6 3) a) oO oy (2) (8) 69) United States Patent Healy PINSTRIPE PAINTING DEVICE Inventor: Daniel Healy, Dania Beach, FL. (US) Assignee: Z-Stripe Lieensing Corp., Lakeland, FLUS) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the tem ofthis, patent is extended or adjusted under 35 USCC. 154(b) by 138 days Appl. No. 10/644674 Filed: Aug. 20, 2008 Prior Publication Data US 20050012016 AL Feb, 24, 2005 In. cw? BABK 29/00, A461 11/00; BOSC 17/00 us.cL 401/193; 401/48; 401/208: 118/207 Field of Seareh 401/48, 193, 208, 401218, 219 0; 118/207, 208 References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS. 18W0.960 A © L1/199T- Seales aouas Uso 06953298182 US 6,953,298 B2 (10) Patent No. 5) Date of Patent Oct. 11, 2005 1988 710 A + V935 Beugler 01208 25861 A + 11952 Coombs so1208 DUQURT A + 101955 Reakowsti foui219 79.978 2 * 12004 Atkinson a 01208 Primary Examiner—David J. Walezak (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Rolvert M. Downey, PA. 6 ABSTRACT ‘A devise for applying 4 painted pinstripe to a surface includes a paint applicator having an adaptor for attaching 2 paint striping wheelhead to low profile pain containet. A traveler agjusiably coupled to the applicator i moveable slong a magnetized flexible guide track in onder to control ‘irection of the paint applicator as aa annular paint caring surface of the striping wheel is rolled agains the surface being pinsriped. The paint applicator is adjustably position able on a connecting arm extending from the traveler for ‘sontoling andl adjusting the distance of the striping whee] felative to the guide tack. The paint applicator is also pivotally adjustable relative to the connecting arm and the {uid track to accommodate for variations in surface con- Iiguration and contour so that the angular surface of the slriping wheel is maintained in at contact with the work selace to produce & uniform painted pisteipe 1 Claim, 3 Dra ng SheetsU.S. Patent Oct. 11, 2005 Sheet 1 of 3 US 6,953,298 B2U.S. Patent Oct. 11, 2005 Sheet 2 of 3 US 6,953,298 B2U.S. Patent Oct. 11, 2005 Sheet 3 of 3 US 6,953,298 B2 30 FIG. 8aUS 6,953,298 B2 1 PINSTRIPE PAINTING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1, Field of the Invention ‘This invention elales generally to the Beld of pinstipe painting and, more particularly, to a pinstripe painting Uevice Which uses a Wraveler and Mexible magnetic guide teack to direct striping wheel along a predetermined path, tnd wherein the device inchides means for adjustably posi tioning the striping wheel relative to the guide track 2, Discussion of the Related Art ‘The application ofa painted stripe toa surface, such asthe ‘exterior ofan automobile body, is most eommonly done with ‘device that uses a roaling striping whecl. In operation, Paint iS first carried on the outer annular surface of the Erping wheel and then, a the annular sueface contacts the surface being striped, the paint is released from the annular ‘surface of the striping wheel to produce «stripe oa the work surface, The thickness of the wheel (Le. the width of the annular surface) determines te pinstripe thickness. In order to maintain a uniform thickness of the painted stripe along its entire length, it is essential to maintain the annul ‘surfaoe of the striping whee in Hat, uniform eontset with the surface being pinstriped. A patial or full separation of the annular surface ofthe striping wheel from the work surface will result in a non-uniform, and sometimes broken stipe. However, maintaining the annular surface of the striping Wheel in at, uniform contact with the work surface ean be dificult, particularly when encountering vacations in sur- face angle, configuration and contour, as Wel as obstructions ‘such as side view mirrors and door handles slong the sides ‘of an automobile body Pinstripe painting devices of various constriction and ‘operation are well known inthe at. OF particular relevance to the present invention isthe device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No, 3,448,722 to Krizman directed toa painting guide useful for providing pinstripes on aulomobiles. ‘The Keizman device includes a magnete strip witha tack which guides a roller for application of the painted stripe to the surface. ‘The magnetic stip can be attached ( the sueface being painted and is flexible to conform with the eonfiguation of| the surface, The magnetic strip is sufficiently flexible 10 ‘insure thatthe guide ean be adjusted to provide a straight oF ‘curved pinstripe, a8 desired. US. Pat. No. 1,988,710, 10 Beugler, discloses a paint striper device having a barrel or ube adapted 1 coatain paint aod a head attached to the end of the barrel and Including striping wheel. In operation of this device, the s Paint is filed in the barrel and the whocl is rotated in ‘engagement with the surlace 10 be striped. As the wheel folate, pint is erred by capillary or viseoity action along the periphery of the wheel swhich applies the paint to the ‘surface, The Bougler device uses 4 plinger which is forced inwardly, into the barrel, so that the paint i pushed towards the end of the bacel and into communication withthe head and rotating striping wheel. The user of this device must ‘carefully try to maintain & lat contact of the striping wheel with the surface, while dragaing the striping wheel in a ‘straight line, or other pat, without the Use of guide Wack, ‘nd simultaneously foreing the plunger into the barrel. The TBevgler device does not allow for pivotal adjustment in ‘order to accommodate for variations in surface angle, con- tour andioe configuration. Thus, itis extremely dificult 10 ‘maintain the annvlae outer peripheral surface of the striping wheel in la, uniform contact with the surface being pine 2 striped, This is most aotceable when using wider striping ‘wheels, wherein a failure to maintain the annular surface of the siping wheel in Mat contact with the surface being striped results in an obvious variation in stripe thickness and, accordingly, a non-uniform pinsipe. Additionally, the length of the barrel, which folds the pant, can present problems, particularly when eying to navigate past ost tions sch a side view mirrors. Changing paint colors in the euler device is aso quite involved and time consuming. [Not surprisingly, most people i the field find this device 10 be extcemely dificult and awkward 10 use Te painting guide disclosed in Krizman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,448,722, ad other similar devices which Use @ magnetic {uid strip, overcomes many of the problems and dificulties associated with use of the Beugler device. Notwithstanding, the Krizman pinstripe painting device has several shortcom- ings which limit is usefulness inthe Held, Specifically, the Krizman device does not accommodate for angle or piv= otlly adjustable positioning of the paint head and sting ‘whee relative to the guide track in order to accommodate for Variations in surface angle and configuration, Morcover, the rail om the track and the reeessed ares on the roller which engages the eal are both of « square configuration, thereby requiring the roller to be maintained perpendicular to the gue track. This further limits the ability to maintain & Mat fcntict etween the paint striping wheel and the surface being pinstiped, particularly when encountering variations in surface angle and configuration. A further problem encountered when using the Krizman device isthe dllicully jn overcoming obsiractions in he striping path, sch as door ‘handles, manufaeturers emblems or her abstuctions in the path of the striping wheel. These obsinictions. may also prevent the magnetic guide track from lying Mat on the fulomobile body surface. The inability of the Keizman evice to pivot or adjust ina manner which allows the user to maintain the angular surface ofthe striping wheel in fat, uniform cootaet with the susface being pinsteiped makes ‘obstructions all the more troublesome. Moreover, the size of the paint containor ofthe Krizman device presents pralems ‘when attempting to navigate around obstructions, such as Side view mirrors, ‘Accoadingly, there remains an urgent ace i the pinstri= ing ant for an improved! pinstripe painting device which ‘overcomes the numerous shortcomings associated with the Sevices known in the prior aft, including those discussed above. OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION is a primary objet of the present invention to provide «pinstripe painting device for applying a painted stipe (0 a surface, such asthe exterior surace of an automobile body, and wherein the device easily adapts to variations in surface teontour, angle, and configuration, Iisa further object of the present invention o provide a pinstripe painting device which is easy t0 use, even by persons hiving lite ski is yet a futher object ofthe present invention o provide 4 pinsripe painting device which uses a flexible, yet rigid ‘magnetic guide track and an adjustable connecting arm between a traveler and paint applicator to accommodate for variations in surface angle, configuration and contour, as well as adjustments of the height of distance of the paint Siping wheel relative to the guide teack ts yt a further object ofthe preset invention io provide pinstripe panting deviee which allows for easy applicationUS 6,953,298 B2 7 ‘of parallel painted stipes on a surface, such a8 the exterior ‘surface of an automobile It is sill a further objection of the preset invention to provide a pistripe painting device which is extremely ver- Salle and Whieh allows even a person of minimal skill of training to apply quality, uniform painted stripe to a srface of varying comlou, angle and configuration ater just 8 short period of time of using the device SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ‘A device for painting pinstripes, such as on the exterior surface of an automobile, includes an applicator having an adaptor for attaching a bead with a sriping wheel to alow profile paint container. An outer annblar surface of the ‘Striping whee] is adapted to carry paint, by viscosity action, as the striping wheel is rotated in communication with & ‘charge of pain filled in the vonlaner. Rolling the annul surface of the striping wheel against the surface being, pinsriped results in application of a painted stripe of un form thickness. A traveler is provided with rollers which have a concave recessed antular surface for congruent ‘engagement with a ral extending longitudinally along a flexible magnetic guide track. The flexible magnetic guide track is adapted for removable mounting on ferrous metal surfaces of varying configurations to conform to the desired Siripe path along the surface, A connesting arm couples the paint applicator tothe traveler and is acjustably positionable to contol the distance between the striping wheel and the uide track. The paint applicator is further pivotally ajust- able relative to the connecting am and traveler to maintain the stiping wheel in fst, uniform contact with the surface beeing striped, thereby accommodating for variations in ‘surface configuration and contour and producing 4 uniform Pinsiipe. ‘The recessed concave annular surface of the rollers and the congruent exterior surface of the rails on the ‘Buide trick are recessed to permit lateral rocking movement Of the traveler relative 10 the guide track, thereby further sccommodating for changes in contour and surface angle 0 that the outer annular, paint application surface of the ‘striping wiacel maintains Hat contact withthe subject work surface throughout the length ofthe painted stipe. [BRIEP DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made 10 the following ‘delailed description taken in conjunetion with the accom= panying drawings in whic FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the pinsitipe Painting device in use to apply a painted stripe along. @ metallic surface, such as the side of an automobile body; FIG. 2 is atop plan view of the device; FIG. 3 is an isolated top plan view of a traveler and flexible magnetic guide track ofthe device; FIG. 4s froat elevational view ofthe pinstripe painting device shown in use and applying a parallel pinstripe on surface; FIG, Si aside elevational view ofthe pinstipe painting device, in partial section, ilustating application ofa painted ‘tripe to 8 sueface; FIG. Sb isa side elevational view, in pantial section, ofthe pinsrip painting dviee, shown applying parallel see to the surface, wherein the distance between the striping wheel ‘on the paint applicator and the guide rack has been adjusted felative ta the position shosen in FIG. Sa, thereby enabling subsequent application of a pinstripe whieh is perfectly % o 4 parallel to the painted pinstripe applied in FIG. Sa, without having to remove andor reposition the flexible magnetic ule track on the surfaces FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view, in partial cross. section, showing the assembly of the paint applicator includ- ing a head and a container; FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, in partial section, illustrating the assembled paint applic FIG, 81 isan isolated elevational view of the head ofthe paint applicator illustrating the width ofa stripe applied in fccordance with the width size ofthe striping wheel, FIG, 8 is an isolated se elevational view ilustating 3 separate head of the paint applicator for applying a thianer painted stripe ia accordance with the size of the striping ‘wheel; and FIG. 9 isan exploded perspective view showing assembly of the adaptor and head Like sefereace numerals refer to like parts troughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the several figures of the drawings, the pinstripe paiting device of the present invention is shown And is generally indicated as 10, The pinstripe painting device 10 includes » paint appli- ator unit 12 which eonssts ofa low profile paint container 20, an adapter 31 and a head 30, The paint container 20 ‘includes eylinaial side wall 2, a bottom 23, an open top 24, and an interior chamber 26 for holding charge of pai. The adaptor 31 of the paint applicator uit 12 includes a proximal portion 32 and distal portion 33. The adaptor SL tnibles attachment of the head 30 to the container 20, In particular, the adaptor 31 i suctured and disposed to permit attachment of a BEUGLER head, sich as that dis closed in US. Pat. No. 1,988,710, as well as other BEU- GLER beads, tothe low profile paint container 20 of the preseot invention An ealanged annular shoulder 36 separates the proximal portion and the distal potion and provides & stop limit when inserting the adaptor 31 into the open top tend 24 of the container 20. The annular shoulder 36 also ‘ravides a stp limit when attaching the hesd 3010 the distal portion 38 of the adaptor 31. More specifically, a collar 38, Sefining the proximal portion 32, includes an exterior ‘dimension which is sized and configured for snug, sliding receipt within the open end of the container. An O-ring seal 39 on the collar 38 provides aliquid tight seal between the olla and the inner cylindrical surface of beside wall ofthe ‘conlaner 20 s0 thatthe ebagge of paint within the interior ‘chamee 26 does not leak from the joined engagement ofthe roximal portion 32 and the container 20, The proximal end 40 of the-adapter 31 is opea to be in fuid communication with the interior chamber 26 of the container 20, thereby allowing the charge of paint within the interior chamber 26 {o flow freely into the interior of the head 30 and towards 2 striping wheel $0. Similarly, the distal portion 33 of the Adapor is sized for sag fied receipt within a collar M of the head 30 to permit attachment thereto, ‘A.boss 42 oa the head 30 includes opposing members 44 spaced from one another 1 define a slot 46 therebetween, ‘The slot 46 communicates with the interior of the head 30 and isin fluid communication with the interior chamber 26 Sand charge of paint contained therein, striping wheel $0 is rotatably supported within the slot, between the opposing 8 44, and is provided with an outer annular cootactUS 6,953,298 B2 5 ‘surface $2 ofa predetermined wid for applying aseipe of Paint to a surface being pinstriped, such as the exterior Surface of an automobile body. The outer annular contact Surface $2 ofthe striping wheel may be kmured for earying Pint thereon as the string wheel rotates and the outer Annular contact surface 82 is exposed to the charge of paint Within the applicator unit 12. Specifically, as the outer Annular contact surface S2 of the striping wheel S0 is ‘exposed tote charge of paint within the interior chamber 26 ‘ofthe applicator unit 12, the psit is eared on the annulae ‘contact surface $2 by viscosity action. In operation, a the ‘outer annular contact surface is rolled in contact with the surface being pinstiped, the paint carried om the outer Annular surface is released onto the work surface being Pinstriped, thereby producing a painted stripe of predeter- ‘mined with which the same wich as the annular contact surface ofthe striping wheel. The slot 46 is structured and, dlisposed to provide a liquid tight seal om the sides of the Striping weet $0 to prevent paint leakage ‘The device 10 uses «traveler 60 anc guide tack 80 t0 ‘iret te striping wheel $0 along a predetermined path oo the surface 100 being pinstriped. The traveler 60 includes 3 ‘main body 62 with a bifwested end 68 defining parallel plate members 68, 66. he plate members 68,66 ae spaced apart to accommodate a pair of rollers 70’ therebetween rollers 10 are each rotatable about an axle pin 71 and include spaced flanges 72 on opposite sides of a concave annular recessed surface 74 The guide track 80 is formed of 2 flexible magnctic material, such as a rubber or rubber-like material, and is impregnated with magnetized particles, or otherwise ‘magnetized, to allow the guide tack to readily adhere to any ferrous metalic surface 100 without scratching the surface. ‘The flexible magnetic guide track is easly applied to the ‘surface 100 and can be easily positioned and shaped accord ing to the desired path of the painted stripe 40 be subse- ‘quently applied to the surface 100. After use, the flexible ‘magnetic guide track 80 is easily removed from the surface 100. The guide tack 80 includes a lat back sueface 82 whieh is specifically adapted for mating engagement with the metallic surface 100, The opposite front face 83 i provided ‘with parallel rails 84, 85 extending longitudinally along the respective top and bottom edges of the eude track 80. The rails 84, 8S protmide outwardly from the fromt exposed face 83 and are provided with a rounded exterior surface for ‘congruent, mating engagement with the annular recessed ‘concave sutfaev 74 of the rollers 70, thereby allowing the rollers 7000 the traveler 60 to travel along the respective rail 84 of 85 while also permiting the rollers 70 to move I respective rails 84, 8S so that te traveler 60 can be rocked fom side-to-side, es necessary while maintaining the anm- Jar surface §2 of the striping Wheel $0 in fat, uniform ‘contact with the surface 100, ‘The paint applicator unit 12 is adjutably coupled to the traveler 60 to permit adjustable positioning. of the paint applicator unit 12, and particularly the stiping wheel $0 relative tothe guide tack 80 and the work sucface 100. 19 particular, a connecting arm 90 extends from the paint applicator unit 12 and into adjustable attachment with the teaveler 60, Io a preferred embodiment, the connecting arm 90 has a mult-sided exterior surface, such as a hex (ie. 6-sided) configuration and is sized for keyed receipt within an identically shaped opening 91 formed through the main body 62 ofthe traveler 60, This keyed arrangement between the conecting arm 90 and the opening 91 of the traveler body 62 prevents rotation ofthe connecting acm relative 10 The iy ahout the rounded exterior surfaces of either of the o 6 the traveler, Sliding movement of the connecting arm 90 ‘through the opening 91 othe traveler main body 62 permits adjustment of the distance between the paint applicator nit Zand the traveler 60. More specifically, the sing move- ‘ment ofthe connecting arm 90 permits the distance between the striping wheel $0 andthe rollers 70, and more paricu- larly the guide track 80, to be adjusted. A set screw 92 includes «threaded shift 93 which i adapted to be thre ably advanced through the main body 62, perpendicular 10 the axis ofthe opening 91. A knob 94 on the end ofthe set screw 92 provides fr ease of manipulation of the set seen in onder to tighten and loosen the set sorew 92 agains the ‘connecting arm 90, Once the connecting tem 90 is adjusted to the desired position, so that the striping wheel $0 is spaced from the rollers 70 ofthe teaveler 60 atthe desited distance, the set screw 92 is threadably advanced and tightened against the connecting arm 90 within the opening 91 to fix the connecting arm 90 and attached paint applicator unit 12 position relative tothe taveler 60. ‘The end of the connecting arm 90 is pivotally atached to tab 95 extending from the side wall ofthe container 20 of the paint applicator unit 12. A serew 96 sceures the con- necting arm 90 to the tab 98, The pivotal atachment of the connecting arm 916 the tb 98, using the screw 96, allows fangled adjustment of the containee and striping wheel 50 relative to the connecting arm 90 and traveler 60 in order 10 ‘govommodate foe 2 variation in the angle and contour ofthe surface 100, particularly between the area where the stripe is pated and the area where the guide track is placed oa the surface 100, thereby asstring that the outer annular contact Sueface $2 of the Striping Whee] $0 is maintained ia Nat fcantit withthe work surface 100 being pinstripes ‘Adjustable positioning of the paint applicator unit 12 relative to the traveler 60 is particularly useful when apply ‘ng multiple parallel painted stripes tothe surface 100, AS. illustrated in FIGS. 4-56, the pinstripe painting device 10 is adapied for application of parallel painted stipes with the simple adjustment ofthe connecting arm 90, and without the peed (0 remove and reposition the guide track $0 on the sutface 100. For example, in FIG. Sa a first stripe of @ Gesired widlh is being applied to the susface 100 a the rollers 70 of the traveler 60 travel along the bottom rail 8S ff the guide track. This results in application of pained Pinstripe 110 on the surface 100, as scen in FIG. 4. Next, parallel painted pinstripe H12, which may be ofthe same or different widh than pinstripe 110, is applied 1 the surface 100. 1F tis desired 10 apply a pinstripe ofa different width, thea the head 30 shown in FIG. Sais removed and a new ‘head having a cilferent striping wheel width is replaced on the applicator unit 12. Then, by loosening the set screw 92, ‘the connecting am 90 canbe slidably adjusted to change the distance between the rollers 70 and the siping wheel 50, Then, by moving the rollers 70 along the same lawer ral 8S ofthe guide track, the striping wheel $0 applies tbe second, parallel pinstripe 112 to the surface 100,25 eva in FIGS. 4 fd 3b. By maintaining the guide track in place for bob application ofthe frst pinstripe 10 and subsequent pinsisipe 112, the user is assured that the subsequently applied pin- stripe 112 will be equally spaced and perfectly parallel tothe first painted pinstripe H12 along the entre length. FIGS, $a snd Sb Further demonsteate the usefuloess ofthe pivotal attachment between the connecting arm 90 and the paint applicator unit 12, Specifically, iis seen thatthe area ff the surface 100 here the pinstripes 110, 112 are applied fs angled relative tothe area of surface 100 where the guide {rock 80 is attached, Pivotal altachment, tthe screw 96 and {ab 9§, allows the paint applicator unit 12 to be angledUS 6,953,298 B2 7 ‘inwardly towards the surface 100, s seen in FIGS. Sa and $b, 0 that the outer annular contact surlace 82 ofthe striping ‘wheel 80 is maintained in Ba, diet and uniform contact ‘withthe surface 100 while the rollers 70 remain on the ral '85 of tho guide tack 80, The rounded congruent configu ration ofthe rails and the surface of the rollers Further allows the entre assembly ofthe traveler 60 aod paint applicator unit 12 to be rocked relative tothe guide track 80 s0 that the ‘tiping wheel 50 can be maintained in eontact with the ‘surface 100 throughout the length of the applied pinstripe 3s the angle and contour ofthe surface 100 changes along the length ofthe stripe being painted ‘While the invention has been shown and described in sccordanee with prelerted and practical embdiment thereaf, i is recognized that departures from the instant ‘disclose are contemplated within the sprit and scope of the present invention and, therefore, should not be limited ‘except as set forth in the following claims as interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents, ‘What is claimed is: 1. A painting device for applying a painted pinssipe to @ surface, said device comprising: 4 paint applicator inchading: ‘container having an open end and an interior chamber for holding « charge of paints 4 head provide with a sot which communicates with ‘said intrior chamber of said container and striping wheel having an outer annular surface, and said siciping wheel colatably mounted in said Slo so that 44 segment of said outer annular surface protrudes from ssid slot, and said slot and said striping wheel being arranged so that the outer annular surface centers sid head, in communication with si interior chamber of said container, and sad striping wheel being sirictured and disposed to carry the pai on said outer annular surface upoo rotation thereof and exposure of said outer annular surface to sul change ‘of paint witia said interior charnbee; and aan adaptor for attaching said head to said open end of said container, and said adaptor including a distal 8 portion structured and disposed for liquid-tight tachment (0 said head, aud a proximal portion ‘sirvtured and disposed for liguid-tight attachment to ‘tid open end of said container so that said slot and 4 segment of sai siping wheel entering sid head through said slot are disposed in liquid communica tion with said interior chamber and the charge of Paint contained therein; 4 magnetized flexible guide track having « back surface ‘inctured and disposed for mating, release attach- ment to a mounting surface and. at least one rail protruding from an opposite fot face of suid guide track and extending longitudinally therealong, sid rail having a rounded exterior surface; 4 traveler having at least one roller roatably supported thereon, sid al least one roller including & concave annular recessed surface for congruent, mating engage ‘mont with sai rounded exterior suraee of said rail 00 said guide track for guiding rolling movement of said traveler along said ail of said guide track; 4 connecting arm for adjustably coupling sai paint app ‘calor to sid traveler, said connecting arm being ajst- sly attachable to sid traveler at fest end portion and said connecting arm being pivotally attached t0 said paint applicator at an opposite second end portion, and ‘aid pivotal attachment of said connecting arm to sig paint applicator being structured and disposed to permit pivotal adjustment of sad paint applicator taoughout 3 range of selectively adjusted, fixed positions relative t0 said connecting arm and ssid traveler, and said con- nection of ssid firs end portion of said connecting arm to sad traveler being sructured and disposed to permit selective adjusiment ofthe distance between said strip- ing wheel aod said at last one roller of said traveler throughout a range of selectively adjusted fxed posi-