Abstract:
The disclosure defines a portable tool management, storage and organizational system for painting and wallpapering which provides an apparatus and organization system for organizing painting and wallpapering tools and supplies. The disclosure further provides a combined painter&#39;s table (whose exterior covers provide work surfaces that are both configurable and adjustable) and carrying case that is collapsible and portable. The disclosure features a unique combination of features such as paint and water reservoirs with built-in drainage systems, and a wallpaper roll dispenser integrated into a collapsible and portable table surface that also features receptacles integrated into the table surface for holding painter&#39;s and wallpaperer&#39;s tools. The disclosure has both industrial and residential applications and is suitable for use by professional, semi-professional and non-professional painters and wallpaperers.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority to copending provisional application Ser. No. 60/661,324 filed Mar. 14, 2005. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the field of painting and wallpapering. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The tasks of painting and wallpapering involve the use of a plurality of painting and wallpapering tools and supplies, including without limitation, paint and paint reservoirs, water and water reservoirs, wallpaper, rags, paint brushes, caulk, screwdrivers, pencils, hammers, wood putty, spackle, nails, paint stirrers, sanding pads, seam rollers, utility knives, scrapers, razor blades, masking tape, drop cloths, painter&#39;s edge, tape measures, wallpaper cutter blades and cutter straight edge, and other miscellaneous tools and supplies. In an attempt to quickly locate tools and supplies needed for a given task, the individuals who perform these tasks (e.g., professional, semi-professional and non-professional painters and wallpaper hangers) typically use a plurality of tool management devices such as tool boxes, tool belts, paint roller pans, and other devices known to those skilled in the art of painting and wallpapering. 
   However, despite the existence and widespread use of such tool management devices, much time and effort is wasted by painters and wallpaper hangers when tracking the whereabouts of such tools and supplies, especially if such painters and wallpaper hangers employ a multitude of discrete tool management devices. Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus that provides an efficient storage and organizational system, allowing painters and wallpaper hangers to consolidate and more easily organize, store, manage, access and transport their painting and wallpapering tools and supplies. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The above problems can be overcome, and advancement made in the art, by providing an apparatus and an easier method for consolidating and locating all the tools and supplies necessary for performing painting and wallpapering tasks without misplacing or searching for such tools and supplies. By consolidating such tools and supplies, an efficient storage and organization system is provided and greater efficiency can be realized by painters and wallpaper hangers through the use of such system. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  through  FIG. 19  detail a portable tool management, storage and organizational system for painting and wallpapering from various perspectives, in various positions and configurations, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention can be better understood with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 13 .  FIG. 1  is a view illustrating a portable tool management, storage and organizational system for painting and wallpapering in an unfolded position in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. But it should also be understood that the scope of this invention also applies to other embodiments. The components of the portable tool management, storage and organizational system for painting and wallpapering may be manufactured of any suitable material such as molded plastic resin, wood, metal, etc as will occur to those skilled in the art. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a portable tool management, storage and organizational system for painting and wallpapering is shown in an open, upright position with retractable leg pairs  10  and  12  in their fully extended position. Leg pairs  10  and  12  may be manufactured of any suitable material such as molded plastic resin, wood, metal, etc as will occur to those skilled in the art. Leg pair  10  is hingedly connected in a manner known to one skilled in the art by any suitable hinge mechanism such as a pin (not shown) to a first main body unit  14  (also known as first main body member, as discussed in the claims below). Leg pair  12  is hingedly connected in a manner known to one skilled in the art by any suitable hinge mechanism such as a pin (not shown) to a second main body unit  16  (also known as second main body member, as discussed in the claims below). First main body unit  14  and a second main body unit  16  are pivotally connected together by a hinge  18 , such that the connected first and second main body units form a continuous table top with various receptacles for holding tools, supplies and a cleaning system tray (tray shown in  FIG. 10   a ), as more fully disclosed in the details of  FIG. 12  below when the painter&#39;s table is in the first, open position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Two cover-channel furrows  20 , which are preferably in registry with one another for reasons to be pointed out below, are defined by raised walls of the two main body units  14  and  16 , inwardly face each other and form a continuous cover-channel extending the entire length of the painter&#39;s table when the two main body units  14  and  16  are unfolded so that their hinged sides butt up against one another, end-to-end, and form a continuous table top. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the unfolded portable tool management, storage and organizational system for painting and wallpapering is portrayed from a visual perspective 180 degrees out of phase from the perspective of  FIG. 1 , revealing two carrying case handles  22 , mounted to the two main body units  14  and  16 .  FIG. 2  also features one of two covers  24  slidably and removably inserted into the cover-channel furrows  20  of main body unit  14 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the unfolded portable tool management, storage and organizational system for painting and wallpapering is portrayed from a visual perspective 90 degrees out of phase from the perspective of  FIG. 1 , revealing four ball casters  26 , mounted to the two main body units  14  and  16  on the sides of the two main body unit pieces  14  and  16  that are opposite of the sides where the two handles are mounted.  FIG. 2  features one cover  24  inserted into each of the cover-channel furrows  20  of main body units  14  and  16 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , the unfolded portable tool management, storage and organizational system for painting and wallpapering is portrayed from a visual perspective 180 degrees out of phase from the perspective of  FIG. 1 , revealing two covers  24  slidably and removably inserted into the cover-channel furrows  20  of main body units  14  and  16 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , said covers can be slidably positioned to create an extendable work surface, to allow access to the receptacles where paint reservoirs  28  and various supplies and tools may be stored and accessed. Configurations of covers  24  include any configuration of one or more of the covers  24  attainable by sliding the covers  24  anywhere along the cover-channel furrows  20  in any combination of cover positions, including without limitation a dual-deck work surface configuration where the covers cover the reservoirs  28 , and  30  and extend out on either side of the main body units  14  and  16  (not shown). Although the  FIG. 4  shows the paint reservoir  28  in its molded dual paint reservoir configuration, the invention includes two other versions (not shown), a version with a single paint reservoir and multi-compartmental reservoir version where the compartments are created by inserting dividers into the single reservoir version in a manner known to one skilled in the art of divided tray design and manufacture. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the unfolded portable tool management, storage and organizational system for painting and wallpapering is portrayed from a visual perspective 90 degrees out of phase from the perspective of  FIG. 1 , revealing two covers  24  slidably and removably inserted into the cover-channel furrows  20  of main body units  14  and  16 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , said covers can be slidably positioned to create an extendable work surface, to allow access to the receptacles where water reservoir  30 , wallpaper dispenser  32 , aluminum straight cutting edge  34  and blade groove  36  may be accessed. Details of water reservoir  30 , wallpaper dispenser  32 , aluminum straight cutting edge  34  and blade groove  36  are portrayed in  FIG. 12  and discussed below. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , the unfolded portable tool management, storage and organizational system for painting and wallpapering is portrayed from a visual perspective 90 degrees out of phase from the perspective of  FIG. 1 , revealing four ball casters  26 , mounted to the two main body units  14  and  16  on the sides of the two main body unit pieces  14  and  16  that are opposite of the sides where the two handles  22  are mounted. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , the underside of main body unit  14  is shown and portrays a water reservoir drain plug  36  inserted into a water reservoir drain hole  38  for draining water from the water reservoir  30  (the water reservoir is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 12 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , the underside of main body unit  16  is shown and portrays two paint reservoir drain plugs  40  inserted into two paint reservoir drain holes  42  for draining paint from the paint reservoirs  28  (the paint reservoirs are shown in  FIG. 4 ). Also shown in  FIG. 8  is double-hook  44  which is used for hanging one or more paint cans below the paint reservoir drain holes  42  while paint is draining from the paint reservoirs  28 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 9  is similar to  FIG. 2 , but with both covers  24  omitted in order to more fully portray the receptacles of main body units  14  and  16 , the unfolded portable tool management, storage and organizational system for painting and wallpapering is portrayed from a visual perspective 180 degrees out of phase from the perspective of  FIG. 1 , revealing two carrying case handles  22 , mounted to the two main body units  14  and  16 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 10   a ,  FIG. 10  is a reproduction of  FIG. 1  portrayed in association with  FIG. 10   a  to show the interrelationship of a cleaning system tray  44  to the reservoir  30  receptacle in main body unit  14 , into which the tray  44  is inserted. Cleaning system tray  44  is divided into three compartments, one reservoir compartment occupying 50% of the tray space for use with cleaning water, solutions or solvents and the other two compartments each occupying 25% of the tray space for use with clean and dirty rags. Although not shown in  FIG. 10   a , the invention also includes an optional version of tray  44  that has a lid hingedly connected to tray  44 , connected in a manner known to one skilled in the art. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 11  demonstrates the pivotal relationship between main body units  14  and  16  with the pivotal axis coinciding with hinge  18 .  FIG. 11  further demonstrates the pivotal relationship between main body unit  16  and leg pair  12 . Although not shown in any of the figures, a substantially similar pivotal relationship exists between main body unit  14  and leg pair  10 . It is due to these pivotal relationships that the portable tool management, storage and organizational system for painting and wallpapering is reconfigured from an open fully extended painters work table to a fully retracted carrying case, wherein the two leg pairs  10  and  12  are fully retracted into a cavernous underside of main body units  14  and  16 , respectively and then the main body units  14  and  16  are closed together to form a closed carrying case, ready for transport or storage. 
   Referring to  FIG. 12 , in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention,  FIG. 12  is a top view of an uncovered, open and fully extended painter&#39;s table which provides a layout and details of the following receptacles formed in the plastic resin molded main body units  14  and  16 :
         two paint reservoirs  28 ;   two paint reservoirs drain holes  40 ;   water reservoir  30 ;   water reservoir drain hole  38 ;   four-inch brush receptacle  46 ;   two-inch brush receptacle  48 ;   miscellaneous receptacle  50 ;   two paint can receptacles  52 ;   two caulk tube receptacles  54 ;   miscellaneous receptacle  56 ;   combination screwdriver receptacle  58 ;   pencil receptacle  60     hammer receptacle  62 ;   wood putty receptacle  64 ;   spackle receptacle  66 ;   nail set receptacle  68 ;   paint stirrers receptacle  70 ;   sanding pad receptacle  72 ;   seam roller receptacle  74 ;   utility knife receptacle  76 ;   five-in-one scraper receptacle  78 ;   razor blade receptacle  80 ;   tape receptacle  82 ;   drop cloths receptacle  84 ;   one-inch putty knife receptacle  85 ;   three-inch putty knife receptacle  86 ;   painter&#39;s edge receptacle  88 ;   pencil and miscellaneous receptacle  90 ;   tape measure receptacle  92 ;   wallpaper cutter blade groove  94 ;   wallpaper cutter aluminum straight edge  96 ;   wallpaper roll dispenser receptacle  98 .       

   The two paint can receptacles  52  function as three-in-one (i.e., three-tiered) paint can receptacles which feature: (1) a substantially square recession in the receptacle with rounded corners of sufficient dimensions to accommodate the footprint of a square one gallon paint can, a rounded footprints; (2) a round one gallon can recession (recessed to a depth below the square recession for the one gallon square can footprint); and a round quart can recession (recessed to a depth below the round recession for the one gallon round can footprint). All center point of all three recessed footprint patterns are coincident in the paint can receptacle  52 . However, the depth of three footprint recessions varies progressively amongst the three footprints with the substantially square one gallon can footprint having the shallowest depth relative to the other to cans, the one quart can foot print have the deepest recession depth, with the round one gallon can footprint recession depth lying somewhere between the square gallon and round quart recession depths. 
   The receptacle  82  features a raised spindle column in the center of the receptacle for centering and securing a painters tape role within the receptacle. 
   The preferred embodiment, including without limitation the layout and types of tools and or tool and supply receptacles portrayed in  FIG. 12 , is not an exhaustive representation of the invention. The invention more broadly encompasses and includes other tool and supply receptacle types and layouts in other embodiments. The invention also more broadly encompasses and includes other management and organizational systems (e.g., other carrying case, table and work surface cover configurations integrated strategically in combination with one another, including without limitation arranging the covers  24  to form a slidable dual wing-deck work surfaces configuration and other configurations and direct integration of tools (such as wallpaper roll cutters) that are useful towards improving painters&#39; and wallpaperers&#39; efficiency). 
   Referring to  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 13  is a bottom view of an open, fully extended painter&#39;s table, portraying relative locations of paint reservoir drain holes  42 , water reservoir drain hole  38 , paint can double hook  44 , two carrying case handles  22  mounted on a first set of adjacent sides of main body units  14  and  16 , and four ball casters mounted on a second set of adjacent sides of main body units  14  and  16  opposite from the handles, and yet another four ball casters which are mounted on each leg-end of the two leg pairs (i.e., mounted on the opposite end of the leg from where the leg pairs mount to the main body units  14  and  16 ).  FIG. 13  also shows a bottom view of hinge  18  that pivotally connects main body units  14  and  16  together. Latch hook  100  and latch pin  102  are shown at the extreme right and left ends of the painter&#39;s table as portrayed in  FIG. 13 . The latch hook  100  and latch pin  102  can be made to mate only after: first, the leg pairs  10  and  12  are pivotally retracted such that they come to a rest in a fully retracted position where the length of the leg pairs  10  and  12  are flush against the underside of the main body units  14  and  16 ; and second, where the undersides of main body units  14  and  16  themselves are brought flush against one another by pivotally moving the undersides of main body units  14  and  16  towards each other until they make contact with one another. It is at this point that latch hook  100  and latch pin  102  can been mated. Referring to  FIG. 13   a ,  FIG. 13   a  is a cross sectional drawing of the painter&#39;s table. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 ,  FIGS. 14 and 15  are viewed from perspectives that are 180 degrees out of phase relative to one another.  FIGS. 14 and 15  are front and back side views of the painter&#39;s table when the table is in an open, fully extended position. 
   Referring to  FIG. 16 ,  FIG. 16  is an end view of the painter&#39;s table when the table is in an open, fully extended position. (i.e.,  FIG. 16  shows the end of main body unit  14  to which latch  100  is affixed—latch pin  102  is affixed to main body  16  on the opposite end of the table and is not shown in  FIG. 16 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 17 ,  FIG. 17  is viewed from the a perspective that is 180 degrees out of phase from the perspective of  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 17  shows main body unit  16  to which latch pin  102  is affixed in a partially collapsed position with cover  24  installed in cover-channel furrows  20  (leg pair  12  is in fully retracted position, but is obscured from view by cover  24  and the end of the main body unit  16 ). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , with covers  24  inserted into the grooves of main body units  14  and  16 ,  FIGS. 18 and 19  show the invention in a completely collapsed, closed and latched carrying case configuration, ready for transport and storage.  FIGS. 18   20  and  19  are viewed from perspectives that are 180 degrees out of phase relative to one another.  FIGS. 18 and 19  detail the invention in its carrying case configuration with handles  22  mounted on a first set of adjacent sides of the main body units  14  and  16 . And, although not shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , four ball casters are mounted on a second set of adjacent sides of the main body units  14  and  16 . 
   There has thus been described a portable tool management, storage and organizational system for painting and wallpapering. While this invention has been described in terms of certain examples, however, it is not intended to be limited to the above description, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow.