Abstract: The present invention is directed to construction tools. The present invention includes tools used for applying mastic or mud to a work surface, for example, a flat box mastic applicator tool, blade assembly, and/or blade adjustment system, that have many improvements too numerous to mention all in the Abstract. The flat box mastic applicator may include unique walls. The blade assembly may have a non-uniform cross section, e.g., a blade holder with thinner areas and/or material removed at various locations along its lateral length. The blade holder may have a larger size outer end(s) to withstand bending or braking. The blade holder may have and arched shape, ribs or bumps for holding a blade more firmly, and a ridge or bump at its outer edge to act as a dam. The blade adjustment system may include symmetrical pins or posts and a tapered leaf spring. See further improvements herein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to building tools that are high quality, durable, and in some case lightweight. Various tools may be made, at least in part, using a material including magnesium to reduce the weight of the tool. For example, a trowel includes a tang, support member or attachment member that may be made, at least in part, of a magnesium material so as to create a more light weight trowel. The tang, support member or attachment member connects the trowel handle to the trowel blade. The trowel blade may be made of a steel material or a high carbon steel material for high durability. The trowel may be, for example, a concrete trowel including a cross-ground trowel, a flat back end finishing trowel, or a round/round finishing trowel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to building tools with improved comfort in gripping and/or efficient control that may be used in various manners and orientations. A handle and work object (e.g., trowel blade) may be connected together by a connecting member (or connecting means) that may be a sloped, angled, and/or substantially curved member, so that a user has increased hand orientation options and/or control over the tool while gripping the handle and/or connecting member in various manners and orientations. In various embodiment(s), the connecting member (e.g., a tang for a trowel) may be a relatively gradually and/or notably sloped, angled, and/or curved structure that may reasonably provide a comfortable extension of the handle and augment the gripping of the tool. The various tools may include a handle connecting member having construction whereby a portion of the sides of the handle connecting member are removed. Magnesium may be used.

Abstract: A handle having improved ergonomics and relatively compact low cost design is provided. In particular, the handle may include two hand grip areas which may be integral with one another. The two hand grips may be approximately perpendicular to one another. Further, one or both of the grip areas may include grip alignment mechanisms that improve the ergonomic alignment of a persons hand on the hand grip area of the handle. In another aspect the hand grip(s) may have smooth rounded grasping surfaces to provide comfort when grasped by a hand. The alignment mechanism(s) may be placed at an optimal location on the hand grip(s) area and result in improved control and comfort during use. In addition, one of the alignment mechanisms may serve a dual purpose of hand alignment and as a stop that prevents a person's hand from slipping off of the grip area during use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to tools that are made, at least in part, more durable, particularly one or more working surface(s) of the tools. For example, various tools such as trowels, knives, and scrappers may be made having at least a portion of their blades heat treated to make at least their working edges more durable and extend their useful lives. For example, in various embodiments, a putty knife, taping knife, or scrapper blade may have at least one working surface or edge that has been at heat treated while an area of the blade where a handle is permanently attached is not heat treated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to building tools that are high quality, durable, and in some case lightweight and may include an output port assembly that has multiple sections that may be made separately and uniquely so as reduce tool weight, corrosion, and cost without degrading strength and durability.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to construction tools. The present invention includes tools used for applying mastic or mud to a work surface, for example, a flat box mastic applicator tool, blade assembly, and/or blade adjustment system, that have many improvements too numerous to mention all in the Abstract. The flat box mastic applicator may include unique walls. The blade assembly may have a non-uniform cross section, e.g., a blade holder with thinner areas and/or material removed at various locations along its lateral length. The blade holder may have a larger size outer end(s) to withstand bending or braking. The blade holder may have and arched shape, ribs or bumps for holding a blade more firmly, and a ridge or bump at its outer edge to act as a dam. The blade adjustment system may include symmetrical pins or posts and a tapered leaf spring. See further improvements herein.