Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO92/1~72 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 '~ 9 PCT/CA9l/~32
_ -- 1
~AINT ~Ku~n BRI8TLE ~OLD~R
FIELD O~ THE lNv~..llON
This invention pertains to a paint brush bristle
holder which facilitates cleAnin~ after use, and prevents
dried paint bristle buildup and bristle spread, both of
which occur after paint brushes have been used and re-used
for a period of time.
BACKGROUND OF THE lNv~ ON
A longstA~ing problem with paint brushes that
are used for industrial and domestic painting applications
i8 that with time and repeated use paint tends to build up
within the bristles at the end of the bristles that is
joined to the paint brush handle and base. The bristles
are typically held in place with rigid urethane glue which
is bonded to a ferrule connected to the brush handle. The
paint which collects in that area of the bristles is
difficult to clean away. Thus, usually, some paint is left
in the bristles in that region of the brush even after the
used brush has been cleaned. The dried paint collects and
builds up over time with repeated use of the paint brush.
miS causes the bristles of the brush to spread and reduces
the efficiency of the brush. Also, the dried paint build
up tends to cause the bristles to wear and break at the
location of the dried paint. This reduces the life of the
paint brush.
Proper cleaning of a paint brush requires a
considerable amount of solvent, if the person cleaning the
brush is meticulous. This often represents a waste of
costly solvent, and represents an environmental pollutant.
3~ Thus, most commercial painters will balance the cost of the
solvent with the cost of the paint brush. It may be
economic, for instance, to only expect a paint brush to be
W092/1~72 PCT/CA91/~3~
-- ?.,l~3~9 - 2 -
used a half-dozen times before it must be ~ic~rded, rather
than waste a considerable amount of solvent attempting to
meticulously clean the brush after each use.
The time required to clean conventional brushes
is also an important factor for commercial painters. In
some instances it can be more economic for commercial
painters to ~i~c~rd brushes after each use rather than
spend the time to clean them properly. This also results
in unn~ceccAry wastage.
With conventional paint brushes solvent tends to
accumulate in a cavity between the glued end of the
bristles and the end of the brush handle within the fer-
lS rule. Accordingly, when the brush is subsequently used,solvent tends to escape from the cavity and run down the
brush handle, especially when the brush is used to paint
overhead ceilings and the like. Additionally, if the brush
was previously used to apply paint of another colour,
migration of solvent from the aforesaid cavity may result
in mistinting of the paint.
It would be advantageous if some means could be
developed which would minimize or eliminate the ~u~ld up of
paint in the location where the bristles are set or meet
the paint brush handle. It would also be advantageous if
a me~h~nicm could be developed to reduce the amount of
solvent which is required to clean a paint brush. It would
also be useful if a mec~Ani~m could be developed which
would reduce or eliminate bristle flare as it occurs over
time when a paint brush is used a number of times.
U.S. patent No. 4,129,918, granted December 19,
1978, to Robert Lee, discl,oses an adjustable sleeve for an
artist's paint brush adapted to adjust the effective length
of the bristles of the brush. The adjustable sleeve is
tubular at its tip to contain the hair or bristles. The
W092/1~72 PCT/CA91/~32
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21 002~9
sleeve is split above the tip to provide a spring biased
grip upon the brush ferrule. The adjustable sleeve is
tapered in substantial conformity with the taper of the
ferrule and it is longit~in~lly adjustable relative to the
ferrule to vary the effective length of the hair or bris-
tles. The sleeve is designed for use with an artist's
brush, which has bristles arranged in a taper column form.
The sleeve does not fit over the base of the brush at the
location where the bristles meet the base.
U.S. patent No. 4,237,579, issued December 9,
1980, to Johnathan H. Salmon, discloses a tool for applying
a liquid stain to a flat surface to impart a timber grain
effect to the surface. The tool comprises a paint brush,
a bristle retaining slidable plate on one side of the brush
and a slidable comb plate on the other side of the brush.
Both of the plates have an elongated slot which engages a
bolt which p~^s through the paint brush. The comb
adjustably separates the brush bristles into discrete
h~lnc~es to permit the application of stain to impart a wood
grain pattern to the_surface.
This tool does not disclose a holder which fits
- on both sides of the pa;nt brush base where the ~ristles
are secured to the base. The tool is not designed to
prevent paint from migrating down the bristles in the
direction of the base.
U.S. patent No. 4,339,837, granted July 20, 1982,
to Christiaan R~eh~rg, discloses a sliding box-like girdle
which can be fit over a paint brush to confine the bris-
tles. The girdle acts as a hanger so that the paint brush
can be hung on a wall. The girdle also protects the brush
briRtles while on display, or during storage. Further, the
girdle is used to control the effective length of the
bristle ends for specific painting jobs. The girdle also
~~ - 4 - 2 1 0 0 2 4 9
serves to squeeze excess paint from the bristles after each
dip into a can of paint.
The girdle does not serve to encircle the base of
the paint brush, where the bristles meet the paint base,
and thereby prevent paint from migrating along the bristles
to the base, and thereby collecting at the base-bristle
ended face.
British Patent No. A-29156, Cole, discloses a
paint brush provided with a girdle (a) located around the
base of the bristles, the lower portion of the girdle being
in abutment with a releasable socket (c) made in two parts
- hinged together, said socket surrounding and clamping the
bristles at a lower portion of the girdle.
Belgian Patent No. A-497,801 discloses a circular
girdle 16 which fits over the base of a circular paint
brush and holds the bristles 15 together at a point removed
from the base.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A bristle holder adapted for use with a paint
brush handle and base with bristles at one end comprising:
(a) a girdle adapted to releasably encircle the base of the
paint brush handle and the base of the bristles; (b) a pair
of releasable members secured to each side of the girdle,
the members being capable of abutting the bristles when
moved to a first position, and being removed from the
bristles when moved to a second position.
A bristle holder with a member suitable for
releasably fixing over the bristles of a paint brush which
comprises: (a) removable means which fit over and surround
the bristles of the brush at the location where the
bristles meet the base and handle of the brush, said means
2I 002~9
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- 4a -
preventing the migration of paint into the bristles which
are surrounded and held by the removable means; and (b)
releasable means for enabling the removable means to be
affixed over the bristles or removed from the bristles.
A bristle holder wherein the removable means may
be secured to the base of the paint brush by at least one
hinge means which is connected to the base of the paint
brush. The releasable means may be a spring which is
hingedly secured to the base of the paint brush.
WO92/1~72 2 ~ PCT/CAgl/~32
~_ 5
The holder may be constructed of four components
which can be removably ~e_~ed to one another around the
bristles at the location where the bristles are received in
the base of the paint brush. The four components may be
adapted~to snap together to thereby form a unitary clamp
means. Two of the components may be releasably secured to
the other two components by means of springs, which snap
into place against the other component.
10DRAWINGS
In the drawings which represent a detailed
illustration of specific embodiments of the invention, but
which should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention in any way:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of the
paint brush bristle holder installed on a paint brush.
20Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a paint brush
with the bristle holder.
Figure 3 illustrates an end section view of the
bristle holder with the side gripping plates h-inged away
from the bristles.
Figure 4 illustrates an ènd section view of the
bristle holder with the side gripping plates hinged against
the bristles.
Figure 5 illustrates an end section view of the
holder clamped against the bristles.
Figure 6 illustrates a front elevation view of a
paint brush with an alternative style clamp secured in
place on the paint brush;
21~024~
Figure 7 represents a side elevation view of a
paint brush with the alternative clamp secured in place on
the paint brush;
Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a
paint brush adapted to receive the alternative paint brush
clamp;
Figure 9 illustrates a side elevation view of the
main component of the alternative paint brush clamp;
Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of the
removable element of the alternative paint brush clamp;
Figure 11 illustrates a side.section elevation
view of a paint brush, with the two alternative clamp
members in a position ready for clamping on the paint
brush; and
Figure 12 illustrates a side section view of the
two alternative elements of the clamp clamped in place on
the bristles of the paint brush where the bristles are set
into the paint brush handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A
SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates
an isometric view of a paint brush tool, with handle 4, and
bristle 6, equipped with a bristle holder 8. The bristle
holder 8 has on each side, a hinged panel 10, which extends
laterally along the wide side of the holder 8. The edge of
each hinged panel 10, removed from the bristle 6, as
thereon a respective reinforcing clip 12, reinforcing clip
12, is usually formed of stainless steel, andser~es to
provide dimensional stability to the hinged panel 10, when
the hinged panel 10 is hinged upwardly so that it abuts the
` 210~249
_
- 7
bristle 6. Figures 2 and 3 show the hinged panel 10
abutting the bristle 6. The bristle holder 8 is a clip
with a pair of securing clips 14, which in Figure 1, are
shown hinged downwardly, to thereby enable the pair of
panels 10 to be moved away from the bristle 6. A s~rew 16
fits in the narrow side of the holder 8, and holds a
bristle separator 20 (not visible in Figure 1) which
extends laterally across the interior of the holder 8. The
bristle separator 20 forms a space 21 between one group of
bristles on one side of the holder, and another group of
bristle 6 on the other side of the holder 8.
Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the paint
brush 2, with handle 4 and bristle 6. As seen in Figure 2,
lS hinged panel 10 has been moved so that it abuts the bristle
6, and is held in place by the pair of securing clips 14
being snugged into position to hold the panel 10 against
the bristles 6. Figure 2 also illustrates how the rein-
forcing clip 12, constructed of harden steel, strengthens
the edge of the panel 10, and thereby ensures that a firm
force is applied against the bristle 6 along the entire
edge of the panel 10. Figure 2 also illustrates holder end
piece 18, which extends along the narrow side of each side
of holder 8.
Figure 3 illustrates an ended view of the paint
brush 2, with handle 4 and bristle 6. As seen previously
in Figure 2, Figure 3 also illustrates the pair of hinged
panels 10 ~ovedinto position so that they abut thebristles
6, and are held in place by securing clips 14. Holder end
piece 18 is fully visible in Figure 3. Screw 16, which
extends the length of holder 8, holds the two holder end
pieces 18 together, as well as bristle separator 20, which
is not visible in Figure 3. The bristle separator 20,
creates a space 21, between one group of bristle 6 and the
opposite group of bristle 6. ~ _
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-- 8
Figure 4 illustrates a section view showing how
the bristle 6 are arranged in two groups and fit into the
interior of holder 8. As seen in Figure 4, the pair of
hinged panels 10 are hinged away from the bristle 6.
Bristle separator 20, which is held in place by screw 16,
separates the bristles into two groups, leaving space 21
between the two groups. Clips 14 have been swung away so
that panels 10 can be moved away from the bristle 6.
The orientation depicted in Figure 4 is ideal for
enabling the bristles to be fully clamped. By moving the
two hinged panels 10 away from the bristles, bristles which
have not been coated with paint, are exposed to the sol-
vent. The solvent can be either a petroleum distil sol-
vent, used for removing oil base paint, or water, which can
be used to remove latex-base paint.
Figure 5 illustrates a section view of the
interior of the brush, with the two hinged panels 10 hinged
so that they abut the respective sides of the bristle 6.
The pair of reinforcing clips 10, which are formed of
harden steel, ensure that the two panels 10, when abutting
the sides of the bristles, squeeze the bristles 6 tightly
against bristle separator 20, thereby discouraging paint
from migrating along the bristles 6 past the point where
the pair of reinforcing clips 12 abut the bristles 6. The
combination of the reinforcing clips 12, and the bristles
separator 20, also serve to hold the two groups of bristles
snugly, for painting purposes. Then, once the paint job
has been completed, or the painter wishes to stop painting
for the day, the painter merely removes the pair of clips
14 away from the pair of panels 10, the hinged panels 10
are then moved away from the bristles, to the position seen
in Figure 4, and the bristles6are then fully exposed for
ready cleaning.
2~0~9
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g
Tests conducted with the paint brush holder 8,
indicated that the bristles 6 can be fully cleaned using
only about 10 percent of the amount of solvent normally
used. Furthermore, it has been found that because the
paint is not allowed to travel to the junctions where the
bristle 6 meets the brush handle 4, flex points of weakness
are not created, and hence the bristles last much longer
than the conventional paint brush designs.
Bristle holder 8, and hinged panels 10, and
holder end pieces 18, can be formed of a suitable plastic
such as medium density polyethylene, polypropylene, or some
other flexible plastic. The joint between the panels 10
and the bristle holder 8, using such plastic materials, can
be flexed millions of times. Therefore, a separate hinge
is not required.
Referring to Figures 6 and 7, which illustrate
respectively front and side elevation views of a paint
brush, with the paint brush clamp secured in place, it can
be seen that the paint brush clamp 22 is positioned on the
paint brush 24 over the bristles 26 in the area where the
bristles are set or clamped in the base of the paint brush
24. The clamp 22 has a pair of wing grips 28 which fit
onto the sides of the base of the paint brush 24.
Referring to Figure 8, it can be seen that the
base 25 of the paint brush 24 is adapted to have grip slots
30 formed on each side. Each grip slot 30 has a grip prong
32 constructed at the top end of the rspective grip slot
30.
Referring to Figure 9, which illustrates the main
component of the clamp 22, it can be seen that the clamp 22
has the respective wing grips 28 constructed at each side
of the clamp 22. Prong holes 34 are constructed at the top
region of each of the wing grips 28. Prong holes 34
W092/1~72 2 1 0 0 2 4 9 PCT/CAg~ 2
-- 10 --
~.~~p~ctively receive the two grip prongs 32, which are
constructed in the top regions of the two grip slots 30 on
each side of the base 35.
As can be seen in Figure 10, removable clamp
piece 36, is co.._L~cted so that it has a pair of clamp
grips 38 formed as each end of the clamp piece 36. These
clamp grips 38 are formed to mate with a respective pair of
clamp grip slots 40 which are constructed in the interior
surfaces of the two sides of the clamp 22. Each clamp grip
38 has a clamp grip prong 42, formed on the outer side of
each clamp grip 38. These ~o..~s 42 are adapted to be
received within and held by a pair of clamp prong holes 44,
which are formed in the outer sides of the respective clamp
grip slots 40 in clamp 22. Thus, removable clamp piece 36
can be cn~rr~ into place in conjunction with clamp 22 by
inserting the respective clamp grips 38 into the respective
clamp grip slots 40 and having the prongs 42 snap into
place within respective prong holes 44.
The clamp 22 is first secured to the base 25 of
the paint brush 24 by sliding re~pective wing grips 28 into
e_r~ctive side grip slots 30 as formed on the sides of the
base 25. The wing grips 28 are lid along the siots, in an
upwardly direction, commencing at the base of each slot 30,
until a point is reached where grip prongs 32 snap into
position in respective prong holes 34. Then, once clamp 22
is in place, and in effect encloses three sides of the
bristles 6, removable clamp piece 36 is put into place by
inserting the respective clamp grips 38 into respective
slots 40 of the clamp 22, until a point is reached where
the respective prongs 42 snap into place within the re-
spective prong holes 44. once these procedures have been
completed, then the clamp 22, with clamp piece`36 in place,
is securely fastened onto the base 2S of paint brush 24.
W092/1~72 PCT/CA91/~32
2 1 00249
-- 11 --
Figures 11 and 12 illustrate by section views the
manner in which the clamp 22 and the removable clamp 36 fit
securely over the top end of bristles 26, and immediately
below base 25 of paint brush 24. With clamp piece 36 in
place, clamp 22 by being eecure}y fixed at the top region
of bristles 26, prevents wet paint from migrating by
capillary action upwardly between the bristles that are
held under the clamp 22 - clamp piece 36 combination. As
can be seen in Figures 11 and 12 with the clamp in place,
ample bristle 26 length remains to enable the paint brush
to be used for painting. Once the user is through with the
paintbrush for the day, the painter merely removes the
combination of clamp 22 - piece 36 from the brush and then
using solvent cleans away unused paint from the bristles
lS 26. Because the wet paint has not been permitted to
migrate to the very top ends of the bristles 26, the paint
is much more easily cleaned away from that area. The
effect of this is that any clogged paint at the top region
of the bristle is easily cleaned away by the solvent.
The clamp 22 - piece 36 combination has a number
of advantages. Once the clamp has been removed, less time
is required to clean the bristles of llml~^~ wet paint.
Mo~e~vP~, the bristles are easier to clean since~t~e paint
is located in the region of the paint bristles removed from
the base 25. Because the clamp 22 - piece 36 combination
prevents the build up of paint in the region where the
bristle 6 are set into the base 25, bristle flair is
prevented and bristles last longer, thereby prolonging the
life of the paint brush. Furthermore, less solvent is
required to clean the paint brush, thereby representing a
savings in solvent cost. The use of the clamp 22 - piece
36 combination, also causes the performance of the paint
brush to be more consistent over a longer period of time.
A longst~nAing problem with conventional paint
brushes is that the performance of the paint brush is
W092/1~72 2 1 0 0 2 4 9 PCT/CA91/~3
- 12 -
~-V~OLLionally reA~ce~ with the build up of clogged dry
paint at the base regions of the bristles. This does not
occur when the clamp 22 - piece 36 combination is used.
The clamp 22 - piece 36 combination can be constructed of
S lightweight materials such as a ~Lol.y plastic, aluminum,
or some other suitable material, and thus, the weight and
size of the paint brush is not appreciably affected. ~he
clamp 22 - piece 36 combination can be manufactured in
different sizes, ~pDC~ and of different materials, to
accommodate different sizes of paint brushes, e.g. 1 1/2
inch, 2 inch, 3 inch, 4 inch, and other commercial sizes.
The clamp 2 - clamp piece 16 combination can be used on any
type of paint brush, including pig's bristle paint brushes,
nylon paint brushes, and others available on the market-
place.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the artin the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations
and modifications are possible in the practice of this
invention without departing from the spirit or scope
thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be
Cv~ ed in accordance with the substance defined by the
following claims.
