GB2467793A - Hand pointing tool - Google Patents

Abstract

A hand pointing tool (unit A), includes the two flat sheeted sides (1) folded to create a guide (2), with end plates (4) connected at either end to complete the trough section, and a handle (3) connected to one side for means of holding, positioning and stabilising the tool. An adjustable version of the tool includes a slot (10, fig 7) through the end cover plates (4), allowing a nut and bolt to be tightened against the cover plates (4) once the desired guide width has been set.

Description

Hand Pointing Tool This invention relates to a handheld tool to enable the user to push sand and cement (aka mortar) into the joints between any type of paving or brick paving laid flat.

Usually hand pointing', as this technique is known, is carried out by manually pushing mixed wet sand and cement (mortar) from a large trowel in one hand, into the joints of paving / brick paving slabs using a small hand pointing trowel in the other hand. Due to the small size of the joints (normally 10mm) it is very difficult to apply the exact amount of mortar into the joint without excess mortar landing and staining the surrounding paving / brick paving slabs close to the joints.

Although hand pointing can be carried out using a semi dry mix of sand and cement mortar, in order to reduce the chance of staining, this method is often not as strong or long lasting as the wet mix' sand and cement. This is because the wet mix can compress and fill all areas of the joints easier, whereas the dry mix has a tendency to crumble and therefore leave a weaker joint.

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a trough shaped' tool which slots neatly into the joints of paving, which then the user can load with the wet mortar, without any great accuracy, but at an increased speed, whilst eliminating any excess mortar being applied and causing unwanted staining to the paving slabs.

Preferably, the pointing trough will have a handle attached for ease of use.

The trough could also be adjustable in order to suit the varying sized joints.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: * Figure 1 indicates a joint between paving slabs that has been in filled by hand pointing using wet mortar.

* Figure 2 indicates the invention in position whilst pointing.

* Figure 3 indicates a cross section through the pointing trough.

* Figure 4 indicates a plan view of the pointing trough.

* Figure 5 indicates a side view of the pointing trough.

* Figure 6 indicates a 3D isometric view of the pointing trough.

In figure 1, you can see the wet mortar (5) has been applied between the paving joint (6) using the hand pointing method. Once the user realises the joint has been fully filled, the excess mortar (7) either side of the joint will then be scraped away. However the wet mortar is likely to have caused a stain in its place on the paving slab (8).

In figure 3, two flat sheets (1) are folded at point (9) creating a guide (2) which then fits between the paving slabs, which in turn act as a track' for the tool (as indicated in figure 2). An end plate (4) is then secured at either end of the folded sheets to form a trough like object. The cover plate will remain open at either side of the guide (2) to allow the tool to slide along the paving track'.

A handle (3)is then fixed to the side of the trough so that the user can carry and hold the tool in position.

The trough shaped tool with the folded guide (2) allows the user to apply the mortar (5) neatly in to the paving slab joint (6), avoiding any excess mortar (7) which cause stains to the paving slabs (8).

The tool will also increase the speed of the pointing process, as the user does not need to rely on being overly accurate in an attempt to reduce the excess mortar.

An adjustable version of the tool (unit B) would allow the user to increase or decrease the gap between the guide, to suit the size of the joint required. This could be achieved by creating a slot (10) through the end cover plates (4), allowing a nut and bolt to be tightened against the cover plates once the desired guide width has been set. The above option is indicated in Figure 7.

Claims (3)

1. Claims 1. A trough shaped tool allowing a person to apply a jointing composition neatly into the joint between paving slabs.
2. 2. A trough shaped tool incorporating a guide at the base, to allow the tool to be positioned between the paving slabs but also allowing the tool to freely slide along the paving track'.
3. 3. A trough shaped tool according to claim 1, in which the trough can be adjusted to suit the size of the joint required.