This invention pertains to a leveling tool and, more particularly, to a tool for providing a smooth, inclined surface about a drain or the like.
In concrete/mud work it is desirable to provide an inclined, finished surface about a drainpipe or the like, the surface being inclined about the drainpipe so as to direct water thereto. Such surface may either then remained unfinished, as in an outside drain, or have tile mounted thereon as in a bathroom. It is thus desirable to provide a leveling tool which allows the worker to easily provide this inclined, smoothed surface.
In response thereto we have provided a leveling tool in the form of an elongated beam having a centrally located seat which receives the open end of-the drainpipe therein. Extending from this central seat in opposed directions is a pair of inclined surfaces. Each surface has an angle corresponding to the desired angle of inclination of the smoothed surface about the drainpipe. After the cement or other xe2x80x9cmudxe2x80x9d-like material has been poured about the drainpipe, the drainpipe is seated in the central seat such that the inclined surfaces extend away from the drainpipe in contact with the unfinished mud. User rotation of the device about the drainpipe, which acts as an axis of rotation, smoothes the poured material surface therebelow. During rotation of the device, pockets in the sidewall pick up the excess mud for transport away from the smoothed surface. Bubble levels in the device indicate that the device is at a proper position during rotation. A plate can be positioned within the seat so as to regulate the depth of penetration of the drainpipe within the seat and thus the depth of the smoothed surface below the top edge of the drainpipe.
It is therefor a general object of the invention to provide a device with leveling surfaces for presenting a smoothed surface about a drainpipe or the like at a desired inclination relative thereto.
Another object of this invention is to provide a device, as aforesaid, which presents a seat releasably engageable with the open end of the drainpipe, the leveling surfaces being rotatable about the drainpipe.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a device, as aforesaid, wherein the degree of penetration of the drainpipe into the seat can be adjusted.
Another object of this invention is to provide a device, as aforesaid, wherein pockets in the sidewall of the device pick up the excess mud material therein during smoothing of the poured material surface.
A particular object of the invention is to provide a device, as aforesaid, which has bubble levels therein for properly positioning the device during operation.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, a now preferred embodiment of this invention.