Tool and Method for Forming Shower Base Elements

Abstract

A tool and a method for creating a base element for a shower installation are disclosed. Specifically, the tool relates to a multi-level, rotary mounted form arm and an edge support for forming mortar into a properly sloped shower base. An improved alternative length adjustable form arm is disclosed that may be used independently to scrape or form a wall or ceiling, or, as a multi-use expandable straight edge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for forming and constructing a shower pan comprising:
 a) a rotary mounted forming tool comprising a generally perpendicular vertical shaft with a radially affixed length-adjustable form arm:
 i. wherein said radially affixed length-adjustable form arm is constructed of at least two interlocking segments wherein at least one of said interlocking segments may be slidable stored inside its neighboring segment; 
 ii. wherein said radially affixed length-adjustable form arm is affixed at one end to said vertical shaft; and 
   b) a height-adjustable support structure with affixed stabilizing elements wherein said stabilizing elements are transversely inserted through slots formed in said height-adjustable support structure.   
     
     
         2 . A system for forming and constructing a shower pan of  claim 1  wherein the generally perpendicular vertical shaft is anchored at the drain of the shower. 
     
     
         3 . A system for forming and constructing a shower pan of  claim 1  wherein the radially affixed length-adjustable form arm is constructed of aluminum. 
     
     
         4 . A system for forming and constructing a shower pan of  claim 1  wherein the radially affixed length-adjustable form arm is constructed of fiberglass. 
     
     
         5 . A system for forming and constructing a shower pan of  claim 1  wherein the radially affixed length-adjustable form arm is constructed of plastic. 
     
     
         6 . A system for forming and constructing a shower pan of  claim 1  wherein the radially affixed length-adjustable form arm is constructed of Delrin. 
     
     
         7 . A system for forming and constructing a shower pan of  claim 1  wherein the length-adjustable form arm is supported at its terminal end by a height-adjustable support structure with affixed stabilizing elements to form a shower pan. 
     
     
         8 . A method of using a system for forming and constructing a shower pan of  claim 7  to form a pre-shower slope and a shower pan comprising the following steps:
 a) affixing a rotary mounted form tool to a drain flange wherein said rotary mounted form tool is bolted to said drain flange and said drain flange is installed in a shower area; 
 b) affixing a radially affixed length-adjustable form arm to said rotary mounted form tool wherein said radially affixed length-adjustable form arm is located at a user selectable height such that the grade of the radially affixed length-adjustable form arm slopes towards the drain flange; 
 c) pouring mortar into the shower area; 
 d) rotating the radially affixed length-adjustable form arm while simultaneously adjusting its length to form a pre-shower slope wherein the grade of the radially affixed length-adjustable form arm slopes towards the drain flange; 
 e) allowing time for the concrete pre-shower slope to cure; 
 f) placing a plastic drain liner over the cured pre-shower slope; 
 g) re-affixing the rotary mounted form tool to the drain riser wherein said rotary mounted form tool is screwed to said drain riser and said drain riser is installed in the shower area; 
 h) re-affixing the radially affixed length-adjustable form arm to said rotary mounted form tool wherein said radially affixed length-adjustable form arm is located at a user selectable height above said rotary mounted form tool; 
 i) installing a height-adjustable support structure with affixed stabilizing elements around the outer perimeter of the shower area such that the radially distant end of the length-adjustable form arm is supported on said height-adjustable support structure and the grade of the radially affixed length-adjustable form arm slopes towards the drain flange; 
 j) pouring mortar into the shower area; and 
 k) rotating the radially affixed length-adjustable form arm while simultaneously adjusting its length to form the mortar into a shower pan. 
 
     
     
         9 . A method scraping or forming a flat surface comprising the following steps:
 a) extending a length-adjustable form arm to an arbitrary length
 i. wherein said length-adjustable form arm is constructed of at least two interlocking segments wherein at least one of said interlocking segments may be slidable stored inside its neighboring segment; 
   b) applying mud or plaster to a wall; and   c) scraping or forming the mud or plaster to an even height using said length-adjustable form arm.