CA2097233C

CA2097233C - Caulking tool

Info

Publication number: CA2097233C
Application number: CA002097233A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Edward George Woolley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-05-28
Filing date: 1993-05-28
Publication date: 1996-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 2013-05-28
Also published as: CA2097233A1

Abstract

A tool for shaping caulking material comprising a rigid shaping surface at one end of said tool for imparting a shape to said caulking material, a diverter surface at another end of said tool, a cavity disposed between said shaping surface and said diverter surface for receiving caulking material said diverter surface diverting excess caulking material back toward said shaping surface.

Description

~IELD OF INVENTION
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This invention relates to c~lllkin~ tool for shaping c~lllking material, and in particular relates to a tool for shaping a line of formable c~lllking material in a corner.

Background of the Invention Homes and buildings across the nationutilize calllkinp~ or sealing material in a variety of locations, and are particularly used in bathrooms around tubs and sinks to prevent water leaks onto wood flooring, supports, or the like. C~lllking material is also used in many buildings around windows and doors to prevent air leaks.

From time to time one must remove and replace such c~lllking materials as it begins to deteriorate. This is usually a time consuming and messy job which often has unsatisfactory results for the non-professional. In particular, the c~l-lking material is applied by means of a c~-llking gun which is well-known to those persons skilled in the art and applied in a line between two intersecting walls that usually define a corner at ninety degrees. The application of the line of c~l-lking material particularly when applied by a non-professional has many bumps, or voids, where the c~lllking material has been applied too heavily, or not enough, respectively, so as to present a very unprofessional and unaesthetic look.

Various c~llking tools have heretofore been designed in order to improve the appearance, as well as the application of, a line of c~lllking material applied in a corner.

For example, United States Patent No. 3,761,992 relates to a corner c~lllkin~ tool comprising a head and structure for holding the head where the head consists.of a substantially square sheet rubber gasket having a working edge remote from the holding structure.

Moreover, United States Patent No. 3,846,060 relates to a trolling tool for use in smoothing and shaping mastic c~lllking compounds, which comprises a body 10 member having aligned and bearing surface at its sides to rest upon and be guided by right angularly disposed wall surface contiguous with a corner joint or juncture being caulked.

Yet another arrangement is disclosed in United States Patent No.
4,586,890 which relates to a cock bead tool used to uniformly compress and contour a bead of caulk, grout, putty or other fluent material.

Yet another arrangement is shown in United States Patent No. 3,821,828 which describes a tool for applying putty either to a window in which putty must be - . ;
,~.,, formed on all sides of the window frame, or to a window in which putty is excluded from one or more sides of the window frame.

Finally, United States Patent No. 1,264,610 discloses a c~lllkin~ iron while United States Patent No. 1,851,497 teaches a brick mason's pointing tool.

These and other prior art devices present tools which have limite-l utility.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved c~lllking tool for smoothing and improving the appearance and efficiency of a line of fluent or formable c~lllkin~ material.

The broadest aspect of this invention relates to a tool for shaping 10 c~lllking material comprising a rigid shaping surface at one end of said tool for imparting a shape to said c~lllking material, a diverter surface at another end of said tool, a cavity disposed between said shaping surface and said diverter surface for receiving c~llking material said diverter surface diverting excess c~llking material back toward said shaping surface.

Another aspect of this invention relates to a tool for shaping a line of formable c~lllking material in a corner comprising: a top portion having a first end and another end, a pair of spaced side walls diverging from said top portion between `~

said ends, a groove presented by said top portion between said side walls and extending between said ends, a shaping insert slidably receivable by said groove, said insert presenting a shaping surface adjacent said first end for shaping said line of c~lllkin~ material, a diverter surface disposed between said side walls and spaced from said shaping surface for diverting excess c~lllkin~ material between said side walls towards said shaping surface.

Yet another aspect of this invention relates to a method of shaping a line of formable c~lllkin~ material in a corner with a tool having a shaping surface at one end of the tool, a diverter surface at the other end thereof, and a receiving cavity 10 disposed between said shaping surface and said diverter surface, comprising the steps of: placing said tool over said line of formable c~lllking material with said shaping surface contacting said line of c~lllking material, moving said tool along said line whereby: said shaping surface imparts a shape to said line of c~-llkin~ material, excess c~lllking material is trapped within said cavity and diverted toward said shaping surface and said diverter surface, said diverter surface diverting excess c~lllking material back toward said shaping surface.

Drawin~s These and other objects and features of the invention shall now be described in relation to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of the tool Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tool with the insert 44 inserted into the groove 42.

Figure 3 is a side view of a corner with a line of c~llking.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the tool.

Figure S is a bottom view of the tool.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the tool prior to bending.

Figure 7 is an end view of the tool prior to bending.

Figure 8 is an end view of the tool after bending.

10 Figure 9 is an expanded view of the groove.

Figure 10 is a side view of a corner with a rounded bead.

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the insert to produce the contour of Figure 10.

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Figure 12 is a side view of a corner with a different profile of bead.

Figure 13 is a top view of an insert to produce the profile of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is another side view of a corner with a shaped bead of material.

Figure 15 is a top plan view of an insert to produce the shape of bead shown in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a side view of a corner with another profile of bead.

Figure 17 is a top plan view of an insert to produce the bead shown in figure 16.

Figure 18 is a further side view of a corner with another profile of bead.

Figure 19 is a top plan view of an insert to produce the profile of Figure 18.

10 Figure 20 is a top plan view of a tool for removing old c~lllking.

Description of the Invention Like parts shall be given like numbers throughout the figures.

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Figure 1 illustrates the c?lllkin~ tool or shaping tool 2 which generally comprises a shaping means or shaping surface 4, a diverter surface 6 and receiving cavity 8.

The calllking tool 2 is generally adapted to shape a line 10 of calllking material 12 which is in a corner 14 as best illustrated in Figure 3 and 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18. The corner 14 is defined by two intersecting walls 16 and 18. The walls 16 and 18 may be disposed at any angle less than 180-, but generally speaking will consist of a corner having a 90 angle.

The c~lllkin,e. tool to be described herein is lltili7e~ to shape a line 10 of c~lllkin~
material 12. In particular, by reference to figure 3, amateurs, as well as 10 professionals, when applying a line 10 of calllking material 12 present a line which is irregular in shape and includes many bumps 20 and voids 22 so as to present a line which is unaesthetic in appearance. Moreover, such irregular line 10 particularly when presenting voids 22 presents a calllkin~ line 10 which is less efficient in heat retaining or sealing quality than desired.

By lltili7ing the calllking tool to be described herein, a line 10 of c~lllkin~ material 12 is presented which has a smooth appearance or contour 24.

In particular, the calllking tool 2 is comprised of a flat surface 26 as shown in figures 6 and 7 which in the preferred embodiment presents a curved back edge 28 and a pair ~ .

of parametral cleaning edges 30 and 32 which cleaning edges 30 and 32 converge in the direction from the back edge 28 to a front edge 34. The flat surface 26 can be comprised of a variety of materials, including plastic or the like.

The flat surface 26 may be bent as shown in figures 1 and 2 along the centre line 36 so as to present a tool 2 having a pair of side walls 38 and 40. In particular the tool 2 includes a top portion 42 which has a first end 44 and another end 46 as best seen in figure 4. The pair of spaced side walls 38 and 40 diverge from the top portion 42 between the ends 44 and 46 as best seen in figure 8. A groove or receiving means 42 is presented by the top portion 42 between the side walls 38 and 40 and extends between the ends 44 and 46. The groove 42 is adapted to receive a plurality of interchangeable members or shaping inserts 44 in a manner to be described herein.
The c~lllkinp tool is adapted to receive a plurality of interchangeable inserts 44 one at a time so as to permit easy selection of the desired profile of the line or bead of c~nlking material.

The interchangeable inserts 44 generally present an elongated member or shaft 46 extending longit~l~lin~lly along the length thereof from one end 48 to another end 50.
The cross section of the shaping insert 44 is shaped so as to be received by the cross-section of the groove 42 as best illustrated in figure 8. Accordingly, a variety of interchangeable inserts 44 may be slidingly displaceably moved within the groove 42 20 as well as pulled out therefrom.

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- 9 - 2097~33 The c~lllkin~ tool 2 also includes a diverter surface 6 which spans between the side walls 38 and 40 as best illustrated in figure 2. The diverter surface 6 may be comprised of a variety of materials including plastic and is secured to the side walls 38 and 40 by a variety of means including gluing or fastening same by other means including screws or bolts. The diverter surface 6 presents diverter side walls 52 and 54 which are secured to the side walls 38 and 40 respectively. The diverter surface 6 also includes a short wall 56 which ends just before the groove 42 so as to permit insertion of the insert 44 between the groove and diverter wall 6.

Moreover, the diverter wall 6 includes a longer wall 58 which is disposed below the parametral side edges 60 and 62 of side walls 38 and 40.

The groove 42 may be produced in a variety of methods including the milling out or cutting out of the groove 42 prior to the folding of the flat surface 26 and thereafter folding said flat surface 26 so as to present the groove as best seen in figure 9; or by extruding the groove 42.

The side walls 38 and 40 present parametral cleaning edges 30 and 32 which are adapted to contact the walls 16 and 18 when the c~lllking tool is pulled along the line of c~lllkin~ material 10. In particular, the parametral cleaning edges 30 and 32 converge towards the first end 44.

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lO- 2097233 The inserts 44 present a variety of shaping surfaces 70, 72, 74, 76 and 78, so as to impart a variety of selectable shapes or profiles 80 as best illustrated in figures 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18. In particular, figure 10 illustrates an insert tool 44 having a shaping surface 4 with a convex surface so as to impart a concave surface to the line 10 of c~lllking material.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate an insert 44 having a shaping surface 72 which presents a much larger convex diameter so as present a concave surface in the line of c~lllking material 10 as shown in Figure 12. Furthermore, figure 15 illustrates an insert 44 having a shaping surface 72 presenting two converging lines, while figure 17 discloses an insert 44 having a straight shaping edge 76. Other shapes can be lltili7e~ as illustrated in figure 19 which comprises a combination of convex and concave surfaces.

Accordingly, once insert 44 is inserted into the groove 42 the shaping surface 4 is presented at one end 44 of the tool.

Although the invention described herein illustrates the use of a plurality of interchangeable and insertable inserts 44, the invention also encompasses the lltili7~tion of a single piece whereby the shaping surface 4 is integral with the rest of the tool 2.
In such embodiment, a variety of tools having dirÇe~ent shaping surfaces 48 could be tili7e-1.

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In operation, the tool 2 is held in the fingers of the user so that the top 42 will be facing the viewer, while the diverter surface 6 will be slightly above the line of ca~llkin~ material 10. In particular, the tool 2 will be placed adjacent the walls 16 and 18 such that the shaping edges 30 and 32 contact the walls 16 and 18 while the shaping surface 4 contacts the line of formable c~lllking material 10. Thereafter, the tool 2 will be pulled along the line 10 of c~lllking material 12 so that the shaping surface 48 shapes the line of calllkin,e material 10 by moving excess ca~llking material 20 presented by bumps. While the c~lllking tool 2 is moved along the line 10, excess calllkinp~ material will be moved or displaced by the shaping tool 48 into the voids 22 10 so as to present a smooth line 24. Further excess material will be diverted by the shaping edge 4 into the cavity 8 which is defined by the side walls 38 and 40 as well as diverter surface 6. As the excess c~lllking material acc-lmlll~tes within the cavity 8, the calllking material will be pushed towards the diverter surface 6.

The diverter surface 6 is disposed at an acute angle relative the groove 42 so as to redirect excess c~--lkin~ material back towards the shaping surface 48.

Moreover, the side walls 38 and 40 present on the back surface thereof, a strip of rubber 90. The strip of rubber 90 is adapted to ride along the walls 16 and 18 and smooth out any ca~ lking material so as to present a slight film 92 which is best illustrated in figure 16. In other words, the width of the film 92 corresponds to the ~.~

thickness 94 of the rubber strips 90. The film 92 enhances the sealing capabilities of the c~lllkin~ material 12.

The method of shaping a line of formable c~lllkin~ material 10 in a corner 14 with the tool 2 shall now be described. The user will select the appropriate insert 44 having the desired shaping surface 4. Thereafter the tool 2 will be inserted over the line 10 of formable c~l-lking material 12 with the shaping surface 4 contacting the line 10 of the c~-llkin~ material 12. Thereafter, the tool 2is moved or pulled along the line 10 whereby the shaping surface 48 imparts a shape to the line 10 of c~lllking materlal 12.
Any excess c~lllking material 12 is trapped within the cavity 8 and diverted towards 10 the shaping edge 4 as well as the diverted surface 6. Furthermore, the diverter surface 6 diverts excess c~lllking material 12 back towards the shaping surface 4.

Figure 20 also shows an insert or tool having a sharp point which may be inserted into the groove 42 so as to remove old cured c~l-lking material. Thereafter the tool 2 can be ~ltili~erl in the manner described above to shape fresh or formable c~-~lking material prior to curing.

It should be noted that the c~lllking tool 2is comprised of plastic which may be easily washed and re-used a number of times. Alternatively, disposable c~--lking tools 2 may be lltili~e~ which do not have insertable inserts 44 but rather present a one piece ..~

~~ - 13- 2097233 c~lllking tool 2 which has the applopliate shaping edge 4 applied thereto. After use the tool could be washed and used again or disposed of.

The tool is placed at one end of the line 10 of c~lllkin~ 12 and pulled along the entire line or strip contimling along other sides if there is more than one corner such as the sides of a window. The purpose of the tool 2 is to shape the line 10 of c~lllkin~ 12 while removing any excess c~lllkin~ leaving a tightly shaped c~llking strip. Different inserts 44 would fit into the tool 2 which mould a dirrelelll shape. The tool 2 has foam or rubber sides 90. The shaping edge 4 is designed with sharp moulded plastic edges. The sharp tool shown in figure 20 is used to remove old c~lllkin~. A separate 10 tool can be ~ltili7e~ as well to remove old c~lllking.

The tool 2 is used to shaping c~lllkin~ material 12 after it has been applied, but before it is cured. The tool 2 gives a professional appearance to the fini.ch~fl product without the traditional mess. The various inserts 44 can be washed or can be lltili7e-1 in one application and then discarded.

Although the ~lefel~ed embodiment as well as the operation and the use have been specifically described in relation to the drawings, it should be understood the variations in the prefelled embodiment could be achieved by a man skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention should not be understood to be limit~l to the exact form revealed by the drawings.

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Claims

1. A tool for shaping caulking material comprising:
(a) a shaping surface;
(b) a diverter surface adapted to divert caulking material to said shaping surface;
(c) a cavity disposed between said shaping surface and said diverter surface for receiving caulking material; and, (d) a plurality of interchangeable members releasably attachable to said tool so as to impart a plurality of shapes to said caulking material.

2. A tool as claimed in claim 1, further including a folded surface forming two side walls, and wherein said cavity is defined by said side walls, said diverter surface and said shaping surface.

3. A tool as claimed in claim 2, wherein said side walls each have one straight edge.

4. A tool as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said straight edges of said side walls converge toward said shaping surface.

5. A tool as claimed in claim 4, wherein one of said plurality of interchangeable members has a convex end to impart a concave shape to said caulking material.

6. A tool as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of said plurality of interchangeable members has a concave end to impart a convex shape to said caulking material.

7. A tool as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of said plurality of interchangeable members has a flat end to impart a flat shape to said caulking material.

8. A tool as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of said plurality of interchangeable members has an end to scrape said caulking material.

9. A tool as claimed in claim 2 wherein said folded surface includes an elongate groove, said groove positioned between said side walls and adapted to receive said interchangeable members.

10. A tool as claimed in claim 9 wherein said diverter surface is disposed at an acute angle relative said groove

11. A tool as claimed in claim 10 comprising transparent material in order that a user may view caulking material inside said cavity.

12. A tool for shaping a line of formable caulking material in a corner comprising:
(a) a top portion having a first end and a second end;
(b) a pair of spaced side walls diverging from said top portion between said ends;
(c) a groove formed in said top portion between said side walls and extending between said ends;
(d) a shaping insert slidably receivable by said groove, said insert providing a shaping surface adjacent said first end for shaping said line of caulking material; and, (e) a diverter surface disposed between said side walls and spaced from said shaping surface for diverting excess caulking material between said side walls towards said shaping surface.

13. A tool as claimed in claim 12 wherein said diverter surface is disposed at an acute angle relative to said groove from said first end.

14. A tool as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of said side walls forms a parametral cleaning edge converging towards said shaping surface.

15. A tool as claimed in claim 14 wherein said side walls each include a rubber strip adjacent said parametral edge to smooth said caulking.

16. A method of shaping formable caulking material with a tool having a shaping surface, a diverter surface for directing caulking material to said shaping surface, a cavity disposed between said shaping surface and said diverter surface for receiving caulking material, and a plurality of interchangeable members to impart shapes to said caulking material, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) inserting one of said interchangeable members into said tool, said interchangeable member chosen so as to impart a desired shape to said caulking material;
(b) placing said tool over said formable caulking material with said shaping surface contacting said caulking material; and, (c) moving said tool along said caulking material such that said interchangeable member imparts a shape to said caulking material corresponding to the shape of said member while excess caulking material is trapped and received within said cavity, said diverter surface diverting said excess caulking material back towards said shaping surface and said interchangeable member.