Wide-body roller paint system

Abstract

A bucket has a generally cylindrical configuration with an open top, a closed bottom, and a side wall extending there between. The bucket has an axis. The side wall has a first major section extending between the open top and the closed bottom. The side wall has a second major section extending between the open top and the closed bottom. The first and second major sections are separated to circumferentially create a first opening and a second opening. The first and second major sections are spaced from the axis by primary distances. The side wall has a first minor section and a second minor section. The first and second minor sections are located adjacent to the first and second openings respectively. The first and second minor sections are spaced from the axis by secondary distances greater than the primary distances.

Claims

1. A wide-body roller painting system (10) for fixedly positioning a roller screen (12) in a bucket (14) and for abating interference contact between a roller (16) and the bucket, the system comprising, in combination: the bucket (14) having a generally cylindrical configuration with an open top (20) and a closed bottom (22) and a side wall (24) extending elevationally there between, the bucket having an interior surface and an exterior surface and a central axis (26); the side wall (24) having a first major section (30) extending elevationally between the open top and the closed bottom, the first major section having a lower end (31) adjacent to the closed bottom, the side wall having a second major section (32) extending elevationally between the open top and the closed bottom, the second major section having a lower end (33) adjacent to the closed bottom, the first and second major sections each extending circumferentially for 120 degrees, plus or minus 10 percent, the first and second major sections being circumferentially separated to create a first opening (34) circumferentially and a second opening (36) circumferentially, the first and second major sections being radially spaced from the central axis by primary radial distances, the first major section having an outwardly extending V-shaped projection (37) adjacent to the open top; the side wall having a first minor section (40) and a second minor section (42), the first minor section being located adjacent to the first opening, the second minor section being located adjacent to the second opening, the first and second minor sections each extending circumferentially for 60 degrees, plus or minus 10 percent, the first and second minor sections being spaced from the central axis by secondary distances greater than the primary distances, the side wall having first parallel extents (44) coupling the first minor section to the first and second major sections adjacent to the first opening, the side wall having second parallel extents (46) coupling the second minor section to the first and second major sections adjacent to the second opening; the closed bottom configured with a U-shaped trough (41) essentially extending between the minor sections, the trough having a forward linear edge (43) and a rearward linear edge (45), a forward slope (47) coupling the lower end of the second major section to the forward linear edge of the trough, a rearward slope (49) coupling the lower end of the first major section to the rearward linear edge of the trough, the forward and rearward slopes forming obtuse angles with the second and first major sections respectively, the rearward linear edge having a linear recess (51) extending between the first and second minor sections adjacent to the first major section; the first major section having a rearward recess (53) centrally positioned adjacent to the closed bottom, the rearward recess providing a gripping area (55) below the rearward slope for a user; the side wall having a collar (50) in an annular configuration integrally fabricated with the side wall adjacent to the open top for strengthening purposes, the bucket including the side wall and the collar being fabricated of a generally rigid polymeric material chosen from the class of generally rigid polymeric materials including polyethylene, polycarbonate, and other similar plastic materials; a rigid wire (56) having opposed ends pivotably coupled to the exterior surface of the bucket at central extents of the minor sections; a lid (58) having a periphery corresponding in size and shape to the open top of the bucket; and the screen (12) at least a majority of which being positioned within the bucket during use, the screen having a large upper extent (62) and a small lower extent (64) with an obtuse angle between the upper and lower extents, the upper extent having upper hooks (66) removably positioned on linear upper edges of the minor sections of the open top of the bucket spanning the first major section, whereby the lower extent is positioned in the linear recess of the trough for holding the screen in place while moving the roller (16) across the screen to roll off excess paint without making unintended contact between the roller and the side wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a roller paint system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a side elevational view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

(6) FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the system similar to FIG. 2.

(7) FIG. 6 is a plan view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

(8) FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

(9) FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

(10) The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(11) With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved wide-body roller painting system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

(12) The present invention, the wide-body roller painting system 10, is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective. In their broadest context such include a bucket with a closed bottom and a side wall having a first major section, a second major section, a first minor section, a second minor section.

(13) In the preferred embodiment of the wide-body roller painting system, designated by reference numeral 10, first provided is a bucket 14. The bucket has a generally cylindrical configuration with an open top 20, a closed bottom 22, and a side wall 24 extending elevationally there between. The bucket has a central axis 26.

(14) The side wall has a first major section 30 extending elevationally between the open top and the closed bottom. The first major section has a lower end 31 adjacent to the closed bottom. The side wall has a second major section 32 extending elevationally between the open top and the closed bottom. The second major section has a lower end 33 adjacent to the closed bottom. The first and second major sections each extend circumferentially for 120 degrees, plus or minus 10 percent. The first and second major sections are circumferentially separated to create a first opening 34 circumferentially and a second opening 36 circumferentially. The first and second major sections are radially spaced from the central axis of the bucket by primary radial distances. The first major section has an outwardly extending V-shaped projection 37 adjacent to the open top.

(15) The side wall has a first minor section 40 and a second minor section 42. The first minor section is located adjacent to the first opening. The second minor section is located adjacent to the second opening. The first and second minor sections each extend circumferentially for 60 degrees, plus or minus 10 percent. The first and second minor sections are spaced from the central axis of the bucket by secondary distances which are greater than the primary distances. The side wall has first parallel extents 44 coupling the first minor section to the first and second major sections adjacent to the first opening. The side wall has second parallel extents 46 coupling the second minor section to the first and second major sections adjacent to the second opening.

(16) The closed bottom is configured with a U-shaped trough 41 essentially extending between the minor sections. The trough has a forward linear edge 43 and a rearward linear edge 45. The closed bottom has forward slope 47 and a rearward slope 49. The forward slope couples the lower end of the second major section to the forward linear edge of the trough. The rearward slope couples the lower end of the first major section to the rearward linear edge of the trough. The forward and rearward slopes form obtuse angles with the second and first major sections respectively. In this manner the forward and rearward slopes direct paint into the trough as paint volume within the bucket decreases during use. The rearward linear edge has a linear recess 51 which extends between the first and second minor sections adjacent to the first major section.

(17) The first major section has a rearward recess 53 centrally positioned adjacent to the closed bottom. The rearward recess provides a gripping area 55 below the rearward slope for enhancing user control while handling the bucket.

(18) The side wall has a collar 50 in an annular configuration integrally fabricated with the side wall adjacent to the open top for strengthening purposes. The bucket, including the side wall and the collar, are fabricated of a generally rigid polymeric material chosen from the class of generally rigid polymeric materials including polyethylene, polycarbonate, and other similar plastic materials.

(19) Provided next is a handle 54 adapted to be gripped by a user for handling the bucket. The handle has an outer cylindrical body 65 and an inner cylindrical body 57. A plurality of Y-shaped ribs 59 extend radially outward along the length of the inner cylindrical body. The ribs are adapted to integrally couple the inner and outer cylindrical bodies. Each of the ribs has a thickness between 1.25 mm and 1.75 mm, plus or minus 10 percent. The handle is fabricated of a generally elastomeric material chosen from the class of elastomeric materials including rubber, silicone, and other similar rubber-like materials. The thickness and material of the ribs allows for flexibility of the outer cylindrical body when a user handles heavy loads such as 5 gallons of paint within the bucket.

(20) A rigid wire 56 is provided next. The rigid wire couples the handle to the collar adjacent to a central extent of the minor sections.

(21) Further provided is a lid 58. The lid has a periphery corresponding in size and shape to the open top of the bucket to which it is removably coupled.

(22) During use, the roller screen 12 is positioned within the bucket. The roller screen has a large upper extent 62 and a small lower extent 64 with an obtuse angle between the upper and lower extents. The upper extent has upper hooks 66 removably positioned on the open top of the bucket spanning the first major section. In this manner the lower extent is removably positioned within the linear recess of the trough for preventing lateral movement of the roller screen.

(23) Lastly the roller 16 has a cylindrical sleeve 72 for painting a surface. The roller has a grip 74 for moving the cylindrical sleeve across the screen to roll off excess paint. The first and second minor sections provide a wider area to effectively roll off excess paint without making unintended contact between the roller and the side wall.

(24) As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

(25) With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

(26) Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.