CORNER BEAD SQUARE AND SPACKLE APPLICATOR

Abstract

A simple, hand-held tool for installing dry wall corner bead to obtain a consistent, square, smooth surface and enabling an installer to apply spackle evenly through the entire length and height of the corner without any bumps or protrusions. With an optional angle adjuster, corners of other than ninety degrees can be similarly installed.

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 square; a first side of a square further comprising a first end attached to the hollow of the proprietary handle, a second opposite end, an inside edge extending from slightly past the first end to the opposite end wherein at the opposite end, there is a slight protrusion; and a second side of a square further comprising a first end attached to the hollow of the proprietary handle, a second opposite end, an inside edge extending from slightly past the first end to the opposite end wherein at the opposite end, there is a slight protrusion; wherein said first side of a square and said second side of a square form a joint having an angle formed at the joint of both inside edges and further where the angled joint is formed, there is a slight bead notch.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said angle formed at the joint of both inside edges is ninety-degrees.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said proprietary handle is separable and re-attachable.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first side of a square and said second side of a square are rotatable around a pivot point.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the proprietary handle is plastic and the first and second sides of the square are aluminum.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a handheld corner bead square comprising a handle (1) having a center indentation (2), a first side of a square (3), a second side of a square (4), a protrusion on the inside edge of the first side of the square at its opposite end (5), a protrusion on the inside edge of the second side of the square at its opposite end (6) and a bead cutout at the joining edges forming an angle of the inside edges of both sides of the square (7).

[0021] FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a handheld corner bead square comprising a handle (1) having a contoured width (8).

[0022] FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of a handheld corner bead square, in an aspect view to show the relative widths of the various components, comprising a handle (1) having a center indentation (2), a first side of a square (3), a second side of a square (4), a protrusion on the inside edge of the first side of the square at its opposite end (5), a protrusion on the inside edge of the second side of the square at its opposite end (6) and a bead cutout at the joining edges forming an angle of the inside edges of both sides of the square (7).

[0023] FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a handheld corner bead square, in a side view.

[0024] FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a handheld corner bead square, in a top view.

[0025] FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a handheld corner bead square, comprising a handle having a center indentation, a first side of a square (3), a second side of a square (4), a protrusion on the inside edge of the first side of the square at its opposite end, a protrusion on the inside edge of the second side of the square at its opposite end and a bead cutout at the joining edges forming an adjustable angle of the inside edges of both sides of the square wherein the bottom portion of the first end of the first side of the square (8) is hollow and attached at a pivot point (10) and the bottom portion of the first end of the second side of the square (9) is thin enough to fit inside the hollow of the first side and also attached at the pivot point (10) such that the pivot forms a rotatable junction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] 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

[0027] “square” as used herein means a device consisting of two straight edges set at a particular angle to each other, usually ninety-degrees, often used by carpenters and machinists for checking the correctness of angles of construction. While ‘square’ implies a right angle, for purposes here, square implies the tool, not necessarily the shape, and can be any angle.

[0028] “side of a square” as used herein means one leg or one of the two straight edges of a square having a thickness, a width, and a particular angle as set in relation to the other side of a square, as in a first and second side of a square.

[0029] “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 square.

The System and Method of the Present Invention

[0030] 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 (12) hollowed and configured to accept a square, the square having a first side (3) and a second side (4) configured to form a right angle, and wherein both sides have a length configured to extend just beyond the length of traditional corner-bead, and the open ends of both sides having a notch (5, and 6) that are configured to rest against the surface of drywall where corner-bead is being installed and allowing for just the thickness of traditional corner-bead, and further comprising a small bead notch at the right angle formed (7), again to just allow for the shape of traditional corner-bead, such that when pressed up against corner-bead in place over a corner edge of newly constructed drywall, the device as described holds the corner-bead firmly in place allowing a user to then permanently secure in place with a nail gun, stable gun or other fastener.

[0031] In one embodiment, the width (11) of the first and second sides of the square (3, and 4) as described herein are approximately ¼″, just thick enough to securely hold corner-bead in place firmly and uniformly against drywall.

[0032] In one embodiment, the protruding notches (5, and 6) of the first and second sides of a square (3, and 4) are approximately ½″ long, extending past the inner edge of the sides of the square.

[0033] In one embodiment, the proprietary handle can separate into two halves, and reattach via a screw, or snaps, or other known fastening/joining mechanism. In this embodiment, the purpose could be to replace the square should the square become damaged, bent, or dirty. Another reason to replace the square would be if it were desirable to have a different than ninety-degree angle. In one embodiment, there could be a set of squares wherein there could be a forty-five degree angle, a seventy-five degree angle, or any desired degree angle in addition to the ninety-degree angle. Then, when other than ninety-degree angle corner-bead is being installed, it would be a simple switch out of the angled square and the same benefits would attach.

[0034] In one embodiment, the square could be pivotable to change angles without removing from the proprietary handle. As shown in FIG. 6, there could be a first side of a square (13) that has a hollow interior (15) and the second side of a square (14) would be configured to be thinner than the width of the hollow first side such that it would fit partially inside. The two sides would be joined at a pivot point (10) making the two sides rotatable around the pivot point and the angle could then be adjustable. There could be snap notches on the surface of the sides so that the two sides could snap into place at various common desired angles. In an alternative embodiment, the two sides could adjust around a pivot with the use of a screw adjustment making the angle secure at any given angle desired.

Examples

[0035] The present invention is further illustrated, but not limited by, the following examples.

[0036] A typical use of the device as described herein is to assist an installer to affix corner-bead to the outside corner edge of drywall. After installing drywall, where edges meet to form a corner, corner-bead is positioned over the exposed edges to provide stability and uniformity. However, it must be installed true and square in order to be effective. Moreover, some installation methods, such as with crimping tools, leave shards of metal exposed that will make spackling over the corner bead difficult. Here, the installer simply places the device over the corner-bead in place and press firmly against the outside corner automatically positioning the corner-bead in the correct placement. This can be accomplished with only one hand leaving the other hand free to then staple gun or nail gun the corner bead firmly into place at just the right position. The device is then moved up or downward along the length of the corner bead securing the next portion of corner-bead into position, again only requiring one hand to hold the tool, the other hand free to use a nail gun or staple gun to secure that next portion of corner-bead into position. The corner-bead installed in this fashion will be secure, uniformly positioned straight and true, and be ready to accept an outer coating of spackle without and metal scrapings or shards from a crimping tool.

[0037] In installations where other than a ninety-degree angle is desired, the device as described herein in various embodiments, can accommodate other than ninety-degree angles.

[0038] Additionally, when it comes time to spread and apply the spackle over the attached corner-bead, the device can also act as a spackle knife, uniformly applying spackle compound or mud over the outside edge of the corner bead. The device as described in some embodiments having a solid construction is easily cleaned.

[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.