Abstract:
A new and improved ceiling surface and texture removal tool is provided. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device which enables a renovation professional to apply an even, continuous application of liquid to a ceiling texture or surface to facilitate rapid safe removal of said ceiling surface texture materials. The operator is provided with an adjustable scraping tool, having a replaceable scraping blade, and with handle extension attachments for conveniently reaching overhead surfaces. The resultant debris from the removal of ceiling surface or texture is immediately carried away by use of an integrally attached vacuum system, and delivered to a collection hopper for containment and subsequent disposal. The present device provides for a time saving, labor saving, ergonomic and efficient means by which to remove ceiling surfaces and textures while preventing formation of aerosols or dust particles which might otherwise be inhaled and represent a potential health hazard to the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a new and improved ceiling texture scraping tool with an integrated vacuum system and method of making same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device which enables removal of ceiling texture materials by providing a liquid dispensing apparatus, scraper blade and vacuum apparatus mounted on an angle and length adjustable handle configured for quick, easy and safe operation. 
     2. Description of the Invention 
     Current housing shortages are placing increased demands on construction specialists to quickly renovate existing structures. Doing this in an efficient, cost-effective safe way requires development of new and improved equipment. 
     In addition, dust resulting from the process of removal of ceiling surfaces, textures and coatings have been found to cause hazardous conditions during renovation processes. In order to reduce particulates during removal of ceiling textures and reduce human contact with the material during removal, several elaborate systems have been developed and used in the past. 
     The usage of devices designed for removal of ceiling texture in the home or office are well known. Examples of different types of prior art devices for ceiling texture removal are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,643,403, 4,782,844, 4,765,352, 4,517,700 and 4,270,238. 
     In general, the structure and function of most ceiling texture removal devices involve a scraper mounted on an adjustable handle of some sort. A limited number of texture removal devices provide some means of spraying liquid to wet the surface and a vacuum mechanism to remove the texture as it is scraped from the ceiling. Some of the texture removal devices require motorization and others provide for complex mechanisms to accomplish the texture removal. 
     Hand held, mechanical texture removal systems are well known. Such a device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,403. A hand held mechanical scarifying and scraping mechanism is described. The texture or wall covering is moistened using a hand held, pump action spray nozzle with attached reservoir. Both the spray application procedure and the scraping procedure require a prolonged physical effort on the part of the operator. This would inevitably lead to muscle fatigue in a short period of time, particularly when ceiling wall coverings are being removed since no modifications are included for adapting the scraping mechanism to overhead surfaces. 
     Additionally, the spray application would be uneven due to the mechanical means of application and the scraping procedure would in turn be inefficient because of the uneven saturation of the wall covering. 
     There is no mechanism provided for the safe and effective removal and containment of the material being removed from the wall after the scraping procedure. It is assumed that the debris resulting from the wall covering removal process would be removed mechanically which would lead to possible production of free flying dust particles which could easily be inhaled during the process. 
     Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved device for ceiling texture removal which would allow continuous and even application of a liquid, which would provide a means of modifying the device to adapt the scraping mechanism to overhead surfaces, and which would provide an attached vacuum for continuous removal of the texture as it is being scraped from the surface of the wall or ceiling. 
     The device described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,782,844 addresses the problem of a providing a means for even distribution of a liquid spray by providing a manifold for that purpose. 
     In addition, a vacuum mechanism is provided for the removal of materials which have been loosened by the action of the surface removal head. The surface removal head could be a mechanical shredder, ultrasonic, sonic, or ultraphonic and is adjustable by means of a plurality of guide rods to treat overhead surfaces. However, the complex surface removal head, worm gear, motorized mechanism and vacuum system are extremely complex. This would require specialized parts, trained technicians for repair and maintenance of the unit and would result in expensive construction and maintenance costs. 
     Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved device for ceiling texture removal which would be inexpensive to manufacture and which would be inexpensive to maintain. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,352 describes a device that addresses the problem of providing a vacuum system to prevent production of aerosols or free dust particles by enclosing the operator within a portable vacuum enclosure which is adjustable to different ceiling heights. However, the device does not provide for any means of even spray distribution for wetting the ceiling surface nor does it provide for a means of scraping the ceiling texture from the surface of ceilings. Presumably, the operator must use mechanical means for spraying a scraping the ceiling surface from the ceiling. 
     In addition, the unit is very complex and would require specialized parts and trained technicians to repair and maintain the unit which would result in expensive construction and maintenance costs. 
     Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved device for ceiling texture removal which would allow continuous and even application of a liquid, which would provide a means of modifying the device to adapt the scraping mechanism to overhead surfaces, and which would be inexpensive to manufacture and maintain. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,700 describes a device that has an adjustable handle attached to a scraping mechanism with attached pad for sandpaper or paint pad which addresses the problem of providing an adjustment mechanism for overhead surfaces. However, this inventive apparatus does not provide a means for continuous spraying of a liquid prior to scraping or a vacuum means for removal of surface materials after removal from a ceiling or wall surface. 
     Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved device for ceiling texture removal which would allow continuous and even application of a liquid, and which would provide an attached vacuum for continuous removal of the texture as it is being scraped from the surface of the wall or ceiling. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,238 provides for a means of continuous even distribution of a liquid and a vacuum means for removal of any particles loosened during the process and additionally provides for an adjustable extension for working on overhead surfaces but does not provide for a means of scraping surface texture from walls or ceilings. 
     Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved device for ceiling texture removal which would provide a scraping mechanism to remove surfaces and textures from ceilings, a vacuum means for removal of any particles loosened during the removal process, and a means for continuous spraying of a liquid prior to scraping where said liquid greatly facilitates rapid removal of said ceiling textures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved device, for removal of ceiling surfaces and texture. An adjustable mechanism is provided for scraping the surfaces and textures. The inventive device also provides for the safe and effective removal of resultant debris by means of a vacuum mechanism. The debris is then collected and contained within a storage hopper for subsequent disposal. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a new and improved device for ceiling surface and texture removal, which includes means for a applying a continuous and even spray of liquid to the surfaces to be removed. The applied liquid aids in loosening the ceiling surface or texture prior to removal and decreases production of dust particles during the process, thereby greatly facilitating the removal process. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a new and improved device for ceiling surface and texture removal, which would provide an adjustable handle attachment for treatment of overhead surfaces to prevent muscle strain and improve efficiency during use, as well as replaceable scraper blades. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such a new and improved device, for ceiling surface and texture removal, which would be inexpensive to manufacture and maintain with few moving parts that would be subject to wear and tear and subsequent frequent replacement. 
     Briefly, the above and further objects of the present invention are realized by providing a new and improved ceiling surface and texture removal tool. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device which enables a renovation professional to apply an even, continuous application of liquid to a ceiling texture or surface to facilitate rapid safe removal of said ceiling surface texture materials. The operator is provided with an adjustable scraping tool, having a replaceable scraping blade, and with handle extension attachments for conveniently reaching overhead surfaces. The resultant debris from the removal of ceiling surface or texture is immediately carried away by use of an integrally attached vacuum system, and delivered to a collection hopper for containment and subsequent disposal. The present device provides for a time saving, labor saving, ergonomic and efficient means by which to remove ceiling surfaces and textures while preventing formation of aerosols or dust particles which might otherwise be inhaled and represent a potential health hazard to the user. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above mentioned and other objects and features of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of the embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel ceiling texture scraping tool with arrows indicating movement of scraper blade relative to tool housing constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the novel scraping tool according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the scraping tool according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the novel scraping tool with vacuum hose assembly; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the novel ceiling scraping tool device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the novel ceiling scraping tool device according to the present invention, with vacuum hose and handle extension in place; 
     FIG. 7 is representational view of the portable power switch for vacuum on/off control according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a representational view of the liquid sprayer apparatus according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the integral vacuum/collection hopper system showing a partially cut away view of the collection hopper, according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a new ceiling texture scraping tool  10  which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The new ceiling texture scraping tool  10  is used to efficiently, effectively and economically provide removal of ceiling texture by providing an adjustable ceiling scraping mechanism with attached vacuum device for containment and removal of associated debris. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a scraping tool housing  12  is the primary structural component of the novel ceiling texture scraping tool  10 . The vacuum hose accepting portion  14  of the a scraping tool housing  12  forms the base of the ceiling texture scraping tool  10 . A replaceable scraping blade  16  is attached to a scraping blade mounting plate  18  by any number of means including but not limited to bolts and nuts, screws, friction fittings, etc. The scraping blade mounting plate  18  is attached to a mounting plate support arm  22  which then passes through a scraper housing support plate  24  through a slot  20 . The distal end of this mounting plate support arm  22  is attached to a handle support plate. A multiplicity of threaded rods as exemplified by threaded rod  28  then moveably attaches the handle support plate  26  to the scraper housing support plate  24 . A multiplicity of springs as exemplified by spring  30  are located between the handle support plate  26  to the scraper housing support plate  24  and are held in place by the multiplicity of threaded rods as exemplified by threaded rod  28 . 
     A handle attachment plate  32  is perpendicularly attached to each half of a handle support plate  26  and come together at the juncture of the two halves of the handle support plate  26 . A handle attachment bolt  34  passes through the two layers of the handle attachment plate  32  and together with a handle swivel slot  36  allow the attachment of any number of handles of different lengths and configurations depending upon the needs of the user. When a handle is thus attached to the handle support place  26 , the user may move the replaceable scraping blade  16  forward at a wall-ceiling juncture by simply applying forward pressure on the handle. 
     Turning now to FIG. 2, a top view of the novel ceiling texture scraping tool  10 , the scraping tool housing  12  is illustrated with a replaceable scraping blade  16  attached to a scraping blade mounting plate  18 . The scraping blade mounting plate  18  is attached to a mounting plate support arm  22  which then passes through a scraper housing support plate  24 . The distal end of this mounting plate support arm  22  is attached to a handle support plate. A multiplicity of threaded rods as exemplified by threaded rod  28  then moveably attaches the handle support plate  26  to the scraper housing support plate  24 . A multiplicity of springs as exemplified by spring  30  are located between the handle support plate  26  to the scraper housing support plate  24  and are held in place by the multiplicity of threaded rods as exemplified by threaded rod  28 . 
     A handle attachment plate  32  is perpendicularly attached to the handle support plate  26  at the juncture of the two halves of the handle support plate  26 . A handle attachment bolt  34  allows the attachment of any number of handles of different lengths and configurations depending upon the needs of the user. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, this rear elevational view of the ceiling scraping tool  10  shows the scraping tool housing  12  with a vacuum hose accepting portion  14 . A replaceable scraping blade  16  is attached to a scraping blade mounting plate  18 . A multiplicity of threaded rods as exemplified by threaded rod  28  may be seen as they pass through the handle support plate  26 . 
     The handle attachment plate  32  is perpendicularly attached to the handle support plate  26  at the juncture of the two halves of the handle support plate  26 . A handle attachment bolt  34  allows the attachment of any number of handles of different lengths and configurations depending upon the needs of the user. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, a side elevational view of the ceiling scraping tool  10  with a vacuum hose assembly is illustrated. Again, the scraping tool housing  12  with a vacuum hose accepting portion  14  is shown. A replaceable scraping blade  16  is attached to a scraping blade mounting plate  18 . The scraping blade mounting plate  18  is attached to a mounting plate support arm  22  which then passes through a scraper housing support plate  24 . The distal end of this mounting plate support arm  22  is attached to a handle support plate. A multiplicity of threaded rods as exemplified by threaded rod  28  then moveably attaches the handle support plate  26  to the scraper housing support plate  24 . A multiplicity of springs as exemplified by spring  30  are located between the handle support plate  26  to the scraper housing support plate  24  and are held in place by the multiplicity of threaded rods as exemplified by threaded rod  28 . 
     A handle attachment plate  32  is perpendicularly attached to a handle support plate  26  and a handle attachment bolt  34  passes through the two layers of the handle attachment plate  32  and together with a handle swivel slot  36  allow the attachment of any number of handles of different lengths and configurations. 
     A vacuum hose assembly  40  attaches to the vacuum hose accepting portion  14  of the ceiling texture scraping tool  10  by means of a hose elbow  42 . The vacuum hose  44  is attached to the hose elbow by a hose/elbow connector piece  46 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the novel ceiling scraping tool  50 . This alternative embodiment of the novel ceiling scraping tool  50  is comprised of a scraping tool housing  52  which is provided with a vacuum hose accepting portion  54 . A scraping blade  56  is attached to the scraping blade mounting plate by any number of means including but not limited to bolts and nuts, screws, friction fittings. In this alternative embodiment of the novel ceiling scraping tool  50 , the scraping blade  56  is welded to the scraping blade mounting plate  58  to provide for an inexpensive manufacturing technique for a disposable unit. 
     In this alternative embodiment of the novel ceiling scraping tool  50 , the handle attachment plate  60  is attached to the scraping tool housing  52 . A handle attachment bolt  62  secures the handle shaft  70  to the handle attachment plate  60 . The handle swivel slot  64  accommodates the handle swivel bolt  66  and allows adjustment of the angle of the handle shaft  70  in relation to the scraping tool housing  52 . The handle hand grip  72  is provided with a handle extension accepting portion  74 . Additionally, a housing knob handle  76  can accommodate a removeable handle for additional support and control of the scraping tool housing  52 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 6, a scraping tool with vacuum hose and handle extension  80 , further illustrates the alternate embodiment of the novel ceiling scraping tool  50 . A vacuum hose  82  is attached to the ceiling scraping tool  50 . The scraping blade  56  may be attached to the scraping blade mounting plate  58  by any number of means. In this embodiment, the scraping blade is attached by means of screws and may be replaced in the event of damage to the blade during use. The handle attachment plate  60  is attached to the scraping tool housing  52 . The handle attachment bolt  62  moveably attaches the handle shaft  70  to the handle attachment plate  60 . As in FIG. 5, the handle swivel slot  64  accommodates the handle swivel bolt  66  and allows adjustment of the angle of the handle shaft  70  in relation to the scraping tool housing  52 . The handle hand grip  72  is provided with a handle extension accepting portion  74  to which the handle extension  86  attaches. An on/off switch assembly  90  is comprised of a removeable electric on/off switch  92  which is secured to the handle extension  86  by means of switch fastening prongs  96  within easy reach of the handle extension hand grip  88 . The on/off switch assembly is provided with an on/off switch power cord  94 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, a representational view of the on/off switch assembly  90  for vacuum on/off control. The removeable electric on/off switch  92  is held in place by means of the switch fastening prongs  96 . A GFIC electrical outlet  98  is interspaced on the on/off switch power cord  94  for accepting a vacuum power plug. The on/off switch power cord  94  terminates with the power source plug  102 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 8, this figure illustrates a representational view of a liquid sprayer apparatus  110 . The liquid sprayer housing  112  attaches to a flexible hose  114  which is provided with a liquid source hose connector  122 . A trigger guard  116  protects the users hand while on the trigger  118  and prevents accidental discharge of liquid when not in use. When depressed, the trigger activates dispensing of pressurized liquid through the spray nozzle  120  for application to a ceiling surface prior to scraping to facilitate removal of ceiling surfaces and texture. 
     Finally, a side elevational view of an integral vacuum/collection hopper system  130  is shown in FIG. 9. A collection hopper  132  traps debris that is removed during the process of ceiling surface and texture removal and channeled to the collection hopper  132  by means of the scraper texture material source hose  152 . The collection hopper  132  may be provided with removable and/or disposable bags, such as plastic bag  150 . The collection hopper  132  is provided with a vacuum by means of a vacuum inlet hose  154 . The vacuum housing  134  contains a vacuum motor (not shown) which is the source of the vacuum supply and is provided with a vacuum exhaust outlet  136 . A power cord  138  and power plug  140  supply the vacuum with power. A multiplicity of roller wheels as exemplified by roller wheels  142 ,  144 ,  146  and  148  allow the user to easily move the vacuum/collection hopper system  130  when in use. 
     It should be understood, however, that even though these numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, chemistry and arrangement of parts within the principal of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.