Abrading – Tool support for flexible-member tool – Manually manipulated
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-31
2001-09-04
Banks, Derris H. (Department: 3723)
Abrading
Tool support for flexible-member tool
Manually manipulated
C451S524000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283843
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an abrading blade, and more particularly to an abrading blade used with a reciprocating saw for removing grout between neighboring tiles in a tiled surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
To repair or reconstruct tiled surfaces, such as bathroom or kitchen walls or floors, old cementitious material (i.e., grout) must be removed and replaced. Such grout is sometimes removed by chipping, cutting or abrading the grout with a hand tool not specifically designed for the task. Alternatively, the grout may be removed using hand tools specifically designed for grout abrasion, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,064,588 to Cooper, U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,142 to Demetriadis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,156,966 to Eubank and U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,718 to Olkkola. These tools are generally manually reciprocated along the grouted surface with sufficient pressure to abrade and remove the grout. Some of these tools are designed more for minor abrasion, as for cleaning grout, than for complete removal of grout. In either case, a considerable amount of manual labor is required.
Accordingly, power tools have been developed which are specifically designed for the sole purpose of grout removal. Such tools are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,923 to Regina and U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,727 to Weinstein et al. However, such tools are typically too expensive to be suitable for purchase by a homeowner or other person performing grout removal only occasionally.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an abrading blade suitable for the removal of grout. It is another object to provide an abrading blade which may be used with a conventional multipurpose powerable saw. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an abrading blade which removes grout by reciprocation along a grout surface. It is a further object to provide an abrading blade which affords control and stability during high-speed reciprocation. It is a still further object to provide an abrading blade with a replaceable cutting section. It is yet a further object to provide such a blade which is of sturdy construction and is inexpensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In broad terms, the invention provides a blade for cutting a work surface and which is attachable to a reciprocating saw having a spindle reciprocable along a line of reciprocation. The blade includes a rigid body having a lower end. The blade also has a shank portion extending rearwardly from the body and which is configured for attachment to the spindle of the saw for reciprocation therewith. A cutting edge extends along the lower end of the blade for engaging the work surface. The cutting edge is spaced perpendicularly from the line of reciprocation a distance sufficient to permit clearance of the saw from the work surface when the shank is attached to the spindle and the cutting edge engages the work surface such that the line of reciprocation is parallel to the work surface. Reciprocating saws, such as those marketed under the trademark Sawzall®, use the blade to cut in a direction perpendicular to the line of reciprocation which is also substantially perpendicular to the cutting edge of the blade. With the present invention however, the blade can be moved in a direction parallel with the work surface as it cuts. The present invention allows the use of such novel blades with existing reciprocating saws to cut work surfaces such as tile grout which before could not be done.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the abrading blade includes a blade holder and a detachable blade.
REFERENCES:
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GroutGrabber, D.I.Y. Grout Grabber-Introduced at National Hardware Show 2000, 4 pgs. excerpted from a website at URL http:/www.groutgrabber.com/(printed-Dec. 12, 2000-Dec. 13, 2000).
National Hardware Show, 5 pgs. excerpted from a website at URL http://www.nationalhardwareshow.com (printed-Dec. 13, 2000).
Banks Derris H.
Synnestvedt & Lechner LLP
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