Kansas Patent of the Month – August 2022
Level 5 Tools, LLC is a family-run company who has been designing and perfecting their drywall tools since 1997. This Kansas-based company has made a mark with their quality, with loyal customers including professional finishers across the globe. Being family-run, they know the importance of this loyalty and take their finisher’s feedback very seriously when designing new products. It’s this feedback that helps them to tackle the real pain points in the industry and generate solutions that will actually make the process easier.
With this commitment to innovation, the company has recently patented a new tool for applying finishing compounds. Drywall installations usually require the joining of separate panels of gypsum boards. Joined first by tape, the connection is then sealed with mud – a joining compound. Additional mud can be used to achieve the desired finish – a smooth wall, a popcorn ceiling, or a stuccoed accent piece.
Level 5 Tools’ system allows for these varying finishes to be achieved while reducing the time needed and creating consistency. Their patent uses a device with lockable gas springs, piston-and-cylinder units, and drive aguers to automate the application. This replaces the need for multiple tools to address corners, flats, and joints and creates a steady pressure for more consistent results. Along with consistent pressure, the dispensing of mud is also more controlled. With increased control, the application can be achieved without necessary skill, ensuring even novice finishers can get the job done.
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