Field of the Invention

[0001 ] This invention relates generally to drywall/plasterboard tools and, more particularly, to a plasterboard corner roller tool having a plasterboard accessory tool engagement at a proximal end which is configured to engage a proximal end of a poly handle of a plasterboard accessory tool in use.

Background of the Invention

[0002] An internal drywall/plasterboard corner roller is designed to press and roll drywall tape into plasterboard corners bonded with drywall compound. The purpose of the corner roller is to ensure a bond that minimises air bubbles and bonds the tape to the plasterboard container.

[0003] Various plasterboard accessories such as joint knives, putty knives and the like may also be used in the plasterboard finishing process.

[0004] The present invention seeks to provide a tool which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[0005] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0006] There is provided herein a plasterboard corner roller tool comprising a body rotatably engaging a corner roller at a distal end. The body has a plasterboard accessory tool engagement at a proximal end which is configured to engage a proximal end of a poly handle of a plasterboard accessory tool in use.

[0007] As such, finishing an internal plasterboard corner using the corner roller tool may comprise affixing the proximal end of the handle of the plasterboard accessory tool to the engagement, using the corner roller along the plasterboard corner and then turning the corner roller tool around to use the plasterboard accessory tool without having to pick up separate tools. [0008] The engagement may have the specific shapes and/or configurations described herein to allow for easy attachment and replacement of plasterboard accessory tools, allow for attachment of commercially available plasterboard accessory tools and prevent or reduce relative movement between the corner roller pool and the plasterboard accessory tool.

[0009] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a plasterboard corner roller tool in accordance with an embodiment;

[0012] Figure 2 shows a front elevation view of the tool of Figure 1 ;

[0013] Figure 3 shows a side elevation view of the tool of Figure 1 ; and [0014] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the tool of Figure 1.

Description of Embodiments

[0015] A plasterboard corner roller tool 100 comprises a body 101 rotatably engaging a corner roller 102 at a distal end 103 thereof. As is shown in Figure 2, the corner roller 102 may have a right-angled profile.

[0016] The corner roller 102 may be rotatably engaged between the side arms 104 holding a roller shaft 105 therebetween which goes through a bore 106 of the corner roller 102. The arms 104 may have interior slots 107 non-rotatably engaging corresponding formations 108 of the roller shaft 105 so that the roller shaft 105 does not rotate.

[0017] The body 101 further comprises a plasterboard accessory tool engagement 108 at a proximal end 109 thereof.

[0018] The plasterboard accessory tool engagement 108 is configured for engaging a proximal end of a poly handle of commercially available plasterboard accessory tools (such as joint, putty knives and the like) in use. [0019] The body 101 is generally elongate and the engagement 108 defines an interior 110 having an opening 111 via the proximal end 109. The interior 110 may be configured to tightly fit the proximal end of the handle to reduce relative movement between the corner roller tool 110 and the plasterboard accessory tool.

[0020] The body 101 may widen towards the engagement 108 so that the interior 1 10 has sufficient capacity to accommodate handles of commercially available plasterboard accessory tools therein.

[0021 ] In this regard, the opening 1 1 1 may have a width of greater than 30 mm, preferably approximately 37 mm. Furthermore, the interior 110 may have a depth of greater than 10 mm, preferably greater than 15 mm such as approximately 15 - 17 mm.

[0022] Furthermore, the interior may have a length along a longitudinal axis of the body 101 of greater than 20 mm, preferably approximately 30 mm. This length may sufficiently hold the distal end of the handle to prevent relative movement between the corner roller tool 100 and the plasterboard accessory tool.

[0023] The engagement 108 may be formed by three sidewalls 112 integrally formed with the body 101. A side plate 1 13 may enclose against the three sidewalls 1 12 to define the interior 110 therebetween.

[0024] The engagement 108 may further comprise a through-screw retainer 114 going through corresponding apertures 115 of the side plate 1 13 and an opposite side wall 112B. The through-screw retainer 1 14 also goes through an aperture in a proximal end of the poly handle of the plasterboard accessory tool.

[0025] The through-screw retainer 140 may comprise a screw 1 16 which oppositely interfaces and interiorly-threaded barrel of a flanged retainer 117.

[0026] The through-screw retainer 1 14 may clamp the side plate 113 against a side of the distal end of the poly handle of the plasterboard accessory tool to immobilise the distal end of the handle and reduce or prevent relative movement between the corner roller tool and the plasterboard accessory tool.

[0027] Furthermore, opposite side faces of the sidewalls 1 12A adjacent the side plate may be spaced apart to bear closely against respondent sides of the proximal end of the poly handle of the support accessory tool in opposition to the through-screw retainer 114 to immobilise the distal end of the poly handle of the plasterboard accessory tool and prevent relative movement between the corner roller tool 100 and the plasterboard accessory tool.

[0028] Edges of the side plate 113 may closely conform with adjacent edges of the adjacent sidewalls 112A. As is shown in Figure 2, the side plate 1 13 may narrow in width away from the distal end of the body 101.

[0029] The body 101 may define a longitudinal void 118 therethrough. Opposite sides 119 of the body 101 may have ergonomic curvature is shown so as to define a seat for the thumb against oppositely elapsed fingers when using the corner roller 101 and a widened base for holding at the palm of the hand when using the plasterboard accessory tool 100.

[0030] Using the corner roller tool 100 to finish a plasterboard corner may comprise affixing the proximal end of the poly handle of the plasterboard accessory tool to the engagement 108, using the corner roller 102 along the plasterboard corner and then turning the corner roller tool 100 around to use the plasterboard accessory tool. [0031 ] To engage the plasterboard accessory tool to the engagement 108, the through-screw retainer 114 may be unscrewed to remove the side plate 113 whereafter the proximal end of the poly handle can be inserted between the side walls 112. Thereafter, the side plate 1 13 may be reattached with the through-screw retainer going through corresponding apertures 1 15 of the side plate 1 13 and the opposite side wall 1 12B and through an aperture and a proximal end of the poly handle.

[0032] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.