Dual-function angle roller

Abstract

The invention relates to a unique, versatile corner roller for clamping bands on both types of angles, robust, inexpensive, quick, and easy to implement. According to the invention, the corner roller comprises an angle bracket (101), two pairs of rollers (110-111) rotatably mounted on the outer surface (102a-103a) of the angle bracket (101) and defining a concave rolling surface (112), two pairs of rollers (120-121) rotatably mounted on the inner surface (102b-103b) of the angle bracket (101) and defining a convex rolling surface (122). The angle bracket (101) further has, pivotally fixed between the inner surfaces (102b-103b), a fastening element (130-230) for a handle (140-240), and a window (104) opposite the fixing element (130-230) for the passage of the handle (140-240) when the latter is fixed to the fixing element (130-230) in the rolling position of the re-entrant angle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a corner roller suitable for applying paper strips to projecting wall corners and to internal wall corners.

[0002] A corner roller is a finishing tool used for "tightening" (or smoothing) strips of paper in corners when plastering drywall. Tightening (or smoothing) the strips consists of applying a pressing force to the strips of paper so that they adhere to the plaster previously placed between two plasterboards and to remove excess plaster.

[0003] On a flat surface, this clamping is done using a flat smoothing knife. At sharp corners and re-entrant corners, the strip is folded so that there is a wing arranged along one side of the angle, and a wing arranged along the other side of the angle. In this case, it is best to apply the pressing force to both sides of the strip at the same time so that the strip adheres evenly, so the use of a flat smoothing knife is not recommended.

[0004] A first solution is to propose a smoothing knife, bent at a right angle, to apply the pressing force on both sides of the strip at the same time. However, this solution requires a relatively high application force and therefore good experience to avoid tearing the strip during smoothing.

[0005] A second solution is to propose a support of rollers mounted rotating perpendicular to each other, called an "angle roller". This solution has the advantage of requiring less force for smoothing the strip, while applying a support force over a large angle length.

[0006] There are currently, as described in patent US6450232, two types of corner rollers: those for salient corners and those for re-entrant corners, and it is therefore necessary to have one of each type to be able to "tighten" the strips on both types of corners.

[0007] A known angle roller comprises a bracket in the form of an angle iron having two wings forming a non-flat angle between them, preferably a right angle. The angle iron therefore defines, seen in profile, a concave angular sector and a complementary convex angular sector.

[0008] The surface of the wings located in the concave angular sector is called "inner", while the surface of the wings located in the convex angular sector is called "outer".

[0009] As shown in the figure 1 , in a roller for salient angles A, the rollers A1 are mounted to rotate perpendicularly to the outer surface A2 of the wings A3 of the angle iron A4, the rollers delimiting a concave rolling surface A5. Tabs A6 for holding a fixing member A7 of a handle A8 are provided in the extension of the edge A9 of the wings A3 on the side opposite the rollers A1, that is to say on the side of the inner surfaces A10 of the wings A3.

[0010] As shown in the figure 2 , in a roller for internal angles B, the rollers B1 are rotatably mounted perpendicular to the inner surface B2 of the wings B3 of the angle iron B4, the rollers delimiting a convex rolling surface B5. A fixing member B6 of a handle B7 is fixed to the outer surfaces B8 of the wings B3. For this purpose, tabs B9 for holding the fixing member B6 extend from the outer surface B8 of the wings of the angle iron, on the side opposite the rollers B1, i.e. on the side of the outer surfaces B8 of the wings B3. For example, during manufacture, the angle iron can be partially stamped on the side of the outer surface to form the holding tabs from a part of the stamped material.

[0011] In both cases, the fixing member is fixed on the surface opposite the surface carrying the rollers: on the outer surface when the rollers are carried by the inner surface (corner roller for internal angles), and on the inner surface when the rollers are carried by the outer surface (corner roller for projecting angles).

[0012] An objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a single versatile device allowing the tightening of bands on both types of angles.

[0013] Document US9938731 describes such a versatile device, which has a pole support on which is mounted an angle iron whose two wings are hinged together and each provided with rollers. The assembly is provided with a screwing mechanism allowing the wings of the angle iron to pivot relative to each other, between a position in which the rollers are arranged in the salient angle rolling position and a position in which the rollers are arranged in the re-entrant angle rolling position.

[0014] While this tool allows the bands to be tightened in both types of angles, it has three major drawbacks. The first is that switching from one position to the other is time-consuming, as it requires manipulating the screwing / unscrewing wheel. The second is that during use, coating systematically seeps into the various articulated parts, making it difficult, if not impossible, to switch between the two positions after a certain amount of use. It must therefore be cleaned very regularly. Finally, the assembly of such a tool is complex due to the many rotating or pivoting parts, which makes it very expensive and fragile.

[0015] An objective of the present invention is therefore to propose a single versatile device allowing the tightening of the strips on both types of angles, the device being robust, i.e. not very sensitive to the conditions of use (presence of coating), inexpensive, quick and easy to implement.

[0016] The idea behind the invention was to move the location of the handle attachment member by articulating it between the inner surfaces of the wings of the angle iron bracket rather than on the outer surfaces, and to size the window to allow attachment of the handle to the attachment member through the window in the inside corner rolling position, while still allowing pivoting of the handle relative to the angle iron bracket during use of the corner roller.

[0017] The invention more specifically relates to a multi-purpose corner roller for applying strips of paper or similar material selectively against a projecting angle or against a re-entrant angle between two partitions, the corner roller comprising: an angle-shaped support having a first leg and a second leg forming a non-flat angle therebetween, preferably a right angle; rollers rotatably mounted on the angle.

[0018] The angle roller according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises: a first pair of rollers rotatably mounted perpendicular to the outer surface of the first flange of the angle iron; a second pair of rollers rotatably mounted perpendicular to the outer surface of the second flange of the angle iron; the first and second pairs of rollers defining a concave rolling surface; a third pair of rollers rotatably mounted perpendicular to the inner surface of the first flange of the angle iron; a fourth pair of rollers rotatably mounted perpendicular to the inner surface of the second flange of the angle iron; the third and fourth pairs of rollers defining a convex rolling surface;and in that the angle iron further has, pivotally fixed between the inner surfaces of the two wings, a member for fixing a handle, and a window opposite the fixing member for the passage of the handle when it is fixed to the fixing member in the re-entrant corner rolling position.;

[0019] According to particular embodiments: the handle fixing member can be rotatably mounted about a hinge axis arranged between the inner surfaces of the two wings and inside a space delimited by the inner surfaces of the angle iron and the convex rolling surface delimited by the rollers fixed on the inner surfaces of the angle iron, such that the fixing member is inscribed in said space when the handle is fixed in the rolling position of re-entrant angle to the fixing member and it passes through the window; two retaining tabs of the fixing member can each extend from the inner surface of a wing towards the inner space delimited by the inner surfaces of the wings of the angle iron and the convex rolling surface delimited by the rollers fixed on the inner surfaces of the wings of the angle iron; the handle fixing member can comprise a ball joint for fixing to a rotation axis mounted between the retaining tabs;the handle fixing member may comprise a means for reversibly engaging the handle; the handle fixing member may comprise an elongated joining piece having a free end provided with means for reversibly engaging the handle; the holding tabs may be attached and welded to the inner surfaces of the wings of the angle iron, facing the window; the holding tabs may be obtained by stamping and bending a portion of the angle iron running along the window; and / or the window may have a length such that, seen in profile, the angle formed between a first longitudinal end of the window, a center of rotation of the fixing member, and a second longitudinal end of the window is between 110° and 150°, preferably between 120° and 140°, advantageously between 125° and 135°. ;

[0020] The invention also relates to a smoothing assembly comprising at least one handle and a preceding angle roller.

[0021] Other characteristics of the invention will be set out in the detailed description below given with reference to the appended figures, given by way of example, and which represent, respectively: [ Fig. 1 ], a schematic perspective view of a corner roller for salient corner according to the prior art; [ Fig. 2 ], a schematic perspective view of a corner roller for a re-entrant angle according to the prior art; [ Fig. 3 ], a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a multipurpose corner roller according to the invention, in the salient corner rolling position; [ Fig. 4 ], a schematic sectional view of the corner roller of the figure 3 ; [ Fig. 5 ], a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a multipurpose corner roller according to the invention, in the re-entrant corner rolling position; [ Fig. 6 ], a schematic sectional view of the corner roller of the figure 5 ; [ Fig. 7 ], a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a multi-purpose corner roller according to the invention, the handle of which is being mounted for rolling a salient corner; and [ Fig. 8 ], a schematic profile view of an angle roller according to the invention illustrating the range of possible positions of the handle in the re-entrant angle rolling configuration.

[0022] A first embodiment of an angle roller 100 according to the invention is illustrated in figures 3 et 4 in the position of use of salient corner rolling.

[0023] The angle roller 100 according to the invention comprises a support 101 in the form of an angle iron having a first and a second wing 102-103 forming a non-flat angle between them, preferably a right angle.

[0024] According to the invention, rollers are rotatably mounted perpendicular to the outer surface of the angle iron, and rollers are rotatably mounted perpendicular to the inner surface of the angle iron.

[0025] More particularly, the angle roller 100 according to the invention comprises a first pair of rollers 110 rotatably mounted perpendicular to the outer surface 102a of the first wing 102 of the angle iron 101, and a second pair of rollers 111 rotatably mounted perpendicular to the outer surface 103a of the second wing 103 of the angle iron 101. The first and second pairs of rollers 110-111 delimit in combination a concave rolling surface 112.

[0026] The angle roller 100 according to the invention also comprises a third pair of rollers 120 rotatably mounted perpendicular to the inner surface 102b of the first wing 102 of the angle iron 101, and a fourth pair of rollers 121 rotatably mounted perpendicular to the inner surface 103b of the second wing 103 of the angle iron 101. The third and fourth pairs of rollers in combination define a convex rolling surface 122 (see figure 5 ).

[0027] According to the invention, the angle iron 101 also has, pivotally fixed in space (see arrows F1 and F2) between the inner surfaces 102b-103b of the two wings 102-103, a fixing member 130 for a handle 140, and a window 104 opposite the fixing member 130 for the passage of the handle 140 when it is fixed to the fixing member 130 in the re-entrant corner rolling position (see figures 5-6 ).

[0028] Thus, in the position illustrated in figures 3 et 4 , it is the rollers 110 and 111 carried by the outer surfaces 102a-103a of the wings 102-103 of the angle iron 101, which are used to clamp the strips against a wall corner forming a salient angle. In this case, the handle is located on the side of the inner surfaces 102b-103b of the wings 102-103 of the angle iron 101, and it is free to pivot relative to the angle iron 101 in the plane of the arrow F1, in the plane of the arrow F2 or in a combination of these two movements when the user uses the angle roller.

[0029] To tighten strips against a wall corner forming a re-entrant angle, the user detaches the handle 140 from the fixing member 130, rotates the fixing member 130 in the plane of the arrow F1 towards the window 104, then reattaches the handle 140 to the fixing member 130 through the window 104 of the angle iron 101.

[0030] This position is illustrated in figures 5 et 6 . Thus, according to the invention, the fixing member 130 of the handle 140 is rotatably mounted around an articulation axis 131 arranged between the inner surfaces 102b-103b of the two wings 102-103, and inside a space E delimited by the inner surfaces 102b-103b of the angle iron 101 and the convex rolling surface 122 delimited by the rollers 120-121 fixed on the inner surfaces 102b-103b of the angle iron 101, such that the fixing member 130 is always inscribed in the space E when the handle is fixed, in the re-entrant angle rolling position, to the fixing member 130 and it passes through the window 104.

[0031] In other words, whatever the angular position of the handle 140 relative to the angle roller 100, the fixing member 130 never protrudes from the space E between the convex rolling surface 122 and the inner surfaces 102b-103b of the wings 102-103 of the angle iron 101. The fixing member therefore does not at any time hinder the tightening of the strips by the rollers 120-121 located inside the angle iron 101.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the angle roller 100 comprises two tabs 105 for holding the hinge axis 131 of the fixing member 130, each extending from the inner surface 102b-103b of a wing respectively 102-103, towards the inner space E delimited by the inner surfaces 102b-103b of the wings 102-103 of the angle iron 101 and the convex rolling surface 122 delimited by the rollers 120-121 fixed on the inner surfaces 102b-103b of the wings 102-103 of the angle iron 101.

[0033] Of course, these retaining tabs 105 have a length, measured from their point of connection to the wings of the angle iron, such that they are included in the volume E, that is to say that neither they nor the fixing member 130 protrude from the volume E nor project into the convex rolling surface 122 when the handle is fixed in the re-entrant angle rolling position on the fixing member.

[0034] Advantageously, the fixing member 130 of the handle 140 comprises a ball joint 132 for pivoting fixing to the rotation axis 131 mounted between the holding tabs 105. This ball joint allows the handle to be able to pivot in space to facilitate the movement of the user who can position himself as he wishes in relation to the wall corner on which he must tighten a strip.

[0035] In the first embodiment illustrated in figures 3 à 6 , the fixing member 130 of the handle comprises an elongated connecting piece 133 having a free end provided with means 134 for reversibly engaging the handle 140.

[0036] This may be, for example, a spring-loaded pin 134 intended to engage in a locking hole 141 carried by the handle 140.

[0037] Depending on the manufacturing method chosen, the holding tabs 105 can be attached and welded (by fusion or gluing for example) to the inner surfaces 102b-103b of the wings 102-103 of the angle iron 101, opposite the window 104, that is to say in such a way that the fixing member 130 can pivot and be secured to the handle through the window 104.

[0038] Alternatively, the retaining tabs 105 may be an integral part of the angle iron and be obtained by stamping and bending a portion of the angle iron running along the window, for example when hollowing out the window in the angle iron. What is important, of course, is that these tabs 105 extend into the space E, and not outwards as in the prior art, and that they are inscribed in this space E.

[0039] In a second embodiment illustrated in figure 7 , the handle fixing member itself comprises a means for reversibly engaging the handle. This may be a spring-loaded pin, as in the first embodiment, or as illustrated in figure 7 , of a releasable circlip system. In this case, the fixing member 230 of the handle 240 comprises an orifice 231 provided with a releasable circlip 232 by an actuating means (not shown), and the handle 240 comprises a cylindrical end 241 intended to be inserted into the orifice 231, the cylindrical end 241 comprising a groove 242 for receiving the circlip 232.

[0040] Of course, as for the first embodiment, any reversible means of fixing the handle can be used, such as for example a system of screwing the handle into or onto the fixing member 130-230.

[0041] As shown in the figure 8 , the window is shaped to allow the handle to pivot relative to the angle, making the user's work easier.

[0042] Thus, preferably, the window 104 has a length L such that, seen in profile as in the figure 8, the angle α formed between a first longitudinal end 104a of the window, a center of rotation C of the fixing member, and a second longitudinal end 104b of the window is between 110° and 150°. This allows a large amplitude of movement of the handle relative to the angle iron, useful for example for very high walls.

[0043] In order not to weaken the angle iron or to be obliged to have an angle iron of imposing size, the angle α formed between a first longitudinal end 104a of the window, a center of rotation C of the fixing member, and a second longitudinal end 104b of the window is preferably between 120° and 140°, advantageously between 125° and 135°. This makes it possible to leave enough material in the angle iron to have a rigid tool, while leaving a large range of movement compatible with the vast majority of wall heights.

[0044] The angle roller according to the invention can be marketed in the form of a smoothing assembly comprising one or more handles, for example of different lengths or telescopic, and an angle roller according to the invention.

[0045] Thus, the angle roller according to the invention has a structure adaptable to two positions of use: one suitable for an inward angle, the other suitable for an outward angle. This structure is robust since the wings of the angle iron are not articulated on each other. Furthermore, maintenance is easy, because coating dirt does not prevent the change of position. Finally, the parts used for the design of the tool are few and strong, so that the angle roller according to the invention is inexpensive and easy to use and maintain.

Claims

1. Multi-purpose angle roller (100-200) for applying tape made of paper or similar material selectively against an external angle or against an internal angle between two partitions, the angle roller comprising: • a support angle bracket (101) having a first flange (102); • rollers (110-111, 120-121) rotatably mounted on the angle bracket; • a first pair of rollers (110) rotatably mounted perpendicular to the outer surface (102a) of the first flange (102) of the angle bracket (101); characterized in that it comprises: a second flange (103) forming a non-flat angle between the first flange (102) and the second flange (103), preferably a right angle; • a second pair of rollers (111) rotatably mounted perpendicular to the outer surface (103a) of the second flange (103) of the angle bracket (101), the first pair (110) and the second pair (111) of rollers delimiting a concave rolling surface (112); • a third pair of rollers (120) rotatably mounted perpendicular to the inner surface (102b) of the first flange (102) of the angle bracket (101); • a fourth pair of rollers (121) rotatably mounted perpendicular to the inner surface (103b) of the second flange (103) of the angle bracket (101), the third pair (120) and the fourth pair (121) of rollers delimiting a convex rolling surface (122); and in that the angle bracket (101) further has, pivotally fastened between the inner surfaces (102b-103b) of the two flanges, a fastening member (130-230) for a handle (140-240), and a window (104) facing the fastening member (130-230) through which the handle (140-240) can pass when the latter is fastened to the fastening member (130-230) in the rolling position for an internal angle.

2. Angle roller according to Claim 1, wherein the fastening member (130-230) for the handle (140-240) is rotatably mounted about an articulating shaft (131) arranged between the inner surfaces (102b-103b) of the two flanges (102-103) and inside a space (E) delimited by the inner surfaces (102b-103b) of the angle bracket (101) and the convex rolling surface (122) delimited by the rollers (120-121) fastened to the inner surfaces (102b-103b) of the angle bracket (101), in such a way that the fastening member (130-230) is inscribed in said space (E) when the handle (140-240) is fastened, in the rolling position for an internal angle, to the fastening member (130-230), and passes through the window (104).

3. Angle roller according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein two retaining lugs (105) for the fastening member (130-230) each extend from the inner surface (102b-103b) of a flange (102-103) towards the internal space (E) delimited by the inner surfaces (102b-103b) of the flanges (102-103) of the angle bracket (101) and the convex rolling surface (122) delimited by the rollers (120-121) fastened to the inner surfaces (102b-103b) of the flanges of the angle bracket.

4. Angle roller according to Claim 3, wherein the fastening member (130-230) for the handle (140-240) comprises a ball joint (132) for fastening to a rotary shaft (131) mounted between the retaining lugs (105).

5. Angle roller according to Claim 4, wherein the fastening member (130-230) for the handle (140-240) comprises a means (134-232) for reversibly engaging the handle (140-240).

6. Angle roller according to Claim 5, wherein the fastening member (130-230) for the handle (140-240) comprises an elongate joining part (133) provided with means (134) for reversibly engaging the handle (140-240).

7. Angle roller according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the retaining lugs (105) are attached and welded to the inner surfaces (102b-103b) of the flanges (102-103) of the angle bracket (101).

8. Angle roller according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the retaining tabs (105) are integral with the angle bracket and are obtained by stamping and folding a portion of the angle bracket (101) running alongside the window (104).

9. Angle roller according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the window (104) has a length (L) such that, when viewed in profile, the angle (α) formed between a first longitudinal end (104a) of the window (104), a centre of rotation (C) of the fastening member (130-230), and a second longitudinal end (104b) of the window (104) is between 110° and 150°, preferably between 120° and 140°, and advantageously between 125° and 135°.

10. Smoothing assembly comprising at least one handle (140-240) and an angle roller according to any one of Claims 1 to 9.

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