Abstract:
A pressurized paint applicator device for delivering paint or other coating under pressure to an applicator for application to a surface. The invention further provides an improved applicator that has a conically-shaped bottom side that is particularly advantageous for cutting in paint edges.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to surface coating applicators, and more particularly, relating to pressurized paint applicator device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Pressurized surface coating applicator devices are known. Examples of such devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,611,940; 3,602,601; 2,677,839; and 2,627,620 each of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. While the devices heretofore fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, there exists and need for an improved pressurized surface coating device, which substantially departs from the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of cutting in paint edges. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides an improved pressurized paint applicator device that is particularly useful in cutting in paint edges. 
         [0004]    In general, in one aspect, a pressurized paint applicator device is provided. The pressurized paint applicator device includes an applicator having a top side and a conically-shaped bottom side and at least one distributor tube having an open end that is directed toward the bottom side of said applicator. 
         [0005]    In general, in another aspect, a pressurized paint applicator device is provided. The pressurized paint applicator device includes an applicator with a top side and a conically-shaped bottom side. At least one distributor tube has an open end that is directed toward the bottom side of the applicator. The device further includes a pressure tank and an air pump connected to the pressure tank and operable to pump air into the pressure tank. A supply tube is connected at one end to the pressure tank and is connected at its opposite end to the at least one distributor tube. A valve is connected to supply tubing and is operable to control a flow through the supply tubing. A bracket is rotatably connected to the top side of the applicator and a handle is pivotally connected to the bracket. 
         [0006]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
         [0007]    Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0008]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0009]    For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the invention for the purpose of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of a pressurized paint applicator device constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a partial, cross-sectional view through a handle of a pressurized paint applicator device constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of an applicator of a pressurized paint applicator device constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of an applicator of a pressurized paint applicator device constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]    Figure is a bottom plan view of an applicator of a pressurized paint applicator device constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the applicator taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an applicator pad of an applicator of a pressurized paint applicator device constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic in-use view of an applicator of a pressurized paint applicator device constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic elevation view of a pressure tank having an alternative construction in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic top view of the pressure tank of  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the pressure tank of  FIG. 9  taken along line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-5 , diagrammatically shown therein and designated by the reference number  10  is an embodiment of the present pressurized paint dispenser and applicator. 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , in the illustrated embodiment, the paint dispenser and applicator  10  includes a pressure tank  12 , a handle  14 , an applicator  16 , and a paint supply tube or line  18 . The pressure tank  12  is capable of receiving and holding paint and into which air may be pumped to pressurize the tank for discharging the paint from the tank. As shown, tank  12  is fitted with a manually operated air pump  20  that is operable by a user to pump air into the tank. Tanks of this type are commonly used in portable spraying equipment and are well adapted for this purpose. Alternatively, and while not shown, air pump  20  could be replaced with an electrically operated air pump. Additionally, tank  12  may have wheels  22  allowing the tank to be wheeled for transport. 
         [0024]    Handle  14  is an elongated extension-type handle have an adjustable length by extending or retracting handle portion  24  from handle portion  26 . As further discussed below, the handle  14  is connected to the applicator  16  for manipulating the applicator in applying a coating to a surface. Supply tube  18  is connected at one end to the tank  12  and connected at its opposite end to the applicator  16  to deliver paint from the tank to the applicator for applying the paint to a surface. As shown, the supply tube  18  is extends within and through the entire handle  14 , but it should be understood that the supply tube could extend exteriorly of the handle or interiorly along any desired length of the handle. As further shown in the illustrated embodiment, valve  28  is provided to control the flow of paint from the tank  12  to the applicator  16 . 
         [0025]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a partial cross section through a section of the handle  14 , illustrating the supply tube  18  extending within the interior of the handle. Further shown is valve  28  connected to the supply  18 . Valve  28  is operable to control the flow of paint through the tube, and thus the delivery of paint from the tank  12  to the applicator  16 . 
         [0026]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a top view of the applicator  16  connected to the handle  14 . Handle  14  is connected to the applicator  16  by bracket  30  or the like. More specifically, end  32  of handle  14  is pivotally connected to bracket  30  by pivot coupling  34  that permits the applicator to pivot about the end of the handle. Additionally, bracket  30  is rotatably connected to the applicator  16  by coupling  36  that permits the applicator to rotate relative to the handle in the direction indicated by double-ended arrow  38 . To this end, the applicator  16  is able to rotate and pivot with respect to the end  32  of handle  14 . Further illustrated is the supply tube  18  connected to distributor tubes  40  and  42  via junction  44 . Distributor tubes  40  and  42  are supported by bracket  30  and extend in opposite directions from junction  44  toward the edge of the applicator  16  in a swept, downward direction (in a direct toward the handle). 
         [0027]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a front elevation view of the applicator  16 , illustrating the distributor tubes  40  and  42  extending across the top side  46  and beyond the edge of the applicator and wrapping around the edge and terminating at open ends  48  and  50 , respectively, which are directed toward the bottom side  52  of the applicator. Further shown is the bottom side  52  of the applicator being conical-shaped and having an applicator pad  54  secured to the bottom side. 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 5 , there is shown a bottom plan view of the applicator  16 , further showing the distributor tubes  40  and  42  wrapped around the edge of the applicator and overlapping the bottom side  52  of the applicator and terminating at open ends  48  and  52 , respectively, for distributing paint on to the applicator pad  54  that is attached to the bottom side of the applicator. 
         [0029]    Further, as seen in  FIGS. 3-5 , the applicator  16  may include a drip collection box  17  that is semi-circular shaped and configured to catch excess paint that may drip from the applicator pad  54  or tubes  40  and  42 . As shown, the drip collection box  17  is attached and supported by bracket  30  and is disposed to envelope the portion of the applicator pad  54  that is rotated into a position that is approximate the handle  14 . As further shown, the drip collection box  17  envelopes the tubes  40  and  42  to further collect any paint that may drip from the tubes. Additionally, the drip collection box  17  may be constructed of a transparent material, as depicted. 
         [0030]    With reference now to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the applicator pad  54  is secured or attached to the bottom side  52  of the applicator  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, the applicator pad  54  includes a plurality of pegs  56  that extend upwardly from the inward facing side of the pad and are spaced around the edge of the pad. The applicator  16  includes a plurality of cooperating holes  58  into which are received the pegs  56  so as to removable secure the applicator pad  54  to the bottom side  52  of the applicator. It should be understood that other means for removably attaching the applicator pad  54  to the bottom side  52  of the applicator  16  could be used in place of the illustrated peg-and-hole arrangement. It is further to be understood that the applicator pad  54  is constructed of an absorbent material for receiving coating to be applied to a surface. In  FIG. 7 , there is shown a perspective view of the applicator pad  54 , showing the pegs  56  extending outwardly from the interior surface  60  of the applicator pad. 
         [0031]    Turning now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown the applicator  16  in use and positioned on a surface  62  to be coated, wherein the importance of the conically-shaped bottom side  52  of the applicator is illustrated. Specifically, the conical-shape allow use of only a portion of the applicator pad  54  for trimming-in along the surface  62 , while prevent contact with the surface with the other portion of pad. This arrangement allows for a more accurate trim and prevents contact between the distributor tubes  40  and  42  with the surface. 
         [0032]    In use, it can now be understood, paint or other coating is placed into the tank  12  and air is pumped into the tank to pressurize the tank. In the illustrated embodiment, air is pumped into the tank  12  via manual pump  20 . The pressure within the tank  12  causes paint to flow through the supply tubing  18  to the valve  28 . Then operating the valve  28  allows the paint to flow into the distributor tubes  40  and  42 , where the paint is discharged upon the applicator pad  54 . After the paint is applied to the applicator pad  54 , the pad is rotated about coupling  36  to position the coated portion of the pad away from the distributor tubes for application to a surface. 
         [0033]    Alternative embodiments are possible. With reference to  FIGS. 9-11  there is diagrammatically illustrated a pressure tank  64  having an alternative construction from pressure tank  12 .Pressure tank  64  is generally rectangular shaped and is interiorly divided into three tank sections  66 ,  68 , and  70 , with tank section  68  disposed between tank sections  66  and  70 . Tank sections  66 ,  68 , and  70  are in fluidic communication by apertures  72  and  78  that are formed through interior dividing walls  80  and  82 , respectively, at a position toward the top  84  of the tank  64 . 
         [0034]    The middle tank section  68  receives and holds a quantity of paint or other surface coating to be applied to a surface by fill opening  86  formed through the top of the tank  64  and sealed by cap  88 . Supply tube  18  sealing extends through the side of the tank  64  and extends into and toward the bottom of tank section  68  to draw paint from tank section  68   
         [0035]    Tank sections  66  and  70  are pressurized with air via an air pump  90  that is detachably connected to air valve stem  92 , which communicates with the interior of the tank  64 . Apertures  72  and  78  allow the air to communicate between tank sections  66 ,  68 , and  70  so that tank section  68  is also pressurized. Tank  64  may be fitted with a pressure gauge  94  to indicate the pressure of the tank and may be fitted with a pressure release valve  96  that automatically operates to vent air from the tank in an over pressurized. 
         [0036]    Pressure tank  64  may also be fitted with shoulder straps  98  and  100  that allow carrying the tank upon a user&#39;s back. Additionally, the pressure tank  64  may also include wheels  102  and  104  that allow rolling the tank across the ground. 
         [0037]    A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.