Paintbrush with adjustable bristle width, length, angle and shape

Abstract

A paintbrush with adjustable bristle width, length, angle and/or shape that allows the user to configure the shape of the application surface as desired, thus eliminating the need for painters to utilize multiple traditional paintbrushes with different bristle configurations for different size and shaped surfaces being painted. The invention includes multiple bristle pack segments, elongated guideways, finger adjustment knobs, finger knob slide slots, and a brush slide body housing wherein the mechanisms for adjusting the length of the individual bristle pack segments are contained; is scalable, wherein different overall sizes and widths of paintbrushes can be manufactured which retain the unique adjustability of the invention; can be manufactured with or without a handle, allowing the invention to utilize a wide variety of handles of various materials, sizes and shapes which can be affixed to the bristle slide body housing; is not limited to a specific number of bristle pack segments, elongated guideways and finger knob slide slots; is not limited to specific sized bristle pack segments, elongated guideways and finger knob slide slots; is suitable for manufacturing using various materials; is siutabe for manufacturing utilizing various bristle materials (e.g., Black China, White China, Ox Hair, synthetic materials, etc.); may be modified for use with a self-feeding paint mechanism; is not limited to the purpose of applying paint; is suitable for applying coatings including paint; may be manufactured in various colors; may be manufactured using various graphics.

Claims

1. An adjustable paintbrush comprising: a brush slide body housing wherein the mechanisms for adjusting the length of the individual bristle pack segments are contained; a brush slide body housing with; an opening at the bottom in which a handle may be attached; a plurality of hollow elongated guideways with openings at the top of the brush slide body housing; finger knob slide slot openings on the front of each elongated guideway. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein a plurality individual bristle pack segments comprising a bristle pack secured to a bristle block and a finger adjustment knob affixed to the bristle pack segment through a finger knob slide slot opening on the corresponding elongated guideway within the brush slide body housing. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein each bristle pack segment can be moved forward or backward within each individual bristle block segment's elongated guideway to a user selected position by movement of the finger adjustment knob. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the movement of each individual bristle pack segment is limited by the upper and lower ends of its corresponding finger knob slide slot being contacted by the bristle pack segment finger adjustment knob. An adjustable paintbrush as in claim 1, wherein each bristle pack segment and its corresponding elongated guideway work together to serve as a resistive slide assembly that maintains the position of each bristle pack segment within its corresponding elongated guideway after user adjustment. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the overall shape of the application surface is accomplished by the combined user adjustments of the positions of each individual bristle pack segment to more closely match the profile of the surface to be painted. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein differing methods may be utilized to maintain the user selected position of each bristle pack segment within the corresponding elongated guideway after adjustment. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein one possible differing method for maintaining the user selected position of each bristle pack segment within the corresponding elongated guideway after adjustment comprises; a linear ratchet mechanism utilizing a pawl or detent affixed to each bristle pack segment and a matching linear rack within each corresponding elongated guideway. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the design is scalable, whereby different overall sized paintbrushes can be manufactured which retain the unique adjustability of the invention. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured with or without a handle, allowing the invention to utilize a wide variety of handles of various materials, sizes and shapes, which can be affixed to the bottom of the brush slide body housing The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured with differing numbers of bristle pack segments, elongated guideways and finger knob slide slots. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured with different sizes and lengths of bristle pack segments, elongated guideways and finger knob slide slots. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the design is suitable for manufacturing using various materials. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention's design applies equally well to paintbrushes manufactured with different bristle materials (e.g., Black China, White China, Ox Hair, synthetic materials, etc.). The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the design may be modified for use with a self-feeding paint mechanism. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention is not limited to the purpose of applying paint. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention is suitable for applying coatings including paint. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured in various colors. The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured with various external graphics.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0034] FIG. 1 is a top/side exploded view of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a top/side perspective view of one of the bristle pack segments with the finger adjustment knob affixed to the bristle block.

[0036] FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the present invention, illustrating one of many possible settings (e.g., angle sash brush).

[0037] FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the present invention, illustrating one of many possible settings (e.g., inside corner sash brush).

[0038] FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the present invention, illustrating one of many possible settings (e.g., specialty brush).

[0039] FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of the present invention, illustrating one of many possible settings (e.g., flat wall brush).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

[0040] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate an adjustable paintbrush which comprises a bristle slide body housing wherein the mechanisms for adjusting the length of the individual bristle pack segments are contained.

[0041] Each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 comprises bristles 8, secured to the bristle block 7, with a finger adjustment knob 6 attached perpendicular to the bristle block 7 through the corresponding finger knob slide slot 4 contained within the brush slide body housing 3.

[0042] Each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 is adjustable in length utilizing a finger adjustment knob 6, affixed to the bristle pack segments 6, 7, 8 through the corresponding finger knob slide slot 4, which slides the bristle pack segments 6, 7, 8 within the corresponding elongated guideway 5 contained within the brush slide body housing 3.

[0043] Each finger knob slide slot 4 in each elongated guideway 5 within the brush slide body housing 3 allows each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 to be individually adjusted by movement of the finger adjustment knob 6 affixed to each bristle block segment 6, 7, 8.

[0044] By adjusting the length of the bristle pack segments 6, 7, 8, the user can change the overall paintbrush bristle application surface 9 shape to best match the size, and/or shape, and/or profile of the surface to be painted.

[0045] The adjustability of the overall bristle application surface 9 width, length, angle and/or shape is accomplished via adjusting the positions of the individual bristle pack segments 6, 7, 8 within their corresponding elongated guideway 5 contained within the blush slide body housing 3.

[0046] Each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 can individually be moved inward and outward within its corresponding elongated guideway 5 contained within the brush slide body housing 3 by movement of the finger adjustment knob 6 affixed to the bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 through the finger slide slot 4 of the corresponding elongated guideway 5 contained within the brush slide body housing 3.

[0047] Each bristle block 7 and its corresponding elongated guideway 5 work together to serve as a resistive slide assembly that maintains the user adjusted position of said bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 in place, after adjustment.

[0048] Additional methods may be utilized to maintain the position of each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 within the corresponding elongated guideway 5 after adjustment, such as a linear ratchet mechanism comprising of a pawl or detent affixed to each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 and a corresponding linear rack within each elongated guideway 5.

[0049] Each bristle pack segment's finger adjustment knob 6 allow the user to move each bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 within each elongated guideway 5 within the brush slide body housing 3.

[0050] The paintbrush application surface 9 width, length, angle and/or shape is adjusted by sliding each individual bristle pack segment 6, 7, 8 within its corresponding elongated guideway 5 to form the desired overall shape of the application surface 9 to best match the width and/or profile of the surface to be painted.

[0051] The invention may be manufactured with a paintbrush handle 1 or may be comprised of bristle pack segments 6, 7, 8, elongated guideways 5, finger knob slide slots 4 within the brush slide body housing 3 without said handle 1, allowing for many handle options to affixed to the brush slide block 3 which may be accomplished utilizing screws 2 or other fastening methods.

[0052] The invention may be manufactured with a paintbrush handle 1 which may be attached to the brush slide body housing 3 utilizing screws or other fastening methods.

[0053] The invention is scalable, to where it may be manufactured with different sized bristle packs segments 6, 7, 8, different sized elongated guideways 5, different sized finger adjustment slide slots 4 and a different sized brush slide body housing 3.

[0054] The invention may also be manufactured with differing numbers of; elongated guideways 5; finger knob slide slots 4; and bristle pack segments 6, 7, 8, all of which utilize the same overall design elements that allow for the adjustability of the bristle application surface 9 width, length, angle and/or shape.

[0055] The invention's design applies equally well to paintbrushes manufactured with different bristle 8 materials (e.g., Black China, White China, Ox Hair, synthetic materials etc.).

[0056] The invention's design applies equally well to paintbrushes manufactured with different types of material used for the paintbrush handle 1, (e.g., different types of wood, plastic, metal, etc.).

[0057] The invention's design allows for various different materials to be used for manufacturing the components.

[0058] This invention is applicable for—but not limited to—painting building interiors and exteriors (homes, apartments, businesses, etc.) including widow frames, trim, drain spouts and other surfaces that can be difficult to paint using traditional paintbrushes with fixed shapes to the bristle application surface.

[0059] The invention is equally applicable for applying coatings including but not limited to paint.

[0060] The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured in various colors.

[0061] The adjustable paintbrush of claim 1 wherein the invention may be manufactured with various external graphics.