WO2000037184A1

WO2000037184A1 - Paint roller frame

Info

Publication number: WO2000037184A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/030954
Authority: WO
Inventors: William I. Babkowski
Original assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
Priority date: 1998-12-23
Filing date: 1999-12-23
Publication date: 2000-06-29
Also published as: AU2216700A

Abstract

A paint roller frame (10) which securely retains a paint roller cover thereon during painting and which permits the roller cover (50) to be easily removed therefrom is disclosed. The paint roller frame includes an end cap assembly including a push button (74) and a cam member (124) having a plurality of angularly spaced-apart fingers (116) thereon. The fingers on the cam member are normally biased radially outwardly causing the tips of the fingers to engage the inner surface of the paint roller cover received thereon. By depressing the push button, the angularly spaced-apart fingers move radially inwardly causing their respective tips to become disengaged from the inner surface of the roller cover permitting the roller cover to be removed from the roller frame.

Description

PAINT ROLLER FRAME

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, in general, to a paint roller frame and, more particularly, to a paint roller frame which securely retains a paint roller cover thereon during painting and which permits the roller cover to be easily removed therefrom after usage or for replacement purposes.

BACKGROUND ART

There are numerous types of paint roller frames that permit the removal of the roller cover therefrom for replacement purposes. Such removal and/or replacement entails varying degrees of difficulty since if it is relatively easy to remove the roller cover from the frame, the roller cover is usually not positively retained in place on the frame and thus can move laterally relative thereto during painting. Conversely, if the roller cover is securely retained on the frame, it is a relatively difficult task to remove it for replacement purposes or at the time painting has been completed. Such is the case with the paint roller frame disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,345,648 (Graves) wherein the paint roller cover is retained on a cage assembly by a Belleville type washer having a plurality of radially extending prongs which grip the inner surface of the roller cover. Since the prongs become embedded in the inner surface of the roller cover, it is extremely difficult to remove the roller cover from the cage assembly in this case.

Another inherent disadvantage of most paint roller frames is that the sleeves or cage assemblies used to support the roller cover include areas where paint may become entrapped, thus making the frames difficult to clean. Also, some sleeves or cage assemblies do not provide uniform support for the roller cover permitting the roller cover to develop flat spots or become out of round making the roller cover less effective in spreading paint. Because of the foregoing inherent disadvantages associated with presently available paint roller frames, it has become desirable to develop a paint roller frame which positively retains the roller cover thereon during painting while allowing the roller cover to be quickly and easily removed therefrom for replacement purposes or when painting has been completed. Furthermore, the resulting paint roller frame should be easy to clean and should provide substantial uniform support to the roller cover over the length thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problems associated with the prior art paint roller frames and other problems by providing a paint roller frame which has a plurality of angularly spaced-apart fingers adjacent its inboard end to engage the inner surface of the roller cover received thereon. The paint roller frame includes an inboard end cap assembly, an outboard end cap and a plurality of equally angularly-spaced apart connecting rods interposed therebetween. A centrally located bore is provided in the hub portions of each of the end caps permitting the shaft portion of the paint roller frame to be received therethrough allowing rotation of the inboard end cap assembly, the outboard end cap and the plurality of equally, angularly spaced-apart connecting rods about the shaft of the roller frame. The inboard end cap assembly includes a sleeve, a cam member, a push button and a compression spring. The cam member includes the aforementioned plurality of angularly spaced-apart fingers which are received through complementary angularly spaced-apart openings in the sleeve. The fingers are biased outwardly by interaction between the compression spring and the push button causing the tips of the fingers to engage the inner surface of the paint roller cover received thereon. By depressing the push button, the fingers move radially inwardly causing their respective tips to become disengaged from the inner surface of the roller cover permitting the roller cover to be easily removed from the paint roller frame.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a paint roller frame which securely retains the roller cover thereon while painting and permits the roller cover to be quickly and easily removed therefrom for replacement purposes or after painting has been completed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a paint roller frame having a structure which permits paint to easily drain therefrom and which minimizes the amount of paint entrapped therein.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a paint roller frame which provides substantial uniform support for the paint roller cover over the length thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art paint roller frame. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the paint roller frame of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the paint roller frame of the present invention showing the fingers of the cam within the inboard end cap assembly and positioned so as to be engaged with the paint roller cover received on the frame.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the paint roller frame of the present invention showing the fingers of the cam within the inboard end cap assembly and positioned so as to be disengaged from the paint roller cover received on the frame. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken across section-indicating lines 5-5 in Figure 3 and showing the fingers of the cam within the inboard end cap assembly and positioned so as to be engaged with the paint roller cover. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken across section-indicating lines 6-6 in Figure 4 and showing the fingers of the cam within the inboard end cap assembly and positioned so as to be disengaged from the paint roller cover.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken across section-indicating lines 7-7 in Figure 3 and showing the inner end of the inboard end cap assembly of the paint roller frame of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings where the illustrations are for the purpose of describing the preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention described herein. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art paint roller frame 10 with a cage assembly, shown generally by the numeral 12, attached thereto. The frame 10 is made from a heavy gauge wire or rod that is bent so as to provide a handle portion 14 at one end thereof and a shaft portion 16 at the other end thereof for rotatably supporting the cage assembly 12 thereon. Attached to the handle portion 14 is a hand grip 18 to assist grasping of the paint roller frame 10 with one hand. A threaded socket (not shown) may be provided in the outer end of the hand grip 18 to permit attachment of an extension pole, if desired.

The cage assembly 12 includes a substantially rigid one piece cage body 20 comprised of a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending roller cover support bars 22 joined together at a plurality of axially spaced-apart locations by arcuate ribs 24 positioned between the support bars 22. The support bars 22 are substantially straight and of uniform height over their entire length, and the height of the ribs 24 corresponds to the height of the support bars 22, and the ribs 24 are joined to the bars 22 forming axially spaced annular rings 26 each having an outer diameter that is slightly less than the inner diameter of a paint roller cover to be received thereover.

At the outboard end of the cage body 20 is a central hub portion 28 having an axial opening 30 therethrough to receive the shaft portion 16 of the frame 10. Oppositely disposed from the outboard end of cage body 20 is an inboard end cap 32 having an outwardly directed circumferential flange 34 adjacent its outboard end and having an opening 36 therein permitting the shaft portion 16 of the frame 10 to be received therethrough. A Belleville type spring washer 38 is interposed between the inboard end cap 32 and the cage assembly 12. The outer diameter of the washer 38 is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the support bars 22 and the arcuate interconnecting ribs 24. The washer 38 is comprised of a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart fingers 40 extending radially and axially in the direction of the inboard end cap 32. The fingers 40 gradually taper radially outwardly from the outer diameter of the washer 38 to the maximum diameter of the fingers 40 to facilitate wedging of the roller cover over the fingers 40 when the roller cover is slidingly received over the cage assembly 12 and the inboard end of the roller cover is positioned adjacent circumferential flange 34 on the inboard end cap 32. During sliding, axial movement of the roller cover over the fingers 40 causes the fingers 40 to be tensioned radially inwardly toward the inboard end cap 32. When the fingers 40 are in the tensioned position, the fingers 40 engage the inner diameter of the roller cover to secure the roller cover to the cage assembly 12 while painting. In order to remove the roller cover from the cage assembly 12, the roller cover must be slidingly removed from same. It has been found that the removal of the roller cover requires physical effort since the fingers 40 have a tendency to continue their engagement with the inner surface of the roller cover. Such removal typically requires the painter to grasp the roller cover and apply a force to the cover to slidingly remove same from the frame 10. Since the roller cover is usually filled with paint, the removal of the roller cover from the frame 10 is usually a very messy process.

Referring now to Figure 2, a perspective view of the paint roller frame 50 of the present invention with a paint roller cover 52 thereon is illustrated. As shown in Figure 3, the paint roller frame 50 of the present invention is comprised of an inboard end cap assembly 54, an outboard cap 56 and a plurality of equally, angularly spaced-apart connecting rods 58 interposed therebetween. The connecting rods 58 and the outboard end cap 56 replace the cage assembly 12 of the prior art roller frame. The shaft portion 60 of the frame 50 is received through apertures in the inboard end cap assembly 54, the outboard end cap 56 and through the center of the array of connecting rods 58 and rotatably supports same.

The inboard end cap assembly 54 is comprised of a sleeve 70, a cam 72, a push button 74 and a compression spring 76. The sleeve 70 is cylindrical in cross- section and is usually fabricated from Delrin material, or the like. Sleeve 70 has a bore 78 passing therethrough and four equally, angularly spaced-apart longitudinally extending slots 80 in the surface thereof. The outboard end of sleeve 70 is provided with an outwardly directed circumferential flange 82 thereon. Cam 72 is usually fabricated from Delrin material, or the like, and is comprised of a base portion 90 having a circular cross-section with a bore 92 therethrough and four equally, angularly spaced-apart longitudinally extending fingers 94 emanating therefrom. Cam 72 is received within the end 96 of sleeve 70 and is positioned within the sleeve 70 such that end 98 of base portion 90 is aligned with end 96 of sleeve 70 and each finger 94 is aligned with a longitudinally extending slot 80 in sleeve 70. Cam 72 has a cylindrical cavity 100 therein which is defined by a surface 102 forming the base of cavity 100 and the inner surface 104 of each of the fingers 94. Each of the fingers 94 is comprised of a first portion 106 having a substantially constant cross-section in the longitudinal direction, a second portion 108 having an increasing cross-section in the longitudinal direction and a third portion 110 having a decreasing cross-section in the longitudinal direction. Second portion 108 of each finger 94 is interposed between first portion 106 and third portion 110 thereof. The inner surface 104 of each finger 94 is defined by a first portion 112 which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inboard end cap assembly 54 and a second portion 114 which is oriented angularly inwardly along the longitudinal axis of inboard end cap assembly 54. The junction of the outer surface of the second portion 108 and the third portion 110 of each finger 94 forms a tip 116 on each finger 94. Tip 116 and the surface defining the second portion 108 and third portion 110 of finger 94 adjacent thereto is received within a longitudinally extending slot 80 in sleeve 70 and the distance across oppositely disposed tips 116 of fingers 94 is such so as to be slightly greater than the inner diameter of paint roller cover 52.

Push button 74 is generally circular in cross-section and is comprised of a base portion 120 having a substantially constant cross-section in the longitudinal direction, a conical portion 122 of decreasing cross-section in the longitudinal direction, a conical portion 124 of increasing cross-section in the longitudinal direction and an end portion 126 of substantially constant cross-section in the longitudinal direction and terminating in a centrally positioned hub portion 128. A portion of conical portion 122 and all of conical portion 124, end portion 126 and hub portion 128 have a bore 130 therethrough. Base portion 120 of push button 74 is positioned within end 132 of sleeve 70 and the surface defining conical portion 124 of push button 74 contacts the second portion 114 of the inner surface 104 of each of the fingers 94 of cam 72. Compression spring 76 is received within cavity 100 of cam 72 and is positioned therein so that one end of spring 76 contacts surface 102 forming the base of cavity 100 while the other end of spring 76, and several turns thereof, are received on hub portion 128 of push button 74. A bushing 134 having a flanged end 136 and a bore 138 therethrough is received within bore 130 in push button 74 and also within bore 92 in cam 72 and is positioned therein so that flanged end 136 of bushing 134 contacts surface 140 on push button 74. Bore 138 in bushing 134 receives the inner end of shaft portion 60 of frame 50. Push button 74 is movable within sleeve 70 and lateral movement therein causes the second portion 114 of the inner surface 104 of each of the fingers 94 of cam 72 to slide inwardly along the surface defining conical portion 124 of push button 74 resulting in the fingers 94 moving radially inwardly and outwardly through longitudinally extending slots 80 in sleeve 70. End 150 of each connecting rod 58 is received in a blind bore 152 in end 98 of cam 72. The other end 154 of each connecting rod 58 is received within a blind bore 156 provided in outboard end cap 56. End cap 56 has a bore 158 therethrough to receive a bushing 160 having a flanged end 162 and a bore 164 therethrough. Bushing 160 is received within bore 158 in end cap 56 such that flanged end 162 contacts surface 166 on end cap 56. Bore 164 in bushing 160 receives threaded outer end 168 of shaft portion 60 of frame 50. A nut 170 is threadably received on the outer end 168 of shaft portion 60 and is positioned in a blind bore 172 in outboard end cap 56. Push button 74 has a blind bore 174 therein to receive a washer 176. The end of shaft portion 60 of frame 50 within blind bore 174 is staked outwardly of washer 176. By threadingly advancing nut 170 on the threaded outer end 168 of shaft portion 60 of frame 50, a pre-load can be applied to the compression spring 76 by the end portion 126 of push button 74 and the surface 102 forming the base of cavity 100 in cam 72. A plurality of equally, angularly spaced-apart bores 178 is provided through base portion 90 of cam 72 as shown in Figure 7 permitting the drainage of paint from cavity 100.

Operationally, in order to install a paint roller cover 52 on paint roller frame 50, the paint roller cover 52 is slidingly received over outboard end cap 56, connecting rods 58, and inboard end cap assembly 54 until the end 180 of paint roller cover 52 abuts circumferential flange 82 on inboard end cap assembly 54. When the paint roller cover 52 is so installed on paint roller 50, the tips 116 on the fingers 94 of cam 72 engage the inner surface of the paint roller cover 52 preventing the roller cover 52 from becoming disengaged from the frame 50, as shown in Figure 5. When painting has been completed, the paint roller frame 50, with the paint roller cover 52 thereon, is oriented vertically with the outboard end cap 56 being positioned so as to be located lower than inboard end cap assembly 54. Push button 74 is then depressed into inboard end cap assembly 54 causing the further compression of spring 76 within cavity 100 which, in turn, causes the second portion 114 of the inner surface 104 of each finger 94 of cam 72 to slide inwardly along the surface defining conical portion 124 of push button 74 resulting in the tip 116 of each finger 94 being drawn radially inwardly within its respective longitudinally extending slot 80 in sleeve 70 causing the disengagement of the tips 116 of the fingers 94 from the inner surface of the paint roller cover 52, as shown in Figure 6. The weight of paint roller cover 52, with the paint retained therein, causes the roller cover 52 to become disengaged from frame 50 and to drop therefrom. In this manner, the paint roller cover 52, with the paint retained therein, can be easily removed from frame 50 for disposal purposes without the painter touching the roller cover 52.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have not been expressly set forth herein for the sake of conciseness and readability, but are properly within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1) A paint roller frame comprising a handle portion and a shaft portion, a first end cap, a second end cap, and a plurality of connecting rods interposed between said first end cap and said second end cap, said first end cap including a cam member having a plurality of fingers to grippingly engage a paint roller cover received thereon.

2) The paint roller frame as defined in claim 1 wherein said first end cap includes means for biasing said plurality of fingers.

3) The paint roller frame as defined in claim 2 wherein said biasing means comprises a push button member and a compression spring, movement of said push button member within said first end cap causing said plurality of fingers on said cam member to move radially to grippingly engage the inner surface of the paint roller cover.

4) The paint roller frame as defined in claim 3 wherein said push button member engages said plurality of fingers causing said fingers to move radially outwardly within said first end cap so as to grippingly engage the inner surface of the paint roller frame.

5) The paint roller frame as defined in claim 1 wherein said first end cap, said second end cap and said plurality of connecting rods are rotatably mounted on said shaft portion of said frame.

6) The paint roller frame as defined in claim 3 wherein said first end cap includes a sleeve member having a plurality of openings therein, each of said fingers being received within one of said openings and being movable therein. 7) The paint roller frame as defined in claim 6 wherein said push button member is receivable within said sleeve member, movement of said push button member within said sleeve member causing said fingers to move radially within said openings in said sleeve member.