BLADE CONNECTORS FOR AN INTERCHANGEABLE DRYWALL TOOL EXTENSION SYSTEM |
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申请号 | US10906124 | 申请日 | 2005-03-09 | 公开(公告)号 | US20050184541A1 | 公开(公告)日 | 2005-08-25 |
申请人 | Randall Grizzle; | 发明人 | Randall Grizzle; | ||||
摘要 | A drywall extension system that is able to be used with commonly existing drywall tools. The system has a telescoping pole outfitted with a bushing, which is inserted into the first end of the pole. The bushing is attached therein through use of at least one crimp. This bushing is threaded so as to receive common drywall tools containing threaded ends, such as sanders, nail spotters, and the like. | ||||||
权利要求 | |||||||
说明书全文 | This application claims the priority date of the utility application entitled Interchangeable Drywall Tool Extension System filed by Randall Grizzle on Jul. 10, 2002 with application Ser. No. 10/193,650, which claims priority from the provisional application entitled Interchangeable Drywall Tool Extension System filed by Randall Grizzle on Jul. 10, 2001 with application Ser. No. 60/304,804, and the provisional application entitled Blade Connectors for an Interchangeable Drywall Tool Extension System filed by Randall Grizzle on Jun. 17, 2004 with application Ser. No. 60/581,146. The present invention generally relates to construction tools, and more particularly to tools used in the drywall finishing trade. It is well known that in order to achieve smooth seams in the areas where sheets and drywall are abutted, the joints must be taped and a finishing compound/drywall “mud” must be applied over the taped joints. The finishing compound is then sanded to provide the smooth finish for painting and/or texturing. The application of finishing compound is typically accomplished by hand or by using a “skim box” which is filled with the finishing compound and attached to a handle or extension pole. The skim box, which includes a spring loaded finishing compound ejecting plate, is pressed against the drywall surface while it is moved along the joint in order to apply finishing compound in the area of the joint. The pressure applied to the skim box causes the finishing compound to be forced onto the drywall surface and into the joint. There are other types of drywall finishing tools including sanders and other corner finishers. In order to finish joints on extended or high walls, or in other areas that are difficult to reach, a ladder or scaffolding can be employed. However, safety, as well as the amount of time required to move from one location to another, makes the use of a ladder or scaffolding undesirable. Therefore, extension poles are used while the user stands on the floor. Such extension poles used in the industry comprise either long lengths of rigid poles or a plurality of rigid poles that can be screwed together to make the length longer. Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. The present invention is a drywall extension system that can be used with commonly existing drywall tools. The present invention has a telescoping pole outfitted with a bushing, which is inserted into the first end of the pole. This bushing is threaded so as to receive common drywall tools containing threaded ends. In an alternative embodiment, the bushing has the drywall tool connecting means extending therefrom. In another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is an interchangeable tool extension system for allowing a number of tool heads to be interchangeably used with one pole. This system comprising a telescoping, cylindrical tubular pole and a cylindrical bushing. The telescoping, cylindrical tubular pole having a first end extending to a second end. The tubular pole second end comprising a handle. The cylindrical bushing is for connecting a tool head with the pole. The bushing having a cylindrical body able to interfit within the pole's first end. This bushing having an outer surface having an annular grove therein. To attach the bushing within the pole at least one crimp is made in the pole at the location of the bushing groove thereby fixing the bushing within the pole. The bushing having a first end extending to a second end. The bushing first end installed and fixed within the pole adjacent the pole's first end. The bushing first end defining an opening therein and into said bushing. This opening connecting with a threaded tool head attachment for allowing a tool head having a threaded post to be screwed into the bushing. Additionally, it is preferred that the bushing have a rim on its outer surface adjacent said opening, this rim contacting the pole first end. Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Referring initially to The preferred type of pole is an aluminum, cylindrical pole, having a first end extending to a second end, with at least the first end having an opening at said first end for allowing a bushing to be inserted into said first end. One of the two ends of the handle 12 further comprises a tool connection means 14. This tool connection means 14 allows the handle 12 to be connected to a drywall finishing tool. In the preferred embodiment, this tool connection means 14 comprises a bushing able to be inserted through said opening and into the first end of the pole. Referring now to It is preferred that the bushing 22 be attached within the handle 12 through use of a fastening means 24. The fastening means 24 shown in this embodiment is a crimp or other intrusion into the handle 12, which allows for fitting attachment with a groove 25 in the bushing 22. Other means of attaching or affixing the bushing 22 within the handle 12 are also envisioned, including welding, soldering, adhesives, nuts/bolts, screws, rivets, and other means. Referring now to This embodiment utilizes a circumvolving or annular groove 25 to assist the attachment means in connecting the bushing 22 to the handle. In such a manner, the handle itself could be crimped or otherwise indented to fit within the groove, thereby inhibiting lateral movement of the bushing within the handle. The bushing first end 80 further defines an opening or orifice 88 there through for receiving the threaded connection end of the attachment utilized with the present invention. In such a manner, a threaded male portion of an attachment can be inserted into the orifice 88 and threaded therein. The first end 80 further comprises a flange 86 or rim for allowing the bushing to be butted against the first end opening of the tubular pole and a first end abutting surface side 90 for abutting the collar of an attachment. Referring now to Referring now to In Referring now to Referring now to Referring now to Referring now to In the embodiment shown, the attachment means 124 further comprises a tool means attachment 130 for attaching with a tool means, as shown in Referring now to Referring now to These attachment connections (72′, 73, 73′) allowing standard drywall blades to be removed from their factory installed handles and reconfigured for use with the present invention through installation on an appropriate attachment connection. It is envisioned that the present invention will be sold mainly as a specialty telescoping handle already provided with the bushing attached. However, it may be that the bushings will be sold separately for retrofit by consumers into telescoping or other poles. It is envisioned that the threading of the bushings, as well as the tool means attachments disclosed, will preferably be able to receive threaded and other tool means already on the market. Where necessary, the invention may further be packaged with connections that would allow a user to retrofit existing drywall tools that they own with replacement parts having threads able to be threaded into the present invention. While it would be possible for a user to change out the head off of the pole every time the user wanted to switch tools, it is deemed more likely that a user will merely buy a plurality of handles for use with the present invention. While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. |