Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device for supporting paint utensils used during painting, and more particularly relates to a utensil holder that may be secured to a paint tray for supporting a paint roller, paintbrush, paint wheel or the like when not in use. In addition, the present invention efficiently holds the handle of paint utensil in a convenient orientation for quick access.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a device for supporting paint utensils used during painting, and more particularly relates to a utensil holder that is releasably secured to a paint tray for supporting a paint roller, paintbrush, paint wheel or the like when not in use.  
           [0002]    During the painting process, the need often arises to alternate utensils, such as, paint rollers or paintbrushes in order to appropriately paint a specified area. Considering that these tools will be alternated a number of times throughout the painting process, a convenient resting location for the utensil that is not in use is very desirable. While a utensil holder may provide a resting location, preferably, the holder is either permanently secured to a paint tray or can be easily releasably secured to the paint tray. It is desirable for the utensil holder to be positioned as to allow excess paint from the utensil not in use, to drain into the paint reservoir of the paint tray. In addition, the location for the utensil holder must allow access to the paint reservoir for the utensil that is in use. Furthermore, it is also desirable for the utensil holder to position the resting utensil in a convenient orientation to minimize wasted time and motion while alternating utensils.  
           [0003]    Several inventions have been disclosed in U.S. Patents that have attempted to address the problems associated with holding paint utensils, however, they do not provide solutions that incorporate many of the desirable features. For instance U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,353 to Shannon, et al., entitled, “Paint Brush and Paint Roller Holder”, discloses a paint brush holder that is cumbersomely bolted to the end wall of a paint tray. While the holder can support a paintbrush, if it is of a length longer than the spaced apart support members, the handle of the paint brush can only rest in one possible orientation (parallel to the end wall of the paint tray). A paint roller placed in the support members will only allow the handle to be positioned outside of the paint tray in an awkward position. Consequently, any paint that may accumulate on the paint roller handle will not be contained or drain within the paint tray.  
           [0004]    Another invention in U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,169 to Drucker, entitled, “Paint Tray with Paint Brush Holder”, discloses a paint tray that has protrusions or cut outs within the side and end walls which allows a paintbrush to be positioned at an angle supported by the tray walls. While this type of support will hold a paintbrush, the support does not allow excess paint to drain into the paint tray. In addition, a paint roller supported in this manner will have the handle oriented outside the paint tray, with any excess paint draining outside the paint tray.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paint tray assembly comprising a conventional rectangular paint tray and a paint utensil holder. The paint tray, generally, has two opposing side walls, a front wall, an upright end wall and a base in which a portion of the base inclines from the end wall to the front wall. Adjacent to the upright end wall the rectangular portion of the tray defines a paint reservoir. The paint utensil holder has an elongated platform with first and second legs connected to first and second ends of the elongated platform and the lower ends of the legs are adapted to be secured to the edges of a paint tray. Located at an intermediate section between the two ends of the elongated platform there is a handle support member. When the attached legs of the elongated platform are secured to the paint tray edges, the elongated platform is suspended above the paint reservoir.  
           [0006]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a paint tray assembly having a conventional paint tray and a paint utensil holder. The paint utensil holder includes an elongated platform formed as an open framework with attached legs at each end of the elongated platform. When positioned above the paint reservoir of a paint tray, the open framework of the elongated platform allows the excess paint from a paint roller positioned on the platform to drain into the paint reservoir.  
           [0007]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a paint tray assembly having a conventional paint tray and a paint utensil holder. The paint utensil holder includes an elongated platform formed as an open framework with attached legs at each end of the elongated platform. The elongated platform has an arced shaped that is capable of receiving the roller head of a paint roller.  
           [0008]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a paint tray assembly having a conventional paint tray and a paint utensil holder. The utensil holder is formed of plastic.  
           [0009]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a paint tray assembly having a conventional paint tray and a paint utensil holder. The utensil holder is formed of metal.  
           [0010]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a paint tray assembly having a conventional paint tray and a paint utensil holder. The utensil holder is formed of metal.  
           [0011]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a paint tray assembly comprising a conventional rectangular paint tray and a paint utensil holder. The paint utensil holder has an elongated platform with first and second legs connected to first and second ends of the elongated platform and the lower ends of the legs are adapted to be secured to the edges of a paint tray. Located at an intermediate section between the two ends of the elongated platform there is a handle support member. The elongated platform, the platform legs and the handle support member are integrally formed.  
           [0012]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paint utensil holder having an elongated platform with first and second legs connected to first and second ends of the elongated platform and the lower ends of the legs are adapted to be secured to the edges of a conventional paint tray. Located at an intermediate section between the two ends of the elongated platform there is a handle support member. When the attached legs of the elongated platform are secured to the paint tray edges, the elongated platform is suspended above the paint reservoir of the paint tray.  
           [0013]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paint utensil holder that includes an elongated platform formed as an open framework with attached legs at each end of the elongated platform. When the paint utensil holder is positioned above the paint reservoir of a paint tray, the open framework of the elongated platform allows the excess paint from a paint roller positioned on the platform to drain into the paint reservoir.  
           [0014]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paint utensil holder that includes an elongated platform formed as an open framework with attached legs at each end of the elongated platform. The elongated platform has an arced shaped that is capable of receiving the roller head of a paint roller.  
           [0015]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paint utensil holder that is formed of plastic.  
           [0016]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paint utensil holder that is formed of metal.  
           [0017]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paint utensil holder. The paint utensil holder has an elongated platform with first and second legs connected to first and second ends of the elongated platform and the lower ends of the legs are adapted to be secured to the edges of a paint tray. Located at an intermediate section between the two ends of the elongated platform there is a handle support member. The elongated platform, the platform legs and the handle support member are integrally formed. 
       
    
    
     BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention in FIG. 1 with a paint roller shown in phantom.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2A is a partial section view in the direction of arrows A-A with the paint roller shown in phantom.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 illustrates generally, a paint tray assembly  10  having a utensil holder  11  and a paint tray  12 . Paint tray  12  is of a conventional type, having a front wall  13 , an upright end wall  14 , two opposing side walls  16  and  18  and a paint reservoir  20  adjacent to end wall  14 . Paint reservoir  20  has a base that extends from the upright end wall  14  to the front wall  13 . A portion of the base of the paint reservoir  20  inclines as it extends to the front wall. Along the top of the walls of paint tray  12 , there is a tray edge  22 .  
         [0025]    The paint utensil holder  11 , includes an elongated platform  24 , that is generally positioned between the two side walls  16  and  18  of paint tray  12 . The elongated platform  24  has a first platform end  26 , a second platform end  28  and an intermediate section  30 , located between the first and second platform ends. Connected to the intermediate section  30  is a utensil handle support member  32 . Preferably, a portion of the utensil handle support member is arced, which adequately and conveniently holds the handle of a paint utensil, such as a paint brush or paint roller. The elongated platform  24  also has a first leg  34  connected to the first platform end  26  and a second leg  36  connected to the second platform end  28 . The lower ends of the first and second legs  34  and  36  are adapted to engage paint tray edge  22 .  
         [0026]    As can be seen in FIG. 1, when the first and second legs  34  and  36  are positioned on tray edge  22 , the elongated platform  24  is suspended above paint reservoir  20 . The elongated platform  24  has an open framework structure. The open framework structure allows excess paint from a paint utensil, such as, a paint roller, paint brush, paint wheel or sponge to drain into the paint reservoir  20 , when the utensil is positioned on the elongated platform  24  of paint utensil holder  11 . Also shown in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes is a paint roller  38  having a roller head  40  and a roller handle  42 .  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 depicts a side view of paint tray assembly  10 . This drawing includes paint roller  38 , shown in phantom, positioned on paint utensil holder  11 . As can be seen from the view, the second platform end  28  indicates an arced profile for elongated platform  24 . The arced shape of elongated platform  24  is used to stabilize roller head  40  of paint roller  38 , when positioned on paint utensil holder  11 . When paint roller  38  is properly positioned on paint utensil holder  11 , roller handle  42  will rest on utensil handle support member  32 . The general orientation of roller handle  42  is at an upward angle towards the direction of front wall  13 , providing convenient access by the painter.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2A shows a cross sectional view of the paint tray assembly  10  in the direction of arrows A-A. The drawing depicts the lower ends of the first and second legs,  34  and  36 , engaging the paint tray edge  22 . The legs are releasably secured by interlock around the flanged design of tray edge  22 . As shown, the legs of the utensil holder  11 , suspend the elongated platform  24  above tray edge  22 . The raised elongated platform  24  allows easy access to paint reservoir  20  with the paint roller or other utensils. In a preferred embodiment, the paint utensil holder  11  is formed of a molded plastic. Several suitable plastics include polystyrene, nylons, and polyolefins with a preferred plastic being nylon. In a preferred embodiment, the molded plastic paint utensil holder includes an elongated platform, legs and utensil handle support member all formed of integral construction. This can be accomplished using standard injection molding techniques or by plastics thermoforming.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment, in which the paint utensil holder  100  is integrally molded. The elongated platform  102  is of an open framework allowing excess paint from a resting utensil to drain into a paint reservoir when the paint utensil holder is positioned on a paint tray. Elongated platform  102  has first and second platform ends  104  and  106  and an intermediate section  108  located between the ends. A utensil handle support member  110  is integrally connected to the intermediate section  108 . A first leg  112  and a second leg  114  are integrally molded to the first and second platform ends  104  and  106 . Utensil handle support member  110  is also of an open framework.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment, in which the paint utensil holder  200  is formed from a wire framework. Suitable materials for the framework include plastic coated wire or hardware cloth, as well as, perforated metal sheeting. The paint utensil holder  200  has an elongated platform  202 . Elongated platform  202  has first and second platform ends  204  and  206  and an intermediate section  208  located between the ends. A utensil handle support member  210  is integrally connected to the intermediate section  208 . A first leg  212 , a second leg  214  and a third leg  216  are integrally connected to the first platform end  204 . A fourth leg  218 , a fifth leg  220  and a sixth leg  222  are integrally connected to the second platform end  206 . Utensil handle support member  210  is also of an open framework preferably formed from the same material as the elongated platform  202 . As can be appreciated, the number of legs extending from the elongated platform can vary as needed, based on the number of wires used in the platform. All of the legs for utensil holder  200  have a lower portion that is adapted to engage the tray edge of a paint tray and support the elongated platform  202  above a paint reservoir.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 illustrates still another embodiment, in which the paint utensil holder  300  is integrally molded. The paint utensil holder  300  has an elongated platform  302 . Elongated platform  302  has a first end section  304 , a second end section  306  and an intermediate section  308  located between the first and second end sections. A utensil handle support member  310  is integrally connected to the intermediate section  308 . Connected to the edge of elongated platform  302 , opposing the utensil handle support member  310  are first, second and third legs  312 ,  314 , and  316 . The first end section  304  and the second end section  306  have ends that are adapted to rest on the tray edges of the side walls of a paint tray. The distance between the first end section  304  and the second end section  306  is roughly about the width of the paint tray. The first, second and third legs  312 ,  314  and  316  have a lower portion that is adapted to engage the flanged tray edge of an upright end wall of a paint tray.  
         [0032]    The foregoing is a description of several practical embodiments of the present invention. Numerous changes and variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.