Apparatus and method for shaping drywall mud

Abstract

A drywall mud-shaping tool and a method of using the same to finish cured drywall mud. The tool has a flexible blade that does not contact an exterior surface of a drywall sheet until pressure is applied to the blade. Pressure is applied to the blade by holding the tool's housing in a user's hands and pressing downwardly thereon while drawing the housing across the sheet's exterior surface. The pressure causes the blade to move from a first position where the blade is spaced a distance away from the drywall sheet, to a second position where the blade contacts the drywall sheet. The blade removes some cured drywall mud from the exterior surface and collects the same in a collection chamber provided in the tool housing. The housing may be moved across the drywall sheet's exterior surface a number of times to finish the cured drywall mud.

Description

BACKGROUNDTechnical Field[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to the field of drywall hanging and finishing. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to handheld tools for finishing drywall. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a handheld tool for shaping and finishing drywall mud.Background Information[0002]Drywall, which can also be known as plaster wallboard, sheetrock, or gypsum board, is a common wallcovering and construction material in the U. S. and throughout the world. Drywall is commonly installed on interior walls and ceilings in homes and businesses by attaching sheets of the material to framing studs in order to form a wall or ceiling covering. Once installed, drywall is typically put through a finishing process that includes applying a paper tape over spaces between adjacent drywall sheets, applying mud over the paper tape and portions of the sheets, and then shaping the mud to achieve a smooth and uniform finish on the drywall surface.[00...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes methods and tools for smoothing and blending drywall mud. The tools can be easily used and provide a consistent finish, even for unskilled or inexperienced users. They can also be adjusted on the fly during the finishing process and collect and contain dust and debris created during the process, speeding up the finishing process and reducing clean-up time. The patent also describes a method for finishing drywall by using a flexible blade to apply pressure to the mud and shape it, then using a straight edge to smooth it and create a finished surface. The methods and tools described in the patent make the process of finishing drywall easier and more efficient.

Problems solved by technology

One embodiment of the prior art device described in the '539 publication is not easily adapted to changing conditions of the drywall and drywall mud as it requires use of adjustment screws to change the shape and curvature of the blade.

This requires the operator to stop work to adjust the tool anytime a different profile is desired or anytime a non-uniform condition is present.

This can result in multiple adjustments of the tool being necessary during the finishing process which can cause the operator to lose the time that might have been saved using the disclosed tool.

Further, the inclusion of multiple spring loaded pistons requires additional maintenance and cleaning as dust and debris can become lodged within the springs during use and can diminish performance over time.

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