Caulking tool

A caulking tool configured to be frictionally attached to a user's finger during use. The caulking tool in one example having; a convex caulk spreader comprising a pliable spreader surface configured to spread caulk smoothly between a first wall surface and a second wall surface to which the caulk is adhered. In one example junction between a first wall surface and a second wall surface will be in a corner junction between the two wall surfaces. In one example the caulking tool comprises a finger tube fixed to the caulk spreader. The finger tube may be cast with the spreader surface and thus forms a monolithic, single component without seams therebetween. The finger tube in one example having an inner surface configured to frictionally engage the outer surface of a user's finger. In one example the inner surface of the finger tube is tapered from a first longitudinal end to a second longitudinal end.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates to the field of tools for the even distribution of caulking and equivalents in a corner between and against two joining structures such as walls, floors, ceilings, and fixtures.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed herein are several improvements related to a caulking tool. The caulking tool in one example comprising; a convex caulk spreader comprising a pliable spreader surface configured to spread caulk smoothly between a first wall surface and a second wall surface to which the caulk is adhered. In one example junction between a first wall surface and a second wall surface will be in a corner junction between the two wall surfaces.

In one example the caulking tool comprises a frusta-conic finger tube fixed to the caulk spreader. In one example the finger tube is cast with the spreader surface and forms a monolithic, single component without seams therebetween. The finger tube in one example having an inner surface configured to frictionally engage the outer surface of a user's finger. Thus, as a user places their finger into the finger tube, their finger frictionally engages the inner surface of the finger tube and is attached thereto. In one example the inner surface of the finger tube is tapered from a first longitudinal end to a second longitudinal end. The second longitudinal end smaller in inner circumference than the first end. The taper may be a straight taper, or a curved taper as shown. The spreader surface having a longitudinal first end adjacent the first end of the finger tube and a second longitudinal end adjacent the second longitudinal end of the finger tube.

The caulking tool may be formed as a monolithic structure. This may be achieved by casting or other manufacturing methods where the entire device is a single component without seams.

The caulking tool may be arranged wherein the second longitudinal end of the finger tube is open and configured to allow passage of a user's fingertip. For users with especially small fingers, or users with long fingernails, this allows the users finger to frictionally engage the inner surface of the finger tube where it may not if the finger tube is closed on the second longitudinal end.

The caulking tool may be arranged wherein the spreader surface comprises a substantially planar first wing and substantially planar second wing extending bilaterally from a center ridge. These first and second wings engaging the wall surfaces as the tool is slid along them following a step of applying a volume of caulk or grout or equivalent to the corner between the wall surfaces. This action spreading the caulk to a smooth and even surface. The caulking tool may be arranged wherein the spreader surface comprises a caulk notch at the second longitudinal end. This notch configured to leave a specified thickness of grout in the corner for visual appeal, efficient curing, and/or fluid protection.

The caulking tool may be arranged wherein the spreader surface comprises one or more stiffeners extending from the spreader surface and configured to reduce longitudinal bending of the spreader surface. In one example the stiffeners vary in thickness from the spreader surface from a first thickness near the second longitudinal end of the spreader surface to a second thickness near the first longitudinal end of the spreader surface and the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. In one example the first thickness is substantially zero, such that this end of the stiffener does not protrude from the spreader surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed herein are several improvements related to a caulking tool20as shown in the accompanying drawings. The tool removably attached to a user's finger to improve spreading of caulk once the caulk is applied. The tool also used to substantially eliminate direct contact between the user's finger and the caulk during spreading. One common prior approach to spreading is for a user to directly contact the caulk with their finger, dragging their finger along the caulk, thus spreading the caulk in a moderately even distribution. This solution creates several problems, including cleaning of the user's finger, fingerprints in the hardened caulk, non-uniform hardened caulk, and potential health hazards with direct skin contact with the caulk.

When applying caulking22to a corner24between a first wall surface26and a second wall surface28, the caulking is usually applied with from a tube by hand or while using a caulking gun. Such application results in an uneven, non-smooth, convex caulk surface. By sliding/dragging the caulking tool20over the applied caulking22prior to hardening, a smooth surface30can be achieved. In addition, the width32can be set by sizing a notch34to the desired width32. This notch34may form a caulk width32of varying size, such as 3 mm, 5 mm, and 8 mm for example. Where the angle between the first wall26and second wall28is known, the width32also determines the thickness of the caulk22. Where the caulking tool20comprises a spreading surface36comprising a first wing38and a second wing40extending bilaterally from the notch34, the caulk22forms an isosceles triangle in cross section. Thus, the cross-sectional area of the caulking can be easily optimized for cure times, water resistance, visual appeal, etc.

The caulking tool20in one example comprising; a convex caulk spreader42comprising a spreader surface36configured to spread caulk22smoothly between a first wall surface26and a second wall surface28to which the caulk22is adhered. This smoothing step accomplished prior to hardening or curing of the caulk22. In one example junction between a first wall surface26and a second wall surface28will be in a corner junction24between the two wall surfaces26/28. The wall surfaces26/28may be the surfaces of a wall, floor, ceiling, bathtub, sink, baseboard, cabinet, or similar structures and fixtures or combinations thereof.

Before continuing, an axes system10is disclosed as shown in the figures. This axes system relative to the tool which may itself be oriented as needed. The axes system10comprising a longitudinal axis12parallel to the axis of the cone forming the finger tube. Also shown is a lateral axis14orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the surface30of the caulk when smoothed. Also is disclosed a transverse axis16orthogonal to the longitudinal axis12and to the lateral axis14. Also disclosed is a ridge axis18aligned with the ridge44between the first wing38and second wing40.

To ease in use, the caulking tool20is specifically configured to attach to a user's finger46. To accomplish this, the caulking tool20comprises a frusta-conic finger tube48fixed to the caulk spreader42. In one example the finger tube48is cast with the spreader surface36and thus forms a monolithic, single component without seams therebetween. In one example the caulking tool20is cast of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). This allowing the finger tube48and wings38/40to be pliable when made thin enough and of a properly selected material. Testing has shown that wings formed of ABS at 0.5 mil±0.25 mil thick are pliable and easily used to conform to wall surfaces26/28with deviations and irregularities.

The finger tube48in one example having an inner surface50configured to frictionally engage the outer surface52of a user's finger. Thus, as a user places their finger46into the finger tube48, their finger frictionally engages the inner surface50of the finger tube48and is attached thereto.

For improved comfort and stability of the caulking tool20on the user's finger46, in one example the inner surface50of the finger tube48is tapered from a first longitudinal end54to a second longitudinal end54. To better engage the user's finger46, the second longitudinal end56may be smaller in inner circumference than the first longitudinal end54.

The taper58of the inner surface50may be a straight taper, or a curved taper as shown. The taper58may also be parallel to the outer surface of the finger tube48where the thickness of the finger tube is even down the longitudinal length of the finger tube48. The spreader surface36having a longitudinal first end60adjacent the first end54of the finger tube48and a second longitudinal end62adjacent the second longitudinal end56of the finger tube48.

The caulking tool20may be arranged wherein the second longitudinal end56of the finger tube48has a surface defining an opening64configured to allow passage of a user's fingertip66. For users with especially small fingers46, or users with long fingernails, this opening64allows the user's finger46to frictionally engage the inner surface50of the finger tube where it may not if the finger tube48is closed on the second longitudinal end56.

In one example, the first end opening68and or second end opening64comprise a rounded edge or bevel72/74respectively. This bevel increasing the comfort of the user.

The caulking tool may be arranged wherein the spreader surface comprises the substantially planar first wing38and the substantially planar second wing40extending bilaterally from the center ridge44. These first and second wings38/40engaging the wall surfaces26/28as the caulking tool20is slid along the wall surfaces26/28along the uncured caulk22following a step of applying a volume of caulk22or grout or equivalent to the corner24between the wall surfaces26/28. This sliding action spreading the caulk22to a smooth and even surface30.

The caulking tool may be arranged wherein the spreader surface comprises a caulk notch34at the second longitudinal end. This notch34configured to leave a specified thickness and width32of caulk22in the corner24for visual appeal, efficient curing, and/or fluid protection as the caulk22adheres to both wall surfaces26/28and spans the gap therebetween forming a fluid seal.

The caulking tool20may be arranged wherein the spreader surface36comprises one or more braces or stiffeners76/78extending from the spreader surface36and configured to reduce longitudinal12bending of the spreader surface36. In one example the stiffeners76/78vary in thickness from the spreader surface36from a first thickness80near the second longitudinal end62of the spreader surface to a second thickness82near the first longitudinal end60of the spreader surface36where the second thickness82is greater than the first thickness80. In one example the first thickness80is substantially zero, such that this end of the stiffener76/78is substantially in the plane of the spreader surface.

While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general concept. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.