Modular tiling installation hand tool

Abstract

A handle assembly having a handle and a carrier arm. A receiving channel included in the carrier arm. A plurality of flange openings in the receiving channel being wider and extending deeper into the carrier arm than the receiving channel. A flange slot included in the carrier arm adjacent each of the flange openings and recessed from the receiving channel. An attachment unit having an attachment rail including a base rail running along a portion of a top side of the attachment unit. A plurality of securing flanges positioned on the base rail that project laterally outward and above the base rail. The securing flanges being received into the flange openings and the base rail being received into the receiving channel so that a sliding movement of the carrier arm along the attachment rail directs the securing flanges into and out of the flange slots.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular tiling installation hand tool comprising:
 a handle assembly having a handle and a carrier arm;   a receiving channel included in said carrier arm that extends generally along the entire length of a bottom side of said carrier arm;   a plurality of flange openings disposed in said receiving channel being wider and extending deeper into said carrier arm than adjacent portions of said receiving channel;   a flange slot included in said carrier arm adjacent each of said flange openings and being recessed from said receiving channel;   an attachment unit releasably connecting to said handle assembly;   an attachment rail carried by said attachment unit including a base rail running along a portion of a top side of said attachment unit;   a plurality of securing flanges positioned along said base rail that project laterally outward and above said base rail to define a generally T-rail shape arrangement between said securing flanges and base rail; and,   wherein, said securing flanges are received into said flange openings and said base rail is received into said receiving channel so that a sliding movement of said carrier arm along said attachment rail directs said securing flanges into and out of said flange slots to secure and release, respectively, said handle assembly from said attachment unit.   
     
     
         2 . The modular hand tool of  claim 1  wherein said attachment unit is a trowel blade. 
     
     
         3 . The modular hand tool of  claim 2  wherein at least one edge of said trowel blade includes measurement markings. 
     
     
         4 . The modular hand tool of  claim 1  wherein said attachment unit is a grout float. 
     
     
         5 . The modular hand tool of  claim 1  wherein said carrier arm includes a fastener engaging said attachment rail for resisting movement between said carrier arm and said attachment rail. 
     
     
         6 . The modular hand tool of  claim 5  wherein said fastener is defined by a threaded port disposed in said carrier arm receiving a set screw, wherein a distal end of said set screw engages said attachment rail to resist movement of said attachment rail. 
     
     
         7 . A modular tiling installation hand tool comprising:
 a handle assembly having a handle and a carrier arm;   a receiving channel included in said carrier arm;   a plurality of flange openings disposed in said receiving channel;   a flange slot included in said carrier arm adjacent each of said flange openings and being recessed from said receiving channel;   an attachment unit including an attachment rail having a base rail mounted to said attachment unit, and a plurality of securing flanges positioned along said base rail project outwardly from said base rail;   wherein said securing flanges are received into said flange openings and said base rail is received into said receiving channel so that a sliding movement of said carrier arm along said attachment rail directs said securing flanges into and out of said flange slots for releasably interconnecting said handle assembly to said attachment unit; and,   a fastener disposed on said carrier arm releasably engaging said attachment rail for resisting movement between said carrier arm and said attachment rail, wherein said fastener is defined by a threaded port disposed in said carrier arm receiving a set screw, and wherein a distal end of said set screw engages said attachment rail to resist movement of said attachment rail.