Improvements in or relating to decorating roller frames

Abstract

A decorating roller frame 12 including a cross member 16, a pair of arms 18 extending laterally from opposing ends of the cross member, each arm including a spacer member 20 laterally extending from a

Description

This invention relates to a decorating roller frame for use with a tubular decorating roller, and to a decorating roller frame assembly including a decorating roller frame and tubular decorating roller rotatably secured to the frame. It is known to use a decorating roller frame assembly to paint or otherwise coat relatively large and flat surfaces. Typically, a tubular decorating roller is rotatably mounted onto a decorating roller frame so that the tubular decorating roller can be rolled up against a flat surface to transfer paint (or other substance / coating) from the roller to the surface. Many existing decorating roller frames have two ends which are secured, usually via pins, to opposing ends of the tubular decorating roller. This type of frame is often referred to as a "double ended" frame. Such frames are often used for larger tubular rollers, which have a larger length than standard tubular rollers and are used for rapid application of paint (or other coating / substance) onto large surfaces, such as large walls, ceilings, floors, roofs and decking. The terms "decorating roller frame" and "tubular decorating roller" are intended to encompass any roller frame and associated tubular roller which is typically used for applying a substance to a surface (i.e. painting, staining, sealing), which may not necessarily be traditionally considered "decorating" (i.e. not just painting). According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a decorating roller frame for use with a tubular decorating roller, the tubular decorating roller including roller attachment members at opposing ends thereof, the decorating roller frame comprising: a cross member; a pair of arms extending laterally from opposing ends of the cross member, each arm including a spacer member laterally extending from a respective arm, wherein each spacer member includes a cavity extending at least partially along the length of the spacer member to define an open end; a pin extending from the cavity of each respective spacer member, wherein the pin extends axially beyond the open end of the said spacer member, the pins being in coaxial alignment with one another to be received, in use, by an aperture formed in the attachment member ends of the tubular decorating roller so as to rotatably mount the tubular decorating roller between the pair of arms, wherein each spacer member and associated cavity is configured to permit the open end to act as a positional stop relative to a flat surface of an associated tubular decorating roller attachment member end when the tubular decorating roller is mounted on the pins. Such an arrangement of spacer member and associated cavity affords a secure fit of a tubular decorating roller, in use, without the arms interfering with the roller, regardless of the design of the attachment member ends of the roller. In this regard, the attachment member ends of a tubular decorating roller can take many forms but will always include a flat (main) surface (essentially filling the otherwise hollow tube of the roller) and an aperture (for receiving the pins of the frame). It may also include recesses, projections or other features surrounding the aperture, which makes it difficult to provide a frame which affords a robust and snug fit onto the rollers. By positioning the pins to extend beyond the open end of the spacer member and by the open end being configured to act as a positional stop relative to the flat surface of attachment member ends of the roller (regardless of what other features are present on such ends of the roller), a consistent length of pin is exposed for securing to the aperture of the roller end. Moreover, a consistent spacing between the roller ends and the arms is achieved so as to prevent the arms interfering with the roller, which might otherwise hinder rotation of the roller and / or brush against the roller thus removing paint (or other substance) from the roller surface. It will be understood that the open end may act as a positional stop by always abutting the flat surface or by being in extremely close proximity to the flat surface (i.e. with the open end surface and flat surface being in parallel with one another and a minimal gap between the two). In other words, the flat surface is in or in near contact with the flat surface. Moreover, the spacing member including a cavity means that the cavity can receive any projections that may be present on the attachment member ends of the roller while still permitting the open end of the spacer member to act as a positional stop relative to the flat surface of the attachment member end (i.e. it is still in or in near contact with the flat surface). It would be understood that the dimensions of the cavity would be such to allow for the cavity to receive any such projections, and the skilled person would be able to readily choose an appropriate cavity size based on a target decorating roller which the frame is intended to be used. In addition, it would be understood that the dimensions of the cavity would be chosen to allow for the open end to be positioned at the flat surface of the roller ends without being interfered by any other features of the roller end (e.g. protrusions, recess, aperture or the like). Again, a skilled person would be able to readily choose an appropriate cavity size and shape. Such chosen dimensions of the spacing member and its cavity might be chosen to correspond to the design of the roller attachment member ends of a particular country(ies) and / or brand(s), which might typically adopt standard sizing to the features of the roller ends. Optional features of the invention are as follows: At least one of the spacer members may be removably secured to a respective arm. Such an arrangement permits the replacement of the spacing member, which might be required if the spacing member is damaged or to change the dimensions of the spacing member to fit with a different roller attachment member ends. At least one of the spacer members may be integrally formed with a respective arm. Such an arrangement helps to prevent misplacing the spacing members and reduces the assembly time and cost of manufacture of the frame. At least one of the spacer members and associated pin may be arranged coaxially relative to one another. At least one of the spacer members may be substantially cylindrical. At least one of the spacer member cavities may be substantially cylindrical. At least one of the spacer members may include a plurality of spacer member portions, each of the spacer member portions including a discrete contact surface which, together, define an open end of the spacer member. Each of the spacer members may have a spacing depth in the range of 2 mm to 4 mm. Each open end defined by the respective spacer member cavities may have an opening dimension in the range of 10 mm to 20 mm, preferably 14 mm to 18 mm, preferably 17 mm. At least one of the arms may be removably secured to the cross member. At least one of the pins may be removably secured to the associated arm or spacer member. At least one of the arms may be adjustably connected to the cross member and configured to permit adjustment in the spacing between the pair of arms. Such an arrangement permits the frame to be used with different lengths of tubular decorating rollers. At least each arm may be made from a plastics material, preferably wherein the cross member, arms, spacing member and pins are made from a plastics material. Plastics materials do not erode like other materials, such as metals, thus preventing rust contaminating the paint or other substance being used on the roller. The cross member may include a handle or an attachment for securing a handle to the cross member. Each spacer member and associated cavity may be configured to permit the open end to be closely adjacent to a flat surface of an associated tubular decorating roller attachment member end when the tubular decorating roller is mounted on the pins. Each spacer member and associated cavity may be configured to permit the open end to abut a flat surface of an associated tubular decorating roller attachment member end when the tubular decorating roller is mounted on the pins. According to a second embodiment of the invention there is provided a decorating roller frame assembly comprising: decorating roller frame including: a cross member; a pair of arms extending laterally from opposing ends of the cross member, each arm including a spacer member laterally extending from a respective arm, wherein each spacer member includes a cavity extending at least partially along the length of the spacer member to define an open end; a pair of pins extending from the cavity of each respective spacer member, wherein the pin extends axially beyond the open end of the said spacer member and the pins being in coaxial alignment with one another; and a tubular decorating roller including attachment members at opposing ends thereof, each attachment member end having an aperture configured to receive the pins of the decorating roller frame so as to rotatably mount the tubular decorating roller between the pair of arms, the attachment member ends further including a substantially flat contact surface, wherein the open end of each spacer member is configured to act as a positional stop relative to the flat contact surface of an associated attachment member end when the tubular decorating roller is mounted on the pins. Features and associated advantages of the first embodiment of the invention apply mutatis mutandis to the second embodiment of the invention. Optionally, the or each attachment member end of the tubular decorating roller includes one or more of the following: an aperture member extending laterally from the flat contact surface, the aperture being formed in the aperture member; an aperture member receding laterally into the flat contact surface, the aperture being formed in the aperture member; the aperture being formed on the flat contact surface. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a decorating roller frame according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows the frame of Figure 1 with a tubular decorating roller attached; Figures 3a and 3b show close up views of one end of the frame and tubular decorating roller; Figures 4a and 4b show close up views of the frame of Figure 1 but with a decorating roller that has a different roller attachment member to that shown in Figures 3a and 3b; and Figures 5a and 5b show close up views of the frame of Figure 1 but with a decorating roller that has a different roller attachment member to that shown in Figures 3a to 4b. A decorating roller frame 12 and decorating roller frame assembly 10 are shown in the figures. The decorating roller frame assembly 10 includes a decorating roller frame 12 and a tubular decorating roller 14 (shortened to "roller" in parts of this specification) - the latter being shown in Figures 2 onwards. The decorating roller frame 12 includes a cross member 16, which lengthwise direction extends substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of the roller 14 when it is attached to the frame 12. It is noted that the cross member 16 in this embodiment is slightly bowed, but this may not be the case in other embodiments. The decorating roller frame 12 further includes a pair of arms 18 that extend laterally from opposing ends of the cross member 16, i.e. away from the general lengthwise direction of the cross member 16. In this embodiment, the arms 18 each extend substantially perpendicular to the cross member 16, although in other embodiments this may not be the case. Each arm 18 includes a spacer member 20 that extends laterally from a respective arm 18, i.e. away from the general lengthwise direction of the arm 18. In this embodiment, each spacer member 20 extends substantially perpendicular to the respective arm 18. The lengthwise direction of each spacer member 20 is therefore substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cross member 16 (and thus the roller 14, when attached) in this embodiment. As seen in Figure 1, each spacer member 20 includes a cavity 22 that extends partially through the spacer member 20, i.e. along the length of the spacer member 20. Such cavity 22 defines an open end 24 of each spacer member 20. The open ends 24 of the spacer members 20 face inwards towards one another. The decorating roller frame 12 further includes a pair of pins 26 extending from the cavity 22 of each respective spacer member 20. The pins 26 also face inwards towards one another and are in coaxial alignment with one another. The tubular decorating roller 14 includes attachment members 28, 128, 228 located at opposing ends of the roller 14. As shown in Figures 3a to 5b, such attachment members 28, 128, 228 may differ between different rollers 14 (and these will be described in more detail later on). Regardless of the type of attachment member 28, 128, 228, they each include an aperture 30 that is configured to receive the pins 26 of the decorating roller frame 12 so as to rotatably mount the roller 14 between the pair of arms 18 and on the pins 26. Moreover, the attachment members 28, 128, 228 may typically be in the form of end caps that are secured to the open hollow ends of the roller 14. The attachment members 28, 128, 228 may instead be integrally formed with the roller 14 or take any suitable form. In any event, regardless of the type of attachment member 28, 128, 228, they each include a substantially flat contact surface 32. In each of the examples of attachment member 28, 128, 228 shown in Figures 3a to 5b, the apertures 30 are located in the centre of the attachment member 28, 128, 228, and the flat contact surface 32 surrounds the aperture 30. This is preferred so as to provide a centrally rotating roller 14, however other arrangements are possible. Moreover, regardless of the type of attachment member 28, 128, 228, the open end 24 of each spacer member 20 abuts the flat contact surface 32 of the attachment member 28, 128, 228. This is shown in Figures 2, 3b, 4b and 5b. To permit smooth rotation of the roller 14, the open end 24 and flat contact surface 32 may be made from low friction material or may have a low friction coating. For example, the material may be Nylon. In other embodiments, the open end 24 of each spacer 20 may be in near contact with the flat contact surface 32, i.e. there may be a very small gap between the open end 24 and the contact surface 32. In such an embodiment, the gap may be 5 mm or less, preferably 1 mm or less. In the embodiment shown, the spacer member 20 is integrally formed with the respective arm 18. In other embodiments, one or both of the spacer members 20 may instead be removeable from the arm 18, for example by a screw thread, clip, friction fit or other suitable detachable means. The pins 26 are also integrally formed with the spacer member 20 in the embodiment shown. In other embodiments, one or both pins 26 may be removeable from the spacer member 20. The spacer member 20 and respective cavity 22 are substantially cylindrical in the embodiment shown, but they could be any shape, and their shape could differ from one another (i.e. the spacer member 20 could be cylindrical and the cavity 22 cuboid). Moreover, the pin 26 and associated spacer member 20 are coaxially arranged relative to one another such that their centres align with one another. Indeed, the spacer member 20 and pin 26 are concentric with one another in the embodiment shown due to both being cylindrical in shape. The spacer member 20 is formed by a continuous outer wall which creates a continuous open end 24 contact surface. However, in other embodiments, the spacer member 20 may be made up from a plurality of spacer member portions (not shown), each of which includes a discrete contact surface which, together, define an open end contact surface for abutting the flat surface 32 of the attachment member 28, 128, 228. The whole frame 12 is formed from a plastics material. In other embodiments, some of the components may be made from other materials such as metals. It is preferred that the arms, spacer members and pins are made from plastic materials to prevent rusting of the metal transferring onto paint or other substances being used on the roller, The cross member 16 includes a handle attachment portion 34 for securing a handle or pole (not shown) to the frame 12 for use. The cross member 16 may instead include an integrally formed handle or pole. In the embodiment shown, the arms 18 are removeable from the cross member 16 by pinching resiliently deformable legs 36 (located at opposite end of the arm 18 to the spacer member 20), and sliding the arm 18 out of an aperture formed in the cross member 16. In other embodiments, the arms 18 are not removeable from the cross member 16 and may be instead integrally formed with the cross member 16 or permanently attached thereto. Moreover, in other embodiments, the cross member 16 may take a form which permits adjustment of the length of the cross member 16, and therefore the adjustment of the space between the arms 18. Turning to Figures 3a and 3b, a first type of attachment member 28 is shown. The attachment member 28 in this embodiment includes an aperture member 38 which extends laterally from the flat contact surface 32. The aperture 30 (for receiving the pins 26) is formed in the aperture member 38, thus forming a protruding channel 40. Turning to Figures 4a and 4b, a second type of attachment member 128 is shown. The attachment member 128 in this embodiment includes an aperture member 138 that is recessed laterally into to the flat contact surface 32. The aperture 30 (for receiving the pins 26) is formed in the aperture member 138, thus forming a recessed channel 140. Turning to Figures 5a and 5b, a third type of attachment member 228 is shown. The attachment member 228 in this embodiment includes the aperture 30 (for receiving the pins) simply formed through the flat contact surface 32. In each type of attachment member 28, 128, 228, the spacer member 20 and associated cavity 22 is shaped and sized so that the open end 24 of the cavity 22 abuts the flat contact surface 32 of the attachment member 28, 128, 228. Specifically, the cavity 22 is sized to be wide enough and deep enough so as to receive the protruding channel 40 of the first type of attachment member 28. The cavity 22 is also sized to have a diameter larger than that of the recessed channel 140 of the second type of attachment member 128 (or be wider in its largest dimension, should the cavity or recessed channel not be circular). The cavity 22 is also sized to have a larger diameter than that of the aperture 30 formed on the flat contact surface 32 of the third type of attachment member 228. It is envisaged that the same dimensions of cavity 22 could be used to fit with many types of attachment member 28, 128, 228 in the manner described above. It is normal for there to be typical industry sizes of aperture and protruding or recessed apertures, such that a "one size fits all" sized cavity 22 and spacer member 20 can be used to cooperate with many different versions and brands of rollers.

Claims

1. A decorating roller frame for use with a tubular decorating roller, the tubular decorating roller including roller attachment members at opposing ends thereof, the decorating roller frame comprising:a cross member;a pair of arms extending laterally from opposing ends of the cross member, each arm including a spacer member laterally extending from a respective arm, wherein each spacer member includes a cavity extending at least partially along the length of the spacer member to define an open end;a pin extending from the cavity of each respective spacer member, wherein the pin extends axially beyond the open end of the said spacer member, the pins being in coaxial alignment with one another to be received, in use, by an aperture formed in the attachment member ends of the tubular decorating roller so as to rotatably mount the tubular decorating roller between the pair of arms,wherein each spacer member and associated cavity are configured to permit the open end to act as a positional stop relative to a flat surface of an associated tubular decorating roller attachment member end when the tubular decorating roller is mounted on the pins.

2. A decorating roller frame according to Claim 1 wherein at least one of the spacer members is removably secured to a respective arm.

3. A decorating roller frame according to Claim 1 wherein at least one of the spacer members is integrally formed with a respective arm.

4. A decorating roller frame according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the spacer members and associated pin are arranged coaxially relative to one another.

5. A decorating roller frame according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the spacer members is substantially cylindrical.

6. A decorating roller frame according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the spacer member cavities is substantially cylindrical.

7. A decorating roller frame according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the spacer members includes a plurality of spacer member portions, each of the spacer member portions including a discrete contact surface which, together, define an open end of the spacer member.

8. A decorating roller frame according to any preceding claim wherein each of the spacer members has a spacing depth in the range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

9. A decorating roller frame according to any preceding claim wherein each open end defined by the respective spacer member cavities has an opening dimension in the range of 10 mm to 20 mm, preferably 14 mm to 18 mm, preferably 17 mm.

10. A decorating roller frame according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the arms is removably secured to the cross member.

11. A decorating roller frame according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the pins is removably secured to the associated arm or spacer member.

12. A decorating roller frame according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the arms is adjustably connected to the cross member and configured to permit adjustment in the spacing between the pair of arms.

13. A decorating roller frame according to any preceding claim wherein at least each arm is made from a plastics material, preferably wherein the cross member, arms, spacing member and pins are made from a plastics material.

14. A decorating roller frame according to any preceding claim wherein the cross member includes a handle or an attachment for securing a handle to the cross member.

15. A decorating roller frame according to any preceding claim wherein each spacer member and associated cavity are configured to permit the open end to be closely adjacent to a flat surface of an associated tubular decorating roller attachment member end when the tubular decorating roller is mounted on the pins.

16. A decorating roller frame according to any preceding claim wherein each spacer member and associated cavity are configured to permit the open end to abut a flat surface of an associated tubular decorating roller attachment member end when the tubular decorating roller is mounted on the pins.

17. A decorating roller frame assembly comprising:decorating roller frame including:a cross member;a pair of arms extending laterally from opposing ends of the cross member, each arm including a spacer member laterally extending from a respective arm, wherein each spacer member includes a cavity extending at least partially along the length of the spacer member to define an open end;a pin extending from the cavity of each respective spacer member, wherein the pin extends axially beyond the open end of the said spacer member and the pins being in coaxial alignment with one another; anda tubular decorating roller including attachment members at opposing ends thereof, each attachment member end having an aperture configured to receive the pins of the decorating roller frame so as to rotatably mount the tubular decorating roller between the pair of arms, the attachment member ends further including a substantially flat contact surface,wherein the open end of each spacer member is configured to act as a positional stop relative to the flat contact surface of an associated attachment member end when the tubular decorating roller is mounted on the pins.

18. A decorating roller frame assembly according to Claim 17 wherein the or each attachment member end of the tubular decorating roller including one or more of the following:an aperture member extending laterally from the flat contact surface, the aperture being formed in the aperture member;an aperture member receding laterally from the flat contact surface, the aperture being formed in the aperture member;the aperture being formed on the flat contact surface.

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