SEAM TAPE TOOL

Abstract

A seam tape tool configured to dispense a tape onto a top surface of a floor or surface protection material. The seam tape tool includes a frame, an optional handle connected to the rear of the frame, a tape holder rotatably connected to the frame, an application wheel connected to the frame, an optional tape guide positioned adjacent to the application wheel to maintain the position of dispensed tape relative to the application wheel, a tape cutter arrangement movably mounted to the frame, an optional cutter guide to guide the movement of the tape cutter arrangement relative to the frame, an optional lock arrangement configured to lock the tape cutter arrangement in a retracted non-cut position, a cutter movement arrangement to move the tape cutter arrangement from the retracted non-cut position to the extended cut position, an optional cutter handle, and an optional base slide or base wheel arrangement.

Claims

1-24. (canceled)

25. A seam tape tool configured to dispense tape from a roll of tape; said seam tape tool comprising: a frame; a tape holder rotatably connected to said frame and configured to receive a roll of tape; an application wheel that is connected to said frame; a tape cutter arrangement movably mounted to said frame between a retracted non-cut position and an extended cut position; said tape cutter arrangement includes a cutter blade having a lead cut edge and outwardly extending portions positioned rearwardly of said lead cut edge, said lead cut edge has a V-shaped configuration, said lead cut edge having a narrowest width at a central region of said lead cut edge; a cutter lock arrangement configured to lock and unlock said tape cutter arrangement in said retracted non-cut position; and a cutter movement arrangement to move said tape cutter arrangement from said retracted non-cut position to said extended cut position when said tape cutter arrangement is unlocked from said cutter lock arrangement; said application wheel and said tape holder are positioned on said frame such that when a roll of tape is positioned on said tape holder at least a portion of said application wheel is positioned under the roll of tape; said cutter movement arrangement includes a biasing system used to move said tape cutter arrangement from said retracted non-cutting position to said extended cut position, said biasing system positioned below a rotation axis of said tape holder and a rotation axis of said application wheel.

26. The seam tape tool as defined in claim 25, further including a first handle and a second handle; both said first and second handles are connected to a rear portion of said frame; said first handle and said second handle are both configured for grasping by a user during use of said seam tape tool.

27. The seam tape tool as defined in claim 25, wherein a rotation axis of said tape holder is positioned upwardly and rearwardly of a rotation axis of said application wheel.

28. The seam tape tool as defined in claim 25, further including a tape guide positioned adjacent to said application wheel to maintain a position of said tape relative to said application wheel.

29. The seam tape tool as defined in claim 25, wherein said cutter lock arrangement is configured to releasably lock said tape cutter arrangement in said retracted non-cutting position; said cutter lock arrangement includes a movable bar arrangement configured to releasably engage one or more engagement members on said tape cutter arrangement.

30. The seam tape tool as defined in claim 25, further including a cutter guide that is located on said frame to facilitate in guiding and maintaining said tape cutter arrangement in position relative to said frame and facilitating in preventing said tape cutter arrangement from disengaging from said frame when said tape cutter arrangement moves between said retracted non-cutting position and said extended cut position.

31. The seam tape tool as defined in claim 25, said cutter movement arrangement includes a) a first cutter handle that enables a user to move said tape cutter arrangement from said extended cut position to said retracted non-cutting position, said first cutter handle is located a) on one side of said frame, said first cutter handle movable along a longitudinal length of said frame, or b) a first and second cutter handles that enable a user to move said tape cutter arrangement from said extended cut position to said retracted non-cutting position, said first cutter handle is located one side of said frame and said second cutter handle is located on another side of said frame, said first and second cutter handles simultaneously movable along a longitudinal length of said frame.

32. The seam tape tool as defined in claim 25, wherein said cutter lock arrangement includes a release button that is located on a bottom of said frame, said release button is configured to cause said cutter lock arrangement to release said tape cutter arrangement from a releasably locked position when said tape cutter arrangement is in said retracted non-cutting position, said release button is pivotally connected to said frame.

33. The seam tape tool as defined in claim 32, wherein said release button is biased in said releasably locked position.

34. The seam tape tool as defined in claim 25, further including a base slide or a base wheel arrangement to facilitate in movement of said seam tape tool over a floor surface; said base slide or base wheel arrangement is located on a bottom portion of said frame and at or near a front portion of the frame; said base slide or said base wheel arrangement including a curved surface configured to engage the floor surface; said base slide or base wheel arrangement is connected to said cutter movement arrangement.

35. A method for applying a tape to a surface of a floor or to a surface protector that is positioned on a top surface of the floor comprising: providing a seam tape tool configured to dispense tape from a roll of tape; said seam tape tool comprising: a frame; a tape holder rotatably connected to said frame and configured to receive a roll of tape; an application wheel that is connected to said frame; a tape cutter arrangement movably mounted to said frame between a retracted non-cut position and an extended cut position; said tape cutter arrangement includes a cutter blade having a lead cut edge and outwardly extending portions positioned rearwardly of said lead cut edge, said lead cut edge has a V-shaped configuration, said lead cut edge having a narrowest width at a central region of said lead cut edge; a cutter lock arrangement configured to lock and unlock said tape cutter arrangement in said retracted non-cut position; and a cutter movement arrangement to move said tape cutter arrangement from said retracted non-cut position to said extended cut position when said tape cutter arrangement is unlocked from said cutter lock arrangement; said application wheel and said tape holder are positioned on said frame such that when a roll of tape is positioned on said tape holder at least a portion of said application wheel is positioned under the roll of tape; said cutter movement arrangement includes a biasing system used to move said tape cutter arrangement from said retracted non-cutting position to said extended cut position, said biasing system positioned below a rotation axis of said tape holder and a rotation axis of said application wheel loading a roll of tape onto said tape holder of said seam tape tool; applying said tape to the top surface of said floor or to a top surface of said surface protector; and, activating said cutter lock arrangement to release said tape cutter arrangement from said retracted non-cut position to said extended cut position to cause said tape to be cut.

36. The method as defined in claim 35, further including a first handle and a second handle; both said first and second handles are connected to a rear portion of said frame; said first handle and said second handle are both configured for grasping by a user during use of said seam tape tool.

37. The method as defined in claim 35, wherein a rotation axis of said tape holder is positioned upwardly and rearwardly of a rotation axis of said application wheel.

38. The method as defined in claim 35, further including a tape guide positioned adjacent to said application wheel to maintain a position of said tape relative to said application wheel.

39. The method as defined in claim 35, wherein said cutter lock arrangement is configured to releasably lock said tape cutter arrangement in said retracted non-cutting position, said cutter lock arrangement includes a movable bar arrangement configured to releasably engage one or more engagement members on said tape cutter arrangement.

40. The method as defined in claim 35, further including a cutter guide located on said frame to facilitate in guiding and maintaining said tape cutter arrangement in position relative to said frame and facilitating in preventing said tape cutter arrangement from disengaging from said frame when said tape cutter arrangement moves between said retracted non-cutting position and said extended cut position.

41. The method as defined in claim 35, said cutter movement arrangement includes a) a first cutter handle that enables a user to move said tape cutter arrangement from said extended cut position to said retracted non-cutting position, said first cutter handle is located on one side of said frame, said first cutter handle movable along a longitudinal length of said frame, or b) a first and second cutter handles that enable a user to move said tape cutter arrangement from said extended cut position to said retracted non-cutting position, said first cutter handle is located one side of said frame and said second cutter handle is located on another side of said frame, said first and second cutter handles simultaneously movable along a longitudinal length of said frame.

42. The method as defined in claim 35, wherein said cutter lock arrangement includes a release button that is located on a bottom of said frame, said release button is configured to cause said cutter lock arrangement to release said tape cutter arrangement from a releasably locked position when said tape cutter arrangement is in said retracted non-cutting position.

43. The method as defined in claim 42, wherein said release button is biased in said releasably locked position, said release button is pivotally connected to said frame.

44. The method as defined in claim 35, further including a base slide or a base wheel arrangement to facilitate in movement of said seam tape tool over a floor surface, said base slide or base wheel arrangement is located on a bottom portion of said frame and at or near a front portion of the frame, said base slide or said base wheel arrangement including a curved surface configured to engage the floor surface, said base slide or base wheel arrangement is connected to said cutter movement arrangement.

45. A seam tape tool configured to dispense tape from a roll of tape, said seam tape tool comprising a frame, a tape holder rotatably connected to said frame and configured to receive a roll of tape, an application wheel that is connected to said frame, a tape cutter arrangement movably mounted to said frame between a retracted non-cut position and an extended cut position, a cutter lock arrangement configured to lock and unlock said tape cutter arrangement in said retracted non-cut position, and a cutter movement arrangement to move said tape cutter arrangement from said retracted non-cut position to said extended cut position when said tape cutter arrangement is unlocked from said cutter lock arrangement; said application wheel and said tape holder are positioned on said frame such that when a roll of tape is positioned on said tape holder at least a portion of said application wheel is positioned under the roll of tape; a rotation axis of said tape holder is positioned upwardly and rearwardly of a rotation axis of said application wheel; said tape cutter arrangement includes a cutter blade having a lead cut edge and outwardly extending portions positioned rearwardly of said lead cut edge, said lead cut edge has a V-shaped configuration; said lead cut edge has a narrowest width at a central region of said lead cut edge; said cutter movement arrangement includes a first and second cutter handles that enable a user to move said tape cutter arrangement from said extended cut position to said retracted non-cutting position, said first cutter handle is located one side of said frame and said second cutter handle is located on another side of said frame, said first and second cutter handles simultaneously movable along a longitudinal length of said frame; said cutter lock arrangement includes a release button that is located on a bottom of said frame, said release button is configured to cause said cutter lock arrangement to release said tape cutter arrangement from a releasably locked position when said tape cutter arrangement is in said retracted non-cutting position, said release button is pivotally connected to said frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Reference may now be made to the drawings, which illustrate at least one embodiment that the disclosure may take in physical form and in certain parts and arrangement of parts wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 is front elevation view of a non-limiting the seam tape tool in accordance with the present disclosure wherein the tape cutter arrangement is in the extended cut position;

[0026] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the bottom portion of the seam tape tool as illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 3 is another enlarged view of the bottom portion of the seam tape tool as illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the seam tape tool as illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the seam tape tool as illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 6 is an enlarged bottom elevation view of the seam tape tool as illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 7 is another enlarged bottom elevation view of the seam tape tool as illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 8 is an enlarged top elevation view of the seam tape tool as illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 9 in an enlarged bottom elevation view of the seam tape tool as illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the tape cutter arrangement is in the retracted non-cut position;

[0034] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the seam tape tool as illustrated in FIG. 1 except for the full extension handle; and

[0035] FIG. 11 illustrates a method for using the seam tape tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] A more complete understanding of the articles/devices, processes and components disclosed herein can be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings. These figures are merely schematic representations based on convenience and the ease of demonstrating the present disclosure and are, therefore, not intended to indicate relative size and dimensions of the devices or components thereof and/or to define or limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

[0037] Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the embodiments selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings and the following description below, it is to be understood that like numeric designations refer to components of like function.

[0038] The singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0039] As used in the specification and in the claims, the term comprising may include the embodiments consisting of and consisting essentially of. The terms comprise(s), include(s), having, has, can, contain(s), and variants thereof, as used herein, are intended to be open-ended transitional phrases, terms, or words that require the presence of the named ingredients/steps and permit the presence of other ingredients/steps. However, such description should be construed as also describing compositions or processes as consisting of and consisting essentially of the enumerated ingredients/steps, which allows the presence of only the named ingredients/steps, along with any unavoidable impurities that might result therefrom, and excludes other ingredients/steps.

[0040] Numerical values in the specification and claims of this application should be understood to include numerical values which are the same when reduced to the same number of significant figures and numerical values which differ from the stated value by less than the experimental error of conventional measurement technique of the type described in the present application to determine the value.

[0041] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the recited endpoint and independently combinable (for example, the range of from 2 grams to 10 grams is inclusive of the endpoints, 2 grams and 10 grams, and all the intermediate values).

[0042] The terms about and approximately may be used to include any numerical value that can vary without changing the basic function of that value. When used with a range, about and approximately also disclose the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints, e.g. about 2 to about 4 also discloses the range from 2 to 4. Generally, the terms about and approximately may refer to plus or minus 10% of the indicated number.

[0043] Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure directed to a seam tape tool 100 that can be used to easily and conveniently dispense tape onto the top surface of a surface protection material.

[0044] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the seam tape tool 100 includes a frame 110 having a handle arrangement 200 connected to the rear portion of the frame 110, a tape holder 120 that is optionally rotatably connected to the frame 110, an application wheel 130 that is optionally rotatably connected to the frame 110, a tape guide 140 positioned adjacent to the application wheel 130, a tape cutter arrangement 300 movably mounted (e.g., slidably mounted) to the bottom of the frame 110, a cutter handle 520 to enable a user to move the tape cutter arrangement 300 to a locked position, and a bottom cutter release member 160 located on the bottom portion of the frame 110 to cause the tape cutter arrangement 300 to be unlocked and move to a unlocked/tape cutting position.

[0045] The frame 110 is generally formed from a durable material (e.g., plastic, metal, composite material, wood, etc.). The size and shape of the frame 110 are non-limiting.

[0046] The handle arrangement 200 is configured for easy grasping by a user. The handle arrangement 200 can be in the form of a short handle 210 that is connected to the rear portion of the frame 100, and/or an extension handle 240 that is connected to the rear portion of the frame 100.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the seam tape tool 100 includes both a short handle 210 and an extension handle 240 that is connected to the rear portion of the frame 100; both handles are not required. The short handle 210 has a short handle body 212 that is configured to be grasp by the handle of a user. At least a portion of the short handle body 212 can optionally include a grip (e.g., plastic material, rubber material, etc.) to facilitate in the gripping of the short handle body 212.

[0048] The extension handle 240 can be used to enable a user to walk along a floor surface while the seam tape tool 100 applies tape to the a floor surface or a material on a floor surface. The extension handle 240 includes an extended handle body section 242 and an extension handle 244. The extended handle body section 242 can have a tubular shape; however, other shapes can be used. The length of the extension handle 240 and extended handle body section 242 are non-limiting. The bottom portion of the extended handle body section 242 is connected rear portion of the frame 100 by a connection arrangement 112. The type of connection arrangement is non-limiting (e.g., bolt, clamp, weld, solder, pin, rivet, screw, adhesive, threaded connection, etc.). The extended handle body section 242 can optionally include a cavity that can optionally telescopically receive a portion of the extension handle 244. Alternatively, the extension handle 244 can optionally include a cavity that can optionally telescopically receive a portion of the extended handle body section 242. The length of the extension handle 240 can optionally be adjustable. For example, when the extended handle body section 242 and the extension handle 244 are telescopically interconnected, extended handle body section 242 and the extension handle 244 can be movable with respect to one another to alloy the length of the extension handle 240 to be adjusted. Once the desired length of the extension handle 240 is obtained, a locking arrangement can be used to secure the extended handle body section 242 and the extension handle 244 in position with respect to one another. The locking arrangement can be configured to permanently or releasably lock together the extended handle body section 242 and the extension handle 244. The locking arrangement can have many configurations (e.g., clamping arrangement, slot and depressable tab arrangement, bolt, pin, etc.). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the extended handle body section 242 includes one or more holes 243 that can be used to receive a pin, screw, bolt, depressible tab, etc. to lock the extension handle 244 in position relative to the extended handle body section 242. The extension handle 244 can optionally include a grip 245 (e.g., plastic material, rubber material, etc.) to facilitate in the gripping of the extension handle 244. The extension handle 244 can include a curved portion to facilitate in the gripping of the extension handle 244; however, this is not required.

[0049] As can be appreciated, the seam tape tool 100, absent the extension handle 240 is configured to be a smaller sized tool to enable a user to use the seam tape tool 100 with a single hand; however, this is not required. The seam tape tool 100, when used with the extension handle 240, is configured to be used so that the seam tape tool 100 can be moved along a surface as the user walks along the surface.

[0050] The tape holder 120 is configured to allow for easy insertion and removal of a roll of tape (not shown) from the tape holder 120. The material, size and configuration of the tape holder 120 is non-limiting. The tape holder 120 is optionally rotatably connected to the frame 110 so as to rotate as tape is dispensed from the roll of tape. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the tape holder 120 is illustrated as having a generally triangular shape; however, other shapes can be used (e.g., square, cylindrical, polygonal cross-sectional shapes, etc.).

[0051] An optional tape roll adjuster 122 can be used to a) adjust how freely the tape holder 120 rotates relative to the frame 110, and/or b) adjust that positioning of the tape holder 120 on the frame 110 so as to accommodate different roll sizes of tape. The rotation of the optional tape roll adjuster 122 can optionally be used increase or reduce the resistance to rotation of the tape holder 120 rotates relative to the frame 110. As can be appreciated, other arrangements can be used adjust how freely the tape holder 120 rotates relative to the frame 110. The rotation of the optional tape roll adjuster 122 can also to alternatively used to enable a user to move the position of the tape holder 120 on the frame 110 so as to accommodate different roll sizes of tape. The frame 110 can include one or more openings or slots to facilitate in the adjustment of the position of the tape holder 120 on the frame 110.

[0052] The optional tape roll adjuster 122 can also be removably connected to the frame 110 so that upon removal, the tape holder can also be removed from the frame 110; however, this is not required.

[0053] The front portion of the frame 110 optionally includes an application wheel 130 that is used to facilitate in pressing the tape against the top surface of a surface (e.g., floor surface; countertop surface, stairs, surface protection material, etc.) as seam tape tool 100 is moved over a surface and the tape is dispensed from the roll of tape. The application wheel 130 is optionally rotatably connected to the frame 110 to rotate as the seam tape tool is moved over the top surface of a surface and as the tape is applied to such surface. The shape of the application wheel 130 is non-limiting. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the application wheel 130 has a generally cylindrical shape; however, other shapes can be use. The type of material used to form the application wheel 130 is non-limiting.

[0054] A tape guide 140 that is connected to the front portion of the frame 110 is used to guide the tape that is dispensed from the roll of tape to the application wheel 130 as the seam tape tool 100 is moved over a top surface (e.g., floor surface; countertop surface, stairs, surface protection material, etc.) and the tape is applied to the top surface. Generally, at least a portion of the tape guide 140 is spaced from the application wheel 130. Generally, the spacing is about 0.05-0.25 inches (and all values and ranges therebetween); however, other distances can be used. The size, shape and configuration of the tape guide is non-limiting. Generally, at least a portion of a width of the tape (e.g., 5-100% and all values and ranges therebetween) is located between the tape guide and the application wheel 130 as the dispensed tape form the roll of tape moves past the application wheel 130. The tape guide 140 can optionally include one or more guide arms 142. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the tape guide 140 includes two guide arms 142 that partially extend above surface of the application wheel 130. A guide arm 140 is located on each side of the application wheel 130 and the guide arms 140 are spaced from one another. The spacing between the guide arms 142 facilitates in positioning the tape between the guide arms 142 and the application wheel 130.

[0055] The tape cutter arrangement 300 is configured to cut the tape when the cutter moves from the retracted locked position (See FIG. 9) to the extended cut position (See FIG. 6). The tape cutter arrangement 300 is formed of a durable material such as, but not limited to, metal, plastic, ceramic, etc. As can be appreciated, the size and shape of the cutter is non-limiting.

[0056] The shape of the tape cutter arrangement 300 is non-limiting. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the tape cutter arrangement 300 includes cutter blade 310 that has an optional lead cut edge 320 and optional angled cutting surfaces 330 that extend outwardly and rearwardly from the lead cut edge 310. The lead cut edge 320 of the cutter blade 310, when used, facilitates in initially punching through the tape, thereby facilitating in the subsequent cutting through of the remainder of the tape by the optional angled cutting surfaces 330 that extend outwardly and rearwardly from the lead cut edge 310. Generally, the lead cut edge 320 is oriented along the longitudinal centerline of the cutter blade; however, this is not required.

[0057] The tape cutter arrangement 300 is configured to move between a retracted non-cut position and an extended cut position. A cutter movement arrangement can be used to facilitate in the movement of the tape cutter arrangement 300 the retracted non-cut position and the extended cut position. The cutter movement arrangement optionally includes a biasing system 400 (e.g., mechanical spring, gas spring, etc.) that can be optionally be used to move the tape cutter arrangement from the non-cutting position to the extended cut position. In one non-limiting arrangement, the tape cutter arrangement 300 includes a spring 402. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the rear portion of the tape cutter arrangement 300 is connected to one end of spring 402 and the other end of the spring is connected to the frame 110 at a location forwardly of the rear portion of the tape cutter arrangement 300. In one non-limiting arrangement, the spring 402 is connected to a cross-bar 190 or other structure on the frame 110. When the tape cutter arrangement 300 is moved rearwardly to the retracted non-cut position, such movement causes the spring to be extended. When the tape cutter arrangement 300 is allowed to move from the retracted non-cut position to the extended cut position, the spring, when contracting to its natural non-extended position, facilitates in causing the tape cutter arrangement 300 to move to the extended cut position.

[0058] The frame 110 optionally includes a guide slot arrangement 170 that facilitates in maintaining the position of the tape cutter arrangement 300 relative to the frame 110 as the tape cutter arrangement 300 moves between the retracted non-cut position and the extended cut position. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the guide slot arrangement 170 includes one or more rollers that are connected to a cross-bar 190 and/or other structure on the frame 110. As can be appreciated, the guide slot arrangement 170 can include other or additional structures on the frame 110. The one or more rollers, when used, can be optionally be configured to rotate. The bottom surface of the one or more rollers can be arcuate shaped to facilitate in the movement of the seam tape tool 100 is moved over a surface. As can be appreciated, other or additional arcuate shaped or non-arcuate shaped structures can be used to facilitate in the movement of the seam tape tool 100 is moved over a surface. When the one or more rollers are configured to rotate, the rollers can be configured to rotate on the surface as the seam tape tool 100 is moved over the surface. When the one or more rollers are configured to not rotate, the rollers can be configured to slide on the surface as the seam tape tool 100 is moved over a surface. As illustrated in FIG. 6, one end of the spring 402 is connected to or between the two rollers; however, this is not required.

[0059] When the tape cutter arrangement 300 is in the retracted non-cut position, the application wheel 130 and optionally one or more structures on the frame 110 (e.g., rollers of the guide slot arrangement 170, other rollers or glides structures on the frame 110, etc.) can be used facilitate in the movement of the seam tape tool 100 is moved over a surface.

[0060] A bottom surface of the tape cutter arrangement 300 can optionally include a landing arrangement 340 that is configured to releasably engage a structure on the frame 110 when the tape cutter arrangement 300 is in the retracted non-cut position. One non-limiting purpose of the landing arrangement 340 is to facilitate in minimizing the movement of the tape cutter arrangement 300 when in the retracted non-cut position. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the landing arrangement 340, when used, can optionally include one or more ribs or other structures extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the tape cutter arrangement 300. The landing arrangement 340 as illustrated in FIG. 6 is configured to releasably engage a portion of the guide slot 170 (i.e., rollers) when the tape cutter arrangement 300 is in the retracted non-cut position.

[0061] The frame 110 can optionally include a limit arrangement 180 configured to limit the forward movement of the tape cutter arrangement 300 when moving from the retracted non-cut position to the extended cut position. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the limit arrangement 180 includes a bar that functions a stop to a rear portion of the tape cutter arrangement 300 to thereby limit the forward movement of the tape cutter arrangement 300. The limit arrangement 180 can also or alternatively be used to maintain the tape cutter arrangement 300 in position relative to the frame 110 when moving between the retracted non-cut position to the extended cut position.

[0062] The rear portion of the tape cutter arrangement 300 can include a cocking arrangement 500 that includes a bar or one or more flanges 510 and optionally one or more handles 520. The bar or one or more flanges 510 is generally connected to the rear portion of the tape cutter arrangement 300. A portion of the bar or one or more flanges 510 extends through one or more locking slots 114. As illustrated in FIG. 1, handles 520 are connected to the ends of the bar or one or more flanges 510 and positioned on the exterior side of the frame 110. In operation, a user can grasp a handle 520 on one or both sides of the frame 110, and pull the handle(s) rearwardly to cause the tape cutter arrangement 300 to more to the retracted non-cut position as illustrated in FIG. 9. The one or more locking slots 114 can include an end portion wherein a portion of the bar or one or more flanges 510 can be moved into so that the bar or one or more flanges 510 is retained in position, and represents the retracted non-cut position of the tape cutter arrangement 300. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the rear portion of the locking slots 114 is angles downwardly on the frame (e.g., 70-150 and all values and ranges therebetween) so that a portion of the bar or one or more flanges 510 can be moved into so that the bar or one or more flanges 510 is retained such location of the locking slot 114. As can be appreciated, the locking slot 114 can have other configurations.

[0063] The bar or one or more flanges 510 in combination with the locking slot 114 can be used to facilitate in maintaining the position of the tape cutter arrangement 300 relative to the frame 110 as the tape cutter arrangement 300 moves between the retracted non-cut position and the extended cut position. As such, the bar or one or more flanges 510 in combination with the locking slot 114 and/or the guide slot arrangement 170 can be used to facilitate in maintaining the position of the tape cutter arrangement 300 relative to the frame 110 as the tape cutter arrangement 300 moves between the retracted non-cut position and the extended cut position.

[0064] The bottom cutter release member 160 is located at the bottom rear portion of the frame 110 and is configured to engage the tape cutter arrangement 300 and/or cocking arrangement 500 so as to cause said cocking arrangement to release the tape cutter arrangement 300 from the retracted non-cut position. In one configuration, the bottom cutter release member 160 is movable relative to the frame 110 to enable the bottom cutter release member 160 to engage the tape cutter arrangement 300 and/or cocking arrangement 500. Many arrangements can be used to enable the bottom cutter release member 160 to be movable relative to the frame 110 e.g., pivot arrangement, slide arrangement, etc.). A limit slot arrangement 162 can optionally be used to limit the movement of the bottom cutter release member 160 relative to the frame 110.

[0065] The bottom cutter release member 160 can optionally be biased (e.g., spring biased, etc.) in a lower position, which lower position does not facilitate in the bottom cutter release member 160 to engage the tape cutter arrangement 300 and/or cocking arrangement 500 so as to cause said cocking arrangement to release the tape cutter arrangement 300 from the retracted non-cut position. The size, shape and configuration of the bottom cutter release member 160 are non-limiting. In operation, a user can push downwardly on the frame to cause the bottom cutter release member 160 to contact a floor surface and move toward the tape cutter arrangement 300 and/or cocking arrangement 500 so as to cause the cocking arrangement to release the tape cutter arrangement 300 from the retracted non-cut position. Once the tape cutter arrangement 300 is released from the retracted non-cut position, the tape cutter arrangement 300 is biased by biasing system 400 to move toward the extended cut position to cut the tape.

[0066] In operation, a user uses the cocking arrangement 500 to move the tape cutter arrangement 300 from the extended cut position (See FIG. 6) to the retracted non-cut position (See FIG. 9). While the tape cutter arrangement 300 is in the retracted non-cut position, a user can move the seam tape tool along a surface and dispense tape from the seam tape tool. When the user wants to cut the tape, the tape cutter arrangement 300 is caused to move from the retracted non-cut position to the extended cut position. Due to the biasing of the tape cutter arrangement 300, the tape cutter arrangement 300 rapidly moves from the retracted non-cut position to the extended cut position and thereby cuts the tape. The tape cutter arrangement 300 can be caused to move from the retracted non-cut position to the extended cut position by a) the user grasping one or more one or more handles 520 of the cocking arrangement 500 and moving the bar or flanges 510 out of the rear portion of the locking slot 114 so that the tape cutter arrangement 300 can move forwardly to the extended cut position, and/or b) the user causes the bottom cutter release member 160 to moving the bar or flanges 510 out of the rear portion of the locking slot 114 so that the tape cutter arrangement 300 can move forwardly to the extended cut position.

[0067] The one or more exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.