GB2255032A

GB2255032A - Walljoint finishing tool

Info

Publication number: GB2255032A
Application number: GB9123715A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Nastasi
Original assignee: GL GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: GL GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 1991-04-23
Filing date: 1991-11-07
Publication date: 1992-10-28
Also published as: ES2054568R; ES2054568B1; ES2054568A2; FR2675716A1; JPH06320090A; CA2053787A1; DE4213153A1; AU8973991A; GB9123715D0

Description

tl C 2255032 WALLJOINT FINISHING TOOL This invention relates to a hand

held apparatus for applying adhesive over a taped corner joint between adjacent wallboard sections.

In my copending application entitled Pistol Grip Apparatus For Applying Tape and Adhesive to Wallboard Joints, U.S. Application Serial No. 07/675, 332, filed March 26, 1991, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application, I disclose a pistol grip apparatus through which "mud" or adhesive is pumped from a reservoir and dispensed beneath tape applied by the apparatus to abutting pieces of wallboard or sheetrock at the juncture of the wallboard. Because the adhesive or "mud" is pumped through the device from an exterior reservoir, the device and apparatus is rendered lightweight and can be easily manipulated using one hand on a pistol grip and a second adjacent the front of the gun-like apparatus, for example, by holding the tube leading to the reservoir which connects the reservoir to the gun barrel to aim the apparatus along the wallboard joint.

A corner or creasing roller is also provided for use in conjunction with the apparatus during those times when a joint tape is to be placed in a corner, i.e., in a joint between wallboard section at right angles to each other.

t i 1 2 The roller is mounted on a yoke which is pivoted to side plates of the device and creases the tape into a form where portions extend at right angles to each other while adhesive or "mud" is being applied beneath the tape by the apparatus. Once the joint is initially set and the adhesive dries, it is customary to use a post-deposited adhesive over the tape to smooth the taped joint and ready it for final finishing, such as by painting or papering.

In order to accomplish this objective, the standard nozzle described in my copending application can be quickly removed and replaced by a postdeposit nozzle of the type shown in FIGURES 13 and 14 of U. S. Patent No. 4,090,914. Such nozzle is mounted in the same manner as the standard nozzle; however, the shape of the postdeposit nozzle is completely different and has an inner wall which extends substantially longitudinally of the tool and then curves around the tape-applying rollers, so that with the post-deposit nozzle, adhesive is applied over the joint at a region closely adjacent to the rollers where tape would normally be applied. However, the "mud" or adhesive can adhere to the rollers, requiring them to be cleaned or replaced prior to the next use of the apparatus in applying tape. Not only does this cause considerable downtime in use of the apparatus, it can require expense in replacing parts.

T 3 Accordingly, the present invention relates to a postdeposit nozzle for applying adhesive to a wallboard corner joint which can be easily mounted as a substitute for the entire tape applying head assembly disclosed in conjunction with a pistol-grip tool in my copending patent application. This eliminates the requirement for separate maintenance in cleaning of the head assembly, if it is used in a post-deposit adhesive applying process to a wallboard corner joint.

In accordance with the present invention, a springbiased floating frame adapted to conform to the exact configuration of the corner joint is mounted on a postdeposit adhesive nozzle member which can be secured by a bracket to a pistol-grip barrel through which the adhesive is adapted to be pumped from a reservoir, through the nozzle, and onto the taped corner joint. The support for the frame comprises a pair of blocks disposed at a right angle to each other having a central opening and socket for receiving a ball on the end of the nozzle. The ball and socket permit universal rotation of the support members relative to the nozzle. A frame comprising a pair of three-sided members circumscribe the support blocks and form a window for each of the supports. The three-sided frames are pivotably mounted to the support blocks along a common juncture, but each can move relative to and independent of the support blocks and relative to each other against the bias of one or more leaf springs mounted on the support blocks so that as adhesive is applied through the nozzle the adhesive is spread evenly along the corner joint by the frame members mounted about each of t 4 the support blocks through which the adhesive or "mud', is dispensed by the nozzle to the corner joint. The "floating" nature of the frame members enables them to closely follow the contour of the corner joint as the adhesive is dispensed.

By way of example, a specific embodiment in accordance with the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the pistol-grip apparatus for applying adhesive over a taped corner joint between adjacent wallboard sections; FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective view of the front portion of the pistolgrip housing or barrel of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 provided with a bracket for receiving the "mud" or post-dispensing nozzle portion of the apparatus; FIGURE 3 is a partial perspective view of the rear portion of the "mud" post-dispensing nozzle of the apparatus of FIGURE 1; is FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the postdeposit nozzle portion of the present invention; FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the post-deposit nozzle of FIGURE 4; FIGURE 6 is a side view in elevation of the "mud" or adhesive spreading frame of the nozzle of FIGURE 4 as seen from the left-hand side of FIGURE 4; t 6 FIGURE 7 is a bottom plan view of the cement or adhesive-spreading portion of the nozzle illustrated in FIGURE 6; FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the adhesive or cement-spreading portion of the nozzle illustrated in FIGURE 6; and FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8 but illustrating movement of the frame members of the spreading portion of the nozzle to conforn, to the configuration of the wallboard corner joint to which post- adhesive is dispensed through the nozzle.

t 7 Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, FIGURE 1 illustrates an apparatus 10 provided with a hollow barrel 12 terminating in a downwardly extending pistol grip 14. The barrel 12 includes a hollow chamber 16 (see FIG. 5). The pistol grip 14 and barrel 12 of the apparatus 10 may be formed from a lightweight metal such as aluminum.

Chamber 16 is adapted to receive "mud" or cement adhesive used to adhere wallboard tape to a joint between adjacent wallboard panels or to apply as a post-deposit over tape at a corner joint between adjacent wallboard panels. Chamber 16 includes a downwardly extending reduced diameter portion 22 which is received in frictional seated engagement in the inner diameter of a rubber hose 24. Hose 24 may be connected to a pump seated on or in a reservoir of the "mud" (not shown), which pump is driven by an electric motor. The pump will pump the adhesive or "mud" through the hose 24, tubular extension 22 of chamber 16, and into the chamber 16, until the chamber is filled.

A downwardly extending trigger 26 is slidable in a horizontal slot or opening 29 formed in barrel 12 along the bottom of barrel 12. As described in detail in my copending application, entitled "Pistol Grip Apparatus for Applying Tape and Adhesive to Wallboard Joints", U.S. Serial No. 07/675,332, filed March 26, 1991, the trigger 8 is connected at its forward end by a rod to a valve mechanism generally indicated by the numeral 30 disposed within chamber 16 which opens and closes an opening 32 in the forward wall 34 of chamber 16 so that the "mud" or adhesive can be dispensed through opening 32 to the interior 38 of a "mud" dispensing nozzle generally designated by the numeral 36 of apparatus 10. The nozzle 36 includes a tapering circular chamber 38 in communication with chamber 16 through opening 32 and a concentric, contiguous opening 40 formed in the rear wall 39 placed in abutment to wall 34 of chamber 16 in barrel 12. Upon opening of the valve mechanism 30, the "mud" or cement will flow from chamber 16 through opening 32, contiguous opening 40 into chamber 38 and then through a dispensing orifice 50 having a contiguous passageway 42 between the forward end of chamber 38 and opening 50. Opening 50 is formed in the forward end of a ball 52 whose interior is in communication with passageway 42. Ball 52 is universally rotatable in a socket 54 formed in a pair of support blocks 56,58 disposed substantially normal to each other and forming a portion of a "mud" or cement spreader generally indicated by numeral 60.

Nozzle 36 is attached to barrel 12 by a bracket arrangement shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

Mounted on wall 34 of barrel 12 is a substantially U-shaped bracket 86 in plan elevation. Bracket 86 includes a pair of legs 88,90 spaced from front wall 34 of barrel 12 by legs 92 and 94, respectively. A bight portion 96 of bracket 86 joins legs 88,90. Extending outwardly from bight 96 is a threaded stud 98.

9 The rear wall 39 of chamber 38 of nozzle 36 has an integral plate 100 provided with laterally extending ears L02 adapted to be received behind legs 88,90 of bracket 86 in abutment with wall 34. Downwardly extending tabs 104,106 on rear wall 39 surround stud 98 and a nut 108 locks the plate 100 to bracket 86 with opening 40 in line with nut 66 on valve assembly 30.

This connection permits other tools to be mounted on the barrel 12, which do not form a part of the present invention, as for example, a tool to apply "mud" or adhesive over a wallboard joint beneath tape along with means to advance the tape.

The spreader 60 includes a spring-biased floating frame 62 adapted to conform to the exact configuration or contour of the corner joint mounted on post-deposit adhesive nozzle member 36 which is secured by brackets 86, 100 to the pistol-grip barrel 12, as the tool is moved along the corner joint to dispense adhesive.

The support for the frame 62 comprises blocks 56,58 disposed at a right angle to each other having central opening 64 adapted to be aligned with opening 50 in the end of ball 52 on the end of the nozzle 36. The ball 52 is received in socket 54 formed in support blocks 56,58 and the ball and socket permit universal rotation of the support member relative to the nozzle 36. A wire spring 66 is looped back on itself and seated behind the ball 52 (as shown in FIG. 5) in opposed grooves 68 formed in wall extensions of each block 56,58 to hold the ball 52 in socket 54. The frame 62 comprises a pair of three-sided 1 members 69,70 which circumscribe each of the support blocks 56,58 and form a window 71 for each of the support blocks 56,58.

The three-sided frames 69,70 are pivotably mounted for limited movement relative to each other towards and away from abutting surfaces 72,73 on the top and bottom edges of support blocks 56,58 along a common juncture defined by an elongated clip 74 having side edges seated in parallel grooves 75 in support blocks 56,58 and cut away intermediate its ends to expose opening 50 in ball 52. As a consequence, the frame members 69,70 can move relative to and independent of the support blocks 56,58 and relative to each other against the bias of a pair of one-piece leaf springs 76 mounted on the support blocks in contact with the exterior of vertically adjustable mounting clips 77 slidable up and down on fixed screws 78 on support blocks 56,58, respectively, and the interior of clips 77 against a portion of each frame 69,70, so that as adhesive is applied through the nozzle opening 50, the adhesive is spread evenly along the corner joint by contact with the individual frame members 69,70 mounted about each of the support blocks 56,58 which "float", due to the bias exerted by springs 76, between an abutment position of surfaces 72, 73 (e.g., FIG. 9) to a position where the surfaces are separated (e.g. FIG. 8) to follow the contour of the corner joint defined by adjacent wallboard panels; rotation of the frame member in other than intersecting vertical planes also being enhanced by the ball and socket connection of the support blocks 56,58 to the nozzle member 36. L-shaped brackets 79 overlying the vertical portion of each frame 69,70 and attached to t one of the blocks 56,58 by screws 80 further proscribe movement of the frames 69,70 relative to the support blocks 56,58 and prevent disassociation of the frames from the blocks under the bias of leaf springs 76. A cover 81 is threadedly connected to the bottom (top) of the support blocks 56,58 to complete the construction.

t 12

Claims

1. Apparatus for supplying adhesive onto a tapecovered wallboard joint comprising:

(a) a reservoir chamber adapted to contain adhesive, (b) pump means to effect progressive expelling of adhesive from said chamber for application to a wallboard joint, (c) an elongated hollow barrel having a chamber in communication with said pump means, said barrel having a pistol-grip extending downwardly from said barrel for holding said barrel, (d) nozzle means having a dispensing orifice mounted on one end of said barrel chamber to dispense and direct adhesive therefrom to a predetermined location, (e) adhesive spreading means mounted on said nozzle means and having a frame member for contact with a wallboard corner joint, said frame member being mounted on said nozzle means in surrounding relation to said dispensing orifice and having relatively rotatable portions disposed substantially normal to each other, and (f) trigger means on said barrel for controlling the operation of said pump means to expel adhesive from said reservoir through said barrel chamber and orifice in said nozzle means.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said frame member is universally mounted on said nozzle means.

t ball i

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said frame member has two halves having abutting surfaces along a common juncture rotatably mounted on a pair of support blocks disposed substantially normal to each other, said nozzle means terminating in a ball having a dispensing orifice in communication with the interior of said nozzle means universally mounted in a socket formed in said support blocks, said socket also being provided with a dispensing orifice in communication with the orifice in said ball, and means on said support blocks for securing said n said socket.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said support blocks include spring means mounted thereon for urging said frame member halves to rotate away from said support blocks.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 including means between said support blocks and frame member for limiting the amount of rotational movement of said frame member halves away from said support blocks.

6. Apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding clai including bracket means between said nozzle means and barrel for removably mounting said nozzle means on said barrel.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said bracket means includes means for locking said bracket means on said nozzle means and barrel to prevent removal of said nozzle means from said barrel.

8. Apparatus for supplying adhesive onto a tapecovered wallboard joint substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.