ORBITAL VIBRATING HAND TROWEL
The orbital vibrating hand trowel has a body with first and second opposite ends and a handle between the ends for grasping. The body houses a motor and power source. An eccentric mass is connected to the motor. An adapter body is connected to a float body. The adapter body has an aperture for housing the eccentric mass such that rotation of the eccentric mass within the aperture of the adaptor body moves and vibrates the adaptor body and attached float body in an orbital path along a horizontal plane with respect to the float body for finishing a surface.
It is widely known that a hand trowel is a flat-bladed tool with a handle and flat metal blade, used by masons and others for leveling, spreading, or shaping substances such as cement, plaster, or mortar. Also appreciated is the fact that the work output required by the user finishing a work surface with a hand trowel is decreased significantly if some other additional energy input is provided on the trowel, such as a vibration or a sonic energy generator. It is also agreed upon that vibration and/or sonic energy added to a hand trowel makes the trowel increasingly efficient over those trowels where the user alone provides the only work input. Thus, the trend in hand trowel construction is to increase the efficiency of the hand trowel and decrease the work input required by the user by increasing the work input to the hand trowel using an alternative energy source.
Therefore, what is needed is an orbital vibrating hand trowel that combines the use of vibration energy with the orbital movement of the trowel for quickly and efficiently finishing a work surface, while demanding less physical input by the user.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use, free from electrical cords (cordless), rechargeable and capable of being fitted to various sized and operational float bodies, as well as significantly reducing the physical work input provided by the user and time requirement to finish a surface.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTherefore it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve over the state of the art.
It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a hand trowel that is comfortable to operate.
It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel that does not fatigue the user.
Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a hand trowel that is adaptable to accommodate a float body of various sizes and applications.
Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a hand trowel that uses orbital translation in combination with vibration of the float for efficiently finishing a work surface.
A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a hand trowel for finishing off cement.
It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a hand trowel for finishing off a plaster surface.
Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel for finishing off mortar.
Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide hand trowel wherein the electrical components are encased in the handle for protection from the work environment.
A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein the motor and electrical leads from the battery and/or switch to the motor are quickly accessible.
Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein a switch for selectively applying power to the motor is operatively located on the handle.
Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein the battery is a replaceable, chargeable NiCad battery.
A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein the battery encased in the handle is chargeable using a DC connector operatively positioned on the handle.
Another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein the motor is positioned in the handle and is replaceable without undue labor and time involvement.
Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein an eccentric mass is attached to the shaft of the motor.
A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein a housing having an aperture for receiving the eccentric mass is attached to the float.
Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein the diameter of the aperture in the housing is approximately the diameter of the eccentric mass.
Still another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein the motor is a high-speed motor with high-speed bearings.
Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein slack between the sidewall of the aperture and the eccentric mass allows for rotation of the eccentric mass with the aperture.
A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein rotation of the eccentric mass within the aperture affects orbital translation of the float.
Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel that is collapsible for cleaning, storing, repairing and maintaining.
Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein the eccentric mass has an aperture for receiving and attaching to the shaft of the motor.
Still another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein the aperture for housing the eccentric mass is fitted with a high-speed bearing to facilitate transfer of orbital movement and vibration from the eccentric mass to the float body.
A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein the aperture in the eccentric mass is off-center for producing vibration and an orbital movement during rotation of the eccentric mass.
Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein off-center rotational movement of the eccentric mass within the aperture in the housing causes the housing to vibrate and translate in an orbital pattern which in-turn is transferred to the float body thereby providing vibration and orbital translation of the float body in a plane parallel to the float body.
Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein the eccentric mass has a first stage having a first diameter and a second stage having and second diameter and the second diameter being larger than the first diameter for driving the adaptor body about an orbital pathway.
Still another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel wherein the shaft from the motor is supported by a high-speed bearing to facilitate rotation of the shaft and the attached eccentric mass.
According to one aspect of the present invention an orbital vibrating hand trowel, is disclosed. The trowel has a body having a first and second opposite end and a handle between the ends for grasping. The trowel also includes a motor and power source within the body. The power source is in electrical communication with the motor. An eccentric mass is connected to the motor and an adapter body is connected to a float body. The adapter body has an aperture for housing the eccentric mass. The eccentric mass rotates within the aperture of the adaptor body to move and vibrate the adaptor body and attached float body in an orbital path along a horizontal plane with respect to the float body for finishing a work surface.
According to another feature of the present invention, the handle having a switch positioned thereon for switching power on and off from the power source to the motor.
According to another feature of the present invention, the power source positioned within the handle is a rechargeable power source.
According to another feature of the present invention, the handle having a DC connection positioned thereon for communicating power to the power source for recharging the power source.
According to another feature of the present invention, rotation of the eccentric mass thereby affects translation of the float body along the orbital path.
According to another feature of the present invention, rotation of the eccentric mass thereby affects vibration of the float body along the horizontal plane with respect to the float body.
According to another feature of the present invention, the diameter of the aperture in the adaptor body is approximately the diameter of the eccentric mass.
According to another feature of the present invention, the aperture in the adaptor body having a collar for securing the eccentric mass within the aperture.
According to another feature of the present invention, the eccentric mass having a dimensional center and an aperture positioned off center of the dimensional center for connecting to a shaft on the motor.
According to another feature of the present invention, the eccentric mass is removably attached to the shaft of the motor.
According to another feature of the present invention, the diameter of the aperture in the adaptor body varies to accommodate variation in the diameter of the eccentric mass.
According to another feature of the present invention, the adaptor body having at least one pilot hole for securing the float body to the adaptor body using a screw.
According to another feature of the present invention, the float and adaptor body follows the lateral translation of the eccentric mass along the orbital pathway.
According to another feature of the present invention, the first end of the body housing the motor therein.
According to another feature of the present invention, the second end of the body having a spacer connected thereto, the spacer being connected to the float body.
According to another feature of the present invention, the spacer having at least one pilot hole for securing the spacer to the second end of the body.
According to another feature of the present invention, the spacer and the adaptor body having the same thickness.
According to another feature of the present invention, the spacer having at least one screw for connecting the spacer to the float body.
According to another feature of the present invention, the float body having a first and second opposite end and an elevated rib running the length of the float body, the first end being connected to the adaptor body and the second opposite end being connected to the spacer.
According to another feature of the present invention, the float body being pivotable about the spacer on the second end to thereby assist orbital translation and vibration of the float body about the first end.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an orbital vibrating hand trowel, is disclosed. The trowel has a motor within a handle. The trowel includes an eccentric mass connected to the motor and an aperture within an adaptor body attached to a float body. The aperture is for housing the eccentric mass. Rotation of the eccentric mass within the aperture affects orbital translation and vibration of the attached float body for finishing a work surface.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an orbital vibrating hand trowel for finishing a work surface, is disclosed. The trowel has a body for gripping and housing a motor. The trowel includes a housing having an aperture and adapted for attachment to a float body. An eccentric mass is connected to the motor and received within the aperture for affecting orbital translation and vibration of the float for finishing the work surface.
One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow.
The present invention includes a number of aspects all of which have broad and far-reaching application. Although specific embodiments are described herein, the present invention is not to be limited to these specific embodiments.
Also illustrated by
The present invention contemplates numerous other options in the design and use of the trowel.
These and/or other options, variations, are all within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An orbital vibrating hand trowel, comprising:
- a body having a first and second opposite end and a handle between the ends for grasping;
- a motor and power source within the body, the power source in electrical communication with the motor;
- an eccentric mass connected to the motor;
- an adapter body connected to a float body, the adapter body having an aperture for housing the eccentric mass; and,
- the eccentric mass rotating within the aperture of the adaptor body to move and vibrate the adaptor body and attached float body in an orbital path along a horizontal plane with respect to the float body for finishing a work surface.
2. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the handle having a switch positioned thereon for switching power on and off from the power source to the motor.
3. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the power source positioned within the handle is a rechargeable power source.
4. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the handle having a DC connection positioned thereon for communicating power to the power source for recharging the power source.
5. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein rotation of the eccentric mass within the aperture thereby affecting translation of the float body along the orbital path.
6. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein rotation of the eccentric mass thereby affecting vibration of the float body along the horizontal plane with respect to the float body.
7. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the aperture in the adaptor body is approximately the diameter of the eccentric mass.
8. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the aperture in the adaptor body having a collar for securing the eccentric mass within the aperture.
9. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the eccentric mass having a dimensional center and an aperture positioned off center of the dimensional center for connecting to a shaft on the motor.
10. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the eccentric mass is removably attached to the shaft of the motor.
11. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the aperture in the adaptor body varies to accommodate variation in the diameter of the eccentric mass.
12. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the adaptor body having at least one pilot hole for securing the float body to the adaptor body using a screw.
13. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the float and adaptor bodies follow the translation of the eccentric mass along the orbital pathway.
14. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the first end of the body housing the motor therein.
15. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 1 wherein the second end of the body having a spacer connected thereto, the spacer being connected to the float body.
16. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 15 wherein the spacer having at least one pilot hole for securing the spacer to the second end of the body.
17. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 16 wherein the spacer and the adaptor body having the same thickness.
18. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 17 wherein the spacer having at least one screw for connecting the spacer to the float body.
19. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 18 wherein the float body having a first and second opposite end and an elevated rib running the length of the float body, the first end being connected to the adaptor body and the second opposite end being connected to the spacer.
20. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 19 wherein the float body being pivotable about the spacer on the second end to thereby assist orbital translation and vibration of the float body about the first end.
21. An orbital vibrating hand trowel, comprising:
- a body housing a motor having a shaft;
- an eccentric mass adapted for connection to the shaft;
- an aperture within an adaptor body defined by an aperture wall, the aperture housing the eccentric mass and the adaptor body being attached to a float body; and
- the eccentric mass elliptically orbiting within the aperture about the shaft and against the aperture wall thereby affecting orbital translation and vibration of the attached float body for finishing a work surface.
22. An orbital vibrating hand trowel for finishing a work surface, the trowel comprising:
- a body for gripping and housing a motor;
- an adaptor body having an aperture defined by an aperture wall, the adaptor body being adapted for attachment to a float body; and
- an eccentric mass connected to the motor and received within the aperture, the eccentric mass contacting the aperture wall thereby affecting orbital translation and vibration of the float for finishing the work surface.
23. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 22 wherein the motor is a high-speed motor with high-speed bearings.
24. The orbital vibrating hand trowel of claim 23 wherein the aperture wall is a high-speed bearing for minimizing the stress on the shaft and the motor as well as the friction between the eccentric mass and aperture wall during orbital translation of the eccentric mass.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 22, 2006
Publication Date: Feb 28, 2008
Inventor: RONALD LEE SAGER (Reinbeck, IA)
Application Number: 11/466,331
International Classification: E01C 19/22 (20060101);