US20060021172A1

US20060021172A1 - Isokinetic paintbrush control handle

Info

Publication number: US20060021172A1
Application number: US10/909,788
Authority: US
Inventors: Addison Learned
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-02
Filing date: 2004-08-02
Publication date: 2006-02-02

Abstract

The isokinetic result of forces upon the human muscles of the forearm, wrist and hand from the forces encountered by the tasks of thrust, draw and twist during applying coating materials to substrates (commonly called “painting”) are reduced by the inclusion of sections of the embodiment, tapered to oppose the direction(s) of said task forces, in sufficient length and shape to engage both hands to eliminate repeated gripping strains on the muscles of each hand, wrist and forearm. Non-obvious embodiments include a plurality of tapering shapes formed into the shafts of the brush tool to prevent slipping and loss of control with less strain of muscles required for gripping with two-hand paint brushes. Non-obvious embodiments include a plurality of tapering shapes formed into the shafts of the brush tool to prevent slipping and loss of control with less strain of muscles required for gripping with one-hand brushes.

Description

This invention defines shafts for handles to paintbrushes that will reduce associated muscular stress and body physical effort of the human forces required to deliver and spread paint and similar coatings smoothly upon a surface with dimensional accuracy and clear delineation with respect to other colors thereon.

BACKGROUND

The Old Method
A device, containing a plurality of bristles arranged to present an edge at the distal end of a handle, is dipped into a coating liquid. The handle is gripped with the compression of muscles around surfaces of forms straight or tapering smaller in diameter towards the proximal end. The objectives of these old work tasks are to coat a maximum area in a minimum time, with minimum muscular strain and fatigue.
The device (commonly a paintbrush) is then brought into contact with the surface to be coated, in an area within arms reach. Muscles of the forearm (Brachio Radialis, Pronator Teres, Pulmaris Longus, Flexor/Extensor Carpi Radialis, Flexor Digitorum Superficalis), the wrist (Flexor Retinaculum) and the hand (Flexor Digiti Minimi, Abductor/adductor Pollicis Brevis, Digitorum tendons) are repeatedly strained and relaxed to apply fibre torsion force in a direction to grip radially on the handle to prevent slipping from forces of the tool, twist and guide the paintbrush through changes of attitude laterally and vertically to:

- (1) Deposit the liquid coating from the paintbrush to the surface at precise locations with respect to the configuration of the surfaces and
- (2) Distribute the coating to approximately the same thickness at the interface between colors.

NOTE: The applicators' motions to accomplish the above steps are dependent upon the degree of physical force exerted by the person (painter); gripping forces require the repeated flexing of the engaged muscles.
The New Method
1. Embodiments, containing a plurality of bristles, are arranged at the distal end of a handle shaped to relieve the strain upon the muscle torque and are perpendicular to the torsion of the muscle fiber, thereby obtaining more precise control of the attitude of the embodiment.
2. The contours of the handle facilitate the twisting and stroking motions, spreading coating to a longer interface with straighter and more precise definition, less waviness and deviation from straightness.

- 2. The use of two hands during thrust and draw of the coating application distributes the strain to more muscles, those of the otherwise idle hand and each to a lighter degree.
- 3. Repeating steps 1, 2, 3 requires less physical strain for repetition of relocation movements for equal lining distances coated by the old method, reducing fatigue on those muscles, allowing longer continued use.

The results of these new work tasks are to coat a maximum area in a minimum time, with reduced muscular strain and fatigue.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an outline view of the grip shape at the proximal portion of the paintbrush grip shaft handle.
FIG. 2 is an outline drawing of a detachment means at the distal end portion of the paintbrush grip shaft handle.

DETAIL OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The Paintbrush Grip Shaft Handle
The embodiment shaft handles are axially shaped to match muscle exertion direction:

- 1. FIG. 1 shows an isokinetic shaft handle with a multiple of rib grip surfaces 1 aligned along a shaft, tapering towards knob end 2 approximating palm spans 3. the tapered ribs reduce the torque upon the muscles of the hand and wrist during twist, thrust and draw, allowing a lighter grip, reducing fatigue from the muscles of the wrist and fingers and palm. The tapered ribs reduce the torque upon the wrist (retinaculum) and finger (digitorum) muscles by permitting interface contact in a relaxed configuration, reducing fatigue.

2. FIG. 2 shows an isokinetic shaft handle, containing sections of tapering dimensions 7, integral with expandable tines 4 at the distal end, and with a flexible band 5 retaining the respective location of the times 4 to surround the handle of a one-hand paint brush 8. The tines are retained at the proximal end with a ring 6.

Claims

1. A paintbrush containing a plurality of bristles at the distal end thereof and a shaft handle with a plurality of ribs tapering with larger dimension towards the proximal end.

2. Non-obvious variations of these embodiments include hang holes at selected locations along the shaft.

3. Non-obvious variation embodiments are like the preferred embodiments with means of detaching the common bristle plurality.

4. Non-obvious variation embodiments are like the preferred embodiments with means of a second section of a plurality of ribs tapering with larger dimension towards the distal end, thus one section in direction of thrust and the opposing section in direction of draw motions of the user.

5. Non-obvious variation embodiments are like the preferred embodiments with shortened length to allow operation of one-hand only.