Patent Publication Number: US-9402464-B2

Title: Paint brush adapter tool

Description:
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/816,074 filed Apr. 25, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for adapting a paint brush to include a tool. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for modifying different types of paint brushes to include a tool. 
     In the painting industry it is often necessary for painters who are using a brush to require additional tools, such as a screwdriver to remove face plates or a paint can opener to open a can of paint. If the painter is on a ladder, the painter must store his brush, climb down the ladder, then locate the tools appropriate for the job before returning. 
     There is therefore recognized a need in the art to improve a paint brush by allowing for the attachment of one or more tools to the paint brush to eliminate the need to carry extra tools. 
     Paint brushes are available in a variety of sizes and dimensions from various manufacturers. Despite differences in size, dimension and appearance of paint brushes, it is desirable to be able to mount one or more removable tools to the handle of the brush. Rather than provide differently sized tools for each and every brush, it is desirable, to reduce costs and material, to provide one removable tool assembly that may be adapted to multiple brush handles. 
     Therefore, there is recognized a need in the art for a removable tool that may be easily adapted to accommodate brushes having various sizes and/or shapes. 
     SUMMARY 
     Described in this application is a kit for adapting a paint brush having a handle opening. The kit includes a tool for improving the usefulness of the paint brush; a bushing receivable within the handle opening of the paint brush; a screw for passing through the tool and bushing and joining the tool to the paint brush; and a locking nut for securing the screw to the paint brush. 
     The tool of the kit may include a first end and a second end, the first end may be a screwdriver and the second end may be a paint can opener. 
     The tool and bushing may also include retaining portions for preventing slippage of the tool. 
     The locking nut may include one or more barbs for engaging the handle of the brush. 
     Also disclosed in this application is a paint brush that includes a handle having a through hole; a plurality of bristles; and a tool assembly comprising. The tool assembly includes a screw having a length corresponding to a thickness of said through hole; a tool; a bushing having a diameter corresponding to a diameter of said through hole; and a locking nut for engaging the handle and preventing rotation of the locking nut; wherein the screw engages said locking nut and secures said tool and bushing to said handle. 
     The tool may include a first end and a second end; the first end may be a paint can opener and the second end may be a screw driver. 
     The tool may be rotatable relative to the handle, thereby enabling use of one or the other of the can opener and screw driver. 
     The tool and bushing may include interlocking structure for preventing inadvertent rotation of the tool relative to the handle. 
     The tool may be removably attached to the handle, allowing the tool to be easily removed without damage or extensive modification of the brush or handle. 
     Also disclosed is a method of attaching a tool assembly to a paint brush. The method includes the steps of providing a paint brush having a handle with a through hole; providing a tool assembly comprising a plurality of screws, at least one tool, a plurality of bushings, and at least one locking nut; selecting a bushing having a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of said through hole; selecting a screw having a length approximately equal to a width of said handle; inserting said bushing into said through hole; inserting said screw through said tool and said bushing; and securing said locking nut to said screw, thereby securing said tool to said handle. 
     The tool may include a first end and a second end; the first end being a screwdriver and the second end being a paint can opener. The tool may be rotatable relative to the handle and include structure for engaging the bushing and preventing inadvertent rotation of the tool during use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a paint brush with the tool assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the paint brush with the tool assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded side view of the paint brush with the tool assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the paint brush with the tool assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the tool attachment for the brush buddy; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the bushing for attaching the tool to the brush; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the brush with bushing attached; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the locking nut for attaching the bushing to the brush; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view showing the tool attached to the brush; 
         FIG. 10  is a side cutaway view showing the assembled brush buddy; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view showing the tool in a first operating orientation; and 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view showing the tool in a second operating orientation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a paint brush  100  is provided. The paint brush  100  includes a handle  102  and bristles connected by a ferrule. The handle  102  includes a through hole or opening  108  passing through the handle  102 . A brush adapter tool  110  has been provided in the through hole  108 . The brush adapter tool  110  is provided to increase the utility of the paint brush  100 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective exploded view of the paint brush  100  and brush adapter tool  110 . As illustrated, the brush adapter tool  110  includes a screw  112 , tool  114 , bushing  116  and locking nut  118 . The brush adapter tool  110  is attached to the handle  102  of the brush  100  by the screw  112  and lock nut  118 . The tool  114  is rotatable about the screw  112  to provide two alternative working ends. 
       FIG. 3  is a side plan exploded view of the paint brush  100  and brush adapter tool  110  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The tool  114  and bushing are illustrated in further detail in this figure. 
     According to the illustrated embodiment, the tool  114  includes a first end  122  and a second end  124  that may have different tools. In this embodiment, the first end  122  of the tool  114  is a paint can opener that is useful for opening paint cans or the like. The second end  124  of the tool is a screwdriver, such as a flat-head screwdriver, that may be useful for removing face plates or the like. In embodiments, the flat-head screwdriver has a width greater than the dimension of a standard electrical outlet in order to prevent a user from inadvertently inserting the screwdriver into an outlet while removing or installing outlet face plates. The tool  114  may also include an opening  115  for hanging the tool on a hook for display or storage. Normally, the paint brush  100  is stored on a hook by the through hole  108 , but because this adapter tool  110  replaces the through hole  108 , another opening  115  is provided. While these are two options for the tool  114 , it will be appreciated that other tools may also be used. Further, while the tool  114  is described as having two different tools, it will be apparent that the tool may have multiple tools, a single tool, or an adapter for receiving various tools as replacement parts. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the tool  114  may include one or more locking protrusions  126  that extend away from the tool. These locking protrusions  126  may be circular and correspond to one or more dimples  128  in the arm  130  of the bushing  116 . When the tool  114  is rotated about the screw  112 , one or the other locking protrusions  126  will align with the dimple  128  and prevent the tool  114  from inadvertently turning. This improvement prevents the tool  114  slipping or twisting unexpectedly. 
       FIG. 3  also illustrates the bushing  116  in further detail. In the illustrated embodiment, the bushing  116  is sized to be received within the paint brush through hole  108  and includes an arm  130  extending along the brush handle  102 . The arm  130  includes the dimple  128  for receiving the locking protrusions  126  of the tool  114 . As further illustrated, the bushing  116  may include axial protrusions  121  for engaging the sides of the hole  108  to prevent accidental rotation of the bushing  116 . 
     Finally,  FIG. 3  illustrates the locking nut  118  of the brush adapter tool  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the locking nut  118  includes barbs  120  that bite into the brush handle  102 . These barbs may be especially useful for a brush having a wooden handle. However, it is contemplated that other types of locking nuts may also be used, and will be appreciated by those having skill in the art. 
     The brush adapter tool  110  is shown in a side plan view in  FIG. 4  assembled to the brush handle  102 . In this view, it will be apparent that the locking protrusion  126  of the tool  114  engages the dimple  128  of the bushing  116  to thereby secure the first end  122  of the tool  114  in position. Further, when the screw  112  is inserted into the lock nut  118 , the barbs  120  of the lock nut  118  will engage the handle  102  and prevent rotation of the brush adapter tool  110 . 
     According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the screw  112 , tool  114  and bushing  116  are formed of a durable plastic material that is inexpensive and easily assembled. The locking nut  118  may be an off-the-shelf metal part, or may be assembled of the same plastic of the screw  112 . However, it is further contemplated that the various components of the brush adapter tool  110  may be formed of different materials, including metal, carbon fiber, or other material suitable for the purpose. For example, the tool  114  may be replaced with a stamped metal piece, adding rigidity and durability and the screw  112  and bushing  116  may be inexpensive molded plastic. 
     Another aspect of the invention is a kit for adapting a brush to include a multi-purpose tool. The kit includes a screw  112 , tool  114 , bushing  116  and locking nut  118 . The bushing is designed to be inserted into a through hole  108  of a paint brush handle  102 . The tool  114  is placed on the bushing  116  and the pieces secured to the brush handle  102  by means of the screw  112  and locking nut  118 . The tool  114  may be provided with a first end  122  and a second end  124  so that either tool may be alternatively selected. A locking protrusion  126  may be provided to hold the tool  114  in place and prevent accidental rotation of the tool when one of the first  122  or second  124  ends is selected. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the kit may include one or more bushings  116  of varying diameters that are designed to engage different sized through holes  108  of brush handles  102 . The kit may also include one or more screws  112  of varying lengths that are designed to engage different widths of the brush handle  102 . It is anticipated that the bushings  116  and screws  112  are selected to be interchangeable without noticeably altering the primary function of the claimed invention. 
     Also disclosed in this application is a method of adapting a paint brush  100  to include multiple tools. According to this method, a brush adapter tool  110  is provided that includes a plurality of screws  112 , a tool  114 , a plurality of bushings  116  and a locking nut  118 . The paint brush  100  is provided with a brush handle  102  that includes a through hole  108  passing through the width. 
     A bushing  116  is selected that corresponds to the approximate diameter of the through hole  108 . The bushing  116  is inserted into the through hole  108  and positioned so that an arm  130  of the bushing extends along the handle  102 . 
     Next, a screw  112  is selected having a length approximately equal to the width of the brush handle  102 . The tool  114  is positioned on the bushing  116  and the screw  112  is inserted through the tool  114  and bushing  116 . 
     Finally, a locking nut  118  is threaded onto the end of the screw  112  from the opposite end of the brush handle  102 . As the locking nut  118  is secured onto the screw  112 , the locking nut will engage the brush handle  102 , thereby securing the locking nut to the handle and preventing rotation of the assembly  110 . 
     In other embodiments, the screw  112  may have a length greater than the width of the brush handle  102 , and the excess length of the screw  112  protruding from the locking nut  118  may be clipped or trimmed. 
     In other embodiments, additional elements may be added to the tool  114 . In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the tool  114  includes serrations  119  along the edge and/or face of the blade for scraping. 
     The bushing  116  may also include a wedge detail  121 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , that makes contact with the brush handle and embeds into the wood. This detail is effective in keeping the components from rotating during and after assembly. 
       FIG. 7  is a side plan view showing the bushing and lock nut attached to the handle of a brush, the bushing and lock nut secured thereto by the screw. 
       FIG. 8  is an elevated side view of the lock nut. The lock nut includes protrusions for engaging and securing the nut to the handle of the brush, preventing the screw from turning. 
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the brush buddy attached to a brush. As shown in this figure, the tool is in an intermediate position. In this intermediate position, the tool may be freely rotated about the screw. 
       FIG. 10  is a side cutaway view showing the brush buddy engaging the handle of the brush through an opening on one end of the handle. The bushing enters one side of the opening and the lock nut enters the opposite side. A screw secures tool to the bushing, passes through the opening, and is secured to the lock nut. 
       FIG. 11  shows the brush buddy with the tool in a first orientation. In this orientation, the first tool, such as the illustrated screwdriver, can be used. 
       FIG. 12  shows the brush buddy with the tool in a second orientation. In this orientation, the second tool, such as a paint can opener, can be used. 
     The various arrangements and embodiments discussed above are meant to be illustrative and not limiting of the disclosed invention. Any limitations to the scope of the invention will appear in the claims as allowed.