This patent application incorporates by reference the patent application having attorney docket number 0301757-NP1, titled: DRYWALL MUD PUMP WITH IMPROVED HANDLE, having the same inventor and filed on the same date. These two patent applications have certain disclosure in common but were filed with different claims.
This invention relates to pumps for pumping drywall joint compound into tools used for applying drywall joint compound between sheets of drywall.
Drywall, also known as gypsum board, wallboard, and plasterboard, is a building material used to finish the interior surfaces of walls and ceilings in houses and other buildings. Rigid sheets or panels of drywall are formed from gypsum plaster, the semi-hydrous form of calcium sulphate (CaSO4.½ H2O), which is typically sandwiched between two layers of heavy paper or fiberglass mats. Drywall sheets are about ½ inch thick and held in place with nails or screws to form the interior surfaces of the building, and provide fire resistance and sound deadening, among other benefits.
The joints between drywall sheets are typically filled and sealed with strips of paper or fiberglass mat and drywall joint compound, also called “joint compound”, “drywall mud”, or just “mud”. Joint compound may be made, for example, of water, limestone, expanded perlite, ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer and attapulgite. Joint compound may be applied as a viscous fluid that is thick enough to maintain its shape while it dries and hardens. In addition to forming joints, drywall mud is used to cover nail or screw heads, form a smooth or flat surface, and provide a texture over the surface. Paint or wall paper is typically applied over the drywall sheets and drywall joint compound.
Workers often specialize in the installation of drywall, and in large projects, different crews install the drywall panels (drywall hangers) from those who finish the joints and apply the joint compound (tapers or mud men). Workers who specialize in drywall installation often use specialized tools to increase their productivity. A number of tools have been invented and used for dispensing drywall joint compound. U.S. Pat. No. 7,473,085 (by Werner Schlecht), for example, describes a drywall finishing tool that is commonly referred to as a “flat box”, which is used to apply drywall joint compound between sheets of drywall, for instance. Further, drywall joint compound has been mixed at the job site in buckets, and various pumps have been used to pump the mud from the buckets into drywall tools such as flat boxes.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/292,238, publication 2007/0122301 (also by Werner Schlecht) describes a drywall mud pump, for example. Various prior art drywall mud pumps used a piston in a main cylinder. In many cases, however, the piston did not travel the full length of the main cylinder. As a result, main cylinder sizes were made fairly large so that sufficient volume of drywall mud was pumped with each stroke of the pump. Further, in a number of designs, friction was excessive, making the pumps difficult to use, especially for large projects where workers have had to pump and apply a large quantity of drywall joint compound.
For these and other reasons, needs or potential for benefit exist for drywall mud pumps that are smaller in size, such as in diameter, that have less internal friction, that allow drywall mud to move freely therethrough, that have a longer piston stroke, or a combination thereof, as examples. In addition, in many prior art drywall pump designs, it was necessary to expend effort holding the pump in place while pumping drywall joint compound, which made using the pump more difficult. As a result, needs and potential for benefit exist for drywall mud pumps that do not need to be held in place while being used, as other examples. As further examples, drywall mud pumps are needed, or would be beneficial, that are inexpensive to manufacture, reliable, easy to use, that have a long life, that are easy to service and clean, and that are simple in operation so that typical operators can effectively maintain them, or that have a combination of such features. Room for improvement exists over the prior art in these and other areas that may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art having studied this document. Other needs and potential for benefit may also be apparent to a person of skill in the art of specialized drywall tools.
Various embodiments provide, for example, as an object or benefit, that they partially or fully address or satisfy one or more of the needs, potential areas for benefit, or opportunities for improvement described herein, or known in the art, as examples. Some embodiments of the invention provide, among other things, various apparatuses, drywall mud pumps, and methods of selecting, obtaining, providing, manufacturing, or making such devices, as examples. Drywall mud pumps, for example, may be used to pump drywall joint compound from buckets into tools for dispensing the drywall joint compound, for instance, which may then be used to apply the drywall joint compound between and/or over sheets of drywall. Workers or operators may use such drywall mud pumps, for example, who specialize in the installation of drywall, or specifically, those who finish the joints and apply the joint compound (tapers or mud men), for instance. Various embodiments provide, for example, as an object or benefit, that they provide specialized drywall mud pumps, for instance, to increase the productivity of such workers.
A number of embodiments provide, for example, as objects or benefits, adaptations and improvements to drywall mud pumps in which a piston may travel a greater length of the main cylinder. As a result, in certain embodiments, main cylinder sizes may be smaller while still providing sufficient volume of drywall mud with each stroke of the pump. Further, in some embodiments, friction may be reduced, making the pumps less difficult to use, especially for large projects where workers may have to pump and apply a large quantity of drywall joint compound. Further, in some embodiments, drywall mud may move more freely through the pump, in comparison with certain prior art alternatives for instance. In addition, in some embodiments, it may require less effort to hold the pump in place while pumping drywall joint compound, which may make using the pump less difficult. In particular embodiments, drywall mud pumps may not need to be held in place by the operator while being used, for examples. Moreover, particular embodiments provide, as an object or benefit, for instance, drywall mud pumps that are inexpensive to manufacture, reliable, easy to use, that have a long life, that are easy to service and clean, and that are simple in operation so that typical operators can effectively maintain them.
Benefits of various embodiments of the invention exist over the prior art in these and other areas that may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art having studied this document. These and other aspects of various embodiments of the present invention may be realized in whole or in part in various drywall mud pumps as shown, described, or both in the figures and related description herein. Other objects and benefits may also be apparent to a person of skill in the art of specialized drywall tools, for example.
In specific embodiments, this invention provides various drywall mud pumps for pumping drywall joint compound from a bucket into a drywall tool. In a number of embodiments, such a drywall mud pump may include, for example, a main cylinder having a top end and an bottom end, a rod having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end, and a piston which, when the drywall mud pump is assembled, is located within the main cylinder and is attached to the rod. In various embodiments, when the drywall mud pump is assembled, the second end of the rod is located within the main cylinder. Such embodiments may also include a pump head having an output aperture, and when the drywall mud pump is assembled, the pump head may be connected to the top end of the main cylinder and the rod may pass through the pump head, for example.
Various such embodiments may further include a structural component, and when the drywall mud pump is assembled, the structural component may be attached to the main cylinder or to the pump head, as examples, and may extend from the main cylinder or the pump head to a pivot point. Various such embodiments also include a handle which, when the drywall mud pump is assembled, is pivotably connected to the first end of the rod, and is pivotably connected to the structural component at the pivot point. Furthermore, such embodiments may also include a clamp configured to secure the drywall mud pump to a side of the bucket.
In various such embodiments the clamp may include a force-amplification mechanism, for example, and a contact surface to contact the exterior of the bucket. In certain embodiments, when the drywall mud pump is assembled and is installed within a bucket, the contact surface may face towards the main cylinder, for instance, to secure the main cylinder within the bucket, for example, by compressing the side of the bucket between the contact surface and the main cylinder. In some embodiments, the clamp may be a toggle clamp, for instance.
Further, in a number of such embodiments, the drywall mud pump may further include, for example, a foot valve, which, when the drywall mud pump is assembled, is attached to the bottom end of the main cylinder allowing drywall joint compound to flow into the main cylinder through the foot valve, but substantially preventing drywall joint compound from flowing out of the main cylinder through the bottom end. In particular embodiments, the foot valve may include, for example, a pin and two semi-circular-shaped rigid flaps that hingedly rotate about the pin. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the foot valve may further include, for instance, a tube, and when the drywall mud pump is assembled, the pin may extend through the tube and the tube may extend through a portion of each of the flaps.
In a number of such embodiments, the handle may include a first member and a second member, and when the drywall mud pump is assembled, the first member may be pivotably connected to the first end of the rod, and the second member may be pivotably connected to the structural component at the pivot point, for instance. Further, in various embodiments, when the drywall mud pump is assembled, the structural component may be rigidly attached to the main cylinder or to the pump head, and the first member may slidably or telescopically (or both) engage the second member, for instance, to allow the rod to travel in a substantially straight line along the longitudinal axis while the second member rotates about the pivot point. Still further, in some embodiments, the drywall mud pump may further include, for example, bearing mounted within the second member. In particular embodiments, the bearing may include PTFE or multiple balls, for example. Further, in various embodiments, when the drywall mud pump is assembled, part of the first member may fit inside the bearing, may extend into the second member, or both, as examples.
In other embodiments, the invention also provides various drywall mud pumps that include, for example, such a main cylinder, such a rod, and such a piston. In these embodiments, the piston may include, for example, at least one orifice through the piston to pass drywall joint compound when the piston is traveling downward in the main cylinder, and in various embodiments the piston may further include at least one flapper to block the at least one orifice to substantially prevent passage of drywall joint compound through the piston when the piston is traveling upward in the main cylinder. Such embodiments may further include a pump head, such as described above, and the pump head may include, for example, a seal around the rod. These embodiments may further include a structural component and a handle, such as described above, and may also include a foot valve, which, when the drywall mud pump is assembled, is attached to the bottom end of the main cylinder allowing drywall joint compound to flow into the main cylinder through the foot valve, but substantially preventing drywall joint compound from flowing out of the main cylinder through the bottom end, for example. In a number of embodiments, the foot valve may include, for example, a pin and two semi-circular-shaped rigid flaps that hingedly rotate about the pin.
Such embodiments may have other features previously mentioned for other embodiments as well. For example, in some embodiments, the foot valve may further include, for example, a tube, and some embodiments may further include a clamp, a handle, a bearing, or a combination thereof, as examples, such as described above. Further, in some embodiments, the structural component may be rigidly attached to the main cylinder or to the pump head, and the first member may engage the second member (e.g., as described above).
The invention also provides various methods, for example, of selecting, obtaining, or providing a drywall mud pump for pumping drywall joint compound from a bucket into a drywall tool. Such methods may include, for example, various acts, which may be performed in any order or in the order listed, as examples. In some such methods, these acts may include, for instance, selecting, obtaining, or providing a body that may include, for example, an inlet to take in drywall joint compound from the bucket, and an output aperture to deliver drywall joint compound to the drywall tool. Various such methods may further include acts of selecting, obtaining, or providing a driver to move the drywall joint compound through the body, and selecting, obtaining, or providing a structural component which, when the drywall mud pump is assembled, may be attached to the body and may extend to a pivot point. Such methods may also include, for further example, an act of selecting, obtaining, or providing a handle that may be connected in driving relation to the driver, may be pivotably connected to the structural component at the pivot point, and may rotate about the pivot point, for instance. Various such methods may also include an act of selecting, obtaining, or providing a clamp, for example, configured to secure the drywall mud pump to a side of a bucket.
In some embodiments, such methods may further include, for example, an act of selecting, obtaining, or providing a force-amplification mechanism and a contact surface to contact the exterior of the bucket. In various embodiments, when the drywall mud pump is assembled, for instance, the contact surface faces towards the body to secure the body within the bucket, for example, by compressing the side of the bucket, for instance, between the contact surface and the body. Further, in a number of embodiments, the act of selecting, obtaining, or providing the handle may include selecting, obtaining, or providing a first member and a second member, and when the drywall mud pump is assembled, the first member may be pivotably connected to the first end of the rod, the second member may be pivotably connected to the structural component at the pivot point.
Further still, in some embodiments, when the drywall mud pump is assembled, the structural component is rigidly attached to the body, and the first member slidably and telescopically engages the second member, for example, to allow the rod to travel in a substantially straight line along the longitudinal axis while the second member rotates about the pivot point. Additionally, various methods may further include, for example, an act of selecting, obtaining, or providing an inlet valve, which, when the drywall mud pump is assembled, is attached to the inlet of the body allowing drywall joint compound to flow into the inlet and into the body through the inlet valve, but substantially preventing drywall joint compound from flowing out of the body through the inlet. In particular embodiments, the inlet valve may include, for example, a pin and two semi-circular-shaped rigid flaps that hingedly rotate about the pin. Furthermore, in various embodiments the act of selecting, obtaining, or providing the handle may further include selecting, obtaining, or providing a (e.g., PTFE) bearing, as another example.
In addition, various other embodiments of the invention are also described herein.
The drawings illustrate, among other things, various examples of embodiments of the invention, and certain examples of characteristics thereof. Different embodiments of the invention include various combinations of elements or acts shown in the drawings, described herein, known in the art, or a combination thereof, for instance.
Among other things, various embodiments are, include, obtain, or provide various drywall mud pumps, for example, for pumping drywall joint compound from a bucket into a drywall tool.
In various embodiments, when the drywall mud pump (e.g., 10, 50, or 70) is assembled, the second end (e.g., 122 or 722) of the rod (e.g., 12, 52, or 72) is located within the main cylinder (e.g., 11, 51, or 71), for instance, attached to the piston (e.g., 33 or 73). Such embodiments may also include a pump head (e.g., 14, 54, or 74), for instance, which may be part of the body, having an output aperture (e.g., 144, 544, 744), and when the drywall mud pump (e.g., 10, 50, or 70) is assembled, the pump head (e.g., 14, 54, or 74) may be connected to the top end (e.g., 111, 511, or 711) of the main cylinder (e.g., 11, 51, or 71), for example, with fasteners, screws, bolts, clips, pins, or the like, as examples (e.g., clips 117 are shown for this purpose in
Various embodiments may further include a handle (e.g., 17, 57, or 77 shown in
In various embodiments, the structural component (e.g., 15, 55, or 75) may be attached in rigid relation to the main cylinder (e.g., 11, 51, or 71) or to the pump head (e.g., 14, 54, or 74) (or both) and may extend to a pivot point (e.g., 16, 56, or 76) in rigid relation to the main cylinder (e.g., 11, 51, or 71), for example. In different embodiments, this may be accomplished by attaching the structural component (e.g., 15, 55, or 75) directly to the main cylinder (e.g., 11, 51, or 71) or to the pump head (e.g., 14, 54, or 74), or may be accomplished by attaching the structural component (e.g., 15, 55, or 75) to one or more other components that may be attached to the main cylinder (e.g., 11, 51, or 71) or to the pump head (e.g., 14, 54, or 74), or both, as examples.
As used herein, in this context, two parts being in “rigid relation” means that the parts do not move (e.g., translate or rotate) significantly relative to each other (other than due to insignificant elastic deformation of the material) while the drywall mud pump is in operation. Further, as used herein, two parts being rigidly attached to each other means that the parts are in “rigid relation”. Being “rigidly attached” or in “rigid relation” does not exclude the possibility that the two parts are detachable, for example, for disassembly, cleaning, shipping, or storage of the drywall mud pump, as examples. In fact, in many embodiments, the structural component (e.g., 15, 55, or 75) may be detachable from the pump head (e.g., 14, 54, or 74), cylinder (e.g., 11. 51, or 71), or both, for example.
In a number of embodiments, the handle (e.g., 17, 57, or 77 shown in
In a number of embodiments, the first member (e.g., 171, 571, or 771) may slidably or telescopically engage (or both) the second member (e.g., 172, 572, or 772), for instance, to allow the rod (e.g., 12, 52, or 72) to travel in a substantially straight (e.g., vertical) line along the longitudinal axis of the rod while the second member (e.g., 172, 572, or 772) rotates about the pivot point (e.g., 16, 56, or 76). As used herein, “slidably” means that one part translates relative to another part in a substantially straight line without significant rotation therebetween. Further, as used herein, “telescopically” means that one part translates in a substantially straight line at least partially inside the other part.
Various such embodiments include a handle (e.g., 17, 57, or 77) which, when the drywall mud pump (e.g., 10, 50, or 70) is assembled, may be pivotably connected to the first end (e.g., 121, 521, or 721) of the rod (e.g., 12, 52, or 72), and may be pivotably connected to the structural component (e.g., 15, 55, or 75) at the pivot point (e.g., 16, 56, or 76). Some such handles may include the first member (e.g., 171, 571, or 771) and the second member (e.g., 172, 572, or 772) previously mentioned.
Further, as shown in
In the embodiment illustrated, when the drywall mud pump (e.g., 10 or 70) is assembled, part of the first member (e.g., 171 or 771) may fit inside the bearing (e.g., 37 or 737) and may extend into the second member (e.g., 172, 572, or 772). In a number of embodiments, the bearing (e.g., 37 or 737) may be a linear ball bearing, for example, and may include a sleeve-like outer ring and several rows of balls retained by cages. The cages or ball tracks may be oriented to provide for low friction rolling motion in a linear direction (e.g., in the axial direction). The cages or ball tracks may then curve around to return the balls to be used again. The return cages or ball tracks, and the portions of the cages and ball tracks that curve, may be deeper to prevent the balls from contacting the moving surface (e.g., first member 171, 571, or 771) when the balls are traveling in a different direction.
Other embodiments may use other types of bearings (e.g., 37 or 737) including other linear motion bearings such as linear roller bearings, roller slides, plain bearings, bushings (e.g., metal, bronze, plastic, fluoropolymer, dry lubricant, or solid lubricant), dovetail slides, or various ball slides, as examples. In the embodiments shown, the bearing (e.g., 37 or 737) is mounted inside the second member (e.g., 172, 572, or 772). In other embodiments, a bearing may be mounted on the outside of the first member. In still other embodiments, the second member may fit inside the first member, the bearing may be mounted inside the first member (or the bearing may be mounted on the outside of the second member) or a combination thereof, as examples. In some embodiments, bearings (e.g., 37 or 737) may include a low-friction material such as a fluoropolymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), as another example. In particular embodiments, a bearing (e.g., 37 or 737) may include PTFE filaments or fibers, which may be woven for example, and may have a greater tensile strength than PTFE resins (as another example). Various embodiments may be greaseless or self lubricating, for instance. Some embodiments may have a solid lubricant added to the wear layer. Further, some embodiments (e.g., of bearings 37 or 737) may have a fiberglass backing. Specific embodiments of PTFE bearings are available from Polygon Composites, for instance.
In certain embodiments, bearings (e.g., 37 or 737) may include Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2), graphite, or boron nitride, as examples. In still other embodiments, bushings may be used (e.g., for bearings 37 or 737) which may be metal, such as brass, or plastic, such as nylon, which may be lubricated with a lubricant such as grease or oil, as examples. In some embodiments, openings, passageways, or fittings to apply grease or oil may be provided (e.g., on or in handle 17, 57, or 77 or in the second member 172, 572, or 772). Further, where a single bearing (e.g., 37 or 737) is shown on the drawings, other embodiments may have multiple bearings. In some embodiments, two bearings may be provided, for instance, which may be separated by a spacer or bushing. In other embodiments, a single PTFE bearing may be provided between two brass bushings, as another example. Still other embodiments may have a single longer bearing (e.g., of plastic or PTFE).
Further embodiments may lack a separate bearing. Rather, a first member (e.g., similar to 771) may slide inside and directly against a second member (e.g., similar to 772). In some embodiments, such sliding contact may be greased, for example. In such embodiments, the first member (e.g., similar to 771) and the second member (e.g., similar to 772) are not considered to be a “bearing”, as used herein. Moreover, in various embodiments, when the drywall mud pump (e.g., 10, 50, or 70) is assembled, the first member (e.g., 171, 571, or 771) may be pivotably connected to the first end (e.g., 121, 521, or 721) of the rod (e.g., 12, 52, or 72), the second member (e.g., 172, 572, or 772) may be pivotably connected to the structural component (e.g., 15, 55, or 75) at the pivot point (e.g., 16, 56, or 76), and the first member (e.g., 171, 571, or 771) may slidably engage the second member (e.g., 172, 572, or 772) through the bearing (e.g., 37 or 737), for example. Such pivotable connections may include a pin or a fastener, such as a screw or a bolt, as examples.
Cap 115, in this particular embodiment, attaches to bearing housing 114 and retains bearing 737 within bearing housing 114. Cap 115 may screw onto threads on bearing housing 114, for example. In other embodiments, a snap ring or interference fit may be used, as other examples. In the embodiment shown, cap 115 also retains wiper or seal 116 within bearing housing 114, for example. In this embodiment, wiper or seal 116 may be made of an elastomeric material, may be an o-ring with a round, square, or rectangular cross section, as examples, and may serve to keep dirt, drywall dust, drywall joint compound, and the like out of bearing 737, may retain grease or other lubricant within bearing 737, or a combination thereof, as examples.
As shown in
Handles 17 and 57 shown in
For instance,
In various such embodiments, the bearing (e.g., 737) may be longer, (e.g., about twice as long) as what is shown. In other embodiments, the bearing (e.g., 737) may be 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.25, 2.5, 3.0, or even, 3.5 longer, than what is shown (e.g., relative to other components or to the length of the handle). Further, in some such embodiments, multiple bearings may be used instead of the one bearing 737 shown. For example, in some embodiments two bearings may be separated by a busing. In a number of embodiments, a bearing may be provided at the left end of the bearing housing (e.g., 114), and a bearing (e.g., part of the same bearing or a different bearing) may be provided at a location to support the right end of the first member (e.g., 771) when the handle (e.g., 77) is at the top or bottom of its stroke, for example. In some embodiments, this location may be just to the left of the elongated member (e.g., 113), for example. On the other hand, in other embodiments, a bearing (e.g., a plastic, PTFE, or solid lubricant bearing) may be provided between two (e.g., brass) bushings (e.g., where bearing 737 is shown in
In the illustrated embodiments, when the drywall mud pump (e.g., 10, 50, or 70) is assembled, the structural component (e.g., 15, 55, or 75) is rigidly attached to the pump head (e.g., 14, 54, or 74) and extends from the pump head (e.g., 14, 54, or 74) to the pivot point (e.g., 16, 56, or 76). The structural component (e.g., 15, 55, or 75) may be a separate piece from the pump head (e.g., 14, 54, or 74), for example, as shown, and may be attached thereto with fasteners, such as screws or bolts, for instance (e.g., pins or fasters 99 shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
As illustrated in
Furthermore, particular embodiments may include, for example, an inlet valve or a foot valve (e.g., 42 or 742 shown in
Foot valve 42 and foot valve 742 are examples of inlet valves, which, when the drywall mud pump (e.g., 10, 50, or 70) is assembled, are (one such valve is) attached to the inlet of the body (e.g., main cylinder 11, 51, or 71) allowing drywall joint compound to flow into the inlet and into the body through the inlet valve, but substantially preventing drywall joint compound from flowing out of the body through the inlet. As used herein, a foot valve (e.g., 42 or 742) “substantially” prevents drywall joint compound from flowing out of the body or main cylinder (e.g., 11, 51, or 71), for instance, through the inlet or bottom end (e.g., 112, 512, 712) if, when the drywall mud pump is in use, the amount of drywall joint compound that passes up through the inlet valve or foot valve during an upward stroke of the piston, for example, is at least twice the amount of drywall joint compound that passes downward through the foot valve during a downward stroke of the piston. Considerably better performance may be accomplished, however, in many embodiments.
In certain embodiments, the foot valve (e.g., 42 or 742) may include, for example, a pin (e.g., 32 shown in
Flaps 161 and 162 may be metal, such as stainless steel, brass, or aluminum, or may be plastic, as examples. As used herein “rigid flaps” excludes elastomeric materials for these components. Other embodiments (i.e., not having “rigid flaps”), however, may use elastomeric flaps or a similar structure, as another example. In the embodiment shown, tube 163 may be metal, such as stainless steel, brass, aluminum, or copper, or may be plastic, such as nylon, as examples. In some embodiments, tube 163 may be made of or coated with a low friction material such as a fluoropolymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), as other examples.
As shown in
In the embodiment illustrated, screw 423 shown in
In the embodiment illustrated, orifices 221-223 extend through piston 73 to pass drywall joint compound through piston 73 when the piston is traveling downward in the main cylinder (e.g., 71). When piston 73 is traveling downward in the main cylinder, flapper 240 shown in
Flapper 240 may be made of a stiff or moderate stiffness material, as examples. In particular embodiments, for example, flapper 240 may be made of plastic, such as nylon, for instance. In other embodiments, a piston flapper may be made of metal (e.g., stainless steel) or of an elastomeric material, as other examples. Elastomeric flappers may bend out of the way when the piston is traveling downward, facilitating flow, but may require more support (e.g., a greater number of smaller orifices) when the piston is traveling upwards.
In the embodiment illustrated, high filler 88 and goose neck 89 attach (e.g., one at a time) to output aperture 744 of pump head 74. Output aperture 744, or the end of high filler 88 or goose neck 89 that attaches to the drywall dispensing tool, are examples of outlet apertures to deliver drywall joint compound to the drywall tool. Outlet apertures 144 and 544 are other such examples. In the embodiment illustrated, high filler 88 and goose neck 89 each have two bends. Specifically, high filler 88 has two 90 degree bends, and goose neck 89 has one 90 degree bend and one 180 degree bends. Other embodiments may differ.
Except where otherwise described, various components may be made of metal, for example, such as aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, galvanized steel, or chrome plated steel, as examples. Some components may be made of plastic, as another example, such as nylon. In other embodiments, other materials may be used, which may be selected, for example, to avoid corrosion when exposed to moist drywall joint compound. In some embodiments, some components may be coated or painted to prevent corrosion.
In various embodiments, the main cylinder (e.g., 11, 51, or 71 shown in
A number of embodiments include various methods, for example, of selecting, obtaining, or providing a drywall mud pump (e.g., 10, 50, or 70) for pumping drywall joint compound from a bucket (e.g., 80) into a drywall tool (e.g., a flat box). Such methods may include, for example, various acts, which may be performed in various sequences or orders, examples of which include the order listed herein or shown on the drawings.
Various methods and acts described include selecting, obtaining, or providing certain structure or components. As used herein, “selecting” includes ordering, for example, from products, components, or materials offered for sale, manufactured, or provided by others. “Selecting”, however, as used herein, does not include purely mental processes such as choosing in one's mind what structure or components to use. Further, “obtaining”, as used herein, includes purchasing such structure or components. Still further, “obtaining”, as used herein, includes manufacturing or assembling (or both) such structure or components. Even further, “obtaining”, as used herein, includes receiving such structure or components (e.g., manufactured or assembled by others). Moreover, as used herein, “providing” includes any combination of selling, advertising for sale, renting, leasing, and shipping such structure or components. Furthermore, although various embodiments are described in terms of selecting, obtaining, or providing certain structure or components, other embodiments may be limited to just selecting, just obtaining, or just providing the particular structure or components, or to just obtaining or providing such structure or components, as further examples.
In some methods (e.g., method 270 shown in
Various such methods, including method 270 shown, may further include an act of selecting, obtaining, or providing a driver (e.g., act 272), for instance, to move the drywall joint compound through the body. Examples of such a driver (e.g., of act 272) include pistons 33 and 73 shown, for instance, in
In the embodiment illustrated, method 270 also includes, for further example, act 274 of selecting, obtaining, or providing a handle (e.g., 17, 57, or 77 shown in
In the embodiment shown, methods 270 also includes act 275 of selecting, obtaining, or providing a clamp (e.g., 18 or 78), for example, configured to secure the drywall mud pump (e.g., 10, 50, or 70) to a side of a bucket (e.g., 80). In some embodiments, act 275 (e.g., of method 270) may further include, for example, selecting, obtaining, or providing a force-amplification mechanism (e.g., 181 or 781 shown in
Further, in a number of embodiments, the act of selecting, obtaining, or providing the handle (e.g., act 274, for instance, handle 17, 57, or 77) may include selecting, obtaining, or providing a first member (e.g., 171, 571, or 771) and a second member (e.g., 172, 572, or 772). In a number of embodiments, when the drywall mud pump (e.g., 10, 50, or 70) is assembled, the first member (e.g., 171, 571, or 771) may be pivotably connected to the first end (e.g., 121, 521, or 721) of the rod (e.g., 12, 52, or 72), the second member (e.g., 172, 572, or 772) may be pivotably connected to the structural component (e.g., of act 273, for example, structural component 15, 55, or 75) at the pivot point (e.g., 16, 56, or 76).
Additionally, method 270 shown in
Furthermore, in various embodiments the act of selecting, obtaining, or providing the handle (e.g., act 274, for instance, handle 17, 57, or 77) may further include selecting, obtaining, or providing a bearing (e.g., 37 or 737 shown in
Further, in some embodiments, the act of selecting, obtaining, or providing the body (e.g., act 271) may specifically include selecting, obtaining, or providing a main cylinder (e.g., 11, 51, or 71). Still further, in the embodiment shown, method 270 includes, for example, act 277 of selecting, obtaining, or providing a rod (e.g., 12, 52, or 72). In a number of embodiments, when the drywall mud pump (e.g., 10, 50, or 70) is assembled, the rod (e.g., provided in act 277) may extend from the first member (e.g., 171, 571, or 771) to the driver (e.g., piston 33 or 73), for example. Still further, in some embodiments, when the drywall mud pump (e.g., 10, 50, or 70) is assembled, the structural component (e.g., 15, 55, or 75) may be attached in rigid relation to the body (e.g., to main cylinder 11, 51, or 71), the pivot point (e.g., 16, 56, or 76) may be in rigid relation to the body, or both, as examples.
The various components shown in the different drawings, described herein, or both, may be found in various combinations in different embodiments. Other embodiments may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art having studied this document, and may include features or limitations described herein, shown in the drawings, or both. Various methods may include part or all of the acts shown in