Abstract:
A tape dispenser that dispenses and applies tape to a first surface, wherein an edge of the tape is precisely positioned either flush or a predetermined distance from an adjacent second surface. The tape dispensing system of the present invention allows for bi-directional application of tape to the first surface and is particularly well suited for applying tape both around and into corners. The tape dispenser system further provides for an automatic alignment of an outer edge of a roll of tape relative to the dispenser frame independent of the thickness of the roll of tape.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to devices for dispensing a continuous strip of tape and more particularly relates to a tape dispenser that dispenses and applies tape to a first surface, wherein an edge of the tape is precisely positioned either flush or a predetermined distance from an adjacent second surface. The tape dispensing system of the present invention allows for bi-directional application of tape to the first surface and is particularly well suited for applying tape both around and into corners. The tape dispenser system further provides for an automatic alignment of an outer edge of a roll of tape relative to the dispenser frame independent of the thickness of the roll of tape. 
     II. Discussion of the Related Art 
     At various times it is desirable to precisely apply a strip of tape to a first surface, such as a baseboard, wherein an edge of the strip of tape is consistently spaced a pre-determined distance from an adjacent second surface, such as a wall. For ease of discussion and without limitation, the first surface will be referred to herein as a baseboard or other trim and the second adjacent surface will be referred to herein as a wall. Although the user may manually remove a strip of tape from a roll of tape and then apply this strip to an edge of the baseboard adjacent the wall, the removal and alignment process is time consuming and imprecise. It has been found to be both desirable and efficient to apply a strip of tape to the baseboard from a tape applicator or dispenser. 
     In the past, tape applicators have been provided that apply tape to a baseboard, for example, requiring manual alignment of the tape&#39;s edge to the adjacent wall. G. J. Kefalos in U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,942 describes a tape applicator having a hub and cylindrical alignment roller that may be used to apply tape to a baseboard adjacent a wall. The hub is adapted for receiving a roll of tape, wherein the roll of tape is pressed onto the hub until an inner edge of the roll of tape engages against a rear flange of the hub. The user must then manually adjust the alignment roller such that the outer edge of the alignment roller aligns with the outer edge of the roll of tape. Each time a new roll of tape is engaged to the hub, the alignment roller should be accordingly adjusted. Apparently, the dispenser described by Kefalos allows the user to apply tape to the baseboard with an edge of the tape positioned flush with the wall. It is desirable, however, to eliminate the need for manual adjustments of an alignment member each time a roll of tape is replaced. The tape applicator described by Kefalos is further limited in its ability to apply tape into a corner section, around corner edges. Further, the device described by Kefalos is limited in that it is designed to apply tape to a surface in only one direction. 
     A. E. Vidinsky in U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,297 describes a masking tape applicator capable of applying tape into a corner. Vidinsky describes a device having three rollers that act to align the masking tape during application. A roll of tape is loaded onto a spool, pressing an inner side of the roll of tape against a flange of the spool, such that outer ends of the three rollers extend slightly beyond the outside edge of the tape. In order to accommodate rolls of masking tape of various widths, Vidinsky describes the use of spacers having various thickness engaged between an inner edge of the roll of tape and the spool flange. The manual replacement of spacers for each roll of tape is time consuming and use of spacers may make it difficult to achieve precise alignment between the rollers and the outer edge of the tape. Further, when applying tape with the device described by Vidinsky, the device is only operable in one direction. 
     Longworth, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,871 describes a tape applicator having a complex alignment and cutting mechanisms. The device described by Longworth et al. also apparently requires engaging the inner edge of a roll of tape to a flange of a hub adapted for receiving the roll of tape, wherein a manually adjustable means positions the flange at different desired axial positions to thereby position the sides of different width rolls of tape in a desired orientation with respect to the distal ends of application rollers. For the reasons indicated above, among other, a dispenser requiring manual adjustment for each new roll of tape is not preferred. Further, although the device described by Longworth, et al. appears to be operable in either direction, the device is not particularly well suited for applying tape into or around corners. Hence, there is a need for a device that automatically aligns the outer edge of a roll of tape without requiring manual adjustment when switching between widths of tape and wherein the device is well suited for taping in and around corners. The present invention meets these and other needs that will become apparent from a review of the description of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a portable bi-directional tape dispensing device capable of conveniently and effectively applying pressure sensitive adhesive coated tape around and into corners and along narrow edge surfaces, wherein the application surface may be adjacent to a second surface, such as a wall or framework. The tape-dispensing device further provides for an automatic alignment of an outer edge of the roll of tape relative to a frame of the dispensing device, wherein the automatic alignment is independent of the thickness of the roll of tape. 
     The tape-dispensing device of the present invention generally includes a frame, a hub and an application roller. The hub is rotatably attached to the frame and is adapted for receiving the role of tape. The application roller assists in guiding the tape out of the dispenser as tape is applied to a surface. Without limitation, in the preferred embodiment the application roller is rotatably attached to the frame, however, it is recognized that the application roller may be rigidly engaged or formed as part of the frame. The dispensing device includes at least one alignment member, wherein the outer edge of the alignment member and the outer edge of the roll of tape are aligned in the same plane. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the application roller may act as the alignment member or one or more separate independent alignment members may extend from the frame. In use, the user preferably places the roll of tape on a flat surface, aligns the hub with the core bore of the role of tape, and then presses the hub into the core bore until the alignment member engages the flat surface. In this manner, the outer edge of the roll of tape and alignment member are aligned independent of the width of the role of tape and without requiring manual adjustments of the alignment member relative to the frame. 
     Without any limitation intended, the preferred embodiment of the dispensing device of the present invention is manufactured from a high impact thermal moldable plastic of known suitable composition and includes two spaced apart alignment members, wherein the application roller is coupled to the dispenser frame between the two alignment members. An angle between the longitudinal axis extending from the first alignment member to the application roller and the longitudinal axis extending from the second alignment member to the application roller is ninety (90) degrees or less. This arrangement provides for a smooth transition in directions when applying the tape into and around corners. 
     The dispensing device includes a means for holding said dispensing device while dispensing tape there from. Although it is recognized that the means for holding may include a handle attached to a side or end of the dispenser, fingerholds are preferably formed integral with the frame. The fingerholds provide a holding and gripping surface and allows for efficient rotation and other manipulation of the orientation and movement of the dispenser. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, bristles are attached to the frame, wherein the bristles apply pressure to the tape as tape is being dispensed from the dispensing device. In another alternate embodiment the hub includes a spring biasing member coupled to the hub. The spring biasing member provides for lateral movement of the hub relative to a longitudinal axis of the frame and/or alignment member. At times, when applying tape to a baseboard or wallboard, the user may wish to have the tape overlap slightly onto the adjacent wall or may desire to have a slight space (of a few thousandths of an inch) between the edge of the tape and the wall. In either instance, the spring biasing member may be utilized to adjust the hub inward or outward. 
     OBJECTS 
     It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to provide a tape dispenser that dispenses and applies tape to a first surface, wherein an edge of the tape is precisely positioned either flush or a predetermined distance from an adjacent second surface. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape dispenser that allows for bi-directional application of tape to a first surface. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a tape dispenser that is capable of applying tape both around and into corners in either direction. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tape dispenser system that provides for an automatic alignment of an outer edge of a roll of tape relative to the dispenser frame independent of the thickness of the roll of tape. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment especially when considered in conjunction with the claims and accompanying drawings in which like numerals in the several views refer to corresponding parts. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the tape dispenser system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front exploded perspective view of the tape dispenser system of the type shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a back elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 5 rotated 180 degrees about a rotation axis of the hub; 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 3 with the hub and application roller removed; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 5 with the hub and application roller removed; 
     FIG. 9 is a front partial sectional view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 10 is a partial sectional side elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 11 is a partial sectional side elevational view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the tape dispensing system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the tape dispensing system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a partial sectional side elevational view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the tape dispensing system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the tape dispensing system of the present invention showing a roll of tape engaged to the hub and having the tape unrolled past the application roller; 
     FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the present invention showing a roll of tape engaged to the hub and having the tape unrolled past the application roller for application of the tape in a right to left direction; 
     FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the present invention showing a roll of tape engaged to the hub and having the tape unrolled past the application roller for application of the tape in a left to right direction; 
     FIG. 17 is a back elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 16 showing application of the tape in a left to right horizontal direction into a corner; 
     FIG. 18 is a back elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 17, showing the dispenser being rotated; 
     FIG. 19 is a back elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 17, showing the dispenser being positioned in the corner after rotation; 
     FIG. 20 is a back elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 17 showing application of the tape in a left to right vertical direction away from the corner; 
     FIG. 21 is a back elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 15 showing application of the tape in a right to left horizontal direction towards an edge or corner of a frame; 
     FIG. 22 is a back elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 21, showing the dispenser being rotated; 
     FIG. 23 is a back elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 21, showing the dispenser being positioned adjacent the edge or corner of the frame after rotation; 
     FIG. 24 is a back elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 21 showing the dispenser rotated about the corner of the frame; and 
     FIG. 25 is a back elevational view of the tape dispensing system of the type shown in FIG. 21 showing application of the tape in a right to left vertical direction away from the edge or corner of the frame and rotated ninety (90) degrees. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention represents broadly applicable improvements to dispensers for applying tape to a desired surface. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the manner of using the tape dispensing device of the present invention and the particular use or application will vary from user to user. Thus, the description herein of applying tape to a wall, baseboard or framework should not be deemed as limiting the device to a particular use or purpose. Also, the embodiments detailed herein are intended to be taken as representative or exemplary of those in which the improvements of the invention may be incorporated and are not intended to be limiting. 
     Referring first to FIG. 1 the tape-dispensing device  10  of the present invention is shown. The dispensing device  10  generally includes a frame  12 , first alignment member  14 , second alignment member  16 , application roller  18 , hub  20 , and cutting members  22 . The application roller  18  and hub  20 , are preferably rotatably, removably attached to support members  24  and  26  as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10. The cutting members  22  are press fit into grooves  28  and  30  formed in alignment members  14  and  16  respectively. The grooves  28  and  30  further include a channel  32  formed therein and are adapted for receiving post  34  extending from a portion of the cutting member  22 . The cutting members include a serrated edge and are of a known suitable construction. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3-7, the frame includes fingerholds  36  formed in the frame  12  and alignment members  14  and  16 , and fingerholds or wing members  38  extending from the frame  12 . The fingerholds  38  are well suited for positioning the middle and index fingers thereon, while resting the thumb and fifth finger in the fingerholds  36 . The fingerholds  36  and  38  are positioned around the frame  12  in strategic positions to facilitate the handling and maneuvering of the device  10 . The frame  12  may further include ribs  40  extending from planar surfaces of the frame  12  to provide added support and rigidity to the frame  12 . The hub  20  includes ribs  42  extending outwardly from an outer circumferential surface of the hub  20 . The ribs  42  are designed to engage an inside surface of a core of a tape role. 
     Without any limitation intended, the preferred mode of rotatably coupling the hub  20  and application roller  18  to the frame  12  is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 8-10. A tip  44  of the support member  26  extends through a bore  46  (see FIG. 2) formed in the hub  20 . A screw  48  having a washer or extended shoulder  50  is engaged into the tip  44  of the support member  26  and tightened until the washer  50  engages against the tip  44 . The hub  20  rotates or freely spins about support member  26  and the engaged screw  48  and washer  50  prevents the hub  20  from spinning off the support member  26 . A bushing  54  of the hub  20  rotates about support member  26  and only an end portion of the bushing  54  contacts the support member  26 , thereby reducing the amount of friction and/or wobble as the hub  20  rotates about the support member  26 . 
     Similarly, a tip  60  of the support member  24  extends through a bore  62  (see FIG. 2) formed in the application roller  18 . A screw  64  having a washer or extended shoulder  66  is engaged into the tip  60  of the support member  24  and tightened until the washer  66  engages against the tip  60 . The application roller  18  rotates or freely spins about support member  24  and the engaged screw  64  and washer  66  prevents the application roller  18  from spinning off the support member  24 . A bushing  6  of the application roller  18  rotates about support member  24  and only an end portion  70  of the bushing  68  contacts the support member  24 , thereby reducing the amount of friction between the support member  24  and application roller  18 . The end portion  70  of the application roller  18  is tapered to mirror a tapered portion  72  of the support member  24 , to act as a positive locator reduce the amount of wobble as the application roller  18  rotates about the support member  24 . 
     Referring next to FIG. 11, an alternate preferred mode of coupling the hub  20  to support member  26  is shown. Rather than requiring a screw to engage the tip  44  of support member  26 , a ridge  80  is formed on the inner surface of bushing  54 . When the hub  20  is pressed onto the support member  26 , the ridge  80  snaps over a lip  82  extending from the tip  44  of the support member  26 . This snap fit then prevents the hub  20  from sliding off the support member  26  but allows free rotation of the hub  20  about the support member  26 . Similarly, a ridge  84  is formed on the inner surface of bushing  68 . When the application roller  18  is pressed onto the support member  24 , the ridge  84  snaps over a lip  86  extending from the tip  60  of the support member  24 . This snap fit then prevents the application roller  18  from sliding off the support member  24  but allows free rotation of the application roller  18  about the support member  24 . 
     Referring to FIG. 12, soft flexible bristles  90  are shown extending from first and second alignment members  14  and  16 . When tape is dispensed from the dispenser  10  provide added pressure against the tape, thereby promoting the adhesion of the tape to the underlying surface. 
     FIG. 13 shows an alternate preferred mode of coupling the hub  20  to the support member  26 . Rather than extending the tip  44  of the support member  26  through bore  46  a spring  92  is positioned between an end of the support member  26  and the washer  50 . As the screw  48  is tightened, the spring compresses and the hub  20  moves inward. As the screw is loosened, the spring  92  elongates moving the hub  20  outward. This spring biasing arrangement allows for lateral movement of the hub  20  relative to the frame  12  and alignment members  14  and  16 . 
     Having described the constructional features of the present invention the mode of use will be described in greater detail in conjunction with a description of FIGS. 14-24. Referring first to FIGS. 14-16, a roll of tape  98  is shown press fit onto the hub  20  with the tape  100  being unrolled from the roll  98 . The adhesive side of the tape  100  faces downward and the tape is threaded under the application roller  18 . As described above, the edge of the tape aligns with one or more of the application roller  18  and alignment members  14  and  16 . FIG. 15 shows the pathway of the tape through and out the dispenser when the tape  100  is applied to a baseboard and wall, for example, in a right to left direction. FIG. 16 shows the pathway of the tape  100  through and out the dispenser  10  when the tape  100  is applied to a baseboard and wall, for example, in a left to right direction. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 17-20, the application of tape  100  into the corner of a framework  102  is sequentially shown. The user first applies the tape in a left to right direction towards the corner (see FIG.  17 ). As the dispenser is moved into the corner of the framework the dispenser is rotated so that the alignment member  14  moves from a horizontal position to a vertical position (see FIG.  18 ). The user then presses the dispenser  10  into the corner (see FIG. 19) and then the dispenser is moved upward in the vertical direction along the framework. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that if an exact fit of the tape into the corner is desired, when the user presses the dispenser  10  into the corner (shown in FIG. 19) a utility knife may be positioned between the tape  100  and alignment member  16  and then slid into the corner, thereby pressing the tape  100  tight into the corner. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the radius of the application roller may be reduced to minimize the radius of the tape positioned in the corner. 
     FIGS. 21-24 illustrates the sequential application of tape  100  around the corner of framework  102 . The user first applies the tape in a right to left direction towards the corner (see FIG.  21 ). As the dispenser is moved towards the corner of the framework the dispenser is rotated so that the alignment member  14  moves from a vertical position to a horizontal position (see FIG.  22 ). The user then presses the dispenser  10  towards the edge (see FIG. 23) until only a portion of alignment member  14  overlaps with the framework  102 . The dispenser  10  is then rotated downward around the corner and then the user moves the dispenser downward in the vertical direction along the framework (see FIG.  24 ). The user may again rotate the dispenser ninety (90) degrees so that the leading edge of alignment member  16  is adjacent the framework (see FIG. 25) 
     This invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out by specifically different equipment and devices, and that various modifications, both as to the equipment and operating procedures, can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.