The present invention relates to the field of building construction and, in particular to a pointing tool.
In the field of construction, bricklaying is one of the common construction activities. During bricklaying, gaps are left between adjacent bricks. One reason for this is that perfect fitting of bricks is impossible because they could not be perfectly made or because abrasion is inevitable. Another reason is that it is sensible to reserve spaces between bricks in order to accommodate their thermal expansion. Otherwise, bricks may be squeezed by each other at raised temperatures, which may lead to cracking or deformation. Pointing refers to filling of such gaps with a filling material, which may be either directly the cement or binder used to stabilize the bricks, or a filling material specially designed for pointing. Before the filling material becomes dry and invariable in shape, a pointing tool can be used to surface finish the filling material for practical or aesthetic purposes. In addition, pointing may also be applied between the floor and walls for the purposes of waterproofing, aesthetics and gap filling.
Different applications have different pointing requirements. For example, in applications with demanding waterproofing and drainage requirements, cross-sectional “V-shaped” or similar recessed gaps are needed because such “V-shaped” gaps allow not only rapid drainage of water but also denser filling of filling materials, which is favorable for waterproofing performance. In other instances, possibly for aesthetic or other reasons, it is necessary to form gaps of various cross-sectional shapes. Even gaps of the same cross- sectional shape will have different surface shapes due to various sizes. Therefore, working members of pointing tools are required to have various surfaces that can meet different application requirements.
In the prior art, most pointing tools are integral structures having surfaces of fixed shapes, and therefore, can only fill gaps of respective determined cross-sectional shapes. For this reason, a construction worker has to carry a set of pointing tools with her/him in order to be able to fill various gaps. This is costly and introduces inconvenience. Although there are some pointing tools in the prior art having two different surfaces, due to the structurally integral nature, their working members do not allow angular adjustment. As a consequence, the use of the different surfaces may cause inconvenient gripping and inferior construction results.
Therefore, those skilled in the art are directing their effort toward developing a pointing tool, which has a working member with multiple surfaces of different shapes while offering convenient gripping, allows easy surface shape adjustments as required, and can prevent a filling material from entering the inside of the pointing tool.
In view of the above described shortcomings of the prior art, the problem sought to be solved by the present invention lies in how to provide an adjustable pointing tool including multiple different curved surfaces and capable of presenting the entry of particulate matter.
In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a pointing tool comprising a working member and a gripping member, the working member coupled to the gripping member, wherein the working member is configured to be able to rotate to adjust a working surface, the working surface comprising a plurality of curved surfaces.
Additionally, a first connecting part extends from one end of the gripping member, and the working member comprises a first working member. The first working member is rotatably disposed over the first connecting part, and a stop mechanism is further included. The stop mechanism is configured to maintain the first working member at a constant position with respect to the first connecting part.
Additionally, the stop mechanism comprises a polygonal prismatic stop recess provided at an inner surface of the first working member and a polygonal prismatic stop body provided in a terminal portion of the first connecting part. The polygonal prismatic stop body matches the polygonal prismatic stop recess in size and shape. The polygonal prismatic stop recess has degrees of surface curvature matching degrees of curvature of an outer surface of the first working member at corresponding positions. When the first working member is laterally moving over the first connecting part, the polygonal prismatic stop body is able to engage with or leave from the polygonal prismatic stop recess. The polygonal prismatic stop body engages with the polygonal prismatic stop recess to maintain the first working member at a constant position with respect to the first connecting part, and the polygonal prismatic stop body disengages from the polygonal prismatic stop recess to enable the first working member to be rotatable about the first connecting part.
Additionally, the stop mechanism further comprises a locking pin fixedly coupled to the polygonal prismatic stop body. The locking pin is inserted and pulled out to enable the polygonal prismatic stop body to engage with and disengage from the polygonal prismatic stop recess.
Additionally, the stop mechanism further comprises a spring disposed within the first working member. The spring is disposed over the first connecting part together with the polygonal prismatic stop body. One end of the spring is coupled to the terminal portion of the first working member, and another end thereof to a base portion of the first connecting part. The spring is compressed when the polygonal prismatic stop body disengages from the polygonal prismatic stop recess and returns to a rest state in absence of an external force to enable the polygonal prismatic stop body to engage with the polygonal prismatic stop recess.
Additionally, an inner surface of the terminal portion of the first working member is provided with a collar, and one end of the spring is coupled to the collar. The base portion of the first connecting part is provided therein with a trailing cover receptacle, and a trailing cover is snapped into the trailing cover receptacle and thereby fixedly coupled to the first connecting part. The spring is fixedly coupled to the trailing cover at the other end.
Additionally, the polygonal prismatic stop body and the trailing cover are integrally formed over the first connecting part.
Additionally, the outer surface of the first working member is triangular prismatic, or quadrangular prismatic, or pentagonal prismatic, or hexagonal prismatic.
Additionally, a sealing member is further included, which is disposed in the terminal portion of the first working member.
Additionally, the first working member is coupled to the gripping member at a base portion of the first connecting part. Either of the first working member and the gripping member is provided therein with a plurality of elongate stop recesses, and the other of them is provided thereon with elongate stop body matching the elongate stop recesses in size. When the first working member is laterally moving over the first connecting part, the elongate stop body is able to engage with or leave from the elongate stop recesses. The elongate stop body engages with the elongate stop recesses to maintain the first working member at a constant position with respect to the first connecting part, and the elongate stop body disengages from the elongate stop recesses to enable the first working member to be rotatable about the first connecting part.
Additionally, the number of the elongate stop recesses is the same as the number of the elongate stop body.
Additionally, the stop mechanism further comprises a trailing plug provided in a terminal portion of the first connecting part. The trailing plug is configured to limit a lateral position of the first working member and, through altering a lateral position of the trailing plug, control engagement and disengagement of the elongate stop body with and from the elongate stop recesses.
Additionally, the trailing plug comprises an elongate rotary handle configured to be raised over an end face of the first working member and used to change the lateral position of the trailing plug.
Additionally, the trailing plug comprises an elongate groove used to change the lateral position of the trailing plug.
Additionally, the stop mechanism comprises a metal wire, one end of which is coupled to the first connecting part. The first working member is provided in a terminal portion thereof with a stop groove matching the metal wire in size. Engagement of another end of the metal wire with the stop groove results in the first working member being stopped, and disengagement of another end of the metal wire from the stop groove results in adjustability of the first working member.
Additionally, the first connecting part is provided in a surface thereof with metal wire securing holes, and the metal wire is inserted into the metal wire securing holes to be pivotably coupled to the first connecting part.
Additionally, the first connecting part comprises a threaded rod, and the first working member is fixedly coupled to the threaded rod. The threaded rod is rotatably coupled to the gripping member, and a side face of a base portion of the first working member is engaged with a side face of the gripping member. One of the side face of the base portion of the first working member and the side face of the gripping member is provided thereon with raised beads, and the other of them is provided therein with bead receiving pockets. The raised beads and the bead receiving pockets are arranged around the threaded rod. The raised beads are in positional correspondence with the bead receiving pockets. When the first connecting part is being rotated with the threaded rod relative to the gripping member, the raised beads are able to engage with or leave from the bead receiving pockets. The raised beads engage with the bead receiving pockets to maintain the first working member at a constant position with respect to the first connecting part, and the raised beads disengages from the bead receiving pockets to enable the first working member to be rotatable about the first connecting part.
Additionally, a second connecting part extends from an end of the gripping member opposite to the first connecting part, and the working member comprises a second working member disposed over the second connecting part.
Additionally, the first working member differs from the second working member in outer surface shape and size, and the first connecting part has the same structure as that of the second connecting part.
Additionally, the outer surface of the first working member is triangular prismatic, or quadrangular prismatic, or pentagonal prismatic, or hexagonal prismatic.
Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following benefits:
1. The present invention can provide multiple pointing surfaces of different shapes and can thus integrate the functions of multiple prior art products of different specifications. Therefore, it is more economic and less costly.
2. The coupling of the gripping member and the working member according to the present invention enables more convenient adjustment of the working member, which can result in an increase in operating efficiency.
3. The present invention has superior sealing performance, which can protect the pointing tool against the influence of any filling material, thereby extending the service life and reducing the cost.
Below, the concept, structural details and resulting technical effects of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide a full understanding of the objects, features and effects of the invention.
wherein 101 denotes a gripping member; 1011, a first connecting part; 1011′, a second connecting part; 1012, a first sealing ring; 1012′, a second sealing ring; 1013, a first stop block; 1013′, a second stop block; 102, a first working member; 1021, a first stop notch; 103, a second working member; 1031, a second stop notch; 104, a connecting rod; 105, a first trailing plug; 105′, a second trailing plug; 1051, a third sealing ring; 1051′, a fourth sealing ring; 1052, a first elongate rotary handle; 1053, a first elongate groove; 201, a gripping member; 202, a first working member; 2021, a first stop groove; 203, a second stop groove; 204, a connecting rod; 207, a metal wire; 2071, fixed metal wire sections; 2072, a movable metal wire section; 301, a first working member; 302, a first connecting part; 303, a gripping member; 305, a triangular prismatic stop recess; 306, a circular collar; 307, a triangular prismatic stop body; 308, a spring; 309, a trailing cover; 310, a connecting rod; 311, a screw; 401, a first working member; 402, a first connecting part; 403, a gripping member; 405, a triangular prismatic stop recess; 406, a circular collar; 407, a triangular prismatic stop body; 408, a spring; 409, a trailing cover; 410, a connecting rod; 411, a screw; 501, a first working member; 502, a first connecting part; 503, a gripping member; 505, a hexagonal prismatic stop recess; 511, a locking pin; 601, a first working member; 607, a pentagonal prismatic stop body; 701, a first working member; 702, a gripping member; 703, a threaded rod; 704, raised beads; and 705, bead receiving pockets.
Below, the drawings accompanying this specification are referenced to introduce many preferred embodiments of the present invention so that the techniques disclosed herein become more apparent and better understood. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms of embodiment, and its protection scope is not limited only to the embodiments mentioned herein.
Throughout the accompanying drawings, structurally identical parts are indicated with identical reference numerals, and structurally or functionally similar components are indicated with similar reference numerals. The size and thickness of each element in the drawings are arbitrarily depicted, and the present invention is not limited to any size or thickness of each element. For greater clarity of illustration, the thicknesses of some parts are exaggerated as appropriate somewhere in the drawings. According to the present application, all connecting members and working members are elongate, and the working members are disposed over the respective connecting members so as to be rotatable thereabout. In some embodiments, the connecting members are each an elongate connecting rod. A portion at an end proximal to a gripping member is referred to as a “base portion”, as in the terms “base portion of the connecting member”, “base portion of the working member”, “base portion of the connecting rod” and the like that may be used herein. Moreover, a portion at an end distal from a gripping member is referred to as a “terminal portion”, as in the terms “terminal portion of the connecting member”, “terminal portion of the working member”, “terminal portion of the connecting rod” and the like that may be used herein. For an elongate component, a direction along a length of this component is referred to as a “lateral direction”, as in the terms “lateral position”, “lateral movement” and the like that may be used herein.
Embodiment 1:
As shown in
As a stop mechanism in this embodiment, the connecting members are provided thereon with elongate stop bodies, and the working members are provided with elongate stop recesses complementary in shape thereto. Specifically, as shown in
In order to make an adjustment to the first working member 102, the first trailing plug 105 is screwed via the first elongate rotary handle 1052 a predetermined distance out of the first working member 102 to allow the first working member 102 to displace laterally to separate the first stop block 1013 from the first stop notch 1021. As a result, the first working member 102 is in an adjustable configuration. After the first working member 102 is rotated to a deployment position of a desired circular cylindrical surface, the first stop block 1013 is aligned with one of the first stop notches 1021, and the first trailing plug 105 is tightened to cause the first working member 102 to laterally move to again engage the first stop block 1013 with the first stop notch 1021, thereby locking the first working member 102. The second working member 103 can be adjusted by manipulating the second trailing plug 105′ in a similar manner involving disengagement of the second stop block 1013′ from the second stop notch 1031 and reengagement of the second stop block 1013′ with one of the second stop notches 1031, and similar results can be obtained.
It is to be noted that, although the first working member 102 and the second working member 103 have been described in this embodiment as being sized distinctly and having outer surfaces with different radii of curvature, in alternative embodiments, the first working member 102 and the second working member 103 may be identically sized or have components with identical outer surfaces. In this embodiment, one first stop block 1013 and one second stop block 1013′ are provided, but in alternative embodiments, the same number of first stop blocks 1013 and first stop notches 1021 and the same number of second stop block 1013′ and second stop notches 1031 may be provided. In further embodiments, the stop notch(es) may be provided in the connecting members and the stop block(s) on the working members. That is, they are swapped in position, as compared to this embodiment. Similar effects can be obtained.
Embodiment 2:
As shown in
Embodiment 3:
As shown in
In order to make an adjustment to the first working member 301, as shown in
Embodiment 4:
As shown in
This embodiment differs from Embodiment 3 in that the triangular prismatic stop body 407 is fixed to the connecting rod 410, preferably integrally formed therewith. Moreover, the trailing cover 409 is fixed to the connecting rod 410, preferably integrally formed therewith. This can simplify the structure of the components and avoid separate fabrication of the three different components followed by assembly of them together, thereby reducing the cost and improving the device's stability.
Embodiment 5:
As shown in
In a stop mechanism of this embodiment, an inner surface of the first working member 501 defines a hexagonal prismatic stop recess 505 in shape correspondence with the hexagonal prismatic outer surface, and a hexagonal prismatic stop body complementary in shape thereto is provided. Different from the previous embodiment, the hexagonal prismatic stop body in this embodiment further includes a locking pin 511. In order to make an adjustment to the first working member 501, the locking pin 511 is pulled toward a terminal end of the first connecting part 502 to cause the hexagonal prismatic stop body to separate from the hexagonal prismatic stop recess 505 to allow the first working member 501 to be rotated and adjusted. When a suitable circular cylindrical surface is adjusted to the deployed position, the locking pin 511 is inserted in a direction toward a trailing end of the first connecting part 502 to engage the hexagonal prismatic stop body with the hexagonal prismatic stop recess 505, thereby locking the first working member 501.
Embodiment 6:
As shown in
Embodiment 7:
As shown in
Preferred specific embodiments have been described in detail above. It is to be understood that, those of ordinary skill in the art can make various modifications and changes based on the concept of the present invention without exerting any creative effort. Accordingly, all the technical solutions that can be obtained by those skilled in the art by logical analysis, inference or limited experimentation in accordance with the concept of the present invention on the basis of the prior art are intended to fall within the protection scope as defined by the claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application claiming benefit of PCT/CN2020/103290 filed on Jul. 21, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CN2020/103290 | Jul 2020 | US |
Child | 18157164 | US |