Width conversion tool for use with a drywall corner finishing device and method of using same

Abstract

A width conversion tool used to form a crease in the rear surface of a panel profile. The conversion tool has two legs with a gap formed therebetween which the rear surface slides through. A crease is formed in the rear surface by rollers and/or raised surfaces which protrude into the gap and deform the rear surface as it passes through the gap.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A width conversion tool for a panel profile comprising: 
 front and rear legs rigidly connected to each other at a top end;    a gap formed between said front and rear portions;    at least one raised surface disposed on either said front or rear leg and a portion of said raised surface extending into said gap; and    at least one crease surface disposed on the leg opposite said raised surface and located below a level of one of said at least one raised surface.    
     
     
         2 . The width conversion tool of  claim 1  having at least one spindle with two raised surfaces, said crease surface being located transversely between said raised surfaces.  
     
     
         3 . The width conversion tool of  claim 2  having one spindle and one crease surface.  
     
     
         4 . The width conversion tool of  claim 2  wherein said at least one spindle rotates about a fixed axis.  
     
     
         5 . The width conversion tool of  claim 1  wherein said at least one crease surface rotates about a fixed axis.  
     
     
         6 . The width conversion tool of  claim 3  wherein said spindle and said crease surface are disposed directly opposite each other.  
     
     
         7 . The width conversion tool of  claim 1  further comprising guide rollers disposed on an inner surface of said legs.  
     
     
         8 . The width conversion tool of  claim 1  further comprising guide rollers disposed on an inner surface of said legs and having one spindle which rotates about a fixed axis, said spindle having a lower raised surface and an upper raised surface; 
 said upper raised surface having a circular outer diameter;  
 said lower raised surface having a circular outer diameter which is smaller than the diameter of said upper raised surface;  
 having one crease roller which rotates about a fixed axis and which has a circular outer diameter; and  
 wherein said spindle and said crease roller are disposed directly opposite each other.  
 
     
     
         9 . A method of forming a crease in a panel profile comprising the steps of: 
 providing a panel profile having a freely extending rear surface;    providing a width conversion tool having front and rear legs rigidly connected to each other at a top end, a gap formed between said front and rear portions, at least one raised surface disposed on either said front or rear leg, a portion of said raised surface extending into said gap, and at least one crease surface disposed on the leg opposite said at least one raised surface and located below the level of one of said at least one raised surface;    inserting the rear surface of the panel profile into the gap of the conversion tool so that said at least one crease surface is disposed adjacent an inner surface of the rear surface; and    moving said conversion tool along a outer edge of the rear surface.    
     
     
         10 . A method of forming a crease in a rear surface flange of a drywall corner finishing device comprising the steps of: 
 providing a finishing device having two wings each having a front and rear surface, said front and rear surface having inner and outer edges, reinforcing structure extending between the front and rear surfaces of each of the two wings, the inner edges of the two wings being joined at a flexible joint extending along a longitudinal axis, the inner edges of the rear surface being spaced apart from each other outwardly of the flexible joint, the portions of said front and rear surfaces adjacent the outer edges of said front and rear surfaces being free of reinforcing structure, the outer portion of the rear surface forming a longitudinal hinge with the adjacent reinforcing structure whereby the rear surface flange of each wing may pivot rearwardly to receive drywall panels of different thickness;    providing a width conversion tool having front and rear legs rigidly connected to each other at a top end, a gap formed between said front and rear portions, at least one raised surface disposed on either said front or rear leg, a portion of said raised surface extending into said gap, and at least one crease surface disposed on the leg opposite said at least one raised surface and located below the level of one of said at least one raised surface;    inserting the rear surface of the finishing device into the gap of the conversion tool so that said at least one crease surface is disposed adjacent an inner surface of the rear surface flange; and    moving said conversion tool along the outer edge of the rear surface.