Abstract:
A tape dispensing system for reducing the amount of time to mask surface areas in preparation of painting. The tape dispensing system includes a frame structure having a first frame and a second frame, a first spool and a second spool rotatably attached to the frame structure for supporting a first roll and a second roll of tape, and a first guide member and a second guide member attached to the frame for guiding the tape strips to overlap one another with the respective adhesive sides opposite one another.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable to this application. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable to this application. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to tape dispensers and more specifically it relates to a tape dispensing system for reducing the amount of time to mask surface areas in preparation of painting. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Tape dispensers have been in use for years. Typically, a tape dispenser is comprised of a structure capable of retaining only a single roll of tape for dispensing a single strip of tape having a single adhesive layer. During masking of walls, trim, windows, doors, vehicles and the like in preparation for painting, the user of a conventional tape dispenser must first secure a first strip of tape to the object to be protected from paint along the edge thereof. The user then must secure a protective sheet (plastic, paper or the like) with a second strip of tape to a portion of the first strip of tape. 
   The main problem with conventional tape dispensers and masking methods is that they are time consuming and tedious to utilize. A further problem with conventional tape dispensers and masking methods is that they do not provide an efficient and quality means for protecting edging, trim, windows and the like during painting. Another problem with conventional tape dispensers and masking methods is that they do not provide a consistent protective product. 
   While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for reducing the amount of time to mask surface areas in preparation of painting. Conventional tape dispensers and masking methods are time consuming to utilize. 
   In these respects, the tape dispensing system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of reducing the amount of time to mask surface areas in preparation of painting. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of tape dispensers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new tape dispensing system construction wherein the same can be utilized for reducing the amount of time to mask surface areas in preparation of painting. 
   The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new tape dispensing system that has many of the advantages of the tape dispensers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new tape dispensing system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art tape dispensers, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a frame structure having a first frame and a second frame, a first spool and a second spool rotatably attached to the frame structure for supporting a first roll and a second roll of tape, and a first guide member and a second guide member attached to the frame for guiding the tape strips to overlap one another with the respective adhesive sides opposite one another. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a tape dispensing system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
   A second object is to provide a tape dispensing system for reducing the amount of time to mask surface areas in preparation of painting. 
   Another object is to provide a tape dispensing system that assists in providing an efficient and quality paint-masking job. 
   An additional object is to provide a tape dispensing system that produces a tape product with a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface for securing a protective sheet of plastic or paper. 
   A further object is to provide a tape dispensing system that is comprised of a compact and portable structure. 
   Another object is to provide a tape dispensing system that provides a manageable end tape product. 
   A further object is to provide a tape dispensing system that allows for the overlapping of two strips of tape at various overlap widths. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
   To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the present invention with the end tape product produced. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of  FIG. 5  illustrating the end tape product. 
       FIG. 7  is an upper perspective view of the end tape product secured to an edge of a baseboard adjacent a wall to be painted. 
       FIG. 8  is an upper perspective view illustrating the securing of a protective sheet to the baseboard utilizing the end tape product. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A. Introduction 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 8  illustrate a tape dispensing system  10 , which comprises a frame structure having a first frame  20  and a second frame  40 , a first spool  30  and a second spool  32  rotatably attached to the frame structure for supporting a first roll and a second roll of tape, and a first guide member  28  and a second guide member  48  attached to the frame for guiding the tape strips to overlap one another by a width X with the respective adhesive sides opposite one another thereby forming the end tape product. 
   B. Frame Structure 
   The frame structure is best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3  of the drawings. The frame structure is preferably comprised of a first frame  20  and a second frame  40  adjustably connected to one another for allowing adjustment of the width X that the two tape strips overlap one another as best shown in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. However, the frame structure may be comprised of various other structures other than shown in the drawings. For example, the frame structure may be comprised of a single unitary structure. The frame structure may have various shapes, sizes and material types. 
   The frame structure preferably includes a handle for allowing the user to transport the tape dispensing system  10  to remote locations. The handle is formed by a first cutout  24  within the first frame  20  and a second cutout  44  within the second frame  40  as best illustrated in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. The cutouts  24 ,  44  create a first handle  25  and a second handle  45  within the frames  20 ,  40  respectively as best shown in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. 
   One or more spacer members are preferably attachable between the first frame  20  and the second frame  40  thereby allowing adjustment of the width X of the end tape product. A main spacer  50  preferably extends between both the first frame  20  and the second frame  40  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4  of the drawings. One or more first spacers  52  may be attached to opposing sides of the main spacer  50  to create a consistent width for the handle of the frame structure. One or more second spacers  54  are positionable between a first extended portion  26  and a second extended portion  46  of the frames  20 ,  40  respectively. The spacers are preferably attached to the frames  20 ,  40  by conventional fasteners such as but not limited to bolts, nuts, screws and the like. 
   The frame structure preferably includes a base structure for supporting the tape dispensing system  10  and for assisting in securing the end tape product. The base structure is preferably comprised of a first base  22  extending from the first frame  20  and a second base  42  extending from the second frame  40 . The first base  22  and the second base  42  are preferably positioned apart from one another a finite distance. The first base  22  and the second base  42  are preferably aligned with the first spool  30  and the second spool  32  as best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4  of the drawings. The inner ends of the first base  22  and the second base  42  are preferably curved for engaging the first tape strip and the second tape strip to facilitate the connection of the tape strips together. 
   C. Spools 
   The first spool  30  and the second spool  32  are rotatably attached to the frame structure for supporting a first tape roll  60  and a second tape roll  70  respectively. The first spool  30  and the second spool  32  are formed from a spool structure that snugly and securely receives the first tape roll  60  and the second tape roll  70  respectively. There are various spool structures currently utilized within conventional tape dispensers that are suitable for usage within the present invention. The first spool  30  and the second spool  32  may have various diameters and widths to accommodate various sizes of tape rolls  60 ,  70 . 
   As an alternative to utilizing the first frame  20  and the second frame  40  to adjust the width X of the overlap of the end tape product, the first spool  30  and the second spool  32  may be adjustably attached to the frame structure allowing for adjustment of the distance between the rotational planes. The adjustment of the distance between the rotational planes of the first spool  30  and the second spool  32  allows for adjustment of the width X. 
   As best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  5  of the drawings, the first spool  30  and the second spool  32  preferably have substantially parallel rotational planes. The rotational planes of the first spool  30  and the second spool  32  are a distance Y apart, wherein the distance Y is approximately equal to the width X representing the overlapping width of the two tape strips. The width X is preferably less than ½ a width of the first tape strip, though greater widths may be accomplished. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  of the drawings, the first tape roll  60  and the second tape roll  70  rotate opposite of one another during operation of the tape dispensing system  10 . 
   D. Guide Members 
   The first guide member  28  and the second guide member  48  are attached to the frame for guiding first tape strip and the second tape strip respectively to overlap one another a width X during dispensing forming the end tape product. The first guide member  28  and the second guide member  48  may be comprised of a rotatable or a non-rotatable roller structure. Various other curved or angled structures may be utilized to comprised the first guide member  28  and the second guide member  48  to assist in the guiding and securing of the tape strips. 
   E. End Tape Product 
   As best shown in  FIG. 6  of the drawings, a portion of a first adhesive side  62  of the first tape strip is attached to a portion of a second adhesive side  72  of the second tape strip a width X. This width X may be varied by adjusting the position of the frames  20 ,  40 , or by directly adjusting the positions of the spools  30 ,  32 . The first side  64  of the first tape strip and the second side  74  of the second tape strip are preferably non-adhesive and are positioned opposite of one another as best illustrated in  FIG. 6  of the drawings. 
   F. Operation of Invention 
   In use, the user draws the first tape strip from the first tape roll  60  and the second tape strip from the second tape roll  70  over the respective guide members  28 ,  48  as best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3  of the drawings. The first adhesive side  62  and the second adhesive side  72  of the tape strips are thereafter in opposition to one another and after passing about the guide members  28 ,  48  are secured together. The curved ends of the bases  22 ,  42  may also engage the tape strips thereby facilitating the attachment of the first adhesive side  62  to the second adhesive side  72 . The first tape strip attached to the second tape strip in an overlapped manner as best illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  of the drawings, wherein the first tape strip is overlapped upon the second tape strip a width X. The desired length of the end tape product is then either torn or cut. The second adhesive side  72  (or the first adhesive side  62 ) is then attached to the perimeter of the item to be protected such as baseboard  14  adjacent to a wall  12  to be painted as shown in  FIG. 7  of the drawings. The opposing first adhesive side  62  is then exposed for receiving a protective sheet  16  or other protective member thereby eliminating the step of having to apply a second length of tape to the sheet  16  as shown in  FIG. 8  of the drawings. The present invention may be utilized for extended periods of time until the tape rolls  60 ,  70  require replacement which is achieved by simply removing the old tape rolls  60 ,  70  and installing the replacement tape rolls  60 ,  70 . 
   As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.