SCRAPER SYSTEMS AND METHODS

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/900,063 filed February 7, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to scraper systems and methods and, more specifically, to such scraper systems and methods that allow material to be removed from a flat surface and/or a juncture between first and second flat surfaces.

BACKGROUND

Caulk material is often used to cover the gap formed at the juncture of the adjacent edges of two structures to prevent the movement of water, air, dust, insects, sound, and the like through this gap; caulk materials can also increase the fire resistance of a structure. As an example, caulk material is typically used to cover the gap formed at the juncture of two waterproof wall members used to form the walls of a shower stall. With waterproof wall members and caulk extending across the juncture gap, water within the shower stall is prevented from reaching the framing of the structure supporting the shower stall.

Caulk material is typically a flexible compound having both bonding and structural characteristics. In particular, a caulk material is typically

designed to bond to the juncture surfaces on either side of a juncture gap. A caulk material is also designed to form a monolithic structure capable of spanning the juncture gap. Certain caulk materials, often referred to as sealants, are designed to deform to accommodate movement of the materials defining the juncture surfaces without breaking the bond with the surfaces on either side of the juncture gap or compromising the monolithic structure extending across the juncture gap.

Caulk materials are typically sold in a container such as a tube or a cartridge. A tip of the tube or cartridge is cut to define an applicator opening, and the caulk material is forced out of the tube or cartridge. Typically, the applicator opening is displaced along a juncture gap as the caulk material is forced out of the container in an elongate bead. The caulk material dries and bonds to the juncture surfaces when exposed to air to form what may be referred to as a caulk bead.

For a variety of reasons, the need may exist to remove an existing caulk bead. Even in situations where the existing caulk bead has failed, at least a partial bond may exist between the caulk bead and the juncture surface or surfaces to which the caulk bead is bonded. A tool is thus typically used to break the bond between the existing caulk bead and the juncture surface to which the caulk bead is bonded.

Typically, a scraper or putty knife, knife, or other thin, relatively rigid tool is used to break the bond between an existing caulk bead and a juncture surface. These tools define an edge that can be inserted between the caulk bead and the juncture surface and drawn along the length of the caulk bead, separating the bead from the juncture surface.

The need exists for improved systems and methods for removing caulk beads from one or more juncture surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be embodied as a scraper system for removing caulk beads from at least one surface. The scraper system comprises a handle portion and a scraper portion. The scraper portion comprises a first scraper structure defining a first scraper edge and a second scraper structure defining a second scraper edge. The second scraper edge comprises a first scraper edge portion and a second scraper edge portion, and the first and second scraper edge portions extend at a first angle with respect to each other. The scraper system may be used in a first mode in which the first scraper edge is used to remove caulk beads from the at least one surface and a second mode in which the second scraper edge is used to remove caulk beads from a plurality of surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example scraper tool of the present invention in a first mode of operation;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the scraper tool of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3A is a view taken along lines 3A-3A in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is a view taken along lines 3B-3B in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3C is a view taken along lines 3C-3C in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the example scraper tool of FIG. 1 in a second mode of operation; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the example scraper tool of FIG. 1 in a third mode of operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-5 of the drawing depict a scraper tool 20 constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The scraper tool 20 comprises a handle portion 22 and a scraper portion 24. The scraper portion 24 defines a first scraper structure 30 and a second scraper structure 32. The scraper portion 24 further defines a scraper cavity 34.

The first scraper structure 30 defines a first scraper edge 40. The second scraper structure 32 defines a second scraper edge 42 and a third scraper edge 44. The second scraper edge 42 defines first and second scraper edge portions 42a and 42b and a first scraper point 42c. The third scraper edge 44 defines third and fourth scraper edge portions 44a and 44b and a second scraper point 44c.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the scraper tool 20 may be used in a first mode to remove a bead 50 of material from a surface 52. In this example, the surface 52 is flat, and the first scraper edge 40 is displaced along the surface 52 such that the bond between the bead 50 and the surface 52 is broken. The material of the removed bead 50 moves into the scraper cavity 34 where it is collected for subsequent disposal.

As shown in FIG. 4, the scraper tool 20 may be used in a second mode to remove a bead 60 of material from a corner region 62 formed by two surfaces 64 and 66. In this second mode, the second scraper point 42c is brought into contact with the corner region 62 such that one or both of the scraper edge portions 42a and 42b engage the surfaces 64 and 66. The second scraper edge 42 is then displaced along the corner region 62 such that the bond between the bead 60 and the surfaces 64 and 66 is broken. The material of the removed bead 60 moves into the scraper cavity 34 where it is collected for subsequent disposal.

As shown in FIG. 5, the scraper tool 20 may be used in a third

mode to remove a bead 60 of material from a corner region 62 formed by two surfaces 64 and 66. In this third mode, the third scraper point 44c is brought into contact with the corner region 62 such that one or both of the scraper edge portions 44a and 44b engage the surfaces 64 and 66. The third scraper edge 44 is then displaced along the corner region 62 such that the bond between the bead 60 and the surfaces 64 and 66 is broken. The material of the removed bead 60 moves into the scraper cavity 34 where it is collected for subsequent disposal.

The example scraper tool 20 can thus be used the first mode to remove a bead of material from a flat surface and in one or both of the second and third modes to remove a bead of material from a corner region as is appropriate for a particular set of circumstances. With respect to removing a bead of material from a corner region, some times the tool 20 may be used more easily by pushing the scraper tool 20 with the handle portion 22 using the second scraper edge 42 and sometimes by pulling the scraper tool 20 with the handle portion 22 using the third scraper edge 44.

With the foregoing general understanding of the user of the example scraper tool 20, the details of construction of the example scraper tool 20 will now be described.

The example first scraper structure 30 is a substantially planar, and the first scraper edge 40 is substantially straight. The first scraper structure 30 defines a proximal surface 70, a distal surface 72, and a bottom surface 74. The first scraper structure is beveled such that a thickness dimension thereof is relatively constant between the proximal surface 70 and the bottom surface 74 but decreases between the distal surface 72 and the bottom surface 74.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the example second scraper structure 32 comprises first and second side walls 80 and 82 and a bottom wall 84 defining first, second, third, and fourth wall portions 86a, 86b, 86c, and 86d. The example bottom wall portions 86a-d

extend at angles relative to each other such that the second scraper structure 32 defines first, second, third, and fourth crease edges 88a, 88b, 88c, and 88d.

In addition, the example wall portions 86a-d define first, second, third, and fourth outer surfaces 90a, 90b, 90c, and 9Od, first, second, third, and fourth edge surfaces 92a, 92b, 92c, and 92d, and first, second, third, and fourth inner surfaces 94a, 94b, 94c, and 94d, respectively. The first wall portion 86a defines the first scraper edge portion 42a, the second wall portion 86b defines the second scraper edge portion 42b, the third wall portion 86c defines the third scraper edge portion 44a, and the fourth wall portion 86d defines the fourth scraper edge portion 44b.

The wall portions 86 are beveled such that thickness dimensions thereof are relatively constant between the outer surfaces 90 and the inner surfaces 94 but decreases between the edge surfaces 92 and the inner surfaces 94.

In the example scraper tool 20, the crease edges 88a and 88b extend with respect to each other at a first angle. The first angle is approximately 169 degrees and, if implemented, should be within an example range of substantially between 159 and 179 degrees.

The example first and second wall portions 86a and 86b are substantially planar and extend from each other at a second angle. The example second angle is approximately 90 degrees and should be within an example range of substantially between 85 and 95 degrees.

The example third and fourth wall portions 86c and 86d are also substantially planar and extend from each other at a third angle. The example third angle is approximately 90 degrees and should be within an example range of substantially between 85 and 95 degrees.

The first and third wall portions 86a and 86c extend from each other at a fourth angle, while the second and fourth wall portions 86b and 86d extend from each other at a fifth angle. The example fourth angle is

approximately 169 degrees and, if implemented, should be within an example range of substantially between 159 and 179 degrees. The example fifth angle is approximately 169 degrees and, if implemented, should be within an example range of substantially between 159 and 179 degrees.

The details of construction and operation of the handle portion 22 is not essential to the construction and operation of the scraper tool 20. Any handle portion that facilitates use of a scraper tool of the present invention may be substituted for the handle portion 22 described and depicted herein.

In addition, the example scraper tool 20 is manufactured with an opening 120 formed in opposing wall 122 of the tool 20. The opposing wall 122 is opposite the bottom wall 84 of the second scraper structure 32. The opening 120 facilitates the manufacture of the scraper tool 20 using an injection molding process. A cover member 124 engages the wall 122 to cover the opening 120 and thus provide a leverage surface 126 that facilitates application of force during use of the scraper tool 20. The use of an opening 120 and cover member 124 are optional, and the present invention may be implemented without these features.

The scope of the present invention should be determined by the claims appended hereto and not the detailed description of examples ofthe present invention as discussed above.