Abstract:
An adaptable paint application system has a handle member structured to have a mortise opening for accepting a tenon member of a replaceable paint applicator mounting element. The replaceable paint applicator mounting element has a paint applicator mounting block bonded to the tenon member. Bristles may be adhered to the paint applicator mounting block. The tenon member may have a first and a second concave hemispherical indentation for receiving first and second mating convex hemispherical protuberances. Alternately, the tenon member includes a stud connector that is forcibly inserted in a socket connector on mortice opening of the handle member. The handle member has a threaded opening for receiving a threaded end of an extension handle. The paint applicator mounting block may have a threaded opening for receiving a threaded end of a frame of a paint roller or pad.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/278,059, filed on Jan. 13, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to a paint application device and more particularly to an adaptable paint application system having a handle that receives replaceable paint application elements containing a brush bristle packet, a paint roller or other paint applicators. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Painting ceilings or difficult heights can only be done with the use of a ladder. For the professional and do-it-yourself painter, working with ladders is always considered a potentially hazardous activity. Even painting base molding at floor level requires one to be on their hands and knees thus causing fatigue and joint strain. Another irritation for the user when working with multiple colors is the need for multiple brushes. 
         [0004]    One problem with paint brushes used for painting of large surface areas is that paint will accumulate within the bristles of the brush, particularly in the area near the ferrule that clamps the bristles together and joins them with the paint brush handle. The collected paint in the bristles near the ferrule is practically impossible to clean and some residual paint is generally left in the bristles at the junction with the ferrule and bristles. The dried paint builds up over time with repeated use of the paint brush causing the bristles of the brush to spread. The spreading reduces the life of the paint brush, also requiring multiple brushes. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    An object of this disclosure is to provide an adaptable paint application system with a mortice and tenon structure for joining and locking a paint applicator and a handle of the adaptable paint application system together. 
         [0006]    Another object of this disclosure is to provide a method of assembly of an adaptable paint application system with a mortice and tenon structure for joining and locking a paint applicator and a handle of the adaptable paint application system together. 
         [0007]    To accomplish at least one of these objects, an adaptable paint application system has a handle member structured to have a mortise opening for accepting a tenon member of a replaceable paint applicator mounting element. The adaptable paint application system includes at least one replaceable paint applicator mounting element, wherein in various embodiments, the paint applicator mounting element has a paint applicator mounting block that is coupled to the tenon member. 
         [0008]    One embodiment of a replaceable paint applicator has a plurality of bristles adhered to the paint applicator mounting block. In some embodiments where the bristles are formed of a synthetic material produced of organic polymers such as polyethylene, polyvinyl-chloride (PVC), nylon, or any other polymeric fibrous compound. The bristles are then adhesively attached to the paint applicator mounting block either by solvent welding, hot air plastic welding, or ultrasonic spot welding or applying adhesives (epoxy or cyanoacrylate). In various embodiments, the paint applicator mounting block is configured for placing the tip ends of the bristles at an angle of approximately 35°. The approximately 35° angle permits a user of the adaptable paint application system better control at a ceiling line by improving the sight lines for aiding in producing a straight line. 
         [0009]    In various embodiments, the tenon member has a first concave hemispherical indentation placed centrally on a front surface and a second concave hemispherical indentation placed on a back surface of the tenon member. The first and second concave indentations are configured receiving a first and second mating convex hemispherical protuberances that are formed with the mortice opening. The first and second mating convex hemispherical protuberances are placed on a first longer side wall and a second longer side wall of the mortice opening to mate with the first and second concave indentations. 
         [0010]    In other embodiments, the tenon member includes a stud connector located at a bottom side of the tenon member that is forcibly placed in a socket connector constructed as part of the mortice opening of the handle member. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the handle member has a threaded opening placed at an end of the handle member opposite the mortice opening. The threaded opening is configured for receiving a threaded end of an extension handle. The extension handle allows the user to reach a ceiling for painting trim and other features of the ceiling of a room. 
         [0012]    In various embodiments, the paint applicator mounting block has a threaded opening on its top surface for receiving a threaded end of a frame of a paint roller or pad. The frame is configured for accepting a paint roller or a painting pad for application of paint to a surface of a room. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1 a    is a diagram of a front view of an adaptable paint application system embodying the principals of this disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1 b    is a diagram of a side view of an adaptable paint application system embodying the principals of this disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1 c    is a diagram of an isometric view of an adaptable paint application system embodying the principals of this disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1 d    is a diagram of an isometric view of a paint applicator mounting block of the adaptable paint application system of  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , and 1 c    embodying the principals of this disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b    are respectively a front view and side view of a paint applicator mounting block embodying the principals of this disclosure accepting a paint roller. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a drawing of a person using the adaptable paint application system embodying the principals of this disclosure for painting an elevated region of a room. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    are diagrams of a second embodiment of the adaptable paint application system embodying the principals of this disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    are diagrams of a third embodiment of the adaptable paint application system embodying the principals of this disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart for a method of fabrication for the adaptable paint application system embodying the principals of this disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense. 
         [0023]    As is known in the art, paint brushes are constructed of a wooden or plastic handle, a set of bristles, and a ferrule that holds the bristles together and to the handles. The bristles may be animal hair or synthetic fibers such as nylon or polyester. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , and 1 c    are diagrams, respectively, of a front view, a side view, and an isometric view of an adaptable paint application system  5  embodying the principals of this disclosure. The adaptable paint application system  5  has a handle  10  that may be injection molded or three-dimensionally (3D) printed using appropriate synthetic materials. The handle  10  has a mortice opening  20  at the top surface that is structured for accepting a tenon member  30  of a paint applicator mounting block  15 . The paint applicator mounting block  15  may be similarly injection molded or 3D printed using appropriate synthetic materials. The mortice opening  20  is constructed to be such that the tenon member  30  is locked into place such that the paint applicator mounting block  15  is not movable during use. 
         [0025]    The handle  10  of the adaptable paint application system  5  has a threaded opening  25  at an opposing end from the mortice opening  20 . The threaded opening  25  is configured for accepting an extension handle (discussed hereinafter) with a mating threaded end on the extension handle. 
         [0026]    In various embodiments, the paint applicator mounting block  15  has a bristle tip adapter block  35  that is bonded with the tenon member  30 . A plurality of bristles  45  are assembled into a grouping and fused to the bristle tip adapter block  35  to form a joint  40  with the plurality of bristles. The joint  40  is formed with a solvent weld or an adhesive. Instances where the bristles are synthetic fibers such as nylon on polyester, the solvent weld  40  is preferable for a more durable joint. For natural animal hair fibers, an adhesive is used for forming the joint  40  between the plurality of bristles and the bristle tip adapter block  35   
         [0027]      FIG. 1 d    is a diagram of an isometric view of a paint applicator mounting block  15  of the adaptable paint application system of  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , and 1 c    without the plurality of bristles  45 . This implementation of the paint applicator mounting block  15  has the top surface  37  of the bristle tip adapter block  35  set at approximately a 15°. The angle as set allows the user more control at the ceiling line and improves the sight aiding in producing straight lines. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b    are respectively a front view and side view of a paint applicator mounting block  100  accepting a paint roller  115 . The paint applicator mounting block  100  has a tenon member  105  that is essentially identical to the tenon member  30  of  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , and 1 d   . An appliance attachment block  110  is bonded to the tenon member  105  similarly to that of the tenon member  30  as described above. An opening  112  is formed in the appliance attachment block  110  to receive a frame extension member  120  of the paint roller  115 . The frame extension member  120  is secured to the appliance attachment block  110  by threading the opening  112  to receive a threaded end of the frame extension member  120 . Alternately, the frame extension member  120  may be secured to the appliance attachment block with an adhesive. The frame extension member  120  is connected to a roller frame  125  as is known in the art. A roller sleeve  130  is slid over the roller frame  125  for applying paint to a surface. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a drawing of a person  200  using the adaptable paint application system  5  for painting an elevated region of a room  210 . The adaptable paint application system  5  has an extension handle  205  threaded into the threaded opening  25  of the handle  10  of the adaptable paint application system  5 . This allows the person  200  to accurately trim the edges of the walls of the room  210  at their upper edges where they join the ceiling or beyond the reach of the person  200 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    are diagrams of a second embodiment of the adaptable paint application system  300 . The handle  310  is identical to the handle  10  of  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , and 1 c    with the exception that the mortice opening  320  includes depressable domed extensions  322  ( 322   a  and  322   b  in  FIG. 4 b   ) on the opposing walls of the mortice opening  320 . The paint applicator mounting block  315  is identical to that of the paint applicator mounting block  15  of  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , and 1 c    with the exception that the tenon member  330  has hemispherical indentations  332  ( 332   a  and  332   b  in  FIG. 4 b   ) that mate with the depressable domed extensions  322   a  and  322   b  when the tenon member  330  is placed in the mortice opening  320 . When the depressable domed extensions  322   a  and  322   b  link with the hemispherical indentations  332   a  and  332   b,  the depressable domed extensions  322   a  and  322   b  expand to lock the tenon member  330  in place. The paint applicator mounting block  315  is prevented from moving to permit accurate control of the paint applicator (bristles  45  of  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , and 1 c    or the paint roller  115  of  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   ). 
         [0031]      FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    are diagrams of a third embodiment of the adaptable paint application system  400 . The handle  410  is identical to the handle  10  of  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b   , and  1   c  with the exception that the mortice opening  420  includes socket connector  422  at the bottom of the mortice opening  420 . The paint applicator mounting block  415  is identical to that of the paint applicator mounting block  15  of  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , and 1 c    with the exception that the tenon member  430  has a stud connector  432  that mates with the socket connector  422  when the tenon member  430  is placed in the mortice opening  420 . When the stud connector  432  links with the socket connector  422 , the stud connector  432  passes over the latching mechanism of the socket connector  422  to lock the tenon member  430  in place. The paint applicator mounting block  415  is prevented from moving to permit accurate control of the paint applicator (bristles  45  of  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b   , and  1   c  or the paint roller  115  of  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   ). 
         [0032]    In a preferred implementation of the third embodiment of the adaptable paint application system  400 , the socket connector  422  and the stud connector  432  are snap-fit fasteners. Snap-fit fasteners have a protruding part  433  of the stud connector  432 , e.g., a hook, stud or bead that is deflected briefly during the joining operation and catches in an undercut depression  423  in the mating socket connector  422 . After the joining operation, the snap-fit features return to a stress-free condition. The joint of the stud connector  432  with the socket connector  422  is separable based on the shape of the undercut  423 . The force required to separate the socket connector  422  and the stud connector  432  varies greatly according to the design. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart for a method of fabrication for an adaptable paint application system. Refer now to  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , 1 c   , and  6 . The method fabrication begins with separately forming (Box  500 ) a handle  10  of the adaptable paint application system and forming (Box  520 ) a paint applicator mounting block  15 . The handle  10  may be injection molded or three-dimensionally (3D) printed with appropriate synthetic materials. A mortice opening  20  is formed (Box  505 ) at the top surface of handle  10  and configured for accepting a tenon member  30  of a paint applicator mounting block  15 . A mortice locking device ( 322  of  FIG. 4 a    or  422  of  FIG. 5 a   ) is formed (Box  510 ) within the mortice opening  20  for securing the tenon member  30  when it is placed within the mortice opening  20  such that the paint applicator mounting block  15  is not movable during use. A threaded opening  25  is formed (Box  515 ) in the handle  10  at an opposing end from the mortice opening  20 . The threaded opening  25  is configured for accepting an extension handle  205  of  FIG. 3  with a mating threaded end on the extension handle. 
         [0034]    The forming (Box  520 ) of the paint applicator mounting block  15  may be similarly injection molding or 3D printed using appropriate synthetic materials. A tenon locking device ( 332  of  FIG. 4 a    or  432  of  FIG. 5 a   ) is formed (Box  525 ) on the tenon for locking the paint applicator mounting block  15  to the handle to secure the paint applicator mounting block  15  to handle  10  to prevent movement. 
         [0035]    Once the handle  10  and the paint applicator mounting block  15  with its paint applicator ( 45  in  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , and 1 c   , and  115  in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   ) are fabricated they will ultimately be joined (Box  535 ) for use. 
         [0036]    While this disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As an example, the paint applicator may be a foam pad adhered to a substrate that in turn is connected to the paint applicator mounting block  15 . Any such paint applicator will embody the principals of this disclosure.