Handheld tool to apply material for window film attachment

Abstract

A squeegee tool to apply a sealant material for attachment of a safety and security film, or other film, to a window. The tool includes a leading side, a trailing side opposite the leading side, a bottom surface between the leading and trailing sides, and a front surface between the leading and trailing sides. The tool also includes a gap surface between the front and bottom surfaces, and a handle on a side opposite the bottom surface. In use, the bottom surface is placed against a frame and the front surface is placed against the window film on the window, and the gap surface creates a gap between the frame and the window film for application of the material to the window film while a channel directs excess material away from the window film.

Description

[0001] HANDHELD TOOL TO APPLY MATERIAL FOR WINDOW FILM ATTACHMENT

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] Wet-glaze structural caulk is required for some safety window fdm applications to hold the window fdm to the frame and, in case of breakage, hold the broken glass to the frame. This feature can help prevent entry from intruders or weather. The wet caulk is applied in a thick manner, and the application of the caulk can be messy and take a significant amount of time. The visual appearance can also be of poor quality, and only experienced installers can perform the installation satisfactorily. Significant material can also be wasted during the application. Existing tools in the industry for application of caulk are a standard spatula with open sides, and flat spatulas possibly trimmed to the proper size.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] A tool to apply material for window film attachment includes a leading side, a trailing side opposite the leading side, a bottom surface between the leading and trailing sides, and a front surface between the leading and trailing sides. The tool also includes a gap surface between the front and bottom surfaces, and a handle on a side opposite the bottom surface between the leading and trailing sides. When the bottom surface is placed against a frame and the front surface is placed against the window film, the gap surface creates a gap between the frame and the window film for application of the material to the window film.

[0006] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tool.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a top view of the tool.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the tool.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a front view of the tool.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a first side view of the tool.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a second side view of the tool.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a first curved gap surface.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a second curved gap surface.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating tool sizes.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating nozzle sizes.

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The solution to existing tools includes embodiments of a handheld squeegee tool that registers with a window to provide more precise tooling. It also provides for much less mess during installation and clean-up by means of a reservoir. This tool allows for greater error (variation in quantity) with the initial material application, such as caulk, as the tool has a built-in reservoir. The registration to the glass and frame (sides at 90 degrees) maintains the precise location of the caulk edge. The tool also has a channel that allows excess caulk to be directed to an adjacent tape, such as masking tape, providing for easy clean up.

[0019] FIGS. 1-6 are, respectively, perspective, top, bottom, front, first side, and second side views of a tool 10. As shown in FIGS. 1-6, tool 10 includes a leading side 12, a trailing side 14, a front surface 16, a bottom surface 18, one or more channels 20 on bottom surface 18, a reservoir 21, and a handle 22. Reservoir 21 is generally the entire open area between gap surface 24 and leading side 12 with the curved lines between front surface 16 and channels 20 indicating a change in the radius of curvature of reservoir 12 (see FIG. 3); alternatively, reservoir 21 can be only a portion of that open area. Leading side 12 and trailing side 14 can include flat top surfaces adjacent handle 22 and can have side surfaces angled away from front surface 16, for example at approximately a 45 -degree angle with respect to front surface 16. Front surface 16 is typically wider than handle 22; alternatively, handle 22 can have a similar width at front surface 16 and be tapered away from it.

[0020] In use as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, bottom surface 18 is placed against a window frame 28 and front surface 16 is placed against a film on a window 30. In such placement, a gap surface 24 creates a gap 26. When tool 10 in this position is moved along frame 28 and window 30 using handle 22, gap 26 applies a material, such as caulk or filler or sealant, to frame 28 and the film on window 30 with the one or more channels 20 delivering excess material onto a tape on frame 28. Reservoir 21 can capture excess caulk or other material that can be carried to areas of light caulk when tool 10 is in use. Before application of the material using tool 10, the material is applied to the comer of frame 28 and window 30 using the nozzle of another tool such as an automated caulk gun.

[0021] A rubber gasket 25 (see FIG. 6) is typically included at the comer of frame 28 and window 30. Masking tape, or other applicable tape, can be applied to the frame before application of the material and then removed after application of the caulk. The material when cured will then hold the film and window 30 to frame 28 in order to prevent the glass panel of window 30 from detaching from gasket 25 in frame 28. Gap 26 dictates an amount of the material applied and a cross-sectional shape of the material after application of it.

[0022] Tool 10 can be configured as a right-handed tool, as shown, with leading side 12 being the leading surface and trailing side 14 being the trailing surface when tool 10 is in use. Tool 10 can include an arrow or other indicator (see FIG. 1) on leading side 12, to indicate a direction of movement of tool 10 to apply the material in the right-handed configuration. The indicator can alternatively be located on the trailing side. Tool 10 can also be configured as a left-handed tool, which is essentially a mirror image of the right-handed tool shown.

[0023] This tool can be used with safety and security window films, for example, or other types of films applied to windows. The tool can be made via 3D printing or injection molding, for example, and can be made of a plastic or other type of material. Gap surface 24 can be a flat surface creating gap 26 having a triangular cross-sectional shape, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Alternatively, a gap surface 27 can have a curved surface creating a gap 29 having a partial rounded or semi-circular cross-sectional shape (e.g., partially concave or convex), as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Other cross- sectional geometric shapes for the gap are possible depending upon a shape or configuration of the gap surface. The tool can be made to configure the size and geometric shape of the gap for particular applications.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating tool sizes. Table 1 provides tool sizes for typical applications with respect to side A (frame side), side B (glass or window side), and side C (material or caulk edge). Table 2 provides sizes for various exemplary applications as represented by lines 32 in FIG. 9. The sizes in Tables 1 and 2 can be used to configure the size and geometric shape of the gap surface and gap, such as gap surfaces 24 and 27 forming gaps 26 and 29, when the tool is in use. FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating nozzle sizes. For example, an automated caulk gun can be configured with a nozzle size corresponding with tool 10 to apply the material as described above. The size of the nozzle can also be configured for the various applications provided in Table 2. The exemplary sizes in Tables 1-3 are provided in inches (”). The tool described herein can provide the following additional benefits or advantages.

[0025] 1. Desired cross-section (quantity and shape): Cross-section of the caulk (wedge shape) is prescribed by the tool design. Dimensions A and B are built into the tool. The shape of the tool side can also be prescribed, but for this application can be generally flat (triangular cross-section). 2. Cleaner edges: Flat surfaces of the tool on the window and on the frame make it easier to maintain tool stability and orientation without slippage or rocking. This feature enables clean, straight edges.

[0026] 3. Well-formed comers: Left-hand / right-hand mated tools with opposing 45-degree angles enable clean, neat comers between the frame and window. 4. Minimal mess: The leading side edge reservoir of the tool captures excess caulk that can be carried to areas of light caulk. In addition, a slot or channel in a side of the tool directs excess caulk onto the tape adjacent on the frame to prevent uncontrolled spillage.

[0027] 5. Fast application: The tool can be used in one direction all the way around a window with some manipulation around each comer.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A tool to apply material for window fdm attachment, comprising: a leading side; a trailing side opposite the leading side; a bottom surface between the leading side and the trailing side; a front surface between the leading side and the trailing side; a gap surface between the front surface and the bottom surface; and a handle on a side opposite the bottom surface between the leading side and the trailing side, wherein when the bottom surface is placed against a frame and the front surface is placed against the window film on a window, the gap surface creates a gap between the frame and the window film for application of the material to the window film.

2. The tool of claim 1, further comprising one or more channels in the bottom surface for directing excess material when the tool is in use.

3. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir between the gap surface and the leading side.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the gap surface is a flat surface creating the gap having a triangular cross-sectional shape.

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the gap surface is a curved surface creating the gap having a partial rounded cross-sectional shape.

6. The tool of claim 1, further comprising an indicator on the leading side or the trailing side indicating a direction of movement for the tool when in use.

7. The tool of claim 6, wherein the indicator is an arrow.

8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the leading side and the trailing side each include a flat top surface adjacent the handle.

9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the leading side and the trailing side each have side surfaces angled away from the front surface.

10. The tool of claim 1, wherein the front surface is wider than the handle.

11. The tool of claim 1, wherein the tool is composed of a 3D printed material.

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