Painters masking tape tool

Abstract

Provided is a tape applicator tool for the placement of adhesive backed tape onto a surface. The tool comprises a frame unit having a handle; a rotatable spool which frictionally engages a roll of tape, a static front shoe which engages the tape by drawing the tape around the front shoe, thereby applying the tape to the surface, the front shoe having a slot, and a static rear shoe which forces to the tape towards the surface. The rotatable spool, the front shoe and the rear shoe are spaced apart in triangulation and are on parallel axes. The tool further comprise a removable measuring stop extending from the frame, adjacent the front shoe and away from the front shoe. Optionally, the tool comprises a removable cutter unit.

Claims

1. A tape applicator tool for the placement of adhesive backed tape onto a surface, the tool comprising: A) a frame unit comprising: i) a handle; ii) a rotatable spool operable to frictionally engage a roll of tape, the spool having a width of 1 inch; iii) a static front shoe operable to engage with the tape by drawing the tape around the front shoe, thereby applying the tape to the surface and forming an applied tape, the front shoe having a width of 1 inch and having a slot; and iv) a static rear shoe operable to engage with the applied tape by applying force to the applied tape towards the surface, the rear shoe having a width of 1 inch; wherein the rotatable spool, the front shoe and the rear shoe are spaced apart in triangulation and the rotatable spool, the front shoe and the rear shoe are on parallel axes; and B) a removable measuring stop extending from the frame and adjacent to the front shoe and extending in a direction away from each of the rotatable spool, the front shoe and the rear shoe and parallel to a direction of the applied tape, the removable measuring stop operable to frictionally fit into a pocket on the frame.

2. The tool according to claim 1 further comprising a removable cutter unit extending from the frame unit and adjacent to the front shoe, the cutter unit comprising a blade operable to cut the tape by manually pressing said cutter unit against a spring to engage and cut tape tensioned over the slot.

3. The tool according to claim 2 wherein the cutter unit comprises a guard operable to apply pressure to the tape tensioned over the slot, thereby trapping the tensioned tape across the slot.

4. The tool according to claim 2 wherein the removable cutter unit frictionally fits into a pocket on the frame.

5. The tool according to claim 3 wherein the removable cutter unit frictionally fits into a pocket on the frame.

6. The tool according to claim 1 further comprising a first removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the front shoe and a second removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the rear shoe, wherein the first and second removable friction fit sleeves have the same width and the width may be selected from the group consisting of: 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches and 2.00 inches.

7. The tool according to claim 2 further comprising a first removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the front shoe and a second removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the rear shoe, wherein the first and second removable friction fit sleeves have the same width and the width may be selected from the group consisting of: 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches and 2.00 inches.

8. The tool according to claim 3 further comprising a first removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the front shoe and a second removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the rear shoe, wherein the first and second removable friction fit sleeves have the same width and the width may be selected from the group consisting of: 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches and 2.00 inches.

9. The tool according to claim 4 further comprising a first removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the front shoe and a second removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the rear shoe, wherein the first and second removable friction fit sleeves have the same width and the width may be selected from the group consisting of: 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches and 2.00 inches.

10. The tool according to claim 5 further comprising a first removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the front shoe and a second removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the rear shoe, wherein the first and second removable friction fit sleeves have the same width and the width may be selected from the group consisting of: 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches and 2.00 inches.

11. A tape applicator tool for the placement of adhesive backed tape onto a surface, the tool comprising: A) a frame unit comprising: i) a handle; ii) a rotatable spool operable to frictionally engage a roll of tape, the spool having a width of 1 inch; iii) a static front shoe operable to engage with the tape by drawing the tape around the front shoe, thereby applying the tape to the surface and forming an applied tape, the front shoe having a width of 1 inch and having a slot; and iv) a static rear shoe operable to engage with the applied tape by applying force to the applied tape towards the surface, the rear shoe having a width of 1 inch; wherein the rotatable spool, the front shoe and the rear shoe are spaced apart in triangulation and the rotatable spool, the front shoe and the rear shoe are on parallel axes; B) a removable measuring stop extending from the frame and adjacent to the front shoe and extending in a direction away from each of the rotatable spool, the front shoe and the rear shoe and parallel to a direction of the tape applied tape; and C) a removable cutter unit extending from the frame unit and adjacent to the front shoe, the cutter unit comprising a blade operable to cut the tape by manually pressing said cutter unit against a spring to engage and cut the tape tensioned over the slot.

12. The tool according to claim 11 wherein the removable cutter unit comprises a guard operable to apply pressure to the tape tensioned over the slot, thereby trapping the tensioned tape across the slot.

13. The tool according to claim 11 wherein the removable cutter unit frictionally fits into a pocket on the frame.

14. The tool according to claim 12 wherein the removable cutter unit frictionally fits into a pocket on the frame.

15. The tool according to claim 11 further comprising a first removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the front shoe and a second removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the rear shoe, wherein the first and second removable friction fit sleeves have the same width and the width may be selected from the group consisting of: 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches and 2.00 inches.

16. The tool according to claim 12 further comprising a first removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the front shoe and a second removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the rear shoe, wherein the first and second removable friction fit sleeves have the same width and the width may be selected from the group consisting of: 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches and 2.00 inches.

17. The tool according to claim 13 further comprising a first removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the front shoe and a second removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the rear shoe, wherein the first and second removable friction fit sleeves have the same width and the width may be selected from the group consisting of: 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches and 2.00 inches.

18. The tool according to claim 14 further comprising a first removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the front shoe and a second removable friction fit sleeve operable to fit over the rear shoe, wherein the first and second removable friction fit sleeves have the same width and the width may be selected from the group consisting of: 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches and 2.00 inches.

19. The tool according to claim 11 wherein the removable measuring stop is operable to frictionally fit into a pocket on the frame adjacent to the front shoe.

20. The tool according to claim 13 wherein the removable measuring stop is operable to frictionally fit into a pocket on the frame adjacent to the front shoe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of the painters tape tool showing all parts of the tool and their respective positioning, relationship and alignment to each other.

(2) FIG. 2 is the same drawing as FIG. 1 but viewed from a different perspective to aid in clarity.

(3) FIG. 3 depicts the assembled masking tape tool together with a mounted roll of tape showing its path of travel.

(4) FIG. 4 is the same arrangement as FIG. 3 but viewed from a different perspective to aid clarity.

PARTS LIST REFERENCING DRAWING 1

(5) TABLE-US-00001 No. Name Quantity 1 HANDLE 1 2 FRAME BODY 1 3 SPOOL 1 4 SLOTTED FRONT SHOE 1 5 REAR SHOE 1 6 MEASURING STOP 1 7 CUTTER ASSEMBLY 1 8 ARROW SHAPED CUTTER 1 9 SPRING 1 10 AXLE 1 11 SLOTTED FRONT SHOE SLEEVE 3 12 REAR SHOE SLEEVE 1 13 FLEXIBLE GUARD 1 14 FRONT SHOE SLOT 1 15 CUTTER ASSEMBLY POCKET 1 16 MEASURING STOP POCKET 1 17 SLEEVE SLOT 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The tool of the invention in reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 includes a frame (2) consisting of three general hubs positioned in triangular geometry in a vertical plane to which is mounted a rotatable spool (3) on to the axle (10) which is an integral part of the upper general hub. A front shoe (4) is an integral part of the front hub. A rear shoe (5) is an integral part of the rear hub.

(7) The front shoe (4) places/applies the tape to the planar surface (100). The rear shoe (5) applies the tape to the planar surface (100).

(8) An integral handle (1) on the frame aids the operator to hold and control the tool forward during the masking tape placement application.

(9) As the Taper tool moves along the intended planar surface (100), the masking tape roll rotates and is guided along the surface of the frame which in turn assists in the continuous alignment of the masking tape as it peels off the roll. The front shoe (4) sets the tape to the surface (100) and the rear shoe (5) further applies the tape to the surface (100). No further action is required with the masking tape on the surface (100) either to reposition accurately, or to apply prior to paint application.

(10) The cutter unit (7) consists of a vertical post and a horizontal cross member designed to support a dagger like cutter blade (8) and is positioned into a vertical pocket (15) on the frame (2).

(11) The retracted removable cutter unit (7) is positioned above the slot (14) in the front shoe (4). When the cutter unit (7) is pressed, the singular dagger like cutter (8) pierces the tensioned tape thru the slot (14) on the front shoe (4) and upon release of the cutter unit (7) the cutter unit (7) retracts by way of the included spring (9) to its normal passive state and position above and clear of the masking tape.

(12) The rubber guard (13) on the cutter unit (7) completely covers the cutter edge (8) when the cutter unit (7) is in its upper passive state and position. The cutting unit is engaged/pressed to permit the dagger shaped cutter (8) to come into contact with the tape. The rubber guard (13) also engages the tape during the cutting action and applies subtle pressure to the tape against the front shoe (4) on each side of the slot (14) thus further tensioning the tape causing the tape to remain taut over the slot (14) to assist in the cutting and easy separation of the masking tape. The cutter unit (7) may be lifted out of the friction fit pocket subject to operator's preference. The tape also may be severed by placing a knife edge (not included in this equipment or application or drawing) through the tape at the slot (14) location.

(13) The removable horizontal measuring stop (6) is positioned in the horizontal pocket (16) located on the front hub adjacent to the front shoe (4) on the frame (2) as shown on the drawing. Its function (the measuring stop 6) is to cause the tool to stop at the predetermined distance (when it abuts a wall or other surface denoting the end point of masking a surface (100)). When the tape is cut to this pre-measured length the tape will accurately place completely up to the abutting wall without further cutting/trimming action or other fussing with the tape.

(14) Upon completion of the cut and release of the cutter unit (7), the spring (9) causes the cutter unit (7) to return to its normal state of rest above and clear of the front shoe (4) and the rubber guard (13) will automatically return to its normal passive state to completely cover the cutter (8).

(15) A generic standard roll of tape frictionally mounts onto the rotatable spool (3) and tape is manually drawn (adhesive side up) over and around and under the front shoe (4) where it is pressed onto the intended planar surface (100) by the front shoe (4). As the rear shoe (5) passes over the applied tape it is further applied or seated to the surface (100) and the tape will not require further fussing and provide a bleed free seal in preparation for the paint.

(16) The rotatable spool (3) and the front shoe (4) and rear shoe (5) are of standard tape width, of 1.

(17) A removable 1.25 sleeve (11) friction fit snaps onto the front shoe (4), and a removable 1.25 sleeve (12) friction fit snaps onto the rear shoe (5) to adapt the tool to use standard 1.25 wide tape.

(18) Likewise a removable 1.5 sleeve (11) friction fit snaps onto the front shoe (4) and a removable 1.5 sleeve (12) friction fit snaps onto the rear shoe (5) to adapt the tool to use standard 1.5 wide tape.

(19) Likewise a removable 2 sleeve (11) friction fit snaps onto the front shoe (4) and a removable 2 sleeve (12) friction fit snaps onto the rear shoe (5) to adapt the tool to use standard 2 wide tape.

(20) The spool (3) remains generic for all tape widths as the hole in standard, off-the-shelf, tape rolls reflect the industry standard sameness regardless of tape width.

(21) The shape of the central frame permits rigidity to the tool and also provides an alignment surface on which the spool (3) and the roll of tape glides and maintains trueness in the vertical plane as the tape is peeled off the roll.

(22) The front shoe (4) and rear shoe (5) designs are not limited to the cylindrical cross-section as shown, but may be elliptically or rectangular, or any combination of polygonal shapes in cross-section without disaffecting the functional operation of the tool.

(23) This tool is unique in its simplicity of operation, simplicity of design, simplicity of construction with few moving parts, low manufacturing costs and by extension, low retail costs and multifunctional use in the measuring, cutting and accurate placement and applying of various manufacturers of various standard roll widths of masking tape. Standard materials are used in its manufacture.