Abstract:
A generally T-shaped paint shield formed of a flexible plastic such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). The paint shield includes straight edges of varying and variable lengths to allow it to be used for shielding a variety of surfaces. The paint shield includes left hand and right hand inside corner shields, and left hand and right hand outside corner shields. Preferably, the paint shield includes radiused corners for the left and right hand outside corner shields for accommodating the slight radius typically found on sheet rock, plaster, etc., wall constructions. Because of the inherent flexibility in the paint shield, it can be bent to conform to various wall configurations.

Description:
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional application Serial No. 60/311,681, filed Aug. 10, 2001, the entirety of the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a paint shield used in residential and commercial painting applications, and finds particular use with the application of paint by spraying. 
     When painting, it is obviously desirable that services which should not receive paint, do not receive paint. For that reason, paint shields have been developed over the years. One form of conventional paint shield includes a metal straight edge to which a handle, which runs generally parallel to the straight edge, is attached. This device is generally rigid, and does not allow for significant flexure for conforming with corners and other angular surface details during painting. Another type of conventional paint shield includes an elongated straight edge portion, having an elongated handle extending generally transversely with respect to the straight edge. However, this design also generally does not offer the flexibility needed for certain surface features. 
     Another problem with the prior art designs are that they do not offer a large enough shield to provide meaningful protection when paint is applied to a surface by spraying. Overspray from the sprayer must be blocked from application to surfaces which are not to be painted. Since the amount of overspray, and actual overspray area, vary depending on the situation, a significant amount of shielding is required in order to deliver an acceptable paint job. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for a paint shield which is versatile, flexible, durable, and which provides suitable shielding from paint over spray. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide paint shield which can be used in a variety of painting applications. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a paint shield for use in spray painting applications. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a paint shield which readily conforms to corners, angles, and other features of surfaces being painted. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a paint shield which can be used to accommodate a variety of surface profiles, without requiring to be flipped over. 
     On the other hand, another object of the present invention is to provide, a paint shield which may be flipped over and continued to be used, if desired. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a paint shield which is lightweight and flexible, and yet sufficiently rigid for paint shielding purposes. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for using a paint shield. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a paint shield which is durable and reusable. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a paint shield which has a plurality of straight edge shields of variable lengths and inside and outside corner shields. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a paint shield which minimizes marring of freshly painted surfaces. 
     Generally, the present invention includes a e paint shield formed of a flexible plastic, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), and which is formed generally in the shape of a T. The shield includes straight edges of varying and of variable lengths to allow the shield to be used for shielding a variety of straight surfaces. The shield also includes left and right hand inside corner shields, and left and right hand outside corner shields. Preferably, the shield includes radiused corners for the left and right hand outside corner shields for accommodating the slight radius typically found on sheet rock, plaster, etc., wall constructions. 
     The paint shield of the present invention is lightweight and relatively simple to manufacture. It is also durable and relatively easy to use, even for less experienced painters. Because of the flexibility inherent in the paint shield, it can be bent in order to conform to corners, particularly in situations where a small space is involved, such as in a closet, where a wall segment is shorter than the overall length of the desired straight edge. 
     The paint shield preferably includes a major portion, which has the longest straight edge, and a secondary portion which, together with the major portion, provides numerous hand-hold positions for holding by the painter during use. The secondary portion also provides the shields for left and right hand outside corners to facilitate painting of outside corners. Preferably, the juncture of the secondary portion and the major portion of the shield are radiused in order to improve durability and longevity of the shield by reducing the likelihood of cracks forming and propagating at such juncture. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing, as well as other objects of the present invention, will be further apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, when taken together with the accompanying specification and the drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paint shield constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a paint shield constructed in accordance with the present invention, in use on a vertical wall surface; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a paint shield constructed in accordance with the present invention, in use with an outside corner of a wall surface; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a paint shield constructed in accordance with the present invention, bent to conform to a small space and a inside corner thereof; and 
     FIG. 5 is another perspective view of a paint shield constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The accompanying drawings and the description which follows set forth this invention in its preferred embodiment. However, it is contemplated that persons generally familiar with painting and paint shields will be able to apply the novel characteristics of the structures illustrated and described herein in other contexts by modification of certain details. Accordingly, the drawings and description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of this invention, but are to be understood as broad and general teachings. 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference characters represent like elements or features throughout the various views, the paint shield of the present invention is indicated generally in the figures by reference character  10 . 
     Turning to FIG. 1, paint shield  10  of the present invention is shown. Preferably, paint shield  10  is of a generally T shape and includes a major portion, generally  12 , to which a secondary portion, generally  14 , is integrally attached. In a preferred embodiment, paint shield  10  is formed from a sheet of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and is made of a thickness which generally provides sufficient rigidity for use as a paint shield, while maintaining the flexibility to allow the shield to be bent drastically (at least about ninety degrees) along the length of major portion  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of shield  10  is approximately {fraction (3/32)} nd  to ⅛ th  inches. It is to be understood, however, that the shield  10  of the present invention is not limited to HDPE, and could be constructed of a variety of other materials. 
     Shield  10  is flexible, and is bendable to allow it to conform to a corner, such as corner  18  shown in FIG. 4, during painting. This feature of shield  10  finds particular use in small areas, such as closets, alcoves, etc., where a corner  18 ′ prevents shield  10  from laying flat. A slight radius  19  (FIG. 5) is provided at the juncture of major portion  12  and secondary portion  14  to improve durability of the shield, and to reduce crack formation and propagation at such juncture and to closely accommodate the slight radius generally found on wall and other surface coverings. 
     Turning to FIG. 2, shield  10  is shown being used by the painter, generally P, and painting a vertical wall, generally W, surface, at the juncture, or corner,  20  of wall W with wall W′. The paint spray, generally S, emitted from gun, generally G, is directed against wall W, but blocked by major portion  12  of shield  10  from deposit on wall W′. In this instance, shield  10  is being held in a corner, generally  20 . 
     Because of the length of major portion  12 , which is  36  inches in one preferred embodiment, the painter is able to paint several feet of wall W at a time before being required to reposition shield  10 . It should also be noted from FIG. 2 the location at which the painter is grasping shield  10 . Specifically, the painter is grasping left-hand outside corner shield  28 , while in FIG. 4, the painter is grasping an outside edge  30  of shield  10 . It should be noted in the FIG. 4 illustration that shield  10  could be forced further downwardly into corner  18  by the painter using his or her hand or foot in order to conform shield  10  even more closely to corner  18 . This having been done, paint may be applied nearly up to corner  18 . 
     After paint has been applied to baseboard trim  32  as close as possible to corner  18  in the FIG. 4 illustration, the shield  10  could then be removed, and repositioned such that end  30  of shield  10  abuts trim piece  32  and such that straight edge  34  of major portion  12  abuts trim piece  36 . This would allow the painter to complete the painting of the wall and baseboard trim of corner  1 B. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates shield  10  being used for painting an outside corner  40  of a wall. In this illustration, the painter would likely grasp major portion  12 , perhaps along straight edge  34 , and force right-hand outside corner shield  42  against corner  40 . The other corner  44  illustrated in FIG. 3 could then be painted simply by rotating paint shield  10  generally ninety degrees such that corner  44  is received within outside corner shield  42 . 
     Because of the design of the paint shield  10  of the present invention, and its lightweight and flexible nature, it can be grasped in numerous positions and resiliently deformed in order to meet a number of shielding needs. 
     Paint shield  10  is relatively large. As noted above, edge  34  is, in one preferred embodiment, approximately thirty-six inches (36″) long. Edges  30  and  48  are approximately ten inches (10″), and the sides  50 ,  52  and end  54  of secondary portion  14  are also approximately ten inches (10″), with secondary portion  14  preferably being centered along major portion  12 , as shown in FIG.  5 . However, because of the flexibility of shield  10 , the effective length of the sides is variable in that one or more of the ends of an edge can be bent up (or down) to shorten, and thus reduce, the effective length of the sides as necessary. 
     Because of the sheer size of paint shield  10 , it provides sufficient surface area for use in spray painting operations where there will tend to be more splatter and over spray, and thus more risk of paint being found on surfaces or objects which should not receive paint, as compared to application of paint with a brush. It is to be understood, however, that paint shield  10  could also be used in applications where paint is being applied by brush. However, it paint shield  10  is to be used solely as a shield for painting by brush, the size of the shield may be varied, and perhaps made smaller, if desired. It is also to be understood that the dimensions of paint shield  10  set forth herein are for example purpose only, and paint shield  10  could be made in variety of other configurations. For example, although not shown, paint shield  10  could be made in a generally L-shape, instead of the T-shape version as shown in the drawings. Furthermore, although not shown, paint shield  10  could be formed as simply a straight member. For example, secondary portion  14  could be removed altogether from major portion  12 , thereby leaving only major portion  12  as a paint shield. 
     In addition to outside corner shields  28 ,  42 , shield  10  includes six inside corner shields  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 ,  39  and  41  which allow for shield  10  to be positioned in a number of orientations as needed for painting inside corners. 
     An advantage of paint shield  10  is that it is easily washable, and if, for example, latex paint is being used, can be readily washed with water and then immediately put back in service. Paint shield  10  is also versatile in that it can be used for painting walls, floors, cabinets, trim, and in numerous other painting applications. 
     Because of the lightweight and low profile nature of paint shield  10 , the painter can easily flip shield  10  one way or the other to provide the proper shielding needed by the painter. If the painter is painting a corner, as discussed above with regard to FIG. 3, and then needed to paint another corner, shield  10  could simply be slid and/or rotated to the next corner without being flipped over. This is important since the shield  10  may have paint on the upper surface, and this allows shield  10  to continue to be used without having to first clean shield  10  in order to accommodate the next corner. 
     In operation, paint shield  10  would be used to paint a surface by using one or more of the edges  30 ,  34 ,  48 ,  49 ,  50 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54  which would be placed against the surface and paint then applied by brushing or preferably by spraying upon that portion of the surface adjacent the edge or edges. If an inside corner, such as shown in FIG. 4, is to be painted, one of the inside corner shields  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 ,  39 ,  41  would be inserted into the corner and paint applied. If there was insufficient wall space to lay shield  10  flat in order to paint such inside corner, due, for example, to corner  18 ′ in FIG. 4, then shield  10  could be depressed firmly along a mid-portion into the corner such that paint may be applied as close to the corner as possible. Then, shield  10  would be removed and rotated such that an edge could then be inserted into the corner, and painting of the corner completed. 
     If an outside corner is to be painted, such as shown in FIG. 3, one of the outside corner shields would simply be placed against such corner and paint then applied. 
     Paint shield  10  finds particular application in repainting, or recoating, applications, such as when apartments are repainted between tenants. In such a situation, shield  10  can first be used for applying a paint to the trim surfaces, such as a gloss or semi-gloss paint, wherein the floor surface would be shielded from paint. Then, in painting the wall surfaces above the trim, shield  10  would be used to shield the trim from the wall paint, which could be flat, or have different gloss characteristics than the trim, and/or which could be of a different color than the trim. 
     Another feature of shield  10  is that because of its flexible, planar shape, it is easy to transport and store. It can be rolled up or it can be bent in order to fit into a storage position for transport, as necessary. Because of the material preferably used for constructing shield  10 , namely HDPE, shield  10  is non-marring and non-scarring, which reduces the likelihood of damage to surfaces during painting. Further, because of the thin profile of shield  10 , it can also easily be slid under doors, or into other crevices, as necessary, for shielding during painting. Additionally, the smooth, generally slick surface of shield  10  allows the shield to easily slide along a floor or wall during painting, with minimal frictional resistance. 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides a paint shield which is lightweight and relatively simply to manufacture, and which is durable and easy to use. 
     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitution of equivalent features or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.