WHEEL PAVER-PERIMETER TAPING TOOL

Abstract

A paver-perimeter taping tool has a frame with a mounting surface and a peripheral edge. A tape-roll support post mounts to the frame and supports a roll of tape. A tape roller mounted to the frame has a rotatable applicator surface that extends beyond the frame's peripheral edge. Tape may extend from the roll of tape to the applicator surface. A wheel mounts to the frame. A handle attaches to the frame and extends to an operator handle end that an operator may grasp to push the tool adjacent a perimeter of pavers. The tool may apply a layer of tape to the paver perimeter, which is adjacent the top surface of the pavers. When particulate is applied to the top surface of the pavers the grout is held in the gaps between adjacent pavers at the perimeter thereof.

Claims

1. A paver-perimeter taping tool comprising: (a) a frame having a mounting surface and a peripheral edge; (b) a tape-roll support post mounted to the frame and configured for supporting a roll of tape; (c) a tape roller mounted to the frame and extending in a first direction, the tape roller having a rotatable applicator surface that extends beyond the peripheral edge, wherein tape may extend from the roll of tape to the rotatable applicator surface; (d) at least one ground-engaging device mounted to the frame with a ground-contacting surface of the ground-engaging device extending in a second direction that is opposed to the first direction; and (e) a handle attaching at a bottom handle end to the frame and extending to an opposed operator handle end, the operator handle end extending at least partially in the first direction from the frame.

2. The paver-perimeter taping tool in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a pivot post mounted to the frame and extending in the first direction.

3. The paver-perimeter taping tool in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: (a) a pivot post mounted to the frame and extending in the first direction; and (b) a strut extending radially from the pivot post and the tape roller rotatably mounted to the strut.

4. The paver-perimeter taping tool of claim 1, further comprising a spring disposed to apply a bias to the tape roller and the frame.

5. The paver-perimeter taping tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom handle end is secured adjacent a rear edge of the frame and extends from the frame so an operator may grasp and push the operator handle end.

6. The paver-perimeter taping tool of claim 1, wherein the ground-engaging device comprises at least one wheel mounted to the frame at a position farther from the handle than the tape roller.

7. The paver-perimeter taping tool of claim 6, further comprising a second wheel secured to the frame.

8. The paver-perimeter taping tool of claim 6, wherein the at least one wheel may be replaced by an alternative wheel having a diameter different than a diameter of the at least one wheel.

9. The paver-perimeter taping tool of claim 1, further comprising a tape cutter secured to the frame and configured to cut the tape upon activation of a cutting trigger secured to the handle.

10. A wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool, the tool comprising: (a) a base plate having a forward edge, an opposed rear edge, and opposed side edges extending between the front and rear edges to define a mounting surface extending between the edges; (b) a tape-roll support post secured to the mounting surface of the base plate and configured for supporting a roll of tape; (c) a pivot post secured to the mounting surface; (d) a tape roller pivotally secured to the pivot post and configured so that the pivot post positions a rotating applicator surface of the tape roller beyond at least one of the edges of the base plate, and configured so that tape from the roll of tape extends from the roll of tape and passes over the rotating applicator surface of the tape roller; (e) at least one wheel rotatably secured to the base plate and configured so that the at least one wheel has a ground-contacting surface extending below the mounting surface of the base plate in a direction opposed to the direction of extension of the tape-roll support post and pivot post; and (f) a handle having a bottom end and an opposed operator end, the bottom end being secured adjacent the rear edge of the base plate and extending away from the rear edge and mounting surface of the base plate in the direction of extension of the tape-roll support post and pivot post so that an operator may push the operator end of the handle in a direction toward the forward edge of the base plate thereby rotating the at least one wheel and moving the base plate so that the rotating applicator surface of the tape roller contacts, and applies the tape along, a paver-perimeter of a plurality of pavers positioned adjacent each other to define the paver-perimeter.

11. The wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool of claim 10, further comprising the at least one wheel being secured to the base plate at a position closer to the forward edge of the base plate than the tape roller, at a position further from the handle than the tape roller, and at a position adjacent the side edge opposed to the side edge beyond which the rotating applicator surface of the tape roller is positioned, and configured so that, as the paver-perimeter taping tool moves in a direction of travel so that the rotating applicator surface of the tape roller contacts and applies the tape along the paver-perimeter of a plurality of pavers, the operator may simultaneously move the handle in a direction toward the paver-perimeter, thereby turning the at least one wheel into a fulcrum of a second class lever wherein the handle receives an application of force and the rotating applicator surface of the tape roller becomes a load positioned between the fulcrum and application of force, so that the application of force by the operator to move the handle in a direction toward the paver-perimeter produces a mechanical advantage upon the force impacting the rotating applicator surface of the tape roller to assist in adhering the tape to the paver-perimeter.

12. The wheeled paver-perimeter taping-tool of claim 10, further comprising a second wheel secured to the base plate at a position so that a ground contacting surface of the second wheel is between the tape roller and the at least one wheel.

13. The wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool of claim 10, further comprising a spring secured to the mounting surface of the base plate and to the tape roller and configured to apply a spring bias force tending to move the tape roller beyond the outer edge of the mounting surface of the base plate.

14. The wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool of claim 10, further comprising a tape cutter secured to the base plate and configured to cut the tape upon activation of a cutting trigger secured to the handle.

15. The wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool of claim 10, further comprising the tape being biodegradable tape.

16. The wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool of claim 10, wherein the at least one wheel may be replaced by an alternative wheel having a diameter different than a diameter of the at least one wheel to correspond to varying thicknesses of the paver-perimeter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a view in perspective illustrating a wheeled paver perimeter taping tool constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is view in perspective illustrating a plurality of pavers disposed adjacent each other with tape applied to a paver-perimeter of the plurality of pavers.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a view in perspective illustrating the FIG. 1 paver-perimeter taping tool in an operable position applying tape to the FIG. 2 paver-perimeter.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating another embodiment of the paver-perimeter taping tool showing a spring secured to a base plate of the tool to apply a spring bias to a tape roller pivotally mounted to the base plate.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a view in perspective illustrating the FIG. 4 embodiment of the paver-perimeter tool showing the spring positioned to apply a spring bias to the tape roller.

[0024] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection, but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 62/859,232, which is the above claimed priority application, is hereby incorporated in this application by reference.

[0026] A wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool is generally designated in the accompanying drawings with the reference numeral 10, and may include a substructure, to which other components attach in the manner of a frame, which may be the base plate 12. The base plate 12 has, with the front at the left in the orientation of FIG. 1, a forward edge 14 and an opposed rear edge 16. The base plate 12 has a first side edge 18 and an opposed second side edge 20 that extend between the front and rear edges 14, 16 to define a mounting surface 22. The mounting surface 22 may be substantially planar and may extend between the edges 14-20 that surround the base plate 12, one of which may define an outer edge 24. The base plate 12 may be steel, or another rigid material, and may form a panel that is planar and substantially rectangular. Alternatively, the frame may take another form, such as a square tube, a beam that is U-shaped in lateral cross section or any other shape that the person having ordinary skill will understand could be substituted for the planar base plate 12. The frame may also be discontinuous (with voids between solid portions) such as is common with cast aluminum table tops. Nevertheless, the surface 22, though discontinuous, is suitable for the present invention.

[0027] A first axle, such as the tape roll support post 26, is secured to the base plate 12 and extends transversely from the substantially planar surface 22 of the base plate 12. The tape roll support post 26 may extend above and perpendicular to the surface 22 in an operable orientation shown in FIG. 1. The tape roll support post 26 is configured to support a roll of tape 28 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, preferably by a cylindrical surface of the tape roll support post 26 seating against the typically cardboard or plastic core around which tape is conventionally wound.

[0028] A second axle, such as the tape roller 32, may be mounted directly to the base plate 12 radially spaced from the tape roll support post 26, and preferably above and optionally perpendicular to the mounting surface 22. The tape roller 32 has a rotating applicator surface 34 that may be disposed laterally beyond the outer edge 24 of the base plate 12 so that tape 36 may be applied to the sides of pavers adjacent to which the tool 10 is disposed. Because the applicator surface 34 is disposed laterally beyond the outer edge 24, the applicator surface 34 positions the adhesive surface of the tape 36 laterally beyond the outer edge 24. This relationship prevents the outer edge 24, and preferably any other tool structure, from blocking or interfering with the tape 36 on the applicator surface 34 from contacting the paver perimeter 48. Thus, when the tool 10 is disposed adjacent the pavers' edges, the adhesive surface of the tape 36 may contact the pavers' edges.

[0029] An optional third axle, such as the pivot post 30, may be secured to the base plate 12 radially spaced from the tape roll support post 26 and the tape roller 32. The pivot post 30 is preferably above (in the FIG. 1 orientation) and optionally substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface 22. The tape roller 32 may be rotatably/pivotably secured to the pivot post 30, such as by being rotationally mounted to a strut 31 (see FIGS. 4-5) that extends radially from the pivot post 30. The tape roller 26 is thereby indirectly mounted to the base plate 12 through the strut 31. In this alternative, the tape roller 32 is configured to rotate on the strut 31 that is radially attached to the pivot post 30 and the tape roller 32 may extend partially, or entirely, beyond the edge 24. Thus, when the pivot post 30 pivots, the strut 31 may also pivot, thereby displacing the tape roller 32 along an arc about the same axis as the pivot post 30, and the tape roller 32 may rotate relative to the strut 31. In the alternative embodiment, the rotating applicator surface 34 of the tape roller 32 extends beyond the outer edge 24 of the base plate 12. The tape roller 32 is designed so that tape 36 from the roll of tape 28 passes from the roll of tape 28 and extends over the rotating applicator surface 34 of the tape roller 32 with its adhesive surface facing away from the applicator surface 34, and laterally away from the tool 10.

[0030] The wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool 10 may include a pre-compressed spring 60 (see FIGS. 4-5) to apply a force at one spring end to the base plate 12 and at another spring end to the tape roller 32. The force may be applied indirectly to the tape roller 32 through a structure to which the tape roller 32 is mounted, such as the strut 31. The spring 60 applies a spring bias force between the base plate 12 and the tape roller 32 in a direction toward or away from the tape roll support post 26 to maintain the applicator surface 34 positioned beyond the outer edge 24 of the base plate 12, even if a strong lateral force is applied to the applicator surface. The spring 60 may be secured to any component of the base plate 12 and any component of the pivot post 30 or tape roller 32, such as the strut 31 that extends between the pivot post 30 and the tape roller 32 that supports the tape roller 32. The spring 60 may be a coil spring, a leaf spring, a gas spring, a magnetic spring, or any other spring, and may alternatively be any mechanism that can apply a mechanical bias to the tape roller 32 or the strut 31 and the base plate 12. The bias may tend to force the applicator surface 34 laterally away from the base plate 12 so that a force applied by the operator that presses the applicator surface 34 against the paver-perimeter 48 causes the tape roller 32 to compress the spring 60 and move the tape roller 32 slightly closer to the base plate 12.

[0031] At least one ground-engaging device, such as the wheel 38, is secured to the base plate 12, preferably adjacent one of the edges 14-20, which may be the edge 20. The wheel 38 with a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (in the orientation of FIG. 1) is preferred, but the person of ordinary skill will understand that any suitable substitute for the wheel 38, such as a track with a continuous belt (a system used in tracked vehicles such as bulldozers, with a continuous band of treads or track plates driven or guided by two or more wheels) or a runner (such as is used on a sled or sleigh) may be substituted if the conditions require or permit. The wheel 38 is configured so that a ground-contacting surface 40 of the wheel 38 extends below the mounting surface 22 of the base plate 12 in the operable position shown in FIG. 1. The surface 40 extends in a direction opposed to the direction of extension of the tape roll support post 26 and tape roller 32.

[0032] A handle 42 includes a bottom handle end 44 and an opposed operator handle end 46. The bottom handle end 44 (in the orientation of FIG. 1) may be secured to or adjacent the rear edge 16 of the base plate 12. The bottom end 44 may be mounted at an alternative position on the base plate 12. The handle 42 may extend upwardly and rearwardly from the rear edge 16 at an angle relative to horizontal (in the orientation of FIG. 5) of 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees or similar. This orientation positions the operator handle end 46 at a position relative to the base plate 12 that permits a human user standing upright near the operator handle end 46 to grasp the operator handle end 46 with his or her hand.

[0033] An operator may grasp the operator handle end 46 and push the tool 10 with a force directed toward the forward edge 14 of the base plate 12, which is a longitudinal direction along the length of the tool 10. The wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool 10 may be operated to move alongside the pavers 50 to apply a layer of tape 36 against the paver-perimeter 48 of the pavers 50. The tool 10 is typically operated in this manner after the pavers 50 are placed in a desired layout (see FIGS. 2-3) to define the paver-perimeter 48 of the pavers 50. The tool 10 is operated to apply tape to the perimeter 48 preferably before any grout (not shown) is poured into voids 52 between adjacent paver blocks 50 and before a rigid, permanent edge restraint (not shown) is positioned and secured adjacent the paver-perimeter 48.

[0034] During operation, the tape is first pressed against the paver-perimeter 48 with sufficient force to cause the tape to adhere to the paver-perimeter 48. A longitudinal force applied to the handle 42 of the tool 10, if sufficient, causes the at least one wheel 38 to rotate against the ground upon which it rests, thereby permitting the entire tool to move along the paver-perimeter 48. During movement of the tool, the rotating applicator surface 34 of the tape roller 32 presses and applies tape 36 along the paver-perimeter 48 of a plurality of pavers 50 while the tape roller 32 rolls against the non-adhesive side of the tape 36. The tape 36 is dispensed, by rotation of the tape roll 28 on the tape roll support post 26, in a continuous motion and is applied against the paver-perimeter 48 to adhere thereto.

[0035] The layer of tape 36 is preferably applied to abut top edges 54 of the paver-perimeter 48 (as shown in FIGS. 2-3) so that grout (not shown) may be blocked by the tape from pouring out of the voids 52 between adjacent pavers 50 at the paver-perimeter 48. The tape 36 thus retains the particulate grout placed on the top surface of the pavers 50 and in the voids 52 between adjacent pavers 50.

[0036] The present inventors have discovered that the ordinary procedure of pouring grout into the voids 52 between the paver blocks 50, and then sweeping upper surfaces of the pavers 50 to move the grout into the voids 52, results in uncured grout falling out of the voids 52 between the pavers 50 at the paver-perimeter 48 if one pours grout before applying a rigid, permanent edge restraint (not shown) to the paver-perimeter 48. This leaves an unsightly paver-perimeter 48 that is prone to infestation by plants and insects (not shown), and that is difficult to remedy after the rigid edge restraint has been applied and especially after the remaining grout has been cured. Application of tape 36 by hand at ground level is very difficult, very time consuming and very labor intensive. However, by use of the present wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool 10, the voids 52 between the pavers at the paver-perimeter 48 may now be efficiently sealed against loss of grout until a rigid edge restraint is secured to the paver perimeter 48 after the grout has cured and, optionally, the tape has been removed from the paver perimeter 48.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a plurality of adjacent pavers 50 defining a paver-perimeter 48. The present wheeled paver-perimeter taping machine 10 has applied a strip of adhesive tape 36 to the FIG. 2 paver-perimeter 48 and adjacent a top edge 54 of the paver-perimeter 48. The tape 36 may be hand wrapped around the ends of the row of pavers 50, or cut at the corner or another location.

[0038] In one embodiment of the wheeled paver perimeter taping tool 10, the at least one wheel 38 is disposed at a position farther forward from the tape roller 32 than the attachment point on the base plate 12 of the handle 42. The at least one wheel 38 may be disposed at a position adjacent the side edge 20, which is opposed to the side edge 18 beyond which the rotating applicator surface 34 is positioned. As the paver-perimeter taping tool 10 moves in a direction of travel so that the rotating applicator 34 surface of the tape roller 32 contacts the rear (non-adhesive) surface of the tape, and applies the adhesive surface of the tape 36 to and along the paver-perimeter 48 of a plurality of pavers 50, the operator may simultaneously move or apply a lateral (in a direction from the base plate 12 toward the paver-perimeter 48) force to the handle 42. Such a force applied to the handle 42 effectively turns the wheel 38 into a fulcrum of a second class lever. Thus, when the operator (not shown) applies such a lateral force to the handle 42, the rotating applicator surface 34 of the tape roller 32 applying at least a portion of the force to the paver-perimeter 48, in effect, is a load positioned between the fulcrum 38 and the application of a lateral force to the handle 42. Therefore, the application of force by the operator to the handle 42 in a direction toward the paver-perimeter 48 produces a mechanical advantage upon the rotating applicator surface 34 of the tape roller 32, and this force assists in assuring adherence of the tape 36 to the paver-perimeter 48.

[0039] In one embodiment, the wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool 10 may include a second wheel 56. The second wheel 56 may be secured to the base plate 12 at a position that disposes the extended rotating applicator surface 34 of the tape roller 32 longitudinally between a ground contacting surface 58 of the second wheel 56 and the at least one or first wheel 38.

[0040] In one embodiment, the wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool 10 may include a tape cutter (not shown) that is secured to the base plate 12 or any component that is secured to the base plate 12. Such a tape cutter may include any common mechanisms that would be suitable for cutting the tape 36, such as blades (not shown) adjacent the tape and moving in the manner of scissors. Such blades may be disposed on the side of the tape roller 32 opposite the tape roll support post 26. The tape cutter may include an activation cable extending along the handle from the blades to the operator handle end 46, and may also include a cutting trigger mechanism secured adjacent to the operator handle end 46 to allow the operator to selectively cut the tape 36 upon activation of the cutting trigger by the operator's hand.

[0041] The wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool 10 may also provide for the at least one or first 38 wheel to be replaced by an alternative wheel (not shown) that has a diameter that is different than a diameter of the first wheel 38, which thereby causes vertical adjustment of the rotating applicator surface 34 relative to the surface of the ground around the pavers 50 to thereby vertically adjust the position of the tape on the paver-perimeter 48. There may be many such alternative wheels (not shown) to correspond to varying thicknesses of pavers 50, and therefore locations of paver-perimeters 48.

[0042] In a further embodiment, the wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool 10 may utilize a biodegradable tape 36. The wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool 10 may use tape 36 that has a color selected from a variety of colors to correspond to a color of grout that is positioned between the pavers of the plurality of pavers.

[0043] While the present disclosure has been presented above with respect to the described and illustrated embodiments of wheeled paver-perimeter taping tool 10, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to those alternatives and described embodiments. Accordingly, reference should be made primarily to the following claims rather than the foregoing description to determine the scope of the disclosure.

[0044] This detailed description in connection with the drawings is intended principally as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention and that various modifications may be adopted without departing from the invention or scope of the following claims.