CONTOUR SPACKLE KNIFE

Abstract

A simple, hand-held tool for applying drywall compound or other spackle type cement or adhesive substance into a tight space through the entire length and height of the space, such as in a corner next to molding or other obstruction. The device as described may be fashioned in various widths at its applicator end to accommodate various widths of such spaces.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a proprietary handle, further comprising, a bulbous shape configured to fit securely in the palm of one average human hand with room for fingers to wrap around, and a center indentation where a thumb can rest for easy maneuverability, and a hollow portion configured to allow the insertion and securement of a knife blade; a contoured blade further comprising a first end configured to attach to the proprietary handle, a contour shape leading to its second end which has a predefined width and an outside edge that extends beyond the outer circumferential edge of the proprietary handle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the predefined width of the second end of the contoured blade is chosen from the group consisting of: one-quarter inch, one-half inch, three-quarters inch, and one inch.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the proprietary handle is plastic and the contoured blade is aluminum.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the contoured blade is stiff.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the contoured blade is flexible.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the contoured blade has a rubber surface on one side.

7. A device comprising: a proprietary handle, further comprising, a bulbous shape configured to fit securely in the palm of one average human hand with room for fingers to wrap around, and a center indentation where a thumb can rest for easy maneuverability, and a hollowed circumference portion configured to allow the insertion and securement of a plurality of knife blade rotatably mounted; a plurality of contoured blades, each further comprising a first end configured to rotatably attach to the proprietary handle, a contour shape leading to its second end which has a predefined width and an outside edge that extends beyond the outer circumferential edge of the proprietary handle, and all rotatably mounted and configured to allow one blade at a time to be positioned for use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a contour spackle knife comprising a handle (1) having a center indentation (2) and further comprising an offset curved and contoured blade of specified rigidity/flexibility (6) having an outside edge (5) that extends beyond the outside edge of the proprietary handle and having two ends, a first end that attaches to the proprietary handle (3) and a second opposite end having a predefined width at said second end (4).

[0020] FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a contour spackle knife as shown in FIG. 1, but from the other side.

[0021] FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of a contour spackle knife as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but from the side.

[0022] FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a contour spackle knife as shown in the previous figures in perspective view.

[0023] FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a contour spackle knife as shown in the previous figures, but from a top view and showing the outside edge (5) of the blade extending beyond the outside edge of the periphery of the handle.

[0024] FIG. 6 depicts several embodiments of a contour spackle knife as shown in the previous figures with various dimensions and several non-limiting examples of various widths the second opposite end of the blade may have. The outside edge of the second opposite end of the blade is always extended out from the outside edge of the proprietary handle, in these examples, by ⅛″.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of the invention is divided into the following subsections that describe or illustrate certain features, embodiments or applications of the present invention.

Definitions

[0026] “knife blade” as used herein means the blade or knife end of a spackle knife or putty knife or scraper or spatula like tool used for spreading materials such as drywall compound or plaster into joint seams, cracks, nail head holes, and the like, and may be of any materials, shape, thickness, and/or rigidity.

[0027] “contoured blade” as used herein means a knife blade of a specific shape, substantially as shown in FIG. 6, wherein the blade has a curve such that the second opposite end of the blade has an outside edge that extends beyond the outside edge of a handle to which the first end of the blade attaches.

[0028] “proprietary handle” as used herein means a substantially circular, bulbous device, approximately the size to comfortably fit in an average hand, but could be custom sized to fit any hand, comprising a substantially smooth outer surface with an indentation in the center of either or both sides to rest a thumb, and comprising an inner area configured to attach a knife blade.

The System and Method of the Present Invention

[0029] A typical device as described herein comprises a proprietary handle (1) with an indentation (2), approximately the size of a large yo-yo, having one-quarter of its circumferential edge (7) hollowed and configured to accept a contoured blade, the contoured blade having a first end (3) that attaches to the proprietary handle, a curved portion (6) that leads to a second opposite end (4) that is of pre-defined width and having an outside edge (5) that extends out past the outer circumferential edge of the proprietary handle.

[0030] In one embodiment, the second opposite end of the contoured blade is manufactured in widths of one-quarter inch, one-half inch, three-quarter inch and one inch, but otherwise, all of the same characteristics of rigidity, outside edge position relative to the handle, as each other.

[0031] In one embodiment, the proprietary handle relative to the contoured blade first end provides a center of gravity that is uniform to the center of the first attached end of the blade. In this embodiment, the attachment end of the blade is thicker and more substantial than the second opposite end of the blade, irrespective of the width chosen for the second end of the blade. This allows the user a comfortable ergonomic grip to wield the contoured blade securely, uniformly, and easily.

[0032] In one embodiment, the contoured blades are manufactured with different rigidities, depending on the specific purpose. For example, a stiffer blade could be used for scraping, a flexible blade for spreading spackle, and a rubberized blade for grouting.

[0033] In one embodiment, the device as described herein could comprise a set of blades, rotatably mounted in the handle, so that the user could rotate into position the desired blade, which could be chosen because of its width or because of its flex properties. Because the contoured blades are relatively thin, any number of blades could be attached.

Examples

[0034] The present invention is further illustrated, but not limited by, the following examples.

[0035] In a typical construction or remodeling job, there will exist narrow, obstructed areas where a broad spackling knife cannot easily fit. Applying spackle in gaps or around pipes and other obstructions can be awkward, and achieving a flawless result in this circumstance is difficult with existing tools.

[0036] Choosing a contoured knife blade with an ergonomic handle as described herein overcomes this problem. The handle allows the user to hold the contoured blade in a way that the contoured blade can reach the odd area without the user's hand getting in the way, or the blade itself not being able to fit or be positioned correctly.

[0037] For example, consider an area to the left or right of a door casing that is close to a wall. In this situation, there is a small gap, hard to get to. A user's hand cannot line up correctly because it hits the adjacent wall and the gap of space cannot accommodate a typical broad spackle knife. The installer could remove the door casing to get a flat surface, but this is very time consuming and putting it back exactly in position is difficult. The contoured blade, offset from the handle, allows an installer to hold the tool without hitting his or her hand against the adjacent wall and the choice of smaller width blades allows the blade to be chosen to fit the gap.

[0038] The foregoing example can apply in a variety of applications—spackling, jointing, sealing, grouting,—virtually anywhere hard to reach and odd shaped, small areas need spackling, grouting, etc. This is virtually every construction job.

[0039] Publications cited throughout this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Although the various aspects of the invention have been illustrated above by reference to examples and preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is defined not by the foregoing description but by the following claims properly construed under principles of patent law.

[0040] Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually exclusive.