Paint Trimming Device

The invention relates to paint trimming devices, and more particularly to paint trimming devices adapted to apply paint to a first surface closely adjacent to an adjoining second surface.

Such paint trimming devices typically comprise a base, a handle projecting from one face of the base, a paint pad secured to the base upon an opposing face, and spacers (such as wheels) associated with the base for spacing the edge of the paint pad from a surface adjoining the surface to which paint is applied. The handle is designed to be gripped by the user closely adjacent to the base, thus requiring the use of a step ladder to trim high portions of a surface, such as a wall, or uncomfortable stooping and/or kneeling to trim low portions of the surface. Such trimming is inconvenient and potentially hazardous for an ambulatory individual, and is impossible for a handicapped individual confined to a wheelchair.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a paint trimming device of the type described above, which enables the ambulatory user to conveniently and safely apply paint to a surface (i.e. a wall) at any location adjacent to adjoining surfaces (i.e. a ceiling, moldings around a doorway or window, molding along a floor, or another wall) without requiring a step ladder or any stooping or kneeling.

It is also an object of the invention that the paint trimming device be useable by a handicapped individual to apply paint to a surface, as described above, from a sitting position in a wheelchair.

The above objects are realized by a paint trimming device for applying paint to a first surface closely adjacent to an adjoining second surface, comprising: a base having opposing first and second faces and a body portion extending between the faces; a handle means projecting outwardly from the first face such that it can be gripped by a user closely adjacent to the base, and also having extension capability allowing the user to manipulate the base from a position remote from the base; a paint pad means, for carrying paint to be applied to the first surface, which has a peripheral edge and is secured to the base upon the second face thereof; and a spacer means, extending outwardly from the body portion of the base, for spacing the peripheral edge of the paint pad means from and out of contact with the second surface while applying paint to the first surface, the outermost points of the spacer means defining a closed linear boundary whose perpendicular projection, in a plane in which the paint pad means lies, completely surrounds and is spaced from the peripheral edge of the paint pad means.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, peripheral edges of the second face and paint pad means have four substantially straight sides to define respective quadrilaterals (i.e. rectangles), and the closed linear boundary also defines a quadrilateral. Such preferred embodiment also employs four wheels rotatably mounted to the body portion of the base at respective positions adjacent to the corners of the quadrilateral defined by the sides of the second face peripheral edge. Any one of the four sides of the paint pad means peripheral edge can accordingly be spaced from and out of contact with a surface adjoining the surface to which paint is applied. This capability, in combination with the extension capability of the handle means (preferably a threaded cavity for receiving an extension pole), enables an ambulatory individual to trim a surface along virtually any adjoining surface (regardless of orientation or vertical distance from the floor) without the need for a step ladder or any kneeling or stooping, and further enables the handicapped individual to accomplish such trimming from a wheelchair. These advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent in the discussion of its operation and use in the following Detailed Description of the Invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a paint trimming device in accordance with the invention. The illustrated paint trimming device includes a base, wheels rotatably mounted to the base, a handle with extension capability, and a paint pad secured to the base.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the paint trimming device of FIG. 1 without the paint pad secured to the base.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the paint pad shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the paint trimming device of FIG. 1 without the paint pad secured to the base.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of one portion of the paint trimming device of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6-8 show the manner in which the illustrated paint trimming device may be used in applying paint to different locations on a wall closely adjacent to various adjoining surfaces.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawings. First, however, several terms as used in such description and in the appended claims will be defined.

The term "perpendicular projection" with respect to a plane means a projection in a direction perpendicular to the plane.

The term "linear boundary" is broadly construed to be any boundary that includes, and is therefore defined by, a plurality of points, and is capable of being generated by a moving point.

The term "quadrilateral" means a polygon having four sides.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the illustrated paint trimming device comprises: a base 10 preferably composed of a moldable, relatively rigid plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and having a face 12, an opposing face 14 (of which only the peripheral edge 14' is visible in FIG. 1), a body portion 16 extending between faces 12 and 14, and abutment tabs 18 projecting from peripheral edge 14, a handle 20 projecting outwardly from face 12, and preferably integral with base 10, such that it can be gripped by a user closely adjacent to base 10, but also having extension capability by means of a substantially cylindrical, threaded cavity 22 for receiving a threaded end of an extension pole 24 to thereby allow manipulation of base 10 from a position remote from the base; a paint pad 26 secured to base 10 upon face 14 so that a peripheral edge 26' of the pad is preferably substantially flush with peripheral edge 14'; and four wheels 28 (of which only three are visible in FIG. 1) which are rotatably mounted to body portion 16 within corresponding slots 30 so that portions of each wheel extend outwardly from the body portion. Wheels 28 can be composed of a plastic similar to that of base 10, and function to space peripheral edge 26' from and out of contact with a surface adjoining the surface to which paint is applied.

As further shown in FIG. 1, threaded cavity 22 has a longitudinal axis 32, which defines an acute angle .alpha. with respect to substantially parallel planes in which face 14 and paint pad 26 lie. Angle .alpha. is preferably in the range of about 20 to about 40 degrees, and is most preferably about 30 degrees. The threaded end of extension pole 24 can be substantially coaxially received within threaded cavity 22 to thereby lie along longitudinal axis 32. Extension pole 24 can be composed of any suitable material, such as wood or plastic, and can be of any suitably convenient length to accomplish trimming in a room with a particular ceiling height. Although threads are employed to connect extension pole 24 to handle 20 in the illustrated embodiment, other connecting means are within the scope of the invention, such as a snap-lock, quick release type connecting mechanism.

Referring now to FIG. 2, this view of the paint trimming device (without the paint pad secured thereto) shows face 14. Peripheral edge 14' of face 14 has four substantially straight sides that define a quadrilateral, which in the illustrated embodiment is a rectangle. Along one side of peripheral edge 14' are a first pair of abutment tabs 18, which are also shown in FIG. 1, and along an opposing side are a second pair of abutment tabs 18. A pair of channel-forming flanges 34 extend along the other two opposing sides of peripheral edge 14'. Tabs 18 and flanges 34 cooperate to secure the paint pad to the base upon face 14, as will be discussed further below.

Each of wheels 28 and corresponding slots 30 are shown in broken lines in FIG. 2. Each wheel 28 is mounted adjacent to a corresponding corner of the quadrilateral defined by the four sides of peripheral edge 14'. Referring now to FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIG. 1, and with respect to each wheel 28, a first portion extends outwardly from the body portion 16 of base 10 at a position adjacent to one corner-defining side, and a second portion extends outwardly from body portion 16 at a position adjacent to the other corner-defining side. Accordingly, the outermost points of wheels 28 define a closed linear boundary 36 whose perpendicular projection, in a plane in which paint pad 26 lies, completely surrounds and is spaced from (preferably about 1/16 inch) peripheral edge 26'. Moreover, linear boundary 36 also defines a quadrilateral, in this case a rectangle, having sides that are substantially parallel to corresponding sides of peripheral edge 14' and peripheral edge 26'.

Referring now to FIG. 3, paint pad 26 is shown as preferably comprising a flexible plastic backing 26a, an open celled foam layer 26b preferably composed of a polyester such as polyurethane, and bristles 26c of nylon or mohair suitably secured to and projecting from the exposed face of foam layer 26b. Peripheral edge 26' can be seen to have four substantially straight sides defining a quadrilateral, in this case a rectangle.

Referring now to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, paint pad 26 is secured to the base upon face 14 by positioning the paint pad to have backing 26a facing face 14, and bending the pad slightly in order to position the short sides of peripheral edge 26' adjacent to channel-forming flanges 34; with portions of backing 26a immediately adjacent to such short sides fitted snugly within corresponding channels, and with the long sides of peripheral edge 26' abutting respective pairs of abutment tabs 18. As secured to base 10, backing 26a of paint pad 26 is closely adjacent to or contacting face 14, and the sides of peripheral edge 26' are substantially parallel to and substantially flush with the sides of peripheral edge 14'. As will be more apparent in the discussion of FIGS. 6-8, any one of the four sides of peripheral edge 26' can be spaced from and out of contact with a surface by a pair of wheels 28, while applying paint closely adjacent to such surface upon an adjoining surface.

Referring now to FIG. 4, this end view of the paint trimming device without paint pad 26 more clearly shows the shape of flanges 34, and the channels formed by such flanges.

Referring now to FIG. 5, this close-up view more clearly shows the manner in which each wheel 28 is rotatably mounted to body portion 16 within slot 30. Post 38 projects from an internal, slot-defining surface of body portion 16, and is preferably integral with body portion 16. An end portion of post 38 is received in a central aperture of wheel 28 so as to permit rotation of wheel 28 with respect to post 38. Although not shown, wheel 28 can be retained upon post 38 by means of an annular flange extending around the central aperture which snaps into an annular recess extending around post 38. Of course, it is within the scope of the invention to rotatably mount wheels 28 to body portion 16 in any other suitable manner.

FIG. 5 also more clearly shows the manner in which paint pad 26 is secured to base 10. Flange 34 is shown as indenting foam layer 26b, with backing layer 26a positioned within the channel formed by the flange.

Use of the above-described paint trimming device and its associated advantages will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6-8.

Referring to FIG. 6, the upper portion of a wall 40 and the upper portion of a doorway molding 42 are shown. A paint trimming device of the invention, as shown in solid lines, has an extension pole 24 connected to its handle 20, and is positioned in a manner to trim along and closely adjacent to an adjoining wall 44. In such position, wheels 28 on the left side of the illustrated paint trimming device are in contact with wall 44 so as to space the left side of the paint pad peripheral edge (not visible in FIG. 6) away from and out of contact with wall 44. Shown in broken lines is the paint trimming device in different positions for trimming along other surfaces adjoining wall 40, including ceiling 46, a vertical section of doorway molding 42, and an upper and horizontal section of doorway molding 42. Note that in moving the paint trimming device to any of the above-described positions, the orientation of the paint trimming device does not need to be changed, and the extension pole can remain in the vertical position for ease of manipulation by a user standing on the floor or sitting in a wheelchair.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a middle portion of wall 40 and doorway molding 42 are shown. The paint trimming device, as shown in solid lines, is positioned to trim along wall 44 with the extension pole removed. A user can easily manipulate the paint trimming device at this elevation by gripping handle 20. If desired, of course, the extension pole could remain connected to handle 20. The paint trimming device is shown in broken lines as being moved to a position for trimming along a vertical section of doorway molding 42, without any change in the orientation of the device.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a lower portion of wall 40 and doorway molding 42, as well as floor molding 48, are shown. The paint trimming device, as shown in solid lines, has been reversed in orientation as compared to the orientation of FIGS. 6 and 7, and extension pole 24 is connected to handle 20 for trimming along a lower portion of wall 44. The paint trimming device is shown in broken lines in positions for trimming along floor molding 48 and along a vertical section of doorway molding 42.

It should be apparent from the above discussion and FIGS. 6-8 that the paint trimming device of the invention can be used by an ambulatory individual to trim different locations of wall 40, along various adjoining surfaces at any height, without the need for a step ladder or any stooping or kneeling. The paint trimming device of the invention also enables a handicapped individual to accomplish such trimming from a sitting position in a wheelchair. Therefore, safety and utility are maximized by the invention.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, outwardly extending but fixed spacing guides could replace some or all of the wheels, or positioning of such wheels or spacing guides could be different than that shown and previously described in accordance with broad aspects of the invention, as long as the outermost points define a linear boundary as specified above. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.