TROWEL

Abstract

A trowel includes a blade and a handle that is moveably coupled to blade. Further, the trowel includes a cam mechanism that is supported by one of the blade and the handle and is operable to engage the other of the blade and the handle. The cam mechanism is actuatable to change a position of the handle relative to the blade.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/907,636, filed Nov. 22, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to hand tools. In particular, the present invention related to trowels.

Trowels are hand tools that are typically used for smoothing, spreading or digging a material. For example, trowels are frequently used to spread, smooth, or extract cement, plaster, mortar or dirt for construction or maintenance projects such as tiling, bricklaying, or gardening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention provides a trowel including a blade and a handle that is moveably coupled to the blade. Further, the trowel includes a cam mechanism supported by one of the blade and the handle and that is operable to engage the other of the blade and the handle. The cam mechanism is actuatable to change a position of the handle relative to the blade.

In another embodiment the invention provides a trowel including a blade, a handle that is slidably coupled to the blade, and a cam mechanism coupled to the handle and including a cam surface. The cam mechanism is moveable between a first position, in which the cam surface engages a portion of the blade to fix the handle relative to the blade, and a second position, in which the handle is moveable relative to the blade.

In another embodiment the invention provides a handle for a trowel including a blade. The handle includes a body that is configured to couple to the blade and a cam mechanism coupled to the body and including a cam surface. The cam mechanism is actuateable to change an amount of force the cam surface exerts on the blade.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a trowel including a blade and a handle having a cam mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1a is a front perspective view of the trowel of FIG. 1 including a different blade.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the trowel of FIG. 1, with a grip removed from the handle.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the trowel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of the trowel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the trowel of FIG. 1, taken along section line 5-5, and illustrating the cam mechanism in a first position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the trowel of FIG. 1, taken along section line 5-5, and illustrating the cam mechanism in a second position.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a trowel including a handle having a cam mechanism according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a portion of the trowel of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the trowel of FIG. 7, taken along section line 9-9, and illustrating the cam mechanism in a first position.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the trowel of FIG. 7, taken along section line 9-9, and illustrating the cam mechanism in a second position.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a trowel including a handle having a cam mechanism according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the trowel of FIG. 11, taken along section line 12-12, and illustrating the cam mechanism in a first position.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the trowel of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a trowel 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The trowel 10 includes body or blade 14 that defines a longitudinal axis A (FIG. 5). In the illustrated embodiment, the blade 14 is substantially rectangular, although the blade 14 may have any suitable shape. For example, the blade 14a illustrated in Fig. la includes recesses or gullets 16 formed along two edges of the blade 14a. Teeth 17 are defined between adjacent recesses 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 16 and the teeth 17 are substantially rectangular, but may be other shapes (e.g., arcuate).

Referring back to FIGS. 1-6, the trowel 10 also includes a spine 18 that extends upwardly and generally perpendicular from the blade 14. The spine 18 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis A. In the illustrated embodiment, the spine 18 is coupled to the blade 14 by a fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, and the like, which are not shown). The fasteners extend through apertures 20 in the spine 18. In other embodiments, the spine 18 is integrally formed with the blade 14. The illustrated spine 18 includes a first track 22 formed on a first side of the spine 18 and a second track 26 formed on a second side of the spine 18. The first track 22 and the second track 26 extend substantially the entire length of the spine 18 and are oriented parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axis A. In the illustrated embodiment, the first track 22 and the second track 26 have substantially triangularly-shaped cross-sections (as shown in FIG. 3), although in other embodiments the tracks 22, 26 may have other configurations. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 11-13, the first track 222 and the second track 226 have substantially arcuately-shaped cross-sections (as shown in FIG. 13).

Further with respect to FIGS. 1-6, the trowel 10 also includes a handle 30 that is adjustably coupled to the spine 18. The handle 30 defines a longitudinal axis B (FIG. 5). In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis B of the handle 30 is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the blade 14 such that the handle 30 extends generally parallel to an upper surface of the blade 14. In other embodiments, the longitudinal axis B of the handle 30 may be horizontally angled and/or vertically angled relative to the longitudinal axis A of the blade 14. The handle 18 includes a body 34 and a projection or gripping portion 38 extending rearwardly from the body 34. The illustrated gripping portion 38 is integrally formed with the body 34, but may alternatively be formed as a separate piece from the body 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping portion 38 of the handle 30 is covered by a grip 42 that makes gripping the handle 30 more comfortable to the user. The grip 42 is formed of, for example, an elastomeric material.

The body 34 of the handle 30 defines a recess 46 that extends through the body 34 and is parallel to the longitudinal axis B. The recess 46 is defined by a first side wall 50 and a second side wall 54 of the body 34, which are opposite each other. The side walls 50, 54 extend toward the blade 14 to straddle the spine 18. Each of the first side wall 50 and the second side wall 54 includes a substantially arcuately shaped projection or rails 58, 62. The projections 58, 62 are sized and shaped to be received within the first track 22 and the second track 26, respectively, of the spine 18. The projections 58, 62 and the tracks 22, 26 facilitate sliding the handle 30 along the spine 18 to adjust or change the position of the handle 30 relative to the blade 14.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the handle 30 also includes a clamp member 66 and a locking lever or cam mechanism 70. While the clamp member 66 and the cam mechanism 70 are supported by the handle 30 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, in another embodiment the clamp member 66 and the cam mechanism 70 may be supported by the blade 14. The clamp member 66 and the cam mechanism 70 are operable to selectively fix the handle 30 to the spine 18. That is, the cam mechanism 70 is actuatable by a user to secure the handle 30 to the spine 18 so that handle 30 is not movable (i.e., is fixed) relative to the blade 14. In addition, the cam mechanism 70 is actuatable by the user to release the handle 30 from the spine 18 so that the handle 30 is movable (e.g., slidable) along the spine 18 to change the position of the handle 30 relative to the blade 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp member 66 is at least partially received within the handle 30. The clamp member 66 is secured to a block 72, which is positioned and secured within the recess 46 of the body 34 of the handle 30. The clamp member 66 is pivotally coupled to the block 72 for movement relative to the handle 30. The illustrated clamp member 66 includes an engagement surface 82 and a tapered surface 84. The engagement and the tapered surfaces 82, 84 are formed on opposite sides of the clamp member 66. The engagement surface 82 is disposed adjacent the spine 18 (i.e., facing the spine 18) when the handle 30 is coupled thereto. As such, the engagement surface 82 can selectively engage the spine 18. The tapered surface 84 is disposed adjacent the cam mechanism 70 (i.e., facing the cam mechanism 70). As such, the tapered surface 84 is engaged by the cam mechanism 70.

A fastener or screw 74 (FIG. 4) extends through the body 34 of the handle 30, the block 72, and the clamp member 66 to secure the clamp member 66 relative to the handle 30. In particular, a through-hole 76 (FIGS. 5 and 6) in the body 34 of the handle 30 is coaxially aligned with bores 78, 80 in the clamp member 66 and the block 72, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the bore 78 in the clamp member 66 is threaded. Also, the clamp member 66 is adjustable relative to the handle 30, which will be discussed in greater detail below.

The cam mechanism 70 is pivotally coupled to the body 34 of the handle 30 and positioned within the recess 46. The illustrated cam mechanism 70 includes a manual actuator 90 and a cam surface 94. Actuation or movement of the actuator 90 rotates the cam mechanism 70 about an axis C (FIG. 2). The axis C is defined by a fastener or pin 71 that is coupled to the body 34 and supports the cam mechanism 70. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis C is oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B of the handle 30. The cam surface 94 is defined by a cam portion coupled to the actuator 90. The cam surface 94 engages the tapered surface 84 of the clamp member 66 to selectively move the engagement surface 82 of the clamp member 66 into and out of engagement with the spine 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 90 and the cam surface 94 are integrally formed as a single lever. In other embodiments, the actuator 90 and the cam surface 94 may be separate elements that are coupled together.

The cam mechanism 70 is movable between a first, secured position (FIG. 5) and a second, unsecured position (FIG. 6). In the secured position, the cam surface 94 exerts a first force on the tapered surface 84 of the clamp member 66. As such, the engagement surface 82 of the clamp member 66 is pressed or compressed against a surface 96 of the spine 18 (e.g., the upper surface), thereby securing or fixing the handle 30 to the spine 18 so that the handle 30 is not movable along the spine 18. In the unsecured position, the cam surface 94 does not exert a force, or at least exerts substantially less force (i.e., a second force), on the clamp member 66, thereby allowing the handle 30 to slide relative to the spine 18. In other words, the second force is greater than or equal to zero PSI, but is less than the first force. The actuator 90 is movable by a user in the direction of arrow D (FIG. 5) to achieve the unlocked position, and is movable in a direction substantially opposite the arrow D to achieve the locked position. In other words, the actuator 90 is movable to change the amount of force the cam surface 94 exerts on the blade 14.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the clamp member 66 is substantially wedge-shaped such that the engagement surface 82 of the clamp member 66 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A, and the tapered surface 84 of the clamp member 66 tapers at an angle θ relative to the engagement surface 82. In particular, the tapered surface 84 of the clamp member 66 tapers away from the block 72 at the angle θ relative to the longitudinal axis A. As discussed above and with specific reference to FIGS. 4-6, the clamp member 66 is adjustable relative to the block 72 and, therefore, the handle 30. In particular, rotating the fastener 74 in a first direction tightens the clamp member 66 (i.e., decreases the amount of the relative movement between the clamp member 66 and the handle 30) by pushing the clamp member 66 away from the block 72. This is because as the clamp member 66 moves away from the block 72, the cam surface 94 of the cam mechanism 70 contacts locations of the tapered surface 84 that correspond to increasingly thicker portions of the clamp member 66. Accordingly, by tightening the clamp member 66, the cam mechanism 70 will feel stiffer (e.g., harder to move) to a user actuating the mechanism 70. The cam mechanism 70 and the clamp member 66 will also exert more force on the spine 18 when in the secured position. In contrast, rotating the screw in a second direction loosens the clamp member 66 (i.e., increases the amount of the relative movement between the clamp member 66 and the handle 30) by pulling the clamp member 66 toward the block 72. This is because as the clamp member 66 moves toward the block 72, the cam surface 94 of the cam mechanism 70 contacts locations of the tapered surface 84 that correspond to increasingly thinner portions of the clamp member 66. Accordingly, by loosening the clamp member 66, the cam mechanism 70 will feel looser (e.g., easier to move) to a user actuating the mechanism 70. The cam mechanism 70 and the clamp member 66 will also exert less force on the spine 18 when in the secured position.

The clamp member 66 may have other configurations than that illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. For example, FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a trowel 10′ in which the clamp member 66′ has a different configuration. In particular, the engagement surface 82′ is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A′, and the tapered surface 84′ tapers at an angle 0′ relative to the engagement surface 82′. In the illustrated embodiment, the tapered surface 84′ of the clamp member 66′ tapers toward the block 72′ at the angle 0′ relative to the longitudinal axis A. As a result of the direction of taper of the clamp member 66′, adjustment of the clamp member 66′ relative to the handle 30′ is opposite from that of the clamp member 66 of FIGS. 1-6. In particular and with specific reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, rotating the fastener 74′ in the first direction loosens the clamp member 66′ (i.e., increases the amount of relative movement between the clamp member 66′ and the handle 30′) by pushing the clamp member 66′ away from the block 72′. This is because as the clamp member 66′ moves away from the block 72′, the cam surface 94′ of the cam mechanism 70′ contacts locations of the tapered surface 84′ that correspond to increasingly thinner portions of the clamp member 66′. Accordingly, by loosening the clamp member 66′, the cam mechanism 70′ will feel looser (e.g., easier to move) to a user actuating the mechanism 70′. The cam mechanism 70′ and the clamp member 66′ will also exert less force on the spine 18′ when in the secured position. In contrast, rotating the screw in the second direction tightens the clamp member 66′ (i.e., decreases the amount of the relative movement between the clamp member 66′ and the handle 30′) by pulling the clamp member 66′ toward the block 72′. This is because as the clamp member 66′ moves toward the block 72′, the cam surface 94′ of the cam mechanism 70′ contacts locations of the tapered surface 84′ that correspond to increasingly thicker portions of the clamp member 66′. Accordingly, by tightening the clamp member 66′, the cam mechanism 70′ will feel tighter (e.g., harder to move) to a user actuating the mechanism 70′. The cam mechanism 70′ and the clamp member 66′ will also exert more force on the spine 18′ when in the secured position.

Regardless of the configuration of the clamp member 66, 66′, however, the function of the clamp member 66, 66′ is the same in both embodiments—that is to assist the cam mechanism 70′ in selectively securing the handle 30, 30′ to the blade 14, 14′.

In addition to the structure of the clamp member 66′, the block 72′ the trowel 10′ of FIGS. 7-10 of the trowel includes a lip 73′ and a fastener or pin 75′ extending through the block 72′ and parallel to the axis C′ of the cam mechanism 70′. The pin 75′ provides a pivot point such that the block 72′ is movable or pivotable about its axis relative to the body 34′ of the handle 30′.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a trowel 200 according to another embodiment of the invention. The trowel 200 of FIGS. 11-13 is similar to the trowel 10 of FIGS. 1-6; therefore, like structures will be identified by like reference numbers plus “200” and only the differences between the trowels 10, 200 will be discussed hereafter.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 11-13, the trowel 200 includes a handle 230, but the handle 230 does not include a clamp member. Therefore, rotation of a cam mechanism 270 by an actuator 290 between the secured and unsecured positions causes a cam surface 294 of the cam mechanism 270 to apply and remove a force directly to a spine 218 of the trowel 200. In other words, in the secured position, the cam surface 294 exerts a force directly on a surface 296 of the spine 218, thereby securing the handle 230 to the spine 218. Conversely, in the unsecured position, the cam surface 294 does not exert a force, or at least exerts a substantially less force, on the surface 296 of the spine 218, thereby allowing the handle 230 to slide relative to the spine 218.

The above-described features may be constructed from the same material or a combination of materials, and any suitable material may be used. For example, in each of the embodiments the bodies 34, 34′, 234 and the projections 38, 38′, 238 of the handles 30, 30′, 230 are constructed from cast aluminum, and the cam mechanisms 70, 70′, 270 are constructed from stainless steel or any other suitable powdered metal. Further, the clamp member 66 is constructed from nylon or the like. Other materials may also or alternatively be used as well and are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

It should be understood that features of either of the two embodiments that are shown and described herein may be included and combined in other or additional embodiments for a trowel.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A trowel comprising:

a blade;

a handle moveably coupled to blade; and

a cam mechanism supported by one of the blade and the handle and operable to engage the other of the blade and the handle, the cam mechanism being actuatable to change a position of the handle relative to the blade.

2. The trowel of claim 1, wherein the cam mechanism is movable between a first position, in which the handle is fixed relative to the blade, and a second position, in which the handle is moveable relative to the blade.

3. The trowel of claim 1, wherein the cam mechanism includes a manual actuator and a cam surface, the cam surface engaging the other of the blade and the handle, the manual actuator being movable to change an amount of force the cam surface exerts on the other of the blade and the handle.

4. The trowel of claim 1, wherein the blade defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the cam mechanism is pivotable about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

5. The trowel of claim 1, wherein the handle includes a clamp member that is positioned adjacent to the blade, the clamp member selectively engaging a portion of the blade to inhibit movement of the handle relative to the blade.

6. The trowel of claim 5, wherein the cam mechanism includes a manual actuator and a cam surface, the cam surface engaging the clamp member, the manual actuator being movable to change an amount of force the cam surface exerts on the clamp member.

7. The trowel of claim 6, wherein the manual actuator is movable between a first position, in which the cam surface exerts a first force on the clamp member to fix the handle relative to the blade, and a second position, in which the cam surface exerts a second force on the clamp member to allow relative movement between the handle and the blade.

8. The trowel of claim 5, wherein the clamp member is adjustable.

9. A trowel comprising:

a blade;

a handle slidably coupled to blade; and

a cam mechanism coupled to the handle and including a cam surface, the cam mechanism moveable between a first position, in which the cam surface engages a portion of the blade to fix the handle relative to the blade, and a second position, in which the handle is moveable relative to the blade.

10. The trowel of claim 9, wherein the cam mechanism includes a manual actuator, the manual actuator movable to move the cam mechanism between the first position and the second position.

11. The trowel of claim 9, wherein in the first position the cam surface exerts a first force on the blade, and in the second position the cam surface exerts a second force on the blade, the second force being less than the first force.

12. The trowel of claim 9, wherein the blade includes a longitudinal axis and a spine extending along the longitudinal axis, the handle being slidingly coupled to the spine.

13. The trowel of claim 12, wherein the handle includes a clamp member that is positioned adjacent to the spine, the cam surface engaging the clamp member, the clamp member selectively engaging a portion of the spine to inhibit movement of the handle relative to the blade.

14. The trowel of claim 13, wherein the cam mechanism includes a manual actuator, the manual actuator being movable to change an amount of force the cam surface exerts on the clamp member.

15. The trowel of claim 13, wherein in the first position the cam surface exerts a first force on the clamp member to fix the handle relative to the spine, and in the second position the cam surface exerts a second force on the clamp member to allow relative movement between the handle and the spine.

16. The trowel of claim 13, wherein the clamp member is adjustable.

17. A handle for a trowel including a blade, the handle comprising:

a body configured to couple to the blade; and

a cam mechanism coupled to the body and including a cam surface, the cam mechanism being actuatable to change an amount of force the cam surface exerts on the blade.

18. The handle of claim 17, wherein the blade defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the cam mechanism is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

19. The handle of claim 17, wherein the cam mechanism includes a manual actuator that is movable to change the amount of force the cam surface exerts on the blade.

20. The handle of claim 19, wherein the manual actuator is movable between a first position, in which the cam surface exerts a first force on the blade to secure the handle relative to the blade, and a second position, in which the cam surface exerts a second force on the blade to allow relative movement between the handle and the blade.

21. The handle of claim 19, further comprising a clamp member coupled to the handle and positioned adjacent to the blade, the cam surface engaging the clamp member, the actuator being movable to change the amount of force the cam surface exerts on the clamp member to change the position of the clamp member relative to the blade.

22. The handle of claim 21, wherein the clamp member is adjustable.