Finishing apparatus

Abstract

The apparatus comprises an elongate and rotatable drive shaft 202 having a first end region and an opposed second end region 206, and a head assembly 300 coupled to the second end region of the drive

Description

The present invention relates to apparatus for finishing a surface and in particular, but not exclusively, to a rotary finishing tool for smoothing a plastered surface such 5 as a wall or ceiling of a building. As part of the construction or renovation process, it is typical for the walls and ceilings of a building to be installed from new or at least restored. Vertical timber stud frames are typically erected and plasterboard panels are fixed thereto to form io the new wall / s. Plasterboard panels may also be fixed to new or existing joists to form a new ceiling. The join lines are typically taped over and the walls and ceiling are covered with a first layer of plaster using a tool called a float. When the first layer of plaster is beginning to dry, a second layer of plaster is applied. When the second layer of plaster is beginning to dry, the surface is smoothed over a number of 15 times using the float to remove any imperfections and provide a smooth finish ready for painting. It is known to dampen the second layer of plaster with water using a sponge to reactivate or ‘open-up’ the plaster to allow imperfections, such as float marks, holes or air pockets, to be removed and smoothed out before the plaster is left to cure and dry ready for painting. However, this finishing work is typically 20 carried out by hand so is time consuming and exhausting for the labourer, particularly when working at height, on ceilings and / or large areas for long periods of time. Such labour-intensive work can undesirably result in repetitive strain injuries, exhaustion and / or injuries from falling off ladders, scaffolding, benches, crates and ‘hop-ups’, or the like. 25 It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide apparatus for efficiently finishing a plastered surface from ground level without the need for ladders, scaffolding or the like. 30 It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide apparatus for efficiently smoothing a plastered surface by the controlled introduction of water to the surface via a head portion of the apparatus and applied pressure of the head portion on the surface as it is moved thereover. 09 01 25 According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for finishing a plastered surface, comprising: an elongate and rotatable drive shaft having a first end region and an opposed second end region; and 5 a head assembly coupled to the second end region of the drive shaft by a coupling configured to allow movement of the head assembly with respect to the shaft about at least two axes of rotation and transfer a drive torque from the drive shaft to the head assembly, wherein the head assembly comprises an attachment portion for attaching a working material to finish the plastered surface, io wherein the drive shaft comprises at least one shaft inlet couplable to a water source, at least one shaft outlet, and an axial bore extending along the drive shaft between the at least one shaft inlet and the at least one shaft outlet, and wherein the head assembly comprises at least one head outlet coupled to the at least one shaft outlet by at least one conduit. 15 Optionally, the at least two axes of rotation are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. Optionally, the at least one shaft inlet comprises a plurality of circumferentially 20 arranged inlet holes extending radially into the bore of the drive shaft. Optionally, the apparatus comprises an inlet sleeve rotatably mounted on the drive shaft by a pair of axially spaced apart bearings to define a cavity between an inner surface of the sleeve and an outer surface of the shaft, wherein the inlet sleeve 25 comprises a sleeve inlet for introducing water into the cavity and the at least one shaft inlet is located in the cavity. Optionally, the at least one head outlet comprises a plurality of spaced apart head outlets. 30 Optionally, the head outlets are axially spaced from the attachment portion and each located in a narrow end region of a respective one of a plurality of spaced apart and hollow frustoconical formations extending from corresponding apertures in the 09 01 25 attachment portion to thereby accommodate a tapered mist or spray emitted from the respective head outlet towards the plastered surface in use. Optionally, a wide opening of each frustoconical formation communicates with a 5 corresponding aperture disposed in the working material. Optionally, the head outlets are mounted to an annular disc and the frustoconical formations are located between the attachment portion and the annular disc. io Optionally, the coupling defines a universal coupling comprising a first hinge portion, a second hinge portion, and a pivot member pivotally coupling the first hinge portion to the second hinge portion, and wherein the pivot member comprises a central hole through which the at least one conduit extends. 15 Optionally, the drive shaft extends from or is coupled to the first hinge portion of the coupling and wherein, in use, an outer surface of the first hinge portion engages with and rolls over an inner circular edge of the annular disc to thereby limit an angular rotation of the first hinge portion with respect to the second hinge portion. 20 Optionally, the angular rotation is limited to up to 45 degrees. Optionally, the apparatus comprises a manifold having a manifold inlet coupled to the at least one shaft outlet and a plurality of manifold outlets each coupled to a respective one of the plurality of head outlets. 25 Optionally, the at least one conduit comprises a substantially flexible conduit to accommodate said rotational movement of the head portion about the at least two axes with respect to the drive shaft in use. 30 Optionally, the first end region of the drive shaft is mountable in a chuck of an electric drill. Optionally, the apparatus comprises a handle portion extending from the drive shaft for supporting and manoeuvring the apparatus in use. 09 01 25 Optionally, the handle portion is mounted to the drive shaft by at least one bearing member to allow rotation of the drive shaft with respect to the handle portion in use. 5 Optionally, the bearing member comprises the inlet sleeve and the handle portion is substantially elongate and comprises a through bore coupled at a proximal end region to the sleeve inlet and at a distal end region to the water source. Optionally, the apparatus comprises a switch for selectively controlling a flow of io water from the water source to the at least one head outlet. Optionally, the switch comprises a twist grip mounted on the distal end region of the handle portion and includes a potentiometer for selectively controlling and adjusting the flow of water to the at least one head outlet. 15 Optionally, the apparatus comprises a working material attached to the attachment portion of the head assembly. Optionally, the working material comprises a sponge. 20 According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for finishing a plastered surface, comprising apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, and a rotary drive device coupled to or couplable to the first end region of the drive shaft to rotate the head assembly via the coupling. 25 According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of finishing a surface, comprising: rotating the head assembly of apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention by a rotary drive device coupled to the first end region of the drive so shaft of the apparatus; and moving a working material attached to the attachment portion of the head assembly over the surface to be finished. 09 01 25 Optionally, the method comprises pumping a fluid along the drive shaft and to at least one head outlet of the head assembly connected to the second end region of the drive shaft by at least one conduit, and wherein optionally: the fluid comprises water, the working element comprises a sponge, and the surface being finished is a 5 plastered surface. Description of the Drawings Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference io to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a cross sectional side view of a finishing apparatus according to certain embodiments of the present invention; 15 Figure 2 illustrates an isometric top view of the apparatus; Figure 3 illustrates an isometric bottom view of the apparatus; Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the apparatus; 20 Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates the underside of a working material, such as a sponge element 25 for finishing a plastered surface, attached to the head assembly of the apparatus of Figure 5; and Figure 7 illustrates the handle portion of the apparatus of Figure 5. 30 Detailed Description As illustrated in Figure 1, apparatus 100 for finishing a plastered surface according to certain embodiments of the present invention includes a drive shaft 102 having a first end region 104 and an opposed second end region 106. The first end of the shaft is 09 01 25 closed and the second end of the shaft is substantially open. A sleeve 108 is mounted proximal to the first end region of the shaft by a pair of axially spaced apart bearings 110,112 which allow the shaft to rotate with respect to the sleeve. The bearings are sealed units and a cavity 114 is defined between the inner surface of 5 the sleeve and the outer surface of the shaft. The shaft includes at least one inlet hole 116, and preferably a plurality of circumferentially arranged inlet holes, in its wall which fluidly communicate with the cavity 114 defined between the sleeve 108 and the shaft 102. As illustrated in Figure 3, an inlet spigot 118 extends outwardly from an inlet hole disposed in the sleeve wall for introducing a fluid, such as water, io into the sleeve via a hose (not shown) connected to the inlet spigot 118. In use, the first end region 104 of the shaft is rotatably driven, such as by fixing the first end of the shaft in the chuck of a conventional drill or the like, and the sleeve 108 can remain substantially static with respect to the rotating shaft to avoid the 15 hose becoming wrapped therearound. Alternatively, the apparatus 100 may include a motor permanently coupled to the first end of the shaft to selectively rotate the shaft. The water forced into the cavity, by for example a pump, enters the inner bore 120 of the shaft 102 via the inlet holes 116 and is urged along the bore towards the second end region of the shaft. An optional connection 122 is provided by way of a 20 nut 123 and screw thread arrangement, e.g. a compression fitting, below the sleeve to allow the first end region 104 of the shaft including the sleeve 108 to be removed from the remaining portion of the shaft which may be desirable for cleaning purposes or for attaching a differently configured tool, such as a tool having a shorter overall shaft, to the first end region of the shaft, as described further below. 25 An elongate handle 124 is coupled to the shaft 102 by an elongate mounting sleeve 126 which is free to slide axially along the shaft and rotate about the shaft axis whilst allowing the shaft to rotate with respect to the mounting sleeve 126 and the handle 124. Alternatively, the handle may be directed mounted to the shaft, and the handle 30 or the mounting sleeve may be axially constrained with respect to the shaft. The handle 124 allows the user to hold and control the apparatus with one hand in use whilst the other hand holds and controls the drill coupled to the first end of the shaft. The handle 124 may optionally support or include a switch 125 to control the pump forcing water into and along the shaft, i.e. to turn the pump on or off as desired. The 09 01 25 flow rate of water through the shaft may also be controllable by way of a valve located in the inlet hose connected to the apparatus or on the apparatus itself such as in the shaft bore. The switch may be a rocker switch as illustrated or a different form of switch, such as a thumbwheel or slider switch to turn the flow of water on or 5 off and also adjust the flow rate. The second end region 106 of the drive shaft 102 includes a circular flange 127 which may for example be formed by mounting a circular disc including a central hole on the second end region of the shaft and welding the disc on to the shaft. The io flange 127 is bolted to the upper outer surface of a first hinge portion 128 of a universal coupling 130. Alternatively, the shaft may be integral with or fixed directly to the first hinge portion 128. The upper outer surface of the first hinge portion 128 includes a central hole to allow the second end of the shaft to pass therethrough and extend from the inner surface of the first hinge portion, as illustrated in Figure 4. A 15 pivot member 132 in the form of a cross-shaped centre block of the universal coupling 130 pivotally couples the first hinge portion 128 to a second hinge portion 134 of the universal coupling 130. Other forms of pivot member may be suitable such as an elongate member having a first through bore extending longitudinally for a first pivot pin and a second through bore extending perpendicularly with respect to 20 the first through bore for a second pivot pin. Each respective hinge portion 128,134 is pivotally coupled to the pivot member 132 by a pair of coupling bolts 136,138 each located in a corresponding hole of a respective lug of the hinge portion 128,134. The second hinge portion 134 may be 25 similar in form to the first hinge portion 128 and inverted to be attached by bolts or the like or welding to the flat upper surface of a disc-shaped head portion 140 of the apparatus 100. Alternatively, as illustrated, the second hinge portion 134 may comprise a pair of spaced apart and opposed lugs extending upwardly from the upper surface of the head portion 140. The universal coupling 130 between the so head portion 140 and the second end region 106 of the shaft allows the shaft to move in two axes with respect to the head portion 140, or vice versa, whilst transferring a torque from the rotating shaft 102 to the head portion 140. Other arrangements of coupling can be used to provide the same or similar range of movement about at least two axes and torque transfer as the illustrated universal 09 01 25 coupling arrangement. For example, a flexible spring coupling may be used to couple the shaft to the head portion to transfer a torque from the shaft to the head portion whilst also allowing rotation of the head portion relative to the shaft, and vice versa, in a wide range of different directions about many different axes. The spring 5 coupling may include a central through bore to allow a conduit to pass through the coupling, as described further below. A manifold or splitter 142 is located centrally on the upper surface of the head portion 140 and between the upstanding lugs of the second hinge portion 134. The io manifold 142 includes an inlet spigot 144 extending upwardly from a body of the manifold and a plurality of outlet spigots 146 fluidly coupled to the inlet spigot by respective passageways or bores within the manifold body. As illustrated in Figure 4, a flexible conduit 147, such as a plastic or rubber hose, couples the open second end of the drive shaft 102 to the inlet spigot 144 of the manifold 142 and extends 15 through a central hole 148 in the pivot member 132 of the universal coupling 130. A plurality of spaced apart and preferably equally arranged head outlets 150 are located on the underside of the head portion 140. The head outlets 150 may be provided by jet elements or nozzles 151 mounted in respective holes extending 20 through the head portion 140. The nozzles may be adjustable to adjust a spray pattern leaving the outlet, such as a conical spray / mist pattern. Each nozzle is coupled to a respective one of the outlet spigots 146 of the manifold 142 by a flexible or substantially rigid conduit 152. A disc-shaped sponge element (not shown) is removably attached to the flat underside 153 of the head portion 140 by suitable 25 means, such as a hook and loop system. Alternatively, each nozzle / outlet 151 may be provided by an inverted bolt which has been drilled to provide a through bore for water to pass through the bolt and a nut, such as a wingnut, can engage on the threaded shank of the bolt to attach the bolt to the disc-shaped head portion 140. Each respective conduit 152 can attach to the shank of the bolt to couple the through so bore thereof to the manifold 144. A washer may be provided at the head region of each bolt to engage with the sponge element and secure the same to the head portion. The sponge element may include through holes therein which correspond to the position of the outlets 150 to allow water forced from each nozzle / outlet 151 to be directed onto the plastered surface to be smoothed. Alternatively, the sponge 09 01 25 element may not include through holes and the water exiting the nozzles 151 may be directed onto and into the sponge element before being transferred to the plastered surface to be smoothed. Further alternatively, a different form of working material may be attached to the flat underside of the head portion, such as a sandpaper or a 5 cleaning / drying fabric or the like depending on the intended application of the apparatus. Whilst a manifold leading to a plurality of outlet nozzles 151 is preferred for efficient and equal distribution of water to the sponge element and / or the surface to be io smoothed, the manifold may be omitted and the flexible conduit 147 may connect to a single outlet in the centre of the head portion 140 and distribution of water through the sponge and onto the surface to be smoothed may rely on centrifugal force as the head portion is rotated in use. Whilst the illustrated manifold is a substantially solid body located on the head portion, it may alternatively comprise a hose connector 15 having an inlet and two or more outlets coupled to each nozzle by respective conduits. Further alternatively, or additionally, the shaft 106 may comprise a plurality of connectable sections or be telescopic to allow a length of the shaft to be selectively adjusted for working on walls or ceilings of different heights. As described above, the first end region of the shaft including the water inlet sleeve 108 20 may be detachable from the rest of the shaft to allow a differently configured tool to be attached such as a tool having a shorter shaft for working at a lower height and / or a different configured head portion for a different finishing operation such as wet or dry sanding. The apparatus may also not include means for introducing a fluid, such as water, to the head portion of the apparatus and in turn on to the surface being 25 finished, such as for example if the apparatus is solely intended for rotary dry sanding applications. In use, a hose (not shown) coupled to a water source is connected to the inlet spigot 118 of the inlet sleeve 108. A drill or other suitable rotational drive tool (not shown) 30 is coupled to the first end of the drive shaft 102. A sponge element (not shown) is attached to the flat underside of the head portion 140 and the same is offered up to the plastered surface to be finished. Water is selectively forced through the shaft and to the sponge element via the outlet nozzles 151 by actuating the switch 125 mounted on the handle 124 to operate a pump or open a valve. The switch may be 09 01 25 operably coupled to the pump or valve by a wired or wireless connection, such as Bluetooth™. The drill or other rotational drive tool is operated by the user to rotate the drive shaft 102 and in turn the head portion 140 via the universal coupling arrangement 130. The user can then move the sponge element attached to the 5 head portion over the surface to be smoothed in an efficient and comfortable manner from ground level and without the need for ladders or scaffolding or the like. The apparatus according to certain embodiments of the present invention allows the finishing process to be semi-automated which relieves the labourer from excessive overhead arm work and at least minimises, if not eliminates, the risk of repetitive io strain injuries. Furthermore, the finishing process is made significantly quicker meaning more surface area can be finished in a given time. The universal coupling allows the shaft to rotate about two axes relative to the working head of the apparatus which ensures the rotating head remains flat on the surface being finished as the operator efficiently manoeuvres the rotating head over the surface from 15 ground level. An alternative embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention is illustrated in Figures 5 to 7. A head assembly 300 of the apparatus 200 includes an annular disc or ring member 260 coaxially arranged with respect to a disc-shaped attachment portion 240 for mounting a working material, such as a sponge element 20 270, to for finishing a surface, such as a plastered wall or ceiling. The annular disc 260 is mounted to and axially spaced apart from the attachment portion 240 by a plurality of tie rods 262 (four in this example) extending upwardly from the attachment portion 240 and a nut 264 and optional washer / s (not shown) located on a threaded end region of each tie rod. The threaded tie rods optionally allow the 25 spacing between the annular disc 260 and the attachment portion 240 to be adjusted if required, as described further below. A plurality, in this example four, of hollow thrustoconical formations 266 are located between the annular disc 260 and the attachment portion 240 such that a relatively narrow open end of each thrustoconical formation 266 communicates with a corresponding spray nozzle mounted in a 30 respective aperture of the annular disc 260, and, as illustrated in Figure 6, a relatively wide open end of each thrustoconical formation 266 communicates with a corresponding outlet aperture 268 disposed in a sponge element 270 removably mounted to the flat underside of the attachment portion 240 by, for example, a 09 01 25 mechanical fastening arrangement such as Velcro™. As illustrated in Figure 5, the attachment portion 240 includes four equally spaced apart openings 272 for the wide ends of the thrustoconical formations 266 to communicate with the outlet apertures 268 in the sponge element 270. These openings are substantially arcuate to reduce 5 material and weight, but they may be substantially circular and correspondingly sized with the outlet apertures 268 in the sponge element 270 and the wide ends of the thrustoconical formations 266. Each nozzle is connected to a respective conduit 252 extending from a manifold or io splitter 242 located centrally on the upper surface of the attachment portion 240 by an L-shaped connector 274 or the like. Each nozzle is configured to emit a spray / mist of water on to the surface being finished by the apparatus via the outlet apertures 268 in the sponge element 270. The widening and tapered hollow interior of each thrustoconical formation 266 allows the spray / mist to form and widen as it 15 travels through the formation from the respective nozzle towards the surface being finished by the apparatus such that the application of water on the surface is relatively wide and not localised to avoid over-wetting the surface being finished and soaking the sponge element. As described above, the spacing between the annular disc 260 and the attachment portion 240 may be adjusted to accommodate a 20 different length of thrustoconical formations 266 for differently configured nozzles emitting a different spray pattern for example. The annular disc 260 also acts to limit the angular rotation of the first hinge portion 228 and the universal coupling 230. In use, when the limit of angular rotation of the 25 first hinge portion 228 of the coupling 230 has been reached, the same engages with and rolls around the inner edge 261 of the annular disc 260. The inner edge of the annular disc 260 may be angled to correspond with the angle of the outer surface of the first hinge portion 228 to thereby provide a maximum bearing area for the first hinge portion 228 to contact and roll over to thereby avoid point loading and 30 undesirable wear to the components. The annular disc 260 thereby desirably guides the first hinge portion as it follows a locus of its rotational limit defined by the inner edge of the annular disc. At all other angles below the desired angular rotational limit, the first hinge part does not engage with the inner edge of the annular disc. Aptly, the axial spacing of the annular disc 260 from the attachment portion 240 09 01 25 and / or a diameter of the inner edge of the annular disc 260 is configured to prevent the first hinge portion 228 of the universal coupling 230 rotating beyond 45 degrees with respect to the second hinge portion 234 which is fixed with respect to the attachment portion 240. 5 As illustrated in Figure 7, the switch of the first illustrated embodiment mounted on the handle may alternatively be in the form of a twist / throttie grip 225 mounted on the end of a tubular handle 224 rotatably mounted to the drive shaft 202. Aptly, the twist grip 225 includes a potentiometer for accurately controlling and adjusting the speed io of a pump located for example in a water tank coupled to the shaft via a hose. Water may be introduced into the shaft in a similar manner as described for the first illustrated embodiment of the present invention, i.e. via a sleeve 208 and inlet hole / s (116 in the first embodiment) in the shaft and disposed proximal to the first end region of the shaft. Alternatively, the sleeve and inlet hole / s arrangement may be is disposed further along the shaft towards the second end region thereof, such as midway along the shaft, and the elongate handle 224 may be mounted to the sleeve 208 by one or more clamps or the like or the handle may be integral with the sleeve and extend outwardly therefrom. As in the first embodiment, the sleeve 208 is rotationally mounted to the shaft by bearings to allow the sleeve and the handle 20 extending therefrom to remain relatively static whilst the shaft rotates with respect thereto when rotationally driven by a drill or the like coupled to its first end. Furthermore, the handle may be substantially hollow to define a bore along its length which communicates with an inlet of the sleeve for introducing water into the sleeve and in turn the shaft, and also includes an inlet spigot or the like at the other end 25 distal to the shaft for connecting the hose coupled to the pump in the water tank. The inlet spigot may extend from the distal end of the twist grip. Additionally or alternatively, the electrical cable 280 coupled to the twist grip 225 may be sufficiently sealed and located inside the water hose to thereby minimise the so number of connections extending between the apparatus and the water pump / tank / controller unit. Further additionally or alternatively, the second end region 206 of the shaft 202 may connect to an inlet spigot extending from the first hinge portion 228 of the universal 09 01 25 coupling 230 by a twist lock bayonet-type connection including one or more O-rings to thereby seal the connection whilst allowing the shaft to be selectively decoupled from the head assembly 300 of the apparatus. Aptly, the shaft 102 may comprise a plurality of sections connectable together by, for example, twist lock bayonet-type 5 connections each including one or more O-rings to seal the connections, whilst allowing an overall length of the shaft to be selectively adjusted by removing or adding one or more sections which may be desirable when finishing surfaces, such as walls or ceilings, at different heights. io Certain embodiments of the present invention therefore provide apparatus for efficiently finishing a plastered surface from ground level without the need for ladders, scaffolding, or the like. The apparatus allows a plastered surface to be efficiently smoothed by the controlled introduction of water to the surface via a head assembly of the apparatus and applied pressure of the head assembly on the 15 surface as it is moved thereover. The apparatus according to certain embodiments of the present invention allows a drive shaft of the apparatus to be oriented at a range of rotational angles with respect to the head assembly to allow the apparatus to accommodate different or changing angles of surface to be finished by the apparatus and / or changing positions of the operator with respect to the surface being 20 finished. The apparatus according to certain embodiments of the present invention allows the introduction of a liquid, such as water, to the surface being finished, and / or a working material contacting the surface, to be selectively controlled and adjusted by the operator in an accurate, consistent and comfortable manner, whilst supporting the apparatus in use. The apparatus according to certain embodiments 25 of the present invention also prevents the surface being finished and / or the working material from becoming over-wetted which can adversely compromise the surface itself and cause the liquid to spray from the rotating head assembly on to the operator and / or floor which can be messy, frustrating and pose a slip risk or the like. The apparatus according to certain embodiments of the present invention desirably 30 speeds up the finishing process and allows an operator to cover significantly more surface area in the same time period compared to conventional apparatus and methods such as using a wetted sponge and float tool. 09 01 25 30

Claims

1. Apparatus for finishing a plastered surface, comprising:an elongate and rotatable drive shaft having a first end region and an5 opposed second end region; anda head assembly coupled to the second end region of the drive shaft by a coupling configured to allow movement of the head assembly with respect to the shaft about at least two axes of rotation and transfer a drive torque from the drive shaft to the head assembly, wherein the head assembly comprises an io attachment portion for attaching a working material to finish the plasteredsurface,wherein the drive shaft comprises at least one shaft inlet couplable to a water source, at least one shaft outlet, and an axial bore extending along the drive shaft between the at least one shaft inlet and the at least one shaft outlet, is and wherein the head assembly comprises at least one head outlet coupled to the at least one shaft outlet by at least one conduit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least two axes of rotation are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other.

203. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one shaft inlet comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged inlet holes extending radially into the bore of the drive shaft.25 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, comprising an inlet sleeve rotatablymounted on the drive shaft by a pair of axially spaced apart bearings to define a cavity between an inner surface of the sleeve and an outer surface of the shaft, wherein the inlet sleeve comprises a sleeve inlet for introducing water into the cavity and the at least one shaft inlet is located in the cavity.

5. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one head outlet comprises a plurality of spaced apart head outlets.09 01 256. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the head outlets are axially spaced from the attachment portion and each located in a narrow end region of a respective one of a plurality of spaced apart and hollow frustoconical formations extending from corresponding apertures in the attachment portion to5 thereby accommodate a tapered mist or spray emitted from the respective head outlet towards the plastered surface in use.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a wide opening of each frustoconical formation communicates with a corresponding aperture disposed io in the working material.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the head outlets are mounted to an annular disc and the frustoconical formations are located between the attachment portion and the annular disc.

159. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling defines a universal coupling comprising a first hinge portion, a second hinge portion, and a pivot member pivotally coupling the first hinge portion to the second hinge portion, and wherein the pivot member comprises a central hole through20 which the at least one conduit extends.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 and 9, wherein the drive shaft extends from or is coupled to the first hinge portion of the coupling and wherein, in use, an outer surface of the first hinge portion engages with and rolls over an inner25 circular edge of the annular disc to thereby limit an angular rotation of the first hinge portion with respect to the second hinge portion.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the angular rotation is limited to up to 45 degrees.3012. The apparatus according to claim 5 comprising a manifold having a manifold inlet coupled to the at least one shaft outlet and a plurality of manifold outlets each coupled to a respective one of the plurality of head outlets.09 01 2513. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one conduit comprises a substantially flexible conduit to accommodate said rotational movement of the head portion about the at least two axes with respect to the drive shaft in use.

514. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first end region of the drive shaft is mountable in a chuck of an electric drill.

15. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a handle portion io extending from the drive shaft for supporting and manoeuvring the apparatus in use.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the handle portion is mounted to the drive shaft by at least one bearing member to allow rotation of the drive15 shaft with respect to the handle portion in use.

17. The apparatus according to claim 4 and 16, wherein the bearing member comprises the inlet sleeve and the handle portion is substantially elongate and comprises a through bore coupled at a proximal end region to the sleeve inlet 20 and at a distal end region to the water source.

18. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a switch for selectively controlling a flow of water from the water source to the at least one head outlet.2519. The apparatus according to claim 17 and 18, wherein the switch comprises a twist grip mounted on the distal end region of the handle portion and includes a potentiometer for selectively controlling and adjusting the flow of water to the at least one head outlet.3020. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a working material attached to the attachment portion of the head assembly.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the working material comprises a 35 sponge.

22. A system for finishing a plastered surface, comprising apparatus according to any preceding claim and a rotary drive device coupled to or couplable to the first end region of the drive shaft to rotate the head assembly via the coupling.5 23. A method of finishing a surface, comprising:rotating the head assembly of apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 21 by a rotary drive device coupled to the first end region of the drive shaft of the apparatus; andmoving a working material attached to the attachment portion of the io head assembly over the surface to be finished.LD15CM24. The method according to claim 23, comprising pumping a fluid along the drive shaft and to at least one head outlet of the head assembly connected to the second end region of the drive shaft by at least one conduit, and wherein optionally: the fluid comprises water, the working element comprises a sponge, and the surface being finished is a plastered surface.

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