Abstract:
An apparatus for cooperative operation with a paint roller assembly at least includes: a main member; a first end member coupled to the main member, the first end member adapted to be secured to the end of the handle of a paint roller assembly; and a second end member coupled to the main member, the second end member at least partially spanning across a projected region. The second end member is adapted to accommodate and support a forearm during painting activities.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to paint roller assemblies and the like. More particular, the present invention relates to approaches for reducing or eliminating skeletal-muscular discomfort, pain or injury associated with the prolonged use of conventional paint roller assemblies.  
       BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART  
       [0002]     As is well know, conventional paint roller assemblies are used to manually apply relatively large amounts of paint onto a surface by applying pressure to a paint-drenched roller engaged with the surface, and simultaneously pushing the roller orthogonally with respect to the roller&#39;s axis of rotation. After the paint on the roller is sufficiently depleted, it is then replenished, followed by a repeat of the aforementioned steps (pressing accompanied by pushing or pulling along the surface to cause the paint roller to rotate) until the surface is painted as desired.  
         [0003]     Conventional paint roller assemblies, as typified by the illustration numbered  100  in  FIG. 1 , consist of a paint roller  110 , a question mark-shaped paint roller frame  140  (often, but not necessarily constructed of metal), paint roller wheels  120  and  130  to suspend and axially affix the paint roller  110  on the paint roller frame  140 , and a paint roller handle  150  connected to the otherwise free end of the paint roller frame  140 . It is also commonplace for the paint roller handle  150  to contain a grooved cavity  160  for accepting a screw-in extension rod (not shown) when a painter needs extra reach during painting.  
         [0004]     Especially when painting without the extension rod (where two hands are normally used), the combination of applying constant pressure on the painting surface and the constant pushing and pulling of the roller can lead to stress on the wrist and forearm of a painter. Exacerbating the above is the fact that the wrist is not held at an optimum angle with respect to the handle (a wrist in a position where the hand is more axially aligned with the forearm would be more ergonomically advantageous). Such stress to the muscles and ligaments around the carpel, ulna, and radius bones have been linked to skeletal-muscular problems ranging from muscle aches and pains, to bursitis (including bursitis of the elbow), to repetitive motion injuries like carpel tunnel syndrome.  
         [0005]     In view of the aforementioned problems associated with using conventional paint roller assemblies, and the failure of prior art to address these problems, there is an unmet need to eliminate or greatly reduce the negative skeletal-muscular consequences associated with the operation of conventional paint roller assemblies.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     In view of the above-identified problems not addressed by the prior art, the present invention provides an apparatus for cooperative operation with a paint roller assembly, in which the apparatus at least includes: a main member; a first end member coupled to the main member, the first end member adapted to be secured to the end of the handle of a paint roller assembly; and a second end member coupled to the main member, the second end member at least partially spanning across a projected region. The second end member is adapted to accommodate and support a forearm during painting activities.  
         [0007]     The present invention also provides an apparatus for cooperative operation with a paint roller assembly, in which the apparatus at least includes: a main member; a first end member coupled to the main member, the first end member adapted to be secured to the end of a paint roller assembly handle; a second end member coupled to the main member, the second end member at least partially spanning across a projected region; and an oblique member making an oblique angle relative to the paint roller assembly handle, and coupled between the first end member and the main member. The oblique member is adapted to be grasped during painting activities, and the second end member is adapted to accommodate and support a forearm during painting activities. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     Features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a prior art conventional paint roller assembly;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is top view of a preferred embodiment of the present-inventive wrist and forearm support device, shown operatively coupled to a conventional paint roller assembly;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the wrist and forearm support device shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top view and a rear view of a first alternate embodiment of the present-inventive wrist and forearm support device;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a second alternate embodiment of the present-inventive wrist and forearm support device;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a third alternate embodiment of the present-inventive wrist and forearm support device;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the wrist and forearm support device of  FIG. 6  as a whole, and a back view of the pivot and locking mechanism of the aforementioned wrist and forearm support device;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a fourth alternate embodiment of the present-inventive wrist and forearm support device;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a rear view of the wrist and forearm support device shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a fifth alternate embodiment of the present-inventive wrist and forearm support device;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a rear view of the wrist and forearm support device shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a sixth alternate embodiment of the present-inventive wrist and forearm support device;  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the wrist and forearm support device shown in  FIG. 12 ; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a rear view of the wrist and forearm support device shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     A preferred embodiment  200  for the present-inventive wrist and forearm support device for operative coupling to a conventional paint roller assembly is shown in  FIG. 2  connected to a paint roller assembly, and shown by itself in  FIG. 3 . In the preferred embodiment, the support device  200  is constructed from metal for structural strength, although non-metallic material can also be used. In its simpler version, the support device  200  can be formed from one piece of stock metal, or molded as one piece.  
         [0024]     A first end member  202  of the support device connects to the handle  150  of the paint roller assembly. A front end member coupler  206  contains threads which are inserted into the paint roller assembly receptacle  160 , and rotated to form the connection. In the preferred embodiment, an oblique member  212  is located between the front end member  202  and a main member  222 . A c-shaped back end member  232  provides support for a painter&#39;s forearm. During painting, the painter can grasp the oblique member  212  for a straighter wrist orientation, or grasp the paint roller assembly handle if that is more advantageous.  
         [0025]     Given the above teachings, many other configurations are possible. For example, a different version of a wrist and forearm support device  400  is shown in the top and rear view illustrations of  FIG. 4 . The bends in the support device are mostly 90 degrees. The elements  402 ,  406 ,  412 ,  422  and  432  are analogous to the elements  202 ,  206 ,  212 ,  222  and  232  on the device  200  in  FIG. 2 . The support device  400  also contains padding  436  for more comfortable contact between a forearm and the back end member  432 .  
         [0026]     Yet another alternate embodiment  500  for the present-inventive wrist and forearm support device is shown in  FIG. 5 . The addition of a pivot mechanism  508  allows the support device to have a snug fit with the paint roller assembly handle, and yet facilitate unlimited axial rotation of the support device, as may be desired during painting. A simple rivet or washer-nut combination can serve as the pivot mechanism.  
         [0027]     In still another alternate embodiment  600  shown in  FIG. 6 , a wrist and forearm support device has a pivot mechanism that allows three degrees of freedom—rotation along the longitudinal axis of the device, and lateral and pitching movement when desired. This allows adjustment of the support device  600  into the most comfortable and effective position for individual painters. In addition, a locking mechanism allows the painter to lock the device into a desired position. Both the pivot mechanism and the locking mechanism are included in the same unit  608 . However, the pivot and locking mechanisms may be separate units. A simple version of a pivot and locking unit is a ball and socket arrangement with an interference fit, and an attached locking bolt, as is well known in the art.  
         [0028]     A detailed side view of the support device  600  is shown in  FIG. 6 —especially with respect to the pivot and locking mechanism  608 . In another embodiment of the pivot and locking mechanism, the unit  608  contains a spring-loaded locking pin  709  which can be pulled away from the unit  608  to allow free rotation about the pivot. When the locking pin  709  is released, teeth (not shown) around the shaft of the locking pin engage with teeth (not shown) of the internal wall of the mechanism  608  to lock and set the relative angle between the first end member and the main member  622 .  
         [0029]     Yet another embodiment  800  of the present-inventive wrist and forearm support device is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  (top view and rear view, respectively). A front end member  802  has on one end, a coupler  806 , which is screwed into a paint roller assembly handle, and a structural member  804 . The structural member  804  has a loop shape formed from two arms  822  and  824  and a back end portion  832 . In this embodiment, the front end member  802  and the front end member coupler  806  are permanently connected, while the structural member  804  freely rotates within the elements  802  and  806 .  
         [0030]     The structural member  804  is composed of plastic for relatively low manufacturing costs, as well as a higher degree of flexibility than metal-only structural members. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the structural member  804  can be steel- (or other metal) reinforced for added rigidity and structural integrity, if needed. The back end member  832  can also be padded.  
         [0031]     A variation on the embodiment  800  of  FIG. 8  is shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  (top view and rear view, respectively). In this case, a wrist and forearm support device  1000  is similar to the device  800 , and has elements  1002 ,  1004 ,  1006 , which are analogous to elements  802 ,  804 , and  806 , respectively. However, the structural member  1004  has two retractable fork members  1022  and  1024  which are joined by a pivot and locking mechanism  1018 . A back end portion  1032  is constructed from non-rigid material such as fabric.  
         [0032]     The fork members  1022  and  1024  retract toward an imaginary centerline of the device  1000  for convenient storage.  
         [0033]     Still yet another embodiment of the present-inventive wrist and forearm support device  1200  is illustrated in the side view, top view and rear views of  FIGS. 12, 13  and  14 , respectively. This version may be thought of as a “triangular” design requiring less steel or other metals than some of the other embodiments, requiring fewer bends, and being easier to construct.  
         [0034]     A cap  1201  fixes the structural member of the device inside a front end member  1202  and coupler  1206 . The member and coupler  1202  and  1206  are hollow, allowing rotation of the structure when the device is coupled to a paint roller assembly. As can be seen from the rear view in  FIG. 14 , a back end member  1232  has a triangular shape. The embodiment  1200  also includes padding  1236  as illustrated. Finally, elements  1212  and  1222  function as similarly numbered structural members described supra.  
         [0035]     Thus has been described, a wrist and forearm support device that can be conveniently coupled to the handle of a convention paint roller assembly, and that provides support to a painter&#39;s forearm and wrist, as well as more ergonomic hand positioning.  
         [0036]     Variations and modifications of the present invention are possible, given the above description. However, all variations and modifications which are obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are considered to be within the scope of the protection granted by this Letters Patent.