Patent Publication Number: US-2012034018-A1

Title: Grout Sealer Applicator

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to grout sealer applicators. More over it relates to devices used to apply grout sealer, such as mechanical. 
     Typically grout sealer is applied with a paint roller or brush. Usually poured directly onto the grout and tile, then painted or rolled into the grout lines. 
     Grout sealer that is applied by brush is not only time consuming but normally done on the knees of the user, in an uncomfortable position. 
     If it is being rolled into the grout lines it is messy and wasteful. 
     Therefore it would be very advantageous to remedy this process and other problems related to the above. 
     The object of this invention is to give the user a comfortable way to apply grout sealer accurately and without waste, saving the user both time and money. 
     Another object of this invention is to give the user more control over the amount of grout sealer being applied, minimizing mess and clean up time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To achieve the objects described in the above background the grout sealer applicator wand should be designed as follows: 
     A wand designed to attach directly to the threaded end of most or all chemical sprayer triggers. If needed a special threaded adapter can be used with the applicator to fit other triggers. 
     The wand has a hole through the shaft that allows grout sealer to flow from the connection nut into the brush end. From the brush it is applied directly and accurately onto the grout surface, keeping the sealer in between the lines and not on the tile. 
     The length of the applicator wand should be about 3 feet or long enough that it can be used in a comfortable standing position. 
     The adjustable switch goes from high to low setting. Depending on the users speed and accuracy they can choose the setting that best suits them. The switch is mounted into the brush end housing, inline with the shaft hole. 
     The brush is angled to compensate the users own angle at which they stand giving the brushes more surface contact. The brush bristles should be of high to medium quality to ensure the applicator can be used repeatedly and to ensure that no bristles come loose during application of the sealer. 
     To prevent excessive pressure at the nut &amp; trigger connection and possibly stripping the threads; the body of the grout sealer applicator wand should be strong, flexible but also light weight. 
     The connection nut should have enough threads to compensate for the length and weight of the wand, ensuring a good and strong connection to the sprayer trigger. 
     If needed the connection nut can also contain an internal o-ring to seat and seal the connection. 
     The grout sealer applicator wand could be designed with its own chemical sprayer and trigger or as stated can be used with most standard chemical sprayers and triggers. 
     The applicator pays for itself on jobs that are 800 square feet or more of tile and can be stored and used every year that sealer needs to be applied. 
     Leftover grout sealer can be saved in the sprayer reservoir and used again. Only the brush needs to be washed after use. 
     A wand designed to attach directly to the threaded trigger end of most, all or one compression sprayer. If needed a special threaded adapter can be used with the applicator to fit most, all or one compression sprayer triggers. 
     The grout sealer applicator wand could be designed with its own compression sprayer and trigger or as stated can be used with most standard compression sprayers and triggers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the Grout Sealer Wand, showing the entire body of the applicator, the angle of the brush, the adjustment switch and the connection nut end. 
         FIG. 2  is an angled view of the applicator brush end, without the brush bristles or the selector switch. 
         FIG. 3  is an angled view of the applicator shaft, without the connection nut or brush. This figure shows a detailed look at the nut end of the shaft, without the connection nut. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the applicator connection nut and threads. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view and an internal view of the high and low selector switch. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the grout sealer applicator wand in action or working. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Now to the drawings in which similar reference characters indicate the corresponding parts throughout different views. First we look at  FIG. 1  position  1  which shows direction of sealer flow through the middle of the applicator shaft, from nut end to brush end. Next  FIG. 1  position  2  points to the threads in the connection nut. Then  FIG. 1  position  3  points to the body or shaft of the applicator wand. Next  FIG. 1  position  4  shows the length of the shaft to be about 3 feet.  FIG. 1  position  5  points to the high and low setting switch.  FIG. 1  position  6  points to the hole at the brush end where grout sealer flows out and into the brush bristles.  FIG. 1  position  7  points to the angled brush bristles. 
     Now looking to  FIG. 2  position  1 , which shows an o-ring groove on the wall of the high and low selector slot. Next  FIG. 2  position  2  shows the hole at the brush end, where the sealer will flow out.  FIG. 2  position  3  shows another hole, where the sealer flows into the selector switch, then to the brush side and out the brush end.  FIG. 2  position  4  shows one the four small round indentations used for locking the high and low selector switch into position. The indentations should be evenly spaced to provide a secure lock. 
     Next we look at  FIG. 3  position  1  which shows the direction of sealer flow through the hollow shaft of the applicator. Then  FIG. 3  position  2  points to the shaft of the grout sealer applicator wand.  FIG. 3  position  3  points to the hole at the nut end of the applicator shaft.  FIG. 3  position  4  shows an optional o-ring that could be used at the nut end to provide a better seal. 
     Now to  FIG. 4  position  1  which shows the threads inside the applicator connection nut. There should be enough threads to insure a solid connection.  FIG. 4  position  2  points to the overall length of the applicator connection nut. Which should be about ½″ or long enough to support the length and weight of the grout sealer applicator wand without stripping the threads of the connection nut or trigger. 
     Next  FIG. 5  position  1  shows one of the four locking knobs that should hold the selector switch into place.  FIG. 5  position  2  points at the selector switch o-ring.  FIG. 5  position  3  shows the hole of the low side.  FIG. 5  position  4  points to the larger hole which is the high side.  FIG. 5  position  5  shows an internal look at the low side hole of the selector knob.  FIG. 5  position  6  shows an internal look at the high side hole of the selector knob. 
     In  FIG. 6  position  1  shows the chemical sprayer pump and reservoir.  FIG. 6  position  2  shows an average person using the grout sealer applicator wand in a comfortable standing position.  FIG. 6  position  3  points to the applicator wand making contact with the grout lines.