Methods and apparatus for drywall tools
AssigneeExceptional IP Holdings, LLC
InventorScott A. Murray
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed generally to building tools that are high quality, durable, and in some case lightweight. For example, various tools may made by forming multiple sections into a single integrated piece by, for example, casting the parts using a molding process so as to reduce manufacturing cost and increase the structural durability of the tool. The tools may be made in such a way as to allow for easier assembly, operation, and cleaning. Further, various tools may be made, at least in part, using a material including magnesium to reduce the weight of the tool. Still further, various tools may be made using one or more protective coatings for protecting various metals against corrosion, for example, using a high impact coating such as paint covered with a clear coat of lacquer.
Claims20
A mastic flat box applicator, comprising:
- a housing that has a lateral length from side-to-side greater than its height or width, including;
- an elongated front side wall;
- an elongated bottom side wall coupled to the front side wall at a first end;
- a left side wall coupled to the front side wall and bottom side wall;
- a right side wall opposite the left side wall and coupled to the front side wall and bottom side wall;
- and
- an elongated straight back plate opposite the front side wall and coupled to a second end of the bottom side wall at a bottom edge so as to form an approximately perpendicular corner or angle, the single flat straight back plate having a relatively short width or height compared to the height of the various side walls from where it is connected at the bottom edge to the bottom side wall;
- a movable plate disposed in an opening of the housing and abutting at one of its ends the corner or angle formed between the bottom side wall and the back plate as a pivot point and pivoting therein, without being fixedly attached thereto, so as to permit rotational movement of the movable plate about an axis in the corner or angle location;
- a plurality of springs coupled to the movable plate and housing so as to place tension on the movable plate and pull it backward toward the back plate;
- wherein the elongated straight back plate has a width or height dimension and the plurality of springs are coupled to the back plate and housing so as to allow the movable plate to open sufficiently wide with respect to the housing such that residual mastic or mud may be removed from the inside of the housing without the need for removing the movable plate or any side wall.
A mastic flat box applicator, comprising:
- a housing that includes at least five walls, including a front wall, a bottom wall and a back plate wall that are longer than a left side wall and a right side wall;
- a movable plate disposed in an opening formed by the five walls and abutting a corner or angle formed at a connection point of the bottom wall and the back plate so as to permit rotational movement of the movable plate about an axis of rotation occurring at the angled corner;
- a means for preventing the movable plate, that is abutting at one of its ends the corner or angle formed between the bottom side wall and the back plate, from being removed from the housing and pivot point by stopping outward and rotational movement of the movable plate at an open position;
- and
- an exit hole formed in one of the walls and through which mastic exiting the housing is controllably applied to a building surface in responsive to movement of the movable plate, and wherein the back plate is a flat plate having a width or height dimension that allows the movable plate to open sufficiently wide with respect to the housing to allow residual mastic or mud to be removed from the inside of the housing without the need for removing the movable plate or any side wall.
A mastic flat box applicator, comprising:
- an applicator housing that is made of a material including a magnesium alloy or aluminum alloy, the housing having:
- a front side wall;
- a bottom side wall;
- a left side wall;
- a right side wall;
- a back plate side wall;
- and
- a movable plate disposed in an opening of the housing and abutting at one of its ends the corner or angle formed between the bottom side wall and the back plate as a pivot point and pivoting therein, without being fixedly attached thereto, so as to permit rotational movement of the movable plate about an axis in the corner or angle location;
- wherein one of the side walls includes an exit hole through which mastic exits the housing responsive to movement of the movable plate, and the back plate side wall includes at least a flat plate having a width or height dimension that allows the movable plate to open sufficiently wide with respect to the housing to allow residual mastic or mud to be removed from the inside of the housing without the need for removing the movable plate or any side wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.