Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Particular handle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-04
2001-10-23
Spisich, Mark (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Particular handle
C015S144100, C015S172000, C015S210100, C015S244200, C016S430000, C016S900000, C403S111000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305043
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to the field of paint applicators and edgers, and, more particularly, to an improved paint applicator having a handle rotatably mounted on a base, and having an extension-receiving adapter pivotally mounted on, but normally concealed within, the handle.
BACKGROUND ART
Paint edgers and applicators are known. These have generally included a relatively-rigid backing plate, a handle mounted on the backing plate, and a relatively-flexible flocked, mohair or synthetic fabric pad removably attached to the backing plate. Where such devices have been used as edgers, the backing plate generally includes a plurality of guide wheels that are adapted to ride along a surface perpendicular to the surface being painted. For example, if the edger is used to paint the upper marginal edge of a wall adjacent a ceiling, the wheels would engage the ceiling and be used to guide the edger there-along.
In some prior art devices, the handle was simply a raised portion of the backing plate. This handle could be manually grasped and used to move the applicator along a wall being painted. This type of applicator is representatively shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,810,148.
Other applicators employed a handle that could be pivotally moved relative to the backing plate about either or both of two mutually-perpendicular axes. The two axes were arranged such that the handle could be moved relative to the backing plate in one plane substantially parallel to the wall being painted, and in another plane substantially perpendicular to the wall. However, this device contemplated that the handle would be locked and held in selected angularly-displaced positions in its respective planes of movement. The handle had an internally-threaded portion that was adapted to matingly receive the externally-threaded marginal end portion of an extension pole so that the applicator could be used to paint hard-to-reach locations. This type of applicator is representatively shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,717,896.
Another type of applicator had a handle that was mounted for pivotal movement relative to the backing plate in a plane generally parallel to the wall being painted. The handle was biased by a leaf spring to a centered or null position intermediate its pivotal limits of motion. This type of applicator is representatively shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,821.
Still another type of applicator had a handle that was selectively engageable with a backing plate at any of four equally-spaced angular positions. The handle of this device was also adapted to optionally receive the threaded marginal end portion of an extension pole. This type of applicator is representatively shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,852.
The disclosures of the aforesaid '148, '896, '821 and '852 patents are hereby incorporated by reference insofar as the structure and operation of such prior art pad-type applicators is concerned.
It would be generally desirable to provide an improved applicator or edger that afforded pivotal movement of a handle about two mutually-perpendicular axes so that the improved device could be both comfortably grasped by a painter's hand, and more easily used at the distal end of an extension pole.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
With parenthetical reference to the corresponding parts, portions or surfaces of the disclosed embodiment, merely for purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, the present invention provides an improved paint applicator (
20
) having a relatively-rigid base (
21
). The improvement broadly comprises: a handle (
22
) mounted on the base for pivotal movement about a first axis (y-y) between first and second angular positions; an adapter (
23
) mounted on the handle for pivotal movement about a second axis (z-z) between extended and retracted positions; and a spring (
24
) acting between the base and adapter for urging said handle to move toward a null position between said first and second angular positions and for urging said adapter to move toward its retracted position. The first and second axes are preferably arranged in substantially perpendicular planes.
The handle is adapted to be grasped by an operator. The adapter has an internally-threaded socket (
60
) adapted to receive the externally-threaded marginal end portion of an extension pole. The adapter is normally concealed within the profile of said handle, when viewed in side elevation, when the adapter is in its retracted position. The spring is a resilient member, and in the preferred embodiment, may simply be a cylindrical foam plug.
Accordingly, the general object of the invention is to provide an improved applicator or edger for paints and other coatings.
Another object is to provide a versatile paint applicator having a handle that is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the base in a first plane substantially parallel to the surface being painted, and having an adapter that is normally concealed within the elevational profile of the handle but that is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the handle to an extended position in a plane substantially perpendicular to such surface.
Still another object is to provide a versatile paint applicator in which a pivotal handle is biased toward a centered or null position relative to a base, and in which an extension-receiving adapter is biased toward a retracted or concealed position relative to the handle.
These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the foregoing and ongoing written specification, the drawings, and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 359129 (1887-03-01), Chamberlain et al.
patent: 432130 (1890-07-01), Fenton
patent: 1800349 (1931-04-01), Hurason
patent: 2432098 (1947-12-01), Horn
patent: 2796619 (1957-06-01), Hammer
patent: 2810148 (1957-10-01), Wood, Jr.
patent: 3473183 (1969-10-01), Burns et al.
patent: 3708821 (1973-01-01), Chase et al.
patent: 3717896 (1973-02-01), Chase et al.
patent: 4194852 (1980-03-01), Cupp et al.
patent: 4219899 (1980-09-01), Zurawin et al.
patent: 4893370 (1990-01-01), Klotz
patent: 5333347 (1994-08-01), Stranders
patent: 5836040 (1998-11-01), Giacomelli
Foley & Lardner
Newell Operating Company
Spisich Mark
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