Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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RAKER BITS AND TOOLS FOR. FINISHING MASONRY JOINTS
This invention relates to taker bits for a tool used to extract undesired
excess mortar, concrete or adhesive from between courses of brick, cement,
and glass blocks, ceramic tiles, and field and flag stones, and to remove
material from masonry and concrete surfaces, and a tool with a taker bit
provided thereon.
The art of bricklaying has existed for a substantial period of time and its
techniques are well known within the construction industry. A variety of tools
for
bricklayers have been developed over the years, including tools for taking
unhardened, excess mortar from between courses of bricks. As is well known by
bricklayers, a variety of joints can be formed between the courses of bricks
in
order to achieve an objective such as weather resistance or to achieve a
certain
look to the finished brick wall. Some known weather resistant joints include
joints
where the exposed face of the mortar is concave or V-shaped or is sloped in a
downwardly and outwardly direction (a so called weathered joint). Some special
non-weather resistant joints include the known flush, raked and struck joints.
One well known form of joint taker is a so-called skate wheel joint taker
having two large, spaced apart metal wheels with a diameter of 1 3/4 inches
rotatably mounted on a metal carriage that is integrally attached to an
elongate
handle, the carriage and handle having a combined length of about 8'/2 inches.
A hole is provided in the carriage for the insertion of a hardened nail and
the flat
head of the nail is used to remove the excess mortar and form the joint. The
position of the nail can be adjusted in its hole, as desired. The typical type
of nail
that is used for this purpose is a concrete nail. Difficulties with this known
joint
taker include the fact that the head of the nail when installed in the tool
can be
difficult to see and therefore the user cannot easily see exactly what and
where
he is raking. Also, several adjustments of the nail may be required in order
to
obtain the required raking depth. The result is that the quality of the joints
formed
between the brick courses may be less than ideal when using this well known
tool.
Recent U.S. Patent No. 4,856,135 issued August 15, 1989 teaches a
masonry tool similar to that described above wherein a nail is used as a taker
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bit. A taker and carriage assembly is attached to the forward end of the tool
and has a pair of wheels arranged for movement along a line parallel to the
handle axis.
Another brick joint cleaning rake that employs a standard nail as the
raking bit is shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,662,423 issued May 16, 1972. This
rake
has a tubular cross bar attached to a handle in a non-perpendicular manner so
that the ends of the cross-bar and the wheels mounted at the ends of the cross-
bar are offset. The position of the nail in its mounting hole can be adjusted
by
means of a clamping set screw.
Published Canadian patent application No. 2,003,064 laid open on May
15, 1991, also teaches a masonry tool for raking a masonry joint similar to
those
described above but also having a special handle detachably mounted to the
standard, elongate handle that connects to the wheel carriage section. This
masonry tool also uses a standard nail mounted in a hole as the raking bit.
The present invention provides an improved, inexpensive raking bit that
can be used in place of a nail in a masonry tool of the aforementioned type,
this
bit having a taker tooth attached to its front end and a connecting section at
its
rear end for detachable connection to the masonry tool.
The present invention further provides an easy to use masonry bit for a
masonry tool that can be made from standard metal materials using standard
manufacturing techniques and wherein the taker tooth can be shaped in
different
ways in order to form different desirable types of masonry joints.
According to one aspect of the invention, a taker bit for taking mortar
from a joint, such as a joint between courses of brick or blocks or between
tiles,
the taker bit being constructed for use with a tool or handle, includes a
longitudinally extending, supporting arm section adapted to extend in a
substantially rear to front direction relative to the tool or handle in which
the taker
bit is mounted during use of the taker bit. The bit also has a taker tooth
having a
top thereof attached to a front end of the supporting arm section and
projecting
substantially downwardly in a first transverse direction relative to the
length of the
arm section. The front end portion extends outwardly from the top of the taker
tooth in a second transverse direction relative to the length of the arm
section. A
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connecting section is attached to a rear end of the arm section, this section
being adapted for detachable connection to the tool or handle in such a manner
that the arm section extends in a substantially rear to front direction.
During use
of the raker bit, the arm section acts to limit an amount the raker tooth can
be
inserted into the joint.
In one preferred embodiment, the raker tooth comprises a U-shaped
section of a bent wire which also forms the supporting arm section.
According to another aspect of the invention, a raker bit for taking mortar
from a joint, such as a joint between courses of brick or blocks includes two
longitudinally extending supporting arm portions, each of which extends in a
substantially rear to front direction relative to the tool or handle during
use of the
raker bit. A raker tooth is integrally attached to front end portions of both
longitudinally extending supporting arm portions and projects in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the lengths of the supporting arm portions. The
front end portions extend outwardly from a top of the raker tooth in a
transverse
direction relative to the lengths of the supporting arm portions. At least one
rear
end connecting portion is attached to a rear end of at least one of the arm
portions and projects at a substantial angle to the at least one supporting
arm
portion in a direction generally opposite the direction in which the raker
tooth
projects. The substantial angle of projection is substantially less than
180°.
In the preferred embodiment of this raker bit, the raker tooth comprises a
U-shaped section of metal wire and the U-shaped section has a rounded bottom
end.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a tool for taking
unhardened building material, such as mortar from a joint, such as a joint
between courses of brick or blocks, includes an elongate handle having a front
end and a rear end and a raker device. The raking device has a longitudinal
arm
portion that extends substantially in a rear to front direction during use of
the tool.
A raker tooth is attached to and projects substantially downwardly from a
front
end portion of the longitudinal arm portion and an upstanding connecting
section
is attached to a rear end of the longitudinal arm portion. The front end
portion of
the arm portion extends outwardly from the top of the tooth in a transverse
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direction relative to the length of the arm portion. The tool also has a
carriage
portion rigidly attached to the handle at the front end of the handle. The
carriage
portion includes a pair of rotatable wheels spaced from one another in a
transverse direction relative to the handle and located an opposite sides of
the
carriage portion and a supporting arrangement for the raking device for
detachably holding the raking device so that raker tooth can project into the
joint
as the wheels roll across an exposed face of adjacent bricks or blocks to
enable
the raker tooth to remove undesired excess building material from the joint.
During use of the tool, the arm portion acts to limit an amount the raker
tooth can
be inserted into the joint between the adjacent bricks or blocks.
In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal arm portion of the raking
device includes two wire sections of similar shape each of which is integrally
connected to the raker tooth and at least one of which is connected to the
upstanding connecting section.
According to still another aspect of the invention, a tool for taking
unhardened mortar, adhesive, or concrete, from a joint or surface comprises
elongate handle having a first end and a second end and a raking device
attached to the first end of the handle. The raking device includes two tooth-
supporting arm sections and a raker tooth integrally attached to an outer end
portion of each of the arm sections and projecting from the outer end portions
which extend transversely and in opposite directions from an inner end of the
raker tooth. During use of the tool, the arm sections can act to limit a
maximum
amount the raker tooth can be inserted into the joint or into the surface.
According to still another aspect of the invention, a raker bit for use in a
tool to remove unhardened mortar, concrete or adhesive from a joint or surface
comprises two longitudinally extending, supporting arm portions each of which
extends in a substantially rear to front direction relative to the tool during
use of
the raker bit and a raker tooth integrally attached to front end sections of
both
supporting arm portions and projecting from the front end sections, which
extend
transversely and in opposite directions from an inner end of the raker tooth.
At
least one rear end connecting portion is attached to a rear end of at least
one of
the supporting arm portions and projects at a substantial angle to the at
least
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one supporting arm portion, wherein the substantial angle is substantially
less
than 180 degrees.
Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following
detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a side view of a masonry tool equipped with a taker bit
constructed in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a top view of a masonry tool of Figure 1, this view showing a
front section of the taker bit;
Figure 3 is a perspective view taken from the front and above of one
preferred form of taker bit;
Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 3 but showing another
form of taker bit;
Figure 5 is a perspective view similar to Figure 4 but showing another
form of taker bit;
Figure 6 is a front detail view illustrating another form of taker bit;
Figure 7 is a front view of three courses in a brick wall showing mortar
joints extending between the bricks;
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7,
this view illustrating a raked joint in solid line;
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 8 but showing V-
shaped joint that can be formed with another form of taker bit;
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figures 8 and 9 but
showing a joint formed with a preferred embodiment of the taker bit of the
invention;
Figure 11 is a top view of another form of masonry tool constructed
according to the invention;
Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of a
masonry tool;
Figure 13 is a top view showing still another embodiment of a toot
constructed in accordance with the invention;
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Figure 14 is a perspective view similar to Figure 3 showing another
embodiment of a raker bit;
Figure 15 is a perspective view similar to Figure 12 showing another
embodiment of a masonry tool constructed according to the invention;
Figure 16 is a schematic view in perspective illustrating yet another
embodiment of a masonry tool embodying the present invention;
Figure 17 is a top view of a masonry tool having a raker bit mounted at
each end;
Figure 18 is a right side view of the masonry tool shown in Figure 17;
Figure 19 is a plan view showing a type of concrete surface that can be
formed using a tool of the invention; and
Figure 20 is a cross-sectional elevation illustrating the manner in which a
tool of the invention can be used to form the decorative concrete surface
shown
in Figure 19.
With reference initially to Figures 7 to 10 of the drawings, a plurality of
masonry elements such as bricks 10 are formed into a wall or other structure
by
being joined together with mortar joints 12. The joints act to separate the
bricks
a uniform distance as shown. Usually this distance ranges between 3/8 inch and
'/2 inch. As is well known by bricklayers, the mortar joints can be formed in
several different known ways, three of which are illustrated in Figures 8 and
9.
These known joints or a variation thereof can be formed with a masonry tool as
illustrated in Figure 1 equipped with a raker bit constructed in accordance
with
the invention. The raked mortar joint 14 illustrated in solid line in Figure 8
is
considered a non-weather resistant joint while the mortar joint shown in
Figure 9
is considered to be weather resistant joint that can be used outdoors, for
example, to form the brick exterior of a house. The raked joint 14 shown in
Figure 8 can be formed using a standard raking tool employing a nail as a
raker
bit and the joint has a uniform depth with a substantially flat bottom. The
surface
of the mortar is recessed a uniform depth from the brick surface 72. Shown in
Figure 9 is a V-shaped mortar joint 16 which can be formed with the masonry
tool of Figure 1 equipped with an appropriate version of a raker bit
constructed
in accordance with the invention. Shown in Figure 10 is a preferred "raked"
joint
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13 that can be formed with the preferred raker bit of the present invention
described hereinafter and shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this joint, the exposed
surface of
the mortar is rounded and this helps to shed water from the joint, making it
more
weather resistant.
Turning now to the masonry tool shown in Figures 1 and 2, this tool 20
can be used to take unhardened mortar from between the courses of brick 10.
The tool includes an elongate handle 22 having a front end 24 and a rear end
26.
The illustrated preferred handle is made from solid aluminum and has a
central,
straight section 28 and an upwardly curved rear section 30.
The tool 20 also has a carriage portion 32 rigidly attached to the handle
22 at the front end of the handle. In fact, in the preferred embodiment, the
body of
the carriage portion is integrally formed with the aluminum handle. The wider,
rear end portion of the carriage portion is formed with a transverse
passageway
36 through which extends an axle 38. The carriage portion includes a pair of
rotatable wheels 40 which can, for example, take the form of metal skate
wheels
having a diameter of about 1 3/4 inches. The wheels 40 are spaced from one
another in a transverse direction relative to the handle 22 and are located on
opposite sides of the carriage portion 32. The wheels can be held on the ends
of
the axle by means of C-shaped clips 42 that engage in circumferential grooves
formed in the axle ends.
Also, in a known manner, the tool can be provided with a supporting
arrangement indicated generally at 44. for a raking device, the preferred
arrangement being able to detachably hold the raking device or raking bit in
the
tool. Preferably the supporting arrangement includes a round passageway 46
that extends generally vertically and that is open ended, at least at the
bottom of
the passageway. This passageway is sized to snugly receive an upstanding
connecting section of the raker bit described hereinafter. The supporting
arrangement further includes a locking pin 50 which can be turned until the
pin
extends into the passageway 46 and clamps the connecting section of the raker
bit. The locking pin extends through a threaded, horizontally extending
passageway formed in the carriage portion 32. It will be understood that the
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preferred, illustrated carriage portion 32 is in the form of a
triangular block of substantially solid metal, for example aluminum, and in
this
block the transverse passageway 36 for the axle is formed.
It will be understood that the above described masonry tool 20, not
including the raker bit of the present invention, can be constructed in the
same
manner as well know, masonry tools that are currently being sold. One such
masonry tool is sold under the trade-mark MARSHALLTOWN in the United
States and Canada while a similar masonry tool is sold under the trade-mark
GOLDBLATT. Typically these masonry tools are simply provided with a
masonry nail that is extended upwardly into the passageway 46 and that acts as
a raker bit. The nail is held in place by the locking pin 50. However, as
indicated
above, the use of a nail as a raker bit in such a masonry tool does have
several
disadvantages, including the inability of the user to see the head of the nail
as
he uses the tool to rake a mortar joint between courses of bricks and the
difficulty of maintaining the depth of the raked joint. Additional
disadvantages
are the inability to use such a tool to fully rake inside corner joints and
the need
for multiple passes to clean a joint due to the small contact area of the
nail.
A preferred form of the raking device or raker bit 52 of the invention is
illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 with the raker bit being shown by itself in
Figure 3.
The raker bit is preferably formed from a single length of bent steel wire of
sufficiently heavy gauge to give the bit substantial rigidity and it includes
a
longitudinally extending, supporting arm section 55 that extends substantially
in a
rear to front direction indicated by the arrow A in Figure 1 during use of the
tool.
A raker tooth 56 has a top 57 attached to a front end portion of the arm
section
and projects substantially downwardly in a first transverse direction relative
to the
length of the arm section and it is this tooth which extends into the joint to
remove
the unhardened mortar. The raker bit also includes an upstanding connecting
section 59, the top end of which can be seen in Figure 2. This connecting
section is attached to a rear end of the arm section 55 and is adapted for
detachable connection to the masonry tool in such a manner that the arm
section
extends in a substantially rear to front direction.
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In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the taker bit of Figure 3, the
supporting arm section comprises two longitudinally extending arm parts 55a
and 55b that are substantially L-shaped in plan view. Each arm part is a
portion
of metal wire and is integrally connected to the taker tooth 56 and at least
one
arm part 55a is rigidly and integrally attached to the upstanding connecting
section 59. Also, as can be seen clearly in Figure 3, the upstanding
connecting
section 59 comprises a straight wire section that can be flattened or machined
flat on one side at 67 for a portion of its length so as to allow the rear end
connecting section to be securely clamped in the tool. Due to the flat side
which
forms a recess in the end section, the connecting section 59 can be securely
clamped by and held by the aforementioned supporting arrangement including
the locking pin 50, the end of which will project into the recess. Thus, even
when
the pin 50 is not as tight as possible, it is still able to hold the raking
bit in the
tool, thereby preventing it from falling out and possibly getting lost or
causing a
safety hazard.
One preferred form of the taker tooth is illustrated in Figure 3 and this
taker tooth 56 comprises a U-shaped section of the bent wire, this U-shaped
section having a rounded bottom end 66. In one preferred embodiment, the
height or depth of the U-shaped section indicated by H is 1/4 inch while the
width
of the tooth is preferably a maximum of 3/8th inch, most preferably 5/16th of
an
inch. As indicated above, a tooth of this shape can be used to form the type
of
raked joint which is shown in Figure 10. In order to form a "raked" joint like
that
shown in solid lines in Figure 8, it is also possible to bend the taker tooth
about
midway along its length so that it projects first downwardly and then
forwardly. In
one preferred embodiment, the size of the downward leg of the tooth ranges
between 3/16 and 3/8th inch while the amount of the forward projection is
5/16th
inch. The bottom of the wire in the region of the forward projection is
preferably
machined flat so that it can readily form a flat surface in the mortar joint.
Another form of the raking device or taker bit of the invention is illustrated
in Figure 4. This taker bit 52 is also formed from a single length of bent
wire and
it includes a longitudinal supporting arm portion 54 that extends
substantially in a
rear to front direction (indicated by the arrow A in Figure 1 ) during use of
the
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tool. A taker tooth 56' is attached to and projects downwardly from the front
end
of the supporting arm portion and it is this tooth which extends into the
joint to
remove the unhardened mortar. The taker bit also includes an upstanding
connecting section 58. This connecting section is attached to a rear end of
the
supporting arm section 54.
In the illustrated embodiment of the taker bit of Figure 4, the longitudinal
arm section comprises two longitudinally extending, supporting arm portions in
the form of wire sections 60a and 60b that are substantially L-shaped in plan
view. Each wire section is integrally connected to the taker tooth 56' and
also to
a part of the upstanding connecting section 58. Also, as can be seen clearly
from Figure 4, the upstanding connecting section 58 in this version of the bit
comprises two opposite end sections 62a and 62b of the bent wire which are
substantially parallel to each other. These end sections 62a and 62b can also
be
termed rear end connecting portions which are integrally attached to the
longitudinally extending arm portions. As shown in Figure 4, when the taker
bit is
removed from the tool, the end sections 62a and 62b will move apart from one
another due to the resilient, spring action of the wire from which this taker
bit is
formed. When it is desired to insert the end sections 62a and 62b in the
circular
hole 46 of the tool, the two end sections are pressed together and they are
pressed into contact so that they will fit into the round passageway 46 shown
in
Figure 2. In the preferred embodiment, each end section 62a and 62b of the
bent wire is flattened or machined on one side as indicated at 64. This
flattened
area extends for a substantial portion of the length of the end section to its
top
end and it can also be notched at 67, if desired. Due to the flat facing sides
on
the end sections and the notching 67, the end sections can be securely clamped
and held by the aforementioned supporting arrangement including the locking
pin 50, the end of which will project into the notch. When the two flat sides
are
brought together into contact, they preferably form a split connecting section
that
is substantially circular in cross-section, matching the shape of the hole 46.
Another type of taker tooth is formed on the taker bit 75 shown in Figure
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5. Except for the taker tooth portion, the taker bit 75 is similar in its
construction
to the taker bit 52 of Figure 4. However, in this embodiment, the taker tooth
comprises a curved section 76 of bent wire that is concavely curved in an
upwardly facing direction. The radius of the curved portion can, for example,
be
in the 3/8 inch to 1 inch range, such as 3/8, '/2, 3/4, 7/8, and 1 inch. This
type of
taker tooth can be used to form a concave mortar joint 70
illustrated in dash lines in Figure 8. This is a commonly used weather
resistant
joint.
A further type of taker tooth is illustrated in Figure 6 and is again
integrally
formed on a taker bit 80. The bit 80 can be of the same construction as the
taker
bit 52 of Figure 3 except for the taker tooth. In the bit 80 the taker tooth
82 is a
substantially V-shaped section of the bent wire. W ith this taker tooth, one
is able
to form a V-shaped weather resistant joint between the adjacent bricks. This V-
joint 16 is illustrated in Figure 9. The height X of the taker tooth 82 can be
the
same as the aforementioned height H, that is, about 1/4 inch. The tooth height
X
can, of course, vary and will depend on the application that the taker bit is
intended for. It is expected that the tooth depth in manufactured versions of
the
bit will range from 1/8 inch to'/Z inch and the available tooth bits will vary
in
increments, ie. 1/8, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, and ~/Z inch. It will be understood that
the
maximum depth of unhardened mortar that can be scraped out by either the
taker tooth 56, 56' or the tooth 82 is equal to the height H or the height X
respectively. Deeper penetration of the tooth into the joint is prevented by
the
inwardly extending arm parts 90, 92 of the supporting arm portions. Thus, with
the use of the taker bit of the present invention, it becomes relatively easy
for the
user of the masonry tool to achieve a uniform depth of the masonry joint. The
arm
section of the bit, ie. the arm parts 90, 92 acts to limit the amount the
taker tooth
can be inserted into a mortar joint located between the courses of brick.
Elaborating further on the above described versions of the taker bit, the
two central wire sections 55a, 60a and 55b, 60b can be considered two
longitudinally extending, supporting arm portions of the bit, each of which
extends in a substantially rear to front direction relative to the tool during
use
thereof. These longitudinally extending arm portions are preferably
substantially
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L-shaped or acute angled in shape as shown in Figures 2 and 3 and include the
aforementioned inwardly extending, short arm parts 90, 92 that are integrally
connected to the taker tooth.
Also, the opposite end sections 62a and 62b can be considered rear end
portions of the taker bit which are integrally attached respectively to rear
ends of
the longitudinally extending, supporting arm portions. These end portions
preferably project at a substantial angle indicated at B to the longitudinally
extending arm portions in a direction opposite the direction in which the
taker
tooth 56 projects. This substantial angle is substantially less than
180° and, in
the preferred illustrated embodiment, is approximately 90°.
Another form of masonry tool constructed in accordance with the
invention is illustrated in Figure 11. This masonry tool 100 which can also be
used for taking unhardened mortar, concrete, or adhesive from between rows of
brick, blocks or ceramic tiles, or from between stones, includes an elongate
handle 102 which can be made of plastic, metal or wood, this handle having a
front end 103 and a rear end 104. Firmly attached to the front or first end of
the
handle is a raking apparatus 106 which is preferably formed from a single
piece
of heavy gauge wire but it can also be made from suitably shaped and bent
metal plate, if desired, or it can be cast in a die or forged. This raking
apparatus
includes a tooth supporting section 108 and a taker tooth 110 which can be
similar to the taker tooth in the taker bit of Figure 3. The taker tooth is
integrally
attached to and projects substantially downwardly from a front end portion 112
of
the supporting section. As with the taker bits described above, the tooth
supporting section and the taker tooth are preferably formed from a single
piece
of metal wire, preferably steel wire having substantial rigidity and strength.
However, again it will be understood that the tooth supporting section and the
taker tooth can be manufactured in other ways such as by bending and forming
flat plate, by a casting process, or by injection moulding a suitable plastic
material. Also, as in the taker bits described above, the front end portion
112
extends outwardly from the top of the taker tooth 110 in the transverse
direction
indicated by the arrows D relative to the length of the handle 102. It will be
appreciated that during use of this masonry tool, the supporting section acts
to
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limit an amount the raker tooth 110 can be inserted into the joint between
adjacent bricks.
In the particularly preferred embodiment of the masonry tool 100, the
raker tooth 110 comprises a U-shaped section of metal wire and this U-shaped
section has a rounded bottom end (ie. a tooth of the type illustrated in
Figure 3).
As illustrated in Figure 11, the steel wire forming the tooth supporting
section
and the raker tooth can have its two opposite end sections shown in dash lines
at 114 and 116 tightly wrapped around each other so that they are mechanically
connected together. This can be done prior to attachment of a separate handle
102, if desired. Alternatively, it is possible that the wrapped opposite ends
of the
metal wire can themselves be used as the handle for manipulating the masonry
tool. Also, in the illustrated preferred embodiment, the two elongate arm
sections
118 and 120 are each formed with a front portion 122 and a rear portion 124
with the two portions being connected together by a shart connecting leg
located
at 126. This integral connecting leg at 126 extends substantially
perpendicular to
the two arm portions 122, 124 and the leg may have a length of about 1 and '/2
inches. By providing these legs, this allows more clearance between the user's
hand and the surface of the brick wall being raked. It will be understood that
the
two legs 126 extend from the front portion 122 in a direction opposite to the
direction of projection of the tooth 110 from the front end portion 112.
The masonry tool 100 can be made inexpensively so that as soon as the
tool is worn out or damaged, it can simply be replaced with a new tool 100 by
the user at a very reasonable cost. An advantage of the tool 100 is that it is
much
lighter than the skate wheel raker shown in Figure 1 and thus can lessen arm
strain on the user.
It will be understood that although raker bits made from steel wire are
illustrated, it is also possible to make raker bits constructed in accordance
with
the invention from suitable metal plate material bent in the required manner.
With
the use of plate material, it is expected that the raker bit can be
constructed with
a single, unitary arm section extending between the raker tooth and the
upstanding connecting section, that is, the arm section of the bit may not be
comprised of two separate arm parts of similar shape and construction. The
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same can be said of taker bits manufactured in other possible ways, ie. by
forging, by casting, or by injection moulding.
One advantage that can be gained with the use of a taker bit having a
tooth of the shape shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4 is that this tooth is able to
create a new U-shaped joint shown in Figure 10 which has an appearance
similar to a raked joint (see Figure 8) but with a slightly "softer" look as
compared to the standard raked joint having 90 degree inside corners that
would be made with a concrete nail as the taker bit. The slight inside
curvature
of this joint will tend to repel water out of the joint, especially when the
joint is a
standard 3/8ths inch size. Thus, the use of this particular version of the
taker bits
of this invention offers a new style for architects to use and provides a
joint which
highlights the brick surface and creates good shadow lines.
Preferably the taker bits of the invention and the wire portion of the
masonry tool of Figure 11 are made from high carbon steel which makes these
bits and the tool durable and able to resist the abrasion that is inherent in
the
task of raking mortar. However, other materials such as hardened acrylic
plastic,
may be quite suitable for some taker applications, for example, for joints
between glass blocks.
Figure 12 illustrates another embodiment of a tool for removing mortar or
concrete from joint or surface. This tool indicated generally by reference 130
includes an elongate handle 132 that can be made of plastic, wood or metal,
this
handle having a front or first end 134 and an opposite or second end 136. As
indicated in dashed lines in the figure, the opposite end can be formed with
internal threads 138, if desired. In a manner known her se, a standard broom
handle (not shown) can be attached to the handle 132 in order to create a long
handle that may be necessary or desirable for some job applications. At the
front
end of the handle there is mounted a raking device 140 that is formed from a
single, thin metal strip that can range between approximately 1/4 inch and 3/4
inch in width. This strip can be bent in the illustrated manner to form the
raking
device which includes two tooth-supporting arm sections 142, 144, each of
which preferably forms an acute angle. A U-shaped taker tooth is integrally
attached to a front or outer end portion, 148, 150 of each of the arm
sections.
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This taker tooth projects from the front end portions which extend
transversely
and in opposite directions from an inner end 152 of the taker tooth. In this
particular tool, the taker tooth 146 projects from the front or outer end
portions
148, 150 in a forwards direction away from the handle 132.
The metal strip also forms two opposite end sections 154, 156 which are
rigidly connected to the handle. If the handle is made from moulded plastic,
these end sections can be embedded in the handle 132 when it is moulded. In
order to securely hold the end sections in the handle, short end tabs 158 can
be
formed on the end sections. Each tab can extend perpendicular to the length of
the end section. The provision of the tabs helps to prevent the working device
from being pulled out of the handle. It will thus be seen that in the tool
130, the
raking device is formed from a single metal
strip which is bent to form both the arm sections and the taker tooth. It will
be
appreciated that the tool 130 can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.
A further embodiment of a tool constructed in accordance with the
invention is illustrated in Figure 13. This tool 160 can be manufactured in a
manner similar to the tool 130 described above except for the differences
noted
hereinafter. This tool also has an elongate handle 162 at the front end of
which is
mounted a raking device 164. However, in the tool 160, the raking device is
formed from a single wire which is bent to form both arm sections 166, 168 and
a U-shaped taker tooth 170. As in the embodiment of Figure 12, the taker tooth
170 projects from front or outer end portions 172, 174 of the arm sections in
a
forward or outwards direction away from the handle.
The taker device in the tool 160 has two opposite end sections 176, 178
which can be rigidly connected to the handle. .Again, if the handle 162 is
made
from moulded plastic, the plastic can be moulded around these end sections to
firmly and rigidly attach the raking device to the handle. The end sections
can
wrap around each other as illustrated so that they are connected to one
another
as well as to the handle.
Another embodiment of a taker bit constructed in accordance with the
invention is illustrated in Figure 14. This taker bit 180 can be used in a
tool to
remove unhardened mortar, concrete or adhesive from a joint or surface formed
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from mortar, concrete or adhesive material. The raker bit is similar to that
illustrated in Figure 3 and described above except for the formation of its
raker
tooth 182. As in the embodiment of Figure 3, the raker tooth is integrally
attached to front or outer end sections 184, 186 of supporting arm portions
188,
190. The raker tooth projects from the front end sections 184, 186 which
extend
transversely in opposite directions from an inner end 192 of the raker tooth.
However, in the raker bit 180, the raker tooth projects from the front end
portions
in a forwards or outwards direction away from the rear end connecting portion
194. Again, the preferred raker tooth in this embodiment is a U-shaped section
of wire and this U-shaped section has a rounded outer end at 196. It will be
understood that the bit 180 can be used in a masonry taol of the type shown in
Figures 1 and 2 if desired. When the bit is used in a tool of this type, the
wheels
are not used to engage the surface of the adjacent bricks or blocks. When this
particular raker bit is used, the masonry tool is oriented so that the arm
sections
188, 190 extend at a substantial angle to the plane of the outer surface of
the
bricks or blocks, for example, an angle of 90 degrees or close to 90 degrees.
In
addition, with the raker bit 180 of Figure 14, it is possible to use a masonry
tool
specially constructed for the use of these bits, for example, a tool similar
to that
shown in Figures 1 and 2 without the wheels.
A further embodiment of a masonry tool is illustrated in Figure 15 and this
tool 200 is similar to that illustrated in Figure 12, except for the design of
the
raker tooth 202. Again, in the tool 200, the raking device is formed from a
single
thin metal strip 204 which is bent to form both the arm sections and the raker
tooth 202. The tooth 202 is also U-shaped and is formed from a central section
of the metal strip. The tooth 202 is formed so as to be narrower than the
tooth
146. In particular, the tooth 202 can range in width between only 1/16th and
1/8th
of an inch. One use for this tool is for cleaning latex tile glue or mortar
from
between ceramic tiles or other thinly spaced building materials.
Turning now to the additional embodiment illustrated schematically in
Figure 16, this masonry tool 206 can be constructed in a manner similar to the
embodiment of Figure 11 except that it has two raking devices 208 and 210 at
opposite ends of its central, cylindrical handle 212. The raking device 208
has a
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U-shaped taker tooth 214 which is integrally attached to two tooth-supporting
arm sections 216, 218, each of which is rigidly attached to the handle. The
raking device 210 has a V-shaped taker tooth 220 which is integrally attached
to
two tooth supporting arm sections 222 and 224. If desired, both of the raking
devices can be made from a single length of bent wire, end sections of which
are embedded in or otherwise held in the handle. It will be appreciated that
various taker tooth combinations can be provided on a masonry tool of the type
illustrated in Figure 16. For example, both raking devices can be provided
with a
concave type tooth with one tooth having a radius of'/Z inch and another
having a
radius of, for example, 5/8ths inch. With this tool, a skilled bricklayer or
blocklayer may be able to work
faster and more efficiently at a job site that requires different types of
joints to be
provided between the bricks or between the blocks.
Illustrated in Figures 17 and 18 is another embodiment of a masonry tool
constructed in accordance with this invention. This masonry tool indicated
generally at 260 has some characteristics in common with the masonry tool
shown in Figure 16 and described above. The tool 260 has an elongate handle
262 which can be made in a similar manner as the handle of the tool of Figures
1 and 2. In other words, it can be made from cast aluminum and thus can be
quite light. It is also possible to make the main body of the handle plastic
and
then provide separate metal sections or parts for engaging the two detachable
taker bits 264, 266. Each of the taker bits 264, 266 can be constructed
according to the embodiment of the taker bit illustrated in Figure 3 of the
drawings and described above.
Preferably, the handle 262 is formed with widened end sections 268,
270. Also, at each end there is a connecting section 272, 274 and, in each of
these connecting sections, a circular passageway 276 is formed. It will be
understood that an upstanding connecting section 59 of the taker bit is
mounted
in this circular passageway and it is held therein by a locking pin 280 which
can
be formed with a turnkey 282 on its outer end for ease of turning. Thus, with
this
embodiment of masonry tool, it is possible for the tool to be fitted with two
different taker bits which project from the handle in oppasite directions as
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shown. If one of the raker bits should become worn and in need of replacement,
it is possible to replace this particular raker bit without having to throw
out the
remainder of the tool.
In the embodiment of Figures 17 and 18, the holes in which the raker bits
are mounted are transversely extending holes in that they extend in a
transverse
direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle 252. It will also be
understood that the locking pins 280 constitute a form of clamping device
which
is mounted in the tool.
Figures 19 and 20 of the drawings illustrate an alternate use for some of
the tools constructed in accordance with the invention. As illustrated in
Figure
19, it is known to form a decorative concrete surface wherein the surface has
"pseudo-stones" 230, 232 formed by means of a pattern thereon. This type of
surface is created from a simple flat layer or bed of concrete that has been
trawled to form a rough surface 234 that is similar to a stone surface. Then
the
masonry worker forms simulated, elongate joints 236 in the concrete surface,
these joints actually being elongate recesses or channels. These simulated
joints can be created using a raker tool constructed in accordance with the
invention in the manner illustrated in Figure 20.
In Figure 20, an uncured concrete layer is illustrated at 240. This layer
may be laid on submaterial 242 which can be a base concrete floor, for
example, or a layer of gravel that has been suitably compacted. Again, the top
surface 244 has been troweled rough so as to simulate to some extent the
surface of stone. After the rough surface is formed, the simulated joints can
be
formed by employing a suitable flat trowel 246 of known construction, this
trowel
including a flat, metal plate 248, and a tool constructed in accordance with
the
invention, for example, the tool 130 illustrated in Figure 12. This tool has
an
outwardly projecting raker tooth 146. As illustrated, it will be seen that the
raking
device of the tool can be dragged along a straight edge 250 of the trowel and
in
this way the straight simulated joint will be formed in the surface of the
concrete.
Note also that the top surface of the metal plate 248 of the trowel is engaged
by
a front end portion of one of the arm sections of the raking device and in
this way
the depth of the simulated joint is kept uniform and all of the joints can be
made
so that they have approximately the same depth. Although not shown in Figure
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20, the tool 130 can, of course, be fitted with a broom handle by screwing the
handle into the threaded end of the handle 132. In this way, the reach of the
masonry tool can be extended substantially.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications
and changes can be made to the described raker bits and raker tools without
departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and accordingly all such
modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the appended claims are
intended to be part of this invention. For example, the raker tooth can be
made
in a shape other than those shown, in order to form other types of joints that
are
known in the bricklaying and masonry art.
In addition, it will be appreciated that the raker bit can be constructed so
that there is a single upstanding connecting section to which both
longitudinal
arm sections are connected at the rear ends. For example, it is possible to
join
together in a permanent or non-permanent fashion the illustrated end parts 62a
and 62b so that they do not come apart when the raker bit is removed from the
masonry tool. This joining could be accomplished by welding or braising, for
example. It is also possible to construct the raker bit with only a single
upstanding end part to which one of the longitudinal extending arm sections
can
be integrally connected, while the other arm section is joined thereto by
welding
or some other form of secure fastening.
There are a number of advantages that can be obtained by the use of
raker bits constructed in accordance with the invention in addition to those
already mentioned. Because these raker bits can be manufactured with
accuracy and repeatability, the joint depth formed by the bricklayer would
generally always be uniform and this is true even if different bricklayers are
used
at the same job site. Furthermore, it is generally not necessary for the user
to
readjust the masonry tool in order to obtain uniformly of joint depth.
Because the raker tooth is at a projecting front end of the raker bit where
it can be readily seen by the user, it becomes easy to do inside and outside
corner raking without having to change masonry tools. Vllith an inside corner,
the
present raker bit is able to extend into the corner, but when a nail is used,
the
wheels of the tool and the location of the nail prevent the nail from reaching
into
the corner. In the case of an outside corner which is normally raked from the
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outside to the inside (away from the corner), use of the present taker bit
reduces
the tendency to pull out mortar from the corner joint. Thus the present
invention
helps to reduce labor costs and improves the quality of the raked joints.
Because the front end portion of the taker bit extends over two brick faces
and in
use is dragged across the brick faces, a masanry tool equipped with the
present
taker bits will clean the bricks of excessive martar, thereby improving brick
appearance.
A taker tooth constructed in accordance with the invention and formed
from standard, round wire can be made the same thickness as the head of a
conventional concrete nail. However, once the nail head wears down, the taker
tooth described herein is approximately 50% wider than the worn concrete nail.
This can result in faster joint raking as compared to when one is using a
masonry tool fitted with a concrete nail.
Another advantage that can be gained with the use of the taker bits of the
invention is that they can be used to rake very thin mortar joints. A
bricklayer can
rake such joints by turning the taker bit 90° to the direction of the
joint and
moving the narrower or thin side of the taker tooth along the joint. This
avoids the
use of a separate tool for this purpose.
It is also possible to manufacture the taker bits of the invention so that the
tops of the bits are painted with distinctive colors which designate a
particular
tooth type and tooth depth. The use of such colors will permit easy
identification
of the proper taker bit. It is also possible to stamp the tooth dimensions on
at
least one of the longitudinal support arms.
