Abstract: Z-swivel 10 is comprised of a female coupling 12 designed to attach to a hose 30 (or application device 32) and in turn is attached to an inlet stud 14 which is rotatably located in seal housing 16. Seals 18 and 20 seal and allow rotation between stud 14 and seal housing 16. Similarly, seal housing 16 contains seals 34 which allow rotation of seal housing 16 relative to center stud 22. Outlet coupling 24 is rotatably attached to center stud 22 with seals 28 and retained in place by retaining ring 26. Pipe plug 36 seals the end of center stud 22. Passages 38, 42, 40, 46 and 44 connect in that order to allow flow of fluid including thick and viscous fluids such as drywall mud through the swivel.

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 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: 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 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: 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: 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 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 viscous applicator having a chamber for holding viscous fluid such as dry wall compound. A one-way filling valve and a discharge nozzle are located on the chamber. The nozzle is opened and closed using a pull rod connected to a seal on one end. The second end is controlled by a rotatable handle on the applicator main housing. A gas spring is located in the housing and retracts during loading of dry wall compound into the chamber and discharges compound when the discharge nozzle is opened by the pull rod. The handle is spring loaded to close the nozzle when released. A hollow push rod connects the gas spring to a dispensing head in the chamber and the pull rod is movable through the push rod and the dispensing head. A series of cam slots and followers controls motions of the handle and the pull rod.

Abstract: A viscous applicator having a chamber for holding viscous fluid such as dry wall compound. A one-way filling valve and a discharge nozzle are located on the chamber. The nozzle is opened and closed using a pull rod connected to a seal on one end. The second end is controlled by a rotatable handle on the applicator main housing. A gas spring is located in the housing and retracts during loading of dry wall compound into the chamber and discharges compound when the discharge nozzle is opened by the pull rod. The handle is spring loaded to close the nozzle when released. A hollow push rod connects the gas spring to a dispensing head in the chamber and the pull rod is movable through the push rod and the dispensing head. A series of cam slots and followers controls motions of the handle and the pull rod.