Skimming tool

Abstract

A skimming tool 1 for smoothing and levelling wet plaster applied to a surface comprising: an elongate generally rectangular, flat, flexible, elastomeric web 2 and an elongate, substantially rigid handle 3 connected to and extending along substantially the length of one long edge of the web, wherein the handle is adapted to be gripped by the user

1 . A skimming tool for smoothing and levelling wet finish coat plaster applied to a surface, comprising:
 a plaster engaging blade comprising an elongate generally rectangular, flat, flexible, elastomeric web having a proximal edge portion and a distal edge portion, and an enlarged section at the proximal edge portion of the web; and   an elongate, substantially rigid handle configured to connect to the plaster engaging blade, wherein the handle is adapted to be gripped by a user at any point along a length of the handle, wherein the handle defines a recess extending along the length of the handle, and wherein the recess comprises a channel and an enlarged section, the channel having a first height adjacent the enlarged section and the enlarged section having a second height greater than the first height;   wherein, when the handle is connected to the plaster engaging blade:
 the enlarged section of the plaster engaging blade is received in the enlarged section of the recess in the handle with a slack fit that permits sliding movement of the plaster engaging blade in a direction parallel to a length of the recess but prevents movement of the plaster engaging blade in a direction perpendicular to the length of the recess; 
 the proximal edge portion of the web is received in the channel; and 
 the web extends outwardly from the handle and the distal edge portion of the web is spaced apart from the handle. 
   
     
     
         2 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the enlarged sections of the web and the recess are in the form of a ball and socket in cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . A skimming tool as in  claim 1 , wherein the handle has a generally rectangular profile comprising a first side generally parallel with the web and a second side generally perpendicular to the web and being formed with a curved recess therealong adapted to receive the fingertips of the user. 
     
     
         6 . A skimming tool as in  claim 1 , wherein the handle is hollow and wherein the skimming tool further comprises removable end caps configured to close off opposite ends of the handle. 
     
     
         7 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the end caps, when in place, overlie opposite open ends of the recess to prevent lengthwise movement of the plaster engaging blade out of the recess. 
     
     
         8 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the handle and the web are formed by extrusion. 
     
     
         9 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the handle is formed of aluminum and the web is formed of PVC. 
     
     
         10 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the web and the handle both have a length greater than about 600 mm. 
     
     
         11 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the web and the handle have a length of 600 mm to 1500 mm. 
     
     
         12 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the web and the handle have a length of about 1200 mm. 
     
     
         13 . A skimming tool according to  claim 1 , wherein an operative surface of the web comprises a plurality of parallel ridges extending along a length of the web and located proximate the distal edge portion of the web. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the web comprises a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the handle comprises a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion less than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. 
     
     
         16 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises a bifurcated flange defining the channel, the bifurcated flange comprising a first limb and a second limb spaced apart from the first limb. 
     
     
         17 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the plaster engaging blade further comprises a first shoulder extending from a first side of the web and a second shoulder extending from a second side of the web, and wherein when the handle is connected to the plaster engaging blade, the first and second shoulders abut distal ends of the first and second limbs. 
     
     
         18 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the first limb has a first width and the second limb has a second width smaller than the first width, and wherein the first shoulder is spaced apart from the proximal edge portion of the web by a first distance and the second shoulder is spaced apart from the proximal edge portion of the web by a second distance less than the first distance. 
     
     
         19 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the handle extends along substantially the length of the proximal edge portion of the web. 
     
     
         20 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the enlarged section of the recess is located at a proximal-most end of the recess. 
     
     
         21 . A skimming tool as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein, when the handle is connected to the plaster engaging blade, a substantially constant nominal clearance is defined extending around the proximal edge portion of the web and the enlarged section of the blade.