BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a container for a paint roller and, more particularly, to a portable container for a paint roller and paint which can be used during the painting process.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] To complete a painting job, particularly with respect to large areas which require the use of a ladder, the painter might paint the areas using a roller type paint brush (paint roller). For touch up, comers and edges, it may be convenient to have a paint brush easily available. These activities require that the painter have the paint roller, paint brush and paint within constant reach; however, this can be difficult and potentially dangerous when working from a ladder as there is limited space. It can also be inconvenient even when not working from a ladder as these items must constantly be moved around the area being painted.

[0005] In a typical painting job, a painter generally uses a roller pan for holding paint and dips the paint roller into the roller pan to put paint on to the roller brush. Additionally, the painter may use a paint can for holding paint and dip the paint brush into the can for putting paint on to the paint brush. As the painter paints the room, the painter might first roll paint onto the broad areas of the walls and ceiling in a room using the paint roller. Then the painter may set aside the paint roller, proceed to obtain the paint brush from the paint can and use the paint brush for touch up work or for painting the corners, edges or trim. As can be seen, the painter generally uses the paint roller and paint brush alternatively and the time a painter spends going back and forth picking up and putting down the paint brush while using the paint roller can be quite costly, energy wasting, and time consuming in completing a job.

[0006] The difficulty is increased when the painter is on a ladder and painting a high wall or a high ceiling. Due to the lack of space where items such as a rolling pan, paint roller, paint can and paint brush can be placed while at the top of a ladder, the painter is required to ascend and descend the ladder many times in order to complete the job. Or if the painter attempts to keep all of the items within his reach, it becomes dangerous and likely that the painter will lose his balance and fall, thus causing injury.

[0007] It would clearly be helpful to painters to be able to safely carry a paint roller, paint brush and supply of paint so as to increase efficiency and safety. Such a device would reduce the constant requirement to travel to exchange tools and to access a paint supply.

[0008] While previous devices have sought to resolve some of these difficulties, these devices have been very complicated and unmanageable and do not resolve all of the difficulties set out above.

[0009] A device which can be strapped to the waist of a painter is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,051. This device includes storage space for paint and for a paint brush but is extremely complex. Further, this storage space for a paint brush results does not include any means for preventing spillage from the bristles of the brush. Due to the arrangement of the device, it cannot be transferred to an alternate location if the need arises. Finally, while the use of a small paint roller is provided for, the angle is such that the roller is extremely difficult and awkward to use because the roller is parallel to the painter's body and there is no provision for storing the roller so that it is not suspended in paint.

[0010] One device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,098 issued to King. This device is a container for carrying liquids such as paint. The bucket is particularly designed to prevent spillage of the liquid being carried. It has a spring-loaded cover which allows a paintbrush to be inserted for application of paint to the brush. This device does not include a method for carrying the paint brush or a paint roller.

[0011] Another device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,801 issued to Swinney. This device allows a paint bucket to be attached to a painter's belt and is designed such that the bucket rotates as the painter moves. This rotation is meant to prevent spillage of paint from the bucket. Again, this device does not include a method for carrying a paint brush or paint roller.

[0012] Another device invented by Swinney is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,503. This device is a rack for supporting a paint bucket that is hingedly secured to an element attached to a belt worn by a painter. The hinge allows for relative movement of the rack in the vertical plane when the device is being worn by the painter. While this device includes an attachment means for a brush, it does not include a means for carrying a paint roller and would not allow for use of a roller.

[0013] Many devices similar to the King and Swinney patents have been invented previously. These devices all include a mounting method for attaching a paint can to a painter. Some allow for rotation of the paint can to reduce spillage but none allow the attachment of a paint brush and paint roller in order to increase the efficiency of a painter. Such devices are shown in U.S. Des. Pat. No. 276,760; U.S. Des. Pat. No. 338,561; U.S. Des. Pat. No. 368,158; U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,109; U.S. Pat. No. 2,985,349; U.S. Pat. No. 2,987,231; U.S. Pat. No. 2,995,281; U.S. Pat. No. 3,285,482; U.S. Pat. No. 3,402,857; U.S. Pat. No. 3,493,152; U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,125; U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,720; U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,791; U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,591; U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,281; U.S. Pat. No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,618; U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,921; U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,339; U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,606; U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,696 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,966.

[0014] Also shown previously are various examples of belt and harness apparatuses for supporting a variety of articles about an individual's waist. U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,136 shows a belt for carrying janitorial tools. U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,643 shows a device for suspending a load from the wearer's shoulders. U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,122 shows a rigid tool belt for a construction worker. U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,584 shows a bracket for holding a mud pan being used during dry wall installation. None of these inventions disclose an apparatus for carrying and using paint, a paint brush and a paint roller.

[0015] While several of the belt and harness apparatuses described above have permitted the support of paint containers at or near the waist of a painter, it appears that none disclose a container assembly which prevent the spillage of paint and which allows a paint brush and a paint roller to be stored thereon while not suspended in paint. Additionally, none of the above-mentioned devices provide a means for storing a paint brush and paint roller such that excess paint on the bristles or rollers is not spilled or splattered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A device for carrying paint, a paint roller and preferably a paint brush is provided which allows painters to carry all of these items safely while painting, particularly, while painting areas which can only be reached by use of a ladder. The device has one storage compartment which is open at the top and which is sized to accept a paint roller and paint. The device includes an element which retains the paint roller at a specified location within the storage compartment and preferably such that the paint roller is not submersed in paint stored in the compartment. The device further includes an element to attach the device to a painter, for example, by a belt clip or shoulder strap, such that the paint roller is generally perpendicular to the body of the painter. The device may further include a support element for maintaining the device in an upright position such as a foldable support beam, an extension added to the bottom surface of the device or other appropriate means. If desired, the device may also include a second storage compartment which is generally designed to accept a paint brush. The second storage compartment also preferably includes an element for retaining the paint brush at a specified location within the second storage compartment and preferably such that the paint brush is not submerged in paint. The device is most appropriately made from a non-porous, durable, lightweight material such as a plastic or lightweight metal. For ease of use, the device may also include an insert for either or both storage compartments.

[0017] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for carrying paint, a paint brush and a paint roller.

[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for carrying paint in a manner which reduces paint spillage.

[0019] It is yet another object of the prevent invention to provide an apparatus for carrying a paint brush and a paint roller such that the brush and roller are not suspended in paint when not in use.

[0020] It is yet another object of the prevent invention to provide an apparatus for carrying a paint brush and a paint roller such that excess paint is not spilled or splattered from the brush and roller when not in use.

[0021] It is yet still another object of the present invention to be quick and easy to use.

[0022] Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, the paint roller container is a specialized device to provide a means for carrying paint and a paint roller. The device is of a simple design and allows painters a hands-free method for carrying these items for increased efficiency and safety, particularly when painting from a ladder. The device generally includes a main storage compartment for paint. The main storage compartment also accepts a paint roller for paint application and storage purposes. A second compartment can provide for storage and drainage of a paint brush.