quickly and accurately apply paint around trimwork and
molding.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] There are numerous existing trim and edging tools used to
prepare trim surfaces prior to painting. They include rollers,
brushes, pads, and the like, and are used by painters to make the
job of applying paint more efficient. For the most part, these
painting tools need to be dipped or rolled in a paint bucket or
tray to recharge the tool with paint. Applying paint to them in a
consistent manner is a problem that leads to getting paint on the
very trim work that the paint applicator was designed to protect.
Some painting tools have been made with an internal paint reservoir
or continuous supply of paint to the paint applicator. It is,
however, not always possible to accurately control the amount of
paint being released to the paint applicator on the tool. This
leads to uneven placement of paint causing streaks, drips and
differing textures when the paint is applied.
[0006] Another disadvantage associated with typical painting tools
with roller or pad paint applicators is that in order to remove the
applicator from the tool, it is usually necessary to grasp the
outer surface of the applicator and remove it from some form of
support. As the paint applicator being removed is normally covered
with wet paint, the process of removing the applicator from the
tool can be messy and often leads to paint getting on the hands and
clothes of the person removing the applicator.
[0007] Thus, there is a need for an improved painting tool that
that reduces the mess during use and eliminates the need for the
user have to continuously reload paint onto a paint roller or a
paint pad to provide greater utility and convenience to the user.
It also would be beneficial to have a painting tool with a paint
applicator that can be removed quickly and easily without having to
grasp or touch the paint-covered applicator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One aspect of the invention is directed to a painting tool
for painting trimwork. The painting tool includes a paint
applicator for applying paint to a surface to be painted. The tool
also has an upper housing forming a paint reservoir and a lower
housing slideably received by the upper housing so that the lower
housing moves between a first position and a second position
relative the upper housing. The paint applicator is connected to
the lower housing such that by pushing the paint applicator against
the surface to be painted, the lower housing is moved from the
first position to the second position relative the upper housing.
The tool also has a pumping mechanism fluidically connecting the
paint reservoir in the upper housing to the paint applicator. The
pumping mechanism includes a valve that is operated by movement of
the lower housing between the first position and the second
position such that the valve substantially prevents the flow of
paint from the paint reservoir to the paint applicator when the
lower housing is in the first position and the valve permits the
flow of paint from the paint reservoir to the paint applicator when
the lower housing is in the second position. Therefore, paint is
selectively caused to be released from the paint reservoir to the
paint applicator by pushing the paint applicator against the
surface to be painted.
[0009] Another aspect of the invention is directed to a painting
tool that includes a housing forming a paint reservoir, a paint
applicator for applying paint to a surface to be painted and a
pumping mechanism fluidically connected to the paint reservoir. The
pumping mechanism has a first or disabled condition and a second or
activated condition, wherein the pumping mechanism seals the paint
in the reservoir when in the disabled condition, and the pumping
mechanism dispenses paint to the paint applicator when in the
activated condition. The release of paint to the paint applicator
by the pumping mechanism is selectively controlled by pushing the
paint applicator against the surface to be painted to shift the
pumping mechanism from the disabled condition to the activated
condition.
[0010] In one embodiment, the pumping mechanism includes a paint
passageway, a stop plug at an entrance end of the paint passageway,
a check valve in the paint passageway, and a valve means for
selectively stopping or permitting flow through the paint
passageway. A paint outlet conduit downstream of the valve means
directs the paint to the paint applicator when the applicator is
pressed against the surface to open the pathway through the valve
means.
[0011] In one embodiment, the housing includes an upper housing
that forms the reservoir and a lower housing having the paint
applicator connected thereto. The upper housing is slideably
received by the lower housing such that when the when the paint
applicator is pushed against the surface to be painted, paint is
dispensed from the reservoir.
[0012] These and other features and advantages of this invention
are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed
description of various exemplary embodiments of the systems and
methods according to this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above mentioned and other features of this invention
will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better
understood by reference to the following description of embodiments
of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a painting tool having an
internal reservoir that selectively dispenses paint according to
the invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the painting tool of
FIG. 1 with a pad paint applicator exploded;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view another embodiment of
the painting tool having rollers for the paint applicator;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an end cutaway view of the painting tool of FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side cutaway view of the painting tool of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side cutaway view similar to FIG. 5 with the
painting tool in a condition for dispensing paint to the paint
applicator; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side cutaway view of the painting tool
embodiment of FIG. 3.
[0021] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The invention will now be described in the following
detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein
preferred embodiments are described in detail to enable practice of
the invention. Although the invention is described with reference
to these specific preferred embodiments, it will be understood that
the invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments. But to
the contrary, the invention includes numerous alternatives,
modifications and equivalents as will become apparent from
consideration of the following detailed description.
[0023] Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1 illustrates one
embodiment of a hand-held painting tool 10 that desirably is sized
to fit in the palm of the user's hand for use in applying paint or
other product to a work surface. The painting tool 10 includes an
upper housing 12 that forms an internal reservoir (described below)
for holding a supply of paint and a lower housing 14 having a paint
applicator 16 connected thereto for applying paint to the surface
to be painted. The upper housing 12 is shaped to provide a hand
grip useful for gripping the painting tool 10 and to improve
comfort while in use. In one embodiment, the upper housing 12 is
slideably received by the lower housing 14 such that when the paint
applicator 16 is pushed against the surface to be painted, the
lower housing 14 moves relative the upper housing 12 causing paint
to be dispensed from the internal reservoir in the upper housing 12
to the paint applicator 16 as will be more fully described below.
This allows paint to be selectively dispensed without having to
constantly dip the paint applicator 16 into a tray or bucket of
paint, thereby increasing the ease of use of the painting tool 10
and minimizing the mess caused by dripping paint. In one
embodiment, the reservoir is sized to contain about one pint of
paint. The painting tool 10 is ideally suited for trim and edging
work and therefore desirably has guide wheels 17 positioned around
the lower housing 14 to guide the painting tool across the surfaces
adjacent to the surface to be painted.
[0024] Paint is loaded into the painting tool 10 through an opening
in the upper housing 12 that is closed with a threaded or snap-fit
cap 18. A pour spout or funnel accessory (not shown) can snap onto
the upper housing 12 so that paint can be poured through the
opening to reduce amount of paint spilled while loading the
painting tool 10. Additionally, the painting tool 10 may have an
extension pole receptor 19 (FIG. 5) capable of receiving a pole
(not shown) to increase the reach of the person using the painting
tool 10.
[0025] Turning now to FIG. 2, in one embodiment the paint
applicator 16 of the painting tool 10 contains a platform 20 with a
paint absorbing pad 22 that is glued or otherwise attached to the
platform 20. Desirably, the pad 22 is made of sponge, cotton,
synthetic fibers, wool or the like and is highly capable of
absorbing the paint or other liquid to be applied. Alternately, the
paint applicator 16 may include one or more paint rollers 32 as
illustrated in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, or even other
paint-applicating means known to those skilled in the art, without
departing from the scope of the invention. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2, the platform 20 has at least one boss 24
configured to fit into a corresponding receiving hole 26 in a
bottom surface 25 of the painting tool 10 to attach the paint
applicator 16 to the lower housing 14. The platform 20 also
contains a plurality of holes or openings 28 spaced about the
platform 20 through which paint from the reservoir is allowed to
flow to saturate the paint absorbing pad 22.
[0026] The painting tool 10 contains a push button or trigger 30
extending from the lower housing 14. The trigger 30 operates a
"hands-free" quick-release feature that quickly detaches the bosses
24 on the platform 20 through an internal latching mechanism. (not
shown) that allows the user to disconnect the paint applicator 16
without having to touch the paint-saturated pad 22, thereby
reducing the mess caused by handling the paint applicator 16. When
the trigger 30 is actuated, the bosses 24 are released so that the
platform 20 and pad 22 are allowed to freely fall from the lower
housing 14. Actuation of this quick-release feature automatically
releases the paint applicator 16 thus eliminating the need for the
user to have to handle the paint-saturated applicator. The terms
"automatic", "hands-free" and "quick-release" as used herein with
respect to the paint applicator 16 mean that the decoupling of the
paint applicator 16 from the lower housing 14 occurs without
requiring the user to apply a manual force directly to the paint
applicator 16. In other words, although a force is required to be
applied to the trigger 30 to initiate the decoupling process, the
actual force decoupling the paint applicator 16 from the lower
housing 14 is provided by means other than manual force applied by
the user to the paint applicator 16.
[0027] Turning now to FIG. 3, the paint applicator 16 in this
embodiment of the painting tool 10 comprises two rollers 32 (only
one shown) rotatable on axles 33. As illustrated, the painting tool
10 contains 3-inch rollers 32, but other sizes of rollers 32 are
contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention. The
lower housing 14 has a roller carriage 34 with receiving/docking
tabs 38 to form a stable platform for the rollers 32. As is similar
to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the trigger 30 is used to
eject the rollers 32 so that the rollers may be disconnected with
ease for cleanup or disposal. The axle 33 is captured in a notch 36
formed between a front portion of tab 38 and a rear portion of tab
38 of the roller carriage 34. When the trigger 30 is actuated, the
rear portion of tab 38 of the carriage 34 slides in gap 40 away
from the front portion of tab 38 to expand the width of the notch
36 and release the roller 32. Although the embodiments in FIGS. 2
and 3 illustrate different quick-release methods for disconnecting
the paint applicator 16, and other means may be used using sound
engineering judgment without departing from the scope of the
invention, the resulting hands-free removal feature is
substantially identical.
[0028] Turning now to FIGS. 4-7, an internal reservoir 42 for
containing a supply of paint is located within the upper housing
12. A pump mechanism, indicated generally at 44, is located between
and fluidically connects the reservoir 42 and the paint applicator
16. The pump mechanism 44 contains or seals the paint in the
reservoir 42 when in a first or disabled condition so that the
release of paint to the paint applicator 16 can be selectively
controlled by pushing the paint applicator 16 against the surface
to be painted. FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 illustrate the pump mechanism 44 in
the condition that prevents the release of paint to the applicator
16.
[0029] When actuated, as shown in FIG. 6, the pump mechanism 44
opens and dispenses paint onto the pad 22 or the roller 32 through
a paint passageway 46 leading from an inlet chamber 50 in the
reservoir 42. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the lower housing 14 has a
skirt 52 that is movably connected with the upper housing 12.
Springs 53 bias lower housing 14 to an extended position relative
the upper housing 12 such that the skirt 52 is stopped by rail 54
on the upper housing 12. As seen in FIG. 5, in this extended
position, an inlet opening 56 in the chamber 50 is blocked by a
stop plug 58. When the paint applicator 16 is pressed against a
surface, the lower housing 14 moves relative the upper housing 12
against the force of springs 53 such that the skirt 52 moves away
from the rail 54 as seen in FIG. 6. In this condition, the stop
plug 58 is dislodged by a spring 60 that is connected to and moves
with the lower housing 14. When the stop plug 58 is displaced,
paint is siphoned through the opening 56 and is allowed to travel
through the paint passageway 46 as indicated by the arrows in FIG.
6.
[0030] Desirably, the inlet 56 is located near a lower end 62 of
the painting tool 10 such that when the painting tool is held in
the normal condition of use, the inlet 56 is in the bottom or lower
portion of the reservoir 42 and the chamber 50 is filled with
paint. For example, in the normal condition of use, the lower end
62 of the painting tool 10 faces the ground or floor and an upper
end 64 of the painting tool 10 faces the ceiling if the painting
tool 10 is being used indoors to paint a wall. In this condition,
gravity will cause the paint in reservoir 42 to accumulate in the
lower end 62 of the painting tool 10 such that the inlet 56 will
always be submerged in the paint until the reservoir 42 is
substantially empty of paint.
[0031] Once the paint enters the paint passageway 46, it desirably
passes through a check valve 66 located in the paint passageway 46.
The check valve 66 prevents paint from returning back down the
paint passageway 46 and back into the reservoir 42 once it has
already passed through the check valve. In one embodiment, the
check valve 66 comprises a ball 68 that contacts a valve seat 70.
The mechanics of how the check valve 66 works is well understood by
one skilled in the art and need not be discussed in detail. The
check valve 66 may also be formed by other known means using sound
engineering judgment without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0032] After flowing through the check valve 66, the paint
passageway 46 leads to a chamber, indicated at 72, having a valve
means 74 that permits the paint to flow to the applicator 16 when
the applicator is pressed against the surface. In one embodiment,
the valve means 74 comprises a poppet valve 76 having a head 78
that seats against valve seat 80 under the force of biasing spring
82. The head 80 rides on post 85 that is connected to the lower
housing 14. When the paint applicator 16 is pressed against the
surface, the post 85 causes the head 78 to move away from the valve
seat 80 against the force of the spring 82 so that paint can flow
through the poppet valve 76 and into a paint outlet conduit 86.
Paint flows from the paint outlet conduit 86 through one or more
orifices 88 in the bottom surface 25 of the lower housing 14. In
the embodiment of the painting tool 10 that has the pad 22, (see
FIGS. 2 and 6), the orifices 88 align with the holes 28 in the
platform 20 to saturate the pad 22 with paint. In the roller
embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 7, the orifices 88 are desirably aligned
above the rollers 32.
[0033] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the specific embodiments described above, it is evident that many
alternatives, combinations, modifications and variations are
apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred
embodiments of this invention, as set forth above are intended to
be illustrative only, and not in a limiting sense. Various changes
can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this
invention.
* * * * *