Mortar-joint Finisher Or Simulator Patents (Class 15/235.3)
  • Patent number: 11351567
    Abstract: An applicator for dispensing a viscous material from a container. The applicator comprises a nozzle for fluid communication with the container. The nozzle has an outlet at a first end and base in proximity to an opposed second end. The nozzle further includes a support arm spaced apart from the nozzle. The support arm and the nozzle collectively forming a slot therebetween for releasably receiving a blade. An attachment portion extend from the base and is configured to releasably engage the container to permit material within the container to flow under pressure through the nozzle and onto a surface. When the blade is received within the slot, it contacts the material as it exits the nozzle and assists in forming the material into a desired shape or configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: James Pentland
  • Patent number: 10968574
    Abstract: An automatic vibrator assembly includes a single vibrator mechanism or first and second vibrator mechanisms connected to first and second switch assemblies that are all housed with a case that attaches between a concrete finishing tool float and adaptor using industry standard bolt layouts. The vibrator mechanisms propel the float when the switch assemblies recognize a predetermined amount of forward and backward float tilt. Where the assembly uses two vibrator mechanisms or a single bidirectional vibrator assembly, the vibrator mechanisms can propel the float in different directions depending on the direction of tilt. Additional features include a variable speed controller, master switch for operating in automatic or manual mode, and docks that accommodate one or two removable batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Frank Mikowychok
  • Patent number: 10927514
    Abstract: A concrete jointer tool has a handle pivotally mounted to a float. The float includes a planar portion having a blade removably attached to a bottom thereof. The handle is capable of receiving an elongated pole for operation of the tool from distance. The tool is capable of producing control joints in poured concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Franklin D. Tunis
  • Patent number: 9428925
    Abstract: A tool 1 comprises a handle and a tool blade mounted on the handle. The blade comprises a flexible web member 2 formed of a polymer and having two opposite generally flat side surfaces and a substantially straight free edge. A strip 15 of spring steel is fixed to the web on one side surface and extends along the outer part only of the web adjacent to the free edge thereof such that a portion of the web between the handle and the strip remains uncovered by the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Scott Cutters Limited
    Inventor: Scott Rampling
  • Patent number: 8974219
    Abstract: A modular tool for imparting profile characteristics into fluent cementitious material. The tool has an elongated base forming a permanently fixed blade, and at least one handle. The blade is configured to act as a dovetail to which any of several modular blades may frictionally fit in removable fashion. The fixed blade forms a deflector disposed to deflect removed cementitious material away from the handles. Other blades may fit by peg and socket engagement. The tool may have detachable rollers enabling the tool to advance at a controlled elevation along a wall being formed and shaped. A slide block may be arranged to engage the rollers so as to adjust their position on the tool. The tool may have integral bubble levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Mark Wayne Couch
  • Patent number: 8707501
    Abstract: A tool for pointing or filling joints formed between bullnose paving stones or pavers and method thereof are provided. The tool includes an arcuate, resilient body having an inner, concave-shaped surface and an outer, convex-shaped surface, the arcuate, resilient body configured to conform to a convex-shaped rounded portion of each of the at least two adjacent bullnose coping pavers; and a handle coupled to the outer, convex-shaped surface for manipulating the body. The opening of the arcuate, resilient body has an angle of about 45 degrees to about 90 degrees. The resilient body deforms to conform to a variety of sizes of bullnose paving stones or pavers when positioned thereon and returns to its original shape when removed. The tool may further include a finishing member for smoothing a material disposed in the joint formed between the bullnose paving stones or pavers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventors: Noel F. O'Rourke, Juliann Murphy-O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 8667636
    Abstract: A folding trowel assembly has multiple trowel blades of assorted types and sizes housed in a casing. The folding trowel assembly allows for different trowel blades to be unfolded and used as needed. A pivot mechanism includes a pivot pin for positioning each of the trowel blades into a working position at an adjustable angle relative to the casing. A release mechanism applies compression to the stacked trowel blades to inhibit rotation of the trowel blades about the pivot pin and relieves compression from the stacked trowel blades to permit rotation of the trowel blades about the pivot pin. An angle between the casing body and the casing neck tab allows trowel blades to be pivoted such that sufficient clearance is provided between the casing body and a work surface to permit the casing body to be used as a handle for each of the trowel blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Tool Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. Berney, Wesley M. Arnold
  • Patent number: 8235621
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a grout dispensing system comprising: a suction mechanism that draws grout material into an elongated tube; a dispensing channel attached to a first end of the elongated tube; a suction handle extending through the elongated tube, where the suction handle draws grout into the tube when moved in a first direction and dispenses grout into the dispensing channel when moved in a second direction; a plurality of dispensing tips disposed below the dispensing channel; and a squeegee on one side of the dispensing channel. In one exemplary embodiment, the suction mechanism includes a suction cup at one end of the suction handle, where said suction cup is within said elongated tube; a suction opening at a lower end of the elongated tube; and a suction tube extending from the suction opening. The distal end of suction tube lies in a deposit of grout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Vernon Robinson
  • Patent number: 7908702
    Abstract: A caulk tool, comprising a caulk remover blade, a caulk smoother blade, and a hinge connecting the caulk remover blade and the caulk smoother blade. The caulk remover blade and the caulk smoother blade can pivot with respect to one another about the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Red Devil, Incorporated
    Inventor: Mario Bernardo Accumanno
  • Publication number: 20110035893
    Abstract: A tile and grout cleaning tool that can be turned over to place either a first series of bristle bundles projecting from the head of the tool in position to clean tile surfaces or a second series of bristle bundles spaced from the first series in position to clean the grout between tiles, the second series of bristle bundles comprising bristles that can be pressed into the grout channels and have ends of different lengths that form rough cleaning surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventor: Brian GRABOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20100236007
    Abstract: A special hand tool for laying concrete blocks. The device includes a mini-hopper sized to hold the correct amount of mortar, a sluiceway, dimensioned to fill the normal joint space between blocks, an optional divider to accommodate both 4 inch and 8 inch nominal blocks, and a vibrator. The device has a handle that can also contain batteries for the vibrator. A mason can scoop up mortar while the tool is vibrating. When full, the vibrator can be stopped and the tool positioned to face the end of a block already set in a wall while the next block to be laid can be put in place on its mortar bed and pushed to the other face of the tool. The vibrator can then be re-started, and the tool vertically withdrawn leaving the mortar that was in the tool between the two block ends. The same tool can also be used to butter horizontal joints by running the vibrator only sufficiently to apply the correct amount of mortar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Roland Lawes
  • Publication number: 20100205762
    Abstract: A rectangular paddle having a uniform thickness is capable of attaching to the rotor of a power trowel device. In one embodiment of the invention, the paddle is made of India rubber. The paddle is oriented on the rotor such that the angle between the paddle and the flooring surface is, in one embodiment of the invention, less than 45°. The paddle efficiently consolidates grout into the joints of a flooring material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin Smith, Kyle Smith
  • Patent number: 7484263
    Abstract: A tile adhesive removal system having a handle, or tool, and one or more removable tips. When applying ceramic tiles, one should remove any excess adhesive in the channel between an existing tile and a tile currently under application. A properly-sized tip is selected for a particular channel width, and is removably attached to the handle. The handle and tip together may remove any excess adhesive from the channel between tiles, and then may be easily cleaned for use in applying the next tile. The size of the handle and tip together is large enough so that the cleaning process is relatively simple for the user. The removal system may have an orienting element, so that the tip is not inserted upside down, and may have an attachment element, such as one or more bumps that engage one or more corresponding detents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Inventor: Rodger Rice
  • Patent number: 7338270
    Abstract: A guide device is adapted to be removably attached to a flat box device for use in applying mastic adjacent an outside corner or edge. The guide device includes a generally S-shaped guide bar, a bracket, and a spring. The bracket is adapted to attach to the flat box device. The guide bar is pivotably and slidably retained by the a first bracket portion. The spring is adapted to bias a first guide bar end of the guide bar away from the first bracket portion of the bracket. The guide bar extends across a width of the flat box device and the first guide bar end extends below the flat box device when the guide device is operably installed on the flat box device. The spring biases the guide bar in a lateral direction corresponding to the width of the flat box device when the guide device is operably installed on the flat box device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventor: Steve Mathews
  • Patent number: 7318716
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Axia, Inc.
    Inventor: David Joseph Castagnetta, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7150064
    Abstract: The “e Jointer” is unlike other masonry jointers by its unique shape and design. It is made of metal or other durable material, bent or formed in the shape of an e. The top part of the “e Jointer” serves as the handle. The lower and longer part serves as the runner, which is used to shape the mortar joints between block, brick, and other masonry building materials. The size and shape of the “e Jointer” can differ depending on the width or thickness of the mortar joints and the shape desired for the mortar joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Inventor: Gary Lee Edwards
  • Patent number: 7047588
    Abstract: A masonry tuck point tool has a plurality of tuck blades pivotally attached at one end. Among the tuck blades is a selected tuck blade that has the desired width of the grout or mortar joint to be formed. There are also at lease one remaining tuck blade. All tuck blades have a distinct blade width and similar blade lengths. The selected tuck blade is pivoted approximately 180 degrees away from the remaining tuck blades thereby allowing the remaining tuck blades to be used as a handle at the one end while the opposite end of the selected tuck blade is used to strike a grout or mortar joint between two adjacent masonry elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Harry Bennett
  • Patent number: 7010828
    Abstract: A tri-joint groover or trowel assembly for finishing a concrete surface includes an elongate handle, a base member and a connector assembly for selectively connecting the handle to the base member. The base member has opposed edge portions and a centrally disposed longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The trowel assembly further includes an elongate track preferably having opposed sidewalls extending upwardly from the base member and extending along the longitudinal axis with the opposed sidewalls forming an opening therebetween. The base member includes a groove formed therein and substantially aligned with the opening of the track so that the connector assembly can be slidably moved therealong. The trowel assembly further includes an elongate grooving member integral with the connector assembly and extending substantially parallel to the opposed edge portions and downwardly from the base member with the grooving member being slidably movable along the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventors: Auden H. Flores, Sr., Michael L. Romero
  • Patent number: 6874965
    Abstract: A drywall finishing head is provided for applying mastic material over a tape joint between adjacent wallboard surfaces. The finishing head includes a coater connected to a pneumatic applicator for delivering the mastic material. A wiper blade extends across the length of the coater with a cover underlying the wiper blade and a backer bar overlying the wiper blade. A cam assembly is rotatably mounted on a tensioning portion of the coater. Adjustment of the cam assembly is constructed and arranged to change the force of the backer boar so that a proper crown or profile of mastic material can be delivered to the tape joint through a gap between the cover and the wiper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: APLA-TECH, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Mondloch, Jeffrey L. Denkins
  • Publication number: 20040250364
    Abstract: A raker bit for a masonry tool for taking mortar from between courses of brick includes two longitudinally extending arm sections, each of which is adapted to extend in the rear to front direction relative to the tool during use of same. A raker tooth is attached to front ends of these arm sections and projects in a transverse direction relative to the length of the arm sections. A connecting section is attached to a rear end of at least one of the arm sections and is adapted for detachable connection to the masonry tool in such a manner that the two arm sections extend in the rear to front direction. The masonry tool can have an elongate handle and a carriage portion attached to the front end of the handle. This carriage portion has a pair of wheels spaced from one another in a transverse direction. There is a hole in the carriage portion into which fits the connecting section of the raker bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: George John Kairys
  • Patent number: 6729088
    Abstract: A jig adapted for easily positioning, properly orienting and installing a molding. The jig includes a body having a positioning portion configured to receive a molding. The body also includes a first positioning margin and a second positioning margin each emanating from the positioning portion, the positioning margins being configured so as to be substantially perpendicular to each other. The jig facilitates placement of the molding at a proper installation angle at a juncture of two surfaces, such as a ceiling and wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Shannon L. Corr
  • Patent number: 6595764
    Abstract: A corner finishing tool having a hard planar spreading member, a receiver portion, and a tensioning assembly. The spreading member has upper and lower surfaces, each surface having front, rear, left and right edges, wherein the spreading member can be flexed so as to move from an un-flexed state to a flexed state by moving the left and right edges upward and towards each other. The receiver portion is sized and dimensioned to receive a finishing compound dispenser and includes a through hole extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the spreading member. The tensioning assembly provide the capability of increasing and decreasing the amount of force required to flex the left and right edges towards each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Volk
  • Patent number: 6578229
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for removing joint filler and a method of using the same. The device includes a body member and a peeling element located adjacent to the front end of the body member. The peeling element includes at least two peeling points, where the first peeling point is located proximate to the topside of the peeling element and the second peeling point is located proximate to the underside of the peeling element. The device also includes an opening located between the peeling element and body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Michael Dziallas, Martin Majolo, Tilwin Lepsius, Lydia Duhm, Roy Van Swieten