ROLLER FOR USE IN PLASTERBOARD FINISHING

Abstract

A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing is disclosed. The tool has a first wing and a second wing, and an edge portion of the first wing is pivotably connected to an edge portion of the second wing. The tool also has one or more first wing rollers connected to, and able to pivot/roll relative to, the first wing, and one or more second wing rollers connected to, and able to pivot/roll relative to, the second wing. In use, the tool can be pressed against surfaces on respective sides of a joint or line between adjacent plasterboard panels, such that the first wing roller(s) contact with the surface on one side of the joint or line and the second wing roller(s) contact with the surface on the other side of the joint or line. When the tool is thus pressed against the surfaces on respective sides of the joint or line between adjacent plasterboard panels, the first wing and the second wing are caused to align (by pivoting relative to one another, if necessary) with the plasterboard panels on the respective sides of the joint or line, such that the first wing roller(s) become(s) correctly oriented relative to the plasterboard panels on one side of the joint or line, and the second wing roller(s) become(s) correctly oriented relative to the plasterboard panel(s) on the other side of the joint or line.

Claims

1. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing, the tool having a first wing and a second wing, wherein the first wing is pivotably connected to the second wing, one or more first wing rollers connected to, and able to pivot/roll relative to, the first wing, and one or more second wing rollers connected to, and able to pivot/roll relative to, the second wing, wherein, in use, the tool can be pressed against surfaces on respective sides of a joint or line where adjacent plasterboard panels on either side of that joint or line meet or come together, such that the first wing roller(s) contact with the surface on one side of the joint or line and the second wing roller(s) contact with the surface on the other side of the joint or line, and when the tool is pressed against the surfaces on the respective sides of the joint or line, the first wing and the second wing of the tool self-align with the plasterboard panels on the respective sides of the joint or line, such that the first wing roller(s) become(s) correctly oriented relative to the plasterboard panel(s) on one side of the joint or line (to press perpendicularly against (including while rolling along the surface of) the plasterboard panel(s) on that side of the joint or line), and the second wing roller(s) become(s) correctly oriented relative to the plasterboard panel(s) on the other side of the joint or line (to press perpendicularly against (including while rolling along the surface of) the plasterboard panel(s) on that other side of the joint or line).

2. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first wing and the second wing can pivot relative to one another such that the angle between the first wing and the second wing on a surface-engaging side of the tool can be any angle in between (and including) two range extremes.

3. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 2, wherein at a first of the range extremes, the angle α between the first wing and the second wing on the surface-engaging side of the tool is between 90° and 180°.

4. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 2, wherein at the first of the range extremes, the angle α between the first wing and the second wing on the surface-engaging side of the tool is at least as low as 90°.

5. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 2, wherein at a second of the range extremes, the angle α between the first wing and the second wing on the surface-engaging side of the tool is between 180° and 270°.

6. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 2, wherein at the second of the range extremes, the angle α between the first wing and the second wing on the surface-engaging side of the tool is at least at as high as 270°.

7. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first wing and the second wing both have one or more cut-outs and/or other shaped portions the shape and/or configuration of which enables the first and second wings to pivot relative to one another without the roller(s) on one wing colliding with the other wing.

8. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 1, wherein a handle can be connected to the tool, and when connected the handle is connected to the first wing and also to the second wing.

9. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tool further includes a linking component, and the handle is connected to the tool via the linking component.

10. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tool has a first force transfer mechanism via which some force/pressure applied to the tool by the handle is transferred to the first wing, and a second force transfer mechanism via which some force/pressure applied to the tool by the handle is transferred to the second wing.

11. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 10, wherein the amount of pressure/force from the handle which is transferred to the first wing by the first force transfer mechanism is equal to the amount of pressure/force from the handle which is transferred to the second wing by the second force transfer mechanism.

12. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 9, wherein the tool includes a first force transfer member which is pivotally connected to the first wing, and the tool also includes a second force transfer member which is pivotally connected to the second wing.

13. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first force transfer member and the second force transfer member each also have a portion that is pivotally connected to the linking component.

14. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first and second force transfer members can both pivot relative to the linking component, but the movement of the first and second force transfer members relative to the linking component is linked such that the movement of the second force transfer member is always equal and opposite to the movement of the first force transfer member.

15. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing as claimed in claim 1, wherein an edge portion of the first wing is connected to an edge portion of the second wing in a manner that permits the wings to pivot relative to one another about a wing pivot axis, and when the tool is configured with the first wing and the second wing pivoted relative to one another to enable the first wing rollers and the second wing rollers to roll respective sides of an internal corner having an angle that is less than 180°, the wing pivot axis is located closer to the apex of the internal corner than a point of intersection between an axis about which the first wing roller(s) rotate and an axis about which the second wing roller(s) rotate.

16. A roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing, the tool having a first wing and a second wing, wherein an edge portion of the first wing is connected to an edge portion of the second wing in a manner that permits the wings to pivot relative to one another about a wing pivot axis, one or more first wing rollers which are connected to, and which are able to pivot/roll relative to, the first wing about a first wing roller axis, and one or more second wing rollers which are connected to, and able to pivot/roll relative to, the second wing about a second wing roller axis, wherein, when the tool is configured with the first wing and the second wing pivoted relative to one another to enable the first wing rollers and the second wing rollers to roll in an internal corner having an angle that is less than 180°, the wing pivot axis is located closer to the apex of the internal corner than the point of intersection between the first wing roller axis and the second wing roller axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0050] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description makes reference to a number of Figures as follows:

[0051] FIG. 1 contains two images, namely FIG. 1(i) and FIG. 1(ii). FIG. 1(i) is an image of an existing (prior art) “fixed” 90° internal corner roller. The way in which this roller tool can be used to press (and embed) e.g. tape into the finishing compound in an internal corner is shown in FIG. 1(ii).

[0052] FIG. 2 also contains two images, namely FIG. 2(i) and FIG. 2(ii). FIG. 2(i) is an image of an existing (prior art) “fixed” 90° external corner roller. The way in which this roller tool can be used to press (and embed) e.g. a bead into the finishing compound on an external corner is shown in FIG. 2(ii).

[0053] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a roller tool for use in plasterboard finishing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the angle between the wings of the tool on the surface-engaging side of the tool (and hence the angle on the surface-engaging side of the tool between the rollers on the respective wings in this embodiment) is approximately 135°. However, as will be explained, the tool in this embodiment is self-adjusting in that the tool automatically conforms to the shape (and to the angle) of the internal or external corner on which the tool is being used (i.e. the tool conforms to the corner into which, or onto which, it is pressed). Accordingly, the orientation of the wings of the tool (relative to one another) shown in FIG. 3 (and hence the relative orientation of the rollers on the respective wings in FIG. 3, namely with the angle between them on the surface-engaging side of the tool being approximately 135°) is the orientation that the respective wings (and the rollers on the respective wings) would adopt if the tool were to be pressed onto an external corner having an angle of approximately 225°. FIG. 7 illustrates the tool when it is being pressed onto (and when it is being used to roll) an external corner having an angle of approximately 225°.

[0054] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the same roller tool as shown in FIG. 3. However, FIG. 4 shows the tool in a different configuration compared to FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, the angle between the respective wings of the tool on the surface-engaging side of the tool (and hence the angle on the surface-engaging side of the tool between the rollers on the respective wings) is approximately 225°. However, as mentioned above, the tool is self-adjusting and automatically conforms to the shape (and to the angle) of the internal or external corner on which the tool is being used. Accordingly, the orientation of the wings of the tool (relative to one another) shown in FIG. 4 (and hence the relative orientation of the rollers on the respective wings in FIG. 4, namely with the angle between them on the surface-engaging side of the tool being approximately 225°) is the orientation that the respective wings (and the rollers on the respective wings) would adopt if the tool were to be pressed into an internal corner having an angle of approximately 135°. FIG. 8 illustrates the tool when it is being pressed into (and when it is being used to roll) an internal corner having an angle of approximately 135°.

[0055] FIG. 5 is yet another perspective view of the same roller tool as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 5 shows the tool in a different configuration again compared to FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 5, the angle between the respective wings of the tool on the surface-engaging side of the tool (and hence the angle on the surface-engaging side of the tool between the rollers on the respective wings) is approximately 270°. This is the orientation that the respective wings (and the rollers on the respective wings) would adopt if the tool were to be pressed into an internal corner having an angle of approximately 90°.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a further perspective view of the same roller tool as shown in FIGS. 3-5. However, FIG. 6 shows the tool in a different configuration again. In FIG. 6, the angle between the respective wings of the tool (and hence the angle between the rollers on the respective wings of the tool) is 180°. This is the orientation that the respective wings (and the rollers on the respective sides) would adopt if the tool were to be pressed onto a flat surface (as opposed to into an internal corner or onto an external corner); that is, where the plasterboard panels on either side of a joint or line are in a common plane and the tape or bead that is applied to cover the joint or line (and which is being rolled using the tool) will ultimately also (possibly after further smoothing and finishing) form part of the same planar surface as the panels. For the avoidance of doubt, tools in accordance with the present invention (including the tool in the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-13) can be used in this way.

[0057] FIG. 7 illustrates the tool when it is being pressed onto (and when it is being used to roll) an external corner having an angle of approximately 225°.

[0058] FIG. 8 illustrates the tool when it is being pressed into (and when it is being used to roll) an internal corner having an angle of approximately 135°.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the same tool again, shown in a configuration similar to the one in FIG. 3, except that in FIG. 9 a number of the rollers of the tool have been made to appear transparent in order for the way in which they are secured to the respective wings of the tool, and their rotational axes, to be more easily seen and understood.

[0060] FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the same tool, again shown in a configuration similar to the one in FIG. 3 (except slightly more zoomed in comparison with FIGS. 3 and 9), and in FIG. 10 one of the components via which a handle (not shown) is pivotally connected to the tool (and this is also the component which holds the upper/proximal ends of the arms, being the arms via which pressure from the handle is applied to the respective wings to press the wings into or onto a corner) has been made to appear transparent so that the “geared” portions on the upper/proximal ends of the arms can be seen. A number of the fasteners used to secure the lower/distal end of one of the arms to one of the wings have also been omitted (but the corresponding fasteners used to secure the lower/distal end of the other arm to the other wing are still shown) so that the way in which the arms are pivotally connected to the wings can also be understood.

[0061] FIG. 11 is an image which shows the relative orientation of the wings of the tool (and hence the relative orientation of the rollers on the respective wings) with an angle between them on the surface-engaging side of the tool close to the first range extreme (i.e. where the angle between the wings is at, or close to, 75°). This is the orientation that the respective wings (and the rollers on the respective wings) would adopt if the tool were to be pressed onto an external corner having an angle of around 285°. FIG. 11 also shows one of the flexible bands that can be applied to one or both ends of the tool in order to act in a manner similar to a spring.

[0062] FIG. 12 is an image which shows the relative orientation of the wings of the tool (and hence the relative orientation of the rollers on the respective wings) with an angle between them on the surface-engaging side of the tool that is close to the other range extreme (i.e. where the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side is at, or close to, 285°). This is the orientation that the respective wings (and the rollers on the respective wings) would adopt if the tool were to be pressed into an internal corner having an angle of around 75°. FIG. 12 also shows one of the flexible bands that can be applied to one or both ends of the tool to provide a resilient bias.

[0063] FIG. 13 is an “end-on” view of the tool when the tool is in a 270° internal corner configurations, i.e. FIG. 13 shows the tool in the same configuration as FIGS. 5 and 12. The “end-on” view in FIG. 13 illustrates, in particular, the fact that the pivot axis about which the respective wings of the tool pivot relative to one another is offset from (and closer to the apex of an internal corner than) the location of the intersection between the axes of the respective rollers. In other words, the axis about which the respective wings of the tool pivot relative to one another is offset from, and it is closer to the apex of an internal corner than, the location where a plane which contains the axes about which the rollers on one wing rotate intersects with a plane which contains the axes about which the rollers on the other wing rotate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] As mentioned above, FIGS. 3-6 are each perspective views of a roller tool 10 for use in plasterboard finishing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Each of these Figures shows the tool 10 in a different configuration. In other words, each of these Figures shows the tool 10 in a configuration which the tool would adopt if/when used to roll corners or surfaces where the angle between the plasterboard panels on the respective sides of the joint or line between the panels is different.

[0065] As the Figures show, the tool 10 has a first wing 100 and a second wing 200. The first wing 100 and the second wing 200 are pivotally connected to one another.

[0066] The first wing 100 and the second wing 200 are symmetrical. In other words, the shape of the first wing 100 and the shape of the second wing 200 are identical. Nevertheless, for ease of reference and for explanatory purposes, parts and features associated with the first wing 100 will be referred to using 1XX reference numbers, and parts and features associated with the second wing 200 will be referred to using 2XX reference numbers.

[0067] The first wing 100 is pivotally connected to the second wing 200 such that the two wings can pivot relative to one another about the wing pivot axis WP. The way in which the two wings are pivotally connected to one another is that there are a number of protruding noses on each wing. Specifically, the protruding nose portions on the first wing 100 are labelled 106, and the protruding nose portions on the second wing 200 are labelled 206. All of the nose portions 106 (being the ones on the first wing 100) and 206 (being the ones on the second wing 200) have a cylindrical through-bore extending therethrough in a direction parallel to the length direction of each wing. When the wings are brought together as the tool is being assembled, the nose portions 106 on the first wing are positioned directly adjacent to the corresponding nose portions 206 on the second wing, such that the through bores in each adjacent pair of nose portions 106/206 become aligned (and in fact the through bores in all of the nose portions 106/206 become aligned) along the wing pivot axis WP. A pivot pin (the length of which is the same as the length of the through bores in two of the nose portions combined) is then inserted into the aligned bores in each pair of nose portions 106/206, thereby securing each pair of nose portions 106/206 together. This in turn secures the first wing and the second wing together but still permits pivotable movement of the wings relative to one another about the wing pivot axis WP.

[0068] It can also be seen that, on the first wing 100, there are two first wing rollers 110 and 120. Likewise, on the second wing 200, there are two second wing rollers 210 and 220. The first wing rollers 110 and 120 on the first wing 100, and also the second wing rollers 210 and 220 on the second wing 200, are the tool's “main” rollers, i.e. these are the rollers that mainly function to press the tape or bead onto the surface when the tape or bead is being rolled using the tool. However, in addition to the main first wing rollers 110 and 120, and the main second wing rollers 210 and 220, there are also two outer rollers on each wing. The outer rollers on the first wing 100 are labelled 115 and 125, and the outer rollers on the second wing are labelled 215 and 225. The outer rollers 115, 125, 215, 225 on the respective wings provide stability to the tool. More specifically, the outer rollers provide stability in the transverse direction (i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the wing pivot axis WP) because they are located a greater distance away from the wing pivot axis WP than the main first wing rollers 110 and 120 and the main second wing rollers 210 and 220. The outer rollers also provide stability in the longitudinal direction (i.e. in a direction parallel to the wing pivot axis WP) because the outer rollers are located a greater distance apart in a direction parallel to wing pivot axis WP (i.e. the distance between rollers 115 and 125 on the first wing, which is the same as the distance between the rollers 215 and 225 on the second wing, is greater than the distance between any of the main rollers on the first and second wings in the longitudinal direction).

[0069] In addition to providing stability, the outer rollers 115, 125, 215, 225 may sometimes also function to, or assist in, rolling the tape or bead, if the tape or bead that is being rolled is wide enough for the outer rollers to also come into contact with the tape or bead. FIGS. 7-8 provide examples where this is the case. FIG. 7 illustrates the tool 10 when it is being pressed onto (and when it is being used to roll) a bead that has been applied on an external corner having an angle of approximately 225°. In the example in FIG. 7, it can be seen that the bead that has been applied on the particular external corner shown is wide enough that the tool's main rollers (i.e. the first wing rollers 110, 120 on the first wing and the second wing rollers 210, 220 on the second wing) contact with and roll (the inner portions of) the bead, but the outer rollers 115, 125, 215, 225 also contact with and roll on the more outer portions of the bead.

[0070] Similarly, FIG. 8 illustrates the tool 10 when it is being pressed into (and when it is being used to roll) a bead that has been applied in an internal corner having an angle of approximately 135°. Again, it can be seen in FIG. 8 that the bead that has been applied on this particular internal corner is wide enough that tool's main rollers (i.e. the first wing rollers 110, 120 on the first wing and the second wing rollers 210, 220 on the second wing) contact with and roll (the inner portions of) the bead, but the outer rollers 115, 125, 215, 225 also contact with and roll the outer portions of the bead.

[0071] However, in some situations, the tape or bead which the tool is being used to roll may be thinner/narrower than the ones shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in which case it may be that only the tool's main rollers (i.e. the first wing rollers 110, 120 and the second wing rollers 210, 220) come into contact with the bead (or possibly only parts of these main rollers may come into contact with the bead), and the outer rollers may then contact with the surface of the plasterboard panels themselves (on the outside of the bead).

[0072] As mentioned above, FIG. 3 shows the tool 10 in a configuration where the angle between the wings 100, 200 on the surface-engaging side of the tool is 135°. The surface-engaging side of the tool is the side of the tool where the rollers come into contact with the tape or bead or plasterboard (i.e. the side of the tool where the rollers come into contact with the surface being rolled) when the tool is in use. Basically, the surface-engaging side of the tool is the opposite side of the tool to the side which has the arms 150, 250, etc, via which the handle connects to the tool. The way in which the handle is connected to the tool, and the operation of the arms, etc, will be discussed further below.

[0073] Thus, FIG. 3 shows the tool 10 in the configuration where the angle between the wings 100, 200 on the surface-engaging side of the tool is 135°. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the tool in different configurations where the size of the angle on the surface-engaging side is progressively increased, with FIG. 4 showing the tool when the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side is 225°, and FIG. 5 showing the tool when the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side is 270°.

[0074] At this point, it is important to note that, on each of the wings 100, 200, there are a number of cut-outs and other specifically shaped portions, which will now be discussed.

[0075] On the first wing 100, there are a pair of cut-outs (or places where the edge of the wing 100 is indented/recessed) on the edge of the wing 100 nearest the wing pivot axis WP. These cut-out portions on the first wing are labelled 101 and 102 in FIG. 3. As mentioned above, the wings 100 and 200 are symmetrical (i.e. they have the same shape). Accordingly, on the second wing 200 there are also a pair of identical cut-outs (or places where the edge of the wing 200 is indented/recessed) on the side of the wing 200 nearest the wing pivot axis WP. The cut-out portions on the second wing are labelled 201 and 202 in FIG. 3.

[0076] The purpose of the cut-outs 101 and 102 in the first wing, and the cut-outs 201 and 202 in the second wing, can be understood by initially comparing FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

[0077] Specifically, it can be seen from these Figures that, as the wings are pivoted relative to one another to progressively increase the size of the angle on the surface-engaging side of the tool up to and beyond 180° (or in other words when the wings are pivoted so as to progressively reduce the size of the angle between the wings on the non-surface-engaging side of the tool down to and below 180°), the inner ends of the first wing rollers 110 and 120 (i.e. the ends of these rollers that are closest to the wing pivot axis WP) move into the spaces provided by the cut-outs 202 and 201 in the second wing. Likewise, as the wings are pivoted relative to one another to progressively increase the size of the angle on the surface-engaging side of the tool up to and beyond 180°, the inner ends of the second ring rollers 210 and 220 move into the spaces provided by the cut-outs 102 and 101 in the first wing.

[0078] The cut-outs also serve a similar function when the wings are pivoted the opposite way relative to one another, that is, to reduce the size of the angle on the surface-engaging side of the tool down to and below 180° (or in other words to increase the size of the angle between the wings on the non-surface-engaging side of the tool up to and beyond 180°). An example of this is given in FIG. 11. Again, it will be appreciated that, as the wings are pivoted relative to one another to progressively decrease the size of the angle on the surface-engaging side of the tool down to and below 180°, the inner ends of the second wing rollers 210 and 220 move into the spaces provided by the cut-outs 102 and 101 in the first wing and the inner ends of the first wing rollers 110 and 120 move into the spaces provided by the cut-outs 202 and 201 in the second wing.

[0079] Therefore, the cut-outs 201 and 202 in the second wing 200 are important because they prevent the inner ends of the first wing rollers 110 and 120 from colliding with the second wing 200 when the wings are pivoted away from the “flat” 180° configuration shown in FIG. 6, and likewise the cut-outs 101 and 102 in the first wing 100 are important because they prevent the inner ends of the second wing rollers 210 and 220 from colliding with the first wing 100 when the wings are pivoted away from the “flat” 180° configuration. This is particularly important when the wings are pivoted relative to one another towards (or all the way to) either of the range extremes. In the particular embodiment shown, one of the range extremes is where the angle between the first wing 100 and the second wing 200 on the surface-engaging side of the tool is approximately 75°. Accordingly, at this first range extreme, the tool can be used to roll an external corner where the angle between the plasterboard panels on either side of the corner is approximately 285°. Also, in the particular embodiment shown, the other range extreme is where the angle between the first wing 100 and the second wing 200 on the surface-engaging side of the tool is approximately 285° (or in other words where the angle between the first wing 100 and the second wing 200 on the non-surface-engaging side of the tool is approximately 75°). At this second range extreme, the tool could therefore be used to roll an internal corner where the angle between the plasterboard panels on either side of the corner is approximately 75°. Therefore, the tool 10 in the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-13 is capable of being used to roll internal or external corners (or flat surfaces) where the angle between the panels on either side of a line/gap between panels is anywhere in between these two range extremes.

[0080] The cut-out portions 101, 102, 201, 202 discussed above are important for enabling the tool to pivot without the main rollers on one wing colliding with the opposite wing, and consequently these cut-out portions help to allow the tool 10 to have a range of motion which extends from one of the range extremes described above to the other range extreme described above.

[0081] In addition, the cut-out portions 101, 102, 201, 202 are also important because they enable the tool to operate with larger-diameter main rollers. In this regard, the diameter of the main rollers 110, 120, 210, 220 is similar to the diameter of the rollers used on the fixed tools described in the Background section above. In other words, the diameter of the first wing rollers 110 and 120, and the diameter of the second wing rollers 210 and 220, is able to be larger than would be possible if the cut-outs 101, 102, 201, 202 were not provided. This means that the problems that can arise for adjustable tools with smaller diameter rollers, in particular their propensity to “flick” wet joint compound up as the tool moves along, is reduced. The diameter of the outer rollers 115, 125, 215, 225 is also the same as the diameter of the main rollers 110, 120, 210, 220, and therefore the outer rollers also have a reduced propensity to “flick” wet joint compound.

[0082] The cut-out portions 101, 102, 201, 202 also allow the main rollers 110, 120, 210, 220 to be longer than would be possible if those cut-out portions were not provided. In fact, the length of the main rollers 110, 120, 210, 220 is such that the inner ends of these main rollers extend beyond (i.e. past) the wing pivot axis WP. This enables the rollers (despite their larger diameter) to get very close to the apex in internal corners in particular, and to roll portions of the tape or bead in internal corners that are very close to the apex of the corner, where this would not have been possible (i.e. the inner ends of the main rollers would not have been able to get in as close to the apex in internal corners) if the cut-out portions 101, 102, 201, 202 were not provided.

[0083] It can also be seen from e.g. FIG. 3 that there are a number of sloping portions 105 (three of them) on the first wing 100, and likewise there are a number of (three) sloping portions 205 on the second wing 200. Each of the sloping portions 105 on the first wing is located directly opposite (across the wing pivot axis WP from) a respective one of the nose portions 206 on the second wing, and similarly, each of the sloping portions 205 on the second wing is located directly opposite (across the wing pivot axis WP from) a respective one of the nose portions 106 on the first wing.

[0084] The purpose of these sloping portions 105 and 205 can again be understood by comparing FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Specifically, it can be seen from these Figures that as the wings are pivoted relative to one another to increase the size of the angle on the surface-engaging side of the tool up to and beyond 180°, the rounded and angled end portions of the respective nose portions 206 on the second wing 200 move into the spaces provided by the sloping portions 105 on the first wing. Likewise, the rounded and angled end portions of the respective nose portions 106 on the first wing 100 move into the spaces provided by the sloping portions 205 on the second wing. Thus, the fact that the sloping portions 105 are provided on the first wing 100 (opposite the nose portions 206 on the second wing 200) prevents the rounded and sloping surfaces on the second wing's nose portions 206 from colliding with the first wing, and vice versa, when the wings are pivoted in this way. This is especially important for enabling the tool to be able to move all the way to the range extreme where the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side of the tool is greater than 270° (and in this particular embodiment the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side of the tool at this range extreme is 285°).

[0085] In addition to the cut-out portions and shaped/sloping portions of the respective wings described above, on each wing there are also spaces provided for the various rollers to be mounted. For example, on the first wing, there are large gaps in the wing where (and into which) the first wing rollers 110 and 120 are mounted, and there are cut-outs (or indented portions) on the outer side of the first wing where the outer rollers 115 and 125 are secured on the outside of the wing at either end. All of these things are also present on the second wing 200 (the shape of which is identical to the first wing 100).

[0086] Turning next to FIG. 9, the image in this Figure is very similar to the image in FIG. 3, except that in FIG. 9 a number of the tool's rollers (specifically the first wing roller 120, the first wing outer roller 125, the second wing roller 210 and the second wing outer roller 215) have been made to appear transparent. This is so that the way in which these rollers are mounted to the respective wings can be seen and understood. The way in which the other rollers, namely those which are not made to appear transparent in FIG. 9, are mounted to the respective wings is the same. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the rollers is internally hollow and mounted on (and each roller rotates around) an axle bolt. Thus, for each roller, the axle bolt secures the roller to the relevant wing and also serves as the axle for the roller. For example, the first wing roller 120 (which is the one main first wing roller which has been made to appear transparent in FIG. 9) is mounted on an axle bolt 121. More specifically, when the tool 10 is being assembled, the cylindrical outer “roller” portion of the roller 120 (i.e. the outer body of the roller itself) is first slotted onto the axle bolt 121, and the axle bolt 121 (with the outer body of the roller 120 then mounted thereon) is then screwed into a hole in the outer edge of the wing 100 that is provided for this. The end of the axle bolt 121 can just be seen projecting from this hole on the outside edge of the first wing 100 and FIG. 9.

[0087] It should be noted that, on the axle bolt 121, only the end portion of the bolt's shaft, namely the portion which screws into the side of the wing 100, is threaded. The remainder of the bolt's shaft has a smooth surface and is un-threaded. This helps to provide a smooth (and lower friction) surface for the main body of the roller to rotate around. It should also be noted that the bolt 121 is (and indeed all of the other axle bolts are also) made from steel, and the body of the roller 120 is (and indeed the bodies of all of the rollers are) made from acetal, which is a high-strength, low friction engineering plastic. Of course, no strict limitation as to the particular materials used for the axle bolts or roller bodies is to be implied, and it will be understood that any suitable material may be used for the axle bolts and/or for the bodies of the rollers.

[0088] The way in which all of the other rollers are assembled and mounted to the respective wings is the same as just described for first wing roller 120. Thus, for example, when the tool is being assembled, the cylindrical outer ‘roller” portion of the outer roller 125 (i.e. the outer body of the outer roller 125, which in the depicted embodiment is made from acetal) is first slotted onto the shaft of the axle bolt 126, and the axle bolt 126 (with the outer body of the roller 125 then mounted thereon) is then screwed into a hole in the indented end portion on the outer edge of the wing 100 that is provided for this.

[0089] In each case, the head of the axle bolt is larger in diameter than the hollow interior of the roller body, such that the head of the axle bolt prevents the roller from sliding off the bolt and thereby secures the body of the roller to the relevant wing.

[0090] The main rigid body portion of each of the wings 100 and 200 will typically be made from metal. It is thought that aluminium alloys will often be suitable because of the relative ease with which these can be cast and/or machined to have the appropriate shape, etc, and also because of their comparatively high-strength and rigidity, and low weight. In the particular embodiment depicted in, e.g., FIGS. 11 and 12, the material from which each of the wings 100 and 200 is made is 6061 aluminium. However, it is to be clearly understood that no strict limitation as to the particular material used to create the wings is to be implied, and a range of other aluminium alloys, or other metals (i.e. other than aluminium alloys), or indeed a range of other non-metal materials (such as e.g. engineering plastics, fibre reinforced composites, etc) could also be used. The same also applies for many of the other components of the tool 10, like e.g. the arms 150, 250, the linking component 300, handle mount 350, etc. In the particular embodiment shown, these are all made from 304 stainless steel, but a range of other metals or non-metal materials could also be used. Also, all of the various pivot pins and the like used in the tool may be made from any suitable metal or other material.

[0091] As mentioned above, a handle (not shown in FIGS. 3-13) can be attached to the tool 10. The handle will generally be an elongate handle, i.e. generally similar to the elongate handles used on the “fixed” roller tools shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 above, and like the handles used on those previous “fixed” roller tools, the handle used with the tool 10 may be a fixed-length (i.e. non-extendable) handle, or it may be length-adjustable. In any case, the invention is not to be considered limited to, or by, any particular kind of handle.

[0092] The way in which the handle (not shown) connects to the tool 10 in the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-13 is that a handle adapter component (not shown in any of the Figures) will be provided that has an externally threaded (i.e. male threaded) rod extending from the end, and that external (male) threaded rod on the handle adapter component (not shown) screws into the internally threaded (female threaded) bore 352 on the inside of the handle mount component 350. The handle adapter component (not shown) has an external (male) threaded portion on it. This external (male) threaded portion on the handle adapter component (not shown) is configured to match the internal (female) threaded portion that is typically provided on the kinds of conventional elongate tool handles used with these kinds of roller tools. Again, the handle itself is not shown in any of the accompanying Figures. Thus, when the threaded rod on the end of the handle adapter component (not shown) is screwed into the bore 352 in the handle mount component 350, the handle adapter component (not shown) becomes connected to (and it effectively then forms an extension of) the handle mount component 350, and the handle itself (not shown) with its internal (female) threaded portion can then be screwed onto the external (male) threaded portion on the handle adapter component, thereby connecting the handle to the tool 10.

[0093] The handle mount component 350 is pivotably attached to the linking component 300. The linking component 300 is the generally “shackle” shaped component via which the handle mount component 350 (and the handle adapter component, and the handle) connects to the arms 150 and 250, as discussed below. The fact that the handle mount component 350 (to which the adapter and handle are connected) is pivotable relative to the link component 300 means that, in a generally similar way to the fixed roller tools shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 above, the handle (when connected) can pivot relative to the rest of the tool 10 (the handle mount component 350 (and the adapter and the handle) pivot relative to the linking component 300 about an axis that is perpendicular to the wing pivot axis WP), such that the angle of the handle relative to the tool 10 changes as the tool is moved/rolled along a corner in use.

[0094] It should be noted that other mechanisms could alternatively be used for connecting the handle to the handle mount component. For example, a friction fit connection directly between the handle and the handle mount component could be used, or a part of the handle mount component to which the handle connects could be externally threaded such that the internally-threaded portion on the handle could connect directly thereto, etc. These alternatives would, of course, require the configuration of the handle mount component to be different to the one (350) shown in the Figures.

[0095] As mentioned above, the linking component 300 is the generally “shackle” shaped component via which the handle mount component 350 (and the handle adapter and the handle) connect to the arms 150 and 250. The arms 150 and 250 are the components that connect the linking component 300 to (and which transfer force/pressure from the handle into) the respective wings 100 and 200 when the tool 10 is in use. More specifically, there is a first arm 150 which connects the link component 300 to the first wing 100, and there is a second arm 250 which connects the link component 300 to the second wing 200. The upper end of each of the arms 150 and 250 is pivotally connected to the link component 300, and the lower end of each arm 150 and 250 is pivotally connected to the relevant wing, i.e. the lower end of the first arm 150 is pivotally connected to the first wing 100 and the lower end of the second arm 250 is pivotally connected to the second wing 200.

[0096] The operation of the arms 150 and 250 (i.e. how they work and the role they play in the functioning of the tool 10) may perhaps be more easily understood from (and following) a general explanation of the way in which the tool 10 is used. Therefore, before discussing further details about the configuration of the arms 150 and 250 and how they work, a general explanation of how the tool 10 is used will be provided.

[0097] Reference will be made initially to the way in which the tool 10 can be used to roll an external corner.

[0098] When the tool 10 is to be used to roll an external corner, if, before the tool comes into contact with the panels (or the bead) on either side of the external corner, the wings 100 and 200 of the tool are oriented (relative to one another) in a configuration that is more closed than the corner (i.e. if the angle between the wings 100 and 200 on the surface-engaging side of the tool 10 is smaller than the angle of the external corner to be rolled), then when tool first contacts the panels (or the bead) on either side of the corner, it will be the outer edges of the tool 10, in particular the outer rollers 115, 125, 215, 225, that will first come into contact with the panels (or the bead) on either side of the external corner. Then, when further pressure is applied to the tool 10 (i.e. when the tool is further pressed onto (and into engagement with) the corner) this pressure will force the tool further open. In other words, the respective wings 100 and 200 will be caused to pivot relative to one another such that the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side widens/increases as the tool moves into full contact/engagement with the corner. This will continue until the main wing rollers 110, 120, 210, 220 come into full contact (i.e. until each of the main wing rollers 110, 120, 210, 220 is in contact along most or all of its length) with the bead on the respective sides of the external corner. Then, once the tool 10 is thus properly engaged with (and pressed against) the bead (and possibly also in contact with portions of the panels) on either side of the corner, the tool can be moved along the bead to “roll” the corner and embed the bead into the adhesive on the corner. (It should be noted that, in embodiments which utilise a flexible band to provide the tool with an inherent bias, as discussed below, it may sometimes be the case that before the tool comes into contact with the panels (or the bead) on either side of an external corner, the wings 100 and 200 of the tool may be oriented (relative to one another) in a configuration that is more closed than the corner (i.e. the angle between the wings 100 and 200 on the surface-engaging side of the tool 10 may be smaller than the angle of the external corner to be rolled). This is because the flexible band may bias the tool towards one or other of the tool's range extremes, and one of these range extremes is where the angle between the wings 100 and 200 on the surface-engaging side of the tool is minimum (approximately 75° in the depicted embodiment).)

[0099] Alternatively, if, before the tool comes into contact with the panels (or the bead) on either side of the external corner, the wings 100 and 200 of the tool are oriented (relative to one another) in a configuration that is more open than the corner (i.e. if the angle between the wings 100 and 200 on the surface-engaging side of the tool is larger than the angle of the external corner to be rolled), then when the tool first contacts the bead on either side of the corner, it will be the inner portions of the tool, in particular the inner portions of the main wing rollers 110, 120, 210, 220, that will first come into contact with the bead on either side of the corner. Then, when further pressure is applied to the tool (i.e. when the tool is further pressed onto (and into engagement with) the corner) this pressure will force the tool to effectively close around the corner. In other words, the respective wings 100 and 200 will be caused to pivot relative to one another such that the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side decreases as the tool moves into full engagement with the corner, until most or all of the length of each main wing roller 110, 120, 210, 220 is in contact with the bead on the respective sides of the external corner, and the outer rollers 115, 125, 215, 225 may also be in contact with the bead or with portions of the panel on the outside of the bead on either side. Thereafter, once the tool 10 is thus properly engaged with (and pressed against) the bead (and possibly also in contact with portions of the panels) on either side of the external corner, the tool can be moved along the bead to “roll” the corner and embed the bead into the adhesive on the corner.

[0100] Reference will now be made to the way in which the tool 10 can be used to roll an internal corner.

[0101] When the tool 10 is to be used to roll an internal corner, if, before the tool comes into contact with the panels (or the tape or bead) on either side of the internal corner, the wings 100 and 200 of the tool are oriented (relative to one another) such that the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side is not large enough (e.g. if the angle between the wings 100 and 200 on the surface-engaging side is, say, 225°, but the angle between the panels in the particular internal corner to be rolled is, say, 100°, which would therefore require the angle between the wings 100 and 200 on the surface-engaging side to be 260°), then when the tool first contacts the panels (or the tape or bead) on either side of the corner, it will again be the outer edges of the tool, in particular the outer rollers 115, 125, 215, 225, that will first come into contact with the panels (or the tape or bead) on either side of the internal corner. Then, when further pressure is applied to the tool (i.e. when the tool is further pressed into the internal corner) this pressure will force the tool further into the corner. In other words, the respective wings 100 and 200 will be caused to pivot relative to one another such that the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side widens/increases further (i.e. so that the angle between the wings on the non-surface-engaging side decreases) as the tool moves into full engagement with the internal corner, until most or all of the length of each main wing roller 110, 120, 210, 220 is in contact with the tape or bead on the respective sides of the internal corner, and the outer rollers 115, 125, 215, 225 may also be in contact with the tape or bead or with portions of the panel on the outside of the tape or bead.

[0102] Or, if (on the other hand), before the tool comes into contact with the bead on either side of the internal corner, the wings 100 and 200 of the tool are oriented (relative to one another) such that the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side is too large (e.g. if the angle between the wings 100 and 200 on the surface-engaging side is, say, 285°, but the angle between the panels in the particular internal corner to be rolled is, say, 140°, which would therefore require the angle between the wings 100 and 200 on the surface-engaging side to be 220°), then when the tool first contacts the tape or bead on either side of the internal corner, it will be the inner portions of the tool, in particular the inner portions of the main wing rollers 110, 120, 210, 220, that will first come into contact with the tape or bead on either side of the corner. Then, when further pressure is applied to the tool (i.e. when the tool is further pressed into the internal corner) this pressure will force the respective wings 100 and 200 to pivot relative to one another such that the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side decreases as the tool moves into full engagement with the surfaces on either side in the internal corner, until most or all of the length of each main wing roller 110, 120, 210, 220 is in contact with the tape or bead on the respective sides of the internal corner, and the outer rollers 115, 125, 215, 225 may also be in contact with the tape or bead or with portions of the panel on the outside of the tape or bead. (It should be noted that, in embodiments which utilise a flexible band to provide the tool with an inherent bias, as discussed below, it may also sometimes be the case that before the tool comes into contact with the panels (or the tape or bead) on either side of an internal corner, the wings 100 and 200 of the tool may be oriented (relative to one another) such that the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side is too large. This is because, as mentioned above, the flexible band may bias the tool towards one or other of the tool's range extremes, and the other/second of these range extremes is where the angle between the wings 100 and 200 on the surface-engaging side of the tool at its maximum (approximately 285° in the depicted embodiment).)

[0103] The configurations and arrangements of the arms 150 and 250, and the way in which the arms 150 and 250 help the tool to function in the manner described above, will now be explained.

[0104] As mentioned above, the lower end of the first arm 150 is pivotally connected to the first wing 100 and the lower end of the second arm 250 is pivotally connected to the second wing 200. The way in which the lower end of each of the arms is pivotably connected to the relevant wing can be understood with reference to FIG. 10.

[0105] In FIG. 10, the fasteners 160 that are used to secure the lower end of the first arm 150 to the first wing 100 have been omitted. However, the corresponding fasteners 260 that secure the lower end of the second arm 250 to the second wing 200 are still shown. It can therefore be appreciated from FIG. 10 that, when the tool 10 is being assembled, and more specifically when (for example) the lower end of the first arm 150 is being connected to the first wing 100, a small cylindrical rod/dowel 152 is first inserted through a through-bore in the lower end of the arm 150. Thereafter, the lower end of the arm 150, including with the rod/dowel 152 extending therethrough, is inserted into an aperture 112 in the wing 100. This is clearly illustrated in FIG. 10. It is also shown in FIG. 10 that when the lower end of the arm 150 is inserted into the receiving aperture 112 in the wing 100, the ends of the rod/dowel 152 are also received in extensions 112a of the aperture 112 on either side of the arm 150. Thereafter, although not shown in FIG. 10, it will nevertheless be appreciated that the relevant fasteners 160 are inserted (with washers on them) into the threaded holes 114 located just beyond the end of each of the aperture extensions 112a. It will be understood that when the fasteners 160 (with washers thereon) are screwed into the holes 114, this secures both ends of the rod/dowel 152 to the wing 100, and this in turn secures the lower end of the arm 150 relative to the wing 100. However, the fact that the rod/dowel 152 is cylindrical (i.e. circular in cross-section) means that the arm 150 remains pivotable relative to the wing 100.

[0106] It will be understood that the way in which the lower end of the second arm 250 is pivotably secured relative to the second wing 200 is the same as just described above for the first arm 150.

[0107] It is relevant to note that, because of the way the arms 150/250 are pivotally connected to the relevant wings 100/200, the location of the pivotal connection between the lower end of each arm and the relevant wing is actually recessed into or “within” the thickness of the relevant wing. This, and also the configuration of the arms 150/250, the link component 300 and the way it connects the upper ends of the arms to the handle mount component 350, etc, all help to reduce the distance between the pivot axis WP and the location about which the handle is able to pivot relative to the tool. And this (i.e. reducing this distance), in turn, helps to improve the overall stability of the tool.

[0108] It is also mentioned above that the upper ends of the respective arms 150 and 250 are pivotally connected to the link component 300. The way in which the upper ends of the arms 150 and 250 are pivotally connected to the link component 300 can, again, be understood from FIG. 10 because the link component 300 has been made to appear transparent in FIG. 10. As can be seen from FIG. 10, the upper ends of each of the arms 150 and 250 are received within a slot on the underside of the link component 300. The upper end of each of arms 150 and 250 is secured within this slot by a rod/dowel (i.e. the upper end of each arm is secured by a respective dowel) which is inserted through a through bore in the upper end of the arm and also through aligned through bores in the portions of the link component on either side of the said slot. Thus, these rods/dowels secure the upper ends of the arms 150/250 within the slot in the underside of the link component 300, but the cylindrical (circular in cross-section) shape of each rod/dowel permits the arms to also pivot relative to the link component 300.

[0109] However, it can also be seen from FIG. 10 that, in addition to the fact that the upper end of each arm 150, 250 is pivotally connected to the link component 300 (as just described), the upper ends of the respective arms 150 and 250 also each have a number of “spur gear” like teeth thereon. The gear teeth on the upper end of the first arm 150 engage (i.e. they “mesh”) with the gear teeth on the upper end of the second arm 250. The way in which the gear teeth on the upper ends of the respective arms mesh together means that, although both arms are able to pivot relative to the link component, it is not possible for one of the arms to pivot relative to the link component 300 independently of the other arm. Rather, the pivotable movement of the respective arms relative to the link component is “linked” because the meshing of the gears on the respective arms means that, if one of the arms pivots relative to the link component, the other arm is also caused (forced) to pivot relative to the link arm, by the same amount, but in the opposite direction.

[0110] This “linking” of the pivotal movement of the respective arms (such that the movement of one arm is always equal but opposite to the movement of the other) is important to the operation of the tool. In particular, this is what ensures that, in use, when the user presses the tool onto an external corner, or into an internal corner, the amount of pressure applied to each of the wings (caused by the pressure which the user applies via the handle) is equal, and it also ensures that the respective wings always (at all times) pivot by the same amount (but in opposite directions) relative to the plane containing the handle. This helps to give the tool it's “self-aligning” functionality, i.e. such that the tool automatically conforms to the shape of the (internal or external) corner on (i.e. into or onto) which the tool is applied. It also significantly improves the stability and usability of the tool.

[0111] Referring next to FIGS. 11 and 12, each of these Figures show how, in this embodiment, a resilient/flexible (e.g. rubber or otherwise elastic) band 400 can be applied to one or both ends of the tool in order to give the tool a natural bias. It will be appreciated that threaded apertures 117 and 217 are provided in the ends of the respective first and second wings 100 and 200, and screws 180 and 280 (or the like) can be screwed into the apertures 117 and 217, so that the elastic band(s) 400 can be installed on the screws 180 and 280 at one or both ends of the tool, for example by wrapping the elastic band(s) around the screws in a “FIG. 8” pattern, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. When an elastic band 400 is applied to one or both ends of the tool in this way, the band(s) 400 act in a manner similar to a spring, that is, to provide a resilient bias that biases the tool towards either the first range extreme (note that the configuration shown in FIG. 11 is at, or at least close to, the first range extreme where the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side of the tool is approximately) 75° or towards the second/other range extreme (note that the configuration shown in FIG. 12 is at, or at least close to, the other range extreme where the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side of the tool is approximately 285°). Which of these (range extreme) orientations the tool is biased towards depends on the relative orientation of the wings of the tool at a given time. If, at a given time, the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side is less than 180°, the wings will be biased (by the elastic tension in the band(s) 400) towards (and if all pressure is removed from the tool's wings at that time, the wings will naturally move towards) the configuration shown in FIG. 11. On the other hand, if, at a given time, the angle between the wings on the surface-engaging side is greater than 180°, the wings will be biased (by the elastic tension in the band(s) 400) towards (and again if all pressure is removed from the tool's wings at that time, the wings will naturally move towards) the configuration shown in FIG. 12.

[0112] Turning to FIG. 13, this Figure is an “end-on” view of the tool when the tool is in a 270° internal corner configuration. The “end-on” view in FIG. 13 also illustrates the fact that the wing pivot axis WP about which the respective wings 100 and 200 pivot relative to one another is offset by a distance X from (and it is closer by the distance X to the apex of an internal corner than) the location of the intersection between the axes F and G about which the respective rollers on each wing rotate (the location of this intersection is marked as Z). In other words, the axis WP about which the respective wings pivot relative to one another is offset by the distance X from, and it is closer by the distance X to, the apex of an internal corner than the location Z where a plane F′ which contains the axes about which the rollers on one wing rotate intersects with a plane G′ which contains the axes about which the rollers on the other wing rotate. This geometry is preferable because it assists the inner ends of the respective main wing rollers 110, 120, 210, 220 to be closer to the apex of an internal corner when the tool in this kind of “internal-corner-rolling” configuration (and this is important for ensuring that the tape or bead used on the internal corner is pressed as closely as possible into the apex of the corner). In previous adjustable roller tools designs, the axis about which the respective wings pivot relative to one another was not offset from (and it certainly was not closer to the apex of the corner than) the location of the intersection between the axes about which the rollers rotate.

[0113] Also, for reasons explained above (i.e. because of the way the movement of the arms, and hence the movement of the wings, is “linked”, such that the movement and angle of one arm (and its wing) will always be equal and opposite to the movement and angle of the other arm (and its wing), it follows that the angle θ that one wing (and the rollers thereon) forms to the plane containing the handle will always be equal to the angle θ that the other wing (and the rollers thereon) forms to the plane containing the handle. This is particularly helpful when rolling internal corners as it helps to enable the user to provide an accurate centre line for aligning and bedding the tape or bead in the internal corner.

[0114] In this specification, the term “comprising” is (and likewise variants of the term such as “comprise” or “comprises” are) intended to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or integers, but not necessarily the exclusion of any other integer, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0115] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0116] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.