APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A SURFACE

1 . An apparatus for preparing a surface comprising:

an elongated handle; and

a head portion removably securable to the elongated handle via a pivot joint, the head portion being adapted to receive a surface preparation material;

wherein the apparatus is configured to allow a user prepare a surface by grasping the elongated handle when it is attached, and to prepare a surface by grasping an ergonomic portion of the pivot joint when the elongated handle is detached from the head portion.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivot joint includes a ball, configured to form an ergonomic handgrip when the elongated handle is disconnected from the head portion, and a socket a configured to removably receive the ball portion.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the ball is located on the head portion.

4 . The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the socket is located on a distal end of the elongated handle.

5 . The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the ball and socket are pivotally interconnected via a snap or press fit.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the head portion includes a plurality of slots configured to removably secure a surface preparation material to the head portion.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 wherein at least one of the slots includes an aperture configured to allow a user to urge a portion of the material into the slot.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the head portion is flexible such that it may be used to prepare a curved surface.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle is adjustable in length.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivot joint allows the head portion to remain in a selectively fixed position relative to the elongated handle.

11 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivot joint resiliently maintaining the head portion in a fixed position relative to the elongated handle.

12 . A surface preparation apparatus comprising:

a head portion having a base configured to removably receive a surface preparation material; and

a spherical handle located on the base, the spherical handle being sized for gripping by a human hand;

wherein the spherical handle is configured to pivotally and selectively mate with an elongated handle such that a user may prepare a surface by gripping the spherical handle, or, if attached, the elongated handle.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the elongated handle includes a socket configured to mate with the spherical handle.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the socket is located on a distal end of the elongated handle.

15 . The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the spherical handle and socket are pivotally interconnected via a snap or press fit.

16 . The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the base includes plurality of slots that are configured to removably secure a sheet of surface preparation material to the head portion.

17 . The apparatus of claim 16 wherein at least one of the slots includes an aperture configured to allow a user to urge a portion of the sheet into the slot.

18 . The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the head portion is flexible such that it may be used to prepare a curved surface.

19 . A method of securing a surface preparation material to a preparation apparatus comprising the steps of:

placing a head portion of the apparatus on a first side of a sheet of surface preparation material;

folding the surface preparation material over onto the head portion; and

inserting folded over portions of the surface preparation material into a plurality of slots formed in the head portion to removably secure the material to the preparation apparatus.

20 . The method of claim 19 wherein the head portion includes a spherical handle.

21 . The method of claim 20 further comprising:

gripping the spherical handle to prepare a surface.

22 . The method of claim 20 further comprising:

securing a elongated handle to the spherical handle such that the head portion may pivot about the elongated handle.

23 . The method of claim 22 further comprising:

gripping the elongated handle to prepare a surface.

24 . A method of surface preparation comprising the steps of:

removably securing an elongated handle to a spherical handle having a surface preparation material;

preparing a first surface with the surface preparation material; and

removing the elongated handle from the spherical handle; and

gripping the spherical handle directly by hand and manipulating the spherical handle to prepare a second surface.