Magnetic paint brush holder

Abstract

A paint brush holder including a strap having a first end, a second end, and a medial portion, and at least one permanent magnet disposed at one of the first or second ends. The magnet or magnets may be encased in an expansion integral with the strap or simply affixed to one or both of the ends of the strap. The strap may be entirely flexible or partly flexible, but includes either a fold or arcuate portion that may be draped over the upper rim of a paint container such that the magnet or magnets are disposed at a selected height above the surface of a volume of paint within the container.

1 . A paint brush holder, comprising: 
 a strap having a first end, a second end, and a medial portion;    at least one permanent magnet disposed at one of said first or second ends.    
   
   
       2 . The paint brush holder of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus includes a first permanent magnet disposed at said first end, and a second permanent magnet disposed at said second end.  
   
   
       3 . The paint brush holder of  claim 2 , wherein each of said first and second permanent magnets is encased in an expansion integral with said medial portion.  
   
   
       4 . The paint brush holder of  claim 1 , wherein said medial portion is fabricated from flexible material.  
   
   
       5 . The paint brush holder of  claim 1 , wherein said medial portion is tapered relative to said first and second ends.  
   
   
       6 . The paint brush holder of  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least one permanent magnet is encased by an expansion integral with said medial portion.  
   
   
       7 . The paint brush holder of  claim 1 , wherein said medial portion is generally rigid and includes an arcuate middle for placement over the upper rim of a paint container.  
   
   
       8 . A paint brush holder adapted for detachable installment on and over the upper rim of a paint container, said apparatus comprising: 
 rim capturing and magnet height adjustment means having first and second ends, said rim capturing and magnet height adjustment means adapted for placement over the upper rim of a paint container such that one of said first and second ends is disposed at a selected height above the surface of a volume of paint in the paint container; and    at least one permanent magnet disposed at one of said first or second ends of said rim capturing and magnet height adjustment means, said permanent magnet adapted to hold a paint brush by the metallic ferrule of the brush.    
   
   
       9 . The paint brush holder of  claim 8 , wherein said apparatus includes a first permanent magnet disposed at said first end of said rim capturing and magnet height adjustment means, and a second permanent magnet disposed at said second end of said rim capturing and magnet height adjustment means.  
   
   
       10 . The paint brush holder of  claim 9 , wherein said rim capturing and magnet height adjustment means is a flexible strap disposed between said first and second permanent magnets.  
   
   
       11 . The paint brush holder of  claim 8 , wherein said apparatus includes only one permanent magnet.  
   
   
       12 . The paint brush holder of  claim 11 , wherein said rim capturing and magnet height adjustment means comprises a first arm to which said permanent magnet is attached, a second arm, and an arcuate rim capturing portion interposed between said first and second arms.  
   
   
       13 . The paint brush holder of  claim 12 , wherein said second arm is shorter than said first arm.  
   
   
       14 . The paint brush holder of  claim 12 , wherein said first and second arms are resilient such that when said first and second arms are spread apart for placement of the brush holder over the upper rim of a paint container, said first and second arms are urged back toward one another to engage and press against the interior and exterior sides of the paint container.  
   
   
       15 . A method of holding a paint brush within the interior of a paint container having a volume of paint, the paint container having interior and exterior sides and an upper rim, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a paint brush holder adapted for detachable installment on and over the upper rim of a paint container, the paint brush holder including a strap portion with first and second ends and at least one magnet disposed at one of the ends of the strap, the strap portion adapted for draping over the upper rim of the paint container such that one of the ends is disposed at a selected height above a volume of paint in the paint container, and the magnet being adapted for holding the paint brush by any sufficiently metallic element;    (b) placing the strap portion of the paint brush holder on and over the upper rim paint of the paint container;    (c) adjusting the strap portion so that the permanent magnet is at a height above the surface of the volume of paint such that when the brush is held by the permanent magnet, only a portion of the bristles of the brush are wetted by the paint;    (d) placing a magnetic element of the paint brush, such as the metallic ferrule, proximate the permanent magnet such that the brush is captured and retained at the desired height above the surface of the volume of paint.