TOOL FOR SPREADING A COATING

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tool (100) for spreading a coating on a surface (S) comprising a gripping means (300) associated with a plate (200) extending in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, said plate comprising a working surface (201) and a gripping surface (202), the working surface (201) having, in the second direction, a hollow profile extending in the first direction, said plate (200) being made of an elastically deformable plastic material, said gripping means comprising a handle (303) formed of at least one pillar (301) from which a handle (302) and fixed to the plate (200) by said at least one pillar (301) characterized in that said tool comprises a flare at the junction between the pillar and the plate. Figure 7

Description

Title of the invention: TOOL FOR SPREADING A COATING

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of tools for spreading a paste product such as a coating or glue on a wall, floor or ceiling or on a structure fixed to the wall, floor or ceiling. PRIOR ART

[0002] Trowels or floats 1 are known for applying a coating to a wall. Such a trowel consists of a plate 2 or thin blade on which a handle 3 is fixed as seen in [Fig.l]. The thin blade can have various shapes such as a rectangular or substantially triangular shape.

[0003] Currently, the thin blade is made of metal or metal alloy and the handle is fixed on the thin blade or on an intermediate base fixed to the thin blade by welding or brazing or gluing.

[0004] The use of this trowel consists of placing an optimum quantity of plaster on the wall and manipulating the trowel to spread this plaster. To do this, the user tilts the trowel relative to the surface of the wall in order to spread said plaster while giving it a desired thickness.

[0005] However, the dosage of the desired thickness is not simple. One solution consists of producing a notched tooth 4 on one side of the thin blade, more particularly on the side of the thin blade in contact with the wall during the operation of spreading the coating. This toothing makes it possible to better dose the thickness of the coating since it allows the coating to partially pass through the notches. In addition, during the application of the coating and its spreading, the user tilts the trowel more or less. The user is thus able to better control the thickness of the coating on the wall.

[0006] However, this trowel according to the prior art has several drawbacks.

[0007] Firstly, the use of teeth makes the trowel easier to use but does not guarantee a constant coating thickness. Indeed, the maximum coating thickness is allowed when the plate is perpendicular to the surface to be coated. Thus, the inclination of the plate relative to the surface to be coated modifies this thickness. Consequently, when spreading the coating, a change in the inclination results in a change in the applied thickness.

[0008] Then, the contact, friction of the teeth with the wall causes wear to appear on the teeth. This wear makes the teeth less regular and results in less precise control.

[0009] In addition, this toothing makes cleaning the trowel less simple. Indeed, with a normal trowel, cleaning it is not easy because the corners of the thin blade can hit the corners of the bucket or get stuck in the sponge, causing damage. deterioration of the bucket and / or the sponge but also a possible deterioration of the said corners. However, with the presence of the teeth, the risks of damaging the sponge increase.

[0010] Therefore, these wear or deterioration problems require frequent replacement of the equipment.

[0011] This wear also presents a danger for the applicator because it sharpens the teeth, particularly during cleaning.

[0012] Similarly, the friction of metal on a rough substrate is noisy and can become annoying for the applicator.

[0013] The trowel according to the prior art, due to its metallic composition, is heavy to handle. Summary of the invention

[0014] The present invention therefore proposes to resolve these drawbacks by providing a trowel which is effective in controlling the thickness of the coating to be spread while guaranteeing more comfortable use and a low cost of the tool.

[0015] For this purpose, the invention relates to a tool for spreading a coating on a surface comprising a gripping means associated with a plate extending in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, said plate comprising a working surface and a gripping surface, the working surface having, in the second direction, a hollow profile extending in the first direction, said plate being made of a flexible or elastically deformable plastic material, said gripping means comprising a handle formed of at least one pillar from which a handle extends, said handle being fixed to the plate by said at least one pillar, characterized in that said tool comprises a flare at the junction between the pillar and the plate.

[0016] The present invention has the advantage of allowing a limitation of the deformation of the flexible plate by said flaring. In particular when the applicator uses the tool in an inclined position, a localized shear force is transmitted to the plate at the junction point of the handle closest to the line of contact with the surface to be coated. At the same time, traction is exerted at the junction point of the handle furthest from the line of contact with the surface to be coated. This flaring makes it possible to act as a stop or to locally increase the rigidity, which makes it possible to limit the deformation of the plate under the application of the force transmitted by the handle. This makes it possible not to apply too much stress to the plate, avoiding damaging it. The invention increases the service life of the tool while improving its efficiency.

[0017] According to one example, the profile of the plate in the second direction comprises at least a first portion and a second portion.

[0018] According to one example, said first portion is rectilinear and said second portion is curved.

[0019] According to one example, said first portion is rectilinear and said second portion is rectilinear, the first portion and the second portion being intersecting.

[0020] According to one example, the section is arranged so that the working surface has a radius of curvature making it concave, this radius of curvature being constant in the second direction.

[0021] According to one example, the gripping surface has a radius of curvature making it convex, this radius of curvature being constant in the second direction.

[0022] According to one example, the radius of curvature of the gripping surface is equal to the radius of curvature of the working surface.

[0023] According to one example, the hollow profile is constant along the first direction.

[0024] According to one example, the plate further comprises a toothing extending at least over one side of the plate extending in the first direction. The teeth may further extend on one side of the plate extending in the second direction.

[0025] According to one example, said flare is formed by a pad inserted between the pillar and the plate.

[0026] According to one example, said flare is formed by a flared shape of the pillar.

[0027] According to one example, said flare is formed by an excess thickness arranged on the plate, in particular made of the same material as the plate.

[0028] According to one example, the pad comprises a recess into which the pillar is inserted.

[0029] According to one example, the pad comprises a surface in contact with the plate whose shape closely matches the shape of the plate.

[0030] According to one example, the flare comprises a surface mounted in abutment against a corresponding surface formed on the pillar or on the plate, possibly both, ensuring the positioning of the gripping means on the plate. The abutting contact surface extends in projection onto the gripping surface of the plate, in particular perpendicularly. It is preferably a closed surface along the perimeter of the flare.

[0031] According to one example, the gripping means comprise two pillars between which the handle extends.

[0032] According to one example, the gripping means comprise a first pillar connected to the handle, and a second pillar connected to the first pillar by a bar.

[0033] According to one example, the gripping means are fixed by gluing, fitting or by screwing to the plate.

[0034] According to one example, the elastically deformable plastic material has a Young's modulus in bending of between 25 and 2300 MPa, preferably between 25 and 250 MPa.

[0035] According to one example, the elastically deformable plastic material is chosen from the list comprising: TPO (thermoplastic olefin elastomers), TPV (elastomeric alloy), PVCE (poly(vinyl chloride)), SEBS (polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-butylene)-b-polystyrene), NBR (butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers), PEBA (Polyether block amide), EPDM rubbers (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer). DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0036] Other features and advantages will become clear from the description given below, for information purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0037] - [Fig.l] is schematic representations of a tool according to the prior art;

[0038] - [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a tool according to the invention;

[0039] - [Fig. 3] and 4, 5a, 5b, 5c and 6 are schematic profile representations of two versions of the plate of the tool of the invention;

[0040] - [Fig.7] is a representation of a tool according to the invention provided with teeth;

[0041] - [Fig.8] is a schematic representation of the placement of the tool according to the prior art and of the tool according to the invention relative to a surface to be coated;

[0042] - [Fig.9] and 10 are schematic representations of examples of gripping means of the tool according to the invention.

[0043] - [Fig.l 1] to 17 are schematic representations of gripping means of the tool provided with a flare according to the invention.

[0044] -figs. 18 and 19 are exploded schematic representations of a tool according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] Figures 2 and 3 show the tool 100 for spreading a coating according to the present invention. This coating is spread on a wall, floor or ceiling or on a structure fixed to the wall, floor or ceiling. This tool 100 comprises a plate 200 for spreading the coating on which a gripping means 300 is associated allowing a user to manipulate said tool. The tool 100 can be a tool that can be handled with one hand or a large tool that can be handled with two hands.

[0046] The plate 200 of the tool extends in a first direction called length and a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction and called width to obtain a substantially rectangular shape. It is understood that the plate 200 is longer than it is wide. This plate 200 comprises a working surface 201 on which the coating is placed and which is used to spread the coating and a gripping surface 202 on which the gripping means are fixed

[0047] The plate 200 has a specific design. For this, the working surface 201 is designed not to be rectilinear. More specifically, the working surface 201 is designed to have a profile, in the second direction, in a hollow. Such a hollow profile can be defined in that it has a space E between the working surface of the plate 200 and a plane P passing through the ends of said plate as visible in [Fig.4], this plane P being able to be, for example, the surface to be coated.

[0048] In a first embodiment, the section of the plate 200, in the second direction, comprises at least a first portion 200a and a second portion 200b.

[0049] According to a first example visible in [Fig.5a], said first portion 200a is rectilinear and said second portion 200b is rectilinear, the first portion and the second portion being intersecting.

[0050] Preferably, the first portion, on which the gripping means are arranged, extends over a larger part of the plate than the second portion. For example, the first portion extends over at least 70% of the width of the plate 200, preferably at least 80%, preferably at least 90% and even more preferably at least 95%.

[0051] The angle between the first portion and the second portion will be between 90° and 135°.

[0052] According to a second example visible in [Fig.5b], the section of the plate in the second direction further comprises a third portion 200c, rectilinear and arranged to be contiguous and intersecting with the first portion. The tool 100 can thus be arranged so that the second portion 200b and the third portion 200c are not inclined in the same way relative to the first portion 200a.

[0053] According to a third example visible in [Fig.5c], said first portion 200a is rectilinear and said second portion 200b is curved.

[0054] In a second embodiment, the working surface 201 of the plate 200 is arranged to comprise a radius of curvature. This radius of curvature is made so that the working surface 201 can be concave. The working surface 201 of the plate 200 is designed so that the radius of curvature is constant in the first direction.

[0055] In both embodiments, it should be understood that the hollow profile is constant or inconstant along the second direction. For example, for the first example of [Fig.5a], an inconstant hollow profile means that the first portion 200a and the second portion 200b are intersecting along the second direction but that the angle formed by these portions can vary. In the case of the second embodiment in which the working surface 201 of the plate 200 is curved and has a radius of curvature, it will be understood that this radius of curvature is uniform or not. A uniform radius of curvature consists of having the same radius of curvature over the extent of the profile of the working surface.

[0056] Regarding the gripping surface 202, it can be designed to be planar as visible in [Fig.3] or to also have a radius of curvature as visible in [Fig.6]. In the case of a gripping surface 202 having a radius of curvature, this will be defined so that the gripping surface 202 is convex, that is to say that the gripping surface 202 and the working surface 201 are parallel.

[0057] This arrangement of the working surface 201 of the plate 200 is accompanied by a specific choice for the material from which the plate is formed. Indeed, the plate is made of a flexible material, preferably a plastic material. This material will be chosen, for example, from the list comprising: TPO (thermoplastic olefinic elastomers), TPV (elastomeric alloy), PVCE (poly(vinyl chloride)), SEBS (polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-butylene)-b-polystyrene), PEBA (Polyether block amide), EPDM rubbers (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer), NBR (butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers, also called “nitrile rubbers”). Of course, the list of elastomeric materials above is not limiting and other plastic materials may be used depending on the design or the thicknesses.

[0058] Thus, the material used is a plastic material whose Young's modulus in bending is between 25 and 2300 MPa, preferably between 25 and 250 MPa. This material is advantageously elastically deformable, that is to say that the material is capable of being deformed under the effect of a stress and of returning to its initial shape when the stress is released.

[0059] This material is also chosen according to various properties such as fracture toughness ranging from 0.3 to 4 MPa.m05 or a shore hardness A75-A90 or D25-D40. The use of such a material allows for a reduction in the force required for spreading and a reduction in noise. This reduction in noise is accompanied by a change in the nature of the noise, the latter changing frequency range so as to be less acute. This results in improved user comfort.

[0060] In addition, the plate 200 of the tool according to the invention may further comprise a toothing 400 as visible in [Fig.7]. This toothing 400, consisting of notched teeth 401, is arranged on one of the sides extending in the first direction. The teeth 401 of this toothing 400 are used for controlling the quantity of coating spread and protrude from the plate 200 in the extension of the working surface. In the case where the gripping surface 202 and the working surface 201 are curved and parallel, the teeth are arranged to extend in the extension of the gripping surface 202 and the working surface 201.

[0061] In the case of the first embodiment, the teeth 204 of the toothing will advantageously be produced at the level of the second portion 200b.

[0062] In the case of the second embodiment, each tooth 401 has a front face 402 in the extension of the working surface 201 of the plate 200 and a face rear 403. It is then understood that in the case of a flat gripping surface 202, the teeth 401 of the toothing 400 are arranged so that the front face 402 of each tooth extends in the extension of the working surface while the rear face 403 of each tooth 401 is not in the extension of the gripping surface 202. The rear face of each tooth 401 can be formed so that a flange exists with the gripping surface 202 or be formed to obtain a junction with said gripping surface 202.

[0063] These teeth 401 can protrude from the plate 200 just as they can be made by cutting said plate 200. In the case of protruding teeth 401, the surface of the teeth 401 is added to that of the plate 200 whereas in the case of cut teeth, the surface of the plate 200 is amputated from the inter-dental surface.

[0064] In the case where the gripping surface 202 and the working surface 201 of the plate have the same radius of curvature and are parallel, the front face 402 and the rear face 403 of each tooth 401 extend in the extension, respectively, of the working surface and the gripping surface as visible in figures 8a and 8b.

[0065] In both cases, the teeth 401 will extend in a substantially straight manner and the end of each tooth 401 may be tapered and rounded.

[0066] The teeth 401 of the toothing 400 are all identical or not. The spacing between the teeth is regular or not. The size of the teeth and the spacing is variable according to the needs, the coatings to be spread, the dimensions of the tool. The teeth are square or rectangular or of any shape such as triangular or with a rounded end.

[0067] This configuration of the spreading tool 100 with a plastic plate 200 having a non-planar working surface 201 and teeth 401 makes it possible to obtain a more constant spreading of coating while having a more pleasant use of the tool.

[0068] Indeed, such a coating spreading tool 100 is used by applying the coating to the surface S to be coated and then using it to spread it. For this, the tool 100 is placed by positioning the working surface 201 opposite the surface S to be coated, said working surface 201 being inclined at an angle of less than 90° with the surface to be coated. Following this, the tool 100, i.e. the trowel, is manipulated to spread said coating. The design according to the invention is clever in that the curvature of the working surface 201 makes it possible to have a smaller angle between the plane of the teeth 401 and a plane orthogonal O to the plane of the surface S to be coated. Indeed, as visible in [Fig.8], the positioning of a tool 1 according to the prior art and of a tool 100 according to the invention is shown. The tool 1 of the prior art is shown with its gripping surface positioned angularly at an angle [31 relative to the surface S to be coated.Since the plate 2 is flat and the teeth 4 extend rectilinearly in the same plane as said plate 2, the teeth form an angle al with . a plane orthogonal to the surface S to be coated.

[0069] In the case of the first embodiment of the invention, the example comprising a second portion 200b whose plane is secant with the plane of the first portion allows the teeth 401 to form an angle a3 with a plane orthogonal O to the surface S to be coated less than the angle al formed with a completely flat plate 2.

[0070] In the case of the tool 100 according to the second embodiment of the invention or the third example of the first embodiment, this tool 100 is shown with the tangent to the gripping surface positioned angularly at the same angle [31 relative to the surface to be coated. Given that the curvature of the working surface 201 and the teeth 401 extend rectilinearly in the extension of the working surface, the teeth 401 form an angle a2 with a plane orthogonal O to the surface S to be coated. However, the curvature of the working surface 201 of the tool 100 according to the invention means that the angle a2 is smaller than the angle a1. Consequently, for an identical angular position of the tool 100 relative to the surface to be coated, the teeth 401 of the plate 200 according to the invention have an angular position closer to the plane orthogonal O to the surface to be coated than the teeth 4 of the tool 1 according to the prior art.The thickness of the spread coating is therefore greater with the tool 100 according to the present invention.

[0071] In addition, during the operation of spreading the coating, the plate 200 deforms. This deformation advantageously allows the teeth 401 of the toothing 400 to maintain an angular position relative to the orthogonal plane O to the surface to be coated that is substantially identical. Indeed, the plate 200 is made of a plastic material having elastic deformation properties. However, during the spreading of the coating, the friction between the surface to be coated and the plate 200 generates the appearance of stresses on said plate 200, the elastic properties of said plate allowing it to deform elastically. This deformation tends to allow said teeth 401 to maintain a similar angular position relative to the surface S to be coated so that the thickness of the spread coating is substantially constant, the variation in thickness being small.

[0072] In a first variant of the second embodiment, the plate 200 of the tool 100 according to the present invention is designed to have optimized flexibility. For this, this variant proposes to have a plate 200 whose deformation is adjustable. For this, the present variant proposes to have a plate 200 with variable thickness. This variable thickness is already present for the variant in which the working surface 201 of the plate has a radius of curvature while the gripping surface 202 is flat. However, the present variant uses the variable thickness characteristic to locally modify the rigidity and therefore the response to a constraint knowing that the greater the thickness, the more rigid the plate will be and therefore the more difficult to deform.

[0073] This variant advantageously makes it possible to control the deformation of the plate 200 and therefore its behavior when spreading the coating. In this way, an excess thickness of the plate can be arranged at the level of the zone to be stiffened, for example, at the level of the central portion of the plate 200 in order to make this central portion more rigid and less deformable than the zone comprising the teeth 400.

[0074] To use the tool, gripping means 300 are used. These gripping means 300 can be diverse and varied.

[0075] The gripping means 300 comprise at least one pillar 301 from which a handle 302 extends to form a handle 303. In the case of a single pillar 302, this makes it possible to form an L-shaped handle 303 as visible in [Fig. 9]. This L-shaped handle 303 can be arranged on the plate 200 so as to extend in the first direction or in the second direction, that is to say with an angle of 90° to 150° relative to the first direction.

[0076] In the case of the presence of two pillars 301, the handle 302 can be connected to the two pillars, this makes it possible to form a U-shaped handle 303 as visible in [Fig. 10]. This U-shaped handle can be arranged on the plate 200 so as to extend in the first direction.

[0077] The pillars comprise, at their end, a contact zone by which the handle is fixed to the plate 200. The pillars 301 have a section, having a circular or rectangular or square shape or any other possible shapes such as hexagonal or oval. These pillars 301 have a contact zone with the plate 200.

[0078] The gripping means can be made of various materials such as wood, metal or plastic.

[0079] According to the invention, the spreading tool 100 comprises a flare 500 at each junction between the gripping means 300 and the plate 200 as visible in FIGS. 13 to 17.

[0080] In a first embodiment, the flare 500 is formed by at least one pad 501 as visible in [Fig.9]. This pad 501 is arranged at each interface of the gripping means and the plate 200.

[0081] This skate 501 is made of wood, metal or metal alloy or plastic.

[0082] This pad 501 is inserted between the gripping means and the plate. The pad 501 is present in the form of a plate. The pad 501 has a circular or rectangular or square shape or any other possible shapes such as hexagonal or oval. Preferably, the pad 501 has a shape similar or identical to that of the section of the pillar(s) 301.

[0083] This plate optionally has a recess 502 forming a housing in which a pillar 301 can be partially inserted as seen in Figures 14 and 15. This recess can be through. This recess 502 provides a surface in projection from the gripping surface of the plate, capable of coming into contact with the pillar with lateral movement limiting stop, ensuring the positioning of the gripping means on the plate.

[0084] In a second embodiment, the flare is formed by a flared shape 503 of the pillar 301 at its contact zone of the pillar with the plate 200 as visible in [Fig. 12].

[0085] In a third embodiment, the flare 500 is arranged at the plate 200 as visible in [Fig. 13]. The plate 200 comprises a local excess thickness 505. This local excess thickness 505 is located at the locations of attachment of the gripping means 300. This excess thickness 505 has a surface area greater than that of the contact zone of the pillar cooperating with said excess thickness. This excess thickness 505 may comprise a hollow in which the pillar is placed.

[0086] Of course, the flare 500 can be formed by a combination of the first, second and third embodiments. It is thus understood that the flare can be formed by an excess thickness 505 at the plate 200 and a flared shape 503 of the pillar 301. It is further possible for the flare to be formed by an excess thickness at the plate and a pad or by a pad and a flared shape of the pillar or by an excess thickness of the plate 200, a pad and a pillar with a flared shape.

[0087] The flaring makes it possible to limit the deformation of the plate 200. More precisely, the flaring makes it possible to limit the increase in the radius of curvature of the plate 200. This limitation is made by acting as a stop which prevents the plate 200 from deforming and / or by increasing the rigidity of the plate 200 which limits its deformation for a given applied stress.

[0088] The installation of the pad 501 between the plate 200 and the gripping means 300 can be done in different ways.

[0089] A first way consists of gluing the pad 501 to the plate 200 and gluing the gripping means 300 to the pad 501.

[0090] A second way consists of gluing the pad 501 to the plate 200 while screwing the gripping means 300 to said plate. For this, the pad is provided with an opening allowing the passage of the screw.

[0091] A third way consists of screwing the plate 200 to the gripping means 300 also passing through the pad 501.

[0092] For screwing, the plate is arranged so that the screw does not interfere with the spreading of the coating, the plate is then hollowed out locally.

[0093] Any other mechanical fixing technique, such as interlocking, is possible.

[0094] When the flare is arranged at the level of the gripping means 300 or the plate 200, the fixing is done by gluing or screwing the plate 200 to the means of grip.

[0095] A fourth way consists of inserting the pad 501 between the plate 200 and the gripping means 300 so that the pad 501 is pinched between said plate and said gripping means. It is then understood that the pad 501 comprises an opening through which the screw passes to screw the plate to the gripping means. The opening is such that it does not have a thread following the passage of the screw. The pad 501 is then pinched between the plate 200 and the pillar 301.

[0096] In a variant, the pad 501 or the flare of the pillar has a face in contact with the plate having a shape whose curvature is identical to that of the face of the plate in contact with the pad, that is to say the gripping surface 202 of the plate. It is then understood that if the plate 200 has a curved gripping surface 202, then the face of the pad in contact will be curved, with the same curvature.

[0097] This variant makes it possible to conform the pad to the curvature of the gripping surface 202 to prevent the positioning of the pad from disturbing the shape of the plate. Indeed, if the face of the pad 501 is rectilinear and the visible surface 202 of the plate 200 is curved, the attachment of the pad 501 to the plate 200 can cause a deformation of said plate 200 and therefore a modification of its behavior and its performance.

[0098] In a variant with gripping means with a single pillar, the tool comprises at least two flares 500, in particular in the form of pads 501, as shown in [Fig. 17]. It is then understood that a flare 500 or pad 501 is formed on or interposed between the pillar 301 and the plate 200 and that a pad 501 is free. This free pad 501 is used to homogenize the effect of the pads.

[0099] Indeed, in the case of a single pillar 301, a single pad risks destabilizing the deformation of the plate 200 since only one pad will be present and this pillar 301 is, generally, eccentric.

[0100] As a result, the presence of this second pad 501 makes it possible to distribute the effects of said pads 501 on the plate 200.

[0101] The free skate 501 can be connected to the skate 501 interposed between the pillar 301 and the plate by a connecting bar 506.

[0102] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 18 and 19, the tool 100 further comprises a flare in the form of a flared shape 503 of a pillar 301 in the extension of which the handle 302 is located, as well as a flare in the form of a free pad 501 connected to the flared shape 503 of the pillar 301 by means of a bar 506 which extends substantially in the same direction as the handle 302. The plate 200 further comprises two portions 204, each in the form of an excess thickness, formed on the gripping surface 202. These portions 204 act as a stud 205.

[0103] Each of the pad 501 and the flared shape 503 has a surface 5001 (visible on the partial section of the pad 501) arranged in the face coming into contact with the gripping surface 202. These surfaces 5001 are formed to come into contact and abut against the portions 204 acting as a stud 205 in the mounted state of the tool. It is understood that the studs 205 fit with the pad 501 and the flared shape 503 as visible in [Fig. 19]

[0104] The cooperation between the surfaces 5001 of the flare 500 and the studs 205 prevents any lateral movement of the gripping means 300 during use of the tool. The connection of the gripping means 300 and the plate 200 is ensured by screws 600 passing through the plate approximately at the center of each flare in excess thickness 5051 and received in corresponding bores approximately at the center of the pad 501 and the flared shape 503.

[0105] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example but is susceptible to various variants and modifications which will appear to those skilled in the art.

[0106] Thus, it can be provided that the plate can have various shapes such as a triangular shape and have various dimensions. Thus, it will be possible for the tool according to the invention to have a length of approximately 30cm for a width of approximately 15cm or else have a length close to 60-100 for a width of approximately 30-45cm.

[0107] Furthermore, it may be provided that the teeth extend over one of the sides of the width of the plate, allowing said tool to be used in two different ways.

[0108] It may further be provided that a pillar 301 can be doubled at its junction with the plate. In this case, this pillar 301 comprises two contact zones. Each contact zone of the same pillar may have its own flare or have a common flare in the form of a pad or an excess thickness of the plate.

Claims

Claims

1. Tool (100) for spreading a coating on a surface (S) comprising a gripping means (300) associated with a plate (200) extending in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, said plate comprising a working surface (201) and a gripping surface (202), the working surface (201) having, in the second direction, a hollow profile extending in the first direction, said plate (200) being made of an elastically deformable plastic material, said gripping means comprising a handle (303) formed of at least one pillar (301) from which a handle (302) and fixed to the plate (200) by said at least one pillar (301) characterized in that said tool comprises a flare at the junction between the pillar and the plate.

2. A spreading tool according to claim 1, wherein the profile of the plate in the second direction comprises at least a first portion (200a) and a second portion (200b).

3. A spreading tool according to claim 2, wherein said first portion (200a) is straight and said second portion (200b) is curved.

4. A spreading tool according to claim 2, wherein said first portion is rectilinear (200a) and said second portion (200b) is rectilinear, the first portion and the second portion being intersecting.

5. A spreading tool according to claim 1, wherein the section is arranged so that the working surface (201) has a radius of curvature making it concave, this radius of curvature being constant in the second direction.

6. A spreading tool according to claim 5, wherein the gripping surface (202) has a radius of curvature making it convex, this radius of curvature being constant in the second direction.

7. A spreading tool according to claim 5, wherein the radius of curvature of the gripping surface (202) is equal to the radius of curvature of the working surface (201).

8. A spreading tool according to claim 5, wherein the hollow profile is constant along the first direction.

9. A spreading tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said plate (200) further comprises a toothing (400) extending at least on one side of the plate extending in the first direction, in particular also on another side of the plate extending in the second direction

10. A spreading tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said flare is formed by a pad inserted between the pillar and the plate.

11. A spreading tool according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said flare is formed by a flared shape of the pillar.

12. spreading tool according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which said flaring is formed by an excess thickness arranged on the plate (200), in particular made in one piece with the plate.

13. A spreading tool according to claim 10, wherein the pad comprises a recess into which the pillar fits.

14. A spreading tool according to claim 10 or 13, wherein the pad comprises a plate-contacting surface whose shape substantially matches the shape of the plate.

15. A spreading tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the gripping means (300) comprises two pillars (301) between which the handle extends.

15. Spreading tool according to one of the preceding claims, the flare (500) comprises a surface (5001) mounted in abutment against a corresponding surface (205) formed on the pillar or on the plate (5051), possibly both, this abutment contact surface extending in projection onto the gripping surface (22) of the plate, in particular perpendicularly.

16. A spreading tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping means are fixed by gluing or screwing to the plate.