대표
청구항
▼
We claim: 1. A paint roller support comprising: a frame having an elongated roller portion; at least one cover support for supporting a roller cover, the cover support being rotatably coupled to the roller portion of the frame; and a locking spring rotatably coupled to the roller portion, the locking spring comprising a generally ring-shaped, open band exerting a retaining force against an inner surface of the roller cover for frictionally retaining the roller cover on the support during use; wherein the locking spring is in the form of a polygon having...
We claim: 1. A paint roller support comprising: a frame having an elongated roller portion; at least one cover support for supporting a roller cover, the cover support being rotatably coupled to the roller portion of the frame; and a locking spring rotatably coupled to the roller portion, the locking spring comprising a generally ring-shaped, open band exerting a retaining force against an inner surface of the roller cover for frictionally retaining the roller cover on the support during use; wherein the locking spring is in the form of a polygon having a plurality of generally straight sides with vertices between adjacent sides contacting the inner surface of the roller cover. 2. The paint roller support of claim 1, wherein the locking spring is hexagonal. 3. The paint roller support of claim 1, wherein the retaining force exerted by the locking spring deforms the inner surface of the roller cover. 4. The paint roller support of claim 1, further comprising a bearing disposed on the roller portion of the frame, the bearing having an inner surface forming a frictional fit with the roller portion of the frame, the frictional fit preventing rotation of the bearing relative to the frame, the cover support being supported by the bearing for rotational movement relative thereto. 5. The paint roller support of claim 4, wherein the roller portion of the frame has an embossed surface portion frictionally engaging the inner surface of the bearing. 6. The paint roller support of claim 4, wherein: the bearing has radial bearing surfaces and an axial bearing surface extending between the radial bearing surfaces; and the cover support has an axially extending bearing-receiving space for receiving the bearing, the bearing-receiving space having radial end surfaces adjacent respective radial bearing surfaces of the bearing and an axially extending inner surface co-axially disposed with respect to the axial bearing surface of the bearing. 7. The paint roller support of claim 6, wherein the bearing-receiving space is dimensioned to loosely receive the bearing to permit axial and radial movement of the cover support relative to the bearing. 8. The paint roller support of claim 1, wherein: the roller portion of the frame includes an inboard end portion and an outboard end portion; the at least one cover support comprises an inboard cover support and an outboard cover support; and the paint roller support comprises an inboard bearing disposed on the inboard end portion of the roller portion and an outboard bearing disposed on the outboard end portion, the inboard and outboard cover supports being rotatably supported on the inboard and outboard bearings, respectively. 9. The paint roller support of claim 8, wherein the roller portion of the frame has an outboard end, and the outboard bearing is formed with an opening for receiving the roller portion and a closed end wall positioned adjacent the outboard end of the roller portion. 10. The paint roller support of claim 8, wherein the roller portion of the frame has an outboard end and the outboard cover support has a closed end wall positioned adjacent the outboard end. 11. The paint roller support of claim 8, wherein: the roller portion of the frame has an outboard end; the outboard bearing is formed with an opening for receiving the roller portion and a closed end wall positioned adjacent the outboard end of the roller portion; and the outboard cover support has a closed end wall positioned adjacent the end wall of the outboard bearing. 12. The paint roller support of claim 8, wherein the inboard end portion has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the outboard end portion. 13. The paint roller support of claim 8, further comprising: a swedge formed on the roller portion of the frame positioned inboard of the inboard cover support; and a washer disposed on the roller portion the frame and positioned between the swedge and the inboard cover support. 14. The paint roller support of claim 1, wherein the cover support has a locking-spring receiving space, the locking spring being retained in the receiving space. 15. The paint roller support of claim 14, wherein the receiving space is dimensioned to loosely receive the locking spring to permit axial and radial movement of the locking spring while the roller support is used to apply paint to a surface. 16. The paint roller support of claim 1, wherein the cover support comprises a first portion having a longitudinally extending sleeve and a second portion having a longitudinally extending sleeve at least partially overlapping the sleeve of the first portion. 17. The paint roller support of claim 16, wherein the sleeves form a snap fit connection with each other. 18. The paint roller support of claim 16, wherein the locking spring is interposed between the first and second portions of the cover support such that the locking spring is retained longitudinally with respect to the cover support. 19. A paint roller support for supporting a roller cover, comprising: an elongated shaft; a first bearing disposed on the shaft; a second bearing disposed on the shaft and spaced axially from the first bearing; a first hub rotatably coupled to the first bearing, the first bearing being loosely received in a bearing-receiving space in the first hub to permit limited axial and radial movement of the first hub relative to the first bearing; a second hub rotatably coupled to the second bearing and spaced axially from the first hub, the second bearing being loosely received in a bearing-receiving space in the second hub to permit limited axial and radial movement of the second hub relative to the second bearing, the first and second hubs being mounted for independent rotational movement relative to each other and the shaft; the first hub comprises first and second hub portions, the first hub portion having a first longitudinally extending sleeve and the second hub portion having a second longitudinally extending sleeve at least partially overlapping the first sleeve, the first and second hub portions defining an annular space; a biasing mechanism disposed in the annular space, the biasing mechanism configured to exert a radially outwardly directed biasing force against an inside surface of the roller cover sufficient to retain the roller cover on the hubs while in use yet allowing removal of the cover when desired. 20. The paint roller support of claim 19, wherein the biasing mechanism is a generally ring-shaped structure. 21. The paint roller support of claim 19, wherein the biasing mechanism is a generally cup-shaped ring having a continuous annular flange exerting a biasing force against the inner surface of the roller cover. 22. The paint roller support of claim 19, wherein: the first hub substantially encloses the first bearing, and the first bearing has first and second radial bearing surfaces that can contact adjacent radial surfaces of the first hub, the first bearing also comprising a central portion having a first diameter and opposite end portions having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, the first hub having circumferentially extending, first and second inner surfaces, each inner surface extending generally co-axially with respect to an end portion of the first bearing; the second hub substantially encloses the second bearing, and the second bearing has first and second radial bearing surfaces that can contact adjacent radial surfaces of the second hub, the second bearing also comprising a central portion having a first diameter and opposite end portions having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, the second hub having circumferentially extending, first and second inner surfaces, each inner surface extending generally co-axially with respect to an end portion of the second bearing. 23. The paint roller support of claim 19, wherein: the shaft comprises first and second, spaced apart raised surface portions; and the first bearing frictionally engages the first raised surface portion and is fixed against rotational movement relative thereto, and the second bearing frictionally engages the second raised surface portion and is fixed against rotational movement relative thereto. 24. The paint roller support of claim 19, wherein the annular space is dimensioned to retain the biasing mechanism therein while permitting a limited amount of axial and radial movement of the biasing mechanism relative to the first hub. 25. A paint roller comprising: an elongated shaft, the shaft having a raised surface portion; at least one bearing frictionally engaging the raised surface portion, the bearing being fixed against rotational movement relative to the shaft; a roller cover support supported on the bearing for rotational movement relative thereto, the roller cover support defining a bearing receiving space substantially enclosing the bearing and configured to prevent removal of the roller cover support from the bearing in the inboard and outboard directions, wherein the roller cover support comprises first and second interconnected hub portions defining the bearing receiving space, the first hub portion having an inner surface juxtaposed to a first radial bearing surface of the bearing and the second hub portion having an inner surface juxtaposed to a second radial bearing surface of the bearing; and a paint roller cover for placing on the roller cover support; wherein: the shaft has inboard and outboard raised surface portions; the at least one bearing comprises an inboard bearing and an outboard bearing, the inboard and outboard bearings frictionally engaging the inboard and outboard raised surface portions, respectively; and the cover support comprises first and second cover supports rotatably supported on and substantially enclosing the inboard and outboard bearings, respectively. 26. The paint roller support assembly of claim 25, wherein the raised surface portions comprise embossed surface portions. 27. The paint roller support assembly of claim 25 wherein the outboard raised surface portion has a smaller diameter than the inboard raised surface portion. 28. A paint roller comprising: an elongated shaft, the shaft having a raised surface portion: at least one bearing frictionally engaging the raised surface portion, the bearing being fixed against rotational movement relative to the shaft; a roller cover support supported on the bearing for rotational movement relative thereto, the roller cover support defining a bearing receiving space substantially enclosing the bearing and configured to prevent removal of the roller cover support from the bearing in the inboard and outboard directions, wherein the roller cover support comprises first and second interconnected hub portions defining the bearing receiving space, the first hub portion having an inner surface juxtaposed to a first radial bearing surface of the bearing and the second hub portion having an inner surface juxtaposed to a second radial bearing surface of the bearing; a paint roller cover for placing on the roller cover support; and wherein: the shaft has an outboard end; and the bearing is formed with an axial opening for receiving the shaft and a closed end wall positioned adjacent the outboard end of the shaft. 29. The paint roller support assembly of claim 28, wherein the cover support is formed with a closed end wall positioned adjacent the end wall of the bearing. 30. A paint roller comprising: an elongated shaft, the shaft having a raised surface portion; at least one bearing frictionally engaging the raised surface portion, the bearing being fixed against rotational movement relative to the shaft; a roller cover support supported on the bearing for rotational movement relative thereto, the roller cover support defining a bearing receiving space substantially enclosing the bearing and configured to prevent removal of the roller cover support from the bearing in the inboard and outboard directions, wherein the roller cover support comprises first and second interconnected hub portions defining the bearing receiving space, the first hub portion having an inner surface juxtaposed to a first radial bearing surface of the bearing and the second hub portion having an inner surface juxtaposed to a second radial bearing surface of the bearing; a paint roller cover for placing on the roller cover support; and a cover-gripping element disposed in an annular space defined between the first and second hub portions, the cover-gripping element configured to frictionally retain the roller cover on the cover support. 31. A paint roller support for supporting a roller cover, comprising: an elongated shaft; and a roller-cover grabbing mechanism rotatably coupled to the shaft, the grabbing mechanism comprising a non-circular split ring configured to contact an inside surface of the roller cover at a plurality of angularly spaced locations, the ring exerting a retaining force against the inside surface of the roller cover at the angularly spaced locations, thereby retaining the roller cover on the shaft. 32. The paint roller support of claim 31, further comprising: an inboard bearing and an outboard bearing disposed on the shaft; and an inboard end cap and an outboard end cap rotatably supported on the inboard and outboard bearings, respectively, the inboard and outboard end caps being freely rotatable about the inboard and outboard bearings, respectively, and one of the inboard and the outboard end caps retaining the roller-cover grabbing mechanism. 33. The paint roller support of claim 32, wherein the shaft has an inboard and an outboard raised surface portion for frictionally retaining the inboard and outboard bearings, respectively, against rotational movement relative to the shaft. 34. The paint roller support of claim 33, wherein the raised surface portions are embossed surface portions. 35. The paint roller support of claim 31, wherein the split ring is formed from a bent wire. 36. A paint roller support for supporting a roller cover, comprising: an elongated shaft; and a roller-cover grabbing mechanism rotatably coupled to the shaft and configured to exert a retaining force against an inside surface of the roller cover, the retaining force deforming the inside surface of the roller cover, thereby retaining the roller cover on the shaft; wherein the grabbing mechanism comprises a locking spring; wherein the locking spring has a plurality of generally straight sides and vertices between adjacent sides contacting the inner surface of the roller cover. 37. The paint roller support of claim 36, wherein the locking spring is hexagonal. 38. A paint roller support, comprising: an elongated shaft; a bearing mounted on the shaft, the bearing comprising a central portion and opposite end portions that are smaller in diameter than the central portion; a roller-cover retaining element exerting a retaining force against an inside surface of a roller cover for frictionally retaining the roller cover on the paint roller support during use; and at least one cover support rotatably coupled to the bearing for supporting a roller cover, the cover support defining a retaining-element receiving space in which the retaining element is disposed, the receiving space being dimensioned to permit limited radial and axial movement of the retaining element and limited axial movement of the roller cover relative to the shaft when the roller cover is retained by the retaining element, the cover support also comprising an axially extending bearing-receiving space in which the bearing is disposed, the cover support having circumferentially extending, axially spaced-apart, first and second inner surfaces that rotate on the opposite end portions of the bearing. 39. The paint roller support of claim 38, wherein the bearing-receiving space is dimensioned to permit radial and axial movement of the cover support relative to the bearing but prevent removal of the cover support from the bearing. 40. A paint roller support assembly comprising: a frame having an elongated roller portion and a lower end portion; a handle coupled to the lower end portion of the frame; at least one cover support for supporting a roller cover, the cover support being rotatably coupled to the roller portion of the frame; and a locking spring rotatably coupled to the roller portion, the locking spring comprising a generally ring-shaped, open band exerting a retaining force against an inner surface of the roller cover for frictionally retaining the roller cover on the support during use, wherein the band has a plurality of generally straight sides and vertices between adjacent sides such that the band exerts the retaining force against the inner surface of the roller cover at the vertices. 41. A paint roller support for supporting a paint roller cover, composing: a frame having an elongated shaft, the shaft having inboard and outboard embossed surface portions, the outboard embossed surface portion having a first diameter, the inboard embossed surface portion having a second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the second diameter; an inboard bearing frictionally engaging the inboard embossed surface portion such that the inboard bearing is retained from rotating relative to the shaft; an outboard bearing frictionally engaging the outboard embossed surface portion such that the outboard bearing is retained from rotating relative to the shaft, the outboard bearing having a closed end wall adjacent an outboard end of the shaft; a locking spring configured to exert a radially outwardly directed biasing force against an inside surface of the roller cover for frictionally retaining the roller cover in place while the paint roller support is used to deliver paint to a surface, the locking spring being polygonal in shape with vertices that contact and deform the inside surface of the roller cover; an inboard cover support rotatably supported on the inboard bearing, the inboard cover support comprising a first portion having a longitudinally extending sleeve and a second portion having a longitudinally extending sleeve, the sleeves at least partially overlapping each other and forming a snap fit with each other, the inboard cover support defining a locking-spring receiving space between the first and second portions, the locking spring being disposed in the receiving space, the receiving space being dimensioned to permit axial and radial movement of the locking spring relative to the inboard cover support; an outboard cover support rotatably supported on the outboard bearing, the outboard cover support having a closed end wall adjacent the end wall of the outboard bearing, the outboard cover support comprising a first portion having a longitudinally extending sleeve and a second portion having a longitudinally extending sleeve, the sleeves at least partially overlapping each other and forming a snap fit with each other, the inboard and outboard cover supports dimensioned to support the paint roller cover during use; a swedge formed on the shaft inboard of the inboard cover support; and a washer disposed on the shaft and positioned between the swedge and the inboard cover support.
