Vertical screed

Abstract

A screed device (10) used as a guide for removing excess mortar from a vertical surface after being set to a predetermined position, consisting of an elongated, narrow, rectangular shaft that contains three grooves (12) located near the top, bottom, and center of the back side of the said shaft, each accommodating a small block (14)). The blocks are attached to the wall with self-tapping screws (22) which pass through the shaft and the blocks thereby connecting the shaft to the blocks and the blocks to the surface being coated. The shaft is able to be adjusted in and out from the blocks as necessary to achieve a plumb position by rotation of a connecting post (24) contained within the block. The connecting post has a retainer clip (26) that compresses the face of the shaft between the head of the post and the clip to keep the post from falling out of the block when adjusted. This invention is unique to itself in that it does not require any member other than a wall surface for attachment in contrast to prior art which requires wall studs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This application has been funded solely by the personal resources of the inventor: Andrew Healy and is not made under federally sponsored research.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable. No compact disk submitted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The traditional method of plastering a shower wall prior to the application of tile or stone, which is commonly referred to as ‘floating’, was originally accomplished in the following steps. First, mortar is applied to a prepared surface with a trowel. Then, two thin strips of wood which run the length of the wall from top to bottom are pushed directly into the mortar one toward the right side of the wall and one toward the left side of the wall. Next, these strips are adjusted to a plumb position by putting a level against them and “tapping” either end of the strip deeper into the mortar until a plumb position is achieved. Once each strip has been plumbed up, all the excess mortar needs to be removed by a separate straight edge held against the strips and pulled upward to achieve even application of the mortar. This process is repeated as many times as is necessary to remove all of the excess mortar. The desired result is a smooth, plumb surface. However, there are several disadvantages to this process which become apparent when put into practice. First, when the strips are pushed into the mortar, it is very easy to push them in too far, resulting in a mortar bed that is too thin. It is desirable to maintain at least a half-inch mortar thickness for strength. Another disadvantage is that once the straight edge is applied to remove excess mortar, it is common to push against the strips too hard, thereby pushing the strips out of their plumb position. At this point, the operator would have to repeat the entire process of plumbing the strips, applying mortar, and removing the excess mortar with a straight edge. Achieving a true planar surface is difficult with this method, as it depends entirely on the skill of the operator to create a plumb screed with the wood strips and furthermore, avoid putting the strips out of their plumb position when removing the excess mortar.

BACKGROUND ART

Various other systems have emerged that are designed to create a planar wall surface with mortar that includes improvements to the traditional method by containing a mechanical adjustment device. One such invention is U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,282. This screed device requires attachment to interior structural wall members such as a stud or joist. This limits the placement of the screed to only specific areas on a wall.

Other prior art known to the inventor is found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.:

	#1,762,254	#4,785,601	#3,841,046
	#2,025,576	#4,945,698	#4,073,593
	#3,494,090	#5,363,619	#5,630,297

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is contained within a device, a tool designed for the purpose of constructing a vertical plane of plaster or like material parallel and bonded to a suitable, stable surface area. The tool is a rigid member of random length which is channeled out to contain an independent secondary member of smaller proportions which is affixed to, but also adjustable to and from the primary rigid member by means of a threaded rotatable connecting post. The secondary member is drilled and tapped to accommodate the threaded connecting post. The face of the primary member is compressed between the head of the connecting post and a universal E clip which is seated in an annular groove around the connecting post thus allowing mobility of the secondary member to travel to and from the primary member by means of rotating the threaded connecting post while being secured to the primary member.

This invention is to be used for the application of a plaster coat or other like material to form a flat wall surface with such materials once wall surface has been covered with a moisture barrier such as tar paper and reinforcement wire such as lath. Each screed member is affixed to the wall surface in a vertical position by means of self-tapping screws. Members are spaced at any desired distance from each other. Each member is adjusted to desired vertical position by means of rotating the connecting post. A layer of plaster or like cement-like material is applied over the wall surface between and beyond the screed members to the edge of the wall surface or desired distance. A straight edge is placed against the screed members and gently pushed upwards with a simultaneous side to side motion in order to remove excess cement-like material, producing a flat, plane surface. The finished surface corresponds to the set position of the screed members.

An object of this invention is to provide a screed tool.

A second object of this invention is to provide a means of constructing a uniform vertical and/or horizontal plane of plaster or like material.

Another object of this invention is to provide a screed system which attaches to a gypsum board, wood, or like surface, independent of a secondary support member inside the wall for attachment. Screed members attach to the wall surface without relying on studs, joists, or any other like underlying structural members for support or operation of said screed system.

A further object of the invention is to reduce the amount of time consumed when using modern screed inventions which rely on wall studs for support because of the necessity of locating studs inside the wall.

Another further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable screed member which does not utilize or rely on any bushings inside the adjustment mechanisms of the screed member, thereby simplifying the construction of the tool.

Yet another further object of the invention is to reduce the amount of time consumed and obtain a more accurately plumbed surface than with traditional methods of constructing a plaster wall surface utilizing wood strips for screeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1. An exploded view of the face of the channel and adjustment block sections typical of the shaft and extensions of the vertical screed.

FIG. 2. An exploded view of the channel and adjustment block sections typical of the shaft and extensions of the Floaters from the underside.

FIG. 3. An isolated view of the adjustment block

FIG. 4. View of the face of all three main components; the main shaft, extension A and extension B.

FIG. 5. A cross section of the adjustment block and the channel of the main shaft typical of the shaft and extensions of the vertical screed.

FIG. 6 A cross section of the adjustment block inside of the channel of the main shaft typical of the shaft and extensions of the vertical screed.

FIG. 7. An isolated view of two extensions fitted together.

FIG. 8. View of screed attached to prepared surface with straight edge applied and removing excess mortar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 4, each rod assembly of the invention comprises a solid rigid member of varying lengths. Each member has a front and a back side adjoining the side walls (10) to each other. Each side is flat and parallel to the opposing side (FIG. 2). At three evenly spaced locations on the rod assembly (12) are uniform recessions channeled out to accommodate means of adjustment of the rod assembly. An assembly of members (14) is mounted inside each recession (12) of the rod assembly for means of adjustment. Each adjustment assembly (14) comprises a connecting post which protrudes through the center of the recession from the front of the rod assembly which is secured to the rod, but is also rotatable by means of a universal E clip connection (26). The E clip is seated directly into the continuous circular indentation on the connecting post (24), creating a compression of the rod assembly between the head of the connecting post and the universal E clip. A solid rectangular threaded block (14) is inserted into the channel of the rod assembly (12) and threaded onto the connecting post. Referring to FIG. 5, The connecting post is slotted, allowing manipulation, by means of rotation, for adjustment of block to and from the rod assembly (42). Three holes are drilled on the face of the rod assembly directly centered over each recession (16, 20) The center hole is chamfered (20) to the same angle as the head of the connecting post, allowing the head of the connecting post to seat flush with the face of the rod assembly into the chamfered hole without falling through. The adjustment block (14), is comprised of a solid material and is precisely sized to fit inside and move freely in and out of the recession channels of the rod assembly. Each block comprises a plurality of holes on the face. The center hole (28) is drilled and tapped to accommodate the threaded connecting post. Directly on each side of the center tapped hole(32) are shallow reliefs that are drilled to accommodate tension springs (18).Refer now to FIG. 6, These holes are drilled only deep enough to allow the springs to fully compress when the adjustment block is threaded entirely into the rod assembly recession channel (FIG. 6). The springs create tension between the shaft and the said adjustment block which helps to eliminate any sideways movement of the adjustment block. They also contribute to eliminating unnecessary rotation of the connecting post by means of direct friction. On each side of the spring bores are two holes (30) that are large enough to allow the shaft of an anchoring screw (22) to pass through for means of attaching the adjustment block to the prepared surface.

Focusing again on FIG. 4, two rod extensions are shown (34, 36). Extensions attach to the main rod assembly (10) when a longer rod assembly is required. At the top end of the rod assembly is a seat cut notch (38) to accommodate the rod extension which is also notched at identical dimensions for the reception of the main rod. Each notch cut is also drilled and tapped (40) for means of threaded connection between the main rod and the extension rod. Each extension assembly comprises both an identical recession channel and adjustment block assembly as is described for the main rod assembly. The adjustment assembly is typically centered on the extension rod assembly.

PREFERRED MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

To understand the scope of the invention, FIG. 8 provides an illustration of the technique used to apply cement-like materials to an existing surface. In FIG. 8, a type of bitumen sheeting is applied to a stable surface followed by a layer of metal lath (44), both of which are fastened to the surface by means of a penetrating fastener such as a staple or nail.

Screed members of the invention are secured over the lath in a vertical position prior to application of mortar, each parallel to the other at a predetermined distance apart with adjustment block assembly against the wall surface. Rod assembly is secured to the wall surface by inserting self-tapping screws (22) through the shaft anchor holes (16). It is to be noted that the mounting of the rod assembly to the prepared surface does NOT require backing studs or any other like material behind the wall surface in order to stabilize the rod assembly to surface as is required with prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,282.

Once the screeds are secured to the wall surface, they may be infinitely adjusted to any desired position by rotation of connecting post (42). The mortar is applied starting at the bottom of the wall surface to be covered by means of a mortar trowel. At any point during this phase of the process, it may be expedient to remove excess mortar by placing a straight edge horizontally across the rod assembly at bottom end and gradually sliding it upwards in a side-to-side motion while maintaining contact with both rod assemblies (FIG. 8). The straight edge may need to be emptied of accumulated mortar occasionally throughout this process.

It is to be noted that techniques such as ‘scratch coating’ (Ref. U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,282) are not necessary procedures for the operation of this invention although they may be incorporated into the process without detrimental results.

Claims

1. In a screed device comprising a rod having side walls and front and back sides, the improvement comprising:

an adjustment assembly comprising

a recession in the back of said rod containing

a member rotatably mounted within said recession through said rod to a dimensional wall or floor surface and

means for adjusting the rod to and from the said member that is mounted to said surface to produce a plumb screed device to create a plumb surface in the practice of the invention and,

the attachment by said means of said member to said rod,

each means comprising

a threaded connecting post with

a continuous circular indentation around said threaded connecting post accommodating

a universal E clip in which to compress the head of the said connecting post to the front of the rod in order to keep the post affixed to the rod.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the rod comprises a plurality of recessions evenly space apart.

3. In the improvement of claim 1 wherein the said member comprises a tapped threaded portion wherein to accommodate threaded connecting post.

4. In the improvement of claim 3 wherein said member inserts into said rod assembly recessions.

5. In the improvement of claim 3, said threaded connecting post comprising expanded circular tapered head slotted for manipulation.

6. In the improvement of claim 4, said connecting post extends through front of said rod into center of said recession, head of post seats flush with the front of the said rod leaving the said continuous circular indentation around the post exposed inside the said channel.

7. In the improvement of claim 6, said E clip is fastened to the connecting post wherein compressing the front of the said expanded connecting post to the front of the said rod while allowing rotation of said post.

8. In the improvement of claim 7 wherein said member is inserted into the said rod recession, said compressed, threaded connecting post threads into the said member securing the member to the said rod.

9. In the improvement of claim 8 wherein tension springs are inserted between the inside of the said rod recession and said member

10. An improved screed device comprising

an elongated rod,

a plurality of recessions channeled out on one side of said rod to accommodate an adjustment assembly, comprising

a member rotatably mounted within said recession through said rod to a dimensional wall or floor surface comprising

a hole drilled in center of said member to accommodate a connecting post for adjustment of said rod to and from said member and

a hole drilled on either side of said connecting post for attachment of said member to said dimensional wall or floor surface.