Abstract:
A coating applicator comprising a substrate removably mounted to a frame, where the frame includes an actuator repositionable between an engaging position and a disengaging position, where the engaging position is operative to maintain the substrate in mounting engagement with the frame, where the disengaging position is operative to discontinue the substrate in mounting engagement with the frame, and where the substrate includes a receptor for retaining a coating composition for application.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/901,212, filed Feb. 12, 2007 and titled “PAINT EDGER,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to devices for applying liquids to substrates and, more specifically, to devices for use in applying paint. 
         [0003]    It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide an applicator comprising: (a) a frame including a lateral detent, the lateral detent being repositionable between an extended position and a retracted position; (b) a substrate removably mounted to the frame, the substrate including a first edge generally perpendicular to a second edge, and the substrate including a lateral detent receiver approximate the second edge for selectively receiving the lateral detent when the lateral detent is in the extended position; and (c) a turret rotationally mounted to the frame to allow rotation of the turret independent of the frame, where at least one of the frame and the turret includes an actuator for repositioning the lateral detent from the extended position and to the retracted position. 
         [0004]    In a more detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the turret includes the actuator for repositioning the lateral detent from the extended position and to the retracted position. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the lateral detent comprises a pair of opposed lateral detents, the turret includes the actuator, and the lateral detents comprise opposed lateral ends of a deformable panel. In a further detailed embodiment, the deformable panel slidably engages a track on the underside of the frame, the deformable panel is repositionable between a substantially planar orientation and a substantially bowed orientation, the substantially planar orientation corresponds to the extended position, and the substantially bowed orientation corresponds to the retracted position. In still a further detailed embodiment, the deformable panel includes an orifice for receiving a portion of the actuator to mount the turret to the deformable panel. In a more detailed embodiment, the invention further includes a repositionable guide mounted to the frame, the repositionable guide being repositionable between an edging position and a withdrawn position, the repositionable guide including at least one guide wheel extending beyond the guide. In a more detailed embodiment, the frame and turret cooperate to provide a ratchet comprising a toothed wheel engaged and a catch for engaging at least one tooth of the toothed wheel. In another more detailed embodiment, the substrate includes a lateral upstanding loop the cooperates with a base of the substrate to provide the detent receiver. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the turret includes a finger grip, and the turret includes a proximal finger indentation. In still another more detailed embodiment, the turret is pivotally coupled to a threaded shaft receiver, the turret is rotationally repositionable about a first axis, the threaded shaft receiver is rotationally repositionable about a second axis, the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. 
         [0005]    It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide an applicator comprising: (a) a frame including a substantially planar underside, the frame also including a receiver, an actuator, and a turret; (b) a substrate removably mounted to the substantially planar underside of the frame, the substrate including a liquid application surface having a first lateral edge generally perpendicular to a second lateral edge; and (c) a guide including a straight edge and a guide wheel, the guide being repositionably mounted to the receiver and repositionable by way of the actuator between an edging position and a withdrawn position, the guide cooperating with the frame when the guide is in the edging position to form an L-shaped feature adjacent to the substrate when mounted to the frame, the guide wheel extending outward beyond the straight edge to backset the straight edge from an adjacent surface contacting the guide wheel. 
         [0006]    In a more detailed embodiment of the second aspect, the frame includes a lateral detent, the lateral detent being repositionable between an extended position and a retracted position, the turret includes a detent actuator for repositioning the lateral detent from an extended position to a retracted position, and the substrate including a lateral detent receiver. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the lateral detent comprises a pair of opposed lateral detents, the substrate comprises a pair of lateral detent receivers, and the lateral detents comprise opposed lateral ends of a deformable panel mounted to the frame. In a further detailed embodiment, the deformable panel slidably engages a track on the underside of the frame, the deformable panel is repositionable between a substantially planar orientation and a substantially bowed orientation, the substantially planar orientation corresponds to the extended position, and the substantially bowed orientation corresponds to the retracted position. In still a further detailed embodiment, the deformable panel includes an orifice for receiving a portion of the actuator to mount the turret to the deformable panel. In a more detailed embodiment, the turret is rotationally mounted to the frame to allow rotation of the turret independent of the frame, the frame and turret cooperate to provide a ratchet comprising a toothed wheel engaged and a catch for engaging at least one tooth of the toothed wheel. In a more detailed embodiment, the substrate includes a lateral upstanding loop that cooperates with a base of the substrate to provide the detent receiver. In another more detailed embodiment, the turret includes a finger grip, and the turret includes a proximal finger indentation. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the turret is pivotally coupled to a threaded shaft receiver, the turret is rotationally repositionable about a first axis, the threaded shaft receiver is rotationally repositionable about a second axis, and the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. 
         [0007]    It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide an applicator frame comprising: (a) a frame including a substantially planar underside and adapted to have a removable painting pad mounted thereto, the frame also including a receiver and an actuator; (b) a guide repositionably mounted to the receiver and repositionable by way of the actuator between an edging position and a withdrawn position, the guide including a straight edge and a guide wheel extending beyond the straight edge when in the guide is in the edging position to backset the straight edge from an adjacent surface contacting the guide wheel, and (c) a turret rotationally mounted to the frame to allow rotation of the turret independent of the frame. 
         [0008]    In a more detailed embodiment of the third aspect, the guide is rotationally repositionable with respect to the receiver, the frame includes a substantially linear guide along which the actuator is repositionable, and the actuator is operatively coupled to the guide. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the straight edge comprises multiple straight edge segments, the guide includes a tubular portion having opposing ends, and at least two straight edge segments are mounted to each opposing end of the tubular portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of an exemplary liquid applicator in accordance with the present invention, where a guide assembly is in the edging position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an elevated perspective view of the exemplary liquid applicator of  FIG. 1 , where the guide assembly in a retracted position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a frontal view of an exemplary liquid applicator showing separation between respective structures of the applicator; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a recessed perspective view of the exemplary liquid applicator of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the exemplary liquid applicator of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an underneath view of an exemplary turret, without the frame, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an elevated perspective view of a cross-section of the exemplary liquid applicator of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary liquid applicator of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary liquid applicator of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an underneath perspective view of a second exemplary liquid applicator, without an applicator pad; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an underneath perspective view of a second exemplary liquid applicator with an applicator pad; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of an alternate exemplary molded frame for use in the first and second exemplary embodiments; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is an elevated perspective view of an alternate exemplary molded frame for use in the first and second exemplary embodiments; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a left side profile view of an alternate exemplary molded frame for use in the first and second exemplary embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below to encompass devices utilized in liquid applications such as, without limitation, painting applications. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the preferred embodiments discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. However, for clarity and precision, the exemplary embodiments as discussed below may include optional steps, methods, and features that one of ordinary skill should recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0024]    Referencing  FIGS. 1-5 , an exemplary liquid applicator  100  includes a reusable structure  102  and a disposable structure  104  for applying a liquid to a chosen surface, such as, without limitation, an interior wall of a building. In exemplary form, the liquid applicator  100  is particularly suited for painting applications and, even more so, for painting borders. In the painting arena, painting of borders around windows, doorways, and adjacent walls is initially done before the larger, remaining surfaces are painted. 
         [0025]    The exemplary disposable structure  104  includes a plastic backing  106  and a carpet  108  sheet glued to the backing. The carpet  108  includes a plurality of upstanding fibers (not shown) that are adapted to retain the paint until the carpet is positioned against the surface to be painted. The backing  106  and carpet  108  define a generally rectangular painting area having a forward linear edge  110  and opposed lateral edges  112 ,  114  that are perpendicular to the forward linear edge  110 . It is to be understood, however, that the backing  106  and carpet  108  may exhibit shapes other than rectangular such as, without limitation, triangular, hexagonal, and T-shaped. It is also to be understood that the opposed lateral edges  112 ,  114  need not be perpendicular to the forward linear edge  110 . A backside surface  116  of the backing  106  includes a pair of upstanding loops  118  longitudinally extending approximate the lateral edges  112 ,  114 . Each loop  118  cooperates with the backside surface  116  to define a longitudinally extending groove  120 . As will be discussed in more detail below, this groove  120  operates to couple the disposable structure  104  to the reusable structure  102 . 
         [0026]    The exemplary reusable structure  102  includes a molded frame  122  to which a turret assembly  124 , an ejector assembly  126 , and a guide assembly  128  are mounted. Exemplary methods to mold the frame  122  include, without limitation, plastic injection molding. The underside  130  of the frame  122  is substantially planar to receive and apply substantially equal pressure to the plastic backing  106  of the disposable structure  104  during painting. Opposing pairs of guides  132  cooperate with the underside  130  of the frame  122  to provide a track  134  which receives a deformable panel  136  of the ejector assembly  126 . 
         [0027]    The ejector assembly  126  is operative to retain the disposable structure  104  during painting and selectively disengage the disposable structure  104  subsequent to painting. The deformable panel  136  comprises a rectangular plastic sheet having a generally centered orifice  138  to receive a projection  140  that extends through a cavity  142  within the frame  122 . One end of the projection  140  includes a pair of opposed detents  144  for mounting the panel to the projection, while also allowing the projection to rotate with respect to the panel  136 . However, for purposes of the instant invention, the projection need not be allowed to rotate with respect to the panel  136 . An opposed end of the projection  140  is integrally attached to an actuator  146  that extends through a corresponding cavity  148  formed within a turret  150  of the turret assembly  124 . Pushing the actuator  146  downward and into the corresponding cavity  148  forces the projection  140  against the panel  136 , causing the panel to deform from a substantially planar position to a substantially bowed position (see  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 ). This deformation also causes the ends  154 ,  156  of the panel  136  to be drawn inward toward the lateral sides  158 ,  160  of the frame so that the ends of the panel become substantially flush with the lateral sides of the frame. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , joining the reusable structure  102  to the disposable structure  104  includes aligning the reusable structure over the disposable structure so each upstanding loop  118  of the plastic backing  106  is aligned with a corresponding lateral cavity  162 ,  164  on each lateral side  154 ,  156  of the frame  122 . A pair of angled guides  165  project from each lateral side  154 ,  156  of the frame  122  to help facilitate alignment of the reusable structure  102  with respect to the disposable structure  104 . This initially includes vertically orienting each upstanding loop  118  of the plastic backing  106  generally within each of the corresponding lateral cavities  162 ,  164  of the frame  122 . When this general orientation is reached, the reusable structure  102  and the disposable structure  104  are brought closer to one another so that any misalignment is corrected by one or both loops  118  contacting the angled guides  165 , which direct the loops  118  into proper orientation within the lateral cavities  162 ,  164  as the structures  102 ,  104  continue to be brought closer to one another. In this exemplary embodiment, misalignment refers to a condition where the front of the disposable structure  104  is not aligned with the front of the reusable structure  102 . Thus, the angled guides  165  ensure that the front of the disposable structure  104  is aligned with the front of the reusable structure  102  by pushing the disposable structure  104  forward by way of the loops  118 . When the ends  154 ,  156  of the panel  136  are extended outward from the lateral sides  158 ,  160  of the frame, the ends provide deformable flanges that are repositionable by lateral movement in or out. By bringing the upstanding loop  118  of the plastic backing  106  into contact with the ends  154 ,  156  of the panel  136 , the ends move laterally inward, while the loops deform slightly outward, thereby allowing vertical travel of a corresponding end against a corresponding loop. The rounded or contoured upper surface of each loop  118  also operates to facilitate vertical sliding of the ends  154 ,  156 . Eventually, the ends  154 ,  156  of the panel  136  pass beyond the edge of the loops  118  and into the longitudinally extending groove  120 . In this manner, each loop  118  is utilized to retain the ends  154 ,  156  of the panel  136  within the longitudinal groove  120 . In exemplary form, a user may desire to remove the disposable structure  104  from the reusable structure  102 , at which point the sharp edge at the end of each loop  118  would no longer retain the ends  154 ,  156  of the panel  136  within the longitudinal groove  120 . 
         [0029]    Removal of the disposable structure  104  from the reusable structure  102  includes deforming the panel  136  so that the ends  154 ,  156  are drawn laterally inward and beyond the ends of both loops  118 . An exemplary process to accomplish this result includes depressing the actuator  146 , integrally coupled to the projection  140 , to vertically reposition the projection downward through the cavity  142  within the frame  122 . This downward movement of the projection  140  is transferred to the panel  136 , causing the panel to deform from a substantially planar position to a substantially bowed position (see  FIG. 4 ). Deformation of the panel  136 , while the panel remains within the track  134 , causes the ends  154 ,  156  of the panel  136  to be drawn laterally inward so that the ends of the panel become substantially flush with the lateral sides of the frame. Concurrent with the movement of the ends  154 ,  156  of the panel  136 , downward movement of the projection  140  causes the projection to contact the plastic backing  106  of the disposable structure  104 . Continued downward movement of the projection  140  pushes the central region of the disposable structure away from the frame  122 . In this exemplary embodiment, the disposable structure  104  is fabricated from a flexible and resilient plastic backing  106  that bows outward under the pressure applied by the projection  140 . Thus, downward movement of the projection is concurrently able to retract the ends  154 ,  156  of the panel  136  and force the disposable structure  104  away from the frame  122  of the reusable structure  102 . The resilient properties of the backing  106  essentially form a spring having a corresponding spring force when the backing is bowed outward from the frame. When the ends  154 ,  156  of the panel  136  are retracted sufficiently out of the vertical line of travel of the loops  118 , the spring force propels the disposable structure  104  away from the reusable structure  102 , commonly referred to as ejecting the disposable structure  104  from the reusable structure  102 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the turret assembly  124  of the exemplary liquid applicator  100  includes the turret  150  that is rotationally repositionable about a vertical axis extending through an upstanding circular ring  172  of the frame  122 . The upstanding circular ring  172  includes a plurality of repeating depressions  174 , which in exemplary form are V-shaped, spaced apart on a circumferential exterior surface, where the depressions  174  may be engaged by a corresponding projection  176  on the underside of the turret  150 . The projection  176  includes a head  178 , which in exemplary form is arrow-shaped, that is received within one of the V-shaped depressions  174  to retain the turret  150  in a fixed orientation with respect to the frame  122 . When a user desires to change the orientation of the turret  150  with respect to the frame  122 , the user simple twists the turret  150 , causing the projection  176  to flex outward from the respective V-shaped projection and ride upon the exterior circumferential surface of the circular ring  172 . 
         [0031]    The underside of the turret  124  also includes a series of arcuate guide rails  179  that define a circular interior region slightly larger (could be slightly smaller and occupy the inside) than the circular area occupied by the upstanding ring  172 . In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the series of arcuate guide rails  179  could define a circular interior region slightly smaller than the circular area occupied by the upstanding ring  172 , where the rails occupy the inside of the circular area. In either instance, the guide rails  179  set a boundary for movement between the turret  150  and ring  172 , thereby allowing pivoting action between the two, but without providing significant lateral play. An semi-oval projection  180  extends from the underside of the turret  150  and occupies a portion of the interior region defined by the guide rails  179  and occupies an interior region of the circular ring  172  when the turret  150  is mounted to the frame  122 . In exemplary form, the semi-oval projection  180  defines the corresponding cavity  148  that the actuator  146  and projection  140  travel within, which is generally centered within the circular interior region of the guide rails  179 . Moreover, the semi-oval projection  180  is sized to have its longest lateral dimension being no greater than the diameter of the upstanding ring  172  so that rotation of the turret  150  will not be inhibited by the projection  180  binding against an interior wall of the circular ring  172 . Recessed within the interior of the cavity  142  of the frame  122  is a ledge  181  that has a decreased diameter to allow throughput of the projection  140 . A raised ring  187  prevents the actuator  146  from pushing the deformable panel  136  too far. If the ring  187  was not there, a user pushing on the actuator  146  would release the panel  132  from the tabs  132  and allow the panel  132  to fall from the edger base. Corresponding detents  183  extend from the underside of the turret  150  and lock onto the underside of the ledge  181  to inhibit upward movement of the turret  150  with respect to the frame  122 , but still allow rotation about the central axis of actuator  146 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the turret  150  may be grasped by the hand of a user, or utilized as a female receiver for an extension shaft (not shown) to increase the operating range of the liquid applicator  100 . Vertical ribs  184  are formed on the exterior of the grips  182 . Generally, the grips  182  facilitate grasping of the turret  150  between the fingers and thumb of a user. A frontal portion of the grips  182  includes an indentation  186  for guiding your finger to guide control button  228 . However, in those instances where hand gripping is not preferred, the user may utilize an adapter  188  pivotally mounted to the rear of the turret  150  to insert an extension shaft (not shown). 
         [0033]    The adapter  188  includes a rearmost threaded cavity  190  which is adapted to receive a male threaded projection from the extension shaft. On each side of the adapter  188  are pins  191  that fit within corresponding circular openings  192  on the underside of the turret  150  to facilitate pivotal movement between the turret  150  and the adapter  188 . In this exemplary embodiment, the adapter  188  pivots about a pivotal axis extending laterally through the pins  191  and perpendicular the pivotal axis about which the turret  150  pivots with respect to the frame  122 . It is to be understood that the pivotal range of movement between the turret  150  and the frame  122  is approximately 180 degrees, however, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide 360 degrees of pivotal range, while the pivotal range of movement between the adapter  188  and the turret  150  is approximately 25 degrees. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the pivotal range of movement may be changed between any of the components without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0034]    Referencing  FIG. 5 , the guide assembly  128  of the exemplary liquid applicator  100  includes a guide housing  194  is mounted to a forward aspect  196  of the frame  122  using a pair of detents  197 . The guide housing  194  and the forward aspect  196  of the frame  122  provide a tailored cavity at least partially occupied by the guide  198 . Semicircular depressions  200  formed within ribs  202 ,  204  of the housing  194  and frame  122  cooperate to form circular openings occupied by a tubular portion  206  of the guide  198 . This tubular guide portion  206  includes a pair of raised rings  208  that provide an alignment for a central lever  210 . Each end of the tubular portion  206  includes a guide flap  212 , which includes a base  214  and a straight edge  216  that cooperate to form a generally L-shaped feature. A cylindrical projection  218  extends upward from the base  214  and has mounted to it an optional roller wheel  220  that is pivotally repositionable about the projection. The roller wheel  220  is mounted to the projection  218  by overlapping a central orifice  222  of the roller wheel with detents  224  of the projection  218 , followed by downward movement of the wheel toward the detents so that the angle edges of the detent are contacted by the circumferential edges defining the central orifice  222 . This contact forces the angled detent edges toward one another so that the diameter of the detents  224  is less than the diameter of the central orifice  222 , thereby allowing the detents  224  to pass through the orifice  222  and thereafter spread apart. The underneath shape of the detents  224 , combined with the spreading apart action, inhibits removal of the wheel  220  from the projection  218 , but allows rotational repositioning of the wheel with respect to the projection. When the wheel  220  is positioned around the projection  218 , a circumferential edge of the wheel extends outward slightly beyond the exposed surface  226  of the straight edge  216 . This slight extension of the wheel  220  is operative to backset the straight edge  216  from an adjacent wall contacting the wheel when the guide is in the edging position only for trim of such height (including walls) which would contact the wheel instead of the guide surface  216 . Trimming objects that are angular or shorter than the distance from the bottom edge of  216  to the top of surface  214  would only contact the guide surface  216 . 
         [0035]    Referencing  FIGS. 1-9 , the guide  198  is repositionable between an edging position (see  FIG. 1 ) and a retracted position (see  FIG. 2 ). To reposition the guide  198  from the edging position to the retracted position, a guide control button  228  is repositioned within a track  230  of the guide housing  194 . The guide button  228  includes a pair of legs  232  having detents  234  that inhibit removal of legs from the track and corresponding disengagement between the button and the lever  210 . A cavity  236  formed on the underside of the button  228  receives a portion of the lever  210  so that forward movement of the button repositions the lever to rotate the tubular portion  206  toward the edging position. Conversely, rearward movement of the button  228  repositions the lever  210  to rotate the tubular portion  206  toward the retracted position. The forward most position of the legs  232  within the track  230 , away from the turret  124 , corresponds to the edging position, while the rearmost position of the legs  232  within the track  230 , positioned nearer to the turret  124 , corresponds to the retracted position. It is envisioned that the edging position corresponds to a painting configuration, while the retracted position corresponds to a paint loading configuration where the guide is out of potential contact with a reservoir of paint. 
         [0036]    It is to be understood that the designations “reusable structure”  102  and “disposable structure”  104  are only for purposes of exemplary explanation and by no means limit application of the invention to structures where the plastic backing  106  and carpet  108  is disposable and the remainder is reusable. Moreover, the invention likewise encompasses structures  102 ,  104  that are both disposable or both reusable. By way of example, and not limitation, the exemplary liquid applicator  100  may be utilized in painting applications where the paint comprises a latex paint or any other type of liquid or semi-solid where this applicator would work effectively. In such circumstances, both structures  102 ,  104  may be cleaned using polar solvents in order to prepare the applicator  100  for subsequent use. Conversely, both structures could be disposed of after a single use or replaced by a completely new structures  102 ,  104 , regardless of the paint utilized. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the invention encompasses the elements shown and described, whether or not the elements are characterized as disposable or not. 
         [0037]    Referencing  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a second exemplary liquid applicator  300 , very similar to the first exemplary applicator  100 , includes pressure limiting features. In this exemplary embodiment, these pressure limiting features include four vertical posts  302  extending from the underside of a reusable structure  304 . These vertical posts  302  are adapted to be vertically aligned and received within corresponding circular openings  306  formed within a disposable structure  308  for applying a liquid to a chosen surface, such as, without limitation, an interior wall of a building. In exemplary form, the liquid applicator  300  is particularly suited for painting applications and, even more so, for painting borders. In the painting arena, painting of borders around windows, doorways, and adjacent walls is initially done before the larger, remaining surfaces are painted. 
         [0038]    The exemplary disposable structure  308  is similar in all respects, but for the circular openings  306 , to the first exemplary disposable structure  104 . It should be noted, however, that the circular openings  306  could alternatively be shaped in any manner that allows a projection to pierce the openings. Likewise, the reusable structure  304  is similar in all respects, but for the vertical posts  302 , to the first exemplary disposable structure  102 . 
         [0039]    These vertical posts  302  are operative to limit the amount of pressure a user can apply to the disposable structure  308 . Principally, when a user attempts to apply a greater amount of pressure than necessary to maintain the disposable structure  308  in contact with the substrate to which the liquid is being applied, the posts project all the way through the openings  306  and “bottom out” and contact the substrate so that excess pressure exerted by the user on the reusable structure  304  is born by the substrate rather than the disposable structure  308 . Without these pressure limiting features, the disposable structure  308  would bear the pressure and generally result in excess liquid leaching out, causing drips or streaking during liquid application. Conversely, under proper pressure application conditions, the posts  302  remain recessed within the openings  306  and not in contact with the substrate so that pressure applied to the reusable structure  304  is born by the disposable structure  308  contacting the substrate. 
         [0040]    It is to be understood, however, that alternate pressure limiting features may be incorporated into the disposable structure  308 . Exemplary pressure limiting features include, without limitation, selectively placed stiffer fibers in the pad to limit the amount of travel between the wall and pad backing thereby reducing paint squeeze out, as well as embedded posts in the pad that bottom out on the wall when a predetermined pressure is exceeded. In exemplary form, the orientation of the stiffer fibers is a matter of design choice and may include incorporating stiffer fibers than those of the bulk pad, where the stiffer fibers have a height less than that of the remainder of the bulk fibers. Those skilled in the art will be familiar with the alternatives possible in view of the foregoing disclosure. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 12-14 , an alternate exemplary frame  402  for use with the first or second exemplary embodiments (in place of the molded frame  122 ), includes a biased arms  404 ,  406  projecting from a rearward portion of the frame. Each arm  404 ,  406  helps facilitate alignment of the frame  402  with respect to the disposable structure  104  (see  FIG. 5 ). This initially includes vertically orienting each upstanding loop  118  of the disposable structure  104  (see  FIG. 5 ) generally within each of the corresponding lateral cavities  408 ,  410  of the frame  402 . When this general orientation is reached, the frame  402  and the disposable structure  104  are brought closer to one another so that any misalignment is corrected by one or both loops  118  contacting the biased arms  404 ,  406 , which direct the loops  118  into proper orientation within the lateral cavities  408 ,  410  as the structures  402 ,  104  continue to be brought closer to one another. In this exemplary embodiment, misalignment refers to a condition where the front of the disposable structure  104  is not aligned with the front of the frame  402 . Thus, the biased arms  404 ,  406  ensure that the front of the disposable structure  104  is aligned with the front of the frame  402  by pushing the disposable structure  104  forward by way of the loops  118 . 
         [0042]    Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention contained herein is not limited to this precise embodiment and that changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.