Portable powered paint system

Abstract

A portable electric powered or pneumatic powered paint system designed to worn in a typical workman's tool belt and thus accompany the painter as he moves from wall to wall and room to room without the restriction of electrical cords plugged into wall outlets or air hoses connected to an air compressor. The electrically powered embodiment of the invention consists of a paint reservoir, an electric paint pump, a power pack of two or more 18 Volt batteries, a paint applicator and associated paint supply tubing for transfer of paint from the reservoir to the paint applicator. The pneumatic embodiment of the invention replaces the electric paint pump and battery power pack with a pressurized air bottle and pressure regulator. Both embodiments of the invention provide the painter with a self-contained powered painting system.

Claims

1. A portable powered painting cut-in tool for the application of paint to a surface, comprising: a paint reservoir; a pressurized air tank; a pressure regulator in pneumatic communication with the pressurized air tank; gas tubing connecting the pressurized air tank and regulator to the paint reservoir; tubing to convey paint from the paint reservoir to a hollow, hand-held control wand terminating in a distal end; a paint cut-in tool coupled to the distal end of the hand-held control wand, the paint cut-in tool including a paint applicator having a back side and a front side; wherein the paint applicator further includes a plurality of paint distribution holes extending therethrough from the back side of the paint applicator to the front side thereof; a plurality of paint distribution tubes, each paint distribution tube having a first end in fluid communication with the hollow control wand and a second end directly coupled to a respective one of the paint distribution holes on the back side of the paint applicator; wherein the paint applicator has a front edge, a back edge, and two side edges, and wherein each paint distribution hole extending from the back side to the front side of the paint applicator is spaced apart at a different point between the front and back edges of the paint applicator, and at a different point between the two side edges of the paint applicator; and a manually operated valve disposed on the control wand, whereby activation of the manually operated valve causes paint under pressure from the air tank and regulator to flow from the paint reservoir, through the hand-held control wand and paint distribution tubes, and to the front side of the paint applicator to apply the paint to a surface.

2. The painting cut-in tool of claim 1, wherein the paint applicator is rectangular.

3. The painting cut-in tool of claim 1, wherein the paint distribution tubes are flexible.

4. The painting cut-in tool of claim 1, including at least three paint distribution holes and corresponding paint distribution tubes.

5. The painting cut-in tool of claim 1, wherein the a paint reservoir, pressurized air tank, regulator, tubing and wand are all user-carried.

6. A portable powered painting cut-in tool for the application of paint to a surface, comprising: a paint reservoir; a pressurized air tank; a pressure regulator in pneumatic communication with the pressurized air tank; gas tubing connecting the pressurized air tank and regulator to the paint reservoir; tubing to convey paint from the paint reservoir to a hollow, hand-held control wand terminating in a distal end; a paint cut-in tool coupled to the distal end of the hand-held control wand, the paint cut-in tool including a rectangular paint applicator having a back side and a front side; wherein the paint applicator further includes a plurality of paint distribution holes extending therethrough from the back side of the paint applicator to the front side thereof; wherein the paint applicator has a a front edge, a back edge, and two side edges, and the paint distribution holes are spaced apart at different distances between the front and back edges of the paint applicator, and at different distances between the two side edges of the paint applicator; a plurality of paint distribution tubes, each paint distribution tube having a first end in fluid communication with the hollow control wand and a second end directly coupled to a respective one of the paint distribution holes on the back side of the paint applicator; and a manually operated valve disposed on the control wand, whereby activation of the manually operated valve causes paint under pressure from the air tank and regulator to flow from the paint reservoir, through the hand-held control wand and paint distribution tubes, to the front side of the paint applicator to apply the paint to a surface.

7. The painting cut-in tool of claim 6, including at least three paint distribution holes and corresponding paint distribution tubes.

8. The painting cut-in tool of claim 6, wherein the a paint reservoir, pressurized air tank, regulator, tubing and wand are all user-carried.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates the electrical powered paint system consisting of the paint reservoir (10), an electric paint pump (20), a supply tube (30) that conveys paint from the reservoir (10) to the inlet of the paint pump (20), a control wand (40), a paint hose (50) that conveys paint from the outlet of the paint pump (20) to the inlet of the control wand (40) and a power pack (60).

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates the pneumatic powered embodiment of the invention consisting of the paint reservoir (10), a pressurized air tank (160), a pressure regulator (161), a control wand (140) with a ball valve (141) to regulate paint flow, a supply tube (130) and hose (150) to convey paint from the reservoir tank (10) to the inlet of the control wand (140). An air hose (162) connects the outlet of the regulator to the reservoir tank (10).

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a modified brush paint applicator (70) for use with the portable powered paint system. The brush applicator (70) attaches to the outlet end of the control wand (40 or 140) via a fitting (71) at the end of a central hollow tube (72). Three or more flexible tubes (73) are located amongst the brush bristles (75) and are supplied from the central tube (72) via branch tubes (74). Paint flows from the control wand (40) through the supply tubes (72-74) into the brush bristles (75) and is then spread onto the surface being painted. An extension tube may be used to connect the brush applicator (70) to the control wand (40, 140).

(4) FIG. 4. illustrates the back side of a modified cut in tool (80). The tool (80) attaches to the outlet end of the control wand (40, 140) via a fitting (81) at the end of a central hollow tube (82). Three or more flexible tubes (83) convey paint from the central tube (82) to distribution holes (84) cut through to the front of the tool. Paint flows from the control wand (40,140) onto the front surface of the tool (80) via the supply tubes (83) connected to the distribution holes (84).

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a roller applicator. The applicator (90) attaches to the outlet end of the control wand (40, 140) via a fitting (91) at the end of a central hollow tube (92). Multiple flexible tubes (93) convey paint from the central tube (92) to the paint trough (95) where paint is dispersed onto commercially available paint rollers (97).

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a roller applicator. Note that the actual commercially available roller is not shown in this view. The applicator (90) attaches to the outlet end of the control wand (40, 140) via a fitting (91) at the end of a central hollow tube (92). Multiple flexible tubes (93) convey paint from the central tube (92) to distribution holes (94) in the paint trough (95). Commercially available paint rollers (not shown) connect to the applicator via the roller end cap bushings (96) on either end of the applicator tool. Paint flows from the control wand (40,140) through the supply tubes (92,93) and out the distribution holes (94) where it is spread on the roller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) The invention described in this specification is a portable electric powered or pneumatic powered paint system designed to be worn in a typical workman's tool belt and thus accompany the painter as he moves from wall to wall and room to room without the restriction of electrical cords plugged into wall outlets or air hoses connected to an air compressor.

(8) The electrically powered embodiment of the invention consists of a paint reservoir (10), an electric paint pump (20), a paint supply tube (30) that connects the reservoir (10) to the electric pump (20) inlet, a control wand (40), a paint hose (50) that connects the outlet of the electric pump(20) to the inlet of the control wand(40) and a paint applicator connected to the outlet of the control wand (40). The electric pump is powered by a power pack (60) made up of two 18 Volt batteries. The power pack is connected via electrical cable (61, 62) to the control wand (40) and to the paint pump (20). The power pack, paint reservoir and electric pump are all sized to fit in the pockets of a typical workman's tool belt and with the associated electrical cables, paint hoses and tubing and applicator comprise a self-contained and portable painting system.

(9) The paint applicator, which may consist of a roller, brush or cut-in tool, can be directly connected to the outlet of the control wand (40) or connect to a extension tube of which one end is connected to the control wand (40). The extension tube may be of various lengths and is intended to allow the painter to apply paint to areas that are beyond arms length, such as a ceiling.

(10) The electric paint pump (20) is a commercially available pump specifically designed for pumping paints, including both interior and exterior residential paints. A suitable paint pump is manufactured by Ryobi LTD. Corporation. The pump (20) is powered by a power pack (60), which is comprised of two 18 Volt batteries. Suitable batteries are manufactured by Ryobi LTD. Corporation. The power supply is controlled by an on-off switch (41) located on the control wand (40).

(11) Paint is supply from the reservoir tank (10) to the electric paint pump (20) via a supply tube (30). The reservoir tank (10) has a top inlet/outlet (11) , which is threaded to allow a screw on cap to be attached. The supply tube (30) is fitted with a screw-on cap (31), through which the supply tube runs. The dip-tube portion (32)of the supply tube, that is the portion of the supply tube (30) located below the screw on cap (31) is inserted into the reservoir tank (10). The screw on cap (31) is affixed to the reservoir tank outlet (11). The outlet of the supply tube (30) is attached to the inlet of the paint pump (20).

(12) The electric pump (20) is turned on and off from a switch (41) located in the control wand (40). This allows the painter to control the flow of paint from the reservoir tank (10) to the paint applicator. The paint applicator may be either a roller, brush or cut in tool modified to be utilized with the portable power paint system. Examples of modified paint applicators are illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6

(13) The pneumatic powered embodiment of the invention consists of a paint reservoir (10), a pressurized air bottle (160) with a pressure regulator (161), air supply tubing (162) that provides reduced pressure air from the outlet of the regulator (161) to the paint reservoir (10), a paint supply tube and hose (130, 150) that connects the reservoir (10) to the control wand (140) and a paint applicator connected to the outlet of the control wand (140). A ball valve is located in the control wand and is operated manually by the painter to regulate flow of paint to the applicator. The paint reservoir and pressurized air tank are all sized to fit in the pockets of a typical workman's tool belt and with the pressure regulator, air supply tubing, paint hoses and tubing and paint applicator comprise a self-contained and portable painting system.

(14) The paint applicator, which may consist of a roller, brush or cut-in tool, can be directly connected to the outlet of the control wand (140) or connect to a extension tube of which one end is connected to the control wand (140). The extension tube may be of various lengths and is intended to allow the painter to apply paint to areas that are beyond arms length, such as a ceiling.

(15) The air pressure tank (160) is a commercial available metallic bottle which is filled with pressurized air from an air compressor. The pressure of the air is reduced via a pressure regulator (161) to a suitable pressure that is sufficient to provide motive force to enable paint flow from the reservoir (10) to the paint applicator yet at a low enough pressure not to damage the integrity of the reservoir. A typical air pressure is 10 to 30 psig. The pressure regulator (161) is commercially available.

(16) The reservoir tank (10) has a top inlet/outlet (11) , which is threaded to allow a screw on cap to be attached. The supply tube (130) is fitted with a screw-on cap (135), through which the supply tube runs. The dip-tube portion (132)of the supply tube, that is the portion of the supply tube (130) located below the screw on cap (135) is inserted into the reservoir tank (10). The screw on cap (135) is affixed to the reservoir tank outlet (11). Once the reservoir is filled with paint and the screw on cap (135) attached, the reservoir tank can be pressurized with air from the regulator (161). The outlet of the supply tube (130) is attached to the inlet of the control wand via a paint supply hose (150). The flow of paint to the paint applicators is controlled by a ball valve (141) located in the control wand (140).

(17) The paint applicator with either the electric powered or pneumatic system may be either a roller, brush or cut in tool modified to be utilized with the portable power paint system. Examples of modified paint applicators are illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6. The tubing utilized for conveyance of the paint between the components is commercially available tubing with materials of construction of rubber, plastic or metal.

(18) The components of the portable paint system described above are available commercially. Suitable paint pump and batteries are available from Ryobi LTD. Corporation.

(19) The invention may be used with either interior or exterior paints. It may also be used with stains.

(20) A Potential patent classification for this invention is Class 401 Coating Implements with Material Supply; Sub-Class 118 Supply Container and Independent Applicator.

(21) As seen by the descriptions above and the various illustration, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in forms and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. It is therefore intended that the present invention not be limited to the exact forms and details described and illustrated herein, but falls within the scope of the appended claims.

(22) The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

(23) Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

(24) It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being on, attached to, connected to, coupled with, contacting, etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, directly on, directly attached to, directly connected to, directly coupled with or directly contacting another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a stricture or feature that is disposed adjacent another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.