Abstract:
A device that can be used to spread a thin, even coating of liquid material on a surface is provided. In one embodiment the device is adapted to be used to apply floor coating on a floor surface. The device is configured such that the applicator portion of the device applies a generally constant contact force on the surface, even when the force applied by the user on the tool varies.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention relates to an applicator system, particularly an application assembly, configured for applying a coating or film to a substrate surface such as a floor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Higher viscosity floor coatings (such as epoxies and polyurethanes) can be difficult to properly apply using known applicators. Typically, if the user applies too much force on the applicator, the coating becomes too thin and visible imperfections become evident. On the other hand, if the user applies too little force to the applicator, pools of the coating form and visible imperfections become evident. The present disclosure provides an applicator that addresses the above issues. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure, among other things, provides a device that can be used to spread a thin, even coating of liquid material on a surface. For example, the device can be used to apply floor shine on a floor surface. The device is configured such that the applicator portion of the device applies a generally constant contact force on the surface even when the force applied by the user on the tool varies. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a surface coating device according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a lower portion of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the lower portion of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an assembly view of the lower portion of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 5   a - c  are schematic views showing the handle moving relative to the applicator; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of a connecting member that connects a handle and an applicator of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a top view of the connecting member of  FIG. 6   a;    
         FIG. 7   a  is a perspective view of a guide member that connects to the handle of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 7   b  is a side view of the guide member of  FIG. 7   a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a surface coating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The depicted coating device  10  includes a handle  12 , a connecting member  14 , and an accessory  16 . The handle  12  can be any structure that the operator can hold onto and use to control the accessory  16 . 
     In the depicted embodiment the handle  12  includes a first portion  18  that includes a distal end  20  of the handle  12  and a second end portion  22  that includes a proximal end  24  of the handle  12 . The distal end  20  is the end of the handle  12  that is closer to the accessory  16 , and the proximal end  24  is the end of the handle that is opposite the distal end  20 . In the depicted embodiment the handle  12  includes a shaft  26  and a guide member  28  attached to the shaft  26  at the first end portion  18  of the handle  12 . The shaft  26  in the depicted embodiment is sized such that the device  10  can be used while the operator is standing. It should be appreciated that the handle  12  can be of any suitable configuration. For example, the handle  12  can in an alternative embodiment be configured to be grasped by one hand rather than two. In the depicted embodiment the handle  12  also includes a hose  30  attached to thereto for dispensing fluid to the accessory  16  or to the surface to be coated. 
     In the depicted embodiment the accessory  16  includes a frame  32  that is configured to support an applicator  34 . In the depicted embodiment the applicator  34  is a pad. However, it should be appreciated that the applicator  34  in alternative embodiments need not be a pad. For example, the applicator could be a wiper blade, a cloth, a sponge, or a part of the frame itself. The frame  32  in the depicted embodiment has a length L 1  ( FIG. 3 ) that is between about 10-36 inches. However, it should be appreciated that the frame can be of many other sizes as well. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the end profile of the frame  32  in the depicted embodiment is generally convex relative to a surface to be coated. The convex profile of the frame  32  allows the applicator  16  to be in continuous contact with the surface (e.g., a floor surface) even if the applicator  16  rolls forward F or backward B ( FIG. 2 ) from its normal orientation. It should be appreciated that many other frame configurations are possible. For example, the end profile of alternative embodiments of the frame can be circular, elliptical, triangular, rectangular, or irregular. 
     Referring to generally to  FIGS. 1-6   b  and primarily to  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , the connecting member  14  is described herein in greater detail. The connecting member  14  includes a first end portion  35  attached to the accessory  16  and a second end portion  36  attached to the handle  12 . In the depicted embodiment the connecting member  14  has a generally triangular shaped with the first end portion  35  generally defining the base of the triangle and the second end portion  36  generally defining the apex of the triangle. The connecting member  14  includes an aperture  38  for receiving a portion of the handle  12 . The aperture  38  is located in the second end portion  36  of the connecting member  14  and is generally elliptical in shape. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the smaller diameter D 1  of the aperture  38  is about 1.2 inch and the larger diameter D 2  of the aperture is about 1.4 inch. In the depicted embodiment the smaller diameter D 1  is within about 5-15 percent the diameter D 2  of the guide member  28 . In the depicted embodiment the aperture  38  includes a pair of opposed notches in the D 1  direction which engage portions of the guide member  28 . In the depicted embodiment the width W 1  of the first end  35  is between 5 to 7 inches, the length L 2  from the first end to the second end is between 5 to 7 inches, and the thickness T 1  of the connecting member is between about ⅛-¼ inch. However, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments of the connecting member  14  can be of many other geometric configuration and sizes. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the body of the connecting member comprises a flexible construction. More particularly, a portion of the connecting member  14  in the depicted embodiment comprises a rubber construction. It should be appreciated that the connecting member can have many other alternative geometries and can be made of many different types of materials. For example, the overall shape of alternative embodiments of the connecting member can be circular, elliptical, rectangular, cylindrical, or irregular, and portions of the connecting member can be constructed of a combination of polymeric material, wood material, and/or metal. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  7   a , and  7   b , the guide member  28  is described herein in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment the guide member  28  includes a first end  40  which is domed shaped and a second end  42  that is hollow and configured to receive a portion of the shaft  26 . The guide member  28  of the depicted embodiment is detachable from the shaft  26  portion of the handle  12  via a fastener  44  ( FIG. 4 ) that traverses through the guide member  28  and a portion of the shaft  26  that is received within the guide member  28 . The guide member  28  includes a retaining arrangement  46  configured to engage the connecting member  14 . In the depicted embodiment the retaining arrangement  46  includes beads that hold the connecting member  14  at a location on the guide member  28  while allowing the guide member  28  and the connecting member  14  to move relative to each other. For example, in the depicted embodiment the guide member  28  can rotate about the axis of the handle  12  relative to the connecting member  14 . 
     In the depicted embodiment, the guide member  28  includes protrusions that are configured to be received in the notches of the aperture  38  of the connecting member  14 . The guide member  28  includes an overall length of L 5 , which is between about 3-5 inches. The guide member  28  includes protrusions on a first side of the guide member  28  at a distance L 3 , between about 3.5-4.0 inches, from the first end  40  of the guide member  28  for engaging the connecting member  14 . The guide member  28  includes protrusions on a second side of the guide member  28  at a distance L 4 , between about 3.0-3.5 inches, from the first end  40  of the guide member  28  for engaging the connecting member  14 . However, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments of the guide member  28  can be of many other geometric configuration and sizes. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the protrusions on the guide member  28  cooperate to support the connecting member  14 . In the depicted embodiment the connecting member and the protrusion are connected without fasteners. It should be appreciated that the guide member  28  in alternative embodiments can be connected to the connecting member  14  in a different manner. For example, the guide member could be formed together with the connecting member as a single piece. In another alternative embodiment the guide member and the handle are formed of a single piece and the connecting member is fastened to the piece. 
     Referring to back to  FIGS. 5   a - 5   c , schematic views of the device are shown. Generally,  FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  illustrate that the handle  12  can be moved in a number of ways without causing any portion of the applicator to lift off the surface.  FIG. 5   a  illustrates that the handle can be pivoted back and forth with the first end  40  of the guide member  28  on the surface while the applicator  34  maintains contact with the surface. In the depicted embodiment the applicator  34  can remain generally in the same position while the handle is pivoted back and forth.  FIG. 5   b  illustrates that the handle can be pivoted from side to side with the first end  40  of the guide member  28  on the surface while the applicator  34  maintains contact with the surface. In the depicted embodiment the applicator  34  can remain generally in the same position while the handle is pivoted from side to side.  FIG. 5   c  illustrates that the handle can be moved in any direction with the first end  40  of the guide member  28  on the surface, while the applicator  34  maintains contact with the surface, so long as the angle of the handle  12  to the surface is greater than α degrees. In the depicted embodiment the applicator  34  can remain generally in the same position while the handle is pivoted such that the angle α between the handle  12  and the floor remains greater than about 40 degrees.  FIG. 5   c  also illustrates that the handle  12  can be rotated about its axis while the applicator  34  maintains contact with the surface. 
       FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  further illustrate that in the depicted embodiment the downward forced applied to the handle  12  is generally not transferred to the applicator  34 . The downward force applied by the operator onto the handle  12  is transferred to the surface via the first end  40  of the guide member  28 . Lateral forces (i.e., pulling and pushing forces) are generally transferred from the handle  12  to the applicator  34 . This functionality enables the operator to control the applicator  34  yet maintain a relatively constant contact force between the applicator  34  and the surface. It also prevents the applicator  34  from undesirably losing contact with the surface as a result of erratic movements of the handle  12 . 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.