Painters Masking tape tool

Abstract

The invention is a functional versatile and efficient tool of simplistic design comprising of a frame body with an integral front and rear shoes, in conjunction with a spool used for the accurate placement of readily available standard tape width to an intersection for masking purposes. A tape roll mounts onto a spool affixed to a frame body. Tape is drawn around the front shoe and under the rear shoe for placement and embedding. The front shoe and rear shoe glide against the adjacent surface to act as a guide for parallel tape placement to the intersection. A removable cutter assembly with retractable cutter guard, severs the tape cleanly and a removable measuring stop ensures tape length accuracy up to an abutting surface. Snap-on sleeves corresponding to various standard tape widths are affixed to the front and rear shoes. Simplicity of design ensures low cost manufacturing with readily available materials.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A dispenser comprising of: a) a structure on which a slotted front shoe and a rear shoe is affixed, b) an arrow shaped cutter with an apex point and a sharp edge leading away from the apex point in both directions, c) a frictional fit removable cutter assembly, d) slotted sleeves of appropriate standard tape widths to attach to the front shoe.

14. The tool in claim 1 wherein a device applies pressure to the said tape on either side of the said slot on the said front shoe.

15. The tool in claim 1 wherein the said measuring stop of predetermined length is a frictional fit into a pocket on the said frame adjacent to the said front shoe and positioned in a forward direction.

16. The tool in claim 1 wherein guidance for tape width other than 1 is by means of a corresponding tape width of slotted snap-on sleeve to said front shoe and corresponding width of snap-on sleeve to the said rear shoe.

17. The tool in claim 1 wherein the severance of said tape widths alternatively, may be by use of a single blade cutter (single blade cutter not included in this application) through the slot on the said slotted front shoe and slotted snap-on sleeves.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0030] 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.

[0031] FIG. 2 is the same drawing as FIG. 1 but viewed from a different perspective to aid in clarity.

[0032] FIG. 3 depicts the assembled masking tape tool together with a mounted roll of tape showing its path of travel positioned over a typical baseboard adjacent to a wall surface.

[0033] FIG. 4 is the same arrangement as FIG. 3 but viewed from a different perspective to aid clarity.

PARTS LIST REFERENCING DRAWING 1

[0034]

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

[0035] The tool of the invention in reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 includes a frame body (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 slotted front shoe (4) is an integral part of the front hub. A rear shoe (5) is an integral part of the rear hub.

[0036] Alignment of the tape and guidance of the tool to achieve such is reliant upon the slotted front shoe (4) and the rear shoe, (5) both matching tape width, gliding on the adjacent surface. The spool (3) width matches the smallest tape width of 1, and further assists, but is not contingent, in the guidance and alignment of the accurate placement of the deposited tape. Corresponding snap-on sleeves (11 and 12) match the various tape widths desired to accurately align and deposit the tape of standard differing widths.

The slotted front shoe (4) places/applies the tape to the planar surface. The rear shoe (5) embeds the tape to the planar surface. No further action is required with the masking tape on the surface either to reposition accurately, or to embed prior to paint application.

[0037] An integral handle (1) on the frame aids the operator to hold and control the tool forward during the masking tape placement and embedding application.

[0038] The cutter assembly (7) consists of a post and a cross member designed to support an arrow shaped cutter blade (8) and a flexible retractable guard and is positioned into a pocket (15) on the frame body (2) opposite the slot (14) on the slotted front shoe (4).

[0039] The retracted removable cutter assembly (7) is positioned in the region of the slot (14) in the slotted front shoe (4). When the cutter assembly (7) is pressed, the singular arrow like cutter (8) pierces the tensioned tape thru the slot (14) on the slotted front shoe (4) concurrently severs the tape across the entire width. Upon release of the cutter assembly (7) the cutter assembly (7) retracts by way of the included spring (9) to its normal passive state and position above and clear of the masking tape.

[0040] The flexible guard (13) on the cutter assembly (7) completely covers the cutter edge (8) when the cutter assembly (7) is in its upper passive state and position. The cutter assembly is engaged/pressed to permit the arrow shaped cutter (8) to come into contact with the tape. The flexible guard (13) also engages the tape during the cutting action and applies subtle pressure to the tape against the slotted 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 severing and easy separation of the masking tape. The cutter assembly (7) may be lifted out of the friction fit pocket subject to operator's preference. Alternatively, the tape may be severed by placing a box cutter knife or similar (not included in this equipment or application or drawing) through the tape at the slot (14) location both on the slotted front shoe (4) or the respective slotted front shoe sleeves (11).

[0041] The removable measuring stop (6) is positioned in the pocket (16) located on the front hub adjacent to the front shoe (4) on the frame (2). The friction measuring stop (6) function is to cause the tool to stop at the pre-determined distance (when it abuts a wall or other surface denoting the end point of masking a surface). 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.

[0042] Upon completion of the cut/severance and release of the cutter assembly (7), the spring (9) causes the cutter assembly (7) to return to its normal state of rest above and clear of the front shoe (4) and the flexible guard (13) will automatically return to its normal passive state to completely cover the cutter (8).

[0043] A generic standard roll of tape mounts onto the spool (3) and tape is manually drawn smooth side over around and under the front shoe (4) where it is pressed onto the intended planar surface by the slotted front shoe (4). As the rear shoe (5) passes over the applied tape it is further embedded or seated to the surface The tape will not require further fussing to provide a bleed free seal in preparation for the paint.

[0044] The spool (3) and the slotted front shoe (4) and rear shoe (5) are of standard tape width, of 1 to reflect the most common tape width used in the industry.

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

[0045] A slot (17) on the slotted removable 1.5 sleeve (11) snaps onto the slotted front shoe (4) and a removable 1.5 sleeve (12) snaps onto the rear shoe (5) to adapt the tool to use standard 1.5 wide tape.

[0046] A slot (17) on the slotted removable 2 sleeve (11) snaps onto the slotted front shoe (4) and a removable 2 sleeve (12) snaps onto the rear shoe (5) to adapt the tool to use standard 2 wide tape.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The shape of the frame body permits rigidity to the tool and also provides an alignment surface on which the spool (3) and the roll of tape glides to maintain trueness in a 90 degree plane to the tape as the tape is peeled off the roll.

[0049] 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 embedding of various manufacturers of various standard roll widths of masking tape. Standard materials are used in its manufacture.