U.S. patent application number 11/042570 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-10 for texture repair kit.
Invention is credited to John R. Woods.
Application Number | 20060174574 11/042570 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36702790 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060174574 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Woods; John R. |
August 10, 2006 |
Texture repair kit
Abstract
A kit for repairing an opening, such as a hole or crack, in a
wall or ceiling structure, especially structures having a textured
surface, includes a tray having a plurality of receptacles to
selectively receive at least a container of patching compound and a
container of texture material. The kit also includes a planar patch
to cover the opening, a resealable container of patching compound,
at least one applicator, e.g., for applying the patching compound
over the patch, a means for sanding over the patch, and a
container, such as a spray can, for storing and applying texture
material over the patch. The kit may also include a replaceable
lid, and the tray may include one or more additional receptacles to
selectively receive the sanding means and/or the applicator(s).
Inventors: |
Woods; John R.; (Woodland
Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN LLP
P.O BOX 10500
McLean
VA
22102
US
|
Family ID: |
36702790 |
Appl. No.: |
11/042570 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/514 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04G 23/0207 20130101;
E04G 23/0203 20130101; E04F 21/165 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/514 |
International
Class: |
E02D 37/00 20060101
E02D037/00 |
Claims
1. A texture repair kit system for repairing an opening in a wall
or ceiling structure, comprising: a tray having a plurality of
receptacles arranged in a predetermined configuration with respect
to one another, said plurality of receptacles including at least a
first receptacle shaped to selectively receive a container of
patching compound, a second receptacle shaped to selectively
receive a container of texture material, a third receptacle shaped
to selectively receive an applicator, and a fourth receptacle
shaped to selectively receive a sanding means; a resealable
container of patching compound; a container having texture material
therein; a first applicator for applying said patching compound; a
sanding means; and a planar patch.
2. The repair kit system of claim 1, further including a second
applicator.
3. The repair kit system of claim 2, wherein the first applicator
has a narrow blade, the second applicator has a wide blade, and the
tray further includes a fifth receptacle shaped to selectively
receive the second applicator.
4. The repair kit system of claim 1, wherein said sanding means is
a sanding block.
5. The repair kit system of claim 1, wherein said texture-material
container is a spray can.
6. The repair kit system of claim 5, wherein said texture material
is selected from the group consisting of knockdown spray texture,
orangepeel spray texture, acoustic spray texture, stucco spray
texture, and sand finish spray texture.
7. The repair kit system of claim 1, wherein said first applicator
is a putty knife.
8. The repair kit system of claim 1, wherein said patch is
self-adhesive.
9. The repair kit system of claim 1, wherein said tray has a
replaceable lid.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to systems for repairing
holes or cracks in walls, ceilings, and similar structures and,
more specifically, to a unitary kit for repairing such openings
with sprayable texture materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Wall and ceiling surfaces have traditionally been
susceptible to cracks and holes that may appear for a multitude of
reasons. In cases where the opening is small, such as holes that
are caused by nails for hanging picture frames or by screws for
hanging curtain rods, the opening may be patched by spackle or
other similar material generally known in the art.
[0003] For larger openings, the art has suggested the use of
various mechanical devices, wherein the latter are used to
essentially "plug" the hole. Once the opening is closed off,
whether by mechanical or other means, a patching compound must
generally be applied to the damaged surface to prepare the latter
for painting, such that the previously-damaged surface of the
structure is brought into conformity with the remainder of the
surface surrounding the opening. Such patching compounds are also
known in the art.
[0004] The above-mentioned devices and means, including the tools
necessary for installation and/or application thereof, are
generally packaged and sold separately. Thus, in order to repair a
hole in a wall, for example, the consumer must locate and purchase
at least the following components separately: a patch or patching
device; a patching compound; one or more applicators (e.g., a putty
knife or trowel), depending on the size and shape of the hole, for
applying the patching compound; and sand paper, or other means for
sanding the patched surface. In addition, once all of the
above-noted components have been obtained, the consumer must also
keep them all together in one place, so as to avoid misplacing any
one of them for a subsequent repair job.
[0005] In short, the process of obtaining all of the necessary
repair components is generally inefficient, costly, and
time-consuming and, once the various components have been obtained,
there are no provisions for keeping the components together in an
orderly fashion either during or after use. A need, therefore,
exists for a repair kit that includes not only all of components
that may be required in repairing an opening in a structure, but
also a customized tray to hold the various components in a logical,
easily-accessible manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spray can of texture
material in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container of patching
compound in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a top view of a planar patch in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sanding block in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a narrow putty knife in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a wide putty knife in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] FIG. 1 shows an empty tray 5 having a plurality of
receptacles 10,20,30,40,50. Each of the receptacles 10,20,30,40,50
is shaped so as to selectively receive a different component of a
texture repair kit for repairing an opening (e.g., a hole, crack,
etc.) in a wall, ceiling, or other structure according to the
present invention.
[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2-7, in a preferred embodiment, the
components of the kit include a spray-type can 110, a sanding block
120, a jar-type container 130, a narrow putty knife or trowel 140,
a wide putty knife or trowel 150, and a planar patch 160. Spray can
110 contains sprayable texture material that may be applied through
an adjustable spray nozzle 112. The texture material, in turn, may
be "knockdown" spray texture, "orangepeel" spray texture, acoustic
spray texture, stucco spray texture, sand-finish spray texture, or
other spray texture that may be used to treat ceilings and/or
interior and exterior walls. Spray can 112, having one of the
above-mentioned texture materials therein, is of the type that is
available, e.g., through Spraytex, Inc., located in Valencia,
Calif.
[0015] The jar 130 contains a wall patching compound, or joint
compound, and is also available through Spraytex, Inc. Another
component that is sold through Spraytex, Inc. is the planar patch
160. As shown in FIG. 4, the planar patch 160 has a perforated,
flexible plate 164 that is sandwiched between a removable backing
material 162 and a mesh 166. Preferably, the patch 160 is
self-adhesive, such that, when the backing material 162 is removed,
the plate 164 and mesh 166 will stick to a surface to which the
patch is applied.
[0016] FIG. 5 shows a sanding block 120 which is generally known in
the art. In a preferred embodiment, four of the six sides of the
sanding block 120, i.e., faces 122 and 124, as well as the two
faces opposite thereto (not shown), have rough surfaces suitable
for sanding applications. Lastly, FIG. 6 shows a narrow putty
knife, or trowel, and FIG. 7 shows a wide putty knife, or trowel of
the type known in the art.
[0017] With reference to FIG. 1, the tray 5 is configured such that
spray can 110 fits into, and is selectively received in, receptacle
10; sanding block 120 fits into, and is selectively received in,
receptacle 20; container 130 fits into, and is selectively received
in, receptacle 30; the top (i.e., straight) portion 142 of trowel
140 fits into, and is selectively received in, receptacle 40, with
the trowel's handle resting on top of the sanding block 120; and
the top portion 152 of the wide trowel 150 fits into, and is
selectively received in, receptacle 50, such that the top portion
152 thereof rests partially on the top portion 142 of narrow trowel
140, and the handle of the wide trowel 150 is situated above the
sanding block 120.
[0018] In practice, the repair kit of the instant invention is
packaged to have the arrangement described immediately above. With
this arrangement, the planar patch 160 is then placed on the very
top, such that it rests, e.g., on the wide trowel 150, followed by
a removable lid, or cover, that is placed on top of the planar
patch 160. Both the lid and the tray 5 also have matching slots 7
that allow the entire kit, or package, to be hung vertically from a
cantilevered hanger at retail stores. The package may also be
placed vertically or horizontally on a store shelf.
[0019] When a consumer wishes to repair an opening in a wall (or
ceiling), the consumer need only purchase the above-described
package containing the tray and components therein. In this way,
there is no need to look for and purchase the necessary components
separately. In addition, the tray provides a well-organized working
aide during treatment of the repair site, as well as an organized,
unitary storage compartment subsequent to such treatment.
[0020] In particular, treatment, or repair, of an opening in a wall
(or ceiling) may be effected in the following manner. The cover is
taken off the package containing the tray, and the components are
removed. The backing 162 is peeled off and the self-adhesive patch
160 is placed over the opening (the patch may be cut to size as
necessary). A trowel 140,150 is then used to apply patching
compound from the container 130 over the patch 160, and the site is
left to dry. Next, the sanding block 120 is used to smooth the
surface, followed by application of texture material from the spray
can 110.
[0021] As mentioned, the spray can 110 has an adjustable nozzle 112
which allows matching of the texture of the treated area to that of
the surrounding area. Thus, when, for example, a repair kit having
a knockdown-texture spray can is purchased, and the surrounding
area is of the heavy splatter type, then, upon application of the
texture material, the treated area may just be left to dry,
followed by priming and painting, as desired. In this case, the kit
may include only a narrow trowel 140 (and only one corresponding
trowel receptacle 40). On the other hand, when a knockdown or
"lace" finish is desired, the wide putty knife 150 may be dampened
with water and run gently over the treated area at an approximately
45.degree. angle. Once finished, the treated area is allowed to
dry, and then primed and painted as desired.
[0022] Upon completion of the repair job, the container 130 is then
resealed and it, along with the rest of the components of the
repair kit, are placed in their respective receptacles in tray 5
for easy and readily-accessible storage. The lid may also be
replaced prior to stowing the kit away.
[0023] While the description above refers to particular embodiments
of the present invention, it will be understood that modifications
may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The
accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as
would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present
invention.
[0024] The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the
scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims,
rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
therefore intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *