HAND TOOL

Abstract

A hand tool for levelling screed, the hand tool comprises a main body and a screed-levelling member, the screed levelling member comprises a first portion and a second portion joined together at a vertex, the first and second portion being non-colinear or non-coplanar, wherein the first portion is secured to the main body, and the second portion is configured to level screed in use.

Claims

1-24. (canceled)

25. A hand tool for levelling screed, the hand tool comprising a main body and a screed-levelling member, the screed levelling member comprising a first portion and a second portion joined together at a vertex, the first and second portion being non-colinear or non-coplanar, wherein the first portion is secured to the main body, and the second portion is configured to level screed in use.

26. A hand tool according to claim 25, wherein the main body comprises a first end, a second end and a lowermost surface extending from the first end to the second end and the screed levelling member is attached to the main body so that it extends partially along the length of the main body.

27. A hand tool according to claim 25, wherein the first portion and the second portion are joined at the vertex to form a vertex angle therebetween, the vertex angle being greater than 0 and less than 180 degrees.

28. A hand tool according to claim 25, wherein the width of the second portion is the same or greater that the width of the main body.

29. A hand tool according to claim 25, wherein the first and second portion form an L-shape wherein the first portion is a leg portion, and the second portion is a non-coplanar foot portion.

30. A hand tool according to claim 29, wherein the leg portion is secured to the main body and/or the foot portion is axially aligned with the main body.

31. A hand tool according to claim 25, comprising a depth adjuster usable to adjust the position of the second portion of the screed levelling member relative to the main body and wherein the depth adjuster has a range of between 40-160 mm in length.

32. A hand tool according to claim 31, wherein the depth adjuster is configured to secure the screed levelling member at one or more depths, selected from one or more depths along a continuous scale or one or more depths along a discrete scale.

33. A hand tool according to claim 31, wherein the depth adjuster comprises one or more slots located in the first portion of the screed levelling member or in the main body.

34. A hand tool according to claim 33, comprising one or more members arranged to engage with the slots and wherein said one or more members are selectively securable relative to the slots to alter the depth of the screed levelling member relative to the main body.

35. A hand tool according to any claim 25, further comprising a depth gauge to measure the required depth of the second portion of the screed levelling member.

36. A hand tool according to claim 25, comprising at least one handle located on the main body.

37. A hand tool according to claim 36, comprising a first and second handle located on the hand tool, the first handle being located at or towards a first end of the main body and the second handle being located at or towards a second end of the main body.

38. A hand tool according to claim 36, comprising an elongate handle comprising a shaft connected to the main body of the hand tool by a connecting means.

39. A hand tool according to claim 38, wherein the main body of the hand tool comprises one or more fixing locations (e.g. two, three, four, or more fixing locations) to connect the connecting means of the elongate handle to the main body of the hand tool.

40. A hand tool according to claim 25, further comprising a spirit level usable to determine the angle of the main body and/or the second portion of the screed levelling member relative to earth, in use.

41. A hand tool according to claim 40, wherein the spirit level comprises one or more lines or markers configured to determine a non-level, i.e. a non-true horizontal, angle of the main body and/or the second portion in use.

42. A hand tool for levelling screed, the hand tool comprising a main body and a screed-levelling member, the main body comprising a first end, a second end and a lower surface which extends from the first end to the second end, the screed levelling member comprising a first portion and a second portion joined together at a vertex, the first and second portion being non-colinear or non-coplanar, wherein the first portion is secured to the main body and the second portion is configured to level screed in use, and wherein the screed levelling member is attached to the main body such that it extends partially along the length of the main body.

43. A hand tool according to claim 42, further comprising at least one handle.

44. A method for levelling screed, the method comprising: i. providing a hand tool, the hand tool comprising a main body and a screed-levelling member, the screed levelling member comprising a first portion and a second portion joined together at a vertex, the first and second portion being non-colinear or non-coplanar, wherein the first portion is secured to the main body; ii. providing a guide object; iii. providing screed adjacent the guide object; iv. locating the main body of the hand tool on the guide object and the second portion on a portion of the screed; v. translating the main body of the hand tool across the guide object to enable the second portion to level the screed.

Description

[0074] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0075] FIG. 1 is a hand tool according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0076] FIG. 2 is the hand tool of FIG. 1;

[0077] FIG. 3 is the main body of the hand tool of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0078] FIG. 4 is the screed levelling member of the hand tool of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0079] FIG. 5 is the screed levelling member of the hand tool of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0080] FIG. 6 is a hand tool according to a further embodiment of the invention;

[0081] FIGS. 7A and 7B are illustrations of a method of using the hand tool of FIGS. 1 or 2.

[0082] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a hand tool 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The hand tool 1 is suitable for use in levelling screed, for example, when laying paving slabs, e.g. for a patio.

[0083] The hand tool 1 comprises a main body 10 and a screed-levelling member 20.

[0084] The main body 10 has an intended leading face and an intended trailing face. The screed levelling member 20 is secured to the leading face of the main body 10.

[0085] The screed levelling member 20 comprises a first portion 21 (e.g. a leg portion) and a second portion 22 (e.g. a foot portion). The first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are non-coplanar and are joined together at a vertex V.

[0086] The vertex V defines the meeting point of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 to form a vertex angle A therebetween. In this embodiment, the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are in substantially perpendicular relations to form an L-shape, i.e. the vertex angle A is approximately 90 degrees.

[0087] The first portion 21 of the screed levelling member 20 is secured to the main body 10 using securing means 30. In this embodiment, the securing means 30 are non-permanent and releasable. The first portion 21 of the screed levelling member 20 comprises a first major surface 21a and a second major surface 21b. The first major surface 21a is interior of the vertex angle A and the second major surface 21b is exterior of the vertex angle A. The first portion 21 of the screed levelling member 20 is secured to the main body 10 by locating the first major surface 21a of the first portion 21 adjacent the main body 20 of the hand tool 10.

[0088] The main body 10 is elongate. In this embodiment, the screed levelling member 20 is attached to the main body 10 so that it extends partially along the length D3 of the main body 10 such that the main body 10 comprises a screed-levelling member free portion.

[0089] The second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 is configured to level screed, in use. The second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 comprises an upper surface 22a and a screed-facing lower major surface 22b.

[0090] The main body 10 comprises a lower surface 10a.

[0091] In this embodiment, the upper surface 22a of the second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 is in facing relations with, and is substantially parallel to, the lower surface 10a of the main body 10 of the hand tool 1. In other words, the second portion 22 (e.g. the foot portion) is axially aligned with the main body 10.

[0092] The hand tool 1 also comprises a first and second handle 12a, 12b located on the main body 10. The first and second handle 12a, 12b are located on the main body 10 of the hand tool 1 such that the weight of the hand tool 1 is evenly distributed about its centre of mass when the hand tool 1 is held with both hands by the user.

[0093] Advantageously, the handles 12a, 12b enable improved usability such as better manoeuvrability of the hand tool. The distribution of weight improves the grip and comfort for the user when holding the hand tool.

[0094] Referring also to FIG. 3, there is shown the main body 10 of the hand tool 1. In this embodiment, the main body 10 comprises three bolts 31a, 31b, 31c, which are permanently secured to the main body 10 of the hand tool 1.

[0095] Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown the screed levelling member 20 of the hand tool 1. The first portion 21 of the screed levelling member 20 comprises three apertures or slots 41a, 42a, 43a for locating the three bolts 31a, 31b, 31c of the main body 10 therethrough.

[0096] In this embodiment, the securing means 30 comprises the three bolts 31a, 31b, 31c and the three nuts (not shown) for pairing with the three bolts 31a, 31b, 31c to secure the first portion 21 of the screed levelling member 20 to the main body 10 of the hand tool 1.

[0097] The hand tool 1 further comprises a depth adjustment means usable to adjust the depth of the second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 relative to the main body 10. In this embodiment, the securing means 30 is part of the depth adjustment means. The depth adjustment means comprises the three bolts 31a, 31b, 31c, the three nuts 32a, 32b, 32c, and the slots 41a, 42a, 43a.

[0098] The depth adjustment means is configured to allow translational movement (illustrated with arrow T in FIG. 1) of the screed levelling member 20 relative to the main body 10 to vary the distance between the second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 and the main body 10.

[0099] The depth adjustment means is configured to secure the screed levelling member at one or more depths along a continuous scale. Each slot 41a, 42a, 43a on the first portion 21 of the screed levelling member 20 has a length B of 80 mm, such that the depth adjustment means has a range of, say, 20-80 mm.

[0100] The first portion 21 further comprises a depth gauge 51 to measure the depth of the second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 relative to the main body 10 (as shown in FIG. 5). Advantageously, the depth gauge 51 may be used to adjust the depth of the screed levelling member 20 to the required depth for a specific paving slab.

[0101] In other embodiments, the three slots 41a, 42a, 43a may comprise one or more abutments or teeth to indicate one or more defined depths of the second portion 22 relative to the main body 10, which are configured to support and/or engage with the three bolts 31a, 31b, 31c to secure the first portion 21 of the screed levelling member 20 to the main body 10 at one or more fixed or defined depths.

[0102] In use, the first portion 21 of the screed levelling member 20 is secured to the main body 10 by locating each bolt 31a, 31b, 31c through each slot 41a, 42a, 43a. The user is able to select the desired depth of the second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 by moving or sliding the first portion 21 in the direction indicated by the arrow T in FIG. 1. Once the first portion 21 is in the correct position, the nuts 32a, 32b, 32c are paired with the bolts 31a, 31b, 31c and are tightened such that the first portion 21 is rigidly secured to the main body 10.

[0103] The hand tool 1 further comprises a spirit level 13 located on the main body 10. The spirit level 10 is usable to determine the angle of the main body 10 and/or the second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 relative to earth, in use. For example, the spirit level 13 is usable to determine whether the main body 10 and/or the second portion 22 is level relative to earth. The spirit level 13 is also usable to determine whether the main body 10 and/or the second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 is at a specified slope or fall relative to earth. Although not shown, the spirit level 13 comprises one or more markers configured to determine one or more values of a slope or fall or gradient of the main body 10 and/or the second portion 22.

[0104] Advantageously, the spirit level 13 may be used to lay an area of paving slabs with a fall or slope, relative to horizontal. This allows for the drainage of rain water away from nearby buildings.

[0105] Although it is not shown in the Figures, the spirit level 13 is usable to indicate the fall of the screed when using the hand tool 1. For example, if the bubble (not shown) of the spirit level 13 sits within a set of red lines (not shown), then this will indicate the laid slab will be level. In addition, if the edge of the bubble touches an orange line (not shown), then this will indicate a slight fall on the laid slab which will cause the water to run off them slowly. If the edge of the bubble touches a green line (not shown), then this will indicate a large fall, meaning the water will easily run off the laid slab. Advantageously, the spirit level according to this design aids those users who are less experienced in slab laying, in terms of allowing the user to find the right fall for the slabs being laid. For example, the markers may be set to a specific fall. For example the markers may comprise a first pair of markers to indicate that the main body is horizontal (e.g. a pair or markers which, if the bubble of the spirit level lies therebetween indicates that the main body is level) and a second pair of markers to indicate a fall of 1:100 and a third pair of markers to indicate a fall of 1:80. Further or different pairs of markers may be provided.

[0106] The main body 10 has a height D1 of 40 mm, a width D2 of 40 mm, length D3 of 1200 mm. The main body 10 is cuboid in shape.

[0107] The main body 10 is fabricated from one of, or a combination of, metal (e.g. aluminium and/or steel), wood, and/or a polymeric material such as a plastic. Advantageously, the use of lightweight material improves the usability by making the hand tool easier to hold and preventing a worker from tiring.

[0108] The first portion 21 of the screed levelling member 20 has a length L1 of 620 mm, a width L2 of 120 mm, and a thickness (not shown) of 10 mm.

[0109] The second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 has a length M1 of 620 mm, a width M2 of 40 mm, and a thickness (not shown) of 10 mm. Advantageously, the second portion 22 is dimensioned to provide a large surface area for contacting the screed, in use, which is more effective at levelling the screed in comparison to hand tools of the prior art.

[0110] Advantageously, the configuration of the L-shaped first and second portions 21, 22 of the screed levelling member 20 and the main body 10 provides a stable and lightweight hand tool to level screed, e.g. for use in laying paving slabs. The large surface area of the second portion 22 provides enhanced levelling properties in comparison to hand tools of the prior art.

[0111] The provision of an L-shaped screed-levelling member 20 provides an improved guide during screed levelling. The edge of the L-shaped screed-levelling member 20 engages the preceding or guide slab in two planes, thereby making it easier for the operator to resist turning moments when drawing the tool across a slab and levelling screed.

[0112] Furthermore, the provision of an L-shaped screed-levelling member 20 provides a relatively broad levelling surface for engaging and levelling screed. It has been found that such a relatively broad surface provides enhanced levelling over blades or relatively thin levelling surfaces.

[0113] Also, the L-shaped member 20 can be brought into close proximity with the main body 10 thereby providing a relatively small footprint during storage.

[0114] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a hand tool 1′ according to a further embodiment of the invention. The hand tool 1′ comprises similar features to those described in respect of the hand tool 1 in FIG. 1. Those features are represented with a prime (′). The hand tool 1′ comprises an elongate handle 60. The elongate handle 60 comprises a shaft 61 connected to the main body 10′ of the hand tool 1′. The elongate handle 60 comprises a connecting means (not shown) to connect the shaft 61 to the main body 10′.

[0115] The elongate handle 60 is removable from the main body. The main body 10′ comprises comprise three female fixing locations 62a, 62b, 62c to connect the connecting means (not shown) of the shaft 61 of the elongate handle 60 to the main body 10′ of the hand tool 1.

[0116] In this embodiment, the connecting means comprises a male screw fixing on the shaft 61 of the elongate handle 60, which couples to the three female fixing locations 62a, 62b, 62c on the main body 10 of the hand tool 1. Advantageously, the provision of multiple fixing locations 62a, 62b, 62c enables the user to move the elongate handle to different locations on the main body such that the hand tool is adapted to best suit the user.

[0117] In this embodiment, the elongate handle is between 1400-1600 mm in length.

[0118] Advantageously, the elongate handle enables use of the hand tool whilst the user is standing. This aids usability by improving manoeuvrability of the hand tool in use.

[0119] Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, there is shown an illustration of the method of using the hand tool 1 of the invention to level screed. Referring first to FIG. 7A, there is shown a laid slab 71 and screed 72 adjacent the laid slab 71. The laid slab 70 acts as a guide object for the hand tool 1 in the method of levelling screed according to the invention.

[0120] A hand tool 1 according to FIG. 1 is provided. The hand tool 1′ of FIG. 6 may also be used.

[0121] Referring now to FIG. 7B, in use, the lower surface 10a of the main body 10 of the hand tool 1 is located on the laid slab 71. The second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 is located on the screed 72 adjacent the laid slab 71.

[0122] The spirit level 13 may be used to determine whether the main body 10 and/or the second portion 22 is level relative to earth, or alternatively, whether the main body 10 and/or second portion 22 is at the desired angle or slope or fall. This enables the screed to be levelled at a desired angle or slope or fall to aid rain water runoff.

[0123] The depth adjustment means may be used to adjust the depth of the second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 relative to the main body 10 by using the laid slab 71 as a guide depth.

[0124] In use, the main body 10 of the hand tool 1 is translated across the laid slab 71 in the direction shown by the arrow C. This enables the second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 to contact the screed 72 to provide an area of levelled screed 73. A second slab (not shown) may then be laid on the levelled screed 73.

[0125] The method of the invention enables the laid slab 71 to be used as a guide such that the second portion 22 of the screed levelling member 20 can level the screed 72 adjacent the laid slab to provide levelled screed 73.

[0126] Advantageously, the method of the invention enables the user to level screed in a simple, quick, and effective manner. The configuration of the screed levelling member provides improved stability over hand tools of the prior art, such that the main body may be translated over a guide object to level screed adjacent the guide object at a desired level or fall relative to earth. This enables the user to rapidly lay, for example, paving slabs to create a paved area that is level, or has a desired slope or fall. More advantageously, the depth of the second portion relative to the main body of the hand tool may be adjusted such that the hand tool may be used to lay slabs having different depths. The invention is especially advantageous for a beginner or a non-professional for use in “DIY”. The non-professional user may not have experience of laying a paved area prior to using the hand tool of the invention.

[0127] More advantageously, use of the hand tool 1′ in the method of the invention, comprising an elongate handle 60 which is angled away from the screed levelling member 22′, allows for use of the hand tool 1′ whilst the user is standing, and makes the product easier to drag and manoeuvre.

[0128] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.