Abstract:
An applicator for surface treatment tools, such as drywall knockdown blades, wire brushes, scrapers, putty knives, and the like provides a rotatable bracket attached to a handle. Attachment of the surface tool to the bracket permits variance to the angular positioning between the handle and the surface tool as required by the positioning of the tool operator and/or the surface to be worked relative to the positioning of the tool operator. Set angular positions are provided by the bracket, with changes in positioning requiring actuation of an internal locking mechanism by the operator during use of the tool.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, Serial No. 60/176,471, filed Jan. 16, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to hand-held tools and, more particularly, to such tools as are useful for surface preparation and finishing operations. More specifically, the present invention relates to an extension and rotatable base support for the attachment of hand tools used in the surface preparation, application, and finishing treatments for drywall surfaces.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Traditional plaster walls require a labor-intensive fabrication process. Employment of the skilled laborers required for such a process runs counter to present trends in the commercial and home construction industry. Emphasis today is on speed, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness towards the completion and profitability of construction projects. Competitive bidding pressures have made it increasingly difficult to rely on anything other than unskilled labor when bidding a construction project.  
           [0006]    Except for the most expensive of custom installations, gypsum wallboard, also know as “dry wall” has completely replaced plaster in the construction of walls and ceilings in modern homes and offices. Gypsum board retains the fire-resistant characteristics of gypsum plaster and can be installed with much less labor using less-skilled workers. In addition, the use of dry wall brings very little “water” into a building, and thereby eliminates some of the waiting required with the curing and drying of gypsum plaster.  
           [0007]    For most commercial and home construction projects, dry wall is cut into rectangular sheets of four (4) feet by eight-to-twelve (8-12) feet, of one-half to five-eighths inch thickness. Installation of the dry wall can occur over either steel or wood studs using self-tapping screws (metal studs) and either screws or nails (wood) to fasten the dry wall to the support. After installation of the dry wall is complete, all of the joints between the boards and the indentations left by the nailing or screw attachments must be filled and smoothed before the surface of the dry wall is ready for final texturing or finishing.  
           [0008]    Additionally, most dry wall panels used in finished wall constructions have a tapered edge. When placed edge-to-edge, the tapering is part of a joint finishing process that results in the formation of a flush, invisible seam between adjacent panels. After being placed together, adjacent one another, a layer of joint compound or plaster (either/both termed “mud”) is troweled into the tapered edge joint. A paper or glass fiber reinforcing tape is then placed over the joint and covered with an additional layer of the joint compound. These first layers are allowed to dry and one or two finishing coats of the joint compound are then applied and sanded. A properly finished joint forms a wall that appears to be made of a solid sheet rather than discreet panels.  
           [0009]    Various types of wipe down tools, knives, and scrapers are used to smooth the mud used to create a flat, finished wall. Many times the tool itself creates a marking in the mud that requires repeated passing and feathering to remove. With typical walls extending above the reach of most workers, ladders or stilts are frequently required, both of which tend to interfere with the pace of work. Additionally, wall borders and edges require manipulation of the tool edge, precluding any rigid attachment to a pole or other reach-extender.  
           [0010]    It is thus a primary object of the present invention to provide a tool extender system that permits adjustment of the tool edge or surface relative to the extended handle permitting ease of use at various work surface elevations and in areas where access is restricted.  
         SUMMARY OF THE IVENTION  
         [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an applicator for use with surface treatment tools that includes a rotatable mounting bracket, a handle attached to the mounting bracket, and a place on the mounting bracket to releasibly attache a surface tool, such as a drywall knockdown blade. The rotatable mounting bracket has a plurality of fixed angular positions relative to the handle, and an internal locking mechanism to retain the mounting bracket in a desired position during use of the tool.  
           [0012]    The rotatable mounting bracket includes an outer casement that contains an internal angular locking plate having a number of positioning apertures formed therein. A locking pin is also retained within the casement and a portion of the pin is selectively received by the positioning apertures, thus retaining the locking plate in position relative to the outer casement. A pivotal actuator is interlinked with the locking pin in a manner permitting the tool operator to disengage the locking pin from the positioning aperture when rotation of the locking plate to another positioning aperture is desired. 
       
    
    
       [0013]    Some further objects and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the ensuing description and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool holder showing a knockdown blade positioned therein in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, with portions broken away, showing the tool holder and knockdown blade depicted in FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view taken within circle  3  of FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing an alternative angular tool adjustment mechanism in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view, in perspective, showing an alternative tool connector in use with the angular tool adjustment mechanism in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]    Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. A knockdown tool  10  is shown in FIG. 1, having a handle  15  to which is attached a head assembly  19  using a mounting bracket  21 . The mounting bracket  21  permits relative angular movement between the handle  15  and the head assembly  19 . A release  25  is provided the mounting bracket to enable the user to control such angular relative positioning.  
         [0020]    The head assembly  19  consists of a support frame  29  to which is attached a blade assembly  31  when utilized as the knockdown tool  10  depicted in FIG. 1. A flexible blade  35  projects from the blade assembly  31 , and is preferably utilized by being dragged across a planar surface to which a coating of “mud” has been applied (not shown in the Figures) to provide a textured surface thereto.  
         [0021]    The manner of construction of the mounting bracket  21  is best described with reference to FIG. 2. A casement  41  is formed on or attached to the handle  15  and, perhaps, a handle extension  42 . A connector bolt  43  extends through the casement  41  and attaches to an angular locking plate  47 , in which a plurality of positioning apertures are formed. A release bolt  53  also extends through the casement  41 , with a release spring  55  received thereon.  
         [0022]    A first end of the release bolt  53  terminates in a threaded terminus  59 , and a second end forms a shoulder  63 . Upon extending through the casement  41 , the release  25  is received by and attaches to the threaded terminus  59 , retaining the release bolt  53  within the casement  41 . The shoulder  63  is configured in a manner to be received within a selected one of the plurality of positioning apertures  49 .  
         [0023]    Upon attachment of the release bolt  53  to the casement  41  using the release  25 , the release spring  55  biases the release bolt  53  towards the angular locking plate  47 , securing the shoulder of the release bolt within the selected one of the positioning aperture  49 . At such time as it is desired to change the angular positioning of the head assembly  19  (FIG. 1) relative to the handle  15 , the release  25  is pulled away from the mounting bracket  21 , releasing the shoulder  63  of the release bolt  53  from its position within one of the positioning apertures  49 . The head assembly  19  is then rotated, until a desired new positioning aperture of the plurality of positioning apertures  49  underlies the shoulder  63 . The release  25  is then permitted to re-establish its position adjacent the mounting bracket  21  under the biasing force of the release spring  55 , which in turn seats the shoulder  63  within the positioning aperture.  
         [0024]    When utilized as a knockdown tool in accordance with the present invention, the head assembly  19  (FIG. 1) consists of multiple separate parts. Turning again to FIG. 2, the flexible blade  35  is held between a pair of rigid blade guides  67   a ,  67   b , with a plurality of fasteners  71  used to assemble the blade and blade guides, and to attach the resultant assembly to the support frame  29 . As is best shown with reference to FIG. 3, the use of the blade guides  67  enables the flexible blade  35  to be held at an angle to the work surface. Such positioning of the blade is in contrast to presently-used flat blades, which push against a wall to create a rough texture that must be sanded down before paint can be applied to the wall. The angled blade of the present invention does not form a rough edge, and as a result creates a smooth surface that requires no sanding before the application of paint.  
         [0025]    Returning once again to FIG. 2, an attachment surface  75  is formed in the support frame  29 , and is sized to receive the angular locking plate  47 . Attachment follows using any of a variety of conventional attachment methods, such as removable threaded bolts (not shown) received in a plurality of attachment apertures  77  in the attachment surface  75  in FIG. 2. In this manner, the head assembly can be easily separated from the mounting bracket and handle, should employment of a different tool be desired.  
         [0026]    In FIG. 4, an alternative is shown to the release  25  for initiating the angular rotation of the head assembly  29  (not shown) relative to the handle  15 . A pivotal reciprocating actuator  81  is attached to the casement  41  in a manner that permits actuation of the release bolt  53  by a simple rocking activation by the user. After passage through a casement bolt passage  83  in the casement  41 , the release bolt  53  extends through an attachment throughbore formed in the pivotal actuator  81 .  
         [0027]    A cap nut  87  is received upon the threaded terminus of the release bolt  53 , with a flat washer  88  assisting in the securement of the pivotal reciprocating actuator  81  to the casement  41 . A pivot surface  91  formed on the pivotal actuator  81  rests against the end of the connector bolt  43  that extends from the casement  41 . Positional securement of the pivotal reciprocating actuator  81  is provided by the use of a guide bolt  93  that passes through the pressure foot portion  95  of the pivotal actuator  81  through a guide bolt throughbore  97  formed therein. A tapped opening  99  formed in the handle  15  receives the guide bolt  93  and secures it in position relative to the casement  41 . In this manner, upon pressure being applied by the user against the pressure foot  95 , the pivotal reciprocating actuator  81  pivots about the pivot surface  91 , resulting in the retraction of the release bolt  53  from its spring-biased engagement with the positioning apertures  49  formed in the angular locking plate  47  (not shown in FIG. 4).  
         [0028]    As briefly noted previously, the attachment of other tools besides the knockdown tool  10  of FIG. 1 is contemplated under the present invention. In FIG. a tool support plate  101  is provided to enable the attachment of multiple different tools, including a scraper  103 . The tool support plate  101  makes use of the attachment surface  75  to receive the angular locking plate  47  in exactly the same manner as did the support frame  29  of the knockdown tool  10 . A plurality of plate fasteners  105  are received within the attachment apertures  77 , extending into a corresponding plurality of threaded connection apertures  109  formed in the angular locking plate  47 .  
         [0029]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment, each of the various tools is secured to the tool support plate  101  using a threaded connection. A threaded extension  113  is formed on the tool support plate  101 , and is received into a threaded tool base  115 . In this manner replacement and removal of a particular tool may be easily accomplished.  
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, the knockdown tool  10  is fabricated out of more than one material. The handle  15  is preferably made out of plastic, phenolic or metal, and is typically 1″ in diameter and 12″ in length. The casement  41  is preferably fabricated out of plastic or metal and has dimensions of 2″ in diameter and 1″ in thickness.  
         [0031]    When used as a knockdown tool, the head assembly  19  preferably utilizes a plastic or metal support frame  29  and blade guides  67  made out of either plastic or metal. The blade itself must be made out of a very flexible material that does not mark or otherwise discolor the surface upon which it is pressed. Presently, a polyvinyl chloride used in the form of a flexible seal for garage doors (manufactured by Marley Mouldings of Marion, Va.), provides these necessary characteristics. The length of the head assembly can vary, with lengths of 12″, 18″, and 24″ considered to be particularly useful to the trade, with the length used primarily depending upon the particular requirements of the drywall material. As noted previously, other surface treatment tools such as a wire brush, a scraper, a putty knife, a paint brush, and a paint shield can be attached using the extension and tool base exemplified by the example shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0032]    My invention has been disclosed in terms of a preferred embodiment thereof, which provides an improved, angularly-adjustable, tool holder that is of great novelty and utility. Various changes, modifications, and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications.