Modular paint roller apparatus

Abstract

A modular paint roller apparatus (10) includes a pair of support arms (20). Each support arm (20) has a first end (21) with an edge cap mounting portion (24) and a second end (22) with a support arm coupling portion (25). A T-shaped connection member (30) disposed between the pair of support arms (20) includes a handle connection portion (31) and a support arm connection portion (32). A coupling member (40) removably attaches each of the pair of support arms (20) to the T-shaped connection member (30). An edge cap (50) is attached to the edge cap mounting portion (24) of each of the pair of support arms (20). A core (60) has a central hole (65) for removably attaching the core (60) to each edge cap (50). A cover (70) is removably attached to the core (60) for dispersing paint. A method of assembling the modular paint roller apparatus (10) is also disclosed.

Description

[0001] MODULAR PAINT ROLLER APPARATUS

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The invention pertains to the field of paint rollers. More particularly, the invention pertains to a modular paint roller apparatus for painting various surfaces, such as, corners of walls, edges, and the like.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] Roller devices are often used for painting, and trays have been especially adapted for used with rollers. Conventional rollers have cylindrical shapes, and most trays are designed to accommodate the cylindrical rollers.

[0006] There are a number of deficiencies associated with conventional cylindrical rollers. For example, interior corners result from the intersection of two planar wall surfaces, generally at a right angle. Interior corners are generally painted with a brush to ensure that an adequate amount of paint gets into the corner. To paint such corners with a conventional cylindrical roller would require at least two passes if one were an extremely proficient painter, but generally many passes are required. To save time in painting, it would be desirable if an interior corner of a room could be painted with a roller with only one pass required to paint both walls near the intersection at the comer.

[0007] In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a paint roller apparatus that overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings of a conventional roller.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0009] In one aspect of the disclosure, a modular paint roller apparatus includes a pair of support arms. Each support arm has a first end with an edge cap mounting portion and a second end with a support arm coupling portion. A T-shaped connection member disposed between the pair of support arms includes a handle connection portion and a support arm connection portion. A coupling member removably attaches each of the pair of support arms to the T-shaped connection member. An edge cap is attached to the edge cap mounting portion of each of the pair of support arms. A core has a central hole for removably attaching the core to each edge cap. A cover is removably attached to the core for dispersing paint.

[0010] In another aspect of the disclosure, a combination modular paint roller apparatus and tray comprises a modular paint roller apparatus including a pair of support arms. Each support arm has a first end with an edge cap mounting portion and a second end with a support arm coupling portion. A T-shaped connection member disposed between the pair of support arms includes a handle connection portion and a support arm connection portion. A coupling member removably attaches each of the pair of support arms to the T-shaped connection member. An edge cap is attached to the edge cap mounting portion of each of the pair of support arms. A core has a central hole for removably attaching the core to each edge cap. A cover is removably attached to the core for dispersing paint. A tray comprises a reservoir section extending from a first end, and a paint grid section extending to the second end to the reservoir section. The reservoir section is substantially rectangular in shape with a planar bottom surface, and the paint grid section is sloped downward toward the reservoir section with angled sidewalls that are complimentary in shape to the core (60) of the modular paint roller apparatus.

[0011] In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a method of assembling a paint roller apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: removably attaching a pair of support arms to a T-shaped connection member using a coupling member; attaching an edge cap to each of the pair of support arms; and removably attaching a core and a cover to the edge cap.

[0012] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] While various embodiments of the invention are illustrated, the particular embodiments shown should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of this invention.

[0014] FIG. l is a front perspective view of a modular paint roller apparatus when assembled according to an aspect of the disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of a modular paint roller apparatus when assembled according to an aspect of the disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the modular paint roller apparatus of FIG. 1 without the core and cover assembled to the modular paint roller apparatus;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the support arm of the modular paint roller apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 5 is another side perspective view of the support arm of the modular paint roller apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a front view of the T-shaped connection member of the modular paint roller apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the T-shaped connection member of the modular paint roller apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of coupling member of the modular paint roller apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 9 is another front perspective view of the coupling member of the modular paint roller apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of an edge cap of the modular paint roller apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of edge cap of the modular paint roller apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the identical pieces of the cover; FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the identical pieces of the core;

[0026] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the frustoconical core of the modular paint roller apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the frustoconical core and cover of the modular paint roller apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a cradle according to an aspect of the disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the cradle of FIG. 16;

[0030] FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the cradle, core and cover when removably attaching the cover to the core using the cradle;

[0031] FIG. 19 is top perspective view of a tray according to an aspect of the disclosure; and

[0032] FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of the tray of FIG. 19.

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0034] Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, left, right, front, back, top, bottom and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein. Identical parts are provided with the same reference number in all drawings.

[0035] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about”, “approximately”, and “substantially”, are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and / or interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

[0036] Throughout the text and the claims, use of the word "about" in relation to a range of values (e.g., "about 22 to 35 wt %") is intended to modify both the high and low values recited, and reflects the penumbra of variation associated with measurement, significant figures, and interchangeability, all as understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0037] For purposes of this specification (other than in the operating examples), unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities and ranges of ingredients, process conditions, etc., are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term "about". Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in this specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired results sought to be obtained by embodiments. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Further, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include plural referents, unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.

[0038] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements including that found in the measuring instrument. Also, it should be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of "1 to 10" is intended to include all sub-ranges between and including the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, i.e., a range having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10. Because the disclosed numerical ranges are continuous, they include every value between the minimum and maximum values. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, the various numerical ranges specified in this application are approximations.

[0039] The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0040] “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not.

[0041] In the following specification and the claims, a number of terms are referenced that have the following meanings.

[0042] As used herein, “angled surfaces” is defined as any two surfaces that are not parallel to each other, i.e., form a non-zero relative angle.

[0043] As used herein, a “frustum” is a geometric shape that is formed by slicing a solid object, such as a cone or pyramid, with a plane that is parallel to its base. The resulting shape is a truncated pyramid or cone with a flat top and a larger base.

[0044] As used herein, “frustoconical” is an adjective sued to describe a shape that is a combination of a frustum and a cone. This shape is also known as a conical frustum and is formed by cutting the top off a cone at a certain angle. The resulting shape has a flat top and a larger base, but the sides are curved like a cone.

[0045] As used herein, a “paint grid” is used for removing excess paint from the roller cover or a brush.

[0046] As used herein, “interlocking members” means two or more members having parts that are interconnected or lock together.

[0047] As used herein, “modular” is defined as consisting of separate parts that can be joined together to form a larger object.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a paint roller apparatus 10 for painting various surfaces, such as, comers of walls, edges, and the like, is shown according one aspect of the disclosure. In general, the paint roller apparatus 10 has a pair of opposing support arms 20. Each support arm is removably attached to a T-shaped connection member 30 by a coupling member 40. An edge cap 50 is mounted to each support arm 20 using an interference fit, while allowing the edge cap 50 to rotate during use of the paint roller apparatus 10. A core 60 with a cover 70 is removably mounted to each edge cap 50 by an interference fit, and therefore is rotatably mounted to each support arm 20. The materials used to construct the paint roller apparatus 10 can include, but are not limited to, plastic, wood, metal, etc. In addition, the size of all parts, including the main frame, handle, cylindrical core, etc. include, but are not limited to, the proportions shown in the illustrations.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, each support arm 20 is generally L-shaped with a first end 21 having a radially extending portion 22 and a second end 23 opposite the first end 21 with an edge cap mounting portion 24. The radially extending portion 22 has a support arm coupling portion 25 with a flange 26 and a female interlocking member 27 having a predetermined geometric shape, such as a square, rectangle, triangle, and the like. In the illlustrated embodiment, for example, the female interlocking member 27 has a square shape. The flange 26 engages the coupling member 40 when the support arm 20 is removably attached to the T-shaped connection member 30. It should be appreciated that the coupling member 40 may be assembled to each support arm 20 prior to removably attaching each support arm 20 to the T-shaped connection member 30.

[0050] The edge cap mounting portion 24 of each support arm 20 has a mounting post 28 with a slot 29 to allow the mounting post 28 to compress and provide an interference fit when the edge cap 50 is rotatably mounted thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting post 28 is circular in shape. However, it should be appreciated that the geometric shape of the mounting post 28 can be any desirable shape, so long as the edge cap 50 can be mounted onto the mounting post 28 of each support arm 20 with an interference fit. Each support arm 20 is preferably made of suitable material, such as metal, plastic, and the like. The support arm coupling portion 25 of each support arm 20 is removably attached to the T-shaped connection member 30 using the coupling member 40.

[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the connection member 30 includes a handle connection portion 31 and a support arm connection portion 32. A threaded hole 33 is centrally located on the top the handle connection portion 31 of the connection member 30. The threaded hole 33 is used to receive a conventional handle 100 or an extension pole (not shown) that can be threaded into the threaded hole 33. When not in use, a plug (not shown) can be used to seal the threaded hole 33 to prevent dirt, paint, etc. from entering the threaded hole 33. The exterior surface 34 of the support arm connection portion of the connection member 30 has threads 35 for cooperating with the coupling member 40. The support arm connection portion 32 of the T-shaped connection member 30 includes a male interlocking member 36 for forming an interlock with the female interlocking member 27 of the support arm 20 when the support arm 20 is removable attached to the T-shaped connection member 30. As a result, the support arm 20 is non- rotatably attached to the connection member 30. Similar to the female interlocking member 27, the male interlocking member 36 can have any desired geometric shape, such as a square, rectangle, triangle, and the like, so long as the shape is complimentary with the shape of the female interlocking member 27, so long as the geometric shape forms an interlock with the female interlocking member 27. In the illlustrated embodiment, for example, male interlocking member 36 has a square shape, similar to the female interlocking member 27 of the support arm 20. It should be noted that the handle connection portion 31 has a central axis 37 that is substantially perpendicular to a central axis 38 of the support arm connection portion 32. In other words, the central axis 37 of the handle connection portion 31 forms an angle, Al, of 90 degrees with respect to the central axis 38 of the support arm connection portion 32.

[0052] As mentioned above, each support arm 20 is removably attached to the T- shaped connection member 30 using the coupling member 40. Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the coupling member 40 is generally annular having an interior surface 41 with threads 42. The threads 42 cooperate with the threads 35 on the exterior surface 34 of the T-shaped connection member 30 to removably attach each support arm 20 to the T-shaped connection member 30. The coupling member 40 has a peripheral surface 43 with a plurality of ribs 44 for allowing the user to sufficiently grip the coupling member 40 while threading the coupling member 40 onto the T-shaped connection member 40. The coupling member 40 has a flange 45 at one end that acts as a stop when the coupling member 40 is inserted over the support arm coupling portion 25 of each support arm 20.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the edge cap 50 includes a centrally- located mounting post receiving aperture 51 extending through an end surface 52. The mounting post receiving aperture 51 allows the edge cap 50 to be mounted to the edge cap mounting portion 24 of each support arm 20 by inserting the mounting post receiving aperture 51 onto the mounting post 28. The slot 29 of the mounting post 28 compresses and provide an interference fit when the edge cap 50 is rotatably mounted thereon. The edge cap 50 has an annular core mounting portion 53 with a peripheral surface 54 that may taper as the peripheral surface 54 extends away from the end surface 52. In other words, the diameter of the annular core mounting portion 53 is greater proximate the end surface 52 and the diameter the annular core mounting portion 53 is least distal the end surface 52. Alternatively, the peripheral surface 54 may extend substantially perpendicular to the end surface 52. The peripheral surface 54 of the edge cap 50 has a plurality of gripping ribs 55 for contacting a central hole 65 of the core 60. The edge cap 50 may be made of a suitable material, such as plastic, and the like.

[0054] As mentioned above, the core 60 is removably mounted to each edge cap 50. Referring now to FIGS. 12-15, the core 60 is constructed of two identically shaped pieces 60a, 60b, which are permanently attached to each other at a seam 64. The two identical pieces 60a, 60b can be permanently attached to each other by using any suitable means, such as sonic welding, and the like. Alternatively, the core 60 may be made of a unitary construction (i.e., single piece). Also, the core 60 can also be two parts locked together with a suitable connection. The core 60 includes frustoconical surfaces 61, 62 for loading paint thereon, The frustoconical surfaces 61, 62 are angled inward from sidewalls 63 such that they are oriented at an angle, A2, of approximately 90 degrees with respect to each other. The core 60 includes a central hole 65 in the sidewalls 63 for receiving the edge cap 50 rotatably mounted on each support arm 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the central hole 65 extends completely through the core 60. However, it will be appreciated that the central hole 65 may comprise a blind hole that does not extend entirely through the core, but extends only partially from the sidewalls 63. The core 60 can be made of plastic or other structured materials, such as cardboard, and the like.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the frustoconical core 60 has a height of about 6.5 inches (165.1 mm) and a width of about 4.0 inches (101.6 mm). However, it should be appreciated that the modular design of the paint roller apparatus 10 of the disclosure allows the user to select the size and shape of the core 60, depending on the dimensions of the support arms 20. The larger the dimensions of the support arms 20, the larger the core 60 (and cover 70) can be used, and vice versa.

[0056] A frustoconical cover 70 has an exterior surface with a soft, absorbent fabric exterior or nap 71 and an opposite interior with an adhesive 72. Similar to the core 60, the cover 70 is constructed of two identically shaped pieces 70a, 70b. The nap 71 can be made of nonwoven synthetic fiber material, such as nylon, polyester, and the like. The adhesive 72 can be made of any suitable material that can removably attach the cover 70 to the core 60. For example, the adhesive 72 may be a peel and stick adhesive material commercially available from 3M Corporation. Alternatively, the cover 70 can be permanently attached to the core 60 using a process that infuses the fibers of the cover 70 directly into the core 60.

[0057] To attach the cover 70 to the core 60, one of the pieces, 70a, 70b of the cover 70 is placed in a cradle 80, for example, the piece 70a of the cover 70, as shown in FIGS. 16-18. The piece 70a of the cover 70 is preferably placed about a post 81 centrally located in the cradle 80 with the adhesive 72 of the cover 70 facing outward (i.e., in the upward direction) toward the user. Then, the central hole 65 of the core 60 is inserted into the post 81 of the cradle 80 until the corresponding piece 60a of the core 60 is in pressing contact with the cover 70. The interior of the cradle 80 has a frustoconical sidewall 82 and a planar bottom surface 83 that is substantially identical to the shape of the corresponding piece 60a of the core 60. At this point, the cover 70 for one the pieces 60a of the core 60 is removably attached to the core 60, and the core 60 can now be removed from the cradle 80. The above process is repeated to removably attach the other piece 70b of the cover 70 to the other piece 60b of the core 60. It should be understood that the piece 70b of the cover 70 can first be removably attached to the corresponding piece 60b of the core 60, and then the other piece 70a of the cover 70 can be removably attached to the other piece 60a of the core 60.

[0058] Once removably attached to the core 60, the frustoconical cover 70 is pointed on both ends and assumes a 90-degree angle, which allows it to fit perfectly in most corners (FIG. 2). The sides of the cover 70 has a hole 73 extending entirely through both sides for receiving the edge caps 50. The sides of the cover 70 may include and sidewall 74 that aligns with the sidewall 63 of the core 60 when the cover 70 is removably attached to the core 60. Unlike other options currently on the market, including round foam brushes and V-shaped brushes, the cover 70 of the disclosure has a suitable hardness and won't lose its shape while painting. Unlike V-shaped brushes that simply slide paint down the wall, the cover 70 of the disclosure allows painters to roll the cover 70 down a wall (not shown), leaving a better, more consistent paint trail. Once the job is completed, the cover 70 can be removed from the core 60 and cleaned, or alternatively the entire core 60 and the cover 70 can be thrown away.

[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, the paint roller apparatus 10 can be used in combination with a tray 90. The tray 90 has a first end 91 and a second end 92. A reservoir section 93 extends from the first end 91 and a paint grid section 94 extends to the second end 92 to the reservoir section 93. In the illustrated embodiment the reservoir section 93 has a length, LI, which is slightly greater than the length, L2, of the paint grid section 94. The reservoir section 93 is substantially rectangular in shape with a planar bottom surface 95, while the paint grid section 94 is sloped downward toward the reservoir section 93 with angled sidewalls 96 that are complimentary in shape to the core 60 of the paint roller apparatus 10. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the angled sidewalls 96 form an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to each other. The tray 90 can be made of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, and the like. A method of assembling a paint roller apparatus 10 will now be described. First, a first support arm 20 is removably attached to the T-shaped connection member 30 by using a first coupling member 40. This can be accomplished by inserting the first coupling member 40 onto the support arm coupling portion 25 of the first support arm 20, inserting the male interlocking member 36 of the T- shaped connection member 30 into the female interlocking member 27 of the first support arm 20, and then threading the first coupling member 40 onto the T-shaped connection member 30. At this point in the assembly process, the first support arm 20 is removably attached to the T-shaped connection member 30.

[0060] Next, a first edge cap 50 can be attached to the first support arm 20 by inserting the mounting post 28 of the edge cap mounting portion 24 of the first support arm 20 into the mounting post receiving aperture 51 of the first edge cap 50. It should be noted that the first edge cap 50 can be attached to the first support arm 20 prior to the first support arm 20 being removably attached to the T-shaped connection member 30.

[0061] At this point in the assembly process, the paint roller assembly 10 is capable of accepting the core 60 and cover 70 having the desired shape. This is accomplished by inserting the first edge cap 50 of the first support arm 20 into the central hole 65 on one side of the core 60. Next, the second edge cap 50 of the second support arm 20, which is not yet removably attached to the T-shaped connection member 30, is inserted into the central hole 65 on the opposite side of the core 60. Then, the second support arm is coupled to the T-shaped connection member 30 in a similar manner as the first support arm 20, i.e., by inserting a second coupling member 40 onto the support arm coupling portion 25 of the second support arm 20, inserting the male interlocking member 36 of the T-shaped connection member 30 into the female interlocking member 27 of support arm coupling portion 25 of the second support arm 20, and then threading the second coupling member 40 onto the T-shaped connection member 30. Finally, the handle 100 can be removably attached to the T-shaped connection member 30. It should be noted that the handle 100 can be connected to the T-shaped connection member 30 at any time during the assembly process.

[0062] As described above, the paint roller apparatus 10 of the disclosure has a modular design, which allows the user to easily replace the core 60 and the cover 70 with a core and a cover having the same shape or a different shape. For example, the frustoconical core 60 and the cover 70 can be replaced with a generally cylindrical-shaped core and cover for painting edges of trim, such as that found around doors, windows, ceilings, floors, and the like. In addition, the support arms 20 can be easily replaced with different support arms having the same length or a different length. Further, the T-shaped connection member 30 can be easily replaced.

[0063] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A paint roller apparatus (10), comprising: a pair of support arms (20), each support arm (20) having a first end (21) with an edge cap mounting portion (24) and a second end (22) with a support arm coupling portion (25); a T-shaped connection member (30) disposed between the pair of support arms (20), the T-shaped connection member (30) including a handle connection portion (31) and a support arm connection portion (32); a coupling member (40) for removably attaching each of the pair of support arms (20) to the T-shaped connection member (30); an edge cap (50) attached to the edge cap mounting portion (24) of each of the pair of support arms (20); a core (60) having a central hole (65) for removably attaching the core (60) to each edge cap (50); and a cover (70) removably attached to the core (60) for dispersing paint.

2. The paint roller apparatus (10) of Claim 1, wherein each of the pair of support arms (20) is generally L-shaped with a first end (21) having a radially extending portion (22) and a second end (23) opposite the first end (21) with an edge cap mounting portion (24).

3. The paint roller apparatus (10) of Claim 2, wherein the radially extending portion (22) has an support arm coupling portion (25) with threads (26) and a female interlocking member (27) having a predetermined geometric shape.

4. The paint roller apparatus (10) of Claim 3, wherein the edge cap mounting portion (24) of each of the pair of support arms (20) has a mounting post (28), wherein the edge cap (50) has a centrally-located mounting post receiving aperture (51), and whereinthe edge cap (50) is removably attached to each of the pair of support arms (20) by inserting the centrally-located mounting post receiving aperture (51) of the edge cap (50) onto the mounting post (28) of each of the pair of support arms (20).

5. The paint roller apparatus (10) of Claim 4, wherein the mounting post (28) of each of the pair of support arms (20) includes a slot (29) to enable the mounting post (28) to compress when the central hole (51) of the edge cap (50) is inserted onto the mounting post (28), thereby creating an interference fit between each of the pair of support arms (20) and the edge cap (50).

6. The paint roller apparatus (10) of Claim 3, wherein the support arm connection portion (32) of the T-shaped connection member (30) includes a male interlocking member (36) having a predetermined geometric shape for forming an interlock with the female interlocking member (27) of each of the pair of support arms (20) to prevent rotation of each of the pair of support arms (20) when each of the pair of support arms (20) is removable attached to the T-shaped connection member (30).

7. The paint roller apparatus (10) of Claim 1, further comprising a handle (100) threaded into the handle connection portion (31) of the T-shaped connection member (30).

8. The paint roller apparatus (10) of Claim 1, wherein the handle connection portion (31) has a central axis (37), wherein the support arm connection portion (32) has a central axis (38), and wherein the central axis (37) of the handle connection portion (31) is perpendicular to the central axis (38) of the support arm connection portion (32).

9. The paint roller apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the paint roller apparatus (10) is of a modular design enabling the core (60) and the cover (70) having a first shape to be removed from the paint roller apparatus (10) and replaced with a core (60) and cover (70) having a second shape different than the first shape.

10. The paint roller apparatus (10) of Claim 1, wherein the core (60) is a frustum having frustoconical surfaces (61, 62) extending to a sidewall (63).

11. A combination modular paint roller apparatus and tray, comprising: a modular paint roller apparatus, comprising: a pair of support arms (20), each support arm (20) having a first end (21) with an edge cap mounting portion (24) and a second end (22) with a support arm coupling portion (25); a T-shaped connection member (30) disposed between the pair of support arms (20), the T-shaped connection member (30) including a handle connection portion (31) and a support arm connection portion (32); a coupling member (40) for removably attaching each of the pair of support arms (20) to the T-shaped connection member (30); an edge cap (50) attached to the edge cap mounting portion (24) of each of the pair of support arms (20); a core (60) having a central hole (65) for removably attaching the core (60) to each edge cap (50); and a cover (70) removably attached to the core (60) for dispersing paint; and a tray (90), comprising: a reservoir section (93) extending from a first end (91); and a paint grid section (94) extending to the second end (92) to the reservoir section (93), wherein the reservoir section (93) is substantially rectangular in shape with a planar bottom surface (95), and wherein the paint grid section (94) is sloped downward toward the reservoir section (93) with angled sidewalls (96) that are complimentary in shape to the core (60) of the modular paint roller apparatus (10).

12. A method of assembling a paint roller apparatus (10), the method comprising the steps of: removably attaching a pair of support arms (20) to a T-shaped connection member (30) using a coupling member (40); attaching an edge cap (50) to each of the pair of support arms (20); and removably attaching a core (60) and a cover (70) to the edge cap (50).

13. The method of Claim 12, wherein the edge cap is removably attached to each of the pair of support arms by inserting a mounting post receiving aperture (51) of the edge cap (50) onto a mounting post (28) of each of the pair of support arms (20).

14. The method of Claim 13, wherein the mounting post (28) of each of the pair of support arms (20) includes a slot (29) to enable the mounting post (28) to compress when the mounting post receiving aperture (51) of the edge cap (50) is inserted into the mounting post (28), thereby creating an interference fit between each of the pair of support arms (20) and the edge cap (50).

15. The method of Claim 12, wherein each of the pair of support arms (20) is connected to the T-shaped connection member (30) by using interlocking members (27, 36).

16. The method of Claim 12, wherein the cover (70) is removably attached to the core (60) using the following steps:(a) inserting the cover (70) for one-half of the core (60) about a post (81) of a cradle (80);(b) inserting a central hole (65) of the core (60) into the post (81) of the cradle (80) until the core (60) is in pressing contact with the cover (70);(c) removing the core (60) from the cradle (80); and(d) repeating steps (a)-(c) for the other one-half of the core (60).

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