FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for applying drywall compound over wallboard panel joints. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a supplementary device that provides drywall compound to a standard automatic drywall finishing box from a remote material source.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Drywall installation can be provided in a variety of ways depending upon whether the project is new construction, a repair, a remodel, or a commercial building project. Most common drywall panels are affixed to the interior stud surfaces of wall and ceiling framing within a building structure. The adjoining panels result in joints located between the various pieces of drywall panels. These joints must be covered with a non-adhesive backed paper tape to prevent cracking between the drywall panels. The paper tape is adhered to the drywall surface with a thin layer of drywall compound that is applied wet between the paper tape and the drywall panel surface. The tape adheres to the drywall panel surface during the drying process. After the tape dries, one or more smoothing coats of additional drywall compound are applied in a manner to smooth a thin layer of drywall compound over the tape to blend the surface of the newly applied compound into the surrounding drywall panel surface. After the surface is smoothed, the drywall surface can be textured with an independent texturing machine or painted.
When reduced production time is of importance to the construction schedule an operating technician most often uses automatic taping tools such as the Ames Taping Tools system, or the Drywall Master Tool system to apply the first taping step in the covering process. Automatic tool systems typically consist of a set of applicators that include a manually refillable taper machine known as an automatic drywall tape applicator, a refillable spreader devices known as an automatic finishing box that comes in a variety of widths, a corner roller tool that is used to embed the compound backed paper tape into a corner joint, a mastic pump, a corner smoothing tool and various handles by that the operating technician applies pressure between the automatic tool and the drywall panel surface. Each applicator is filled with drywall compound with a manual hand pump from a bucket after which the material is pressure forced out of the applicator onto the panel surface until it becomes empty and must be refilled again. With the disadvantage of having to refill the various automatic tool applicators, the operating technician is unable to provide 100% efficiency during the application process since he or she must go back to the material reservoir to refill the applicator after the applicator is emptied of compound. The operating technician will often travel from the point of application to the compound pump more than 100 times in an 8-hour workday.
Several attempts to remedy this refilling process have been attempted by inventors which have attached remote pumps to various application tools by way of a hose to provide a continuous flow of compound from a remote source to the point of application.
A major disadvantage to the operating technician appears when the new hose fed tools nullify the usage of the operating technicians previous refillable automatic taping and finishing tools. The continuous flow tool manufacturer utilizes new designed applicators which are intended to be used within their specific configuration and are not compatible with the operating technicians' formerly operated automatic drywall tools. This causes the operating technicians' former tools to become obsolete and thus no longer of any useful purpose.
An application tool which suffers a significant disadvantage by having to be refilled is the automatic finishing box. The automatic finishing box is best described as a containment vessel utilizing a bellows plate to force compound through an orifice which rolls along a seam of wallboard applying compound over the joint surface. After the drywall compound is forced from the bellows chamber a mounted blade smooths the compound conforming the mastic to the contour of the surrounding surface. This compound spreading device requires the operating technician to go back and forth to the manual pump many more times than any of the other automatic drywall tools.
To force the compound from the bellows chamber, a handle assembly is held by the operating technician with both hands. One hand is positioned to the rearward end of the handle where the operating technician manually squeezes a movable lever grip. When leveraged, the levering grip pulls on a steel linkage located within the main tube of the handle where at the other end of the handle a braking mechanism supports the box spreading tool in a fixed position. The automatic finishing box is able to meet various application angles because the box spreading tool is mounted upon a plate on the handle which is capable of pivoting to meet the angular position between the operating technician and the wall or ceiling surface at the time of operation. Squeezing on the movable lever grip creates pressure on a rotating plate by way of a braking assembly creating a stationary position between the handle and the automatic finishing box. With this fixed angle, and pressure applied to the forward end of the handle by the second hand of the operating technician, the bellows action of the tool is implemented thus pushing drywall compound from the bellows chamber.
Since the automatic finishing box is operated by moving it away from the corner of a horizontal wall and ceiling corner joint (or from a vertical angular corner joint which is formed between two wall surfaces) onward toward the middle of a seam, the operating technician must stop the application process in the mid area of the seam and reverse his or her hand positions to allow the automatic finishing box to apply compound to the seam starting at the opposite end of the seam from where the process was first started. Reversing the position of the operating technicians' hand placement is typically required when applying compound over horizontal wall seams, and not necessarily required on ceiling seams though the procedure of beginning the application process from opposite directions of every seam is virtually always required. After reversing hand placements on the automatic finishing box handle, the operating technician repeats the application process from the opposite end of the seam which is typically located near an angle joint. The operating technician pulls the automatic finishing box away from the wallboard seam once the newly applied compound reaches the abandoned compound edge that he or she had previously applied before changing the direction of application.
For clarification, it should be understood that within the body of this application the term automatic drywall finishing box and automatic finishing box assembly is interchangeable and is intended to identify the standard finishing box of the art as it is configured with the associated brake linkage tube and its braking hand grip lever assembly which is located at the furthermost end of the device opposite from where the finishing box is connected. It should also be noted that while some manufacturers may provide a variation of the actual braking mechanism, all automatic drywall finishing boxes of the art activate each respective brake mechanism by way of a braking hand grip lever which is engaged by the operating technician which in turn pulls upon a brake linkage strap being located within the brake linkage tube of the structure and pulls upon the braking mechanism which holds the respective box finisher at a selected position of rotation.
The present invention is designed to engage the automatic drywall finishing box applicator and its braking hand grip lever system regardless of which mechanism is used to apply the actual braking motion to the finishing box.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,571,096 by R. G. Ames provides a finishing apparatus connected to a remote pump and containment chamber. While it does provide the benefit of no refilling, it has no means of compliance to operate in conjunction with a different automatic drywall finishing device other than is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 2,571,096. Also in FIG. 1, item 22 denotes a valve handle being attached to a hollow handle C which is rotated upward to open the valve D and simultaneously provide an electrical signal through terminals 23 and 24 engaging a motor with the battery. Having a rotational valve handle being located on a single side of the hollow handle C, creates a limited manner of use when trying to switch the operating technicians hand orientation as is the case when changing the application direction of the finishing apparatus. Robert (R. G.) Ames abandoned this system in lieu of his newer manual drywall finishing box shown in his patent U.S. Pat. No. 2,824,442 Mastic Applicator and Finishing Tool. In 1960 he was granted U.S. Pat. No. 2,984,857 Mastic Applicator and Finishing Tool With A Troweling Bar Pressure And Curvature Regulator. These are the basic designs that all automatic tool manufacturers use today. Both devices U.S. Pat. No. 2,824,442 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,984,857 contain a bellows chamber along with a method to be connected to a brake linkage tube assembly. Each is limited in application capacity to the amount of drywall compound held within the bellows chamber of each tool. Both systems must be refilled some distance from the point of application by way of a manually operated pump.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,965 Drywall Finishing Head With Tensioner Assembly assigned to Apla-Tech is a conduit fed drywall compound spreading tool capable of being operated at a location some distance from a drywall compound pumping source. The device is designed to be used with a proprietary device for applying drywall compound over a drywall joint and is thusly incapable of being used in conjunction with an existing automatic drywall finishing box assembly known in the art.
US20110297326A1 is a handle design that attaches to an automatic finishing box of the art being affixed to a movable bellows plate by way of two independent wing nuts 152A and 152B (FIG. 3 of US20110297326A1). A material hose is connected at the rear of the handle which feeds drywall compound through the handle and furthermore into the bellows chamber of the applicator through channel 156 (FIG. 2 of US20110297326A1). The extruded handle conduit featured in FIG. 10 (of US20110297326A1) consists of a tear drop cross sectional shape containing 2 independent compartments within its structure. The larger material chamber 170 (FIG. 10 of US20110297326A1) allows drywall compound to flow through the length of the handle body. The second chamber 172 (FIG. 10 of US20110297326A1) being of a smaller spatial capacity serves as a channel for receiving a brake linkage 114 (FIG. 2 of US20110297326A1) therein for controlling the pivoting action of a connected finishing tool relative to the handle body in response to user input as stated in its associated description. There are several deficiencies in this design which are outlined as follows. First, the construction of several components of this system requires specially extruded and molded pieces to comply with the documented account of its design. Also specially machined components are also incorporated into its functional requirements. These highly specialized parts include the two-compartment extruded handle body 102 (FIG. 1 of US20110297326A1), the pivoting connector assembly 130 (FIG. 1 of US20110297326A1) which is comprised of a brake actuator 110, a brake arm 116, a brake disk 118, a pivoting connector assembly 130, a coupling portion 132, a connector portion 134, (each item also notated in FIG. 1 of US20110297326A1) and a wide array of other highly technical parts. Each of the aforementioned items are highly specialized pieces specifically designed to be used in this particular orientation and design. As such, to operate a material flow system located some distance from the point of application a user must purchase the entire handle system and additional proprietary compound spreading tools which are compliant with this particular handle and discard their previously owned automatic drywall finishing box and handle. In addition, being an open ended handle at both ends it has no functional means to control the flow of drywall compound through its structure in an on or off manner without connection to a completely separate valve structure. This handle design is a complete replacement for an automatic drywall finishing box assembly and does not have the ability to be used in conjunction with the existing automatic drywall finishing box assembly commonly used today.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 8,826,961B2 is device comprised of virtually the same components that were featured in the previously mentioned patent US20110297326A1 and suffers all of the same disadvantages and flaws in design. US20010003563A1 is a handheld apparatus by which drywall compound is fed from a remote pumping source, through a hose, through its handle and into a spreading device to cover a drywall tape seam. The application tool is designated as 10 in FIG. 2 (of US20010003563A1) which provides detail on its highly specialized components none of which can be adapted to a standard automatic finishing box.
Thus, there is a need for an accessory system capable of being mounted to an automatic drywall finishing box assembly which fulfills the following requirements and overcomes some or all of the aforementioned shortcomings which is removable, thus allowing the automatic finishing box to operate as originally designed.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention is a supplementary system which is mounted to an existing automatic finishing box assembly which includes a pneumatic control system capable of supplying a flow of drywall compound by way of its structure.
- a) Provide an accessory device which eliminates the requirement to fill an automatic finishing box by manually pumping drywall compound into the apparatus.
- b) Provide an accessory device capable of fluidic interconnection with an automatic drywall finishing box assembly.
- c) Provide an accessory device capable of supplying a flow of drywall compound by way of pneumatic circuitry.
- d) Provide an accessory device being capable of ambidirectional operation.
- e) Provide an accessory device comprising an independent means of providing drywall compound through its structure.
- f) Provide an accessory device with a means for the rapid cleaning of drywall compound from within its structure.
- g) Provide a pneumatic control system which is capable of functioning in unison with a manual braking hand grip lever.
- h) Provide an offset relationship between an actuator button lever and the upper surface of a brake linkage tube.
- i) Provide a means of protection for pneumatic system from external contaminants.
- j) Provide an accessory device capable of mating with a variety of pumping sources.
- k) Provide a supplementary device capable of being removed so as to allow the automatic drywall finishing box assembly to function as it was originally intended.
Further areas of improvement realized in the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The following brief and detailed descriptions of the drawings are provided to explain possible embodiments of the present invention but are not provided to limit the scope of the present invention as expressed herein this summary section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.
The present invention will be better understood with reference to the appended drawing sheets, wherein:
FIG. 1 provides a view looking from above onto an automatic finishing box assembly containing a brake linkage tube and a braking hand grip lever as known in the art.
FIG. 2 is an auxiliary side view of an automatic finishing box structure also displaying the brake linkage tube and a manual braking hand grip lever.
FIG. 3 is an auxiliary view of the forward most end of an automatic finishing box assembly.
FIG. 4 is an auxiliary view of a rotating pressure plate and its related components.
FIG. 5 is a section view of the rotating pressure plate referenced in FIG. 4.
FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a seal cap.
FIG. 5b is an end view of the rotating pressure plate featuring the placement of the seal cap.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lower invention assembly and actuator control system structure of the present invention as situated upon an automatic drywall finishing box assembly.
FIG. 7 is an auxiliary view looking from above at the lower structure of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a projected view of the actuator support bracket and the actuator mounting bracket comprising elements of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a section view of the actuator support bracket in mounted relationship to the actuator mounting bracket.
FIG. 10 is a cross section view of the actuator support bracket.
FIG. 11 is a cross section view of the actuator mounting bracket noted in FIG. 8.
FIG. 12 is a cross section view of the actuator support bracket in relation to the brake linkage tube, a set screw and a brake linkage strap.
FIG. 13 is a cross section of the forward mounting support bracket and the Rearward Mounting support bracket as both brackets are identical in structure.
FIG. 14 is illustrated without the inclusion of finishing box 304 (FIG. 3) to provide better clarity in the description of the present invention and also provides a base view of the present invention as mounted to a brake linkage tube 104 (FIG. 1) of an automatic drywall finishing box assembly.
FIG. 15 is a projected cross section view of the forward most section of the present invention as noted in the drawing FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 Is a section view of the primary structural components of the compound conduit assembly 611 in its retracted position.
FIG. 17 personifies all of the aforementioned aspects of FIG. 16 in an extended position with the added inclusion of various conduit sealing members
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic control system of the present invention.
FIG. 19 illustrates an alternated embodiment of the present invention, as shown from the side, enlarged in comparison to FIG. 20.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment.
FIG. 21 views an alternative embodiment of the present invention from above.
FIG. 22 is an alternative embodiment of a logic actuator support bracket.
FIG. 23 depicts a flow chart detailing the installation and setup process for use of the present invention.
FIG. 24 depicts a flow chart detailing the process of use of the apparatus of the present invention by a user.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present specification discloses one or more embodiments that incorporate the features of the invention. The disclosed embodiment(s) merely exemplify the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s).
References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment, Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
The present invention is an apparatus which manages a pneumatically biased control system by way of a means of interconnection with an automatic finishing box assembly known in the art. The present invention is described in enabling detail by way of the following examples, which may represent more than one embodiment of the present invention. A base view of the present invention can be seen in FIG. 1 from above looking onto an automatic drywall finishing box assembly known in the art 101. A braking mechanism 102 is connected to an automatic finishing box mounting plate 113 which is attached to a rotating pressure plate 110 with two finishing box mounting nuts 114. The rotating pressure plate 110 has a rotating pressure plate seal 111 mounted along it's forward and two perpendicular side edges. Dual springs 107 hold the rotating pressure plate 110 in place by way of attachment to a lateral spring support 116. Two finishing box tracking wheels 112 are affixed to each side of the device with interconnection being accomplished at opposite ends of a wheel axle 115. Two finishing box side walls 108 are affixed according to standard industry practices to both sides of the automatic finishing box 304 (FIG. 3).
A braking mechanism 102 (FIG. 3) is fixed to a brake linkage strap 105. Brake linkage strap 105 proceeds from the brake mechanism 102 (FIG. 3) through a tube mounting yoke 106. Tube mounting yoke 106 is engaged in a fixed mechanical relationship with a brake linkage tube 104 (FIG. 1). Brake linkage strap 105 protrudes through the inner area of brake linkage tube 104 whereby at the rearward section of the brake linkage tube 104 brake linkage strap 105 is maintained, making connection with a braking hand grip lever 201 (FIG. 2) via a braking grip support 103 at its end point opposite of the end point of the brake linkage strap 105 which is engaged with the braking mechanism 102. In FIG. 3 the location of a finishing box inlet port 301 is provided. A tightening nut 302 is positioned on the finishing box inlet port 301 and sealed against the rotating pressure plate 110 with a sealing washer 303. FIG. 4 provides detail on various components associated with the rotating pressure plate 110 including a pair of spring holders 401, two finishing box mounting nuts 114, and a series of rotating plate mounting channels 402 which are provided in existing automatic finishing box designs known in the art.
A section reference to FIG. 5 is also recognized. In FIG. 5 the finishing box inlet port 301 is noted in physical relationship to the finishing box port tightening nut 302, the sealing washer 303 and the rotating pressure plate 110. The mounting relationship between the rotating pressure plate 110 and the rotating pressure plate seal 111 is also provided. FIG. 5a provides detail of a seal cap 505 and a seal securement strap 506. FIG. 5b Illustrates the mounted relationship between the rotating pressure plate 110, the seal cap 505 and the seal securement strap 506. A perspective view of the present invention 601 is provided in FIG. 6 depicting the device with the additional clarification of an actuator control system noted as 602. The actuator control system 602 is comprised of an actuator support bracket 603, a first compound actuator 604, and an actuator button lever 605. The present invention contains a plurality of compound actuators with a second being identified as 1101 in FIG. 11. FIG. 6 likewise designates a forward mounting support bracket 607 which is positioned on one end to a forward extending compound conduit 611a with a rearward mounting support bracket 608 having mechanical engagement with a rear extending compound conduit 611b on its lower end position. The forward mounting support bracket 607 and its corresponding rearward mounting support bracket 608 are simultaneously affixed to the brake linkage tube 104 at positions opposite to the forward extending compound conduit 611a and rear extending compound conduit 611b. The compound conduit assembly 611 is comprised of the forward extending compound conduit 611a, and the rearward extending compound conduit 611b, which are partially contained within an outer conduit sleeve 611b and may also be identified in FIG. 16 and in FIG. 17.
A pivoting union 609 is located at the forward end of the present invention extending horizontally from the forward extending compound conduit 611 (FIG. 6) by way of a pivoting stub 701 (FIG. 7). A pivoting tube 610 (FIG. 7) is mounted at one end to the pivoting union 609 (FIG. 7) with the other end of the pivoting tube being affixed to the finishing box inlet port 301 (FIG. 3). A compound control valve 612 (FIG. 6) is affixed to the rearward extending compound conduit 611b at its most rearward end. A pneumatic connector 613 is positioned in physical proximity to the compound control valve 612 by way of a manifold mounting bracket 619 (FIG. 6) as is a pneumatic supply manifold 615 extending from the opposite side of the manifold mounting bracket 619 from the compound control valve 612.
A compound supply connector 614 is positioned in proximity to an inlet port of the compound control valve 612 on its rearward side. A pneumatic switching valve 616 (FIG. 6) is mounted in affixed communication with the compound control valve 612 (FIG. 6). An extending set screw one 611h can be viewed as mounted through the outer conduit sleeve 611c (FIG. 6) to the rear extending compound conduit 611b with a corresponding extending set screw two 611j being situated in an approximate 180-degree fixed relationship to the rear extending compound conduit 611b protruding through the compound conduit assembly 611. A more detailed section view of the entire compound conduit assembly 611 is available in FIG. 16 and in FIG. 17.
FIG. 7 is an auxiliary view looking down from above the present invention identifying the mounting relationship between the pivoting tube 610 with the pivoting union 609 as it is located in an affixed relationship with a pivoting stub 701 located in angular relationship with the forward extending compound conduit 611a. The forward mounting support bracket 607 is positioned in its lower area with the frontal section of the forward extending compound conduit 611a with the rearward mounting support bracket 608 being affixed to the rearward extending compound conduit 611b.
FIG. 8 comprises a perspective view of the actuator mounting bracket 808 noting a sectional reference line directing the viewer to FIG. 11. For the purposes of simplicity in this particular description of components, I have provided a view of the unassembled mounting assembly of the actuator support bracket 603 in orientation with the actuator mounting bracket 808 without a corresponding first compound actuator 604 and a second compound actuator 1101 or their associative components (which are added to the drawing in FIG. 11). Thus, FIG. 11 provides an elaborated sectional perspective of the assembled components comprising the actuator control system 602 initially identified in FIG. 6.
More specifically, FIG. 8 is further represented as having two mounting bolt assemblies consisting of an upper actuator bracket bolt assembly one 801 with a lower assembly being identified as an actuator bracket mounting bolt assembly two 802 both of which attach the actuator support bracket 603 to the actuator mounting bracket 808. A set screw 806 (FIG. 8) is installed through a set screw pilot channel 807 (FIG. 12) and into the wall of the brake linkage tube 104 (FIG. 12). An actuator support bracket mounting bolt one 804 and an actuator support bracket mounting bolt two 805 are also designated in approximate location within the actuator support bracket 603. A plurality of actuator bracket mounting apertures 803 are illustrated as located on the actuator support bracket 808. A section view of the actuator control system 602 is supplied in FIG. 9 where the actuator support bracket 603 can be seen in clamping relationship to the brake linkage tube 104 with its secured relationship to the actuator mounting bracket 808 as supplied by the actuator bracket mounting bolt assembly one 801 and the actuator bracket mounting bolt assembly two 802. The actuator bracket mounting apertures 803 are identified in relative location within the actuator mounting bracket 808. A succession of actuator bracket receiving threads 1002 are identified in their relative locations to the actuator bracket mounting aperture 603. Internal perspective of the brake linkage strap 105 is provided as located in central proximity to the brake linkage tube 104.
FIG. 10 provides a section view of the actuator support bracket 603 being comprised of two portions, identifying the approximate locations of support bracket bolt sleeves 1001, actuator bracket receiving threads 1002, the set screw pilot channel 807, a pair of concave conduit receptacles 1003, a pair of actuator bracket concave bolt receptacles one 1201, and a pair of actuator bracket concave bolt receptacles two 1202.
FIG. 11 is a view from the rear side of the actuator support bracket 603 as mounted to the brake linkage tube 104 with a cross sectional view of the actuator mounting bracket 808 and the brake linkage strap 105. Actuator support bracket mounting bolt one 804 is seen in relationship to the actuator support bracket 603 near the top of the drawing. Actuator bracket mounting bolt assembly one 801 is shown as is actuator bracket mounting bolt assembly two 802 protruding rearward through the actuator mounting bracket 808. Each actuator button lever 605 is shown in mounted proximity to the first compound actuator 604 and the second compound actuator 1101 by way of button lever nuts 1102. The first and second compound actuators 604 and 1101 (respectively) are shown in mounted relationship to the actuator mounting bracket 808 by use of a series of actuator mounting bolts 1105. 1103 denotes a first actuator inlet port 1103 with a second actuator inlet port being identified by item 1104.
FIG. 12 is a cross section view of the actuator support bracket 603 comprising two sides with relationship to its various longitudinal passageways. An actuator bracket concave bolt receptacle one 1201 is shown in proximity to an actuator bracket concave bolt receptacle two 1202 with their associated recesses running parallel to the brake linkage tube 104 as is the concave conduit receptacle 1003. The actuator support bracket mounting bolt one 804 and the actuator support bracket mounting bolt two 805, the actuator recessed bolt channels 1203, and the actuator bracket receiving threads 1002 are each positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of brake linkage tube 104. The set screw 806 and set screw pilot channel 807 are likewise illustrated in their relative positions being in perpendicular relationship to the longitudinal axis of the brake linkage tube 104. Note that set screw 806 penetrates into the wall of the brake linkage tube 104.
FIG. 13 is a cross section of an assembly contained within the description of the forward mounting support bracket identified as item 607 as well as in the description of the rearward mounting support bracket identified as item 608. Both assemblies are mechanically identical in regard to the present invention.
A series of mounting support bolts 1301 are shown in relational proximity to a series of mounting support bolt sleeves 1302 in one section of the assembly, along with the series of associated mounting support threaded sleeves 1303 which are positioned within the body of the second section of the assembly. Said series of mounting support bolts 1301 along with the various mounting support bolt sleeves 1302 and the mounting support threaded sleeves 1303 are all positioned in perpendicular relationship to the longitudinal axis of the compound conduit assembly 611 and the brake linkage tube 104. A multiplicity of concave conduit receptacles 1003 are located in parallel relationship to the compound conduit assembly 611 and the brake linkage tube 104. Two set screws 806 are installed through two set screw pilot channels 807 and affixed to the wall of the compound conduit assembly 611 and the brake linkage tube 104.
FIG. 14 provides a perspective view of the main components of the present invention that were provided in a more detailed fashion in FIG. 6. Attention is focused to the reference to FIG. 15 and the location of the actuator support bracket 603 as has been described in FIG. 9.
FIG. 15 is an enhanced cross-sectional view of the physical relationship between a removable drain member 1502 and the forward extending compound conduit 611a. Representation of a drywall compound 1501 is provided as it relates with the forward extending compound conduit 611a and the removeable drain member 1502. FIG. 16 Is a section view of the primary structural components of the compound conduit assembly 611 in its retracted position 611k. Said structural components involve the forward extending compound conduit 611a as inserted into the outer conduit sleeve 611c and secured with the extending set screw one 611h and the extending set screw two 611j. From the opposing end of the outer conduit sleeve 611c from the forward extending compound conduit 611a is noted the inserted rearward extending compound conduit 611b. The pivoting stub 701 is illustrated in approximate perpendicular fixed relationship to the forward extending compound conduit 611a. The removable drain member 1502 is noted in the frontward section of the forward extending compound conduit 611.
FIG. 17 personifies all of the aforementioned aspects of FIG. 16 in an extended position 6111 with the added inclusion of various conduit sealing members notated as a rear extending compound conduit seal set three 611d, a rear extending compound conduit seal set four 611e, a forward extending compound conduit seal set one 611f and a forward extending compound conduit seal set two 611g being located in their respective locations with in the general configuration of the compound conduit assembly 611.
FIG. 18 provides a schematic diagram of the pneumatic biased control system 602 of the present invention providing a technical representation conducive to its function. Featured in the drawing is a pneumatic pressure source 1602, a supply manifold 615, the first actuator inlet port 1103, the first compound actuator 604, debris limiting valves 1609, a pneumatic switching valve 616, a second compound actuator 1101 which also has pneumatic communication with the compound control valve 612 and actuator button levers 605.
Invention Operation: Assembly
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 provides an overall view of the general components that are used to adapt its structure to an automatic drywall finishing box assembly as known in the art. To define the operation of the present invention, a method to mount the present invention to the finishing box structure is described as shown in FIG. 23:
- 1. First, the operating technician first provides a flat work area onto which he or she sets the automatic drywall finishing box assembly 101 (FIG. 1) securely upon its surface area. (500)
- 2. Referring to FIG. 3 the technician then removes the rotating pressure plate 110 according to standard industry practices. (510)
- 3. The operating technician then drills an appropriately sized channel into the approximate location as provided by the location noted as the finishing box inlet port 301 (FIG. 3). (520)
- 4. The operating technician then installs the finishing box inlet port from the underside of the rotating pressure plate 110 through the channel and secures it in place using the sealing washer 303 and afterward the finishing box port tightening nut 302 on the top side of the rotating pressure plate 110 after which reinstalling the rotating pressure plate 110 onto the finishing box 304. (530)
- 5. At this point the technician referring to FIG. 6 places the present invention next to the automatic drywall finishing box assembly. (540)
- 6. Referencing FIG. 13, the technician then removes the forward mounting support bracket 607 and the rearward mounting support bracket 608 from the compound conduit assembly 611 by removing the various mounting support bolts 1301 by unscrewing from the mounting support threaded sleeves 1303 which are contained within both mounting support structures 607 and 608. (550)
- 7. Upon separating the forward and rearward mounting support brackets 607 and 608 the technician then places the present invention in parallel proximity to the brake linkage tube 104 of the drywall finishing box assembly and secures both together by reinstalling the forward mounting support bracket 607 and the rearward mounting support bracket 608 as referenced in FIG. 14. (560)
- 8. Upon securing the various items together the operating technician then installs the set screws 806 through the set screw pilot channels 807 thus penetrating into the wall of the brake linkage tube 104 and the compound conduit assembly 611 as illustrated in FIG. 13. (570)
The actuator control system 602 (FIG. 6) is comprised of several components including an actuator support bracket 603 (FIG. 6), an actuator mounting bracket 808 (FIG. 8), a first compound actuator 604 (FIG. 6) and a second compound actuator 1101 (FIG. 11), two individual actuator button levers 605 (FIG. 6) and a pair of button lever nuts 1102 which can be viewed in FIG. 11. The assembled actuator control system 602 (FIG. 6) is attached to the brake linkage tube 104 (FIG. 14) behind the rearward mounting support bracket 608 (FIG. 14) and before the braking grip support 103 (FIG. 14). One end of pivoting tube 610 (FIG. 14) is connected to pivoting union 609 having its other end connected to finishing box inlet port 301 (FIG. 3). Also included are various debris limiting valves which are fitted to the exhaust ports of the first compound actuator 604 (FIG. 6), the second compound actuator 1102 (FIG. 11) and the compound control valve 612 (FIG. 6). After the various components of the actuator control system (listed above) are assembled, the control system is mounted to the brake linkage tube behind the rearward mounting support bracket 608 (FIG. 6) and forward of the compound control valve 612 (FIG. 6). The mechanical aspects of the present invention as mounted to an automatic drywall finishing box assembly is FIG. 6. Once assembled all pneumatic conduits are affixed to their appropriate locations according to standard practices and as designated in the schematic illustration provided in FIG. 18 of this application.
Invention Operation: Functional Execution
The present invention is designed to act in unison with standard application practices of an automatic drywall finishing box assembly 101 illustrated in FIG. 1 to supply a flow of drywall compound through the finishing box 304 (FIG. 3) so as to eliminate the need to manually refill the finishing box 304 unit. Upon installing the present invention as described in the previous section the operating technician then attaches a hose from a pressurized material source to the present invention by way of the compound supply connector 614 (FIG. 7). The operating technician then positions the combined apparatus including the actuator control system 602 with the present invention 601 (FIG. 14) and the automatic finishing box assembly 101 (FIG. 1) into a corner angle over a drywall joint to begin the first pass of application. When positioned with the proper technician angle to the wall, the operating technician then applies pressure through his rearward hand fingers on to the braking hand grip lever 201 (FIG. 2) locking the finishing box 304 (FIG. 3) into place. The operating technician then applies pressure to one of the actuator button levers 605 to activate the flow of drywall compound 1501 (FIG. 15) through the apparatus and against a removable drain member 1502 (FIG. 15) which is removed to clean the present invention.
Upon reaching the closed removable drain member 1502 material pressure transfers the flow of drywall compound through a pivoting stub 701 (FIG. 7) after which the drywall compound passes through a pivoting union 609 (FIG. 6), a pivoting tube 610 (FIG. 6) and into the finishing box 304 (FIG. 3) whereby the operating technician spreads drywall compound along the drywall joint and he or she walk along the drywall joint.
When reaching a midpoint of the drywall joint the operating technician slowly pulls the finishing box 304 from the wall and then approaches the opposite end of the drywall joint from where the application began and repeats the application continuing back toward the midpoint of the drywall joint pulling the assembly from the wall upon making contact with the first area of application which was just previously completed. Upon changing the direction of application, the operating technician changes the position of each hand as is needed to turn the present invention assembly 180 degrees in horizontal position to apply the drywall compound in the opposite direction. At this point of the process the opposite hand is positioned in contact with the opposite side of the applicator support bracket 603 (FIG. 11) and as a consequence of changing the direction of application the operating technician is now operating the opposite actuator button lever 605 (FIG. 11) from that button lever that had previously been used to begin the flow of drywall compound through the present invention. The ability to reverse the direction of application and still provide the flow of drywall compound in an ergonomic manner is provided by the implementation of the switching valve 616 (FIG. 6) in the pneumatic circuit.
As outlined in FIG. 24, the process of use of the apparatus of the present invention by a user is preferably as follows:
- 1. Installing the apparatus to an automatic drywall finishing box per FIG. 23. (580)
- 2. Engaging the compound control valve. (590)
- 3. Applying pressure to the break linkage tube while engaging the braking hand gripping lever. (600)
- 4. Applying drywall compound to the surface of the drywall panel(s). (610)
Description of an Alternative Embodiment
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a permanently fixed mechanical relationship amongst the brake linkage tube 104 (FIG. 20) and a fixed compound conduit 2005 (FIG. 20) utilizing an affixed support brace two 2002 (FIG. 20) with an affixed support brace one 2001 (FIG. 20) being located between the brake linkage tube 104 (FIG. 20) and the fixed compound conduit 2005 (FIG. 20). A logic actuator support bracket 2003 (FIG. 20) is attached to the brake linkage tube 104 (FIG. 20). FIG. 22 identifies an offset relationship between the logic actuator support bracket 2003 (FIG. 22) and the top circumferential plane 2006 (FIG. 22) of the brake linkage tube 104 (FIG. 22). FIG. 21 views an alternative embodiment of the present invention as seen from above.
Benefit of the Alternative Embodiment
The operational technique for engaging the alternative embodiment has no identifiable difference(s) with the preferred embodiment previously discussed in this application. Said alternative embodiment provides a benefit to the end user by offering a possible lower cost version of a handle assembly that contains all of the same features and benefits of the aforementioned supplementary device which is connected to an automatic drywall finishing box assembly.
Any control valve may be used that provides pressure implementation to open the flow of drywall compound along with a self-governing means for returning the valve to its closed position. The return to neutral position may be operated manually or by pneumatic actuation or by electric means or by way of a mechanical spring mechanism. The pneumatic switching valve 616 (FIG. 6) is located in a position conducive to receiving pneumatic pressure from first compound actuator 604 or second compound actuator 1101 (FIG. 11) which allows for a biased output pressure to travel to the compound control valve 612 but may be located in any position conducive to the effective operation of the device.
FIG. 18 identifies item 1809 as being a debris limiting valve. In lieu of the mechanical debris limiting valve 1809, a substitution may be provided by using a barbed fitting capable of attachment to a venting port having frictional engagement with tubing which is routed to another area of the invention where the open end of the tubing is allowed to vent the pneumatic valving and is located in a position where there is minimal opportunity for the infiltration of foreign matter to enter the tubing and eventually contaminate the valved operations.
Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that the present invention is not solely limited to the invention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprises any and all embodiments within the scope of this application.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Patent Application
20240410185
