GB2625529A

GB2625529A - A tray for a hawk, and a hawk comprising the same

Info

Publication number: GB2625529A
Application number: GB2219109.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rampling Scott
Original assignee: Apache Ltd
Current assignee: Apache Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-16
Filing date: 2022-12-16
Publication date: 2024-06-26
Also published as: GB202219109D0

Abstract

A tray 1 for a hawk 100 is disclosed which has a main surface 2, one or more upstanding peripheral edges 3, and an attachment means 7 for removably attaching the tray to a plate 102 of the hawk 100. The tray may have first and second regions 4, 5 respectively, which may be different to each other and may have different depths. The second region 5 may be variable in depth, and there may be a step 6 between the two regions. The attachment means may be a sliding attachment means 7. This may be in the form of two channels, which may be formed from tabs, into which the edges of the plate 102 slide. The attachment means may also have locking members and may have a base which tapers away from the plate using supporting members. A hawk, comprising a handle 101 and a plate 102 and the tray 1, is also disclosed.

Description

A tray for a hawk, and a hawk comprising the same The present disclosure relates to a tray, more particularly to a tray for a hawk.

It further relates to a hawk comprising the tray.

A hawk is a tool used to hold a quantity of plaster, mortar, or similar material, prior to application on a desired surface with a suitable application tool, such as a finishing trowel. The hawk is loaded with material and held by the user, so that the user can repeatedly, quickly and easily get some of that material on to the application tool for application to a surface. A hawk typically consists of plate (or board) with a substantially perpendicular handle centrally fixed thereto. During use, a user will typically hold the hawk substantially horizontally with their non-dominant hand and apply the material on the hawk to the application surface with a tool held in their dominant hand.

Hawks are commonly used during plastering, taping & jointing, decorating, and pointing. Hawks typically comprise an aluminium or plastic plate (formed from 20 ABS or otherwise), with a simple screw in handle in the centre.

The basic form of hawks, and their handles, has remained substantially unchanged for a great number of years.

In dependence on the task to be performed, it can be helpful to have something other than a flat plate for holding the material to be applied.

The present invention arose as a result of work aimed at providing an improved hawk.

Representative features are set out in the following clauses, which stand alone or may be combined, in any combination, with one or more features disclosed in the text and/or drawings of the specification.

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a tray for a hawk comprising a main surface, one or more upstanding peripheral edges, and attachment means for removably attaching the tray to a plate of the hawk in use According to the present invention in a further aspect, there is provided a hawk comprising a handle, a plate attached to the handle, and a tray as defined above.

Further, preferred, features are presented in the dependent claims.

Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the following drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a hawk with a tray according to a first embodiment attached thereto; Figure 2 shows an upper perspective view of the tray of the first embodiment; Figure 3 shows a lower perspective view of the tray of the first embodiment; Figure 4 shows a top view of the tray of the first embodiment; Figure 5 shows a side view of the tray of the first embodiment; and Figure 6 shows a front view of the tray of the first embodiment.

With reference to the figures, in broadest terms, there is provided a tray 1 for a hawk 100, the tray 1 comprising a main surface 2, one or more upstanding peripheral edges 3, and attachment means 7 for removably attaching the tray 1 to a plate 102 of the hawk 100 in use.

Considering, firstly, the hawk 100, this comprises a handle 101, which may be integrally formed with the plate 102 or may be detachable therefrom. A detachable arrangement is preferred. The form of the handle is not particularly limited. Whilst the depicted handle 101 comprises a grip portion 103 and an enlarged base portion 104, this need not be the case. The handle 101 may take any conventional form.

The plate 102 is preferably rectangular, and most preferably square, as shown. The handle 101 is preferably attached to a centre of one side of the plate 102, as seen. The axis of a grip portion of the handle 101 is preferably substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate, although could be arranged at an oblique angle thereto in some arrangements.

The plate may have one or more sides having a length of between 200mm and 400mm, most preferably, between 250mm and 350mm. For example, the plate may be 200mm by 200mm, 250mm by 250mm, 300mm by 300mm, 350mm by 350mm, or 400mm by 400mm. It may be otherwise sized.

The plate 1 may be adapted for use with any size or configuration of hawk, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. It is in no way limited to use with the hawk as depicted. Nevertheless, the depicted hawk will now be considered in further detail.

The handle 101 comprises a grip portion 103, which preferably extends along a longitudinal axis. It is preferably substantially cylindrical. It may be of simple cylindrical form, as shown, or may be curved or otherwise profiled. It may be provided with a grip, formed of rubber, cork, foam, or otherwise. It is preferably symmetrical about any plane on the longitudinal axis that bisects the handle portion, such that the handle portion has the same feel throughout a rotation of the handle about its longitudinal axis.

The grip portion 103 may be provided with a suitable attachment means (not shown) for detachable fastening to the plate 102 of the hawk. The attachment means will be provided at a (first) end of the grip portion 103 that is distal the base portion 104 of the handle, which is provided at a (second) opposed end of the grip portion 103. The attachment means may, for example, comprise a male or female threaded fastener for engaging a suitable female or male threaded fastener associated with the plate 102. As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the attachment means need not be limited as such. Any suitable attachment means may be adopted. In a preferred alternative, for example, the attachment means may be a quick release type fastener, which may comprise a detent arrangement, a bayonet arrangement, or otherwise. Numerous alternatives will be readily conceived by those skilled in the art.

The base portion 104 of the handle 101 is preferably substantially circular in plan view. The base portion 104 and the grip portion 103 preferably have a common centre. It should be appreciated that in alternative arrangements, the base portion may be other than circular.

It is preferable that the base portion tapers out from the handle, i.e. widens/enlarges as it moves away from the handle in the axial direction, as shown. The base portion 104 may taper at any desired angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the grip portion 103. It is preferable that the taper is between 110 and 140 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the grip portion. Most preferably between 115 and 135 degrees. In a particularly preferred arrangement, it is between 120 and 130 degrees. The taper may be substantially continuous, as shown, or may be variable with the introduction of a curvature, or otherwise. In the present arrangement, with a substantially circular base portion and a constant taper, the base portion is substantially frustoconical in form, as shown.

The form of the base portion 104 is preferably such as to define a support surface 105 for providing support to the hand or wrist of the user during use. This is the case in the depicted arrangement, wherein the taper defines the support surface.

The support surface 105 is preferably arranged at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis of the grip portion 103. The support surface 105 may be substantially frustoconical, as in the present arrangement, or may be otherwise formed. Notably, arrangements will be possible in which the base portion 104 as a whole is other that frustoconical, whilst the support surface 105 is frustoconical. Further, arrangements will be possible where the profile of the support surface 105 is curved or otherwise not straight (in side view). In one alternative, for example, the support surface could have a convex profile.

In alternative arrangements, the base portion may be otherwise formed. It could, for example be substantially disc-like or ring-like in form, or otherwise. With such arrangements, whilst there may not be support provided to a user's hand or wrist during use, the handle may still improve the balance of a hawk comprising the handle, provide a stand for a hawk comprising the handle, and/or allow for the hands-free holding of tools.

A diameter of the base portion 104 is preferably at least two times the diameter of the grip portion 103. The diameter of the base portion 104 may be at least three times, at least four times, or at least five times a diameter of the grip portion. The diameter of the base portion may be at least 150mm, and more preferably at least 200mm.

The base portion 104 may comprise a substantially flat base 106, as shown or may take a form that is other than flat. As should be appreciated, the form of the base 106 is not particularly limited. Irrespective of its specific form, however, it preferably provides stable support to the hawk when placed on a flat surface.

With a large diameter base portion 104, a lightweight construction is possible whilst still providing a useful counterbalance to the plate of a hawk. Moreover, a large diameter base 106 provides for excellent stability when the handle 101 is used as a stand for the hawk, even when the hawk is loaded with material.

The base portion 104 is preferably substantially hollow. A hollow construction is preferable to keep weight down.

The handle 101 is preferably formed from plastic. It may be formed by injection moulding or otherwise The base portion 104 preferably comprises one or more tool holders 107, as shown. These may be omitted in alternative arrangements, or may take different forms to those shown, moreover, one or more of the tool holders may be omitted. Numerous variations and modifications will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Returning now to the tray, the main surface 2 is preferably at least partially sloped relative to a face of the plate 102 in use, as clearly seen in Figure 1. The tray 1 may comprise a first region 4 and a second region 5, which are different to one another. In such case, it may be that the second region 5 defines a sloped portion of the main surface 2. In alternative arrangements the main surface 2 may be sloped without comprising first and second regions. In such case, arrangements may be provided in which the entire main surface 2 is sloped relative to a face of the plate 102 in use.

Considering an arrangement with the first and second regions 4, 5, as shown, the first region 4 may have a greater depth than the second region 5. There may be a step 6 between the first and second regions 4, 5. The form of the step, when provided, is not particularly limited. It may be straight or curved. It may be arranged at an oblique angle relative to the (surface of) the first and/or second region.

The first region 4 may have a substantially constant depth. The second region 5 may have a variable depth. The second region 5 may have a depth that gradually reduces in a direction away from the first region 4.

As discussed, the tray 1 comprises one or more upstanding peripheral edges 3. It is preferable that an upstanding peripheral edge is provided along each of at least three sides of the tray, particularly when the tray 1 is substantially rectangular in plan view, having four substantially straight edges, as best seen in Figure 4. The upstanding peripheral edges 3 may be substantially perpendicular to a face of the plate 102 in use or may be arranged at an oblique angle thereto, and may comprise a combination of oblique or perpendicular sections. It is preferable, as shown in the depicted arrangement that a substantially flat top edge 12 is provided by peripheral edges on all side edges, which are continuous with one another.

As discussed, an attachment means 7 is provided for removably attaching the tray 1 to a plate 102 of the hawk 100 in use. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the attachment means may take numerous different forms, whilst performing its desired function of removably attaching the tray 1 to the plate 102 of the hawk 100. However, the attachment means is preferably configured for slidably engaging the plate.

The tray 1 preferably comprises a base 8 to be supported by the plate of the hawk in use. The base may comprise one or more protrusions 13. In the present arrangement, there are a plurality of protrusions provided, which comprise ribs. The ribs are parallel to one another and extend along the sliding direction. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, there may be more or less protrusions provided, which may take alternative forms. The protrusions may also be omitted.

The attachment means 7 is preferably arranged to hold the base 8 against the plate in use, as shown in Figure 1.

A portion of the base 8 may taper away from a face of the plate in use, and at least one support member 9 may be provided for engaging the face of the plate in use for supporting the tapered portion of the base 8. The at least one support member may define a foot that has a base that is substantially co-planar with a substantially flat portion of the base 8, as seen in Figures 3 and 5. In the non-limiting exemplary arrangement shown, there are three supports 9 provided, however, this need not be the case, various alternative arrangements may be provided. The support members may also be omitted.

The attachment means 7 preferably comprises a pair of opposed channels 7A, as best seen in Figure 6, wherein each of the channels is configured to receive a respective edge portion of the plate. The form of the channels is not particularly limited. The spacing between the channels W will be substantially equal to the width of the plate 102 that the tray 1 is configured to be attached to, such that the tray can be snugly slid onto the plate with the opposed edges of the plate 102 received within the channels. Noting the possible tray sizes, the dimension W, as seen in Figure 6, between opposed faces of the channels (that are substantially perpendicular to the base 8) may, for example, be substantially 200mm, 250mm, 300mm, 350mm, or 400mm, or any sub-range within those values. In the present arrangement, each channel is partially defined by one or more tabs 10. The tabs 10 are preferably flexible, such that plates of limited varying thicknesses may be accommodated by the channels. As best seen in Figure 3, there are shown to be two tabs defining each channel 7A but the channels 7A need not be limited as such, there may be more or less tabs 10 or the channels may be formed other than by use of tabs. By the use of tabs 10, material is saved and flexibility of the channels is enhanced.

The attachment means 7, particularly when configured for sliding engagement with the plate, preferably comprises a locking means for locking the attached tray against substantially all movement in the sliding direction. The form of such locking means is not particularly limited, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

However, it may comprise a pair of opposed locking members 11. The locking members 11 preferably project to a level below the base 8 in use, as best seen in Figures 5 and 6. The locking members 11 are preferably arranged to engage opposed edges of the plate in use for substantially preventing sliding movement of the tray relative to the plate. One of the locking members 11b is preferably flexible/resilient or flexibly/resiliently mounted. The other locking member 11 a may be rigid or rigidly mounted. The locking members 11 in such case may be considered to define a stop and a catch. The locking member 11b is preferably arranged such that it may be raised above the level of the base during sliding engagement of the tray 1 with the plate 102, whereafter upon clearing the edge of the plate it will resile, to a level below a top face of the plate 102 with the plate 102 held captive between the locking members 11. It may be tongue-like in form. In the present arrangement the locking member 11b comprises a mounting portion 11b1 and an engagement portion 11b2, wherein the mounting portion 11b2 is attached to the tray and the engagement portion is attached to/supported by the mounting portion 11b2 at a point that is spaced from the attachment point of the mounting portion 11b2 to the tray. The mounting portion 11b1 is flexible. In the present arrangement it is substantially L-shaped. It may be attached at an upper edge adjacent the top edge 12 of the tray. Irrespective of the specific form of the locking member 11b, it may be provided with a finger grip 11b3, as shown. Although this may be omitted.

Irrespective of their form, the spacing between the faces, edges, or portions of the locking members 11 arranged to engage the edges of the plate 102 in use is preferably substantially equal to the distance between the edges of the plate 102.

The spacing may, for example, be substantially 200mm, 250mm, 300mm, 350mm, or 400mm, or any sub-range within those values.

The locking members 11 in the present arrangement comprise lips. The form of the locking members 11 is not, however, to be limited as such. They may take various alternative forms. Moreover, arrangements may be provided in which neither locking member is flexible/resilient or flexibly/resiliently mounted.

The tray is preferably unitarily formed from plastic. Moulded as one piece.

As shown in Figure 1, it is preferable that an edge of the tray projects beyond an edge of the plate in use. By such an arrangement with the plate 102 substantially horizontal, the projecting edge may be pressed against a vertical surface. This is particularly beneficial for certain activities, such as pointing. It is further preferable that a sloped portion of the main surface projects out beyond an edge of the plate in plan view, as also seen from Figure 1.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.

Claims

Claims 1. A tray for a hawk, the tray comprising a main surface, one or more upstanding peripheral edges, and attachment means for removably attaching the tray to a plate of the hawk in use.
2. A tray as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the main surface is at least partially sloped relative to a face of the plate in use.
3. A tray as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the tray comprises a first region and a second region, which are different to one another.
4. A tray as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the first region has a greater depth than the second region.
5. A tray as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein the first region has a substantially constant depth.
6. A tray as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the second region has a variable depth.
7. A tray as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the second region has a depth that gradually reduces in a direction away from the first region.
8. A tray as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 7 comprising a step between the first and second regions.
9. A tray as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the step is arranged at an oblique angle relative to the first and/or second region.
10. A tray as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the attachment means is configured for slidably engaging the plate.
11. A tray as claimed in Claim 10, wherein a locking means is provided for substantially preventing movement of the tray relative to the plate in the sliding direction.
12. A tray as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tray comprises a base to be supported by the plate of the hawk in use.
13. A tray as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the attachment means is arranged to hold the base against the plate.
14. A tray as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, wherein a portion of the base tapers away from a face of the plate in use, and at least one support member is provided for engaging the face of the plate in use for supporting the tapered portion of the base.
15. A tray as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means comprises a pair of opposed channels, each of the channels configured to receive a respective edge portion of the plate.
16. A tray as claimed in Claim 15, wherein each channel is partially defined by zo one or more tabs.
17. A tray as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the tabs are flexible.
18. A tray as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the attachment means 25 comprises a pair of opposed locking members.
19. A tray as claimed in Claim 18, when dependent on Claim 12 or any claim dependent therefrom, wherein the locking members project to a level below the base in use.
20. A tray as claimed in Claim 18 or 19, when dependent on Claim 10 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the locking members are arranged to engage opposed edges of the plate in use for substantially preventing sliding movement of the tray relative to the plate.
21. A tray as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 20, wherein one of the locking members is flexible or is flexibly mounted.
22. A tray as claimed in any preceding claim, which is unitarily formed from plastic.
23. A hawk comprising a handle and a plate, and a tray as claimed in any preceding claim.
24. A hawk as claimed in Claim 23, wherein an edge of the tray projects beyond an edge of the plate.
25. A hawk as claimed in Claim 23, when dependent on Claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein a sloped portion of the main surface projects out beyond an edge of the plate in plan view.