# US 10,869,544 B2 · Brush handle assembly and method for making

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- Number: US 10,869,544 B2
- Document ID: US10869544B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/180,627
- Filed: 2018-11-05
- Published: 2020-05-07
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2018-11-05
- Assignees: The Sherwin-Williams Company
- Applicants: The Sherwin-Williams Company
- Inventors: Michael C. Lambertson, Jr.
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869544B2

## CPC

- A46B 5/021: {Grips or handles specially adapted to conform to the hand}
- A46B 17/02: Devices for holding brushes in use
- A46B 3/12: specially adapted for paint-brushes
- A46B 7/042: {Clip or snap connection for bristle carriers}
- A46D 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G)
- A46D: MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES

## Abstract

Examples of the present disclosure include apparatus and methods for making a brush handle assembly. Specifically, the present disclosure is for a brush handle assembly comprising a flexible handle, an intermediate connector, and a ferrule. In particular, the present disclosure is for an improved interface between each of the flexible handle, the intermediate connector, and the ferrule for an improved construction providing increased durability and longevity.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A brush handle assembly comprising:
a ferrule, an intermediate connector positioned within a top side of the ferrule and substantially concealed by the ferrule, and a flexible handle positioned within a top side of the intermediate connector and secured within at least one lateral side of the intermediate connector that is concealed by the ferrule.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The brush handle assembly of claim 1 wherein a section of the flexible handle is molded into a cavity of the intermediate connector.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The brush handle assembly of claim 2 wherein the intermediate connector includes one or more sidewall apertures penetrated by one or more cleats of the flexible handle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The brush handle assembly of claim 3 wherein the one or more cleats extend laterally from a bottom side of the flexible handle.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The brush handle assembly of claim 4 wherein at least two cleats extend laterally from a first lateral side of the flexible handle and at least two additional cleats extend laterally from a second lateral side of the flexible handle.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The brush handle assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one support rib extending across a cavity within the intermediate connector.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The brush handle assembly of claim 6 wherein the handle is in a locking engagement with the at least one support rib.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The brush handle assembly of claim 6 wherein the at least one support rib extends a partial depth of the cavity.

### Claim 9 (depends on 3)

The brush handle assembly of claim 3 further comprising at least one support rib extending across a cavity within the intermediate connector wherein the at least one support rib bisects at least one sidewall aperture.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The brush handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the intermediate connector includes one or more sidewall apertures penetrated by the flexible handle.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The brush handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the intermediate connector is tapered and narrows from the flexible handle to the ferrule.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The brush handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the intermediate connector further comprises a top lip extending a perimeter of the top side of the ferrule.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The brush handle assembly of claim 12 wherein the top lip separates the top side of the ferrule from the flexible handle.

### Claim 14

An intermediate connector for use in a brush handle assembly, the intermediate connector comprising:
an enclosed bottom side, a top side, and a cavity formed therein and open at the top side; and
at least one sidewall aperture extending from the cavity through a sidewall between the enclosed bottom side and the top side.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The intermediate connector of claim 14 further comprising at least one support rib extending across the cavity.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The intermediate connector of claim 15 wherein the at least one support rib extends across the cavity at the top side.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The intermediate connector of claim 15 wherein the at least one support rib extends a partial depth of the cavity.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The intermediate connector of claim 15 wherein the at least one support rib bisects at least one sidewall aperture.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The intermediate connector of claim 15 further comprising a top lip extending a perimeter of the top side.

### Claim 20

A method for making a brush handle assembly, the method comprising:
molding a flexible handle into a cavity open at a top side of an intermediate connector;
extending one or more cleats of the flexible handle through a sidewall aperture of the intermediate connector independent of a bottom side and the top side of the intermediate connector for securing the flexible handle to the intermediate connector;
inserting a bottom side of the intermediate connector into a top side of a ferrule wherein the one or more cleats of the flexible handle are exposed to an inside surface of the ferrule through the sidewall aperture of the intermediate connector; and
crimping the ferrule into at least one exterior void of the intermediate connector.