Surface wedge tool

Abstract

A multifunctional substrate repair tool that has a linear body and a plurality of implements on both ends. A head on one end houses a nail claw and ports for selective attachment of blades on the sides and on the top. The ports connect one or more arced blades, each having a striking surface, for penetrating and breaking apart substrate filler layer. Repeated strikes encompassing the fastener head removes filler layer material. A grip connects the head to a bulbous end having at least one of a peen and a protrusion. These are used to indent substrate features and, together with an optional abrasive surface, also located on bulbous end, to dress the cavity left by the blade and nail claw functions. The bulbous end is used as a strike surface for blade and indenting features alike.

Claims

1. A surface wedge tool, comprising: a handle; a head on the handle having a plurality of sides and a distal end, a first attachment surface on one of the sides of the head, and a second attachment surface on the distal end of the head; an arced blade removably attachable to the first and the second attachment surfaces, the arced blade having an arc shaped cross-section in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the arced blade and an arc shaped distal end; a first striking surface on the head opposite the first attachment surface; a peen on a bottom portion of the handle; and a second striking surface on the handle for the peen, wherein each of the first and second attachment surfaces includes a port with an arc shaped slot for receiving the arced blade.

2. The tool of claim 1, further comprising: a nail claw attached to the tool; a third striking surface opposite to the nail claw.

3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the nail claw is mounted on the head.

4. The tool of claim 1, further comprising: one or more penetration protrusions; a striking surface for one or more penetration protrusions.

5. The tool of claim 4, wherein the penetration protrusions are on the bottom portion of the handle.

6. The tool of claim 1, further comprising: an abrasive surface attachment or coating on the bottom portion of the handle.

7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the head has a rectangular cross-section.

8. The tool of claim 1, further comprising: a nail claw attached to one of the plurality of sides; a striking surface on one of the plurality of sides opposite of the nail claw.

9. The tool of claim 8, further comprising: a wall pivot point for the nail claw attached above the nail claw on one of the plurality of sides of the head.

10. The tool of claim 1, wherein the arced blade has an open side defined between two opposing edges and extending from a proximal end to the distal end of the arced blade.

11. The tool of claim 1, wherein the arc shape of the distal end of the arced blade is an at least partial circle having an arc length of at least % of a circle.

12. A surface wedge tool, comprising: a handle having a rectangular head with a plurality of ports, each of the ports having an arc shaped slot; a first arced blade attached to one of the ports on a first side of the head and extending outward from the first side along a first axis, the first arced blade having an arc shaped cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the first axis and an arc shaped distal end; a first striking surface for the first arced blade on a second side of the rectangular head opposite the first side; a nail claw attached to a third side of the head; a peen on a bottom portion of the handle; a second striking surface on the handle for the peen; and a second arced blade attached to one of the ports on a distal surface of the head and extending outward from the distal surface along a second axis, the second arced blade having an arc cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the second axis and an arc shaped distal end.

13. The tool of claim 12, wherein the first arced blade has an open side defined between two opposing edges and extending from the first side of the head to the distal end of the first arced blade.

14. The tool of claim 12, wherein the arc shape of the distal end of the first arced blade is an at least partial circle having an arc length of at least % of a circle.

15. A method of exposing and removing wall fasteners under filler layer, and preparing substrate surface for new filler layer application, comprising the steps of: providing a tool having a handle, a head on the handle having a plurality of sides and a distal end, a first attachment surface on one of the sides of the head, and a second attachment surface on the distal end of the head, an arced blade removably attachable to the first and the second attachment surfaces, the arced blade having an arc shaped cross-section in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the arced blade and an arc shaped distal end, a first striking surface on the head opposite the first attachment surface, a peen on a bottom portion of the handle, and a second striking surface on the handle for the peen, wherein each of the first and second attachment surfaces includes a port with an arc shaped slot for receiving the arced blade; placing an enclosed side of the arced blade of the tool at 40-50 degree angle to a wall adjacent to a filler layer material to be removed; striking the tool with a mallet to achieve a first desired cut; striking the tool with a mallet to achieve a second desired cut, and repeating until a portion of the filler layer material is removed; driving replacement fasteners; pulling old fasteners with the nail claw of the tool; indenting a substrate cavity with the peen of the tool; applying an abrasive element to cavity perimeter; and applying a new filler layer.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the tool includes the abrasive element.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the tool further includes a penetration protrusion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a tool according to an exemplary embodiment in its whole form featuring sides one and two;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the tool in its whole form featuring sides two and three;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the tool featuring side three. Superimposed lines indicate internal nail claw connection;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of the tool featuring side four;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the tool in its whole form featuring the tail end of the handle;

(7) FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of side two showing the top and side blades removed from the universal attachment ports;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an exemplary blade design of the tool;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of side 5 and top blade;

(10) FIG. 9a shows a detail perspective view of the utility bulb on side 1-2;

(11) FIG. 9b is a detail side view of the utility bulb, featuring the penetration point at center;

(12) FIG. 9c is a detail perspective view of the utility bulb on side 2-3;

(13) FIG. 9d is a detail side view of the utility bulb, featuring the rounded indentation peen; and

(14) FIG. 10 is a detail side view of the handle, featuring the grip and the utility bulb with the penetration point in profile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure. Dimensions are recited herein to provide examples of how embodiments may be constructed but are not intended to limit the invention to any particular size.

(16) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a tool (10) which is approximately 10 to 20 centimeters in length (e.g., 15.875 centimeters) having a utilitarian handle (20) and a five-sided, multifaceted head (30) at a top portion of the tool (10). The handle (20) is approximately 5 to 10 cm (e.g., 7.620 cm) in length, having an hourglass shape and narrow connecting segment (21) proximal to the head. The hourglass shape is comprised of two bulbs with narrow connecting segment (22) between them. The bulb proximal to the head is the grip (23). In the exemplary embodiment, the largest diameter of the grip (23) is proximal to the head and measures 3 cm. Narrow connecting segment (21) proximal to the head measures 2 cm in diameter at its smallest point then widens out to the full rectangular head measurement (4 cm L?3.5 cm W?7.5 cm H). The grip (23) gradually diminishes to narrow connecting segment (22) with a diameter of 1.35 cm. This connects to utility bulb (24). The utility bulb (24) is spherical and has a diameter of 3.30 cm. The narrow connecting segments (21,22) allow for hand/finger placement on either end of the tool (10). Narrow connecting segment (22) provides the negative space to form the utility bulb (24) at a bottom portion of the tool (10). The utility bulb (24) houses an indentation peen (65) (see FIG. 4, 9d), a penetration point (60) (or protrusion), an abrasive surface (40), an abrasive surface bed (41), an abrasive surface (50), and an abrasive surface bed (51) (see FIGS. 2, 9c,10).

(17) Each feature or implement of the tool (10) may have a corresponding strike surface on an opposite side or end. For example, the utility bulb (24) includes a strike surface (74) on the bottom for a top attachment (see FIG. 5), and a strike surface (64) for the indentation peen (65) (see FIG. 9a-c).

(18) In the example shown in FIGS. 1-4, the multifaceted head (30) has four sides as well as a top or distal end (see FIG. 8) that will be referred to as side (75) interchangeably. In some embodiments, side (66) (FIG. 1) enables connection of a side blade (71) via a universal attachment port (80). The universal attachment port (80) may be, for example, a groove or series of grooves in the side (66) adapted to receive various side attachments, such as the side blade (71) (e.g., via press fitting and/or via attachment mechanisms). In some embodiments, side (68) (FIG. 3) enables connection of the side blade (71). A strike surface (96) for universal attachment port (90) is located on side (66) (FIG. 1).

(19) In some embodiments, the blade (71) has a blade shape being ? of a circle and 2.54 cm in diameter. In some embodiments, blade shape is ? of a circle and 2.54 cm diameter. In some embodiments, the blade length extends 2 cm outward from the universal attachment port (80). In some embodiments, the universal attachment port (80) has a diameter size which corresponds directly to a blade size of the blade (71).

(20) As shown in FIG. 2, side (67) houses the nail claw (70) and the wall pivot feature (73) (or point) for the claw (70) that remove and support removal of the exposed fastener, respectively. The wall pivot feature (73) is positioned above the nail claw (70) on the side (67) or an edge of the head (30).

(21) Side (68) displayed in FIGS. 2-3 contains a universal attachment port (90) and the strike surface (95) for universal attachment port (80). In the preferred form of the tool (10), the user would impact strike surface (95) for universal attachment port (80) with a hammer or rubber mallet.

(22) Similarly, side (69) as seen in FIG. 4 contains a universal attachment port (100) and strike surface (105) for the claw (70).

(23) Side (75) located at the top of the head (30) and shown in FIG. 8 accommodates a universal attachment port (110). The top blade (72), mounted in the universal attachment port (110), offers an option for tight corners on walls, ceilings, and floors.

(24) The handle (20) as detailed in FIGS. 1-6, 10 can be grasped by the user in multiple ways dependent on function. The exemplary embodiment shows the handle (20) comprised of the grip (23) and the utility bulb (24) as shown in FIGS. 1, 10. When using the side blade (71) on the multifaceted head (30), the user may hold the grip (23) in the hand with the handle (20) proximal to the wrist and the multifaceted head (30) distal to the wrist. The user places the side blade (71) at approximately a 45-degree angle on the surface of the substrate adjacent to filler layer damage to be removed. A hammer or rubber mallet is used to drive the strike surface (95) with consecutive purposeful strikes to achieve penetration of the substrate surface and the wedging effect that disperses the material. When using the top blade (72) (FIG. 8), the multifaceted head (30) is held in one hand. The other hand will use the mallet to drive the strike surface (74) for the universal attachment port (110) and/or the top blade (72) seen in FIGS. 5, 8. Shown in FIGS. 1, 10 the grip (23) is connected to the multifaceted head (30) and the utility bulb (24) by narrow connecting segment (21) and narrow connecting segment (22). As both ends of the tool are necessary in utility function to complete the task of filler layer damage repair, both connecting segments are slimmed to a diameter intended for finger placement, while the grip (23) is wider and intended to be wider for the palm area of the user's hand to grasp. When using the utility bulb (24) the handle (20) is held with the multifaceted head (30) proximal to the wrist.

(25) In the exemplary embodiment, the side blade (71) and the top blade (72) are arced, as opposed to completely circular, as detailed in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates the blade wings (76), blade opening (77), blade edge (79) and blade stabilizer (78) that helps balance the blade (71,72) when connected to (any) universal attachment port (80,90,100,110). The open arc design of the blade (71,72) having corners may be advantageous for scraping and/or cutting when necessary.

(26) FIGS. 3-4 show the strike surface (105) for claw (70) to be driven by rubber mallet or hammer. Once the exposed fastener is pulled by the claw (70), the tool (10) is then rotated 180 degrees to use the indentation peen (65) (see FIGS. 4, 9d). The indentation peen (65) is placed over the substrate cavity. The mallet is used on the strike surface (64) for the indentation peen (65) (see FIG. 9a) while user moves the indentation peen (65) in a circular motion over the substrate cavity until the desired concave effect is achieved.

(27) The penetration point (60) shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 9a, 9b, 9c, and 10 is located at the proximal end of the handle (20) between side (66) and side (67). The user will hold the tool (10) by the grip (23) with the utility bulb (24) distal to the wrist to use the penetration point (60). Strike surface (62) (see FIG. 4, 9d) is used for penetration point (60). Penetration point (60) is another substrate indenting implement in the form of a small pointed triangular tip, used to indent any small areas of debris on the substrate, to reset a non-threaded fastener, or to aid in further indentation of the substrate cavity, thereby assisting the indentation peen (65) if needed.

(28) In some embodiments, additional features of the utility bulb (24) include an abrasive surface (40) on side (66) as seen in (see FIG. 2,4, 9a) as well as an abrasive surface (50) on a side (see FIGS. 2, 9c, 10). These are used to smooth and remove any additional cracked surface debris on the perimeter of the exposed cavity following use of the indentation peen (65), penetration point (60) or at any time desired in process. In some embodiments the abrasive surface is a small piece of sandpaper cut to shape and attached within abrasive surface bed(s) (41), (51) with adhesive. In some embodiments the abrasive surface beds (41,51) may be the same shape and size as the sandpaper and set in relief 0.2 cm. In some embodiments the abrasive surface (40), and abrasive surface (50) may be set within these abrasive surface beds (41,51).

(29) Some embodiments may use a clamping bracket, or loop and hook fasteners may be used to secure the abrasive elements. Some embodiments may use a coating with an abrasive element contained and applied as a liquid and then hardened for use.

(30) The tool according to the present invention may include varied blade shapes to accommodate for difficult locations and shape necessities. Some embodiments may include razor cutting implements.

(31) The universal attachment ports may include mechanisms to secure the attachments. For example, some embodiments may have insert threaded capabilities for attachments.

(32) Various other features may be incorporated into the tool described above. For example, some embodiments of the tool may include a scraping tool or elements relating to any substrate repair. Some embodiments may have wall stud finder element. Some embodiments may have a laser level or laser measuring device.

(33) Some embodiments may be driven by air or other engineered force. Some embodiments may have a tethering system for fastening when not in use. Some embodiments may exclude protruding wall pivot feature (73).

(34) The present invention is also directed to a method for revealing wall fasteners in drywall and other interior wall substrates underneath filler layers. To remove damaged filler layer and existing fastener and to prepare the substrate for new filler layer, the tool (10) according to the present invention may be used as described in the following steps.

(35) With the side blade (71) mounted in the attachment port (80), a user holds the tool (10) by the grip (23), so the multifaceted head (30) is distal to the wrist and places the side blade (71) at an approximately 45-degree angle (e.g., 40-50 degrees) to the substrate filler layer to be removed. The user may use mallet to impact the strike surface (95) opposite the blade (71) as many times as necessary, such as three times. The user may, following the circular contour of blade edge (79), reposition on substrate adjacent to filler layer damage over and repeat strikes, and repeat rotation and strikes until cavity encompassing fastener(s) has been excavated to satisfaction.

(36) Next, new fasteners may be installed in anchor studs. A user may then hold the tool (10) by the grip (23) so that the multifaceted head (30) is distal to the wrist and place the nail claw (70) in position to pull the old fastener, and impact strike surface (105) for the claw (70) with the mallet until the nail claw (70) has secured around the fastener (e.g., nail) shaft. Pushing the grip (23) upward toward the substrate on the wall pivot feature (73) for the claw (70) will pull the old fastener(s). The user may then reposition the grip (23) in the hand so that the utility bulb (24) is distal to the wrist, position the indention peen (65) over the excavated cavity to be dressed, and impact strike surface (64) for indentation peen (65) lightly with the mallet while tracing the excavated perimeter to indent rough paint edges and paper layer, if needed, until a desired concave cavity is achieved. The user may place the penetration point (60) over any area of the cavity for further indentation, and impact the strike surface (62) for penetration point (60) lightly with the mallet to achieve a desired further indentation. Further, the utility bulb (24) may be rotated so the abrasive surfaces (40,50) can be lightly swiped over the cavity perimeter to further remove rough paint edges at any time necessary during process. Finally, the cavities are filled with a new filler layer. As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts. While illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the disclosure and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description.