Paint Brush Integrated Pivotable Hanger Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional paint brushes with integrated hangers require complex assembly and additional parts, which increases manufacturing costs and complexity, while also compromising ergonomic design and user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A paint brush design featuring a handle with an integrated, pivotably movable hanger that can be stowed within a groove on the handle, allowing for easy deployment and retraction with one-handed operation, using a flexible material for the handle and a rigid material for the hanger, minimizing parts and assembly steps, and enhancing ergonomics by being flush with the handle surface when stowed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional paint brushes use integrated hangers, then the paint brush can be hung on objects, but the assembly requires numerous parts and steps increasing manufacturing complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehanging capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hanger is merged with the handle as a single integrated component. The hanger forms part of the handle structure, eliminating the need for separate hanger parts and reducing assembly steps. The handle is molded or constructed to include the hanger feature directly, combining two functions (handle and hanger) into one unified component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle serves dual functions: it provides the grip structure and simultaneously forms the hanger mechanism. The integrated design allows the handle to perform both gripping and hanging functions without requiring additional specialized components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional paint brushes use integrated hangers, then the paint brush can be hung on objects, but additional parts are required increasing manufacturing cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehanging capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hanger function is extracted from the conventional separate component approach and integrated directly into the handle manufacturing process. By taking out the hanger as a distinct part and incorporating it into the handle's base structure, the design eliminates additional manufacturing steps and reduces part count, thereby lowering production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the hanger is extended outwardly from the groove, then the paint brush can be hanged on objects, but the hanger protrudes from the handle surface affecting ergonomic comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehanging capabilityVSAvoidergonomic comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hanger is designed as a movable component that can dynamically change its position. It can be extended outwardly when hanging is required and retracted when not in use. This dynamic capability allows the hanger to transition between a protruding state (for functionality) and a flush state (for ergonomic comfort), adapting to different operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hanger is segmented from the main handle body, allowing it to move independently. This segmentation enables the hanger to be extended for hanging operations and retracted to maintain a flush, comfortable surface when not in use, thus resolving the conflict between functionality and ergonomic comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies assembly, and improves ergonomic design by allowing easy deployment and retraction of the hanger, enhancing user convenience and comfort during painting.

Implementation Method 1

the flexible portion of the handle has sufficient flexibility to enable the groove to be spread apart for inserting the journal of the hanger into the socket through the sidewall of the groove

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a hinge connector for providing pivotable movement of the hanger between a retracted position for stowing the hanger in the groove and an extended position for extending the hanger from the groove

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge mechanism: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS11766112B2Paint brush with integrated hanger and packaging therefor

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 WOOSTER BRUSH CO

AI summary

A paint brush having a handle with an integrated hanger that is pivotably movable between a retracted position for stowing the hanger within a groove of the handle, and an extended position for extending the hanger outwardly from the groove to hang the paint brush on an object.