Abstract:
A corner paint shield apparatus having at least one arm including at least one groove for collecting excess paint and an outer lip for preventing paint from seeping from the painted surface to one not intended to receive paint. The shield further includes a member attached to the arm for moving the paint shield to and from a desired position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the priority date of co-pending Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/096,254, filed Aug. 12, 1998 in the names of Barbara Meyer and Helmut Meyer, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a shielding apparatus, particularly shields used for painting and, more particularly, to a corner paint shield for glass pane windows, doors, baseboards, ceilings, etc. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Apparatus for shielding liquids, particularly paints and stains from an undesired area are known in the art. Such shields have taken the form of rolled adhesive tape and handheld devices with flexible or semi-rigid blades. The tape or blade is placed over the area that is not to receive the liquid, for exemplary purposes, paint. Once the shield is placed over the area to be protected, a paintbrush or roller may apply paint to the limits of the desired area in a not-so-careful manner such that if that the brush or roller goes beyond the desired location, excess paint will be applied to the shield and not the undesired surface. 
     A common application of paint in a highly visible area is on wood trim moldings around doors and windows. Accuracy on the application of paint around windows is required due to the undesirability of paint on the window screen or other window treatment. Of particular difficulty is in a corner where moldings form a 90° or other angle. When using a brush to apply paint, the corner tends to bunch up the bristles and an excessive amount of paint is unintentionally squeezed from the brush thereby depositing an overabundance of paint in the area. This condition results in the excess paint flowing to undesired areas necessitating difficult removal of the excess. 
     Straight, single blade shields are often ineffective as a device as they only protect one molding forming one half of the corner angle. Use of two, single blade shields is awkward to hold in position and control as described in Canadian Patent No. 2,176,402 to Spence. Such single blade devices also suffered from a lack of structural stability, difficulty in handling and deficiencies in collecting and holding excess paint. 
     The prior art shields described above are problematic due to the use of designs and materials which lack strength, stability, adequate rigidity and are difficult to use. 
     Prior art designs are also problematic due to the inability or deficiency to collect and hold excess paint or liquid deep in the corner or angle between adjoining moldings. The paint shield disclosed in Spence includes grooves that do not extend into and through the corner allowing for excess paint to deposit and uncontrollably flow to undesired areas as described above. 
     Prior art shields are also problematic through use of continuous and relatively large bottom contact surfaces that cover the area to be protected. This is disadvantageous in several respects. A large contact surface area on the shield increases the probability the contact surface will be nonplanar and the shield will be skewed and thus will not lie flat and closely conform to the surface to be protected. Similarly, a large shield contact surface is also more prone to contact imperfections or obstructions in the surface to be protected which will force the shield away from the area to be covered. Additionally, and possibly most important, a large shield contact surface will distribute the force applied on the shield to the protective area thereby reducing the pressure from the critical area of the shield which is immediately adjacent and abuts the extreme edge of the surface to be painted. 
     These deficiencies permit, or increase the probability, that excess paint will pass by the shield to the area to be protected such as window glass. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a paint shield that improves upon or overcomes the problematic conditions in the prior art. It would also be desirable to provide a paint shield that is simple, inexpensive, easy and comfortable to use as well as being reusable an indefinite amount of times. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a paint shield advantageously usable on a window, for example and more advantageously, in a corner of a window to protect the window glass from excess paint from a paint brush applying paint to a surrounding window trim molding. 
     The present invention includes at least one arm with a member attached thereto for manipulating the arm. The arm includes a top surface having at least one groove and an outer lip formed from the top surface and a bottom surface having a recess. The outer lip abuts the surface to be painted and prevents paint from seeping to the surface to be shielded from paint. 
     The arm of the present invention may terminate in a raised side wall at each end of the arm. The groove on a top surface of the arm extends substantially the entire length of the arm ending at the raised side walls or immediately adjacent thereto. 
     The outer lip may include an outer wall joining the top and bottom surfaces of the arm and may further include an outer edge formed by the outer wall and the bottom surface of the arm. 
     In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the paint shield includes first and second interconnected arms disposed at a 90° angle having a member extending between the first and second arms for manipulating the position of the paint shield. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The various features, advantages and other uses of the present will become more apparent by referring to the following description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention. 
     The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the window corner paint shield of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the window corner paint shield positioned in a window corner; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the paint shield shown in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view generally taken along the line of  4 — 4  in FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the paint shield  10  is preferably in the form of a one piece, unitary, molded member. The paint shield  10  is preferably formed of a molded plastic; although other materials, such as wood, composites, metal, etc., may also be employed. Further, the paint shield  10  is preferably formed with a substantially rigid construction to prevent flexing in use. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, by example only, the paint shield  10  includes first and second arms  12  and  14 , respectively. Preferably, the arms  12  and  14  are disposed 90° apart and interconnected at a common edge or joint  16  along a 45° angle. It will be understood that the paint shield of the present invention may also take other forms including one or more arms, such as a simple straight edge with one arm, or a square or other polygonal shape with a plurality of arms. 
     The first arm  12  and second arm  14  are similarly constructed. Thus, the following description of the construction of the second arm  14  will be understood to apply equally to the construction of the first arm  12 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the second arm  14  has a generally wedge or triangular shape extending between a higher or longer height inner wall  18  to a short, angled outer wall  20 . Outer wall  20  ends at an outer edge  21 . 
     At least one, and preferably, a plurality of recessed grooves, with three recessed grooves  22 ,  24  and  26  being illustrated by way of example, are formed in the top surface  29  of the second arm  14 . The recessed grooves  22 ,  24  and  26  may take the form of many different cross sections, such as polygonal, circular, etc. Each of the grooves  22 ,  24  and  26  project downwardly from the top surface  29  of the second arm  14  for a predetermined distance or depth. It is understood the number of recessed grooves, cross section configuration, and depth may vary to accommodate the particular liquid or application. 
     Flat top surface strips  23 ,  25 ,  27  and  28  are formed adjacent to each of the grooves  22 ,  24  and  26 . Due to the preferred wedge or triangular shape of the arm  14 , the top surface strips  25 ,  27  and  28  lie in a substantially common plane or along a common arc; but have a generally downwardly angled or sloped configuration from the top edge of the inner wall  18  to the top edge of outer wall  20 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, by example, outer wall  20  is angled or sloped with respect to top surface  29  and ends in an outer edge  21 . It is understood that outer wall  20  may vary in height between the outer edge  21  and the top edge of outer wall  20  adjacent top surface strip  28  to accommodate different profiles and surfaces of trim moldings  32 . Likewise, and for similar reasons, outer wall  20  may be vertical, angled or contoured to accommodate trim moldings  32 . 
     As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the recessed grooves  22 ,  24  and  26  extend substantially the entire length of second arm  14 . Preferably, arm  14  includes a raised sidewall  30  which is located on and covers the end of arm  14 . The grooves  22 ,  24  and  26  extend from side wall  30  to the edge or joint  16  between the first arm  12  and second arm  14 . In this manner, the recessed grooves  22 ,  24  and  26  on both of the first and second arms  12  and  14 , respectively, are disposed in open communication with each other at the 90° angle or joint  16 . As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the recessed grooves  22 ,  24  and  26  end at another raised sidewall  30  on the first arm  12 . The raised sidewalls  30  prevent excess paint from flowing from the grooves to the trim molding  32  or surrounding window  33 . It is further understood that where paint shield  10  includes one arm, each end of the arm will preferably include a raised sidewall  30 . In an alternate aspect of the invention, the recessed grooves end or are closed immediately adjacent the end of first arm  12  and second arm  14  obviating the primary need for raised sidewalls  30 . 
     The recessed grooves  22 ,  24  and  26  function to collect excess paint from a paintbrush or roller as the paintbrush or roller is moved along the conventional trim molding  32 , shown in FIG. 2, surrounding a window  33 . The collected paint can be easily washed out or otherwise removed from the grooves  22 ,  24  and  26  for reuse of the paint shield  10 . At the same time, the top surface strips  23 ,  25 ,  27  and  28  in conjunction with the recessed grooves  22 ,  24  and  26 , form a solid, continuous surface overlaying the glass window  33  which prevents any paint from the paintbrush or roller from contacting the glass. 
     Although disclosed and shown for use in a window or window corner, it is understood that paint shield  10  is equally functionable for shielding paint or other materials from doors, ceilings, floors, baseboards, walls, trim moldings and the like. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, a recess  34  is formed in the bottom surface of the first arm  12  and second arm  14  and extends substantially along the entire length of the first arm  12  and second arm  14 . The recess  34  extends laterally across the width of each of the first and second arms  12  and  14  respectively. The recess  34  forms a lip  40  which includes the outer wall  20 , outer edge  21  and an outer bottom surface  38 . Preferably outer edge  21  lies in the same plane as outer bottom surface  38 . Recess  34 , by example, is generally rectangular in shape and includes an angled portion  35  which is adjacent the outer bottom surface  38  of lip  40 . Angled portion  35  is generally parallel to the top surface strip  28  to maintain adequate material thickness for strength and rigidity. It is understood that both recess  34  and angled portion  35  may be of any size and shape to accommodate the environment or application of paint shield  10  or to improve the function and ease of use of paint shield  10 . 
     The configuration of lip  40  prevents, or reduces the possibility of, paint seeping past outer wall  20 , outer edge  21  and under the outer bottom surface  38  to the glass  33 . Outer bottom surface  38  is relatively narrow in a lateral direction and extends the entire length of first arm  12  and second arm  14 . This relatively small contact surface area or footprint effectively concentrates the weight of paint shield  10  and/or the force applied by the user on the shield to the glass window  33  thereby further reducing the possibility of paint passing by outer edge  21  and outer bottom surface  38 . 
     Recess  34  also forms an inner bottom surface  36 . Inner bottom surface  36  and outer bottom surface  38  are substantially in the same plane although it is understood the surfaces may be in different planes to accommodate a step or contour in the window  33  or molding  32  which shield  10  rests on and/or abuts. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a preferred aspect, a manipulating means or member  46  extends between the first arm  12  and second arm  14 . By example, the member  46  preferably has a general hollow configuration with a recess  47  extending upward from a bottom surface  50  contiguous with the inner bottom surface  36 . In this aspect, the member  46  bottom surface  50  lies in the same plane as the arm inner bottom surface  36  and arm outer bottom surface  38  permitting the paint shield  10  and accompanying member  46  to lie flat or flush against the window  33 . In an alternative aspect, the member bottom surface  50  may lie in a different plane from the arm bottom surfaces  36  and  38  to allow clearance, or interference as desired, of the member  46  with the window  33  or other details or obstructions. 
     Preferably, member  46  is integrally molded to first arm  12  and second arm  14 . However, it is understood member  46  may be attached using conventional attachments such as mechanical fasteners or adhesive. In an alternative aspect, where the paint shield  10  includes only one arm, the member  46  is attached to the arm in a similar manner as described above. 
     In a preferred aspect, projection or handle  48  is attached on an upper surface  52  of member  46  to facilitate handling and movement of the paint shield  10 . Preferably, handle  48  is integrally molded with member  46  and is generally hollow and rectangular in form extending unitarily upward from a top surface  52  of the member  46 . Although handle  48  is shown as a generally rectangular-shaped projection, handle  48  may take any shape or form suitable for easily manipulating or moving the shield  10  such as a knob, a post, or if member  46  is positioned away from glass  33 , a through hole. Member  46  may itself be configured to act as a handle without a separate handle  48  formation. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, in preferable operation, the paint shield  10  is positioned using member  46  and handle  48  in a window  33  surrounded by a conventional trim molding or frame  32 . The paint shield  10  is placed against the window glass pane  33  and is slid along the glass toward the desired position along the trim molding  32 . As shown in FIG. 2, the preferred paint shield  10  includes two arms positioned 90° apart for use in a 90° corner. 
     The paint shield  10  is forced into the 90° corner of trim molding  32  such that outer wall  20  or, depending on the shape of the molding  32 , outer edge  21  is in abutting engagement with the outer surface of trim molding  32  (not shown). Pressure is maintained to position the paint shield  10  against the outer edge of trim molding  32  such that, as appropriate, outer wall  20  or outer edge  21  abuttingly engages the outer wall of trim molding  32 . Simultaneously, outer bottom surface  38  and inner bottom surface  36  abuttingly engages the glass pane of window  33 . 
     The operator then applies the paint to the desired location on trim molding  32 . In the event paint is applied beyond the outer edge of trim molding  32 , excess paint is collected and stored in recessed grooves  22 ,  24  and  26  preventing excess paint from flowing onto window  33 . Recessed grooves  22 ,  24  and  26  are continuous and therefore collect and store paint along the entire length of first and second arms  12  and  14  respectively. 
     As outer wall  20 , or outer edge  21 , abuttingly engages the outer surface of trim molding  32 , a minimal amount of paint, if any, will flow down outer wall  20  to outer edge  21 . Preferably, outer edge  21 , lies in the same plane as outer bottom surface  38  and thereby abuttingly engages the window  33  glass pane, preventing paint from passing to outer bottom surface  38 . Outer bottom surface  38  abuttingly engages window  33  preventing paint from seeping under outer bottom surface  38  onto additional portions of window  33 . 
     Upon completion of painting the corner of trim molding  32 , paint shield  10  is removed from window  33  and molding  32  through use of member  46  and handle  48 . Any excess paint that has been applied to the arm top surface  29  and collected in recessed grooves  22 ,  24  and  26 , are easily removed through use of an appropriate cleaner for that paint or other liquid. The shield  10  is then ready for reuse.