Abstract: A tape and wallboard compound dispenser is a handheld unit that has a separate compound channel and tape channel, both of which terminate slightly rearward of a blade located on the forward end of the unit. The unit has a housing with a compartment for containing a roll of tape. A flexible strap is mounted to the side of the housing to provide a loop for insertion of a hand of a user to carry the dispenser. In a manual mode, a single lever controls flow of compound from a pump to the compound channel as well as severing the tape at the end of the stroke. The lever has an off position that shuts off flow of compound to the compound channel. It has an on position that allows flow of compound to the compound channel. It has a cutting position that actuates a cutting mechanism to cut the tape and simultaneously to shut off flow of compound to the compound channel.

Abstract: A tape and wallboard compound dispenser is a handheld unit that has a separate compound channel and tape channel, both of which terminate slightly rearward of a blade located on the forward end of the unit. The unit has a housing with a compartment for containing a roll of tape. A flexible strap is mounted to the side of the housing to provide a loop for insertion of a hand of a user to carry the dispenser. In a manual mode, a single lever controls flow of compound from a pump to the compound channel as well as severing the tape at the end of the stroke. The lever has an off position that shuts off flow of compound to the compound channel. It has an on position that allows flow of compound to the compound channel. It has a cutting position that actuates a cutting mechanism to cut the tape and simultaneously to shut off flow of compound to the compound channel.

Abstract: A drywall texture and tape dispensing device has a hand held dispenser with a mud chamber. The dispenser tapers toward an exit end with two, parallel slots for dispensing a thin layer of dry wall mud onto a dry wall surface along with the drywall tape. A semi-rigid, flexible strap is affixed to the dispenser and extends past its back end. The strap has an arm band that secures to the arm of the user. The device also has a pair of tape guide loops that are loosely joined to the strap to allow twisting and flexibility. A blade is affixed to the dispenser for smoothing mud on a surface. A mud line is provided to receive mud for delivery to the mud chamber. A tape dispenser is supported by the user, typically on the user's belt. The tape dispenser is positioned to sequentially feed tape through the guide loops and out through tape dispensing slot on the exit end of the hand held dispenser for application to a surface. The user applies the mud and tape simultaneously to a wall surface.

Abstract: A mud texture system has a cart with a mud tank assembly, a mud pump, a water tank and a water pump. The mud tank assembly includes a mud tank and, in one version, a manual piston assembly. The piston assembly slides against the wall of the mud tank to scrape the mud downward into the mud pump. The mud pump supplies pressurized mud into a hose for dispensing with an applicator. The water pump pumps water from the water tank to rinse out the hose, applicator, mud tank and other tools. In another version, the mud tank assembly has motor which drives a vertical shaft in the mud tank. The shaft drives a set of mixing paddles in the mud tank to mix and force mud to the mud pump. The mud pump continuously supplies pressurized mud to a mud hose and applicator where the level of mud flow is controlled.

Abstract: A writing instrument has a short tubular body which contains a writing implement on each end. A tubular, elastic finger retainer has a small plastic plate which is pivotally mounted to the body. The user of the writing instrument inserts the middle finger of his writing hand through the retainer and slides it to a position between the first and second knuckles. The axis of the body is parallel to the axis of the retainer during use. The thumb of the user pushes outward and downward against the body while the index finger is placed on an upper side of the body. The writing instrument may be pivoted to the other writing implement by applying a twisting force to the body.

Abstract: An applicator for applying joint compound or mud to wallboard has six embodiments with a head, a mud outlet and a mud hose. The applicator has a handle and a control valve for controlling the flow of mud. Each embodiment also has a screed on the head above the mud outlet which extends beyond the end of the head. The screed smoothes down the mud applied to the wall and wipes away any excess mud. The first embodiment has a fan-shaped head with baffles to define multiple flow ports. The second and third embodiments have a rectangular head and a pair of retractable corner stops which align the mud outlets flush with the corners of drywall sections. The third embodiment adds a dispersion mechanism for varying the width of the outlet. The fourth embodiment of the applicator has a wedge-shaped head and a V-shaped screed with flow ports in the sidewalls that are designed to apply mud to right-angled corners.

Abstract: A powered drywall sander and painter has a proximally located variable speed motor and a motor housing connected to a hollow lower handle. An upper handle telescopes into the interior of the lower handle. The motor rotates a drive shaft within the handles. The upper handle is fastened to an anti-rotation spring with an adjustable sleeve clamp. The upper end of the spring is clamped to a bottom slide to prevent rotational movement therebetween. A top slide having a sanding pad slidably engages the bottom slide. The rotation of the drive shaft is converted to lateral motion of the sanding pad at a distal end of the drive shaft. The sanding pad is free to swivel. The sanding attachment may be interchangeably replaced with a painting attachment. The painting attachment has a paint brush pad with bristles and a paint cup with a centrally located aperture which delivers paint to the paint cup. The painting attachment converts the rotational motion of the drive shaft into rotational motion of the paint brush pad.