Abstract: A taper tool for applying tape to a wall surface is provided. The taper tool may simultaneously advance tape and apply mastic to the advancing tape. The taper tool may include a jam clearing assembly for clearing tape jams occurring along the tape path. The taper tool may include a body for holding mastic and a taper head coupled to an end of the body. The taper head includes a housing defining an opening and a mastic ejection nozzle, both of which are in fluid communication with the body. The opening facilitates introduction of mastic into the body and the nozzle facilitates ejection of the mastic from the body onto the tape. The taper head also includes a valve positioned within the opening to control introduction of mastic into the body, and a cover plate removeably connected to the housing to cover both the opening and the nozzle.

Abstract: A tool for applying mastic to drywall, having a flexible trowelling bar for smoothing and shaping the applied mastic. The curvature of the trowelling bar is controlled by the rotation of a cam that is positioned on a rigid support and that is directly coupled to the trowelling bar through a link. Springs are positioned between the rigid support and the trowelling bar to maintain tension on the link during rotation of the cam. The springs exert pressure on the trowelling bar through plungers having rounded feet that maintain consistent contact with the trowelling bar as the curvature of the trowelling bar changes.

Abstract: The invention provides a taper tool, including a movable sleeve that has flanges with inclined surfaces for use as hand-holds. The sleeve rides on bearings, which are mounted in recesses out of the user's way. A spring-loaded wireform retainer secures the bearings in their respective recesses. The retainers include quick-change tabs that hold the retainers in a servicing position that permits the bearings to be easily removed and replaced. The taper tool also includes a spool mounting assembly having a guard rod that swings out and away from a tape spool for facilitating replenishment of the tape. When the guard rod is in the closed position, it is secured by a detent located on the tape spool spindle. The spool mounting assembly includes a base, a tape spool, a spindle, a guard rod and an end protector having rounded, grippable exterior edges.

Abstract: A taper tool for applying tape to a wall surface is provided. The taper tool may simultaneously advance tape and apply mastic to the advancing tape. The taper tool may include a jam clearing assembly for clearing tape jams occurring along the tape path. The taper tool may include a body for holding mastic and a taper head coupled to an end of the body. The taper head includes a housing defining an opening and a mastic ejection nozzle, both of which are in fluid communication with the body. The opening facilitates introduction of mastic into the body and the nozzle facilitates ejection of the mastic from the body onto the tape. The taper head also includes a valve positioned within the opening to control introduction of mastic into the body, and a cover plate removeably connected to the housing to cover both the opening and the nozzle.

Abstract: An extendable handle for a drywall tool having a pair of telescoping tubes that are reversibly locked in place relative to each other by a locking assembly comprising a lever, a pin and a yoke that are mounted on a base positioned on a first tube. The pin is actuated by the lever and engages an opening on the second tube to lock the tubes in place. The pin and lever are spaced apart circumferentially on the handle and are connected by the yoke. The yoke is received in a slot in the base and does not extend beyond the surface of base during operation of the lever.

Abstract: The invention provides a taper tool, including a movable sleeve that has flanges with inclined surfaces for use as hand-holds. The sleeve rides on bearings, which are mounted in recesses out of the user's way. A spring-loaded wireform retainer secures the bearings in their respective recesses. The retainers include quick-change tabs that hold the retainers in a servicing position that permits the bearings to be easily removed and replaced. The taper tool also includes a spool mounting assembly having a guard rod that swings out and away from a tape spool for facilitating replenishment of the tape. When the guard rod is in the closed position, it is secured by a detent located on the tape spool spindle. The spool mounting assembly includes a base, a tape spool, a spindle, a guard rod and an end protector having rounded, grippable exterior edges.

Abstract: The invention provides a taper tool, including a movable sleeve that has flanges with inclined surfaces for use as hand-holds. The sleeve rides on bearings, which are mounted in recesses out of the user's way. A spring-loaded wireform retainer secures the bearings in their respective recesses. The retainers include quick-change tabs that hold the retainers in a servicing position that permits the bearings to be easily removed and replaced. The taper tool also includes a spool mounting assembly having a guard rod that swings out and away from a tape spool for facilitating replenishment of the tape. When the guard rod is in the closed position, it is secured by a detent located on the tape spool spindle. The spool mounting assembly includes a base, a tape spool, a spindle, a guard rod and an end protector having rounded, grippable exterior edges.

Abstract: The invention provides a powered pumping system for filling various batch application tools with a viscous material. The system includes a motor mounted on a wheeled frame. The motor drives a slider-crank mechanism attached to a displacement pump. Affixed to the pump outlet is a relief valve having a plurality of predetermined relief pressure settings. The relief valve serves as a conduit between the pump and any one of various batch application tools while the tool is being filled with the viscous material. To initiate pumping, operators connect a filler valve of the tool to a relief valve outlet and actuate a switch. The relief valve of the present invention automatically selects a relief pressure appropriate for the particular tool based on certain physical characteristics of the particular tool. The selection of the appropriate relief pressure requires no operator intervention. Releasing the switch stops the pumping action.

Abstract: The invention provides a powered pumping system for filling various batch application tools with a viscous material. The system includes a motor mounted on a wheeled frame. The motor drives a slider-crank mechanism attached to a displacement pump. Affixed to the pump outlet is a relief valve having a plurality of predetermined relief pressure settings. The relief valve serves as a conduit between the pump and any one of various batch application tools while the tool is being filled with the viscous material. To initiate pumping, operators connect a filler valve of the tool to a relief valve outlet and actuate a switch. The relief valve of the present invention automatically selects a relief pressure appropriate for the particular tool based on certain physical characteristics of the particular tool. The selection of the appropriate relief pressure requires no operator intervention. Releasing the switch stops the pumping action.

Abstract: The invention provides a taper tool, including a movable sleeve that has flanges with inclined surfaces for use as hand-holds. The sleeve rides on bearings, which are mounted in recesses out of the user's way. A spring-loaded wireform retainer secures the bearings in their respective recesses. The retainers include quick-change tabs that hold the retainers in a servicing position that permits the bearings to be easily removed and replaced. The taper tool also includes a spool mounting assembly having a guard rod that swings out and away from a tape spool for facilitating replenishment of the tape. When the guard rod is in the closed position, it is secured by a detent located on the tape spool spindle. The spool mounting assembly includes a base, a tape spool, a spindle, a guard rod and an end protector having rounded, grippable exterior edges.

Abstract: An end nesting stackable container is modified with means to firmly contain material being shipped or stored inside the container. The means contact the load being shipped at at least 4 points and are advantageously pivoted out of the way of the container during nesting. The preferred embodiment is directed at the shipping and storing of automotive windshields.

Abstract: A stackable container which is capable of being knocked down or taken apart is provided with connection joints used to assemble the container. The connection joints have an outer support collar and an inner support guide which combine to translate bending forces, produced in use, along the length of the container support columns. When being transported without a load, the container can be disassembled (i.e. knocked down) to reduce shipping costs.