Abstract: The primary structural parts of the handle are two telescopic tubes, the smaller diameter tube being an extrusion. A rib on the smaller tube engages a notch in a fitting attached to the larger tube to prevent relative rotation of the tube. A box footplate is attached to the free end of the larger tube with two degrees of angular freedom. The two axes of angular motion are perpendicular to each other and the axis of the handle. Angular motion of the box plate about one axis is transmitted by bevel gearing to telescopic torque transmission mechanism in the handle. Rotation of this mechanism and thereby the box plate about one axis is preventable by a lever operated clamp at the end of the handle. Rotation of the box plate about the other axis is manually adjustable. The length of the handle is manually adjustable and is set at a particular length by a lever operated length lock assembly.

Abstract: The primary structural parts of the handle are two telescopic tubes, the smaller diameter tube being an extrusion. A rib on the smaller tube engages a notch in a fitting attached to the larger tube to prevent relative rotation of the tubes. A box footplate is pivotally attached to the free end of the larger tube, the axis of the pivot being perpendicular to the axis of the tubes. The footplate is connected by a connecting link to the end of a tube which slides longitudinally in the handle and fits through a clamp mechanism installed in the overlapped end of the smaller tube and is operated by a clamp mechanism operating assembly attached to the free end of the smaller tube. Operating a lever of that assembly engages the tube in the lock mechanism, preventing it from moving longitudinally and the footplate from pivoting on the handle. The length of the handle is manually adjustable and is set at a desired length by a lever operated lock assembly attached to the overlapped end of the larger tube.

Abstract: The mechanism consists of a crankshaft and connecting rods driving two rods which extend through the full length of the cylinder of the taper. The rods reciprocate 180.degree. out of phase with each other and pass through a piston assembly. Clutch mechanisms in the piston assembly engage when the rods are moving toward the head assembly and do not engage for the opposite motion. As a result the piston assembly advances toward the head assembly an increment of motion each time one of the rods moves in that direction. A mechanism in the piston assembly engages the head end of the cylinder as the piston assembly approaches the head end and prevents the clutches from engaging so that the piston assembly does not jam against the head end of the cylinder. Also, mechanism is provided to disengage both clutches and keep them disengaged so that the piston assembly is free to move as the cylinder is being filled. This mechanism involves rotating the rods to drive cams which engage the clutches to hold them disengaged.

Abstract: The portion of the base fixture of the angle head which overhangs the junctures of the frames and the blades in the frames is made adjustable to slide from its in use position to a position which exposes the junctures, facilitating clearing unwanted material from the junctures. The added part fits and slides in a channel made to provide the needed access and is held in place by a thumb screw in a slot. Loosening the screw allows the part to be moved to provide access and moved back to its in use position and locked in that position by tightening the screw.

Abstract: The sheet metal clip which serves to hold the adjoining ends of the top (horizontal) scraper blades of an angle head in suitable relative positions is replaced by a clip assembly in which the sides of the clip are joined to a filler block to structurally stabilize the clip. The clip assembly is held in place by a threaded fastener.

Abstract: The handle comprises two elongated structural elements slidably engaged to move relative to each other parallel to their longitudinal axes with mechanical power transmission apparatus attached to the handle and also comprising two elongated elements engaged such that they are moveable relative to each other parallel to their longitudinal axes. The length of the power transmission apparatus adjusts automatically to match adjustment of the length of the handle. A rotary power transmission apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: The flat finishing box has attachable/detachable heads each of which comprises a structural part incorporating a mouth and to which an edge assembly and edge assembly adjustment apparatus are attached. Heads are provided for dispensing mud in each of the three standard swath widths, 7", 10" and 12", so that any swath width can be dispensed from one box by interchanging heads attached to the box. The box cover is one extrusion and the bottom and back are another. The hinged edge of the cover has a cylindrical segment along the edge which fits into a partial cylindrical groove in the back, providing a leak proof hinge. Channels are provided to enhance mud flow from portions of the box beyond the width of the mouth of the head being used to the portion within the mouth width.

Abstract: The apparatus adjusts the arching of the trowelling bar used in the heads of flat finishing boxes. The trowelling bar and the guide strip in which it is mounted form an assembly which, for use with the subject apparatus, is straight in its free state. The apparatus comprises two plungers which are attached with some angular freedom to the guide strip at its quarter points, i.e. the two points essentially midway between its center and each of its ends. When the plungers are moved upward the guide strip/trowelling bar assembly is arched upward. When the plungers move downward the assembly is arched downward. The plunger motions are caused and controlled by two leaf springs, the first disposed to move the plungers upward, the second downward.

Abstract: The subject handle comprises basic structure in the form of two tubes, one telescoped into the other, fitted with mechanism to clamp them together at any adjusted length. The clamp mechanism is well known in the art, being used in tent poles, boat hooks and the like and is operable by rotating the tubes relative to each other. The handle further comprises mechanism for interconnecting a lever at one end with clamping mechanism at the other. This mechanism disengages during handle length adjustment and automatically engages once the length adjustment is made and locked and the interconnecting mechanism is operated.

Abstract: The apparatus is for selectively preventing the motion of one part relative to another part to which it is pivotally connected. There is a plate with a planform of a segment of a circle attached to one part, the plate being perpendicular to the axis of the pivoted connection and the center of the segment coincident with the center of the pivot. A clamping apparatus is mounted on the other part and comprises a backstop on one side of the plate and a pointed part positioned on the other side of the plate opposite from the backstop and mounted on a mechanism by which a point of the pointed part can be pressed against the plate, in turn pressing the plate against the backstop to lock the connection. The working surface of the backstop is a set screw adjustable in the stop to adjust the clearance between the stop and the point of the pointed part. The pointed part has a plurality of points and can be attached to its supporting mechanism with any one of the plurality of points in position to engage the plate.