Patent Abstract:
This invention includes embodiments which disclose a tool implement or apparatus which may include a paint can opener implement mountable and removable from a paint brush handle, including a can opener body with a can opener end, a fastener aperture and with one or more protrusions disposed to engage a paint brush handle to which the can opener body is mounted, and a fastener sized and figured to insert through a paint brush handle aperture and fastened to the can opener body utilizing only the paint brush handle aperture and one or more protrusions to removably secure the can opener body to the paintbrush handle.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application accorded Ser. No. 61/811,485, which was filed Apr. 12, 2013. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to a paint can opener system wherein a paint can opener is securely mountable and removable from the handle of a paint brush. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the construction and remodeling trade, there are numerous situations in which a painter needs to open cans of paint. Often times the lid from the can of paint is tightly adhering to the rim of the can and there is therefore a need for a device or apparatus to assist in the removal of the lid from the paint can. Often times the painters are on ladders and/or otherwise moving around the construction site. Carrying a paint can opener around is just one extra thing and becomes more cumbersome than desired. With most construction workers it is also desirable to minimize the number of tools, devices and apparatuses they need to carry around and be responsible for. 
         [0004]    It is also desirable and an object of some embodiments of this invention, to provide such can opener that may be securely attached to a paint brush without modifying the paint brush. 
         [0005]    It is therefore an object of embodiments of this invention to provide a paint can opening system in which the can opener may be securely mounted to a paint brush, so that it may be utilized to open a paint can, and can also be removed from the paint brush. 
         [0006]    It is also an object of embodiments of this invention to provide such a paint can opening system which utilizes the existing hole or aperture that typically comes in the handle portion of the paint brush. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of some embodiments of this invention to provide such a paint can opener that may be securely (but removably) attached to the handle of a paint brush without any substantial modifications or destruction of the paint brush. 
         [0008]    Embodiments of this invention therefore have advantages of allowing the can opener to be attached securely to the handle of a paint brush so they can be easily used to open paint cans, while at the same time the existing hole or aperture in the handle may also be used for its intended purpose(s). In some further embodiments of this invention one or more protrusions may be utilized in combination with a fastener through the handle aperture, to further secure the paint can opener to the paint brush. 
         [0009]    While the invention was motivated in addressing some objectives, it is in no way so limited. The invention is only limited by the accompanying claims as literally worded, without interpretative or other limiting reference to the specification, and in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents. Other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will appear from the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. In carrying out the objects of this invention, it is to be understood that its essential features are susceptible to change in design and structural arrangement, with only one practical and preferred embodiment being illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as required. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an end perspective view of one example of an embodiment of the paint can opener mounted on a paint brush; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the example of the embodiment of the can opener illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the example of the embodiment of the can opener illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the example of the embodiment of the can opener illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a bottom side perspective exploded view of the example of the embodiment of the can opener illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of another example of an embodiment of a can opener which may be utilized in practicing this invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a side section view  9 - 9  from  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is an end section  10 - 10  from  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Many of the fastening, connection, manufacturing and other means and components utilized in this invention are widely known and used in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art or science; therefore, they will not be discussed in significant detail. Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this invention can be varied or altered as anticipated by this invention and the practice of a specific application or embodiment of any element may already be widely known or used in the art or by persons skilled in the art or science; therefore, each will not be discussed in significant detail. 
         [0023]    The terms “a”, “an” and “the” as used in the claims herein are used in conformance with long-standing claim drafting practice and not in a limiting way. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one of such elements, but instead mean “at least one”. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is an end perspective view of one example of an embodiment of paint can opener  101  mounted on paint brush  108 , and shows paint brush with paint brush bristles  103 , a paint brush handle  102  with a neck  102   b  and a handle end  102   a.  Paint can opener  101  is shown mounted to the handle  102  of the paint brush  108 , with can opener body  104  mounted longitudinally on the paint brush handle  102 . The opener end  104   b  is shown with opening and edge  104   c  which is the portion of the can opener body  104  which is utilized to engage a paint can between a paint can lid and a paint can rim, thereby allowing the user to pry the paint can lid out of its seated position within the rim of the paint can. 
         [0025]    The can opener body  104  is securely, but removably, attached to paint brush handle  102  by means of a fastener such as a screw combined with sufficient threads provided within can opener body  104  (as shown and described in other figures below). The can opener body  104  has a second end  104   a  and is preferably made of steel or metal of sufficient strength at the can opener end  104   b  to allow it to pry loose the tightest lids from paint cans.  FIG. 1  further shows the paint brush handle aperture  106  which is typical on most paint brushes and normally provides a location for the paint brush to be hung from.  FIG. 1  further shows a threaded fastener  107  which is integral with can opener body  104  and provides threads for a fastener such as a screw or bolt to engage to secure the can opener body  104  to the paint brush handle  102 . 
         [0026]    In order to have one or more additional points of attachment to more desirably secure the can opener body  104  to the paint brush handle  102 , one or more but preferably two protrusions, may be placed in the can opener body  104 . Because intrusions are on the opposite side of the can opener body  104 , they cannot be seen in  FIG. 1 ; however, a preferred way of creating the protrusions  105  is to do it punch or stamp and in doing so indentations  109  are created on the side of can opener body  104  shown in  FIG. 1 . The protrusions are better illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , illustrating paint brush handle  102 , can opener body  104 , and indentations  109  in the can opener body  104 .  FIG. 2  further shows the can opener end  104   b  of can opener body  104 , the opening edge  104   c  and the second end  104   a  of can opener body  104 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , illustrating paint brush handle  102 , and can opener body  104  with can opener end  104   b.  It can be seen from  FIG. 3  how a fastener  112  (such as a screw in this example) may be utilized in combination with a washer  111  to secure can opener body  104  to paint brush handle  102 . The screw or fastener  112  may be rotated or inserted into an internally threaded fastener aperture in the can opener body  104 . 
         [0029]    It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that no one particular type of fastener to practice this invention, but instead any one of a number of different types of fasteners may be utilized, such as screws and bolts of all kinds, rivets, and others. It will be further appreciated that in the event a screw or threaded members utilized, the threads may be provided separately by or they may be integral within or part of the can opener body  104 , as shown in  FIG. 5  as item  117 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the example of the embodiment of the can opener system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , showing can opener body  104  with can opener end  104   b,  protrusions  105  are configured to sufficiently engage with the paint brush handle to prevent the can opener body  104  rotating about the fastener utilized to attach it to the paint brush handle.  FIG. 4  further shows the paint can opener threaded portion  117  is integral to the can opener body  104  and provides sufficient internal threading to allow a threaded fastener such as fastener  112  illustrated in  FIG. 3  to be fastened or operably attached. 
         [0031]    It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the can opener body may be made out of any one or more different materials, such as steel, aluminum alloys and others. The material selection for the can opener end  104   b  must simply provide the desired strength to be able to remove lids from paint cans. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the example of the embodiment of the can opener illustrated in  FIG. 1 , showing can opener body  104 , body aperture  106 , threaded portion  117 , protrusions  105  and the can opener end  104   b  of can opener body  104 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the example of the embodiment of the can opener illustrated in  FIG. 1 , showing can opener body  104 , can opener body aperture  106 , indentations  109  corresponding to the protrusions  105  shown in other figures, and the opener end  104   b  of the can or body  104 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a bottom side perspective exploded view of the example of the embodiment of the can opener illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , illustrating can opener body  104  with can opener end  104   b,  then opener body aperture  106 , washer  111  and fastener  112  corresponding to the washer  111  and can opener body aperture  106 . Showing hidden lines is can opener body threaded portion  117 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of another example of an embodiment of a can opener which may be utilized in practicing this invention, can opener body  204  with can opener end  204   b,  indentations  205  which are configured to sufficiently engage the paint brush handle to prevent the can opener body  204  from rotating about the fastener utilized to attach it to the paintbrush handle.  FIG. 8  further shows the paint can opener threaded portion  217  integral to the can opener body  204 , and in the threaded fastener embodiments of this invention, provides sufficient internal threading to allow a threaded fastener to be fastened or operably attached. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  further shows structural supports  220  and  222  which may be ribs longitudinally oriented along can opener body  204  to provide additional strength and rigidity to prevent deformation of the can opener body  204  when a paint can is being opened. The second end  204   a  of the can opener body  204  and can opener body aperture  226  are also shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a side section view  9 - 9  of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 8 , illustrating can opener body  204 , body aperture  226 , threaded portion  217 , protrusions  205 , and the can opener end  204   b  of can opener body  204 .  FIG. 9  further shows structural supports  220  and  222  which may be rails or ribs, longitudinally oriented along can opener body  204 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is an end section view  10 - 10  from  FIG. 8 , showing can opener body  204 , can opener body aperture  226 , and structural support rails  220  and  222 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 8 , fastened to or mounted on a paint brush handle  102  of paint brush  108 .  FIG. 11  illustrates paintbrush  108  with paint brush handle  102  with a neck  102   b  and a handle end  102   a.  The paint can opener illustrated in  FIG. 11  is mounted longitudinally on paint brush handle  102 , and further shown in  FIG. 11  are indentations  209 , faster  206 , washer  207  and structural supports  220  and  222 . At the can opener end  204   b  of can opener body  204  is edge  204   c  which is utilized to wage between the lid on the paint can and the brim or paint of the paint can and used as a lever to pry or remove the paint can lid from the paint can. 
         [0040]    As will be appreciated by those of reasonable skill in the art, there are numerous embodiments to this invention, and variations of elements, components and combinations, which may be used, all within the scope of this invention. 
         [0041]    In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1