having reference to the drawings and specifically to fig1 an embodiment of this invention is illustrated that includes a pair of brushes 10 which are disposed in coplanar side - by - side relationship and interconnected by a handle connector or holder 11 . each of the two brushes 10 is illustrated in this embodiment as being of identical configuration and size , although positioned in relatively oppositely oriented positions . when thus positioned and assembled with the handle connector 11 , the two brushes form a composite structure having a width substantially equal to that of the two brushes . accordingly , it will be seen that the composite assembly results in a brush of generally conventional configuration having a unitary handle portion which tapers toward the butt end thereof . while the brushes 10 are shown as being identical , it will be understood that the widths of the two brushes may be different as deemed appropriate for a specific utilization . each of the two brushes 10 is separately shown in fig4 although adjacently disposed in coplanar , side - by - side relationship as oriented for assembly with the holder or handle connector . each brush 10 includes a bristle set 12 which , in the illustrative embodiment , has a generally rectangular cross - section with a width that is substantially greater than its thickness . securing the bristle set 12 in retained relationship is a metal clamping band or ferrule 13 which encircles the base end portion of the respective bristle set . this ferrule , as in a conventional brush construction , may be formed from sheet metal band of suitable thickness that is suitably bent and crimped to tightly clamp the bristle set therein . also included in each brush 10 is an elongated handle 15 having an inner connecting end portion 16 which is telescoped and firmly secured in the ferrule 13 as by rivets or other suitable fastening elements 17 which extend through the ferrule and the end portion 16 of the handle 15 . in accordance with this invention , each handle 15 includes an elongated longitudinally extending hand grip portion 18 which is of a relatively narrow width as compared to the connecting end portion 16 . as previously indicated , the relatively narrow hand grip portions 18 are disposed in laterally offset relationship to the longitudinal central axes x -- x and y -- y of the brushes as can be best seen in fig4 . the hand grip portions 18 are formed with a straight longitudinally extending edge surface 19 thereof disposed in parallel relation to the central axis of the brush and in substantial alignment with a side edge of the bristle set . the opposite longitudinally extending edge surface 20 of the hand grip 18 is slightly tapered or angled toward the butt end 22 thereof in relatively convergent relation to the edge 19 . this relative convergence of the opposite edges of the hand grip portions 18 is preferred to facilitate and assure wedging engagement thereof in a socket of the holder or handle connector 11 as will be subsequently explained . as indicated in fig2 and 3 , the inner connecting end portions 16 of the handles are relatively thicker than the hand grip portions 18 . preferably , the handles 15 are progressively tapered in their thickness dimensions from the connecting end portions 16 thereof toward the outer or butt ends 22 of the hand grip portions 18 . the outwardly facing edge surfaces 21 of the connecting end portions 16 are comparatively sharply tapered , so as to blend the wider connecting end portions 16 into the narrower hand grip portions 18 of the handles . the outer edge surfaces 20 and 21 of the handles are preferably beveled or rounded for gripping comfort . the handle connector or holder 11 is designed to connect and unitize the two brush units 10 , as illustrated in fig1 . the holder 11 consists of an integral , thin - walled , generally flattened funnel - shaped shell formed with an elongated , tubular handle section 23 , and a relatively wider , outwardly flaring mouth section 24 . the holder is preferably open at both ends thereof , and defines an internal chamber or socket conforming in size and shape to the handles 15 of the two brushes when they are disposed in side - by - side relationship . the holder is preferably constructed ( molded ) from a lightweight plastic or synthetic resin , such as polypropylene , and may include a central , relatively thin , longitudinally extending reinforcing wall or web 25 which divides the internal chamber into a pair of open - ended compartments 26 , each conforming in size and shape to the handle 15 of one of the brushes 10 . preferably , the side walls 27 of the holder , particularly in the elongated handle section 23 thereof , are tapered at slightly steeper angles , say 1 ° to 2 °, than the outer edges 20 of the hand grip portions 18 of the brush handles . this slight differential in taper insures tight frictional , or wedging engagement of the brush handles with the inner walls of the holder when the brush handles are forcibly inserted into the compartments 26 . as shown in fig1 the handles 15 of the brushes 10 are preferably longer than the holder 11 , so that the butt ends of the handles may project slightly outwardly beyond the small end of the holder when the brush handles are firmly seated and frictionally held in the socket of the holder . this provides access to the usual hanger holes 29 formed in the butt ends of the handles 15 and also enables the brushes to be quickly and easily separated from the holder by striking the exposed butt ends of the handles sharply against a stationary object while grasping the holder . assembly of the two brushes 10 within the holder 11 is readily accomplished by forcibly inserting the two brush handles 15 into the respective sockets 26 to positions at which the tapered edges 20 of the handles are tightly wedged in frictional engagement with the cooperatively tapered inner side walls of the holder . subsequent removal of the brush elements is readily accomplished by merely striking the butt ends of the handles 15 sharply against a stationary object or surface while gripping the holder . the momentum forces thus developed will break the wedge lock between the brush handles and the holder and release the brushes 10 for subsequent cleaning or independent usage . it will thus be apparent that the present invention provides a highly useful and efficient means for detachably connecting two , relatively narrow paint brushes to form a single , wider paint brush , while maintaining the brushes intact for separation and individual usage . while a single , preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail , it will be understood that various modifications as to design and details of construction are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims .
a paint brush assembly includes a pair of complete , handle - equipped brushes frictionally , but removably held in side - by - side relationship by a tubular holder to provide a unitary , relatively wider bristle brush assembly . the wider brush assembly may be easily separated or disassembled to provide two independently operable paint brushes of relatively narrow widths .