Tool set

Abstract

Tool set (1) for forming a smoothing tool (4) for reworking a joint filled with grout comprising • at least one plate-shaped smoothing element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) with a circumferential working edge (22) forming a different contour along the perimeter, as well as a first (21) and a second main surface and • an elongated handle (3), wherein the longitudinally extended handle (3) has a first longitudinal end forming a handle section (31) and a second longitudinal end with a coupling section (32) for connecting the smoothing element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) to the handle (3), wherein the coupling section (32) has a slot (35) which is laterally open to the longitudinal direction of the handle (3) and is guided from an end face at the second longitudinal end of the handle (3) in the longitudinal direction of the handle (3) towards the handle section (31) for receiving the plate-shaped smoothing element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) such that the latter projects laterally and over the end face beyond the slot (35), wherein the slot (35) is bounded by two tongue-like tabs (33, 34) which are guided towards the end face of the second longitudinal end and have inner surfaces running parallel to each other in the slot (35), and which are in particular flexibly movable relative to each other to change the slot width, wherein a retaining element (36) is rotatably mounted on one of the tabs (33) on its inner surface located in the slot (35) about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the inner surface, wherein the smoothing element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) has a receptacle (24) on its first main surface (21) for connecting the smoothing element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) to the holding element in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the slot (35) extends deeper into the handle (3) than a maximum outer radius of the smoothing element (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) connected to the holding element (36) and rotating about the axis of rotation.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tool set for forming a smoothing tool for the post-processing of a joint filled with joint compound.

[0002] Butt joints where building elements or fixtures meet are regularly filled with a sealant, partly for aesthetic reasons, but primarily to seal the joints. Silicone sealants are frequently used for this purpose; these are applied as a paste into the joint, then harden and adhere to the edges of the joint, while remaining sufficiently elastic to accommodate any movement of the joint without cracking. Such joint sealing is carried out particularly, but not exclusively, in rooms and environments where moisture is present, such as in kitchens, for example, at butt joints where a kitchen worktop meets a wall, such as a tiled backsplash, or in bathrooms, for example, around bathroom fixtures such as shower trays, bathtubs, washbasins, etc. The joints are not only sealed during initial installation or...The joints are not only sealed during installation, but also require maintenance, as the sealant typically ages. This involves removing the old sealant and refilling the joints.

[0003] Sealing joints is generally carried out using a caulking gun to inject sealant from a cartridge through an outlet into the joint. The surface of the sealant bead applied in this way is very often not smooth, but—depending on the skill and experience of the person using the caulking gun—frequently exhibits ribs and waves. The applied sealant bead also often varies in width. To smooth and refine the surface of the sealant, tools also known as joint smoothers can be used. Several such tools are known from the prior art. For example, DE 298 01 028 U1 discloses plate-shaped, spatula-like smoothing tools whose edges can be used to smooth the uncured sealant applied to a joint.The edges have a changing profile and varying contour along the circumference, allowing the user to select a specific edge section with a suitable contour for processing the respective joint by rotating the tool. The tool, known from DE 29801028 U1, is held directly in the hand during use, typically between the thumb and forefinger of the working hand. This requires the user to maintain a pincer-like grip while holding the tool for extended periods with great concentration, which is strenuous and tiring.

[0004] Accordingly, there are proposals to combine similar spatula-like tools with a handle, which then simplifies handling. For example, EP 0 740 031 A1 proposes a tool set in which a plate-shaped smoothing element has a circular opening and is fixed to a handle by a clamping screw passing through the opening. While this offers the advantage of making the resulting tool easier to hold and guide during the smoothing process, unlike the tool known from DE 298 01 028 U1, the edge or edge section used for processing cannot be changed as easily.

[0005] German patent application DE 201 12 765 U1 discloses a joint smoother composed of a smoothing element and a handle, in which the smoothing element is attached to the handle in a fixed position. Various smoothing elements for different applications are disclosed, which can be optionally attached to the handle.

[0006] DE 10 2022 100 531 A1 discloses a joint smoother formed from a handle and a plate-like smoothing element, in which the smoothing element is inserted into a slot at a longitudinal end of the handle and is fixed there in its position by snapping.

[0007] The previously discussed, previously known tools and tool sets have in common that they are either tiring to handle, as in the case of the tool known from DE 298 01 028 U1, or, in the case of the tools proposed as combined with a handle, not very flexible in use or difficult to reconfigure. The object of the invention addresses this issue, namely to provide a tool, or a tool set for creating such a tool, that is easy and comfortable to handle, yet very flexible and easy to modify.

[0008] This problem is solved by a tool set for forming a smoothing tool for post-processing a joint filled with joint compound, comprising the features of claim 1. Furthermore, a solution to the problem consists of a smoothing tool for post-processing a joint filled with joint compound, comprising the features of claim 11. Advantageous possible embodiments of the tool set, which are also reflected in the smoothing tool, are specified in dependent claims 2 to 10.

[0009] A tool set according to the invention comprises at least one plate-shaped smoothing element and a longitudinally extended handle. The plate-shaped smoothing element has a first and a second main surface and a circumferential working edge that forms a different contour along its circumference. The longitudinally extended handle has a first longitudinal end that forms a handle section. It also has a second longitudinal end at which a coupling section for connecting the smoothing element to the handle is formed. This coupling section has a slot that extends from an end face at the second longitudinal end of the handle in the longitudinal direction of the handle towards the handle section and is laterally open transversely to the longitudinal direction of the handle.This slot serves to receive the plate-shaped smoothing element in such a way that the smoothing element projects laterally and over the end face of the slot, thus exposing the working edge for use by the user. The slot is bounded by two tongue-like tabs extending towards the end face of the second longitudinal end, forming parallel inner surfaces within the slot. These tabs can be made flexible and movable relative to each other to change the slot width. A retaining element is rotatably mounted on the inner surface of one of the tabs, located within the slot, about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the inner surface. The smoothing element has a receptacle on its first main surface, which serves to connect the smoothing element to the retaining element in a rotationally fixed manner.The slot is ultimately extended deeper into the handle than the maximum outer radius of the smoothing element connected to the holding element and rotating around the axis of rotation.

[0010] A tool set formed as described above, and a tool formed therewith, combines the advantages of different solutions known from the prior art in a compelling way. The smoothing element can be connected to the handle, allowing the user to grasp and guide it during use. This enables more comfortable and less tiring work compared to using the smoothing tool known from DE 298 01 028 U1 directly.The mounting of the smoothing element on the rotatable holding element, which can advantageously rotate at least 360°, and in particular freely without restriction, and the free rotation of the smoothing element in the slot, the bottom of which, due to its depth (measured from the axis of rotation) exceeding the maximum outer radius of the smoothing element, allows the smoothing element to be changed very easily and quickly in its rotational position, even during use. This allows the working edge section to be rotated into a working position with the optimal contour for the current processing of the joint sealant to be smoothed. In the selected rotational position, the smoothing element can either be locked into place or simply clamped between the two tabs that define the slot.For a clamping effect, the tabs can advantageously provide inherent tension, especially if the thickness of the smoothing element slightly exceeds the slot width, thus pushing the tabs apart against a spring tension. If this inherent tension is insufficient for a clamping effect, clamping between the elastically moving tabs can also be achieved by applying slight pressure to the tabs while guiding the tool.

[0011] Advantageously, the holding element of the tool set can have a cross-sectional contour that deviates from a circular shape, in particular a polygonal one. Such a shape, and a correspondingly adapted form of the receptacle formed on the smoothing element, results in a secure, rotationally fixed connection between the smoothing element and the holding element. This is desirable so that any intended rotation of the smoothing element occurs solely due to the rotation of the holding element around its axis of rotation.

[0012] The retaining element of the tool sets according to the invention can advantageously be plate-shaped. A retaining element formed in this way can be flat and thus fit well into the slot of the coupling section. In an advantageous embodiment of this particular development, the receptacle in the main surface of the smoothing element can be formed in the form of a recess, which is recessed into the first main surface of the smoothing element, particularly approximately centrally, to a dimension corresponding to the thickness of the plate-shaped retaining element and which has a cross-sectional contour for the rotationally fixed reception of the plate-shaped retaining element.

[0013] The smoothing element of the tool set presented here can advantageously be designed with a chamfer that slopes outwards from the first main surface towards the second main surface. In other words, the first main surface is slightly smaller than the second, adjacent to which a sharpened edge is formed, making it particularly suitable for surface finishing and smoothing of joint sealant applied in a joint.

[0014] In one possible embodiment, the smoothing element of a tool set according to the invention can have a substantially square base shape with angled corners. The corners can be angled, in particular, perpendicular to a diagonal of the square base shape. These sections are shaped differently to form different working contours, especially by extending the sections from the imaginary corner of the square to different positions at each of the four corners, extending inwards towards the respective diagonals, thus forming transverse edges of different lengths.

[0015] According to another possible embodiment, the smoothing element of the tool set can have an area with an edge profile that follows an arc. With such an arc, in particular a convex one, in an edge section, a different shape of the joint sealant's surface can be achieved, namely a concave contour running inwards.

[0016] Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, the smoothing element of the tool set according to the invention can have a section in its working edge with a circular segment or V-shaped indentation projecting into the plane of its plate shape. With such an edge shape, other surface contours of a bead to be smoothed, made of joint sealant applied to a joint, can be formed or reworked.

[0017] The smoothing element of a tool set according to the invention can advantageously be made of a plastic material, in particular an elastic one. A basic stiffness is advantageous for processing and smoothing the joint sealant, so that elasticity is advantageously only present to a small degree.

[0018] A tool set according to the invention can advantageously comprise several smoothing elements that can be selectively connected to the handle. These can be designed as interchangeable elements of the same construction, so that a damaged or worn smoothing element can be replaced with a new one. However, the set can also contain differently shaped smoothing elements, e.g., four such elements, which provides even greater versatility in use. This is because not only can the appropriate working edge contour be moved into a working position by rotating a smoothing element connected to the handle, but further shapes of working edges are also available through the additional, differently shaped smoothing elements.

[0019] As already explained at the outset, the invention also relates to a smoothing tool formed from a tool set as described above for the finishing of a joint filled with joint compound. The tool thus formed consists of a smoothing element fixed to the handle by insertion into the slot, which is coupled to the coupling section by a rotationally fixed connection of the holding element to the receptacle.

[0020] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to the person skilled in the art through the following description and explanation of possible embodiments and the figures used for this description.

[0021] The figures show: Fig. 1 a view of a tool set according to the invention in one possible embodiment, Fig. 2 a side view of the grab handle from the in Fig. 1 tool set shown; Fig. 2a an enlarged representation of the coupling section of the handle from the in Fig. 1 tool sets shown; and Fig. 3 in four representations a, b, c and d two possible from the tool set from Fig. 1 smoothing tools formed, each in two different configurations formed by twisting the orientation of the smoothing element.

[0022] The figures show a possible embodiment of a tool set according to the invention and illustrate details of the components of this set as well as examples of smoothing tools formed from this set in various possible configurations.

[0023] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of a tool set 1 according to the invention for forming a smoothing tool for finishing a joint filled with joint compound. In the illustrated embodiment, this tool set 1 comprises a total of four differently designed smoothing elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and a handle 3, on which one of the smoothing elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d can be selectively mounted to form a smoothing tool 4 (see also Figure 1). Fig. 3 ad).

[0024] The smoothing elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are each formed in a disk or plate shape with a first main surface 21 and a - which is in the Fig. Each of the following is a first main surface 21, visible in a plan view, opposite a second main surface (not visible in the figures), and a circumferential edge, which is designed as a working edge 22. The working edge 22 is tapered in cross-section, i.e., sharply defined, such that a chamfer 23 is formed along the edge, extending obliquely outwards from the first main surface 21 to the second main surface. A joint compound applied in a joint can then be processed along its exposed surface using the working edge 22, in particular contoured and / or smoothed. Thus, a silicone compound freshly applied to a joint can be further processed, i.e., contoured and / or smoothed, using the working edge 22 in a manner known per se, before it hardens, so that the hardened joint compound then has a smooth surface and / or a desired surface shape or contour.

[0025] The various smoothing elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d have different shapes, in particular forming differently shaped working edges 22. The working edges 22 of the individual smoothing elements 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d also differ along the circumference of the respective smoothing element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, so that different joint compound treatments can be carried out with the different sections of the working edge 22 of one of the smoothing elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

[0026] The smoothing element 2a, for example, has an essentially square base shape with beveled corners. These beveled corners are of varying lengths, with the shortest diagonal at the bottom left corner shown in the figure and the lengths increasing clockwise until the longest diagonal is at the bottom right corner shown in the figure. This allows the use of these corners to work on joints of varying widths and to smooth joint compound with different surface areas.

[0027] The smoothing element 2b also has a basic shape defined by a square, with one corner (top left in the figure) formed at a point, two further corners formed with sloping edges of different widths (narrower at the top right corner and somewhat wider at the bottom left corner), and a sloping edge extending far into the square (shown at the bottom right), in the central section of which the working edge 22 has a segment-shaped cutout. This cutout can be used, for example, to contour a curved surface of a bead of joint compound. The pointed corner of this smoothing element can also be used, for example, to remove uncured joint compound from a joint if desired, such as to repeat the grouting process if the first attempt was not satisfactory.

[0028] The smoothing element 2c is also derived from a square in its shape, but has rounded corners with different radii of curvature, starting with the smallest radius at the corner shown in the lower right of the figure and increasing clockwise to the largest radius at the upper right corner. With the working edge 22 thus formed, corresponding grooves can be formed into the surface of the joint compound.

[0029] Finally, the smoothing element 2d is formed in a comparatively asymmetrical manner and also has sections of the working edge 22 with differently curved convex areas, in addition a diagonal with a V-shaped notch in the working edge 22, with which, for example, joint compounds can be smoothed on edges where the abutting surfaces enclose an angle of approximately 270°.

[0030] In all the smoothing elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d shown, recesses forming recesses 24 are provided in the first main surface 21 in a central position. These recesses 24 have a non-circular cross-sectional contour and, in particular in the cases of smoothing elements 2a and 2c, are of a square cross-sectional shape with identical side lengths. In the cases of smoothing elements 2b and 2d, they are formed from a square of identical side lengths, each with one obliquely cut corner.

[0031] The smoothing elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d can, in particular, be made of a plastic material that, while developing the basic stiffness required for dimensional stability during machining, still exhibits a certain degree of elastic flexibility. They can, for example, be manufactured by plastic injection molding.

[0032] Another component of tool set 1 is a handle 3, which can also be made of a plastic material. The handle 3 is shaped longitudinally and has a grip section 31 at one longitudinal end and a coupling section 32 at a second longitudinal end.

[0033] The design and special features of the handgrip 3, in particular its coupling section 32, are described in the Fig. 2 with the Fig. Figure 2a shows this in more detail. In the coupling section 32, a slot 35 extends longitudinally along the handle and completely across it transversely to a certain depth. This slot 35 is bounded by two tongue-like tabs 33 and 34, each of which is flat on its surface facing the slot and parallel to each other. A retaining element 36 is arranged on one of the tabs, tab 33, and is freely rotatable about a rotation axis oriented transversely, and in particular perpendicularly, to the inner surface of this tab.This retaining element 35 is formed in the form of a plate element, which, starting from a rectangular shape with an edge length corresponding to the receptacles 24 in the smoothing elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, also has a chamfer at one corner, such that it can engage in each of the receptacles 24 of the smoothing elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d in such a way that a positive locking and thus a rotationally fixed fixing of the affected smoothing element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d results at least along three edges.

[0034] Tabs 33 and 34 have a certain elasticity, so that they can be spread apart and pressed together to a certain extent.

[0035] To form a smoothing tool 4 with the tool set 1, one of the smoothing elements 2a, 2b, 2c, or 2d with a working edge 22 shape and contour suitable for the machining operation is selected and connected to the handle 3. For this purpose, the selected smoothing element 2a, 2b, 2c, or 2d is inserted into the slot 35 in the coupling section 32 of the handle 3 such that its first main surface 21 faces the inside of the tab 33, to which the retaining element 36 is rotatably attached. Then, the smoothing element 2a, 2b, 2c, or 2d is guided onto the retaining element 36 with the receptacle 24 in such a way that the retaining element 36 engages in the receptacle 24 in at least a partial positive fit, thus creating a rotationally fixed connection between the handle 3 and the smoothing element 2a, 2b, 2c, or 2d.The slot 35 extends so far into the material of the handle 3 towards the grip section 31 that none of the smoothing elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, when fixed to the retaining element 36, reaches the bottom of the slot 35, but rather that each of the smoothing elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d can be freely rotated within the slot by rotating the retaining element 36 and oriented in a desired rotational position. Thus, as shown in the... Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b or 3c and Fig. The 3D illustrations shown are for a specific combination of handle 3 and a selected smoothing element, in which Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b the smoothing element 2c, in the Fig. 3c and Fig. 3d the smoothing element 2d, each other section of the working edge 22 can be aligned into a working position and thus different working configurations of the smoothing tool 4 formed can be set.

[0036] In principle, the retaining element 36 can be locked in various rotational positions and thus held in place. However, it is also possible for the locking of the retaining element 36's rotational position to be achieved by clamping, for example, due to pressure exerted on the smoothing element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d by a preload from the tabs 33 and 34, or by applying pressure to the tabs 33 and 34, causing them to move towards each other. This pressure can be applied by the user, for example, with the thumb and forefinger of the hand holding the handle 3. With such a design, the rotational position can be freely adjusted and easily fixed during use of the tool. Reference symbol list: 1 set 2a Smoothing element 2b Smoothing element 2c Smoothing element 2D smoothing element 21 first main area 22 Working edge 23rd phase 24 recordings 3 Grab handle 31 Handle section 32 Coupling section 33 tab 34 tab 35 slots 36 retaining element 4 smoothing tools QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 298 01 028 U1 [0003, 0004, 0007, 0010] EP 0 740 031 A1

[0004] DE 201 12 765 U1

[0005] DE 10 2022 100 531 A1

[0006]

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