Edge taping tool

• US 6,478,068 B1
• Filed: 12/21/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cambridge Enterprises Limited
• Original Assignee: Cambridge (Mauritius) Ltd. (Elliott Capital Advisors LP)
• Inventors: Brown, J. Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Osele, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US09/747,756
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 156/574, 156/577, 156/579, 225/51
• US Class Current: 156/577
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 35/0033 and affixing it to a surface B65H35/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1795 Implement carried web supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/18 Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with handle or handgrip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 225/252 With brake or tensioner

Abstract

There is provided herein a new apparatus for applying tape such as masking tape to surfaces for purposes of protecting those surfaces from exposure to subsequent treatment of adjacent surfaces by paint, varnish, stain, and the like. The device of the instant invention includes a rotably mounted spool of tape which is fed past a cutter blade, over a guide pin and around an application roller. The cutter blade is positioned to be clear of the tape during normal operation. However, when the tape is tensioned by braking the rotation of the tape spool by application of a hand brake, the tape path is drawn down into contact with the blade, thereby severing it. Additionally, the instant invention utilizes a plurality of guide wheels to space the tape that is deposited by the instant invention apart from the surface that is adjacent to the taped one.

Claims

1. A hand held device for the application of adhesive tape from a roll onto a substantially planar surface, comprising:

(a) a body;

(b) a tape reel rotatably mounted on said body for dispensing the adhesive tape from the roll, said tape reel being sized to accommodate the roll of adhesive tape;

(c) a reel brake mounted on said body, said reel brake positionable to retard rotation of said tape reel when actuated;

(d) an application roller mounted on said body, said application roller for receiving adhesive tape from the roll and placing the adhesive tape in contact the substantially planar surface;

(e) a guide pin mounted on said body between said roll of adhesive tape and said application roller, said guide pin being positionable to be in continuous contact with the adhesive tape and for guiding said adhesive tape between said tape reel and said application roller; and

,

(f) a handle mounted on said body on a side opposite from said tape reel.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said reel brake frictionally engages said tape reel, thereby retarding its rotation.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said tape reel has a rearward face, said rearward face of said tape reel having at least one indentation therein, and wherein said reel brake comprises:

(c1) a brake rod, said brake rod being positionable to engage said at least one indentation of said tape reel rearward face, thereby retarding its rotation, and,

(c2) an actuator, said actuator being operable by a user to urge said brake rod forward to engage said at least one indentation.

4. A device according to claim 1, further comprising:

(g) a cutter mounted on said body between said tape reel and said guide pin, said cutter being proximate to the adhesive tape when the adhesive tape is extended between said tape reel and said guide pin.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said cutter is positioned between said guide pin and said tape reel, and wherein said cutter engages and cuts the adhesive tape when said adhesive tape between said guide pin and said tape reel is placed under tension by engagement of said reel brake.

6. A device according to claim 1, further comprising:

(g) a tape-end holder mounted on said body on a side opposite from said guide pin, said tape-end holder for holding a terminus of the roll of adhesive tape.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said tape-end holder comprises:

(g1) a receiving member having an upper surface,

(g2) at least one piercing pin mounted on said upper surface of said receiving member, and,

(g3) a cutting member proximate to said at least one piercing pin, said cutting member being operable in conjunction with said at least one piercing pin to cut the tape.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said receiving member contains at least one notch therein, and wherein at least one of said at least one notches has a piercing pin positioned therein.

9. A method of severing adhesive tape that is dispensed from a roll onto a surface, wherein is provided the apparatus of claim 5, comprising the steps of:

(a) mounting the roll of adhesive tape on the tape reel;

(b) threading the adhesive tape over said guide pin and under said application roller;

(c) placing said application roller in contact with the surface;

(d) moving said device so as to rotate said application roller and deposit adhesive tape onto the surface;

(e) actuating said reel brake and continuing to move said device so as to rotate said application roller, thereby placing said adhesive tape between said guide pin and said tape reel under tension and severing said adhesive tape with said cutter.

10. A device for the application of adhesive tape from a roll onto a surface, comprising:

(a) a body;

(b) a tape reel rotatably mounted on said body for dispensing the adhesive tape from the roll, said tape reel being sized to accommodate the roll of adhesive tape;

(c) a reel brake mounted on said body, said reel brake positionable to retard rotation of said tape reel when actuated;

(d) an application roller mounted on said body, said application roller for receiving adhesive tape from the roll and placing the adhesive tape in contact the surface;

(e) a guide pin mounted on said body between said roll of adhesive tape and said application roller, said guide pin being positionable to be in continuous contact with the adhesive tape and for guiding said adhesive tape between said tape reel and said application roller; and

,

(f) a cutter mounted on said body between said tape reel and said guide pin, said cutter being proximate to the adhesive tape when the adhesive tape is extended between said tape reel and said guide pin, and said cutter engaging and cutting said adhesive tape when said adhesive tape between said guide pin and said tape reel is placed under tension by engagement of said reel brake.

11. A device for the application of adhesive tape from a roll onto a first surface abutting a second surface, said second surface being substantially transverse to said first surface, comprising:

(a) a body;

(b) a tape reel rotatably mounted on said body for dispensing the adhesive tape from the roll, said tape reel being sized to accommodate the roll of adhesive tape;

(c) an application roller mounted on said body, said application roller for receiving adhesive tape from the roll and placing the adhesive tape in contact with the first surface;

(d) a guide pin mounted on said body between said roll of adhesive tape and said application roller, said guide pin being positionable to be in continuous contact with the adhesive tape and for guiding said adhesive tape between said tape reel and said application roller; and

,

(e) a cutter mounted on said body between said tape reel and said guide pin, said cutter being proximate to the adhesive tape when the adhesive tape is extended between said tape reel and said guide pin, and said cutter engaging and cutting said adhesive tape when said adhesive tape between said guide pin and said tape reel is placed under tension; and

,

(f) a plurality of guide rollers mounted on said body, each of said guide rollers being oriented transversely to said application rollers, and, said guide rollers for completely supporting said device away from the second surface.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein there are three guide rollers.

13. A device according to claim 11, further comprising:

(g) a reel brake mounted on said body, said reel brake positionable to retard rotation of said tape reel when actuated.

14. A device according to claim 11, further comprising:

(g) a tape-end holder mounted on said body on a side opposite from said guide pin, said tape-end holder for holding a terminus of the roll of adhesive tape.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein said tape-end holder comprises:

(g1) a receiving member having an upper surface,

(g2) at least one piercing pin mounted on said upper surface of said receiving member, and,

(g3) a cutting member proximate to said at least one piercing pin, said cutting member being operable in conjunction with said at least one piercing pin to cut the tape.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said receiving member contains at least one notch therein, and wherein at least one of said at least one notches has a piercing pin positioned therein.

17. A device according to claim 15 wherein said guide rollers are adjustable to vary said predetermined distance from the second surface.

18. A device according to claim 17 wherein said guide rollers are affixed to a mounting plate,

said mounting plate being mounted on said body, and

said mounting plate being laterally movable to vary a position of said guide rollers with respect to said body, thereby varying said predetermined distance form the second surface.

19. A device according to claim 11, wherein said guide rollers maintain said body at a predetermined distance from the second surface.