Variable Angle Mastic Applicator and Method of Applying Mastic

Abstract

A variable angle mastic applicator features a first panel and a second panel pivotally connected thereto to allow pivoting of the second panel relative to the first along an axis extending therealong. A delivery passage communicates at opposite ends with opposite sides of the first and second panels to allow delivery of mastic from a source side of the panels to an application side of the panels. The pivoting of the second panel relative to the first panel allows change of an angle at which the first and second panels diverge. A method of applying mastic involves changing the angle at which the first and second panels diverge to generally match a corner angle defined by two sheets of drywall and then delivering mastic through the delivery passage of the applicator with each panel having been placed against a respective one of the sheets of drywall adjacent the corner.

1 . A variable angle mastic applicator comprising:
 a first panel;   a second panel pivotally connected to the first panel to allow pivoting of the second panel relative to the first panel along an axis extending along the first panel; and   a delivery passage communicating at opposite ends with opposite sides of the first and second panels to allow delivery of mastic from a source side of the first and second panels to an application side of the first and second panels;   the pivoting of the second panel relative to the first panel about the axis allowing change of an angle at which the first and second panels diverge from one another.   
   
   
       2 . The applicator according to  claim 1  wherein the second panel is biased to pivot about the axis in a direction reducing the angle at which the first and second panels diverge, measured on the application side of the fist and second panels. 
   
   
       3 . The applicator according to  claim 2  wherein the second panel is biased by a torsion spring connected between the first and second panels on the source side thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The applicator according to  claim 2  wherein pivoting of the second panel relative to the first panel is limited to prevent increase of the angle at which the first and second panels diverge to more than 180 degrees, measured on the source side of the first and second panels. 
   
   
       5 . The applicator according to  claim 1  further comprising a diverter carried on the first and second panels on the application side thereof to guide mastic delivered through the delivery passage laterally outward therefrom in directions transverse to the axis toward an outer edge of each panel distal to the axis. 
   
   
       6 . The applicator according to  claim 1  wherein the delivery passage extends through only the first of the first and second panels. 
   
   
       7 . The applicator according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second panels overlap at an inner edge of each panel proximate the axis, the axis being offset from the inner edges of the panels to the source side thereof. 
   
   
       8 . The applicator according to  claim 7  wherein the first panel overlaps the second panel on the application side of the first and second panels. 
   
   
       9 . The applicator according to  claim 8  wherein a portion of the first panel overlapping the second panel curves about the axis toward the inner edge of the first panel. 
   
   
       10 . The applicator according to  claim 1  wherein each panel comprises a retaining lip projecting to the application side of the first and second panels along an end of the panel oriented transverse to the axis. 
   
   
       11 . The applicator according to  claim 10  wherein each retaining lip has a first leg projecting outward from a base surface on the application side of the panel and a second leg projecting along the base surface at a distance therefrom from an end of the first leg opposite the base surface. 
   
   
       12 . The applicator according to  claim 1  wherein each panel comprises a rail extending along an outer edge of the panel distal to the axis on a base surface on the application side of the panel. 
   
   
       13 . The applicator according to  claim 12  wherein each rail projects further from the base surface at one of the rail than at an opposite end of the rail. 
   
   
       14 . The applicator according to  claim 1  further comprising a stop carried on the first panel on the source side of the first and second panels to limit the pivoting of the second panel in a direction decreasing the angle at which the first and second panels diverge, measured on the source side of the first and second panels. 
   
   
       15 . The applicator according to  claim 1  further comprising a connection body carried on the first and second panels on the source side thereof and adapted for connection to a mastic delivery device. 
   
   
       16 . The applicator according to  claim 15  wherein the connection body comprises a socket for receiving a ball end of the mastic delivery device, the delivery passage communicating with the socket on the source side of the first and second panels. 
   
   
       17 . A method of applying mastic to a corner defined between two sheets of drywall, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a variable angle mastic applicator comprising a first panel, a second panel pivotally connected to the first panel to allow pivoting of the second panel relative to the first panel along an axis extending along the first panel and a delivery passage communicating at opposite ends with opposite sides of the first and second panels to allow delivery of mastic from a source side of the first and second panels to an application side of the first and second panels;   (b) pivoting of the second panel relative to the first panel to change an angle at which the first and second panels diverge to generally match a corner angle defined by the sheets of wall drywall; and   (c) delivering mastic through the delivery passage of the applicator with each panel of the applicator having been placed against a respective one of the sheets of drywall adjacent the corner.   
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the second panel of the applicator is biased to pivot about the axis in a direction increasing the angle at which the first and second panels diverge, measured on the source side of the first and second panels, and step (b) comprises forcing panels of the applicator against the respective sheets of wall drywall to overcome the biasing of the second panel and force the angle at which the first and second panels diverge to change to generally match the corner angle.