LIQUID APPLICATOR APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Abstract

A liquid applicator apparatus that allows for fast, convenient, and simultaneous application of a liquid to a plurality of surfaces, including: a handle member; an applicator retaining member; a first liquid applicator; a second liquid applicator; and wherein the first liquid applicator and second liquid applicator are adapted to enable a user to simultaneously apply a liquid to noncontinuous and/or nonplanar surfaces, that are ordinarily difficult to reach, in a fast and convenient manner.

Claims

1. A liquid applicator apparatus that allows for fast, convenient, and simultaneous application of a liquid to a plurality of surfaces, comprising: a handle member; an applicator retaining member; a first liquid applicator; and a second liquid applicator.

2. The liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid applicator and second liquid applicator are adapted to enable a user to simultaneously apply a liquid to noncontinuous and/or nonplanar surfaces, that are ordinarily difficult to reach, in a fast and convenient manner.

3. The liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle member includes a top end, a bottom end, and a gripping region positioned therebetween.

4. The liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the bottom end of the handle member is adapted for releasable securement to an extension pole for enabling a user to apply liquid to a surface while standing upright.

5. The liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the applicator retaining member is secured to the handle member.

6. The liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the applicator retaining member includes a main portion, an offset portion, a spacer portion, and a mounting portion having a proximal end and a distal end.

7. The liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid applicator and the second liquid applicator are positioned on the mounting portion of the applicator retaining member.

8. The liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid applicator and the second liquid applicator are rotatably displaceable about the applicator retaining member.

9. The liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first liquid applicator and the second liquid applicator are adjustable between the proximal end and the distal end of the applicator retaining member.

10. The liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid applicator and the second liquid applicator are adjustable between the proximal end and the distal end of the applicator retaining member.

11. The liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid applicator and second liquid applicator are adapted to enable a user to simultaneously apply a liquid to a noncontinuous surface and a subjacent portion of a nonplanar surface.

12. The liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid applicator and second liquid applicator are adapted to enable a user to simultaneously apply a liquid to superjacent portions of independent nonplanar surfaces.

13. The liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third liquid applicator.

14. The liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the third liquid applicator is adjustable between the proximal end and the distal end of the applicator retaining member.

15. A liquid applicator apparatus that allows for fast, convenient, and simultaneous application of a liquid to a plurality of surfaces, comprising: a handle member, wherein the handle member includes a top end, a bottom end, and a gripping region positioned therebetween, and wherein the bottom end of the handle member is adapted for releasable securement to an extension pole for enabling a user to apply liquid to a surface while standing upright; an applicator retaining member, wherein the applicator retaining member includes a main portion, an offset portion, a spacer portion, and a mounting portion having a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the applicator retaining member is secured to the handle member; and a first liquid applicator and a second liquid applicator, wherein the first liquid applicator and the second liquid applicator are rotatably displaceable about the applicator retaining member, and wherein at least one of the first liquid applicator and the second liquid applicator are adjustable between the proximal end and the distal end of the applicator retaining member.

16. A method of applying a liquid to a nonplanar surface, comprising the steps of: providing a surface having a primary surface and multiple secondary surfaces, wherein the secondary surfaces are positioned subjacent or superjacent to the primary surface; providing a liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a handle member; an applicator retaining member; a first liquid applicator; and a second liquid applicator; applying liquid to the first liquid applicator and the second liquid applicator; and simultaneously transferring the liquid from the first liquid applicator and the second liquid applicator to a portion of the primary surface and a plurality of secondary surfaces in a single rolling application.

17. The method according to claim 16, further compromising the step of transferring liquid from an applicator of a conventional, single applicator roller to any remainder of the primary surface.

18. A method of applying a liquid to a noncontinuous surface, comprising the steps of: providing a noncontinuous surface having a plurality of gaps and/or seams; providing a liquid applicator apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a handle member; an applicator retaining member; a first liquid applicator; and a second liquid applicator; applying liquid to the first liquid applicator and the second liquid applicator; and simultaneously transferring the liquid from the first liquid applicator and the second liquid applicator to a portion of the primary surface and a plurality of gaps and/or seams in a single rolling application.

19. The method according to claim 18, further compromising the step of transferring liquid from an applicator of a conventional, single applicator roller to any remainder of the primary surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted.

[0033] It will be further understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

[0034] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0035] FIG. 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a liquid applicator apparatus manufactured in accordance with the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 2 of the drawings is a front view of the liquid applicator apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in association with a nonplanar surface (e.g., tongue and groove construction);

[0037] FIG. 3 of the drawings is a front view of the liquid applicator apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in association with a noncontinuous surface (e.g., planar deck with gaps/seams);

[0038] FIG. 4 of the drawings is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the liquid applicator apparatus manufactured in accordance with the present invention, showing a user simultaneously applying liquid to a plurality of surfaces of a deck;

[0039] FIG. 5 of the drawings is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a liquid applicator apparatus manufactured in accordance with the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 6 of the drawings is a front view of the liquid applicator apparatus of FIG. 5 shown in association with a nonplanar surface (e.g., board and batten construction);

[0041] FIG. 7 of the drawings is a front view of the liquid applicator apparatus of FIG. 5 shown in association with a nonplanar surface (e.g., board and batten construction);

[0042] FIG. 8 of the drawings is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a liquid applicator apparatus manufactured in accordance with the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 9 of the drawings is a front view of the liquid applicator apparatus of FIG. 8 shown in association with a nonplanar surface (e.g., shiplap construction); and

[0044] FIG. 10 of the drawings is a front view of the liquid applicator apparatus of FIG. 8 shown in association with a nonplanar surface (e.g., coffered or slat construction).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms and applications, there are shown in the drawings and described herein in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0046] It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of one or more embodiments of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from their actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

[0047] Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1-4 in particular, a first embodiment of liquid applicator apparatus 10 is shown as generally comprising handle member 12, applicator retaining member 14, first liquid applicator 16, and second liquid applicator 18.

[0048] In accordance with the present invention, liquid applicator apparatus 10 enables a user to simultaneously apply a liquid to a plurality of noncontinuous (e.g., decks, segmented concrete, etcetera) and/or nonplanar surfaces (e.g., shiplap, Dutch lap, numerous types of siding, board and batten surfaces, brick and mortar surfaces, etcetera), that are ordinarily difficult to reach, in a fast and convenient manner. These surfaces may comprise horizontal surfaces, vertical surfaces and/or angled surfaces.

[0049] Handle member 12 of liquid applicator apparatus 10 preferably includes top end 20, bottom end 22, and gripping region 24. Gripping region 24 is adapted to be gripped by the hand of a user during normal use and/or transportation. Furthermore, bottom end 22 of handle member 12 is preferably adapted for releasable securement to extension pole 26 using, for example, a universally available threaded adapter and/or female receiver for enabling user 28 to apply liquid 30 to surface 32 while standing upright (See FIG. 4), thus minimizing the user's pain, discomfort, and fatigue.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, handle member 12 is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, a natural resin, a synthetic resin, a plastic, a composite, and/or wood.

[0051] Applicator retaining member 14 of liquid applicator apparatus 10 preferably includes main portion 34, offset portion 36, spacer portion 38, and mounting portion 40 having proximal end and distal end 42 and 44, respectively. Preferably, applicator retaining member 14 is releasably secured to handle member 12 so that the components can be independently cleaned when necessary or desired by the user. It will be understood that applicator retaining member 14 may comprise a single rod or a plurality of rods that form a cage configuration (See FIG. 8).

[0052] Applicator retaining member 14 is adapted to both releasably retain a plurality (e.g., two or more, three or more, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, 100, etcetera) of liquid applicators, and separate the applicators from the handle member during normal use. It will be understood that applicator retaining member 14 may alternatively comprise a linear rod, an L-shaped rod, an offset L-shaped rod, a T-shaped rod—just to name a few. The number of liquid applicators on the retaining member is only limited in number by the length of the retaining member and the lateral thickness of each liquid applicator and any lateral protrusions from the applicators, such as the holding grommets.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, applicator retaining member 14 is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal alloy, a natural resin, a synthetic resin, a plastic, a composite, and/or wood.

[0054] In accordance with the present invention, liquid applicator apparatus 10 includes a plurality (e.g., two or more, three or more, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, 100, etcetera) of liquid applicators. These applicators enable a user to apply liquid (e.g., paints, stains, varnishes, primers, sealants, adhesives, caulks, coatings, texture modifiers, etcetera) to noncontinuous (e.g., decks, segmented concrete, etcetera) and/or nonplanar surfaces (e.g., shiplap, Dutch lap, numerous types of siding, board and batten surfaces, brick and mortar surfaces, etcetera), that are ordinarily difficult to reach, in a fast and convenient manner. Indeed, the liquid applicator apparatuses of the present invention dramatically reduce the time it takes to, for example, stain a deck and/or paint shiplap on a wall. When used with an extension pole, it also allows a user to paint while standing up—thus saving a user from undesirable fatigue, pain and strain to his/her knees, neck, back and/or joints.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, first liquid applicator 16 and second liquid applicator 18 are positioned on mounting portion 40 of applicator retaining member 14. The liquid applicators are preferably free to rotate about applicator retaining member 14.

[0056] Preferably, one or both of first liquid applicator 16 and second liquid applicator 18 are adjustable between proximal end 42 and distal end 44 of mounting portion 40 of applicator retaining member 14. This allows the user to quickly change the spacing between the applicators so that the applicators apply liquid to the appropriate portion of the surface being, for example, painted.

[0057] In accordance with the present invention, the liquid applicators are adjustably secured to the mounting portion of the applicator retaining member by use of several tight-fitting but adjustable sliding rubber grommets 46, one on either side of each liquid applicator. It will be understood, however, that other adjustment means are likewise contemplated for use in the present invention, including, for example, stop members, clips, O-rings, spacers, washers 47 (See FIG. 8), protrusions 49 (See FIG. 8), fasteners, springs, and/or any other components or mechanism that allows the user to controllably adjust the position of the applicators on the applicator retaining member.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid applicators are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of a natural or synthetic sponge, cotton, wool, a natural resin, a synthetic resin, a plastic, a foam, and/or a composite of any of the aforementioned materials. In further accordance with the present invention, the liquid applicators may comprise polyester knit rollers, soft woven rollers, wool and polyester knit rollers, microfiber rollers, foam rollers, merino sheepskin rollers, mohair rollers, no nap foam rollers, ¼-inch nap rollers, ⅜-inch nap rollers, ¾-inch nap rollers, 1-inch nap rollers, 1½-inch nap rollers, mini paint rollers, 3-inch trim rollers, 9-inch rollers, 12-inch rollers, etcetera.

[0059] As is best shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, first liquid applicator 16 and second liquid applicator 18 include outwardly canted surfaces 48 that enable a user to controllably apply a liquid to a subjacent portion of a nonplanar surface. As is best shown in FIG. 3, this configuration also enables a user to controllably apply a liquid to a noncontinuous surface, such as a deck.

[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, a second embodiment of liquid applicator apparatus 10 is shown as generally comprising handle member 12, applicator retaining member 14, first liquid applicator 16, and second liquid applicator 18. In this embodiment, first liquid applicator 16 and second liquid applicator 18 include inwardly canted surfaces 50 that enable a user to controllably apply a liquid to a superjacent portions of a nonplanar surface and limited portions of the primary and/or planar portion of the surface (See FIG. 6).

[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, a third embodiment of liquid applicator apparatus 10 is shown as generally comprising handle member 12, applicator retaining member 14, first liquid applicator 16, and second liquid applicator 18. In this embodiment, first liquid applicator 16 and second liquid applicator 18 include nap rollers 52 that enable a user to controllably apply a liquid to a subjacent portions of a nonplanar surface (shiplap) and limited portions of the primary and/or planar portion of the surface (See FIG. 9). As is best shown in FIG. 10, this configuration is also adapted for quickly staining or painting coffered or slat construction in a fraction of the time compared to a hand brush and/or conventional roller.

[0062] The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0063] While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.

[0064] The embodiments, illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etcetera shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claimed technology. Additionally, the phrase “consisting essentially of” will be understood to include those elements specifically recited and those additional elements that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed technology. The phrase “consisting of” excludes any element not specified.

[0065] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and compositions within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biological systems, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0066] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

[0067] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etcetera. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etcetera. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.

[0068] All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

[0069] Other embodiments are set forth in the following claims.