Tool for removing acoustic ceiling material

Abstract

A tool is designed to simultaneously remove and catch the materials used for finishing acoustical ceilings, thereby greatly reducing or, in some cases, eliminating the need for extensive drop cloth and plastic coverage of the room's interior and furnishings. The tool may reduce or eliminate the laborious task of cleaning up the removed acoustical ceiling material, which, with conventional methods, often dries on surfaces before clean-up begins. The tool may include a scraper to remove the acoustical ceiling material and a hollow body cavity to accumulate the removed material. The tool may be designed to be ergonomically friendly, lightweight and easy to use within a broad range of prestidigitation.

1 . A tool comprising:
 a tray portion having a blade mounting region and a material collection region, the blade mounting region having a surface sloped at an angle relative to a top edge of the tray portion;   a blade adapted to attach to the surface of the blade mounting region; and   a handle extending from a lower portion of the tray portion.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is hollow, wherein the hollow portion of the handle is in fluid communication with the material collection region of the tray portion of the tool. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is about 30 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the blade extends from one side of the tray portion to the other side of the tray portion. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein an edge of the blade extends beyond a plane formed by the top edge of the tray portion. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 5 , wherein the edge of the blade is rounded. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the handle extends from the bottom of the tray portion at an angle. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tray portion and the handle are formed of a lightweight plastic and the blade is formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         9 . A method for removing acoustical ceiling material, the method comprising:
 wetting at least a portion of a surface having acoustical ceiling material applied thereupon;   pulling a blade of a tool along the wetted portion, wherein the blade is mounted within the tool at an angle and the tool includes a material collection region adapted to receive acoustical ceiling material that is removed from the surface; and   collecting removed acoustical ceiling material in the material collection region of the tool.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the blade of the tool is pulled by pulling on a handle of the tool, the handle being a hollow handle extending from and in fluid communication with the bottom of the material collection region.