Caulk removing device and associated methods of manufacture and use

Abstract

The present invention provides a removal device or tool for eliminating cured beads of caulk or the like from joints associated with two or more intersecting planar surfaces. The removal device or tool includes a handle portion, an elongated shaft portion attached to the handle portion, the elongated shaft portion comprising a bend at a first predetermined angle, and an end angle portion attached to the elongated shaft portion, the end angle portion comprising two planar surfaces intersecting at a second predetermined angle, wherein the two planar surfaces are each selectively sharpened on one end. The removal device or tool provides a scraping, lifting, and removal function via a forward motion, optionally provides a cutting and removal function via a backward motion, and is adapted to provide a brush attachment to further clean a surface before application of new caulk or like viscous material to the joint.

1 . A device for removing a bead of caulk or the like from a joint associated with two or more intersecting planar surfaces, the device comprising: 
 a handle portion;    an elongated shaft portion attached to the handle portion, the elongated shaft portion comprising a bend at a first predetermined angle; and    an end angle portion attached to the elongated shaft portion, the end angle portion comprising two planar surfaces intersecting at a second predetermined angle, wherein the two planar surfaces are each selectively beveled.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion further comprises a brush attachment attached to an end of the handle portion.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined angle is approximately one-hundred and eighty degrees, such that the elongated shaft portion is straight and no bend exists.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined angle is approximately one-hundred and thirty-five degrees.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined angle is approximately ninety degrees, such that the two planar surfaces intersecting at the second predetermined angle intersect at a right angle.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment means wherein the end angle portion attaches to the elongated shaft portion in a removable manner.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated shaft portion and the handle portion are integrally formed.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion, the elongated shaft portion, and the end angle portion are integrally formed.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wherein the two planar surfaces are selectively sharpened to aid in the caulk removal process.  
   
   
       10 . A device for removing a bead of caulk or the like from a joint associated with two intersecting planar surfaces, the device comprising: 
 a handle portion;    an elongated shaft portion attached to the handle portion, the elongated shaft portion comprising a bend at a first predetermined angle; and    an end angle portion attached to the elongated shaft portion, the end angle portion comprising two planar surfaces intersecting at a second predetermined angle, wherein the two planar surfaces are each selectively sharpened on one end;    wherein the end angle portion of the device while used in a forward motion acts to separate and lift the bead of caulk or the like from the intersecting planar surfaces of the joint and advance the bead of caulk onto the two planar surfaces of the end angle potion intersecting at the second predetermined angle, and wherein the end angle portion of the device while used in a reverse motion acts to clip the bead of caulk.    
   
   
       11 . A method for manufacturing a device for removing a bead of caulk or the like from a joint associated with two or more intersecting planar surfaces, the method comprising: 
 providing a handle portion;    providing an elongated shaft portion attached to the handle portion, the elongated shaft portion comprising a bend at a first predetermined angle; and    providing an end angle portion attached to the elongated shaft portion, the end angle portion comprising two planar surfaces intersecting at a second predetermined angle, wherein the two planar surfaces are each selectively beveled.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising attaching a brush attachment to an end of the handle portion.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first predetermined angle is approximately one-hundred and eighty degrees, such that the elongated shaft portion is straight and no bend exists.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first predetermined angle is approximately one-hundred and thirty-five degrees.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second predetermined angle is approximately ninety degrees, such that the two planar surfaces intersecting at the second predetermined angle intersect at a right angle.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing an attachment means wherein the end angle portion attaches to the elongated shaft portion in a removable manner.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the elongated shaft portion and the handle portion are integrally formed.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the handle portion, the elongated shaft portion, and the end angle portion are integrally formed.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising selectively sharpening the two planar surfaces to aid in the caulk removal process.