GB2546722A

GB2546722A - A device for working fluid building materials

Info

Publication number: GB2546722A
Application number: GB1521349.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lucas Paul
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-12-02
Filing date: 2015-12-02
Publication date: 2017-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-02
Also published as: GB201521349D0; GB2546722B

Abstract

A device for working fluid building materials is disclosed. The device comprises a body having a first face 1 and a spaced apart second face (6, fig 2). At least one side (5, fig 2) spaces the two faces apart. The first face provides a first smoothing surface. The second face provides a second smoothing surface. The spacing between the faces is approximately equivalent to the length of the first phalange of the finger. Indentations 3, 4 in the sides assist with the grip. The device may be rectangular or trapezoid (fig 6). The device is made from cross-linked synthetic polymers such as ethylene propylene (EPDM) and polycholoroprene rubbers with inert fillers and processing additives.

Description

A DEVICE FOR WORKING FLUID BUILDING MATERIALS Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for working fluid building materials, in particular for materials such as concrete; more particularly but not exclusively a device for smoothing concrete patch repairs.

Background

Increasing age of much property stock and an increased awareness of importance of maintenance causes many users to spend time and money on property maintenance. Even concrete cracks and crumbles and eventually moisture and temperature extremes make their presence known through damage to concrete floors, walks and structures.

Many users can make simple concrete repairs themselves as the work requires few tools and no special skills, but does require a strong back. Concrete is heavy, and mixing and applying it can be hard work.

Rough concrete can be very difficult to work with. Not only does it limit the user to the types of tools that can be used to apply for example an epoxy coating, but it will also add hidden square footage to the project making it very difficult to estimate material usage costs.

Getting a smooth finish when repairing concrete can be difficult when using a trowel or other implement.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

Granted Chinese patent CN 102 296 795 (HE) refers to the field of 'implements'. The invention has disclosed a method for levelling coat of plaster rubbing of the wall, it includes the following steps: Prepare and shave the grey scale tablet and a rubbing and level and construct one chi of piece; Have marked and made and sprayed or criticized spreading the mortar according to several walls of coat of plaster working datum of the interval distance arrangement, the distance between the working data of the coat of plaster and wall is the thickness of the coat of plaster, the mortar on is extruded out of several even dents in the working datum of the coat of plaster to level and construct the acute angle of one chi of piece and in the wall by the rubbing; Until the blow grey scale tablet higher than coat of plaster mortar of working datum blow wall out the alternate groove, be partly higher than the mortar rubbing of the working datum of coat of plaster to close to the working datum of coat of plaster; The working plane pressing of one chi of piece of levelling the rubbing and constructing is on the working datum of coat of plaster, the rubbing level construct chies of piece move level the coat of plaster that stroke is flush with working datum of the coat of plaster mortar rubbing at wall from lower to upper. Have also disclosed a structural component to implement this method.

Chinese patent application CN 201 343 861 (YONGGE et al) discloses a novel smoothing tool, which comprises a smoothing plate and an installation base connected to the smoothing plate, wherein the smoothing plate comprises a smoothing plate made of metal, and a high polymer wear-resisting plate pasted to the lower surface of the smoothing plate; an installation hole is formed on the installation base; and the installation base is fixedly connected with the smoothing plate through a connector. The novel smoothing tool is mainly used for trowelling and smoothing used materials like concrete and the like, and the high polymer wear-resisting plate is additionally arranged on the lower surface of the original smoothing plate. Compared with the traditional smoothing plate, the novel smoothing tool has better smoothing effect, higher firmness and higher durability. When in use, the novel smoothing tool can enable the surface of concrete and the like to be flatter, smoother and more delicate without wiped marks, sand holes or other defects, so as to greatly increase construction efficiency and ensure construction quality.

United States patent application US 4 399 170 (JANSSEN) discloses a tool for smoothing joints between adjacent wallboards, the joints having been prepared with a tape joint compound, the tool comprising: a fluid retaining resilient foam pad having first and second major surfaces; an adhesive layer bonded to and covering substantially all of the first major surface; a wettable abrasive surface formed by a plurality of coarse, short, stiff synthetic polymer fibers oriented generally perpendicularly to the first major surface and bonded to the first major surface by the adhesive layer at first ends and having second free ends wherein the fibers are of a thickness of about 100 Denier and a length of not more than about 0.100 inch so that when the free ends are placed in moving abrasive contact with the wetted tape joint compound, the wetted compound is smoothed flush with the adjacent wallboards as a result of moving abrasive action of the free ends.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a device for working fluid building materials, comprising a body having a first face and a spaced apart second face, with at least one side spacing the two faces apart; wherein the first face provides a first working property and the second face provides a second working property.

In some embodiments the device may be a parallelogram, rectangular or trapezoid in plan, so as to provide four sides, comprising two long sides and two ends.

In some embodiments the first surface may be utilised for smoothing plaster, concrete or similar powder and fluid mixed or pre-mixed material.

In some embodiments the second surface may be utilised for buffing smoothed material.

The body provides a spacing between the faces that is approximately equivalent to a digital length longer than the first phalange, and may be of a length equivalent to between the first and second phalanges.

In some embodiments the body may be rectangular in plan, such that a width may be easily held and manipulated in a user's hand, but an elongated length may provide for a greater working surface.

The body may comprise a width substantially appropriate to a comfortable width between a thumb and forefinger, so as to allow the user to comfortably hold the width therebetween, wherein remaining fingers may be angled behind to grip the device diagonally across the user’s palm.

The length consequently may be envisaged to be longer than the distance between a typical user’s forefingertip to the distal heel of their hand.

In some embodiments the device may shaped to receive or echo the user’s hand, or finger arrangement in use.

In some embodiments the device may comprise sides arranged to receive or echo the user's hand or finger arrangement in use.

For example in some embodiments the device may comprise at least one indentation envisaged to be appropriate to the user’s fingers during gripping of the device.

Such indentations may be plural, and arranged to one, two, three or four sides.

In some embodiments the indentations may be offset or irregularly spaced so as to advantageously allow for angled holding.

In some embodiments the indentations may be mirrored so as to advantageously allow for reservability.

In some embodiments the sides may comprise more than one level, for example wherein the sides may include vertical as well as horizontal indentation.

In some embodiments the body may include resiliently deformability at least in part, so as to advantageously allow for deformation in the hand to increase comfort and aid tight gripping.

In some embodiments the body may be substantially rigid at least in part so as to advantageously allow for a substantially planar face or faces.

In some embodiments the faces or device may be advantageously inclined towards each other at one end. In this way the device may be advantageously given a clear vsariance between ends, such that it is apparent to a user which end is which and accordingly which face is which. In this way even small differences between texture in the faces may be apparent in use, avoiding accidental incorrect usage.

In some embodiments the faces may be provided in different colours or patterns, so as to better identify the faces.

In some embodiments at least one of the faces may comprise an indentation, which indentation may be used to receive a finger of the user and permit direct downwards pressure on the body.

The device may be comprised of cross-linked synthetic polymers.

In some embodiments the body may comprise a cellular structure. Such structure may comprise an open cell structure capable of absorbing fluid, or a closed cellular structure arranged to deform without absorption.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an end view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows an isometric view and diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

Figure 6 shows an isometric view and diagrammatic view of a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

And

Figure 7 shows an isometric view and diagrammatic view of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to figures 1 to 4 there is shown a first embodiment of the device comprising two opposing faces 1,6 spaced apart on a body having a depth of 20mm.

The embodiment is arranged appropriate to aiding in finishing concrete with reference to local concrete repairs, wherein the fluid concrete mix is applied to a surface or structure and requires finishing.

The body is trapezoid in plan, comprising two ends 5,7 of differing length and two long sides 2,9 of equal length.

The length is approximately 200mm.

Two offset, 12mm radiused finger indentations 3,4 in the long sides of the device allow the user to get a good grip on the device.

The device is made from a compound blend of cross-linked synthetic polymers such as ethylene propylene (EPDM) and polycholorprene rubbers with inert fillers and processing additives.

The first face 1 comprises a surface comprises a rough foam body is used to smooth down the concrete once repaired.

The second face 6 comprises a surface comprises a thin matte rubber layer, used to buff the surface once it has been smoothed down.

With reference to the second embodiment, shown in Figure 5, the sides comprises a plurality of semicircular indentations 10, and the ends 80mm and 70mm. The semicircular shape of the indentations enables a plurality of holding attitudes.

With reference to the third embodiment, shown in Figure 6, the ends are a first end of 70mm and a second end of 80mm, and the indentations 13,14 are spaced 85mm and 95mm from the centre of the indentation to the second end, respectively.

With reference to the fourth embodiment the indentations 11,12 are spaced 95mm and 85mm from the second end of 80mm, with a first end of 70mm.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A device for working fluid building materials, comprising a body having a first face and a spaced apart second face, with at least one side spacing the two faces apart; wherein the first face provides a first working property and the second face provides a second working property.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the sides comprise two long sides, a first end and a second end.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the first and second short ends differ in length.

4. A device according to either of claims 2 or 3 wherein the long sides comprise indentations.

5. A device according to either of claims 2 or 3 wherein each of the long sides comprises matching indentations.

6. A device according to either of claims 2 or 3 wherein each of the long sides comprises a plurality of indentations.

7. A device according to any of claims 2 to 6 wherein the indentations comprises substantially semi-circular indentations extending towards each other.

8. A device according to any of the preceding claims approximately 200mm in length.

9. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the approximately 20mm in depth.

10. A device according to any of the preceding claims comprising cross-linked synthetic polymers.

11. A device according to claim 10 comprising ethylene propylene (EPDM) and polycholorprene rubbers, with inert fillers and processing additives.

12. A device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.

13. A method of smoothing fluid building materials comprising a device as described in any of the preceding claims.