CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/044,722, filed Sept. 2, 2014, entitled UNIVERSAL SURFACE REPAIR TOOL, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a multi-functional tool for repairing a surface, such as correcting imperfections in the surface and removing impediments from the surface. Particularly, the present invention concerns a tool having an electrically insulating handle, a blade attached to the handle, and additional tools attached to the handle that are necessary to facilitate the application of material to a surface, such as plaster, fillers, coatings, sealants, and patches.

Description of Related Art

[0003] Prior to painting or dressing a surface, imperfections such as holes, scratches, or divots in the surface must often be corrected. To prepare the surface, a coating or individual patches, of spackle or other filling materials are often applied to the surface to fill and smooth over such imperfections. To apply the material to the surface, a blade is utilized such that a thin smooth layer results, thereby concealing imperfections without producing a noticeable elevation on, or depression in, the surface. Prior to applying the material to the surface, it is often necessary to remove impediments rising above the plane of the surface. Sometimes the impediment can be a nail, screw, or staple. A hammer can be used to remove the impediment or drive it into the surface. Certain other impediments can be concealed with the use of a screwdriver. Unfortunately, each of these types of tools are difficult to carry, store, and have available, when the surface is being repaired. Furthermore, surface repair is often carried out while a structure is being constructed, and as a result electrical outlets, wires, or other features conducting electricity are often exposed during surface repair. As such, the blade or tools a user is holding while repairing the surface can come into contact with a protuberance that is conducting electricity and cause the user to be electrically shocked if the blade or tool the user is holding is not electrically insulated. Accordingly, a multi-function surface repair tool capable of providing these necessary functions is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-function surface repair tool. The tool has an electrically insulating handle having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a gripping section disposed between the first end and the second end. The ends are all electrically insulated from each other. The tool also has a blade protruding from the first end of the handle, and has at least one or more tools useful in repairing a wall protruding from the second end of the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a top down perspective of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, can be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described presently preferred embodiments. Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of selected presently preferred embodiments of the invention. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected presently preferred embodiments of the invention as claimed herein.

[0008] Referring to Figure 1, an embodiment of the present invention 1 is illustrated as having an electrically insulating handle 10, which includes a first end 11, a second end 13 opposite the first end, and a gripping section 12 between the ends 11, 13. The tool also includes a blade 14, a first hammer head 15, a second hammer head 16 and a screwdriver head 17. The blade 14 protrudes from the first end 11. The first hammer head 15, the second hammer head 16, and the screwdriver head 17, all protrude from the second end 13.

[0009] Referring to Figure 2, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in an exploded view, prior to assembly. The multi- function tool 2 has an electrically insulating handle 200 that has a first end 201, a second end 203 opposite the first end 201, and a gripping section 202. The handle 200 also includes a first half 210 and a second half 220. The tool 2 further includes a blade 230, a first hammer head 204, a second hammer head 205, and a screwdriver head 206. First hammer head 204 includes a flange 244. Second hammer head 205 includes a flange 245. The blade 230 includes an external portion 231, an internal portion 232, and fastening mechanisms 233. The internal portion 232 of the blade 230, has a width (visible in Fig. 2) that is less than the width of each half 210, 220, of the handle 200.

[0010] The second half 220 of the handle 200 contains a cavity 222 extending from the first end 201 of the handle 200 into the gripping section 202 of the handle 200, and terminates before reaching the second end 203 of the handle 200. The first half 210 of the handle 200 also contains a cavity 212 (not visible in Fig. 2), which mirrors the cavity 222 of the second half 220 such that when assembled the cavities 212, 222, align. The cavities 212, 222, are configured to allow the internal section 232 of the blade 230 to rest within the cavities 212, 222.

[0011] The cavities 212, 222, and the internal portion 232 of the blade 230, are each configured to have a width that is less than the width (as visible in Fig. 2) of the handle 220, such that the internal portion 232 of the blade is surrounded by the handle 200 and is not exposed along the sides of the handle 200. As a result, when a user is holding the tool 2, such that the user's hand is in contact with the gripping section 202 of the handle 200, the user does not come into contact with the internal portion 232 of the blade 230. The configuration of the cavities 212, 222, also results in physically separating the blade 230 from the tools 204, 205, 206, protruding from the second end 203, such that electricity cannot flow between the blade 230 and the other tools 204, 205, 206. Furthermore, handle 200 is made of one or more electrically insulating materials, such that the handle 200 is not electrically conductive. As such, the multi-function tool 2 is configured to help prevent a user from being electrically shocked.

[0012] The first half 210 of the handle 200 includes a recess 214 (not visible in Fig. 2) at the second end 203 and the second half 220 of the handle 200 includes a recess 224 at the second end 203, both of which are configured to align when assembled such that flange 244 of the first hammer head 204 secures the first hammer head 204 to the handle 200. The first half 210 of the handle also includes recess 215 at the second end 203 and the second half 220 of the handle also includes recess 225 at the second end 203, which are also configured to align when the handle 200 is assembled such that flange 245 of the second hammer head 205 secures the second hammer head 205 to the handle 200. Further, the first half 210 of the handle includes recess 216 (not visible in Fig. 2) at the second end 203, and the second half 220 of the handle includes recess 226 at the second end 203, both of which are configured to align when the handle 200 is assembled such that screwdriver head 206 is secured to the handle 200.

[0013] Additionally, the first half 210 of the handle, and the second half 220 of the handle, include fastening mechanisms 213 (not visible) and 223, respectively, which align with one another, as well as with fastening mechanisms 233 of the internal portion 232 of the blade 230, such that when the tool 2 is assembled, the blade 230 is secured to the handle 200.

Fastening mechanisms 213 (not visible) and 223 also function to secure the two halves of the handle 200 together. Furthermore, the first half 210 and the second half 220, also include fastening mechanism 218 (not visible), 219 (not visible), and 228, 229, respectively which also assist in securing the two halves together. The first half 210 includes a hole 217, and the second half 220 includes a hole 227, which match when the handle 200 is assembled such that a user can tie or attach the tool 2 to other tools or apparatuses using a rope, a clip, or the like.

[0014] In one embodiment, fastening mechanisms 213, 218, 219, 223, 228, 229 and 233 are apertures through which additional inserts pass in order to secure the two halves 210, 220, together, as well as to secure blade 230 to the handle 200 once assembled. [0015] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention the blade 14 is of a substantially curved shaped and has a straight edge at the end farthest from the handle for applying material to a surface, such as plaster, fillers, coatings, sealants, and patches. The blade 14 is preferably of a metallic material and is preferably fixed in the handle such that it is not interchangeable or replaceable.

[0016] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention the first hammer head 15 is configured to have a substantially cylindrical shape, such that its cross section is circular and it provides a flat surface for correcting imperfections. The first hammer head 15 is preferably made of a metallic material and is preferably fixed in the handle such that it is not

interchangeable or replaceable.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, a second hammer head 16 is configured to have a substantially spherical shape, such that its cross section is circular and it provides a rounded surface for correcting imperfections. The second hammer head 16 is preferably made of a metallic material and is preferably fixed within the handle such that it is not interchangeable or replaceable.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the present invention a screwdriver head 17 is configured to have a substantially cylindrical body with a squared end, such that its cross section at its end that is farthest from the handle is rectangular. Such a configuration is generically referred to as a "Standard" screwdriver head. The screwdriver head 17 is preferably made of a metallic material and is preferably fixed within the handle such that it is not interchangeable or replaceable. [0019] In still another embodiment of the present invention the screwdriver head 17 is configured to have a substantially cylindrical body with a tapering X shaped end, such that cross sections taken farther from the handle are of two rectangular perpendicular lines, which decrease in length as the distance between the cross section and the handle increases. Such a

configuration is generically referred to as a "Phillips" screwdriver head. The screwdriver head 17 is preferably made of a metallic material and is preferably fixed within the handle such that it is not interchangeable or replaceable.

[0020] In a further embodiment, fastening mechanisms 213, 218, 219, 223, 228, 229 and

233 are apertures through which additional inserts pass in order to secure the two halves 210, 220, together, as well as to secure blade 230 to the handle 200 once assembled.

In an additional embodiment, fastening mechanisms 218, 219, 223, 228 and 229 are divots within the interior of the halves 210, 220, and the handle 200 once assembled, which receive inserts to secure the two halves 210, 220 of the handle 200 together.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, screwdriver head 206 has an indented channel, placed part way through the width of its body, that matches with a ridge extending inward from the walls of recess 226, such that the ridge fills the indented channel when the tool is assembled in order to secure the screwdriver head 206 to the second end of the handle.

[0022] In other embodiments, other fastening mechanisms are used to attach the blade

230, the first hammer head 204, the second hammer head 205, and the screwdriver head 206 to the handle 200, other than flanges, ridges, indented channels, or inserts. [0023] In an exemplary embodiment the handle is of an ergonomic shape such that the first width of the gripping portion 12, as seen in the view of Figure 1, is larger than the second width of the gripping portion, as seen in profile and partially seen in exploded view of Figure 2.

[0024] Other embodiments of the present invention provide blades of different

configurations, such as those with a long narrow body and short straight edge for applying material to a surface, or those with a short narrow body and short straight edge for applying material to a surface, or those with a substantially square body attached perpendicularly to the handle.

[0025] As should be readily understood, the embodiments stated above are not intended to define the scope of the materials or dimensions able to be utilized within the present invention. Various materials and dimensions may be used for the features described therein, and those set forth above are to serve as examples of preferred embodiments.

[0026] In this regard, any number of the features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined into one single embodiment, and all features of a given embodiment need not be included in other embodiments. Moreover, the scope of the present invention covers conventionally known and future developed variations and modifications to the components and materials described herein, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0027] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction(s) without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing(s) shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.