Grout - Removing Hand Tool

Abstract

This invention is directed to a grout removal tool comprising: a frame having a proximal end and a distal end; a blade removably attached to the distal end of the frame; a wheel rotatably attached to the proximal end of the frame for supporting the frame above a surface; a pressure pad rotatably attached to the frame having a pressure pad cavity defined in the pressure pad for receiving a portion of the frame; a hinge pin disposed inside the pressure pad cavity; a hinge pin opening defined in the rearward portion of the frame for receiving the hinge pin allowing the pressure pad to rotate from a open position to a closed position; and, a detent assembly having a first member carried by the pressure pad and a second member carried by the frame juxtaposed when the pressure pad is in a closed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A grout removal tool comprising:
 a frame having a proximal end and a distal end;   a blade removably attached to said distal end of said frame;   a wheel rotatably attached to said proximal end of said frame for supporting said frame above a surface;   a pressure pad rotatably attached to said frame having a pressure pad cavity defined in said pressure pad for receiving a portion of said frame;   a hinge pin disposed inside said pressure pad cavity;   a hinge pin opening defined in said rearward portion of said frame for receiving said hinge pin allowing said pressure pad to rotate from a open position to a closed position;   a detent assembly having a first member carried by said pressure pad and a second member carried by said frame juxtaposed when said pressure pad is in a closed position; and,   whereas said wheels and said blade form generally a plane increasing the contact of the blade to the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1  including a spare blade cavity defined in the top of said frame for receiving and storing spare blades. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2  wherein said spare blade cavity is arranged in said frame to store spare blades in a vertically orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1  including grip protrusions carried by said pressure pad to improve gripping said pressure pad. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1  including a blade cavity defined in said forward portion for receiving said blade. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 5  including a blade securing member removably attached to said frame for securing said blade in said blade cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 6  including a securing pin carried by said securing member for being received by a frame pin opening and a blade pin opening when said securing member is attached to said frame. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein said hinge pin opening is generally in an L configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein said top of said frame includes an asymmetrical curved portion corresponding to an asymmetrical recess defined in said pressure pad cavity whereby said asymmetrical curved portion and said asymmetrical recess are juxtaposed when said pressure pad is in a closed position. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein said blade includes a planar portion attached to an upward angled portion disposed on a distal end of said blade. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein said pressure pad includes a generally triangular shape. 
     
     
         12 . A grout removal tool comprising:
 a frame having a wheel rotatably attached to a proximal end of said frame for supporting said frame above a surface;   a blade cavity defined in a distal end of said frame for receiving a blade; and,   a pressure pad attached to said frame.   
     
     
         13 . The tool of  claim 12  including:
 a blade received in said blade cavity; and, 
 a securing member removably attached to said frame for securing said blade in said blade cavity. 
 
     
     
         14 . The tool of  claim 12  including a first wheel disposed on one side of said frame and a second wheel disposed on the other side of said frame. 
     
     
         15 . The tool of  claim 12  including a hinge assembly for hingedly attaching said pressure pad to said frame allowing said pressure pad to rotate from an open position to a closed position. 
     
     
         16 . The tool of  claim 15  including a detent assembly for securing said pressure pad in a closed position. 
     
     
         17 . A grout removal tool comprising:
 a frame;   a pressure pad rotatably attached to said frame;   a blade removably attached to said frame; and,   a pair of wheels carried by said frame wherein a first wheel is disposed on one side of said frame and a second wheel is disposed of on an opposite side of said frame so that said wheels and said blade define a plane which is in contact with a working surface.   
     
     
         18 . The tool of  claim 17  including a securing member for securing said blade in a blade cavity defined in said frame. 
     
     
         19 . The tool of  claim 17  including a vertically orientated spare blade cavity defined in the top of said cavity and accessible when said pressure pad is rotated in an open position. 
     
     
         20 . The tool of  claim 17  wherein:
 said pressure pad is removably attached to said frame; and 
 a detent assembly having a first member attached to said pressure pad and a second member attached to said frame for securing said pressure pad in a closed position.