Abstract:
A paint edger and a method of applying a surface coating to one or both of two intersecting surfaces without applying paint to the corresponding surface are disclosed. The applicator pads may be separated so that each may be used simultaneously and independently of the other to apply a different color paint at the same time to each of two intersecting surfaces. One or more applicator pads coact with a separator guide blade to enable applying different surface coatings to intersecting surfaces.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to paint applicators used for applying paint at intersecting surfaces such as internal corners, or any other circumstance where two surfaces intersect.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     In the painting operation, the most difficult and time consuming task is the process of edging, namely the process of applying paint to one of two intersecting surfaces without applying paint to the corresponding surface. This can occur when either one of the intersecting surfaces is painted or both of the intersecting surfaces are painted.  
         [0005]     There are many devices which attempt to provide a means for placing paint on one surface without having any of the paint contact the intersecting surface. However, none of the prior art devices have been successful in providing an apparatus which can apply paint to two intersecting surfaces simultaneously while maintaining the separation of the paints on the separate intersecting surfaces.  
         [0006]     Numerous references describe paint edgers. However, none of these references teach or suggest the specific novel paint edger of the invention.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,905 to Hess discloses a paint trimming apparatus having a mounting plate having a front edge, a handle, a planar guide having a guide edge, and a guide support coupled to the mounting plate. The guide support pivotably couples the guide to the guide support to position the guide edge to overlie the front edge and position the guide between the loading position and the paint trimming position.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,972 to Polzin et al. discloses a corner painting tool including a one-piece paint pad hinged longitudinally so that the contour of the pad may be changed from concave to flat to convex, enabling the paint pad to paint exterior corners, flat surfaces and interior corners. An inverted U-shaped handle is mounted to the opposing side edges of the paint pad. The user presses the handpieces to flex the one-piece pad to cause it to conform to the surface being painted.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,662 to Newman, Sr. et al. discloses a corner paint pad assembly having two pads. However, there is no provision for separating the pads so that each can be used simultaneously and independently of the other to apply two different color paints at the same time to two different surfaces.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,369 to O&#39;Neil et al. discloses a corner painting tool having a pad whose contour may be changed by hand pressure on the applicator during painting.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,745 to Burns et al. discloses a paint trimming device having a single paint pad and an edger in the form of a plate extending along the front edge of the base of the device, the edger having downwardly projecting runner means which enable paint carried by the paint pad to be placed up to but not beyond a certain point.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,203 to LaBelle discloses a paint edger comprising a holder with a quick-remove pad.  
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,595 to Blake discloses a dispensing paint trimmer including a pair of guides positioned at right angles and a dispensing gun using a cartridge for painting one of two intersecting walls.  
         [0014]     However, among the foregoing patents, none disclose or suggest the specific edge painter of the invention. The present application sets forth an apparatus comprising a frame having movable plates mounted to the frame which plates normally repose at right angles to each other and which are separated by a separator guide blade. Each of the plates mounts a separate applicator pad for paint which applicator pad can be swung away from the frame to enable application of paint to one surface without fear of contaminating the surface of the other pad, which can have the same or a different color of paint applied to it. The separator guide blade maintains the separation of the applicator pads but allows close proximity. The guide blade is resiliently self-positioning to locate the intersection of the adjacent intersecting surfaces to maintain the proper positioning of the applicator pads as they are drawn along the intersecting surfaces.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a durable edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which is simple to use.  
         [0016]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which is easy to use.  
         [0017]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which can edge two opposing surfaces using two different color paint.  
         [0018]     Another object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which can paint two opposing surfaces simultaneously using different colors.  
         [0019]     Yet another object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which contain one of two surfaces at the discretion of the operator.  
         [0020]     A further object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which has paint applicator pads which are easy to change.  
         [0021]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which apparatus is easy to clean.  
         [0022]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which prevents running, dripping, or smearing of one color to the other color being applied.  
         [0023]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which has a separator guide spring that prevents contamination of one surface to the intersecting surface.  
         [0024]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which has a spring guide that insures proper alignment of the applicator pads to the paint path.  
         [0025]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which allows for separate application of paint to separate applicator pads.  
         [0026]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which has movable pads that allow for spacing of pads during loading of paint to prevent contamination or mixing of colors.  
         [0027]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which has movable pads that allow application of paint removed from the painting position of the apparatus which handle is positioned to allow application of paint and loading of pads without contacting the user&#39;s hands.  
         [0028]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which allows for application of paint to the applicator pads using a single hand.  
         [0029]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an edging apparatus for applying paints to intersecting surfaces which provides for mounting applicator pads so as the pads are easily replaceable without the applicator surface contacting the tool.  
         [0030]     These, and various other and further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0031]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view taken from the top rear of the paint edger of the present invention in closed position.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view taken from the top front of the paint edger of the present invention in open position.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the applicator pads of the paint edger of the present invention in the closed position.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the applicator pads of the present invention in the open position.  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view showing the applicator pads in the open position.  
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view showing the applicator pads in the closed position.  
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the frame.  
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view showing the separator guide blade of the present invention.  
         [0039]      FIG. 9  is a partial view broken away showing the underside of the handle of the present invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 10  is a rear view of a first embodiment of an extension pole mount for the paint edger of the present invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the extension pole mount of  FIG. 10  with the extension pole coupling in position and assembled.  
         [0042]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the extension pole coupling of  FIG. 11 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 13  is a rear view of a second embodiment of an extension pole mount for the paint edger of the present invention.  
         [0044]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the extension pole swivel coupling shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0045]     As shown in  FIGS. 1-14 , the edging apparatus generally indicated at  100  has a handle  110  with two posts  114  and  116  extending upward and a grip  118  to be grasped by the user. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the bottom of the handle  110  is formed into a bottom flange  120  having a bottom surface  122 . There are recesses  124  and  126  in the bottom surface  122  of the handle  112  which are used to receive the top of the spring housing  156 , as described in detail below. Passages  128  and  120  in the bottom flange  120  are used for fasteners which connect the handle  110  to the frame  140 .  
         [0046]     The frame  140  has a head  150 , shoulders  170 , and a spine  200 . In discussing the frame it should be understood that the frame is divided into two halves which are mirror images of each other. The following discussion of one of the frame halves is applicable to that half as well as its mirror image. Similar reference numerals correspond to similar parts in the mirror image portion of the frame. The frame shoulder  170  includes posts  146  front and rear for coaction with posts  292  on applicator plate  290 . Passages  148  in posts  146  and passages  294  in posts  292  cooperate with pivot pins  180 . Pivot pins  180  have a shaft  184  connected to a head  188  and a cotter pin passage  192  at the other end of the shaft  184  to hold the pivot pin  180  in coactive disposition with the posts  146  of the frame  140  and posts  292  of the plate  290  to allow pivoting of the applicator plates  290  about the frame post  146 . A torsion spring  310  wrapped around the pivot pin  180  has an element  314  which contacts the frame  140  and an element  318  which contacts the applicator plate  290  to urge the plate  290  to a closed position against the frame  140 .  
         [0047]     The frame has a head  150  which has passages  151  for spring units  152  that will be used to contact the separator guide blade  240  and urge it to the outward position. The spring units  152  have a housing  156  for a helical compression spring  160  which urges a plunger  146  downward into the passage  151  to contact the recess  244  in the blade head  242  as will be further described below.  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the frame  140  has a spine  200  extending down from the shoulder  170 . The bottom of the spine  200  has a contact surface  202  for the plate  290  and the spine has a front  220  and a rear  230 . The front  220  of the spine  200  has a contact surface  222  for contacting the inner portion  291  of the applicator plate  290  and has a recess  224  for the mounting curl  274  of the applicator pad  270 . The front and the rear of the spine  200  can also be considered as the front and rear of the frame. The two halves of the frame  140  are joined together by fasteners that pass through passages  210  which fasteners hold the two halves of the spine together. The spine  200  has a guide slot  206  located at the very bottom of the spine for the contact end  254  of the separator guide blade  240 .  
         [0049]     The separator guide blade  240  comprises a blade head  242  having recesses  244  to coact with the end of plunger  164  to position the blade  240  with respect to movement perpendicular to the depth of the guide slot  206  and hold the blade  240  in position relative to the front and back of the apparatus. The blade head  242  has a lip  248  which extends perpendicular to the flat surface  252  of the blade body  250 . The lip is large enough so as to capture the blade within the enlarged slot  208  in the frame  140  which allows travel of the lip  248  and head  242  which is much larger than the guide slot  206  and thereby captures the blade  240 . The blade  240  is resiliently urged downward by pressures of the plungers on the blade head  242 . When the contact end  254  of the blade  240  is pressed against the line of intersection, it will compress the plungers  164 , and allow the applicator pads  270  to move down on the intersecting surfaces until almost contacting each other, being separated only by the width of the separator guide blade  240 . The blade  240  will prevent any spillage or crossover from one surface to the other as it moves down the line of intersection of the surfaces. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the body  250  of the blade  240  has a front  256  and a rear  258 , which extend slightly beyond the front  220  and rear  230  of the frame  140  of the edging apparatus.  
         [0050]     The applicator pads  270  are comprised of a backing member  272  which has mounting curls  274  on its ends, and has an applicator nap  278  on the backing which is used for loading the paint and applying the paint to surfaces. The mounting curls of the applicator pads coact with the ends of applicator plate  290  and slide easily on the edges of the plate  290  and can be removed by grasping the mounting curls  274  and sliding them off the plate  290  without having to come in contact with the applicator nap  278 . The applicator pads are easily replaceable and have a standard design.  
         [0051]     The applicator plate  290  has L shaped fingers  300  which are intended to be grasped by the thumb and the forefinger of the person using the paint edger as he grasps the grip  118  of the handle  110 . By squeezing the fingers  300  of the applicator plates  290  together against the bias of the torsion spring  310 , via the action of the contact section  318  of the torsion spring against the plate, the plates will be drawn into a parallel position with each other rather than the 90 degree position. This will space the plates from the separator guide blade  240  to allow the pads to be dipped into the applicable paint reservoirs for loading the applicator pads without the danger of contaminating the other pad or any other part of the apparatus. Optionally, a clip can be provided (not shown) which would hold the fingers  300  of the applicator plates  290  together to maintain the pads  270  in the parallel position while the device is not in use. The front  220  and rear  230  of the frame  140  have recesses  224  in the front and  234  in the rear which will accommodate the mounting curls  278  of the applicator pads  270 , while allowing the applicator pads  270  to contact the contact surface  222  of the front  220  of the frame and the contact surface  232  of the rear  230  of the frame to ensure that the applicator pads are in the proper 90 degree position for painting at dissecting surfaces.  
         [0052]     The paint edger of the present invention can be used with extension poles to reach inaccessible locations.  FIGS. 10-12  show a first embodiment for an extension pole mount for the paint edger. The handle  110  of the edger  100  is removed and replaced with an extension pole mount, generally indicated at  350 , having a bottom surface  352  that abuts the top of the spine  200  and has mounting holes  356  and  358  for being secured to the spine  200 . The extension pole mount  350  has a top surface  354  in which is formed a threaded bore or socket receptacle  360  having internal threads  362  to receive a coupling, indicated generally at  370 , for the extension pole, the bottom of which is shown at  376 . The coupling  370  has a threaded plug  378  which engages the internal threads  362  of the threaded bores  360  in the extension pole mount  350 , and has a socket  372  with walls  382  in which are formed an internal threaded bore  374 . The bottom of extension pole  376  is threaded into the internal threads  374  of the socket  372  and the socket plug  378  is threaded into the threaded bore or socket receptacle  360 .  
         [0053]     Therefore, much like with standard rollers, the paint edger can be moved along the intersection of wall and ceiling or other areas that are not normally accessible without a ladder.  
         [0054]      FIGS. 13 and 14  show a second embodiment of the extension pole mount. In this case, the device has a swivel arrangement to allow for more flexibility in the use of the paint edger in inaccessible places.  
         [0055]     As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the swivel extension pole coupling, generally indicated at  390 , has a socket  392  with internally threaded walls  394  and a bottom surface  400  intended to receive in threaded engagement an extension pole, the bottom of which is shown at  396 . The socket has a bottom  400 . A base  404  extending from the bottom of socket  400  is pivotally connected to pivot arms  406 , 408  of the base of the socket  404 . Pivot arms  406 , 408  pivot about pivot pin  410 .  
         [0056]     The coupling  390  could be formed as a fixed unit connected to the extension pole mount  350  rather than in a separate piece threadably engaged as shown here. As seen in  FIG. 13 , the socket  392  is free to pivot in an arc from the side of the extension pole mount  350  where the mounting hole  358  is located to the side where the other mounting hole  356  is located.  
         [0057]     It is possible that a universal coupling could be substituted for the swivel coupling  390  to give even greater degrees of freedom of movement.  
         [0058]     It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the invention is not intended to be strictly limited to the named ingredients, temperatures, or other parameters. Rather, the invention as claimed extends to many possible variations not specifically detailed. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the invention as described herein.