Patent Document

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This is a Continuation-in-Part of Ser. No. 10/923,677, filed Aug. 24, 2004, now allowed; which is a Continuation-in-Part of Ser. No. 10/283,131, filed Oct. 30, 2002, now abandoned; which is a Continuation-in-Part of Ser. No. 09/621,079, filed Jul. 21, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,672; which is, in turn, a Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 09/273,473, filed Mar. 22, 1999, now abandoned. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to painting accessories, and more particularly to a painting implement that assists in diverse operations of hand painting, such as opening the can, mixing and stirring paint solutions, as well as aiding in cleaning the used paint roller, can and can lip.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Painting by hand, particularly building walls and partitions and other large objects, requires different tools such as brushes and rollers for applying paint to surfaces being painted. When a painter interrupts his or her work for any reason, it is a wise precaution to clean brushes and rollers so that paint will not dry and cake thereon. Frequently this is done by wiping brushes and even rollers on a convenient surface, such as the inner flange of a paint can. However, merely wiping leaves a considerable amount of paint on the brush or roller.  
         [0006]     The prior art has taken note of the problem of efficient cleaning paint supplies, and has proposed apparatuses to expedite cleaning. The prior art as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,925,908 (issued to Kirkley J. Dunn on Dec. 16, 1975); No. 6,012,473 (issued to Takehiko Koyama on Jan. 11, 2000); No. 3,460,268 (issued to Carl F. Greathouse on Aug. 12, 1969); No. 4,545,395 (issued to Kolb on Oct. 8, 1985); No. 5,984,518 (issued to King et al. on Nov. 16, 1999); and No. 2,931,661, (issued to Joseph N. Harris on Apr. 5, 1960) as cited in the previous parent application Ser. No. 09/621,079 and Ser. No. 10/283,131 are all incorporated herein as reference.  
         [0007]     The prior art is replete with devices designed to address the problems of adequate paint mixing as shown in the references to Cooke (U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,272), Silverman (U.S. Pat. No. 2,799,485), Gibson (U.S. Pat. No. 1,841,435); and Place (U.S. Pat. No. 2,896,925). These prior art patents provide a variety of means of mixing paint solutions, however none of these devices may also be used during the painting process as a paint roller cleaner in addition to a paint solution mixer.  
         [0008]     None of the above listed inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention sets forth a painting implement which enables the user to open paint cans, mix paint and clean conventional paint rollers utilizing a hand drill, as well as clean the paint can lip of accumulated paint. In most embodiments, the painting implement is selectively adjustable to be configured to mix paint or to support a paint roller for cleaning, thereby being capable of providing several functions. Implements of different sizes may be provided, for cleaning and using an assortment of sizes of paint rollers. The implement is provided with a paddle member that is perforated and of a geometric non-planar form to enhance mixing, with most embodiments of the paddle having a paint can opener tab and a can lip cleaning tab. The paddle functions as a spatula to remove paint from a container in which it is held. This function is enhanced by the shape of the paddle, specifically by deflection of the upper corners of the paddle which helps to push the paint up and over the lip of the paint container. Optionally, the paddle&#39;s upper edge is convexly curved such that the paddle is wider at the middle than at the edges, to better retain a paint roller thereon for cleaning. Optionally, the corners of the paddle may have a generally spherical surface that minimizes potential scraping of a paint bucket by the paddle.  
         [0010]     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an implement for painting that performs several painting related functions including can opening, paint mixing, roller cleaning, paint can lip cleaning.  
         [0011]     It is another object of the invention that the implement engage a hand drill for imparting rotation for paint mixing and cleaning of paint rollers.  
         [0012]     It is a further object of the invention that the implement engage paint rollers of different dimensions, thereby cooperating with standard painting tools.  
         [0013]     It is an object of the invention to provide a painting implement for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
         [0014]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a painting implement that assumes two different functional positions with ease.  
         [0015]     It is a further object of the invention to provide an embodiment of a painting implement that has a paddle mounted in fixed relation to a shaft, for use in larger containers or to mix thicker substances.  
         [0016]     It is an object of the invention to provide a painting implement that is effective but simple in design resulting in lower manufacturing costs.  
         [0017]     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the inventive painting implement in a first position.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of a first embodiment of the inventive painting implement in a first position.  
         [0021]      FIG. 1C  is a front view of an alternative shape for the rod shaft.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1D  is a side view of the alternative shape for the rod shaft shown in  FIG. 1C .  
         [0023]      FIG. 2A  is a front view of a first embodiment of the inventive painting implement in a second position.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of a first embodiment of the inventive painting implement in a second position.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2C  is a front view of a shaft with an alternative rotation limiting mechanism.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2D  is a side view of a shaft with the alternative rotation limiting mechanism of  FIG. 2C .  
         [0027]      FIG. 2E  is a front view of a shaft with another alternative rotation limiting mechanism.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2F  is a side view of a shaft with an alternative rotation limiting mechanism of  FIG. 2E .  
         [0029]      FIG. 2G  is a front view of a paddle member with an alternative rotation limiting mechanism for use with the shaft of  FIGS. 2E and 2F .  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the painting implement of the present invention having a shaft receiving groove formed therein.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the painting implement of the present invention stirring paint in a wide container.  
         [0032]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the painting implement of the present invention stirring paint in a narrow container.  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the painting implement of the present invention with a paint roller installed thereon.  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the painting implement in use cleaning a paint roller in a wide container filled with solvent.  
         [0035]      FIG. 6A  is a front view of an alternative paddle shape.  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a front view of an additional embodiment of the painting implement of the present invention having a shaft with an axially offset distal portion.  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the painting implement wherein a distal portion of the shaft has a broad shaft paddle.  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is a front view of a farther embodiment of the painting implement where the paddle is rigidly attached to the shaft and the paddle has corners with substantially spherical surfaces.  
         [0039]      FIG. 9A  is a side view of the paddle of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a first embodiment of the inventive, geometrically shaped painting implement  100 . As can be seen, the inventive painting implement  100  has a paddle member  10 , having a length, height and thickness, and ideally having slightly rounded lower corners  28  adapted to lessen the severity of any impacts between the corners of the paddle member and a container in which it is being used. The lower edge  13  of the paddle member  10  is flat to serve as a spatula to aid in the removal of paint from a paint can. The paddle member  10  is attached to a distal end  20 D of a rod shaft  20 , preferably at the center of the paddle member  10 , by a pivoting fastener  16 . The fastener  16  may comprise any suitable means of connection, such as a rivet, bolt and nut, etc., which allows selective rotational movement of the paddle member  10  around a pivot point located where the fastener  16  traverses the rod shaft  20 , the rotational movement allowing the paddle member  10  to move between two positions, discussed further below. In this embodiment, the rod shaft  20  is cylindrical, transitioning to flattened, opposing faces at the distal end  20 D, thereby providing a flat interface between the rod shaft  20  and the face of the paddle member  10 , as best seen in perspective view in  FIG. 1A  and in side view in  FIG. 1B . In an alternative embodiment, as seen in  FIGS. 1C and 1D , the rod shaft  20   a  has a hexagonal cross-section along a majority of its length, with approximately one half of its cross section cut away near a distal, paddle-supporting end to provide a planar surface  20   p  against which the paddle member  10  can be mounted, which positions the paddle member  10  substantially along the longitudinal axis A-A of the rod shaft  20   a , thereby providing improved balance of the implement, which is particularly important during rapid rotation during use. While not shown, it is understood that any other polygonal cross-sectional shape of the shaft can be used and still fall within the scope of the invention.  
         [0041]     A plurality of apertures  12  are formed through the paddle member  10 , thereby allowing a viscous fluid (hereinafter referred to as paint, although it would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that the implement  100  could be used for stirring other viscous fluids, such as sheetrock mud or spackling) being stirred to pass therethrough, increasing the agitation rate of the paint. The apertures  12  may all be formed such that they pass through the thickness of the paddle member  10  at a right angle with respect to the planar surfaces of the surface of the portion of the paddle member  10  through which they pass, or the apertures  12  may be formed at differing angles from one another with respect to the planar surfaces of the portion of the paddle member  10  through they pass, further aiding in more thorough mixing. The apertures  12  on a paddle member  10  may all be of the same size, or they may be provided in a variety of sizes on the same paddle member  10  to aid in the mixing of the paint. Provision of apertures of varied sizes is particularly desirable when mixing thicker materials, such as drywall mud, thinset, or grout. The larger apertures allow the implement to move through the thicker, perhaps clumpier, material while reducing strain on the motor of the rotary device used to drive the implement. As the clumps are broken up, or the material is made thinner due to being mixed, the substance can flow through the smaller apertures on the paddle to provide finer mixing of the substance. Additionally, the apertures  12  may be substantially uniformly arranged on the paddle member  10  or they may be arranged in a different pattern, as desired to provide a particular effect in the mixing of the paint.  
         [0042]     Additionally, a portion of each end of the paddle member  10  is deflected from the plane in which the rest of the paddle member  10  lies. The line of each of the two deflections  14  typically extends from a lower corner  28  of paddle element  10  to a point between the corresponding upper corner  30  and a midpoint between the two upper corners  30 . The two deflections  14  extend, respectively, to opposite sides of the plane of the paddle member  10  from one another, such that as the paddle member  10  rotates around the rod shaft  20  in a clockwise rotation, each of the two deflections  14  precedes the plane of the paddle member  10 , thereby aiding in cutting into the paint as the paddle member  10  rotates, creating a wave action in the paint as it is stirred. It would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that the exact shape of the deflections  14  could vary without departing significantly from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0043]     In embodiments of the painting implement of the present invention having a paddle member  10  that can be rotated relative to the shaft  20 , it is desirable to limit the rotation of the paddle member  10  so that it can be releasably placed in a first, paint stirring position where the lower edge  13  of the paddle member  10  is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , and alternately releasably placed in a second, roller-supporting position where the lower edge  13  of the paddle member  10  forms an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the shaft  20 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . A variety of different structural elements can be provided to limit the rotation of the paddle member  10  relative to the shaft  20 .  
         [0044]     As seen in  FIG. 1A , a stop nub  18  extends outwardly from the surface of paddle member  10  to one side of shaft rod  20 , at a point proximate the distal end  20 D of shaft rod  20 , below the pivoting fastener  16 . The stop nub  18  limits the rotation of the paddle member  10  about the pivoting fastener  16  to an arc, typically less than 90°, by interfering with the shaft rod  20  at opposite ends of a rotational arc of the paddle member  10 , such that paddle member  10  may rotate between a position that is substantially normal to shaft rod  20  or substantially parallel to shaft rod  20 , although preferably at a slight angle from truly parallel, as will be further detailed below. Stop nub  18  may have rounded shoulders which would allow a user to vary the tightness of the connection between the stop nub  18  and the rod shaft  20  by twisting the paddle to varying degrees, thereby affecting whether or not, and how much, stop nub  18  passes under the rod shaft.  
         [0045]     While in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A-1B  and  2 A- 2 B, the stop nub  18  is stopped from further movement by bumping up against the edge of shaft rod  20 , in an alternative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D , an arcuate channel  19  can be cut into one side of the shaft rod  20   b  so that during rotation of the paddle member  10 , stop nub  18  is received within the channel  19  and rotation of the paddle is stopped by stop nub  18  reaching the end of channel  19 . Channel  19  can be tapered from a larger open end to a smaller closed end in order to reduce wear on stop nub  18 .  
         [0046]     An additional structural feature that serves to limit the rotation of the paddle relative to the shaft is the interference, during rotation, of one of the deflections of the paddle with the shaft. This structural feature can function alone to limit rotation, or can be used in combination with any of the other rotation limiting structure disclosed herein. The interference of the deflection of the paddle with the shaft, in addition to stopping further rotation, additionally serves to releasably retain the paddle in the second, roller supporting position.  
         [0047]     In a further embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 2E, 2F , and  2 G, an additional variation of the stopping mechanism reverses the parts of the previous embodiment to provide a stop nub  18   c  on the shaft  20   c  which is received within an arcuate channel  19   c  formed on the surface of the paddle member  10   c.  Rotational movement of the paddle member  10   c  relative to rod shaft  20   c  is limited when stop nub  18   c  hits the end of travel within channel  19   c.    
         [0048]     In most embodiments, the upper corners  30  of the paddle member  10  are cut on a diagonal, as opposed to the rounded lower corners  28 . Extending from a first of the diagonal upper corners is a substantially rectilinear paint can opener  22  protrusion dimensioned and configured to fit under the rim of a paint can lid (not shown) to pry it open. The can opener protrusion  22  may extend at a slight angle from the plane of the deflection  14 . Extending from the second of the diagonal upper corners is a second substantially rectilinear lip cleaner  24  protrusion dimensioned and configured to fit within the rim lip (not shown) of a paint can to aid in the removal of paint accumulated in the rim lip (not shown).  
         [0049]     In an alternative embodiment, rather than shaft rod  20  being attached to the paddle member  10  on one side of paddle member  10 , paddle member  10  can be formed with a groove  26  along the upper edge thereof ( FIG. 3 ), the end of rod shaft  20  being rotatably affixed therein by a pivot fastener  16  such that as the paddle member  10  is rotated about the pivot fastener  16  to the substantially parallel position, the rod shaft  20  fits into the groove  22 , the walls of the groove  26  acting in lieu of the stop nub  18 .  
         [0050]     As stated, in most embodiments of the invention, the inventive painting implement  100  may be set at two functionally distinct positions depending on the operation being performed with paddle member  10 .  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate the first, lateral or normal position, which is employed when the implement  100  is used as a mixer/stirrer in larger paint containers (typically 1 gallon and larger). As shown in  FIGS. 4A, 4B  and  6 , the rod shaft  20  is an elongated, rigid shaft for coupling the paddle member  10  to an electrically operated hand drill  50 . It would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that the shaft  20  could be grasped in the hand and the implement used as a hand-held stirring device without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0051]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate the painting implement  100  in a second, substantially linear or parallel position wherein the paddle member  10  is positioned substantially parallel to, but with an offset of an acute angle with respect to the rod shaft  20  (described further below). In this second position, the implement  100  functions as an element for mixing/stirring in a smaller container (typically 1 gallon or 1 quart), mixing/stirring thinner fluids in order to prevent excessive splashing which could be caused by using the first position, or for supporting a paint roller for cleaning (described below).  
         [0052]      FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B  show the implement  100  in use stirring paint  42  within a paint container  40 . The arrows indicate movement currents of the paint  42  as it is being mixed. The perforations  12  within paddle member  10 , in conjunction with the deflections  14  of paddle member  10 , both play a major part in further assisting with the mixing (i.e., stirring motion) of the paint  42  when the paddle is in motion. Additionally, paint may be stirred in a larger, unopened container by inserting the paddle member  10  through the bung hole (not shown) of the lid (not shown) of the container with the paddle in the second, linear position. Centrifugal force may cause the paddle member  10  to open to the lateral position of  FIG. 1A , or it may be used in the linear position.  
         [0053]     Additionally, this second position may also be employed to assist with the cleaning of a paint roller  60 , as shown at  FIGS. 5 and 6 . For the purpose of cleaning the roller  60 , the paddle member  10  is inserted into the interior wall  62  of paint roller  60 , in the linear configuration of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , with the slight deviation from the rod shaft  20  allowing the paddle member  10  and the rod shaft  20  to engage the interior of the paint roller  60  to frictionally hold the paint roller  60  on the implement  100 . As shown in FIG.  6 , paint roller  60  may be inserted in a container  70  containing a cleaning solution  72 . A hand drill  50  coupled to the paddle member  10  (by way of a proximal end of shaft  20 ) spins the roller  60 , as indicated by arrow  75 . The centrifugal forces produced by the offset shape of the paddle member  10  during the spinning aids in the removal of paint embedded within the fibers of roller  60  by producing a whipping action. This oscillation greatly enhances the cleaning process.  
         [0054]     While the portion of the upper edge  32  of paddle member  10  between the two angle-cut upper corners  30  can be seen in  FIG. 2A  to be a flat edge, parallel to lower edge  13 ,  FIG. 6A  shows an alternative embodiment where the portion of the upper edge  32   a  of paddle member  10  between the two angle-cut upper corners  30  is convexly curved such that the paddle is wider at the middle than at the edges, to better retain a paint roller thereon for cleaning.  
         [0055]     In addition to being cleaned in a container, the paint roller  60  may be sprayed with a fluid from a nozzle head (not shown) as the hand drill  50  rotates the element  100  and paint roller  60 .  
         [0056]     The present invention is susceptible to variations and modifications which may be introduced thereto without departing from the inventive concept. For example, paddle member  10  may be removable from rod shaft  20 , rather than having a rivet at pivot fastener  16 . Instead, paddle member  10  could be retained by friction in the two operative positions, if desired. Additionally, the size of the paddle member  10  may vary so that it may be usable with paint rollers  60  of different dimensions. The paddle member  10  may have edges formed in a beveled manner, as well, to facilitate other uses of the paddle  10 , such as scraping the interior of paint cans, etc. Furthermore, while a rigid paddle member  10  is preferred, a flexible paddle member  10  may also be utilized, allowing for more flexibility as a spatula for removing paint from a can.  
         [0057]     In alternative embodiments, the rod shaft  20 A may have an offset  21  along its length ( FIG. 7 ), proximate the proximal end  20   p . The paddle member  10  is mounted within the offset  21 , which aids in maintaining a center of balance for the implement  100  which lies more along the axis of the shaft  20 A, thereby reducing any wobble which would be caused by the blade  10  being attached to one side of the shaft.  
         [0058]     At  FIG. 8 , the rod shaft  20 B may have a broad shaft paddle  21  formed therein. The shaft paddle  21  may either have a twist, as shown, or be flat (not shown). The shaft paddle  21  increases the agitation of the paint  42  beyond that of the paddle member  10 . Additionally, the upper  13  and lower  15  edges of the paddle member  10  may be more flexible than the body of the paddle member  10 , thereby providing additional gripping of the interior of a paint roller  60  when it is inserted therein.  
         [0059]     While the majority of embodiments disclosed herein have a paddle member  10  that is rotatably mounted to a rod shaft  20 , an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  provides a paddle member  10   d  that is rigidly mounted to a rod shaft  20 , typically by welding. By way of example, the rod shaft  20  may have a slot (not shown) extending along its axis from its distal end toward its proximal end, within which the paddle member  10   d  is received. The paddle member  10  is secured to the rod shaft  20  with a series of welds  21  on both sides thereof. This rigidly mounted embodiment is most likely used when the paddle member  10   d  is very large for use in mixing a viscous liquid in a large container. In this embodiment, the upper corners  33  of the paddle may not have the cut-off corners of the rotatable embodiments, but all embodiments are provided with the upper portions of the paddle member  14  oppositely deflected, as described in relation to the first embodiment.  
         [0060]     An additional feature that may optionally be present in any of the embodiments described above is the inclusion of a substantially spherical surface  35  on any or all of the corners of the paddle that are not cut off at an angle ( FIGS. 9 and 9 A). This spherical surface  35  serves to minimize scraping of the sides of a paint can or bucket by the inventive implement. The spherical surface may be formed either by casting it along with the paddle member such that the spherical surfaces are unitary with the paddle member, or by adding it subsequently, such as by placing a notched ball bearing, for example, over the corner of the paddle member and securing it thereto. In either case, the round edge must not interfere with the ability of the lower edge of the paddle member to be used as a spatula.  
         [0061]     One more optional feature is for the bottom edge  36  (see  FIG. 6A ) of the paddle member to have a softer feel, or be more flexible than the rest of the paddle member, to aid in the ability of the paddle member to act as a spatula. This softer lower edge can be provided by making the paddle of plastic, with the lower edge made to be more soft and/or flexible than the rest of the paddle member. Alternatively, if the paddle member is made of metal, a softer and/or more flexible material can be mounted along the lower edge of the paddle member, similar to the design of a squeegee.  
         [0062]     It would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that the implement  100  of the present invention may be formed in a variety of ways, including extrusions and injection molding, of a variety of materials, and metals and polymers, and in a variety of material weights, from light for paints, to heavy for thicker fluids, such as sheet rock compound.  
         [0063]     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: b