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US-12617072-B2 - Integrated drywall finishing tool organizer with cleaning system

US12617072B2US 12617072 B2US12617072 B2US 12617072B2US-12617072-B2

Abstract

The invention provides a tool organizer specifically designed for drywall finishers. It incorporates a rectangular base board with a front surface featuring multiple storage pockets for holding various tools. A water reservoir tube, affixed to the top edge of the base board, enables controlled moistening of a foam or sponge pad located on one side edge. An opposing side edge features a squeegee for pre-cleaning tasks. A foldable element at the bottom edge of the base board acts as a kickstand for supporting the organizer in a slanted position. The invention aims to integrate tool storage and cleaning functionalities for drywall finishing tasks.

Inventors

  • Macario Sanchez

Assignees

  • Macario Sanchez

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20240610

Claims (13)

  1. 1 . A tool organizer for drywall finishing, comprising: a rectangular base board having a front surface; a plurality of storage pockets disposed on said front surface of said rectangular base board for holding tools; a water reservoir tube attached to a top edge of said rectangular base board, said water reservoir tube featuring an inlet and an external button; a foam or sponge pad affixed to a first lateral edge of said rectangular base board, said foam or sponge pad being in fluid communication with said water reservoir tube; a squeegee element affixed to a second lateral edge of said rectangular base board, opposite said first lateral edge; and a foldable kickstand element coupled to a bottom edge of said rectangular base board, said foldable kickstand element adapted to support said base board in a slanted orientation when deployed.
  2. 2 . The tool organizer of claim 1 , wherein said water reservoir tube is transparent.
  3. 3 . The tool organizer of claim 1 , wherein said foam or sponge pad is moistened by activation of said external button.
  4. 4 . The tool organizer of claim 3 , wherein said external button is configured to allow a predetermined amount of water to pass through when said external button is pressed.
  5. 5 . The tool organizer of claim 1 , further comprising additional storage means disposed on said front surface for holding tools selected from the group consisting of tape measures, hammers, utility knives, staplers, and scissors.
  6. 6 . The tool organizer of claim 5 , wherein said additional storage means are formed integrally with said front surface of said rectangular base board.
  7. 7 . The tool organizer of claim 1 , wherein said squeegee element is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, brass, and aluminium.
  8. 8 . The tool organizer of claim 1 , wherein said water reservoir tube spans the entire width of said rectangular base board.
  9. 9 . The tool organizer of claim 1 , wherein said water reservoir tube has a capacity of 250 ml.
  10. 10 . The tool organizer of claim 1 , further comprising a hook element configured for hanging items such as Bluetooth speakers.
  11. 11 . The tool organizer of claim 1 , further comprising a designated storage area for a cellular phone.
  12. 12 . The tool organizer of claim 1 , wherein said foldable kickstand element is attached to said bottom edge of said rectangular base board via a hinge mechanism.
  13. 13 . The tool organizer of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of storage pockets are configured to hold putty knives of various sizes.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present invention relates generally to the field of construction tools and accessories. More specifically, the invention pertains to an organizer designed for use by drywall finishers, combining both tool storage and cleaning functionalities. BACKGROUND Field of Invention In the construction industry, particularly in the drywall finishing sector, achieving efficient tool organization and maintaining the cleanliness of putty knives poses ongoing challenges for professionals known as tapers or drywall finishers. The process of taping and finishing in the drywall finishing industry involves the use of a putty or compound material, commonly known as ‘compound’, ‘joint compound’ or ‘drywall putty’. This compound is used to fill and level joints, cracks, and damaged areas in drywall, creating an even surface ready for subsequent sanding and application of paint or other decorative coatings. Putty or compound is usually composed of a mixture of gypsum, polymers and other additives that allow for easy application and quick drying. To accomplish these tasks, specialists, or taper finisher workers, turn to a plethora of hand tools such as putty knives of different sizes, utility knives, tape measures, pliers, snips, rasps, and more. In this context, our tool organizer focuses on providing a specific and orderly place to house only the essential hand tools needed to carry out a given task, having only the most indispensable tools at hand at that precise moment ensuring efficient management of the tools required for a high-quality job. Worksite conditions often present logistical obstacles for tool storage and sanitation, as the environment is frequently cluttered and hard to navigate. Moreover, the task of drywall finishing demands a high degree of precision, making the cleanliness of tools such as putty knives a critical factor in the overall quality of the finished work. Manual cleaning methods are the prevailing norm and they bear several limitations. Tapers traditionally utilize water-filled buckets with sponges to clean putty knives, an approach that tends to consume excessive amounts of water. This excessive water usage not only raises environmental concerns but also adds to operational inefficiency. Furthermore, this method of cleaning becomes problematic in hard-to-reach or elevated areas, where carrying a water-filled bucket may be impractical or hazardous. Also this organizer can be in addition to drywall finishers, it can be used by: Hobbyists, Makers, Enthusiasts, garage, DIYers, artists, Etc. Another common practice involves scraping off compound residues from putty knives before moistening them with a sponge or cloth for further cleaning. This approach minimizes water usage, however, it introduces a multi-step cleaning process that can be time-consuming and less efficient. It is also worth noting that these residues dry quickly and once dried, become significantly harder to remove. Even minor residues can impact the quality of the finish by leaving marks, making timely and effective cleaning imperative for the success of the project. Existing tool organizers seldom address these complexities. They may offer storage solutions, but the problem is that the worker there finds a pile of tools all scrambled, which makes it impossible to easily choose the ones he needs at the moment, and at that time he only needs a few of them. Thus, tapers often find themselves needing to create makeshift arrangements, which only serve as a temporary solution and do not fully address the limitations described above. In summary, there is a notable absence of specialized equipment that combines both tool organization and efficient cleaning mechanisms for putty knives in drywall finishing applications. This gap in the market represents a clear need for a solution that can streamline tool management and cleaning in a more effective manner. It is within this context that the present invention is provided. SUMMARY The present invention relates to a tool organizer specifically designed for drywall finishers. The invention incorporates both storage and cleaning functionalities into a single device. The principal components include a rectangular base board, a water reservoir tube, a foam or sponge pad, a squeegee, and a foldable kickstand. In some embodiments, the front surface of the rectangular base board is designed with wide pockets to accommodate various tools commonly used in drywall finishing, such as putty knives, tape measures, hammers, pliers, snips, staples, utility knives, tape measures, and Drywall rasps. This feature aims to provide organized storage, thereby mitigating clutter and enhancing the ease of access to essential tools. Each pocket may correspond to a specific tool. In some embodiments, the water reservoir tube is transparent and spans the width of the top edge of the base board. The tube has an inlet for water addition and is equipped with an exterior button. When th