Blade for a Trowel

Abstract

(A blade ( 12 ) for a trowel ( 10 ) comprises a rectangular front face for spreading material and a rear face adapted to be attached to a handle ( 14 ). A plurality of sequentially smaller rectangular lamellae ( 16, 18, 20, 22 ) are bonded together in a stack to create a progression of steps in the face of the blade. As the blade ( 12 ) is used to apply, for example, plaster to a wall, the surfaces of the lamellae adjacent the steps act as edges, which spread and smooth the plaster. An alternative embodiment comprising three parallel ribs mounted on a lamina ( 102 ) is shown in FIG. 8 .

1 . A blade for a trowel comprising a front face for spreading material and a rear face adapted to be attached to a handle, the front face having at least two substantially planar portions, the substantially planar portions being separated by a step. 
   
   
       2 . A blade as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the front face has a plurality of substantially planar portions separated by a plurality of progressive steps. 
   
   
       3 . A blade as claimed in  claim 1  any preceding claim wherein the substantially planar portions are formed by lamellae. 
   
   
       4 . A blade as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the lamellae are disposed in a stack, each step being formed by an edge of one of the lamellae. 
   
   
       5 . A blade as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the lamellae are rectangular and each lamella has a smaller width than the previous lamella in the stack. 
   
   
       6 . A blade as claimed in  claim 5  wherein at least some of the lamellae have a smaller length than the previous lamellae in the stack. 
   
   
       7 . A blade as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the lamellae are aligned about a central axis, and the steps formed by the side edges of the lamellae are parallel with one another and the steps formed by the end edges of the lamellae are parallel with one another. 
   
   
       8 . A blade as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the smallest of the lamellae is disposed at the centre of the stack on the front face of the blade. 
   
   
       9 . A blade as claimed in  claim 4  wherein a flexible member is disposed between adjacent lamellae in the stack. 
   
   
       10 . A blade as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the flexible member is a lamella made from an elastomeric material. 
   
   
       11 . A blade as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the elastomeric material is butyl rubber, natural rubber, EPDM or silicon rubber. 
   
   
       12 . A blade as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the lamellae and flexible members are bonded together with adhesive. 
   
   
       13 . A blade as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one rib is attached to a planar portion of the front face of the blade and a front surface of the rib defines one of the substantially planar portions. 
   
   
       14 . A blade as claimed in  claim 13  wherein a plurality of spaced ribs are attached to the front face of the blade, each rib having a front surface defining a separate planar portion. 
   
   
       15 . A blade as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a structural member is disposed along the rear face of the blade and is fastened to the blade using studs, pins and/or adhesive. 
   
   
       16 . A blade as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the studs or pins are welded to a part of the blade and are releasably fastened to the structural member. 
   
   
       17 . A blade as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the structural member extends along either the full length of the blade or part of the length of the blade. 
   
   
       18 . A blade as claimed in  claim 15  wherein at least one handle is attached to the structural member. 
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A trowel comprising a handle and a blade as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the handle is fastened to the rear face of the blade. 
   
   
       21 . A trowel as claimed in  claim 20  wherein a second handle is fastened to the rear face of the blade, spaced from the first handle. 
   
   
       22 . (canceled)