AU2006236000A1

AU2006236000A1 - A guide assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2006236000A1
Application number: AU2006236000A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Luke Aaron Millen; Ross William Charles Millen
Original assignee: LUKE MILLEN; ROSS MILLEN
Current assignee: LUKE MILLEN; ROSS MILLEN
Priority date: 2005-11-18
Filing date: 2006-11-14
Publication date: 2007-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-14
Also published as: AU2006236000B2

Description

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N AUSTRALIA o PATENTS ACT 1990 o COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

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NO FOR A STANDARD PATENT tO o ORIGINAL Name of Applicant/s: Ross William Charles Millen and Luke Aaron Millen Actual Inventor/s: Ross William Charles Millen and Luke Aaron Millen Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP Margaret Street Telephone No: (02) 9777 1111 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile No. (02) 9241 4666 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Invention Title: A GUIDE ASSEMBLY Details of Associated Provisional Application No. 2005906427 dated 18 Nov 2005 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- File: 47446AUP00 501020817 1.DOC/5844 O -2c4 FIELD OF THE INVENTION 0 z The invention relates to a guide assembly and in particular to a screeding tool assembly and a method of screeding a surface.

The invention has been developed primarily for use as a screeding tool assembly for and a method of screeding a surface to be tiled and will be described Shereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that C4 the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Rooms with a drainage outlet, such as a bathroom or laundry, are initially prepared by locating a pipe that is to become the drainage outlet so that it extends generally vertically upwards. A slab is then formed around the pipe so that a portion of the upwardly extending pipe is exposed above the slab. The exposed pipe portion prevents the drainage outlet being inadvertently cemented over when a sand cement bed is laid over the slab. The bed is then screeded to produce a suitably level surface upon which the tiles are fixed.

This method suffers from several disadvantages. Firstly, the cement bed must be formed up to the level of the pipe so that it forms the drainage outlet when the tiles are laid. This results in unnecessary wastage of excess cement being used to fill this space. In addition, the cement must be carefully laid around the pipe, requiring considerable labour and causing inconvenience and delays in construction of the room.

Another disadvantage associated with this method is that screeding of the cement bed is usually performed freehand with a screeding tool, again requiring substantial labour and time. In addition, the cement bed must be screeded so as to IND -3have a sufficient gradient to ensure that any moisture which accumulates at the areas of the room flow towards the drainage outlet. It is difficult to produce such a gradient that is also uniform to present an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the _tiled surface.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

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Cc It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least IND one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

SIt is an object of the invention in its preferred form to provide a guide assembly for a screeding blade, a screeding tool assembly and a screeding method which is simple, convenient and requires less material, thus saving labour and costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a guide assembly for at least one screeding blade, said assembly including: a hub rotatably mountable to a fixed support for defining an axis of rotation; and a radius arm mountable to said hub for rotation about said axis; said radius arm having an angle of inclination to said axis and further adapted to support said at least one screeding blade, such that rotation of said radius arm induces said at least one screeding blade to screed a surface defined by said angle of inclination.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a screeding tool assembly, said assembly including: a hub rotatably mountable to a fixed support for defining an axis of rotation; a radius arm mountable to said hub for rotation about said axis, said radius arm having an angle of inclination to said axis; and IN -4ci at least one screeding blade supportable by said radius arm for screeding a surface defined by said angle of inclination.

z A further aspect of the invention provides a screeding method, said method including the steps of: rotatably mounting a radius arm to a fixed support for rotation about an Saxis of rotation and at an angle of inclination to said axis; Nsupporting at least one screeding blade upon said radius arm; and (Ni O rotating said radius arm about said axis, thereby inducing said at least one screeding blade to screed a surface defined by said angle of inclination.

Preferably, the hub includes a hub axle for mounting the radius arm. It is preferred that the hub further includes a plug for releasable engagement with the fixed support. The hub axle is preferably rotatably mounted to the plug.

Preferably, the plug includes a bore for rotatably mounting the hub axle. The bore is preferably a blind bore. Preferably, the bore is coaxial with the axis of rotation.

Preferably, the hub plug frictionally engages the fixed support. In one embodiment, the plug is in the form of a bung. Preferably, the bung includes a circumferential peripheral flange at one end for engaging the fixed support.

Preferably, the hub has a complementary shape for engaging the fixed support.

In one embodiment, the hub includes a hub axle and a hub plug fixedly mounted to each other, the hub plug being rotatably mountable to the fixed support. Preferably, the hub plug is releasably engageable with the fixed support.

Preferably, the hub axle and hub plug are integrally formed.

Preferably, the fixed support is fixed relative to the surface. Preferably, the fixed support is a pipe embedded in the surface. Preferably, the pipe defines a drainage outlet.

Preferably, the angle of inclination is adjustable. Preferably, the radius arm is hingedly connected to the hub for selectively adjusting the angle of inclination.

It is preferred that the angle of inclination is an oblique angle. Preferably Othe angle of inclination is less than 900. Preferably, the angle of inclination is Z between 800 and 90' The angle of inclination is preferably substantially 900.

It is preferred that the radius arm and the at least one screeding blade are slidably engageable. Preferably, the radius arm has a substantially U-shaped cross-section to define a longitudinal channel. The channel preferably includes at Cc least one longitudinal side edge for slidably engaging the at least one screeding IDblade. Preferably, the side edge extends at an angle to a longitudinal plane defined by the channel. In a preferred embodiment, the radius arm includes a pair of side edges extending divergently outwardly with respect to the channel to form a flared opening.

Preferably, the screeding tool assembly includes a plurality of screeding blades, each engageable with an adjacent radially inner blade. It is preferred that the screeding blades are slidably engageable. Preferably, the blades are telescopically engageable.

Preferably, the at least one screeding blade includes a handle portion for slidably engaging the radius arm. Preferably, the handle portion slidably engages the channel. It is preferred that the handle portion includes an angular portion for sliding engagement with at least one side edge of the channel. Preferably the handle portion is partially curled for engaging the side edges of the channel.

In one embodiment, the radius arm and the at least one screeding blade are integrally formed.

Preferably, the at least one screeding blade includes an edge with a nonlinear profile. Preferably, the edge has a corrugated or saw-toothed profile. The at least one screeding blade preferably includes strengthening ribs disposed along its length.

IO -6cPreferably, the at least one screeding blade is indexed for indicating the radius of the screeded surface. Preferably, indexed markings are provided on the Z handle portion.

Preferably, the method includes the step of varying the relative positions of the radius arm and the hub to selectively adjust the angle of inclination. The Smethod preferably includes the step of mounting a plurality of screeding blades N slidably engageable with each other to selectively adjust the area of the screeded q\ surface.

Cr According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a screeding blade assembly, said screeding blade assembly including: a first screeding blade and a second screeding blade, each having a screeding blade portion mounted to a handle portion; said first and second screeding blades being substantially complementary in shape such that said first screeding blade is at least partially nestable within said second screeding blade.

The first and second screeding blades are preferably slidably engageable.

Preferably, the first and second screeding blades are telescopically engageable.

Preferably, the second screeding handle portion includes an inwardly curled lip for nestably retaining the first screeding handle portion whilst permitting relative sliding movement between the first and second screeding blades.

Preferably, the screeding blade portions include an edge with a non-linear profile. Preferably, the edge has a corrugated or saw-toothed profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a guide assembly according to one embodiment of the invention; IN -7-

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SFigure 2 is a side view of the guide assembly of Figure 1; z Figure 3 is an end view of the radius arm for the guide assembly of Figure S1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a screeding blade for use with the guide assembly of Figure 1; Cr^ Figure 5 is a perspective view of a screeding tool assembly according to one embodiment of the invention; C Figure 6 is a sectional view of a room with a floor surface screeded by the screeding tool assembly of Figure Figure 7 is a sectional view of a room with a floor surface screeded by a known screeding method; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a screeding blade assembly according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of a surface being screeded by the guide assembly of Figure 1 and the screeding blade assembly of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a schematic plan view of a room being screeded by the screeding tool assembly of Figure Figure 11 is a sectional view of a wall screeded by the screeding blade assembly of Figure 8; and Figure 12 is a sectional view of a wall screeded by a known screed tool.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring initially to Figures 1 to 3, a guide assembly 1 for at least one screeding blade according to one embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The assembly 1 includes a hub 2 rotatably mountable to a fixed support 3 for defining an axis of rotation 4, and a radius arm 5 mountable to the hub 2 for rotation about ID-8the axis 4. The radius arm 5 has an angle of inclination a to the axis 4, as best shown in Figure 2, and is adapted to support at least one screeding blade such that Z rotation of the radius arm 5 induces the screeding blade to screed a surface 6 _defined by the angle of inclination at.

The hub 2 includes a hub axle 7 for mounting the radius arm 5 and a hub plug 8 in the form of a bung. The bung 8 releasably engages the fixed support 3, NOwhich is in the form of a pipe defining the drainage outlet of the room. The bung ,D8 includes a blind bore 9 coaxial with the rotational axis 4. The hub axle 7 is fitted into the blind bore 9 to rotatably mount the radius arm 5 to the bung 8.

The radius arm 5 is fixedly mounted to the hub axle 7 so that it is at the angle of inclination ac relative to the rotational axis 4 (and at an angle 90 a relative to the general horizontal plane) when fitted to the bung 8. As best shown in Figure 3, the radius arm 5 is formed as substantially U-shaped cross-section defining a longitudinal channel 10. A pair of longitudinal side edges 11 extends divergently outward to slidingly engage a screeding blade and permit relatively easy access to the channel Referring to Figure 4, a screeding blade 12 for use with the guide assembly 1 is shown. The screeding blade 12 includes a handle 13 for engaging the channel 10 and a blade portion 14. The handle 13 includes a base portion disposed angularly to the blade portion 14 and an inwardly curled portion 16. The blade portion 14 has an edge 17 with a non-linear saw-toothed profile to create a corrugation in the screeded surface, promoting bonding between the screeded surface and the tiles.

In an alternative embodiment, the screeding blade 12 is shaped to complement the profile of the channel 10 by the base portion 15 being angularly disposed so as to complement one flared side edge 11 of the channel 10, and the inwardly curled portion 16 permiting the handle 13 to slidably engage the channel by way of the side edges 11. This particular configuration of the screeding IO-9blade 12 advantageously permits the channel 10 to securely support the screeding blade 12 on the radius arm z As best shown in Figure 5, combining the guide assembly 1 with the screeding blade 12 provides a screeding tool assembly 18 according to one embodiment of the invention.

OS The operation of the screeding tool assembly 18 (and thus the guide assembly 1) now will be described with reference to Figure 6. A bathroom 19 is IDfirst prepared by cutting the pipe 3 down to the intended level of the floor. The ,i slab 20 is then laid around the pipe 3. A wet seal 21 is applied to the slab 20 and the interior of the pipe 3. The cement bed 22 for screeding is then poured onto the slab The bung 8 is inserted into the pipe 3 in a frictionally engageable manner.

The radius arm 5 and the hub axle 7 are then rotatably mounted to the bung 8 by inserting the hub axle 7 into the blind bore 9. The screeding blade 12 is then slidingly fitted into the channel 10 so as to be securely supported by the radius arm The screeding tool assembly 18 is now ready for use. The radius arm 5 is rotated about the rotational axis 4, relative to the bung 8 and the pipe 3. This rotation induces the screeding blade 12 supported by the radius arm 5 to screed the surface 6 of the cement bed 22, as defined by the angle of inclination a. Thus, the surface 6 is screeded simply and conveniently in a single sweeping motion about the rotational axis 4. As the radius arm 5 is always at the angle of inclination a, the surface 6 is screeded with a substantially uniform gradient corresponding to The tiles 23 are then finally laid upon the screeded surface 6 of the bed 22.

Advantageously, the guide assembly 1 and the screeding tool assembly 18 conserves building materials and costs, since the use of the bung 8 allows the pipe 3 to be cut substantially down to approximately the level of the room floor. This reduces the amount of cement used in forming the cement bed and thus obviates the need to use excess cement in the known method. Furthermore, a uniform gradient is produced in the screeded surface in contrast to the known method.

IND To highlight the advantages of this embodiment, a bathroom prepared Oaccording to the known method is shown in Figure 7 for comparison with Figure Z 6, where corresponding features have been given the same reference numerals. As can be clearly seen in Figure 7, a substantial amount of cement is used in forming the bed 22 up to the level of the pipe 3 in the known method. This unnecessary Suse of cement is obviated when using the guide assembly 1 or screeding tool assembly 18. As shown in Figure 6, noticeably less material is required to lay the Cc cement bed 22 because there is no need for the pipe 3 to be exposed above the slab Indeed, it is envisaged that the cement bed can be poured over the slab 20 and bung 8 in one pass, with the bung 8 being loosened afterwards. Thus, the guide assembly 1 and the screeding tool assembly 18 obviate the need to lay a cement bed at a greater depth than is required. Consequently, this reduces the expense and cost in constructing rooms with a drainage outlet, such as bathrooms and laundries.

Whilst the radius arm 5 and the hub axle 7 are fixedly joined to predetermine the angle of inclination cx, in other embodiments the radius arm 5 is hingedly connected to the hub axle 7 to enable adjustment of the angle of inclination. The guide assembly 1 is also adaptable to incorporate other angles of inclination by inserting a stopper or wedge (not shown) between the radius arm and the bung 8 to decrease the angle of inclination a.

It is also appreciated that fitting the screeding blade 12 into the channel creates a small difference in height (of about 3 mm) in the screeded surface 6 between the radius arm 5 and the screeding blade 12. This 3 mm height difference advantageously creates a small step in the bed 22 to resist any backflow of fluid out of the drainage outlet 3 and does not adversely affect the substantially uniform gradient of the bed 22. Moreover, this height difference is not visible when the tiles 23 are laid on the bed 22.

In addition, whilst the bung frictionally engages the pipe 3, in other embodiments the bung 8 includes a circumferential peripheral flange at one end to engage the pipe 3. This allows the bung 8 to be loosely fitted to the pipe 3 and ,0 -11c, facilitates quicker installation of the cement bed by permitting the bung 8 to be lifted by the flange 11 to loosen the bung 8.

Referring now to Figure 8, a screeding blade assembly 30 according to one embodiment of a further aspect of the invention is shown. The screeding blade assembly 30 is also suitable for use with the guide assembly 1.

The screeding blade assembly 30 includes a first screeding blade 31 and a i second screeding blade 32, each having a screeding blade portion 33 and 34 Smounted to a handle portion 35 and 36. The first and second screeding blades 31 Sand 32 are substantially complementary in shape such that the first screeding blade 31 is at least partially nestable within the second screeding blade 32.

The first and second screeding blades 31 and 32 are telescopically engageable for sliding relative movement. The handle portion 36 of the second screeding blade 32 includes an inwardly curled lip 38 for nestably retaining the handle portion 35 of the first screeding blade 31, whilst permitting relative sliding movement between the first and second screeding blades 31 and 32. The blade portions 33 and 34 each include an edge 39 with a saw-toothed profile. This profile creates corrugations in the screeded surface to promote bonding by increasing the contact area between the screeded surface and the tiles.

The screeding blade assembly 30 is extendable or retractable between various lengths by sliding the first screeding blade 31 relative to the second screeding blade 32. The inwardly curled lip 38 securely retains the screeding blades 31 and 32 together. Thus, by providing telescopically engageable screeding blades 31 and 32, the length of the screeding blade assembly 30 can be adjusted for screeding surfaces with non-uniform areas, irregular configurations or irregular shapes.

To assist in determining the appropriate length of extension, indexed markings 40 are provided on the handle portion 35 of the first screeding blade 31.

It will be appreciated that indexed markings can be placed on the second screeding blade 32 where more than two screeding blades are used. However, it is IND -12- Senvisaged that in a particularly preferred embodiment the screeding blade >assembly 30 only has two screeding blades 31 and 32, and sets of the screeding Z blade assembly can be provided to cater for different lengths. For example, one set may have a pair of screeding blades extendible between 500 mm and 1000 mm. Another set would have a pair of screeding blades extendible between 1000 mm and 1900 mm. A third set would be extendible between 1900 and 3200 mm.

NO As will be recognised by a skilled person in the art, when the screeding

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\blade assembly 30 is used in conjunction with the guide assembly 1, a screeding Stool assembly is formed which can screed surfaces with non-uniform areas, irregular configurations or irregular shapes whilst retaining the advantages of the guide assembly 1. That is, the second screeding blade 32 can be slid radially outwardly from the first screeding blade 31 to increase the effective combined radial length of the radius arm 5 and the screeding blade assembly 30, thus increasing the surface area that is screeded. The adjustability of the screeding blade assembly 30 also permits gradual adjustment of the effective combined radial length to enable screeding the comers of a room with relative ease and convenience, as best shown in Figure 9.

The guide assembly 1 and the screeding tool assembly 18 are also adaptable for room configurations with surface areas greater than the effective combined radial length of the radius arm 5 and the screeding blade 12 or screeding blade assembly 30. As best shown in Figure 10, an initial area 41 is circumscribed by a boundary ring 42 from an exterior area 43 bounded by the walls of the room. The screeding tool assembly 18 is fitted to the pipe 44 to screed the initial area 41. Since the ring 42 is at a height of 5 mm and the cement bed is approximately 10 mm at the wall, it is relatively easy to screed the exterior area 43 freehand, or preferably with the screeding blade assembly 30, using the ring 42 as a reference plane. This modification demonstrates the versatility of the applications that can be achieved with the guide assembly 1 and the screeding tool assembly 18 to screed various sizes and shapes of rooms.

ID-13- SThe screeding blade assembly 30 is also versatile in its application to >surfaces other than floors. Referring now to Figure 11, a wall 60 has been Z screeded by the screeding blade assembly 30 in one simple pass, unlike the wall 62 in Figure 12, which requires greater manipulation of the screed tool to screed the same surface area. This ability to adjust the length of the screeding blade O assembly 30 provides versatility and adjustability which cannot be achieved with Sexisting tools.

SThe advantages of the various aspects of the invention can be achieved with greater effect by using a specially prepared adhesive in accordance with a broadly contemplated aspect of the invention. The adhesive is formed by combining a chemical construction glue sold under the trade name "KemGrip" with a moisture resistant or waterproof additive and stiffeners. The stiffener may include a fine ground sand or stone.

One particular formulation of the adhesive suitable for a cement bed or a wall of a room is as follows: The adhesive is initially prepared by adding 10kg of Kemgrip powder to 2 to 3 litres of water.

The Kemgrip power and water are mixed until a thick creamy consistency is obtained.

A waterproof additive sold under the trade name "Kemcrete" is prepared in the proportion of 1 part Kemcrete to 4 parts water, and then added to the mixture.

Crushed dust is then added as a stiffener.

The mixture is allowed to stand for 5 to 10 minutes and its re-stirred prior to use.

For extra waterproof and for flexibility in the adhesive, an additive sold under the trade name of"Elastacrete" may be added to the mixture.

IND -14- This combination of the glue and additives provides unexpected advantages in providing a moisture proof and water resistant adhesive that is Z suitable for application to a slab instead of a standard cement bed. It is believed that this combination of the glue and additives unexpectedly confers an ability for s the adhesive to have the wet seal to be applied directly upon its surface, unlike Sother cement renders, as shown in Figure 6. In addition, this enables a wet seal 63 Sto be applied either underneath or on top of the adhesive 64 when applied to brick walls, as illustrated in Figure 11. In contrast, rendering the brick wall 62 in Figure ID12 with sand and cement requires the cement render 65 to dry for several days io with a pair of setting sticks 66 before the wet seal 67 is placed over the render as it does not stick to the wet render directly.

It will be appreciated that the guide assembly 1, screeding tool assembly 18, screeding blade assembly 30 and adhesive embodying the various aspects of the invention provide a simple, convenient and cost effective means of screeding surfaces with a uniform gradient for tiling, such as bathrooms, washrooms, laundries and other rooms with a drainage outlet. In particular, the drainage pipe now can be cut to approximately the level of the floor, contrary to the known method, and thus obviates the wastage in construction materials.

Other embodiments of the invention provide a hub with the a hub axle and a hub plug fixedly mounted to each other, the hub being rotatably engageable with the fixed support. In this case, the hub axle and hub plug are integrally formed.

In other embodiments, the screeding tool assembly includes a plurality of screeding blades, each slidingly engageable with an adjacent inner blade. Another embodiment of the screeding tool assembly has the screeding blade integrally formed with the radius arm. Other embodiments have the screeding blade fitted onto the channel by providing a stop pin to securely attach the blade to the channel.

The angle of inclination is slightly less than 900, although in other embodiments, the angle of inclination may vary between 80' and 90". In one ND preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination is 89°. Other embodiments of the Sscreeding blade include strengthening ribs disposed at intervals along the length Z of the blade.

Although the invention has been described with reference with -specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may 0 be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

2. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hub includes a hub axle for mounting the radius arm.
3. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hub includes a plug for releasable engagement with the fixed support.
4. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hub axle is rotatably mounted to the plug. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plug includes a bore for rotatably mounting the hub axle.
6. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bore is a blind bore.
7. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the bore is coaxial with the axis of rotation.
8. A guide assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the hub plug frictionally engages the fixed support.
9. A guide assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the plug is in the form of a bung. ID-17-
10. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bung includes a circumferential peripheral flange at one end for engaging the fixed support. z
11. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hub has a complementary shape for engaging the fixed support.
12. A guide assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hub C includes a hub axle and a hub plug fixedly mounted to each other, the hub plug N, being rotatably mountable to the fixed support.
13. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the hub plug is releasably engageable with the fixed support.
14. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the hub axle and hub plug are integrally formed. A guide assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixed support is fixed relative to the surface.
16. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fixed support is a pipe embedded in the surface.
17. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pipe defines a drainage outlet.
18. A guide assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle of inclination is adjustable.
19. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the radius arm is hingedly connected to the hub for selectively adjusting the angle of inclination. A guide assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle of inclination is an oblique angle.
21. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the angle of inclination is less than \O -18- O 'i 22. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the angle of inclination is between 800 and 900.
23. A guide assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the angle of inclination is substantially
24. A guide assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein 0 the radius arm and the at least one screeding blade are slidably engageable. (N IO 25. A guide assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein O the radius arm has a substantially U-shaped cross-section to define a longitudinal channel.
26. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 25, wherein the channel includes at least one longitudinal side edge for slidably engaging the at least one screeding blade.
27. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein the side edge extends at an angle to a longitudinal plane defined by the channel.
28. A guide assembly as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27, wherein the radius arm includes a pair of side edges extending divergently outwardly with respect to the channel to form a flared opening.
29. A screeding tool assembly, said assembly including: a guide assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; and at least one screeding blade supportable by said radius arm for screeding a surface defined by said angle of inclination. A screeding tool assembly as claimed in claim 29, further including a plurality of screeding blades, each engageable with an adjacent radially inner blade.
31. A screeding tool assembly as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, wherein the screeding blades are slidably engageable. IND -19- 1 32. A screeding tool assembly as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 31, o wherein the blades are telescopically engageable.
33. A screeding tool assembly as claimed in claims 29 to 32, wherein the at least one screeding blade includes a handle portion for slidably engaging the radius arm.
34. A screeding tool assembly as claimed in claim 33, when dependent on any N one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the handle portion slidably engages the channel. \O A screeding tool assembly as claimed in claim 34, wherein the handle portion includes an angular portion for sliding engagement with at least one side edge of the channel.
36. A screeding tool assembly as claimed in claim 35, wherein the handle portion is partially curled for engaging the side edges of the channel.
37. A screeding tool assembly as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 36, wherein the radius arm and the at least one screeding blade are integrally formed.
38. A screeding tool assembly as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 37, wherein the at least one screeding blade includes an edge with a non-linear profile.
39. A screeding tool assembly as claimed in claim 38, wherein the edge has a corrugated or saw-toothed profile. A screeding tool assembly as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 39, wherein the at least one screeding blade includes strengthening ribs disposed along its length.
41. A screeding tool assembly as claimed in any one of claims 29 to wherein the at least one screeding blade is indexed for indicating the radius of the screeded surface. ID O N 42. A screeding tool assembly as claimed in claim 41, when dependent on any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein indexed markings are provided on the handle Z portion.
43. A screeding method, said method including the steps of: rotatably mounting a radius arm to a fixed support for rotation about an axis of rotation and at an angle of inclination to said axis; supporting at least one screeding blade upon said radius arm; and rotating said radius arm about said axis, thereby inducing said at least one C screeding blade to screed a surface defined by said angle of inclination.
44. A method as claimed in claim 43, further including the step of varying the relative positions of the radius arm and the hub to selectively adjust the angle of inclination. A method as claimed in claim 43 or claim 44, further including the step of mounting a plurality of screeding blades slidably engageable with each other to selectively adjust the area of the screeded surface.
46. A screeding blade assembly, said screeding blade assembly including: a first screeding blade and a second screeding blade, each having a screeding blade portion mounted to a handle portion; said first and second screeding blades being substantially complementary in shape such that said first screeding blade is at least partially nestable within said second screeding blade.
47. A screeding blade assembly as claimed in claim 46, wherein the first and second screeding blades are slidably engageable.
48. A screeding blade assembly as claimed in claim 47, wherein the first and second screeding blades are telescopically engageable.
49. A screeding blade assembly as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 48, wherein the second screeding handle portion includes an inwardly curled lip for N -21- O O nestably retaining the first screeding handle portion whilst permitting relative sliding movement between the first and second screeding blades. 0 A screeding blade assembly as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 49, wherein the screeding blade portions include an edge with a non-linear profile. 0 5 51. A screeding blade assembly as claimed in any one of claims 46 to O wherein the edge has a corrugated or saw-toothed profile.
52. A surface screeded according to the method as claimed in any one of Sclaims 43 to 45, by a screed tool assembly as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 42, or by a screeding blade assembly as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 49.
53. A guide assembly for at least one screeding blade, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying Figures 1 to 6, and 8 to 11 of the drawings.
54. A screeding tool assembly, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying Figures 1 to 6, and 8 to 11 of the drawings. A screeding method, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying Figures 1 to 6, and 8 to 11 of the drawings.
56. A screeding blade assembly, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying Figures 1 to 6, and 8 to 11 of the drawings. DATED this 14 th Day of November, 2006 Shelston IP Attorneys for: Ross William Charles Millen and Luke Aaron Millen