Powered paint brush

Abstract

A powered-pump fed paint brush comprises a brush assembly and a pump unit. The brush assembly includes a main body having a handle and a brush stock and a bristle bundle secured in the brush stock. A plurality of fluid distribution members extend into the bristle assembly and are multidirectionally flexible such that the distribution members flex substantially freely with the flex of the bristles in any direction. The fluid distribution members each have a proximal end which is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid from the pump unit and an open distal end within the bristle bundle which applies the fluid to the bristles. A fluid supply pathway extends through the main body from fluid distribution members to the outlet of the pump unit. The pump unit comprises a pump, a motor and battery for powering the pump, and a fluid reservoir. The pump has a pump inlet in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the fluid supply pathway. The pump unit may be separate from the brush assembly and connected thereto by a supply tube or it may be entirely disposed on the main body of the paint brush resulting in a completely self-contained powered paint brush system.

1 . A power-fed paint brush for connection to a source of pressurized fluid comprising:
 a main body having a handle and a brush stock;   a bristle assembly secured in said brush stock;   a fluid flow path extending through said main body having a first end which is connectable to said source of pressurized fluid and a second end in fluid communication with a fluid distribution member; and   said fluid distribution member extending into said bristle assembly, said fluid distribution member being multidirectionally flexible such that when said bristle assembly is flexed in any direction, said fluid distribution members flexes substantially freely along with said bristle assembly.   
   
   
       4 . The paint brush of  claim 1  further comprising a control switch provided on said main body for controlling the flow of fluid from said source of pressurized fluid. 
   
   
       5 . The paint brush of  claim 4  wherein said control switch is an electrical switch which is configured to be operably coupled to said source of pressurized fluid. 
   
   
       6 . The paint brush of  claim 4  wherein said control switch operates a wireless signal to said source of pressurized fluid. 
   
   
       7 . A power-fed paint brush system comprising:
 a paint brush fluidly coupled to a fluid pump unit via a flexible tube having an outlet end and an inlet end;   said paint brush comprising,
 a main body having a handle and a brush stock; 
 a bristle assembly secured in said brush stock; 
 a fluid flow path extending through said main body having a supply end which is connectable to said outlet end of said flexible tube and a delivery end in fluid communication with a fluid distribution member; 
 said fluid distribution member extending into said bristle assembly, said fluid distribution member being multidirectionally flexible such that when said bristle assembly is flexed in any direction, said fluid distribution member flexes substantially freely along with said bristle assembly; and 
   said fluid pump unit comprising,
 a housing enclosing a pump assembly and a fluid reservoir; 
 said pump assembly comprising an electric motor which is operably coupled to a pump for powering the pump, said pump having a pump inlet in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir and a pump outlet in fluid communication with said inlet end of said flexible tube. 
   
   
   
       8 . The paint brush system of  claim 7  wherein said fluid distribution member comprises a helical coil spring. 
   
   
       9 . The paint brush system of  claim 7  wherein the coils of said spring are substantially closed when said spring is in an unflexed state and said coils open when the spring is flexed along with the flexure of the bristle assembly. 
   
   
       10 . The paint brush system of  claim 7  further comprising a control switch provided on said main body for controlling the flow of fluid from said pump unit. 
   
   
       11 . The paint brush system of  claim 10  wherein said control switch is an electrical switch which is configured to be operably coupled to said pump unit. 
   
   
       12 . The paint brush system of  claim 10  wherein said control switch operates a wireless signal to said pump unit. 
   
   
       13 . A self-contained, power-fed paint brush system comprising:
 a main body having a handle and a brush stock;   a bristle assembly secured in said brush stock;   a fluid distribution member extending into said bristle assembly, said fluid distribution member being multidirectionally flexible such that when said bristle assembly is flexed in any direction, said fluid distribution member flexes substantially freely along with said bristle assembly; and   a pump, a power source for powering said pump, and a fluid reservoir all disposed on said main body, said pump having a pump inlet in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir and a pump outlet in fluid communication with said fluid distribution member.   
   
   
       14 . The paint brush system of  claim 13  wherein said pump is a piston pump and said power source comprises an electric motor and a battery. 
   
   
       15 . The paint brush system of  claim 13  wherein said fluid reservoir is disposed on a proximal end of said handle and further comprising a fluid supply path extending through said handle and said main body from said pump outlet to said fluid distribution member. 
   
   
       16 . The paint brush system of  claim 16  further comprising a manifold having an inlet in fluid communication with said pump outlet and a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with said fluid distribution member. 
   
   
       17 . The paint brush system of  claim 16  wherein said fluid distribution member comprises a helical coil spring. 
   
   
       18 . The paint brush system of  claim 13  wherein said pump is a piston pump comprising:
 a piston slidably received in a piston cylinder, said piston cylinder having a first end in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir;   a piston arm having a first end rotatably connected to said piston and a second end rotatably connected to a drive gear;   a one-way valve placed in the fluid flow path between at least one of the pump inlet and the fluid reservoir, or the pump outlet and the fluid supply path; and   wherein said drive gear is operably coupled to said power source.   
   
   
       19 . The paint brush system of  claim 18  further comprising a reduction gear set connected between said drive gear and said power source. 
   
   
       20 . The paint brush system of  claim 13  further comprising a control switch disposed on said main body for controlling the operation of said pump. 
   
   
       21 . The paint brush of claim I further comprising:
 a valve between said second end of said fluid flow path and said fluid distribution member;   an airless paint spray head in fluid communication with said valve;   wherein said valve is adjustable to at least two settings, including a first setting which directs the pressurized fluid to said airless paint spray head and a second setting which directs the pressurized fluid to said plurality of distribution members.   
   
   
       22 . The paint brush of  claim 21  wherein said brush stock, bristles and fluid distribution member are removable from said paint brush handle in order to expose said airless paint spray head for use.