Abstract:
A paint brush includes a handle including a base generally defining a solid cylinder, the base further including a proximal region, the handle having an axial hollow channel, the channel having a spiral threaded interior beginning at a proximal end of the channel and ending at a distal end of the handle, the spiral threading proportioned for engagement of a threaded paint pole extension. Beginning at a distal end of the base is a paint brush neck having an integral hollow segment of a flexible accordion-like corrugated material, and the axial channel extending into the neck without threading on it. Disposed distally of the corrugated material and integral with it is an integral bristle support region having a bristle securing recess proportioned for securement of bases of paint brush bristles, the recess including an upper and a lower region, the lower region proportioned for selectable receipt of paint bristles, the bristle-securing recess including an upper and a lower region, the upper region defining mutually slanted planes each in a range of about 20 to about 40 degrees relative to the axial channel, the upper and lower regions defining a funnel for directing excess or splashed paint toward the bristle securing recess.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to paint brushes and, more particularly, paint brushes adapted for ease of attachments to paint brush extension poles to, thereby, provide improved methods and apparatus for painting. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Paint brushes are commonly used for applying paints, varnishes, pastes, and films of other viscous materials to various articles. The basic design of most paint brushes has gone unchanged for many years. Paint brushes typically include a plurality of bristles which are bunched together by a collar into a bristle head and attached to a rigid handle having an axis parallel to the bristles. 
         [0003]    The above set forth physiologic problems and other difficulties suffered by painters is made worse when the painting surface is at a distance above the height of the painter or the height of the painter even when located upon a paint ladder. As such, the use of so-called paint pole extensions has become common place by those in the painting trades. However, a universal problem is that of securing of the paint brush to the paint brush extension pole, both with security as to the mutual securment, and as to reasonable capability of control of the paint brush relative to the surface to be painted. 
         [0004]    The present invention thereby represents an improvement in means of attachments of a painter&#39;s brush to brush tool, as opposed to the historic use of mechanical wiring, duck tape, or mechanical clamps to accomplish such attachment. 
         [0005]    The prior art also does not offer solutions to painting situations in which there exists objects such as bushes, walls, furniture, etc, which represents impediments to reaching to reaching of surfaces to be painted. Another difficulty with state-of-the art paint brushes, whether used with a paint pole extension or not, is control of dripping or splashing of paint from the bristles of the brush. 
         [0006]    The present invention also addresses this need in the prior art. 
         [0007]    The present invention also lends itself to storage in a blister pack or the like in order to minimize oxidation of paint left upon the bristles even after the paint brush has been cleaned following a work assignment. 
         [0008]    Embodiments of the present invention also facilitate painting of surfaces other that one at a right angle to the paint brush handle, a subject which has always presented difficulty to painters the past. 
         [0009]    The present invention is also concerned with the reduction of cost of material of the paint brush and also certain solutions thereto. 
         [0010]    Through a novel method of securment of the paint brush bristles within a paint brush holding recess of the head of the paint brush, and splattering of paint away from the brush head and otherwise is considerably reduced. 
         [0011]    While numerous references teach the use of a paint bucket or paint bucket accessory which can be used to reduce dripping or splashing from the paint brush there, to the knowledge of the present inventor, does not exist any paint brush which includes an internal construction for the reduction of paint splashing, spillage or the like. See for example. See for example U.S. Patent Application Publication 2008/035650 (2008) to Rittman. 
         [0012]    With respect to the prior art of efforts to extend the length or reach of a brush, in combination with a paint brush pole extension, only limited efforts have appeared, such as in U.S. Patent Publication 2002/0066151 (2002) to Parker, entitled Paint Brush With Angle Adjustable Handle and U.S. Pat. No. 8,839,480 (2014) to Thomas, entitled Extend A Brush. While adjustable angles paint brushes are known, no such devices have been adapted for use in combination with paint pole brush extensions. 
         [0013]    The present invention addresses this long-felt need in the art. 
         [0014]    Paint brushes of this general type are ordinarily used by manually clasping the handle of the brush with the hand and manipulating the brush in a back and forth manner by bending the arm and wrist in a natural fashion. This method generally works well when the surface being worked with the brush is directly in front of and facing the painter. However, when the surface being painted is, for example, above or below the painter and/or facing away from the painter, the bristle head of the brush must be angled to paint such a surface. This is normally accomplished by bending and/or twisting the wrist, arm, and/or shoulder of the hand that manipulates the brush. Unfortunately such manipulations can be very uncomfortable especially during prolonged painting and can even injure the painter&#39;s wrist, arm, shoulder, and/or neck. 
         [0015]    Accordingly, an improved paint brush is needed which permits the wrist and other parts of the body to be maintained in a more natural attitude while accomplishing more effective painting at various elevations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    A paint brush includes (a) a handle including a base defining a substantially solid cylinder, said base further defining a proximal region of said handle, said handle having an axial hollow channel therein, said channel having a spiral threaded interior beginning at a proximal end of said channel, and ending at a distal end of said handle, said spiral threading proportioned for engagement of a threaded paint pole extension; (b) beginning at a distal end of said base, a paint brush neck having an integral segment of a hollow flexible accordion-like corrugated material, and said axial channel extending into said neck without threading thereon; and (c) distally of said corrugated material and integral therewith, bristle support region having a bristle securing recess proportioned for selectable securement of paint brush bristles therein, said bristle-securing recess including an upper and a lower region, said lower region proportioned for receipt of bases of bristles paint therein, said upper region defining inner and outer sides mutually slanted planes in a range of about 20 to 40 degrees relative to said hollow axial channel of the paint brush, said upper and lower regions defining a funnel directing excess or splashed paint toward said bristle securing recess. 
         [0017]    It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a paint brush with a paint bristle funnel included at the base of the securing recess at the front or bristle support region of the paint brush in which, by virtue of the geometry of the bristle support region, the escape of the paint through splashing, dripping or otherwise from the paint brush head is minimized. 
         [0018]    It is a further object to provide a paint brush which can bend about a central axis thereof within a range of plus to minus 45 degrees. 
         [0019]    It is a yet further object of the invention to provide a paint brush of the above type in which the use of construction material therefore is minimized through the use of a longitudinal internal channel. 
         [0020]    The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detained Description of the Invention and Claims appended herewith. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a vertical elevational view of first embodiment of my inventive paint brush prior to insertion of the paint brush bristles thereinto. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view, similar to that of  FIG. 1 , however including the addition of paint bristles to the system. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the view of  FIG. 3 , as above described. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a side diagonal elevational perspective view of the paint brush of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the brush as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the brush as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view, similar to that of  FIG. 7 , however showing the structure prior to insertion of the paint brush bristles thereinto. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the structure of  FIG. 1 , however before the insertion of paint brush bristles into the mouth thereof. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is an external elevational view of the paintbrush shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is an elevational, partially assembled view of a paint brush shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of the flexible neck region of paint brush  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-11 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a view showing the adjustability of the neck paint brush of embodiment  100  relative to the vertical channel of the base of the brush. 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a front elevational schematic view of a second embodiment  200  of the inventive paint brush. 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the brush shown in  FIG. 14 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 15A  is an enlargement of the paint retaining region of the base of the brush bristles shown in  FIG. 15 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  is a front elevational view of a third embodiment  300  of the present invention prior to the insertion thereinto of the brush bristles. 
           [0038]      FIG. 17  is a bottom plan view of the brush as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 18  is a front elevational view similar to that of  FIG. 16 , however showing inserted thereinto the paint brush bristles. 
           [0040]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the brush of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 20  is a side, diagonal elevational view of the brush of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 21  is a side elevational view of the brush of  FIG. 20 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 22  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the brush of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 23  is a view, similar to that of  FIG. 22 , however prior to the insertion of brush bristles into the mouth thereof. 
           [0045]      FIG. 24  is a side perspective view of the brush of  FIGS. 16 and 17  prior to the insertion of bristles into the mouth thereof. 
           [0046]      FIG. 25  is a view, similar to that of  FIG. 21 , however shown prior to the insertion of brush bristles thereinto. 
           [0047]      FIG. 26  is a view of a third embodiment  300 , related to that of  FIG. 11  of embodiment  100 , in which the preferred method of attachment of the brush bristles to the mouth of the brush is shown. 
           [0048]      FIG. 27  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 26 . 
           [0049]      FIG. 28  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the brush  300  as shown in  FIG. 26 . 
           [0050]      FIG. 29  is an integrated top and front elevational view of the brush of  FIG. 26 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 30  is an integrated view showing the vertical cross-section of the brush of  FIG. 29 , a top view thereof and separate sub-views of the brushes thereof provided with glue tape about the base thereof. 
           [0052]      FIG. 31  is a vertical elevational view of a fourth embodiment  400  of the inventive paint brush showing therein a flexible neck as well as a specially designed paint brush base funnel adapted to minimize splashing, dripping and loss of paint in general. 
           [0053]      FIG. 32  is a side elevational view of the brush of  FIG. 31 . 
           [0054]      FIG. 33  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 31-33  in which the neck thereof has not been bent. 
           [0055]      FIG. 34  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 31-33  in which the flexible neck thereof is bent to an angle of about 45° relative to the central channel of the base and neck of the brush. 
           [0056]      FIG. 35  is a view of the reverse side of the brush shown in  FIG. 33 . 
           [0057]      FIG. 36  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the brush of  FIG. 31 . 
           [0058]      FIG. 37  illustrates the complemental geometry of the end of flexible element of an extension pole adapted to mate with the base of the brush. 
           [0059]      FIG. 38  is a side cross-sectional elevational view of  FIG. 36 . 
           [0060]      FIG. 39  is a view showing the adjustability of the flexible element of the lower portion of  FIG. 37 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0061]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-12 , there is shown a first embodiment of the present inventive paint brush  100 . Starting from the bottom or proximal end thereof, said paint brush  100  includes a handle  102  having a base  104  which substantially defines a solid cylinder  106 . As may be noted in the figures, said base  104  is characterized by an axial hollow channel  108  therein (see  FIGS. 2, 5, 4, 5, 7 and 8 ), in which said axial hollow channel  108  exhibits a spiral-threaded interior beginning at a proximal end  110  of the channel  108  and ending at a distal end  112  of said threaded channel  108 . Spiral threading of channel  108  is proportioned for engagement of a threaded paint pole extension  130  as is shown in  FIG. 14 . In all the embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated that said spiral threaded channel  108  is proportioned for engagement of a threaded paint pole extension, as is more fully explained below. 
         [0062]    Beginning at a distal end  112  of said base  104  is a paint brush neck  116  which may be formed of a hollow corrugated material and possesses an axial channel  109  (see  FIGS. 4 and 8 ) extending into said neck  116  but without threading therein. 
         [0063]    Distally of corrugated tubing  116  but integral therewith is a bristle support region  118  having a bristle securing recess  127  proportioned for selectable securement of groups of paint brush bristles  122  therein. As may be seen in  FIGS. 1-10 , the bristle support region  118  is disposed at the distal end of the paint brush neck  116  in which is formed bristle securing recess  127  which wraps about a proximal end of region  118  below recess mouth  121  of bristle securing recess  127  of paint brush  100  to define the bristle receiving mouth  121 , more fully described below. 
         [0064]    In  FIG. 7 , it is to be noted that axial channel  109  of paint brush neck  116  preferably extends into channel  117  of the lower portion of bristle support region  118  to conserve upon the use of materials. This channel may be seen as viewed as an extension of channel  109 . See  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The process of inserting and securing bristles  122  within bristle support region  118  is shown in the views of  FIGS. 3  thru  11 . More particularly, in the view of  FIG. 12 , bristles  122  possess a length of about 40 millimeters however the lower approximately 15 millimeters (37.5%) of the bristles are secured in the position shown in  FIG. 11  through the use of a combination of porous strip of tape  128  and appropriate glue applied thereto during the production process. As may be seen in  FIGS. 3 to 5 and 7 , after the bristles are secured by tape  128  and glue (not shown) their insertion into bristle securing recess  127  and porous strip  128  obviate the need for a circumferential band of a metallic material which characterizes almost all prior art brushes of this type. 
         [0065]    A cross-section of the brush of  FIGS. 3 and 5  is shown in  FIG. 4 . As may therefore be appreciated, the only materials required in the construction of the present paint brush  100  are an appropriate plastic polymer such as a high density polyethylene, appropriate synthetic or natural bristles such as a polyester or animal hair, and an appropriate bonding agent for securing the lower portion of the bristles into bristle securing securing recess  127  and to bonding strip  128 . Thereby the need for any metallic strip surrounding the bottom of the bristles or a bristle cartridge does not exist in any embodiment of this invention. 
         [0066]    As may be noted in a comparison in the view of  FIG. 4  with that of  FIG. 11 , one is afforded considerable flexibility in the appearance of the brush  100  provided there is uniformity of mass of material at the distal end  120  of the bristle support region  118 . 
         [0067]    In  FIG. 12  is shown an enlarged cross-sectional view of the center of  FIG. 11  by which may be more particularly seen the structure of the memory retentive elements  117  of the corrugated neck  116  of the brush. The corrugated material of segment  116  must possess particular properties for the instant invention, namely, said corrugations must define memory-retentive angulations which, in aggregate, must total at least plus or minus 45° degrees from the axis of said axial channel  108  of the paint handle  104 , this as is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . In other words, while segments of corrugated neck  116  must be memory retentive sufficient for purposes of a given assignment. When the assignment is completed, said segments must permit manual return to their normal linear position as is shown in  FIGS. 1-11 . It has been found that a polymer of suitable properties for this application includes said high density polyethylene and that the 45° angular displacement may be attained with as few as three rings having relative angulation of 15° each relative to channel  108 . See also  FIGS. 33-35 . 
         [0068]    Further shown in  FIG. 13  are variations in the bristle support region  118  which are within the scope of the embodiment  100  of the invention. For example, to the left of  FIG. 13  are shown segments  118 A,  1188 , and  118 C. Such an arrangement provides a greater degree of flexibility in positioning of bristles  122  relative to base  104 , thereby limiting the range of memory retention required of each corrugated element  117 , this simplifying the design parameters of the system. 
         [0069]    To the right of  FIG. 13  is shown an alternative geometry for the bristle support region having portions  118 C and  118 D which also provides greater system flexibility, thereby reducing the necessary range of memory retention of the elements  117  of the paint brush neck  116 . 
         [0070]    All versions of paint brush  100  may be provided with a knurled circumferential base  107  as may be seen in  FIGS. 1 through 10 . Such a knurled surface is useful in securing the inventive paint brush to the paint brush extension pole to which it is secured. Also, through the use of a wrench, paint brush  100  may be particularly firmly secured to the extension pole if the knurled base is used. 
         [0071]    Shown in  FIG. 14  is a variation of the bristle support region  218  of a further embodiment of the inventive paint brush  200 . Said paint brush  200  differs from prior art bristle securing systems in the manner particularly shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . Therefrom one may see that while lower portions  202 / 218  of the bristle securing recess  218  are generally similar to that in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-13 . However, there is further provided an effective funnel by the action of surfaces  204 / 205  and edges  206 / 207 , the effect of which is to minimize the splashing, spilling or escape of paint from bristles  122  to thereby return such excess paint to reservoir region  227  of the system. Accordingly, in addition to the various other advantages above described, the embodiment of paint brush  200  offers the additional benefit of substantially reducing the dripping and other loss of paint that occurs in prior art paint brushes. This feature is particularly important where the paint brush is elevated at the end of a long pole, such that the consequences of paint which escapes from funnel  208  (see  FIG. 15A ) is a large amount of splatter and thereby attendant clean-up of the worksite after the painting has been completed. Also, the feature of  FIGS. 14, 15 and 15A  will reduce the amendment of cleaning of the bristles of the brush necessary after completion of a particular task. 
         [0072]    With reference to  FIGS. 16-30 , there is shown a third embodiment of the inventive paint brush  300 . Starting at the bottom or proximal end thereof, said paint brush  300  includes a handle  302  having a base  304  which defines a substantially solid cylinder  306 . As may be noted in said figures, the base  304  is characterized by an axial hollow channel  308  therein (see  FIGS. 20 to 30 ) in which said hollow axial channel exhibits a spiral threaded interior  308  beginning at a proximal end  310  of the channel  308  and ending at a distal end  312  of the threaded channel  308 . Spiral threading of channel  308  is proportioned for engagement of a threaded paint pole extension as is shown in  FIG. 36 . In most embodiments of the instant invention, it is to be appreciated that spiral threaded channel  308  is proportioned for engagement of threaded paint pole extension, the only exception being where the paint brush is used as a regular paint brush. 
         [0073]    Beginning at distal end  312  of said base  304  is a paint brush neck  316  which is formed of a hollow corrugated material and possesses an axial channel  309  (see  FIGS. 26 and 28 ), extending into said neck  316  but without threading upon channel  309 . 
         [0074]    Distally of neck  316  but integral with bristle support region  318  is a bristle securing recess  327  propositioned for securement of paint brush bristles  312 . As may be seen in  FIGS. 18-30 , the bristle securing recess  327  is disposed at a mouth  321  formed within bristle securing recess  327 . In other words, bristle securing recess  327  defines a mouth  321  with glue tape to define a rigid bristle securing mouth  321 , as more fully described below. 
         [0075]    It is to be appreciated that axial channel  317  (see  FIGS. 26-30 ) of the paint brush neck  316  preferably extends into the lower portion of bristle support region  318  in the manner shown in  FIG. 8 , to thereby conserve the use of materials, whether natural or synthetic. This may be viewed as an extension of the channel  309  shown in  FIGS. 26 to 30 . The process of inserting and securing bristles  322  within bristle support region  318  is shown in the views of  FIGS. 18  thru  26 . More particularly, in the view of  FIG. 27 , bristles  322  possess, as in the embodiment of paintbrush  100 , a length of about 40 millimeters in which about 15 millimeters thereof are secured in the manner shown in  FIG. 27 . Thereby, in a range of 30 to 40 percent of the bristles are bonded within bristle support region  317 . 
         [0076]    As is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 11  of the embodiment of brush  100 , after the bristles are secured by glue tape  328  and glue (not shown) a cosmetic surface strap of material may be added. As such (see  FIG. 26 ) bristle securing recess  327  and physical gluing strip  328  obviate the need for a circumferential band of a metal or metallic material which characterizes almost all prior art brushes. As such, costly metal, assembly of such metha and its fastening materials such as nails or staples are not needed. 
         [0077]    A cross-section of the brush of  FIG. 18  is shown in  FIG. 19 . As may be appreciated, the only materials required for the construction of paint brush  300  are that of an appropriate plastic polymer such as high density polyethylene or polycarbonate, appropriate synthetic bristles made of material such as polyester or animal hair, and appropriate bonding agent for securing of the lower portion of the bristles into the bristle securing recess  327  and the use of an appropriate bonding strip  321  (see  FIGS. 15, 26-30 ). 
         [0078]    As above noted, paint brush  300  may be provided with a knurled base  306  as may be seen in  FIGS. 16-25 . Such a knurled surface is useful in securing the inventive brush  300  to a paint brush extension pole to which it is secured. That is, through the use of a wrench, brush  300  may be more firmly secured to such an extension pole. 
         [0079]    Shown in  FIG. 27  is a version of brush  300  corresponding to that shown in  FIG. 11  for brush  100 . 
         [0080]    Shown in  FIGS. 28 to 30  is a further variation of brush  300  in which the brush is provided with a more geometric appearance. 
         [0081]    Shown in  FIG. 31-37  is an embodiment  400  corresponding to the above-described embodiment  200  of the present invention, in which there is similarly provided a funnel structure about the bristle securing recess  427 , the structure and function of which correspond to that above shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 14 to 15A  of the above embodiment  200  of the inventive system. Perspective views of paint brush  400  are shown in  FIGS. 33-35 , the same showing opposing surfaces  404  and  405  which, relative to the axis of channel  408 , define an opposing angulation in a range of 20 to 40 degrees. See  FIG. 15A .  FIGS. 33-34  also show that neck  416  may comprise as few as three rings, each having a 15 degree maximum angulation, such that three rings can produce a neck angle of up to 45 degrees. 
         [0082]      FIG. 36  is similar to  FIG. 31  but without the bristles installed therein. 
         [0083]      FIG. 37  shows an extension pole  401  from which depends spiral male element  403  which mates with spiral recess  408  of base  406  of brush  400 . In a preferred embodiment, pole  400  is provided with a longitudinal channel  403  which extends past a group of flexible elements  411  similar to flexible elements  416  at the neck of brush  400 . As a result of this system, the painter is provided with a flexible brush as well as a flexible extension pole, a result of which is that many more possible angulations of the brush bristles relative to both the brush handle  406  and the extension pole  401  may be reached. As is well known to painters, there exist many difficult-to-reach painting surfaces that can be more effectively reached by the brush and pole system of  FIGS. 36-39   
         [0084]    While there has been shown and described above the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.