Method and apparatus to dry paint brushes

Abstract

In order to prolong the useful life of an artist's paint brush, the paint brush is supported from a clamp while drying. The clamp has first and second coplanar surfaces which clamp against the tip of the brush supporting it as it is drying. The clamping surfaces are covered with a compressible material such as an open cell foam rubber. The compressible material prevents the bristles of the brushes from spreading out excessively and the open celled foam further facilitates wicking of liquid from the brush as it dries.

1 . A method of drying a wet paint brush having bristles, said bristles having a tip comprising:
 compressing said bristles with a clamp, said clamp having first and second opposed coplanar clamping surfaces;   wherein said bristles are positioned between said clamping surfaces and said brush is supported in a vertical position by the pressure of said clamping surfaces.   
   
   
       2 . The method claimed in  claim 1  wherein said clamping surfaces comprise a compressible surface. 
   
   
       3 . The method claimed in  claim 2  wherein said compressible surface comprises a compressible open cell foam rubber. 
   
   
       4 . The method claimed in  claim 4  wherein said clamp is supported by a hanger, and said brush hangs downwardly from said clamp with a handle of said brush below said bristles. 
   
   
       5 . A clamp having first and second coplanar clamping surfaces, said surfaces covered with a soft compressible foam rubber;
 said clamping surfaces being spring biased toward each other.   
   
   
       6 . The clamp claimed in  claim 5  in combination with a paint brush, said paint brush having bristles, said bristles located between said coplanar clamping surfaces with said foam rubber pads engaging said bristles. 
   
   
       7 . The clamp claimed in  claim 6  wherein said clamp further includes arms extending from said clamping surfaces, said clamp is supported by a supporting member with said brush hanging downwardly from said clamp. 
   
   
       8 . A method of supporting a paint brush as said paint brush dries, said brush having a handle and bristles, said bristles having a tip, said method comprising clamping said bristles with a clamp and supporting said clamp with said brush in a vertical position hanging down from said clamp;
 said clamp having first and second coplanar clamping surfaces, said clamping surfaces covered with a compressible material and wherein said compressible material engages the tip of said brush to thereby support said brush.   
   
   
       9 . The method claimed in  claim 8  wherein said compressible material is an open celled foam rubber.