Abstract:
Device for protectively covering a first portion of a first surface when a second portion of a second surface adjoining the first surface is painted. The device includes a generally elongated rectangular plate. One side of the plate defines a working surface against which paint is collected during painting the second portion. The device also includes: a plate holder attached to a proximal end portion of the plate; a fixture securely attached to the plate holder and including a female threaded portion; and a flexible member having a male threaded tip to engage with the female threaded portion, an elongated middle portion formed of flexible material, and a bottom portion to be coupled to a handle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of a pending U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/585,710, filed Oct. 23, 2006, entitled “Paint Shield Having Flexible Member”. The pending application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to paint accessories, and more particularly to a paint shield positioned against a flat surface or corner to keep paint from being smeared thereon. 
         [0003]    Currently, wall and ceiling painting is now accomplished by spray painting and/or roller painting. Typically, a ceiling is painted with a paint or texturing which is different from that of the walls. Additionally, some walls are also painted a different color from a wall adjacent thereto. As such, a ceiling and walls are not painted contemporaneously. Therefore, protecting the first-painted wall or ceiling as the second-painted ceiling or wall surface is painted, respectively, is desired. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,762 to Long et al. discloses a spray paint shield for manually protectively covering a portion of a wall or ceiling when the adjoining ceiling or wall portion, respectively, is being spray painted.  FIG. 1A  shows a schematic top view of the spray paint shield disclose in the Long et al. &#39;762 patent. As depicted, the shield  10  includes an elongated flexible sheet  12 , a U-shaped member  14  secured to the sheet  12  by rivets  16 , a hand grip  18 , and a fastening mechanism for pivotally coupling the hand grip  18  to the flexible sheet  12 .  FIG. 1B  shows a schematic side view of the spray paint shield  10  in use. During spray painting, a user holds the hand grip  18  in one hand to position the distal end of the sheet  12  along the corner C while the spray gun is held in other hand. Manipulation of both the spray gun and shield can detract from the effective use thereof and cause fatigue upon extended use thereof. Especially, when the user must devote one hand to maintaining or steadying his foothold, as by holding onto a ladder, and has only one hand available for applying paint, the shield  10  can be significantly cumbersome. 
         [0005]      FIG. 2  shows a typical use of a conventional paint roller assembly  20  in painting a wall in a different color than the ceiling. In general, the paint roller assembly  20  has a roller  24  and a hand grip  22 . To prevent paint splatter and/or inadvertent smear of paint on the ceiling surface, a user can apply the paint up to a certain distance D 1 , say about 3 inches, from the corner C. Then, the unpainted portion of the wall is painted by use of a brush later. Brush painting is time consuming and cumbersome since the painter may need to carry a ladder and move up and down the ladder. As such, the painter can save time and effort if the distance D 1  is reduce. In some cases, a paint tape or masking tape  21  may be applied on the ceiling to prevent paint splatter and/or inadvertent smear. The paint tape may allow the painter to reduce the distance D 1 . However, applying the tape around the corner also requires considerable amount of time and effort. As such, there is a need for a device that functions as a paint spray shield providing enhanced flexibility in use thereof and reduces the area to be brush painted. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one embodiment, a device for protectively covering a first portion of a first surface when a second portion of a second surface adjoining the first surface is painted includes: a plate having a generally elongated rectangular shape and a distal edge, one side of the plate defining a working surface against which paint is collected during painting the second portion; a plate holder securely attached to a proximal end portion of the plate and operative to hold the plate; a fixture securely attached to the plate holder and including a female threaded portion; and a flexible member having a male threaded tip to engage with the female threaded portion, an elongated middle portion formed of flexible material and operative to generate a resilient force upon bending, and a bottom portion to be coupled to an end of an elongated handle. When a user bends the middle portion and positions the distal end against one of the first and second surfaces and positions the other end of the handle coupled to the bottom portion against a third surface, the device is held in place by itself due to the resilient force. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a device for protectively covering a first portion of a first surface when a second portion of a second surface adjoining the first surface is painted includes: a plate having a generally elongated rectangular shape and a distal edge, one side of the plate defining a working surface against which paint is collected during painting the second portion; a plate holder securely attached to a proximal end portion of the plate and operative to hold the plate; a fixture securely attached to the plate holder and including a female threaded portion; and a flexible member having a male threaded tip to engage with the female threaded portion and an elongated middle portion formed of flexible material and operative to generate a resilient force upon bending. The device is held in place by itself due to the resilient force when a user bends the middle portion and positions the distal end against one of the first and second surfaces and positions an end of the middle portion opposite the tip against a third surface. 
         [0008]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  shows a schematic top view of an existing spray paint shield; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  shows a schematic side view of the spray paint shield shown in  FIG. 1A  in use; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a typical use of a conventional paint roller assembly in painting a wall; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic top view of a paint shield apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic bottom view of the paint shield assembly shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic perspective view of the fixture shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic transverse cross sectional view of the paint shield assembly shown in  FIG. 4 , taken along the line  6 - 6 ; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 7A ,  7 B show schematic perspective and side views of a spring clip shown in  FIG. 6 , respectively; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a fixture in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic front view of the fixture shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  shows a schematic transverse cross sectional view of another embodiment of a paint shield assembly, taken along the line  10 - 10  ( FIG. 9 ), in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 11A-11   c  show schematic diagrams of several embodiments of a flexible member in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 12A ,  12 B show schematic perspective and top views of the adapter shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12C  shows how to use the adapter shown in  FIGS. 12A-12B  with a conventional handle; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 13A-14B  illustrate how to use the paint shield apparatus shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 15A  shows a partial front view of a wall surrounding a window and the paint shield apparatus shown in  FIG. 3  used in painting the wall; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 15B  shows a schematic cross sectional view of the wall and window shown in  FIG. 15A , taken along the line  15 - 15 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16A  is a schematic top view of still another embodiment of a paint shield assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16B  is a schematic top view of yet another embodiment of a paint shield assembly in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 16C  is a schematic top view of a further embodiment of a paint shield assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  shows a schematic exploded view of another embodiment of a paint shield assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  shows a schematic cross sectional view of the paint shield assembly shown in  FIG. 17 , taken along the line  18 - 18 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  shows a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a flexible member in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0032]      FIGS. 20A-20C  show schematic diagrams of several embodiments of a flexible member in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a schematic top view of a paint shield apparatus shown at  30  and having a paint shield assembly  32  and an elongated handle  44  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a schematic bottom view of the paint shield assembly  32  shown in  FIG. 3 . The shield assembly  32  includes: a plate  34  having a distal edge  33 ; a plate holder or reinforcement  36  secured to the plate by fasteners  37 , such as rivets; a fixture  46  secured to the plate holder  36  by fasteners  38 ; a flexible member  40 ; a spring clip  56  for detachably securing the flexible member to the fixture; and an adapter  42  for connecting the flexible member  40  to the handle  44 . 
         [0035]    The plate  34  is formed of, but not limited to, plastic or metal and secured to the plate holder  36 . The material for the plate  34  is selected such that the plate is not deformed due to bending force applied thereto in use. The plate  34  generally has an elongated rectangular shape with a width of, preferably but is not limited to, 4-6 feet. The plate holder  36  is formed of, but not limited to, plastic or aluminum and operative to support the plate. As a variation, the plate  34  may be bonded to the plate holder  36  by suitable bonding material, such as epoxy. The distal edge  33  can be place into a corner between the ceiling and wall or between window frame and wall, for instance, so that a portion of one surface can be protected while the adjoining surface is painted. Further detailed description of how to use the apparatus  30  is given in conjunction with  FIGS. 13A-15B . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic perspective view of the fixture  46  shown in  FIG. 4 . As depicted, the fixture includes: an opening or slot  50  for receiving the flexible member  40 , more specifically the tip portion of the flexible member; one or more through holes  52  through which the fasteners  38  pass; and one ore more threaded holes  54 . The fixture  46  is made of, but not limited to, aluminum. Preferably, the fixture  46  may be manufactured by a conventional die casting technique. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic cross sectional view of the paint shield assembly  32 , taken along the line  6 - 6  ( FIG. 3 ). As depicted, the plate holder  36  has a groove or channel for receiving the proximal edge portion  57  of the plate  34 . A tip  48  of the flexible member  40  detachably engages in the slot  50  formed in the fixture  46 . A spring clip  56  is used to hold the tip  48  in place when the tip is engaged in the slot  50 . The spring clip  56  forms a quickly detachable connection mechanism such that the flexible member  40  can be released from the slot  50  by simply pulling them apart. The tip  48  has a generally flat rectangular shape, while the middle portion  49  can have any suitable cross sectional geometry. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 7A ,  7 B show schematic perspective and side views of the spring clip  56 , respectively. As depicted, the spring clip  56  includes a bottom panel  58  having one or more holes  62  and a curved spring portion  60 . The spring clip  56  is secured to the fixture  46  by one or more fasteners that pass through the holes  62  and engage with the threaded holes  54  formed in the fixture  46 . The spring portion  60 , when pressed down by the tip  48 , generates a resilient force such that the tip  48  is pushed against the inner surface of the slot  50  thereby preventing accidental disengagement of the tip  48  from the slot  50 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic perspective view of another embodiment  70  of a fixture in accordance with the present invention. The fixture  70  is similar to the fixture  46  with exceptions that the bottom side of the opening or slot  77  is open and that a through hole  72  is formed therein. The fixture  70  is formed of, but not limited to, aluminum. Preferably, the fixture  46  may be manufactured by a conventional die casting technique. A tip  79  of a flexible member  76  has a through hole  78  that is aligned with the hole  72  when the tip  79  engages with the fixture  70 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic front view of the fixture  70  secured to a plate holder  82  by fasteners  73  that pass through the holes  74 . The plate holder  82  is similar to the holder  36  with an exception that the plate holder  82  has a through hole  83  aligned with the hole  72 . Holes  75  are used to secure the plate holder  82  to a plate.  FIG. 10  shows a schematic transverse cross sectional side view of another embodiment of a paint shield assembly  86 , taken along the line  10 - 10  ( FIG. 9 ), in accordance with the present invention. The assembly  86  includes the plate holder  82 , the fixture  70 , a plate  88  secured to the plate holder and fixture, and the flexible member  76 . It is noted that the plate  88  is similar to the plate  34  with an exception that the plate  88  has a through hole or aperture  91 . As depicted, a threaded fastener  90  pass through the holes  83 ,  72 ,  78 , and  91  such that the plate  88 , plate holder  82 , fixture  70 , and flexible member  76  are secured to each other and moved as one piece. 
         [0041]    It is noted that the number of the holes  52 ,  54 ,  62 ,  72 ,  74 ,  75 ,  78 ,  83 , and  91  can be varied without deviating from the sprit and scope of the present teachings. For instance, the fixture  70  can have more than two holes  74  for securing the fixture  70  to the plate holder  82 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 11A-11C  show schematic diagrams of several embodiments  92   a - 92   c  of a flexible member in accordance with the present invention, wherein the embodiments  92  might be of the types used in the paint shield assemblies  32 ,  86 . As depicted, each flexible member has a tip  94 , an elongated middle portion  96 , and a bottom portion  98 . The tip  94  is configured to fit into slots  50 ,  77  formed in the fixtures. It should be apparent to those of ordinary skill that slots can have other shapes, such as circular cylinder, and the tip can be shaped to form a counterpart to the slot. The middle portion  96  is formed of flexible material and have various cross sectional shapes. For example, middle portions  96   a  and  96   b  respectively have rectangular and circular cross sections. The middle portion  96   c  is formed of a spring. The cross sectional dimension and material for the middle portion  96  are selected to allow the user to bend the middle portion thereby to make the apparatus have an intended posture while to provide a sufficient resilient force to make the apparatus maintain the posture by itself when in use as described with reference to  FIGS. 13A-15B . The bottom portion  98  has one or more holes  100  for receiving suitable fasteners. The flexible member may be formed of various materials, such as aluminum, composite material, fiber glass, and steel. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 12A ,  12 B show schematic perspective and top views of the adapter  42  ( FIG. 3 ) in accordance with the present invention. As depicted, the adapter  42  includes an upper portion  102  for engaging with the bottom portion  98  of the flexible member  92  and a lower portion  106  for engaging with the handle  44  ( FIG. 3 ). To paint a top portion of a high wall, the bottom side of the hand grip  22  ( FIG. 2 ) has standard-size threads formed on the inner surface thereof, wherein the female threads engage with male threads formed on the tip portion of a conventional elongated handle or bar. The lower portion  106  has the same standard-size threads  107  formed on the inner surface thereof such that the conventional elongated handle can be coupled to the lower portion  106  and used as the handle  44 .  FIG. 12C  shows how to use the adapter  42  with another conventional type of handle  103 . The handle  103  may include a generally cylindrical tip portion  101  and a clip  105  having a protrusion  109 . The tip portion  101  may have a diameter smaller than that of the female thread  107  such that the tip portion  101  can snugly fit into the lower portion. Then, the protrusion  109  engages with the hole  108  to securely connect the handle  103  to the adapter  42 . The upper portion  102  has one or more holes  104  that are aligned with the holes  100  formed in the bottom portion  98  of the flexible member  92 . Suitable fasteners, such as screws or bolts, pass through the holes  100 ,  104  thereby secure the adapter  42  to the bottom portion  98 . The adapter  42  may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 13A-15B  show how to use the paint shield apparatus  30  shown in  FIG. 3 . As depicted in  FIG. 13A , when a user spray paints the ceiling, the flexible member  40  of the paint shield  30  is arched to be convex downward. The distal edge  33  of the plate  34  is tightly placed into the corner C so that the top portion of the wall is protected while spray painting the ceiling. The bottom of the handle  44  is positioned on the floor. As the resilient force of the flexible member  40  holds the paint shield apparatus  30  in place, the user can leave the paint shield unattended during spray painting, which allows the user to use both hands for other work than holding the handle  44 . This provides a great advantage compared to the conventional paint spray shield that requires one hand for holding the shield during spray painting. Furthermore, the plate  34  is positioned close to the wall to provide more space between the plate and the ceiling for the user compared to the conventional paint spray shield ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0045]    The apparatus  30  can also be used in conjunction with a conventional paint roller assembly, as depicted in  FIG. 13B . To prevent paint splatter and/or inadvertent smear of paint on the ceiling surface, the flexible portion  40  of the paint shield  30  is arched to be convex upward. The plate  34  is positioned close to the ceiling surface such that the roller can reach closer to the corner C. The width D 2  of the unpainted portion can be reduced, e.g., down to ½ inch, which is significantly smaller than that generated by the existing approach. As discussed above, painting the unpainted portion with a brush is time consuming and cumbersome. Thus, the painter can save time and effort to paint walls by use of the apparatus  30 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 14A-14B  show how to use the paint shield apparatus  30  in painting a ceiling and a wall, wherein a crown molding is positioned in the corner C. As depicted in  FIG. 14A , the apparatus  30  is used to protect the crown molding and wall while spray painting the ceiling surface. Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 14B , the crown molding and the ceiling are protected by the apparatus  30  during painting the wall with a roller. For the same reasons set forth above, the distance D 3  is reduced to allow the painter to complete the painting of the wall with less effort. 
         [0047]    Apparently, the apparatus  30  can be used to paint other types of two adjoining surfaces, such as a wall and under eaves, in the similar manner as illustrated in  FIGS. 13A-14B . The paint shield  30  can also be used to protect a window during painting a wall surrounding the window.  FIG. 15A  shows a partial front view of a wall surrounding a window and the apparatus  30  used in painting the wall.  FIG. 15B  shows a schematic cross sectional side view of the wall and window shown in  FIG. 15A , taken along the line  15 - 15 . As depicted in  FIG. 15A , the plate  34  of the paint shield  30  is position normal to the wall so that the window is protected while spray/roller painting the shaded area of the wall. 
         [0048]    It is noted that  FIGS. 13A-15B  illustrate how to use the paint shield apparatus  30 . However, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill that the paint shield apparatus  86  can be also used in the same manner as described in  FIGS. 13A-15B . Also, the embodiment  92   a - 92   c  of a flexible member and the embodiments of the handle  44 ,  103  can be used for both the assemblies  32  and  86 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 16A  is a schematic top view of still another embodiment of a paint shield assembly  110  in accordance with the present invention. The paint shield assembly  110  includes a plate  112 , a flexible member  114 , and an adapter  116 . The assembly  110  is similar to the assembly  32  shown in  FIG. 4  with an exception that the flexible member  114  is directly connected to the plate  112  by a suitable fastener(s)  113 , i.e., the plate holder  36  and fixture  46  are not used in the assembly  110 .  FIG. 16B  is a schematic top view of yet another embodiment of a paint shield assembly  118  in accordance with the present invention. The assembly  118  includes a plate  120 , a plate holder  122  secured to the plate, a flexible member  124 , and an adapter  126 . The assembly  118  is similar to the assembly  32  shown in  FIG. 4  with an exception that the flexible member  124  is directly connected to the plate holder  122  by a suitable fastener(s)  128 , i.e., the fixture  46  is not used in the assembly  118 . 
         [0050]    In  FIGS. 16A-16B , the embodiments of a paint shield assembly include an adapter for coupling with a handle  44 . Alternatively, the middle portion  96  ( FIG. 12 ) of the flexible members  92  can be extended replacing the bottom portion of the flexible member, adapter, and the handle. For instance, as depicted in  FIG. 16C , an alternative embodiment of the assembly  130  may include a plate  132  secured to the tip portion of the flexible member  138  by a suitable fastener(s)  134 , wherein the middle portion  136  of the flexible member  138  is extended to reach the floor when in use. 
         [0051]      FIG. 17  shows a schematic exploded view of another embodiment  150  of a paint shield assembly in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 18  shows a schematic cross sectional view of the paint shield assembly  150  shown in  FIG. 17 , taken along the line  18 - 18 . As depicted, the paint shield assembly  150  includes: a plate  154 ; a plate holder or reinforcement  156  secured to the plate by fasteners  158 , such as rivets; a fixture  160  secured to the plate holder  156  by fasteners  159 ; a flexible member  163 ; and an adapter  168  for connecting the flexible member  163  to a handle  44  ( FIG. 3 ). The fasteners  159  may pass through the fixture  160 , holder  156 , and the plate  154 . 
         [0052]    The plate  154  and plate holder  156  are respectively similar to the plate  34  and holder  36  ( FIG. 3 ) in terms of material and dimension. Also, the plate  154  is secured to the plate holder  156  in the similar manner as the plate  34  is secured to the holder  36 . The fixture  160  is formed of, but not limited to, plastic or metal and has female threads  176  formed on the inner surface thereof. 
         [0053]    The flexible member  163  includes a middle portion  164  and a tip  162 . The male threaded tip  162  has a shape of generally a cylinder and male threads that are formed on the outer surface of the cylinder and dimensioned to engage with the female threads  176  of the fixture  160 . The male threaded tip  162  engages with the female threaded portion of the fixture  160  so that the flexible member  163  is detachably secured to the fixture  160 . The middle portion  164  is similar to the middle portion  96   b  ( FIG. 11B ) in terms of structure, material, and operational mechanism, i.e., the cross sectional dimension and material for the middle portion  164  are selected to allow the user to bend the middle portion thereby to make the apparatus have an intended posture while to provide a sufficient resilient force to make the apparatus maintain the posture by itself when in use as described with reference to  FIGS. 13A-15B . The flexible member  163  has a bottom portion (not shown in  FIG. 17 ) that is similar to the bottom portions  98   a - 98   c  in  FIGS. 11A-11C  and is connected to the adapter  168 . The material and shape of the adapter  168  are similar to those of the adapter  42  ( FIG. 12A ). 
         [0054]      FIG. 19  shows a schematic perspective view of another embodiment  172  of a flexible member in accordance with the present invention. As depicted, the bottom portion of the flexible member  172  is detachably secured to the adapter  168  and the tip portion  170  of the flexible member  172  is shaped to engage with the female threads  176  of the fixture  160 . It is noted that the middle portion  172  of the flexible member  172  is formed of spring. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 20A-20C  show schematic diagrams of several embodiments  180   a - 180   c  of a flexible member in accordance with the present invention, wherein the flexible members  180   a - 180   c  are of the type to be used with the fixture  70  in  FIG. 8 . The flexible members  180   a - 180   c  are similar to the flexible members  92   a - 92   c , with the difference that the tips have slots  182   a - 182   c  in place of holes. The slots  182   a - 182   c  allow the tip to slide along the slot  77  while the fastener  90  is not entirely disengaged from the hole  83 , thereby facilitating the loading (unloading) of the flexible members  180   a - 180   c  into the fixture  70 . 
         [0056]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.