Blade protector for tape applicators and dispensers

• US 6,296,033 B1
• Filed: 07/23/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ben Clements & Sons, Inc, Clements Industries
• Original Assignee: Ben Clements & Sons, Inc, Clements Industries
• Inventors: Clements, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAY, LINDA LAMEY
• Application Number:
  US09/359,823
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 156/523, 156/579, 156/527, 225/19, 225/20, 225/91, 225/77, 225/56
• US Class Current: 156/527
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/0033 and affixing it to a surface B65H35/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/0073 Details
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1365 Fixed cutter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/18 Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with handle or handgrip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/215 With blade-edge guard
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/216 Movable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/257 Blade mounted on hand-held wound package
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/282 With fixed blade and support for wound package
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/298 Blades or severing devices

Abstract

A tape applicator includes a frame. A blade is affixed to the frame. A guard is mounted on the frame and extends from the frame beyond the edge of the blade. The guard is deflected as the tape is drawn across the blade.

Claims

1. A tape applicator comprising:

a frame;

a blade having a cutting edge mounted on the frame and extending therefrom;

a blade having a cutting edge mounted on the frame and extending said frame beyond said cutting edge of said blade;

a tape support adapted to support a supply of tape, said guard being constructed and arranged to resiliently deflect away from said cutting edge of said blade by tape draw into contact with said cutting edge of said blade.

2. The tape applicator of claim 1, further comprising a handle, said frame being supported by the handle.

3. The tape applicator of claim 1, wherein said guard is formed of a pliable material.

4. The tape applicator of claim 1, wherein the guard is made out of plastic.

11. The tape applicator of claim 1, wherein a distal end of said guard extends substantially perpendicular to said cutting edge of said blade.

12. The tape applicator of claim 1, wherein said frame is constructed so as to rest on a flat surface during use.

13. The tape applicator of claim 1, wherein said guard is mounted on said blade.

14. The tape applicator of claim 1, wherein said guard comprises a resilient hinge.

15. The tape applicator of claim 14, wherein resilient hinge comprises a bendline extending substantially across said guard.

16. The tape applicator of claim 14, wherein said guard is formed of a non-pliable material.

17. The tape applicator of claim 1, wherein said guard is constructed and arranged to deflect so as to expose said cutting edge of said blade and resiliently return substantially to its original position once said tape is no longer in contact with said cutting edge.

18. The tape applicator of claim 1, wherein said guard is mounted on said frame so as to be substantially parallel to said blade.

19. The tape applicator of claim 1, wherein said cutting edge comprises serrated teeth extending in a first direction from a base portion of the blade and said guard extends substantially parallel to said first direction.

20. The guard of claim 19, wherein said guard is formed of a pliable material.

24. The tape applicator of claim 1, wherein said guard is removably a affixed to said blade.

5. A tape applicator comprising:

a handle;

a frame mounted on the handle;

a blade affixed to the frame and extending therefrom;

a removable guard having a cutting edge, formed from a pliable material, mounted on said frame and extending from said frame beyond said cutting edge of said blade, said guard being constructed and arranged with respect to said blade to be resiliently deflected away from said cutting edge of said blade when tape is drawn into contact with said blade; and

a tape roll support adapted to support a supply of tape, mounted on said frame.

6. The tape applicator of claim 5, wherein said guard is made of plastic.

7. The tape applicator of claim 5, wherein said guard is made of spring metal.

8. The tape applicator of claim 5, further comprising a connection plate mounted within the frame, said guard being affixed to said connecting plate, and said blade being affixed to said connection plate.

9. The tape applicator of claim 5, wherein said guard and said fame are formed as a unitary construction.

10. The tape applicator of claim 5, wherein a distal end of said guard extends towards said handle.

25. The tape applicator of claim 5, wherein said guard is removably a affixed to said blade.

21. A tape applicator comprising:

a frame;

a blade affixed to the frame and extending therefrom;

a guard comprising a resilient hinge mounted on said frame and extending from said frame beyond said cutting edge of said blade;

a tape support adapted to support a supply of tape, said guard being constructed and arranged to resiliently deflect away from said cutting edge of said blade by tape draw into contact with said cutting edge of said blade.

26. The tape applicator of claim 21, wherein said guard is removably a affixed to said blade.

22. A tape applicator comprising:

a frame;

a blade having a cutting edge mounted on the frame and extending therefrom;

a guard comprising a resilient hinge mounted on said frame and extending from said frame beyond said cutting edge of said blade, said resilient hinge comprising a bendline extending substantially across said guard;

a tape support adapted to support a supply of tape, said guard being constructed and arranged to resiliently deflect away from said cutting edge of said blade by tape draw into contact with said cutting edge of said blade.

27. The tape applicator of claim 22, wherein said guard is removably affixed to said blade.

23. A tape applicator comprising:

a frame;

a blade having a cutting edge mounted on the frame and extending therefrom;

a non-pliable guard comprising a resilient hinge mounted on said frame and extending from said frame beyond said cutting edge of said blade;

a tape support adapted to support a supply of tape, said guard being constructed and arranged to resiliently deflect away from said cutting edge of said blade by tape draw into contact with said cutting edge of said blade.

28. The tape applicator of claim 23, wherein said guard is removably affixed to said blade.