[0001] The present invention relates to a paint roller frame and more particularly paint rollers frames used for commercial and domestic purposes in conjunction with replaceable paint roller sleeves.

[0002] Existing paint roller frames with replaceable paint roller sleeves do not provide the painter with the necessaiy angles in order easily to paint so called "blind spots" on the walls. Either rapid and short and repetitious strokes of short distance are required in order to apply the paint to the blind spots, which takes time and provides a lesser quality paint finish, and/or a brush may be required.

[0003] There is therefore a need for a paint roller frame to be used with a paint roller sleeve so as to allow the painting of these blind spots and ameliorate or reduce the associated problems.

[0004] Accordingly, the present invention provides a paint roller frame including a handle, a roller cage, and an angular adjustment means interconnecting the roller cage and the handle, wherein the angular adjustment means provides movement of the roller cage in at least three orthogonally disposed axes to selectable positions.

[0005] It is preferred that the angular adjustment means includes three pivot regions.

[0006] It is preferred that a selected two of the pivot regions provide for movement about a 180° plane.

[0007] It is further preferred that the selected two of the pivot regions provide for movement about an X axis and Y axis respectively.

[0008] It is further preferred that the selected two of the pivot regions is disposed adjacent to the handle.

[0009] One advantage of the paint roller frame in use with the roller sleeve is that it eliminates the cutting time, so that a paint brush is not needed to paint the blind spots. [0010] A further advantage of the paint roller frame is the flexibility for the painter to paint the blind spots thereby reducing the number of painting strokes to apply the paint to the surface that would otherwise be conventionally required with a hand paint brush. This paint roller frame therefore provides for a consistent and better quality paint finish.

[0011] It will be convenient hereinafter to describe the invention with reference to the following drawings which show two preferred embodiments of the paint roller frame according to the invention. The particularity of the attached drawings and following description should not supersede or limit the preceding broad definition of the invention.

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the paint roller frame according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating a roller sleeve assembled on the roller cage,

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the paint roller frame of Figure 1 according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating the three orthogonally disposed axes X, Y and Z,

[0014] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the paint roller frame of Figure 1 ,

[0015] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a component of a first pivot region of the paint roller frame of Figure 1 ,

[0016] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a component of the first and second pivot regions of the paint roller frame of Figure 1,

[0017] Figure 6 is a side view of the paint roller frame of Figure 1 , illustrating the full 180° rotation of the roller sleeve from a front position to a rear position about an X axis,

[0018] Figure 7 is a front perspective view of the paint roller frame of Figure 1 illustrating a full 180° rotation of the roller sleeve from a left position to a right position about a Y axis, and

[0019] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the paint roller frame according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrating a roller sleeve assembled on the roller cage and an alternative form of handle.

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the paint roller frame 10 illustrating a roller sleeve 12 assembled over the roller cage (not numbered and not illustrated in this embodiment), the paint roller frame 10 including a handle 28. The roller cage receives the roller sleeve 12 which is replaceable. The handle 28 is of any suitable material and can be moulded. The handle 28 is fixed to a first pivot region 14 by way of a pin 38 which engages in the handle 28 for securement. The first pivot region 14 in use provides for 180° rotation of the roller sleeve 12 from front to rear rotation relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle 28 about one of the axes orthogonal to the axis of the handle, which for convenience will be referred to as the "X" axis. A portion of the first pivot region 14 is connected or integrally formed with a portion of a second pivot region 16. The second pivot region 16 in use provides for 180° rotation of the roller sleeve 12 from left to right rotation relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle about the other of the axes orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the handle, which for convenience will be referred to as the "Y" axis. The second pivot region 16 is connected to or engages a third pivot region 18 by way of an elbow portion 22. The third pivot region 18 is then connected to the roller cage and therefore the roller sleeve 12 by way of arm portion 20. The third pivot region in use provides for 360° rotation of the roller sleeve 12 about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle and which will for convenience be referred to as the "Z" axis. The first pivot region 14 and the second pivot region 16 are both disposed closer than the third pivot region to the handle 28.

[0021] The paint roller frame 10 is accordingly adjustable about 3 axes: axis X; axis Y; and axis Z, enabling the roller cage and therefore the roller sleeve 12 to be adjustable and arranged to any desired angle with respect to the handle 28. Thus, the paint roller frame 10 can be selectively adjusted by the user or painter to any selected or desired position as the circumstances may dictate, adjustment about each axis being independent of adjustment about each other axis.

[0022] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the paint roller frame of Figures 1 and 2, which includes the first pivot region 14 having radially disposed teeth 34 having a separate or integrally fomied bolt-40 ex-tendingHherefromr^ formed with a lower body portion 36 connected to or engaged by pin 38 extending into the handle 28. The handle 28 can be of any suitable material or construction and includes moulded plastics. The component constituted by lower body portion 36, pin 38 and teeth 34 is shown in Figure 4. This figure shows a hexagonal recess 35 for the head of the bolt 40, and pin 38 as having tapered locks 37 along its length so as to provide anchorage for the pin 38 to be inserted into the handle 38 having complementary receiving sections for the tapered locks 37. An intermediate body 48 is integrally formed having on its lower end, a first engagement portion 42 of the first pivot region 14 and a bore 44 which slidably receives and engages the bolt 40 as a slide fit, so that the radially disposed teeth 34 cooperatively engage the oppositely disposed radially disposed teeth 53 (see Figure 5) on the opposite face region of the first engagement portion 42 which is secured by a wing nut 46. The intermediate body 48 has integrally formed on its upper end a second engagement portion 52, which has on its inner side radially disposed teeth 53, the second engagement portion 52 and radially disposed teeth 53 forming part of the second pivot region 16.

[0023] The second engagement portion 52 has a separate or integrally formed bolt 54 extending therefrom to engage with a slide fit through a bore 60 surrounded by cooperatively and opposing, radially disposed teeth 58 extending from an integrally formed upper body portion 56 that forms part of the second pivot region 16. A wing nut 62 secures the cooperative engagement of the radially disposed teeth 58 with the opposing radially disposed teeth 53 of the second engagement portion 52 by engagement over the second bolt 54. These features all collectively form part of the second pivot region 16.

[0024] The upper body portion 56 is fixed to elbow portion 22, which provides suitable separation of the second pivot region 16 from the third pivot region 18. The elbow portion 22 is further fixed to a body portion 66 that forms part of the third pivot region 18. Extending from the body portion 66 are upper facing radially disposed teeth 68 that have a centrally located bore 70 that receives a bolt 75 extending from a third engagement portion 74 that is fixed or connected to the arm portion 20. The third engagement portion 74 has downwardly facing radially disposed teeth 73. A wing nut 72 engaged with the third boit 75 secures the engagement of teeth 68 and 73 of the third engagement portion 74. Although not shown in Figure 3, washers can also be used in conjunction with the wing nuts 46, 62 and 72 to eiigage with the bolt 40, bolt 54 and a bolt 75 respectively. The arm portion 20 by way of a 90° turn, extends through the roller sleeve 12 thereby providing an axial support for 360° rotation of the roller cage.

[0025] The opposing and radially disposed teeth on each of the respective first pivot region 14 and second pivot region 16 provide for cooperative, segmented (or discrete) and incremented engagement. That is, for each of the first pivot region 14 and second pivot region 16, there is provided the ability for the rotatable roller cage and therefore the roller sleeve 12 to be moved through 10 different or 10 segmented positions of 18° degree increments for a total of 180° degree rotation in a respective plane. Accordingly, these provide angular adjustment through discrete steps of 18° increments. Correspondingly the third pivot region 16 provides through its inter-engaging teeth angular adjustment through 360° through discrete steps of 18° increments in a respective plane.

[0026] To summarise, by referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3, it will be appreciated that the intermediate body 48 can pivot with respect to the lower body portion of the first pivot region 14 about the X axis. Independently, the upper body portion 56 of the second pivot region 16 can pivot with respect to intermediate body 48 about the Y axis. Further the third body portion 66 of the third pivot region can pivot independently with respect to third engagement portion 74 about the Z axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

[0027] Although the ranges of movement provided to each pivot region should be clear, Figures 6 and 7 are provided for further illustration. Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the paint roller frame of Figure 1, illustrating the paint roller frame 10 having a full 180° rotation of the roller sleeve, here showing three exemplary positions of the roller sleeve, from a front position to a rear position about the X axis by way of operation of the first pivot region 14. The roller sleeve 12 in a first position about the X axis is shown, having the third pivot region 18 and the second pivot region 16, the roller sleeve 12 is illustrated in a second position about the X axis showing 90° movement from the roller sleeve 12 first position about the X axis. [0028] The roller sleeve 12 in. a third position about the X axis is shown by way of a further 180° degree movement from the roller sleeve in the second position about the X axis. Ail these movements of the roller sleeve are manipulated by the painter by way of hand adjustment using the function provided at the first pivot region 14.

[0029] figure 7 is a. front perspective view of the paint roller frame of Figure 1 illustrating a full 180° rotation of the roller sleeve, here showing three exemplary positions of the roller sleeve, from a left position to a right position about the Y axis, utilizing the function provided at the second pivot region 16. In _. this embodiment, the first pivot ^' region 1.4 is shown in a position for regular use, as is the third pivot region 18. though the person, skilled in the art will appreciate that other positions about the first and second pivot regions may be adopted regardless of the position adopted about the third pivot region. The roller sleeve 12 is shown in. a first position about the Y axis, then is moved by manual adjustment by the painter about 90° to the left, such that the roller sleeve is now in a second position .about the Y axis, which in turn is moved by manual adjustment of the roller sleeve about a. further 1 SO ^''1 to right, the roller sleeve is illustrated to be in a third position about the Y axis.

[0030] The angular adjustment means includes the first, pivot, region, second pivot region and third pivot region, which provide the movement of the roller cage and therefore the -roller sleeve in at least three orthogonally disposed axes to selectable positions. The handle includes means for movement of the roller cage along a fourth axis. The fourth axis is co-axial with the handle..

[0031] Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the paint roller frame 10 and an alternative form of handle 29, The handle 29 has a screw hole 21 that has a circular bore 25 and screw threads 23 thai collectively act to receive a telescopic arm or pole (not illustrated) featuring a male portion thai engages the screw hole 21. The telescopic arm, attached via screw hole 21 within the handle 29 provides movement of the roller cage and roller sleeve 12 co-planar with the handle 29 along a fourth axis to a selectively adjustable length.

[0032] in use, blind spots such as tight or narrow regions are painted more easily than using a conventional paint brush or where a fixed paint roller could not achieve. The paint roller frame provides for manoeuvrability of the roller cage by the -angular adjustment means to a plurality of selected positions in three dimensions using the three orthogonally disposed axes. Each pivot region provides the necessary orthogonally disposed axis, whether to the X axis, Y axis or Z axis. The plurality of angles that the angular adjustment means provides are the necessary angles for the painter to position the roller cage and therefore the roller sleeve to paint the most difficult locations or blind spots whether on a ceiling or wall where a fixed paint roller or fixed roller sleeve cannot provide. The person skilled in the art would appreciate that a fixed paint roller provides for only one angle whereas the present paint roller frame provides for a plurality of angles for the roller cage (and therefore the roller sleeve).

[0033] In use, the painter manually uses the wing nuts on each pivot region to loosen then adjust and reposition that pivot region to a selected fixed position. The combined effect of positioning the three pivot regions provides for a uniquely manoeuvred roller cage (and therefore a roller sleeve) to a selected position by the painter, so that the painter can paint the blind spot. As such, the paint roller frame eliminates "cutting time" so that a paint brush is not needed to paint the blind spots, A telescopic arm attached to the handle in conjunction with the angular adjustability also facilitates painting a ceiling or high walls from the ground.

[0034] Various alterations and/or additions may be made to the paint roller frame as hereinbefore described in this Specification, without departing from the spirit, ambit or scope of the invention.

[0035] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0036] A reference to any prior art in this Specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form or suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.