US3069713A - Dry wall finishing tool - Google Patents

Description

1962 G. w. OBRASKE 3,069,713

DRY WALL FINISHING TOOL Filed May 21, 1959 z/vvs/vro/ e GERALD W OBPA JKE E J /6M A 7' TORNE Y Elite tates atent C 3,069,713 DRY WALL FINISHING TGOL Gerald W. Ohraske, Minneapolis, Minn, assignor to Modern Wall, a ctr-partnership, composed of Gerald W. Obraske and Donald Matusesire, Minneapolis, Minn. Filed May 21, 1959, fier. No. 814,878 1 Claim. (Cl. 15-236) This invention relates broadly to hand tools, more particularly to such tools as used in working with adhesive cements, and specifically to a tool for use in the dry wall construction trade for finishing work in the manner of producing feathered edges, finishing joints between dry wall panels, and the like.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a finishing tool for working adhesive cements used in dry wall construction work wherein the blade of said tool being of a constant cross-sectional thickness, is afforded a varied flexibility, according to its backing member.

A further object of this invention is to provide a finishing tool for working adhesive cements used in dry wall construction wherein its mount for the handle member affords a novel support for the fingers of the user to facilitate control of the tool and provide a more firm and comfortable grip.

A further object of this invention is to provide a finishing tool for working adhesive cements used in dry wall construction, which tool by virture of the varied flexibility of its blade will produce highly desirable feathered edge portions of said adhesive cements as applied to a surface.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a finishing tool for working adhesive cements used in dry wall construction wherein the blade and its mounting means are adjustable relative to the grip section of the handle.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application and in which, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

To the above end, generally stated, this invention consists of the following devices and combination of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claim.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention substantially in working position;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the upper end portion thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the blade and its mountin elements in section, taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

The numeral 4 indicates a horizontally disposed longitudinally elongated blade having a constant cross-sectiona1 thickness throughout its entire length. This blade 4 is rigidly mounted on a backing member 5 which, as shown, is in the form of a horizontally disposed angle bar, one flange 6, of which, is upwardly projected and the other flange 7, thereof, is rearwardly projected and is provided at its longitudinal center with an integral rearwardly projecting lug 8 affording a mount for a handle member 9 as will presently be described. It is important to note that the rearwardly projected flange 7 is tapered from the outer end portions thereof inwardly and outwardly to its junction with the lug S.

The blade 4- is rigidly secured 'to the outer surface of the upstanding flange 6 of the backing member 5 and projects substantially thereabove the same as dictated by the desired flexibility of the said blade 4.

The upwardly projecting flange 6, of the backing memher 5 at its upper edge portion, see numeral 10, is on an upwardly and outwardly inclined, relatively flat radius from its longitudinal center to each end portion thereof. It will be obvious from the foregoing that this construction embodying upwardly flared end portion of the member 6 will impart the extra desired stiffness or rigidity to the end portions of the blade so highly important in finishing the joints between dry wall panels to a feathered edge.

Adjustably secured to the lug 8 on the backing member 5 is .a handle member 9 having a grip section 11 and terminating at the upper end portion of said grip section in a cross-head 12 which affords a mount for the blade and backing assembly 4 and 5 respectively. The upper surface 13 of the cross-head 12 is machined smooth to mate with the undersurface of the lug 8 and aligned transverse bores 14 in the lug 8 and the cross-head 12 are provided for a pair of screw threaded bolts 15 to secure the handle assembly and the blade and backing the one to the other selectively, in a position most comfortable and efficient for the hand and fingers of the user.

As a means to provide better control of the tool in the hand and fingers of the user and to afford a firmer grip, the cross-head 12 is provided with relatively deep notch, see numeral 16, at the rear left hand portion thereof. This notch 16 extends into the cross-head 12 substantially to the grip section 11 of the handle assembly 9 and is actually a clearance notch for the thumb of the users hand, assuming, of course, a right handed operator. Obviously it is possible in the manufacturing process, to provide for revising the position of the cross-head 12 on the upper end portion of the grip section 11 of the handle assembly for a left handed user. It will also be understood that in a tool of this class, the user generally grips the tool in such a manner that while the main support is provided by the grip of the hand on the grip section 11, much of the touch, skill and guidance of the tool at work is provided by the fingers that will usually overly the cross-head 12, and the lug 8, with the finger tips applying pressure on the backing assembly 4 and 5 respectively. With the foregoing in mind, the advantage of the notch 16 will be obvious as it permits a short choked grip on the grip section 11.

Conversely, the absence of the notch 16 on the opposite side of the cross-head 12, provides a surface for engagement with the second finger of the users hand to impart still further control to the tool.

While there'are herein disclosed but a limited number of embodiments of the structure, process and product of the invention herein presented, it is possible to produce still other embodiments without departing from the inventive concept herein disclosed, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations be imposed on the appended claim as are stated herein or required by the prior art.

What I claim is:

A finishing tool for use in working the adhesive cement used in dry wall construction, comprising in combination, a longitudinally elongated backing member, substantially in the form of a unitary angle bar having, when in a position of normal use with the tool uppermost, an upwardly projected flange and a rearwardly projected flange, said upwardly projected flange having a constant radius concavity formed in its upper edge portion, affording, at its longitudinal end portions a greater depth than at the central portions thereof, a blade secured to the backing member on the forward surface thereof, said blade being aflorded varied longitudinal flexibility according to the depth of the backing member, a rearwardly projected lug integral with the rearwardly projected flange of the backing member at the longitudinal center thereof and a handle having a cross-head cooperating with the said lug whereby the handle and the blade and backing assembly are secured.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Miller Nov. 7, 1899 Sahlstrom Mar. 13, 1928 Ames Nov. 10, 1942 Voelker et a1 Aug. 22, 1950 Gilyan July 30, 1957 Tucker July 28, 1959 Karnes Nov. 17, 1959

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