Painting aid

Abstract

The invention relates to a painting aid (10) for realizing a straight painting edge (S) using a painting tool (8), in particular a brush or a paint roller or a spraying device, with a base section (1) and a limiting section (2) arranged on the base section (1) for limiting a surface (6) to be painted, wherein the limiting section (2) consists at least in sections of a flexible material.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a painting aid for realizing a straight painting edge using a painting tool, in particular a brush, a paint roller or a spray device, with a base section and a limiting section arranged on the base section for limiting an area to be painted.

[0002] Painting aids are used as auxiliary tools when painting walls, for example. To create the straightest possible painting edge, especially around ceilings, baseboards, corners, door frames, furniture, etc., it is common practice to mask off the areas not to be painted, usually using lightly adhesive masking tape. When the masking tape is removed after painting, the ideal result is the cleanest and straightest possible painting edge between the painted and unpainted surfaces.

[0003] However, masking has always been associated with a comparatively large amount of effort and can sometimes take a long time, especially for laypeople, and can sometimes lead to unclean painting edges, especially when a relatively rough surface is to be painted and the paint can run behind the masking tape in certain places.

[0004] As an alternative to masking tape, and particularly to avoid the time-consuming process of masking, it is common practice to use so-called painting rails. These painting rails usually have a base section and a border section arranged on the base section to define the area to be painted. If the painting rail is placed against a wall, for example, a painting tool such as a brush or paint roller can be guided past the border section. Such painting rails can also be used when using a sprayer to spray paint onto a surface. The border section thus acts as a boundary between the area to be painted and the area not to be painted and ensures the straightest possible painting edge.

[0005] Although in practice, such paint rails can usually produce clean and straight paint edges on very smooth surfaces, a satisfactory painting result cannot be guaranteed, especially on rougher surfaces. Due to the surface roughness, especially for amateurs, the paint often runs behind the paint rail, resulting in an unclean paint edge and, in the border area, even staining the area not actually intended to be painted. In the worst case, this can even lead to irremovable staining of furniture or door frames, for example.

[0006] Based on this, the invention sets itself the task of providing a painting aid with which a cleaner painting edge can be produced in a reliable manner.

[0007] This object is achieved in a painting aid of the type mentioned at the outset in that the boundary section consists at least in sections, in particular completely, of a flexible material.

[0008] The flexible material allows the border section to conform to the surface being painted, significantly reducing the risk of paint seeping behind it and thus enabling a very clean painting edge. The flexible border section therefore offers significant advantages over painting rails or border sections made of plastic or hard plastic, especially on rough surfaces, as well as slightly curved and not entirely flat surfaces. Since the painting aid can be used for many painting processes, it also offers environmental advantages over masking with adhesive tape.

[0009] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is proposed that the boundary section is made at least in sections, in particular completely, of an elastomer, in particular of rubber. An elastomer can be used to create a very clean painting edge. Rubber has proven to be particularly advantageous because, on the one hand, it offers sufficient flexibility and elasticity to reliably conform to the surface. At the same time, however, it also has sufficient stability. In addition, rubber can create a largely watertight seal, so that even very liquid paint cannot flow over the painting edge onto the surface not to be painted. The boundary section can be made of either solid material or foamed material. Foamed material has proven to be particularly advantageous for achieving a light weight.In practice, a thermoplastic elastomer has proven particularly advantageous. Unlike other, stiffer materials, thermoplastic elastomers can be stretched and return to their almost original shape, which has a positive effect on their service life and physical properties. The elastomer or the limiting section can be molded directly onto the base section during production. Furthermore, it can also be provided that the handling area, described in more detail below, is also partially made of an elastomer, in particular an elastic elastomer. This improves grip. The handling area can have corresponding recesses to accommodate the elastomer, into or onto which the elastomer can be molded during production.

[0010] With regard to materials, it has also proven advantageous if the base section is made of a more rigid material than the boundary section. The base section can therefore provide sufficient stability to reliably move the entire painting aid by hand. In addition, a stable base section can ensure that the boundary section can be pressed onto the wall with a certain force, which is important for creating a straight and clean painting edge. This force can cause the boundary section to deform in its elastic range. Once the painting aid is removed from the wall or surface, the boundary section can return to its original shape. The base section can, for example, be made of a rigid plastic, particularly a duroplast.Metal can also be used, especially if the base section is comparatively thin, thus keeping the overall weight within manageable limits. In practice, it has proven advantageous for the base section to be made of hard plastic, particularly acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). ABS is particularly characterized by its high hardness, good scratch resistance, and high impact strength. This stiff and tough plastic has high electrical resistance with very low static charge. Its water absorption is low, and its chemical resistance is good. The base section can be designed as an injection-molded part.

[0011] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the boundary section can be pressed against a surface that is not to be painted in order to define the surface to be painted. The boundary section can therefore define a painting edge between the surface that is not to be painted and the surface to be painted, and the painting tool can be moved past the boundary section pressed onto the surface. Furthermore, the painting tool can also be moved transversely or perpendicularly to the boundary section. The painting edge can represent the boundary between the surface that is not to be painted and the surface to be painted. The force with which the boundary section has to be pressed onto the surface can depend on the material and in particular the flexibility of the boundary section, but also on the surface. If the surface is, for example, very rough or curved oris not even, more force may be required than with a smooth and level surface. The boundary section can be designed or function as a sealing lip, particularly due to its flexible design. This means that the boundary section can seal the area to be painted from the area not to be painted. For this purpose, the boundary section can be pressed against the surface in a paint-seal manner, so that the paint used cannot run behind or pass through the boundary section. The area not to be painted can be part of a wall, a ceiling or a floor, but also, for example, part of a piece of furniture, a skirting board, a door frame or other parts.

[0012] With regard to the boundary section, it has also proven advantageous if it has a pressure section, via which the boundary section can be pressed against the surface. The pressure section can then come into contact with the surface and provide the actual sealing or demarcation effect between the area to be painted and the area not to be painted.

[0013] According to a further development of the invention, it has been found to be advantageous if the pressing section has a flat or linear geometry. If the pressing section has a flat geometry, this or the limiting section can have a substantially rectangular cross-section in a side view. If the pressing section has a linear geometry, the limiting section can have a substantially triangular cross-section, at least in sections, in a side view. In this configuration, the limiting section can be designed to taper to a point, and the tip can form the pressing section. With a flat geometry, more force may be required for pressing than with a linear geometry, since the limiting section can be deformed more easily in a pressing section with a linear geometry due to its design.Of course, both in a planar and linear geometry, the surface is always physically contacted. However, the contact area is larger in the first case than in the second. A more linear contact can also be achieved by pressing the boundary section or the pressing section at an angle. Therefore, it is not necessary to press the boundary section perpendicularly onto the surface; it can also be pressed onto the surface at an angle, for example, at approximately 45 degrees to the surface normal.

[0014] According to a structurally advantageous development of the invention, the boundary section is detachably arranged on the base section. This configuration allows the boundary section to be exchanged and, for example, replaced with a new boundary section. This may be necessary, for example, if the boundary section is damaged, but also if the boundary section is contaminated with paint. This ensures that the area not to be painted is not soiled by a boundary section contaminated with paint. It is also advantageous for cleaning the boundary section if it is detachably arranged on the base section. Furthermore, it can be provided that several boundary sections, for example of different sizes and / or made of different materials, are provided, which can then be arranged optionally on the base section. This results in a highly variable painting aid.For detachable attachment of the limiting section to the base section, a snap-in, plug-in, screw-in, rivet-in, bolt-in, hook-and-loop, or button-type connection can be provided, for example. The base section can have a receiving section for accommodating the limiting section, which can, for example, be adapted to the geometry of the limiting section. The limiting section can be plugged into the base section, in particular into the receiving section. Thus, a positive connection can also be provided. As an alternative to a detachable connection, the limiting section can also be firmly and permanently connected to the base section. This design can sometimes be advantageous with regard to the stability of the painting aid.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the boundary section protrudes laterally from the base section. In a plan view, the boundary section can protrude laterally, in particular on both sides, from the boundary section. As a result of this embodiment, the base section cannot hinder the use of the painting aid, even in the edge region of the boundary section. In order to ensure reliable stability of the boundary section, however, it can be advantageous if the lateral projection is comparatively small. Bending can thus be reliably prevented in the edge region of the boundary section. Overall, the painting aid, or in particular the base section and the boundary section, can be designed symmetrically, in particular axially symmetrically. Advantageously to an axis running centrally through the painting aid in a plan view.Furthermore, the painting aid can be used equally well by both right-handed and left-handed people, as it can be used from either side. This allows the painting aid to be designed symmetrically with respect to an axis running through the center of the painting aid in a side view.

[0016] From a structural point of view, it has also proven advantageous if the boundary section has a substantially rectangular cross-section in a plan view. The base section can also have a substantially rectangular cross-section in a plan view.

[0017] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the base section has a handling section, in particular a handle, for manual handling of the painting aid. The painting aid can be positioned by hand using the handling section and pressed onto the wall or surface. The handling section advantageously allows the painting aid to be guided with one hand, so that the painting tool can be guided with the other hand. The handling section can be arranged at the end of the base section opposite the boundary section. This has proven advantageous for ergonomic reasons. For ergonomic reasons, it can also be advantageous if the handling area is arranged at an angle to the base section.This design allows the limiting section to be positioned relatively flat against the wall while maintaining a comfortable hand position, meaning the angle between the limiting section and the wall can be comparatively small. With regard to the limiting section, it has also proven advantageous if it is rounded at its outer edge that can be brought into contact with the wall. The pressing section is advantageously rounded. The rounded portion can be substantially semicircular. The limiting section can have a thickness of approximately 2.5 mm, so that the rounded portion can then also have a diameter of approximately 2.5 mm.

[0018] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the painting aid has a recess for suspending the painting aid. This recess can be designed as a suspension and, for example, arranged in the area of ​​the base section. The painting aid can be temporarily hung up via the recess when not in use. In particular, working on a ladder can be facilitated by the recess. The recess can be rectangular or round. The recess can extend through the base element, but it can also be designed as a discontinuous depression. Furthermore, the recess can also function as a carrying handle, using which the painting aid can be easily transported. This has also proven advantageous with regard to the weight savings associated with the recess.The recess can also be arranged in the area of ​​the handle and, for example, be designed as a through-hole so that the painting aid can be hung on a hook, for example.

[0019] Furthermore, the invention comprises a method for painting a surface to be painted, in which a painting aid is used which is designed in the manner described above.

[0020] Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a painting aid in a purely schematic plan view; Fig. 2 the painting aid according to Fig. 1 in a purely schematic sectional side view; Fig. 3 the painting aid according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 during a painting process Fig. 4 a perspective side view of a painting aid; Fig. 5 a plan view of a painting aid according to Fig. 4; Fig. 6 a sectional view of a painting aid according to Fig. 4.

[0021] The representation of the Fig. Figure 1 shows a painting aid 10 that can be used to reliably create straight and clean painting edges. The functionality of the painting aid 10 during painting is explained below with reference to the illustration of the Fig. 3 will be explained in more detail. First, the structural design of the illustrated painting aid 10 will now be briefly explained: The painting aid 10 essentially consists of three sections, namely a base section 1, a handling section 3 designed in the manner of a handle, and a limiting section 2, which represents the actual core of the painting aid 10. The limiting section 2 is arranged on the base section 1, and the base section 1 is integrally connected to the handling section 3, so that the entire painting aid 10 can be guided and moved by hand via the handling section 3. The base section 1 thus essentially functions as a holder for the limiting section 2. For this purpose, the base section 1 has a receiving section 1.1, into which the limiting section 2 is inserted. The representation of the Fig. 1 also shows a rectangular recess 4 in the area of ​​the base element, which serves as a suspension when the painting aid is not in use.

[0022] As can be seen from the representation of the Fig. 1, the boundary section 2 protrudes laterally from the base section 1. In addition, the boundary section 2 also protrudes from the base section 1 in a side view, as can be seen from the illustration of the Fig. 2. This protruding section of the boundary section 2 has a pressing section 2.1, which can be pressed onto the wall to be painted.

[0023] The representation of the Fig. 3 now shows the use of the painting aid 10 during a painting process. The wall is painted using a painting tool 9 designed as a paint roller. The direction of movement of the painting tool 9 is indicated by three dashed arrows, and this is moved parallel to the painting aid 10 or past the boundary section 2 of the painting aid 10. Instead of the paint roller shown, a brush can be used, or sprayers can also be used to spray the paint onto the surface. The area 7 located behind the painting tool 9 in the direction of painting has already been coated with paint, which can be seen from the pattern of this area 7. The area 6 located in front of the painting tool 9 and not yet painted is then coated with paint when the painting tool 9 is moved further in the direction of painting.The area 8 located below the already painted area 7 should not be painted. Instead, it will be protected by the painting aid 10, as explained below.

[0024] In the presentation of the Fig. Although the painting aid 10 is shown essentially in a top view in Figure 3, in reality the painting aid 10 is tilted relative to the illustrated orientation during use, so that the pressing section 2.1 is pressed against the wall. For example, the painting aid 10 can therefore be used according to the illustration of Fig. 3 be tilted backwards in the direction of view.

[0025] The boundary section 2 and thus also the pressing section 2.1 are made of an elastically deformable material, so that they deform slightly when placed on the wall. This slight deformation creates a sealing effect along the pressing section 2.1, so that no paint can run towards the area 8 not to be painted. Rather, the straight boundary section 2 ensures a straight and clean painting edge S, which is also shown in the illustration of the Fig. 3 can be seen.

[0026] In practice, the painting aid 10 can be guided with one hand and the painting tool 9 with the other hand. The painting aid 10 can either remain in a fixed position and the painting tool 9 can be guided past the painting aid 10, or it is also possible to move the painting aid 10 together with the painting tool 9. Of course, the painting tool 9 does not necessarily have to be guided along the painting edge S or the painting aid 10, but can also be guided, for example, perpendicular to the painting aid 10. In this way, vertical painting paths can be limited upwards and / or downwards. Depending on how the painting aid 10 is positioned, it can be used to paint wall surfaces but also, for example,Also, surfaces such as door frames, furniture, skirting boards, kitchen units, stairs, tiles, windows or other elements that are not to be painted can be protected, so that they do not need to be masked off separately.

[0027] The representations of the Fig. Figures 4 to 6 show the painting aid 10 in a somewhat less abstract form. Reference is made to the above explanations. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 basic section 1.1 Recording section 2 boundary section 2.1 Pressing section 3 Handling section 4 recess 6 (to be painted) area 7 (painted) area 8 (not to be painted) area 9 Painting tool 10 Painting aid S strike edge

Claims

[1] Painting aid for realising a straight painting edge (S) using a painting tool (8), in particular a brush or a paint roller or a spraying device, with a base section (1) and a limiting section (2) arranged on the base section (1) for limiting a surface (6) to be painted, characterized by that the boundary section (2) consists at least in sections of a flexible material. [2] Painting aid according to claim 1, characterized by that the limiting section (2) consists at least in sections of an elastomer, in particular of rubber. [3] Painting aid according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the base section (1) consists of a material which is stronger than the boundary section (2). [4] Painting aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the limiting section (2) can be pressed against a surface (8) not to be painted in order to limit the surface (6) to be painted. [5] Painting aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the limiting section (2) has a pressing section (2.1) via which it can be pressed against the surface (8), wherein the pressing section (2.1) has a planar or linear geometry. [6] Painting aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the limiting section (2) is detachably arranged on the base section (1). [7] Painting aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the limiting section (2) protrudes laterally from the base section (1). [8] Painting aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the boundary section (2) has a substantially rectangular cross-section in a plan view. [9] Painting aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base section (1) has a handling section (3), in particular a handle, for manual handling of the painting aid (10). [10] Painting aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a recess (4) for hanging the painting aid (10).

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