Sponge caulk finisher (SCF)

Abstract

The SCF in its design and function provides the user with the ability to efficiently achieve an attractive and functional finish when caulking. The SCF's ability to be used to clean, paint trim, and sand add to its value of ownership.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

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

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Associated fields: Paint preparation, caulking, home improvement, construction, remodeling, cleaning, painting, sanding.

We believe the SCF is a great tool for finishing caulk and is an improvement over any existing caulk finishing tool because it provides a way for the user to maintain consistent control of the caulk and works more efficiently than any existing technology. Caulking has been a tedious and time-consuming process because it is difficult to work with caulk without making a mess. Caulk gets on clothes, skin, hair, and surfaces we don't want it to be on. Our goal in designing the SCF is to provide the user with the most efficient way to get a great looking and functional caulking finish. The tool has other uses that will increase its value to the user such as cleaning, trim painting, and sanding.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Sponge Caulk Finisher (SCF) is designed to provide the user a way to efficiently finish caulk applied to surfaces such as doors, windows, shower walls, trim, etc. The SCF can also be used as a cleaning tool for household, industrial, and commercial applications and is especially effective at cleaning corner surfaces. Attachments are also designed to allow the SCF to be used as a trim painting tool or a corner sander.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1—Depicts the tool handle and neck. (Enhanced view on separate page attached.)

FIG. 2—Depicts the tool handle extension. (Enhanced view on separate page attached.)

FIG. 3—Depicts the squeezer. (Enhanced view on separate page attached.)

FIG. 4—Depicts the tool handle with the tool head. This drawing shows the different profiles of the tool head. (Enhanced view on separate page attached.)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The SCF consists of a straight plastic handle approximately 6 inches in length, from the handle a neck extends at approximately 25 degrees for 2.7 inches to the head of the tool. The angle of the neck allows the user to place the sponge in position to make contact with the corner or edge being worked on while holding the handle. The head of the tool is about two inches long, two inches wide and is in the shape of a wedge to fit neatly into corners. The head is also made of plastic and is covered with Velcro to allow the felt backed sponge to be attached to the head. We have designed an extension for the handle that makes it about 14 inches long. The extension is attached with 2 standard bolts and nuts and two plastic plates through holes in the handle. The drawings contain more exact measurements for each of the features.

The sponge, cut to match and be attached to the tool head, is used by being pressed to the work surface where it absorbs the excess caulk. The user then slides the sponge along the work surface and the caulking is neatly finished. Once a build up of caulk is achieved, the user then dips the sponge into a bucket of water to remove the caulk gathered. To squeeze the excess water from the sponge after cleaning, we have designed a squeezing device that is placed over the edge of the bucket with brackets at the bottom of the squeezer. The user places the tool head into the squeezer, which is designed to fit the tool head, and pushes on the squeezer handle. The excess water is squeezed from the sponge and the user can continue finishing the caulking project.

Our first attachment is for trim painting. This attachment is applied to the tool head the same way as the sponge, however, only one side of the tool head wedge is used and a guard is positioned over the middle of the tool head to prevent paint from getting on the trim. The trim painting attachment is made of plastic and is backed by felt to attach to the tool head the same as the sponge. It has a foam face instead of sponge to allow the user to apply the paint.

The second attachment is the corner sander. This consists of a sandpaper face with a felt back to attach to the tool head. The wedge design of the tool head allows the user to press the sandpaper into corners while holding the tool handle.

Claims

1. We herein claim a caulk application and finishing system and general cleaning system comprised of:

a tool designed with a handle extending to an angled neck that allows the head of the tool to provide a proper angular projection to penetrate gaps and corners; and

an extension of the tool handle that permits extended reach; and

a felt and Velcro attachment system that permits changing or replacement of the material applied to the tool head; and

a squeezing device to remove excess water or other substance from the tool head.

2. The application, finishing, and cleaning tool of claim 1, further comprising separate tool head attachments using the elements of angular projection and felt and Velcro attachment system contained in claim 1 to accomplish tasks of trim painting and sanding.