Adhesive tape applicator with pivotable deflector edge unit

Abstract

An adhesive tape applicator with a holder for a roll of adhesive tape and at least one handle and an applicator head arranged so that it is in a fixed position relative to the handle, wherein a deflector edge unit is arranged in particular so that it can move relative to the applicator head.

Claims

1. An adhesive tape applicator comprising: a holder configured to hold a roll of adhesive tape, a handle, an applicator head in a fixed position relative to the handle; wherein the application head comprises a deflector edge unit that is moveable relative to the applicator head, and wherein the adhesive tape is applied in an application direction; wherein the applicator head comprises a transverse groove, extending transversely to the application direction of the adhesive tape; wherein the applicator head further comprises a longitudinal groove arranged in the application direction on an application side of the deflector edge unit.

2. The adhesive tape applicator of claim 1, wherein the deflector edge unit is rotatable about an axis relative to the applicator head by an angle (α); and further wherein the deflector edge unit is coupled to the applicator head with a spring.

3. The adhesive tape applicator of claim 1, wherein a pressure adhesive tape is inserted in the longitudinal groove.

4. The adhesive tape applicator of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a spindle oriented in the application direction, onto which the roll of adhesive tape is pushed; wherein the adhesive tape application further comprises two deflector rollers; and wherein the adhesive tape is supplied to the applicator head around the two deflector rollers.

5. The adhesive tape applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator head has an application side and a lateral contact side; wherein the lateral contact side comprises a first magnet; wherein the application side comprises a second magnet; wherein the first and second magnets maintain the contact side and the application side each in contact with a metal profile during use of the adhesive tape applicator.

6. The adhesive tape applicator of claim 1, further comprising a base unit; wherein the base unit comprises the holder and the handle, wherein the applicator head is arranged replaceably on the base unit.

7. The adhesive tape applicator of claim 1, wherein the deflector edge unit has a first deflector edge and a second deflector edge; wherein the second deflector edge is arranged as a mirror image of the first deflector edge.

8. The adhesive tape applicator of claim 1, wherein the deflector edge unit has an inner space configured to be opened and closed by a cover; wherein a magnet is disposed in the inner space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is described with the aid of an exemplary embodiment in six drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view in section of an adhesive tape applicator according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view, part of which is transparent, of the adhesive tape applicator in FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a view from below of the adhesive tape applicator in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a view from above of a deflector edge unit with a cover,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a side view of the deflector edge unit with no cover,

(7) FIG. 6 shows four cross-sections of a roof side rail of a motor vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) The view in section shown in FIG. 1 shows the adhesive tape applicator according to the invention with a holder 1 for a roll 2 of adhesive tape. The roll 2 of adhesive tape can be changed or replaced after use. A free end of an adhesive tape 3 freed from the roll 2 of adhesive tape is deflected via a first and a second (not shown) deflector roller 4, 6 and supplied to an applicator head 7 with a deflector edge unit 5. The roll 2 of adhesive tape has an adhesive side applied to the adhesive tape on the inside of the turns.

(9) The adhesive tape applicator comprises a base unit 9 and the applicator head 7 arranged on the base unit 9 so that it can be replaced. The base unit 9 comprises the holder 1 for the roll 2 of adhesive tape, with a spindle arranged at its free end, onto which the roll 2 of adhesive tape can be pushed, and a block 11 on which the holder 1 is fastened so that it is fixed in position. At least one handle 12, opposite the applicator head 7, is arranged on the block 11, fixed in position with respect to the block 11. The handle 12 is fastened on a plate 13 which is in turn fastened on the block 11. The two deflector rollers 4, 6 are arranged rotatably on the sides of the holder 1, opposite the block 11.

(10) The applicator head 7 is screwed into place removably on the block 11 on the side opposite the handle 12. The deflector edge unit 58 is provided on the applicator head 7, on the side remote from the roll 2 of adhesive tape. The deflector edge unit 5 is designed so that it can pivot relative to the applicator head 7 by an angle α. The deflector edge unit 5 is arranged so that it can pivot about a longitudinal axis L. The longitudinal axis L extends in a direction of application A of the adhesive tape 3. The roll 2 of adhesive tape likewise has a longitudinal axis which is likewise arranged in the direction of application A.

(11) The deflector edge unit 5 has an application side 14 which is arranged in FIG. 1 on the top of the deflector edge unit 5. A longitudinal groove 16 is provided along the application side 14. A pressure adhesive tape 17, not shown in FIG. 1, is stuck inside the longitudinal groove 16. The pressure adhesive tape 17 is a foam adhesive tape which has a width which corresponds to a width B of the longitudinal groove 16. The pressure adhesive tape 17 extends along a section of the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal groove 16 and is stuck inside the longitudinal groove 16. A friction-reduction layer can be applied to a free outer side, averted from the longitudinal groove 16, of the pressure adhesive tape 17.

(12) The adhesive tape 3 is guided about a deflector edge 18 which is oblique with respect to the direction of application A. FIG. 2 shows, with the deflector edge unit 8 transparent, the detailed structure of the deflector edge unit 8. The adhesive tape 3, no longer shown in FIG. 2, is guided about the first deflector roller 4 and the second deflector roller 6 according to FIG. 1, which is situated downstream in the direction in which the tape is pulled out. The adhesive tape 3 is guided below the deflector edge unit 8 in a transverse groove 19, which is let into the deflector edge unit 8, from a handle side to the deflector edge 18 of the applicator head 7. The transverse groove 19 extends at right angles to the direction of application A and at right angles to the axis of rotation of the deflector edge unit 8.

(13) On the application side 14, the transverse groove 19 opens into the oblique deflector edge 18. An adhesive tape is guided around the deflector edge 18 and onwards in the longitudinal groove 16 on the application side 14 of the applicator head 7 or of the deflector edge unit 8. The longitudinal groove 16 extends in the direction of application A.

(14) Both the applicator head 7 and the deflector edge unit 8 have a mirror-symmetrical design and have corresponding fastening means on the block 11 for this purpose. The adhesive tape applicator shown in FIG. 2 is designed for the application of the adhesive tape 3 by means of a right-to-left motion of the hand in the direction of application A. If the direction of application A were to be from left to right, the holder 1 and the applicator head 7 would have to be arranged mirror-symmetrically on the block 11.

(15) FIG. 3 shows the view of the adhesive tape applicator from below. The adhesive tape 3 is here guided around the second deflector roller 6 and into the transverse groove 19 and from there around the oblique deflector edge 18 onto the application side 14 of the deflector edge unit 8.

(16) The deflector edge unit 8 according to the invention is designed so that it can pivot relative to and on the applicator head 7. A recess 22 with two lateral bores 22a, 22b for a spindle 23 extending along the longitudinal axis L, is introduced into the applicator head 7. The deflector edge unit 8 is arranged so that it can pivot about the longitudinal axis L.

(17) A leg spring 24, which holds the deflector edge unit 8 in a neutral position relative to the applicator head 7, is pushed onto the longitudinal axis L. In the neutral position, the deflector edge unit 8 has an angle α of approximately 20°-90°, preferably 40°-60°, relative to the applicator head 7. The angle α between the application side 14 of the deflector edge unit 8 and a lateral contact side 26 of the applicator head 7 is measured here. Other angles α for the neutral position can of course also be considered. A force therefore needs to be exerted on the deflector edge unit 8 both when the deflector edge unit 8 is folded out and when it is folded in.

(18) In order to apply the adhesive tape 3, the deflector edge unit 8 is folded out by hand using a thumb or a finger into a position approximately at right angles with respect to the applicator head 7. The roll 2 of adhesive tape is here pushed onto the spindle of the holder 1 and the adhesive tape 3 is threaded over the deflector rollers 4, 6, through the transverse groove 19, around the deflector edge 18 and through the longitudinal groove 16.

(19) The deflector edge unit 8 of the adhesive tape applicator is then pushed into an application gap and the adhesive tape applicator is pulled along the application gap from right to left. The application gap is here, for example, the gap between a roof side rail 36 of a motor vehicle and the closed door of the motor vehicle, wherein the door has not yet been provided with an inner lining and seals, such that the gap, a few millimetres wide, is formed between the door and the roof side rail 36. In a cross-section, however, the roof side rail 36 has different angles, for example between the C pillar and B pillar and the B pillar and A pillar of the motor vehicle, to which the adhesive tape applicator according to the invention is, however, adapted automatically when it is drawn along both by the adhesive tape applicator being drawn along with the lateral contact side 26 against the roof side rail 36 and also by the deflector edge unit 8 being drawn along underneath with its application side 14 against the roof side rail 36.

(20) The angle between the application side 14 and the lateral contact side 26, which is usually not a right angle and instead varies, is compensated by the ability of the deflector edge unit 8 to pivot relative to the applicator head 7.

(21) At least one magnet is in each case inlaid in the application side 14 and the lateral contact side 26. An application-side magnet 27 is inlaid into the application side 14, and a first and a second lateral contact-side magnet 28a, 28b are inlaid into the lateral contact side. The magnets 27, 28a, 28b draw the application side 14 and the lateral contact side 26 against the steel profile of a roof 32.

(22) FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the deflector edge unit 8 and FIG. 5 shows the same in a side view. The deflector edge unit 8 has an essentially two-part design. It has the actual deflector edge unit 8 and a displaceable cover 29. A magnet 27 can be clamped, bonded or inlaid inside an interior space 31 of the deflector edge unit 8 and can also be easily removed again therefrom. The magnet 27 inlaid inside the interior space 31 is prevented from falling out by the cover 29 being closed. The cover 29 can be prevented from being opened accidentally by a bore, provided in the cover 29, through which a screw (not shown) passes. The deflector edge unit 8 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is mounted in the applicator head 7 so that it can rotate about the spindle 23.

(23) FIG. 5 shows a side view of the deflector edge unit 8 in FIG. 4. A T-shaped groove 30 can be seen here, into which the cover 29 equipped with a corresponding spring can be pushed. FIG. 5 also shows the two transverse grooves 19 along which the adhesive tape is guided and then deflected via the deflector edge 18.

(24) FIG. 6 shows in the lower region a side view of a vehicle side and the roof 32 of a motor vehicle. In the upper section of FIG. 6, cross-sections at different points of the roof side rail 32 of a motor vehicle are shown which are marked with an arrow. The first cross-section is arranged before the A pillar, the second and third cross-section are arranged between the A and B pillars, and the third cross-section is arranged in the region of the C pillar of the motor vehicle. It can be seen that an angle α between an inner side 34, which faces the door, and an outer side 33 of the roof side rail 36, which merges into the roof 32, is variable. In the first section before the A pillar, the angle α between the inner side 34 and the outer side 33 is α>90°, whilst the angle α varies between the A and B pillars between approximately 85° and 95°, and in the region of the C pillar again assumes approximately α=95°. Because the adhesive tape applicator is pressed from outside against the outer side 33 and from below against the inner side 34 of the roof side rail 36, the angle α between the deflector edge unit 8 and the applicator head 7 is adapted to this angle between the outer side 33 and the inner side 34 automatically when the adhesive tape applicator is guided along the roof side rail 36.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(25) 1 holder 2 roll of adhesive tape 3 adhesive tape 4 deflector roller 6 deflector roller 7 applicator head 8 deflector edge unit 9 base unit 11 block 12 handle 13 plate 14 application side 16 longitudinal groove 17 pressure adhesive tape 18 deflector edge 19 transverse groove 22 recess 22a bore 22b bore 23 spindle 24 leg spring 26 lateral contact side 27 magnet 28a magnet 28b magnet 29 cover 30 T-shaped groove 31 inner space 32 roof 33 outer side 34 inner side 36 roof side rail A direction of application B width L longitudinal axis α angle