Patent Publication Number: US-2007108337-A1

Title: System for dispensing tape

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Area of Invention  
      The present invention relates to tape dispensers.  
      2. Prior Art  
      Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems are concerned with the temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and distribution of air within a building. Those who install HVAC systems must use of HVAC tape to secure and maintain the air ducts of the system. Often, HVAC tape is hard to maneuver, while keeping the tape straight in or above ceiling panels and other hard to reach places.  
      The prior art includes means for vertically mounting a tape dispenser as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,229 to Pagnini. The prior art also includes a portable dual advance dispenser for a supply of linered tape material having an adhesive tape mounted in separable strips on a release liner as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,182 to Thompson et al.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,066 to Hambleton discloses a hands-free tape dispenser for dispensing tape of varying widths and quantities which is attached to a user&#39;s wrist or arm.  
      It would be desirable to provide a tape dispenser, for use with a ladder or scaffolding for maneuvering into difficult places while allowing the tape to remain straight and not curl. The present invention addresses this long felt need in the art.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A system for dispensing tape from a roll of tape secured to a ladder or horizontal scaffold, the system comprising a gimbal including a horizontal sprocket proportioned for engagement of an interior of the roll of tape, the roll having an axis of rotation. The system for dispensing tape includes a platform rotatably secured to an upper surface of the gimbal and the surface is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the axis of rotation of the roll and rotation thereof relative to the platform. The system also includes a means for securing the platform between respective left and right vertical edge elements of the ladder or corresponding surfaces of the scaffold.  
      It is an object of the invention to provide a system for dispensing tape particularly suited for dispensing tape when mounted on a substantially horizontal surface.  
      It is another object is to provide a system for dispensing tape which can be readily attached to any suitable horizontal surface, including a ladder rung or scaffolding.  
      It is a further object of the invention to provide system for dispensing tape which spools tape easily for use in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) applications.  
      The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention, and Claims appended herewith.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an elevational, operational view of a front portion of a ladder showing the rotating swivel motion and position of the inventive system for dispensing tape.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective and environmental view of the system for dispensing tape illustrating its placement on a ladder and direction of dispensing the tape.  
       FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the system for dispensing tape illustrating how it is secured to the ladder.  
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged side radial cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the system for dispensing tape attached to a rectangular ladder rung.  
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged view, similar to that of  FIG. 4 , of the system for dispensing tape attached to a circular ladder rung, showing another attachment means.  
       FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of said second embodiment.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  there is shown, a system for dispensing tape  100  from a roll of tape  110  secured to a vertical ladder  120  or scaffold. In  FIGS. 1-3  may also be seen a gimbal  130  which includes a horizontal gimbal sprocket  114  proportioned for engagement of an interior  112  of the roll of tape  110 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , a platform  150  is rotatably secured to an upper surface  140  of the gimbal  130 . The gimbal  130  is attached to a platform  150  and can rotate  360  degrees to allow tape  100  to be dispensed in any direction (See  FIG. 1 ). In  FIG. 3 , there is also shown a means for securing  160  the platform  150  between respective left  170  and right  180  inner vertical edge elements of the ladder  120 .  
      Shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3  is the means for securing  160  the platform  150  between respective left  170  and right  180  vertical elements of the ladder  120 . This includes a pair of threaded bolts  162  parallel to the platform  150 . Each threaded bolt  162  having one end secured to an opposite end of the platform  150 . The means for securing  160  the platform  150  also includes a pair of adjustable opposing elongate members  164  threadibly secured to respective opposite. The pair of adjustable opposing elongate members once threadibly secured may be locked into place by a lock nut  165 . The pair of adjustable opposing elongate members  164 , corresponding threaded bolts  162 , and the lock nut  165 , adjusts to enable a snug fit between the respective left  170  and right  180  vertical elements of the ladder. The opposing elongate members  164  also act as handles to assist the user in the placement of the system for dispensing tape  100 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the end portions  166  attached to said elongate cylindrical female members  164  press firmly and resiliently into the respective left  170  and right  180  vertical elements of the ladder  120  once the entire system has been located on the ladder and adjusted between the vertical elements to the user&#39;s satisfaction.  
      The horizontal gimbal sprocket  114  is proportioned for engagement of an interior of said roll of tape  110  preferably defines a press-fit engagement  112 . The horizontal sprocket  114  may also comprise a fixed removable pole or it may have direct internal engagement inside the roll of tape  110 . The system  100  may also be manufactured with a removable gimbal sprocket  114  or an internally attached gimbal sprocket  114 . The gimbal itself may be rigid or rotatable.  
      The horizontal sprocket  114  proportioned for engagement of an interior  112  of the roll of tape  110  is preferably proportioned for the engagement of the interior of a roll of HVAC tape. The sprocket  114  can also be proportioned for dry wall tape and other types of tape. The gimbal  130  and horizontal sprocket  114  are preferably made of a flexible material, such as a polymer. The platform  150  is preferably made of a rigid polymer, but may also be comprised of an alternative polymer or wood, or the like. The end portions  166  are preferably made of a rubber-like material that will not harm the left  170  and right  180  vertical edges of the ladder. The platform  150  defines a horizontal length of about 3 to about 6 inches. Each edge of the surface of said gimbal defines a length of about 2.5 to about 5.5 inches.  
      With reference to  FIGS. 4, 5 , and  6  there is shown a second embodiment of the system for dispensing tape  200  from a roll of tape  210  secured to a vertical ladder  222  or scaffold including a gimbal  130  which includes a horizontal sprocket proportioned  214  for engagement of an interior  212  of said roll of tape  210 .  
      The second embodiment also includes a horizontal sprocket  214 , proportioned for engagement of an interior  212  of said roll of tape  210  and preferably defines a press-fit engagement.  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , a platform  250  is rotatably secured to an upper surface  240  of the gimbal and includes a means for securing  260  the platform  250  to a horizontal element  222  of the ladder  220 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  show the horizontal element  222  of the ladder  220  as a rectangular rung versus a circular rung. The means for securing  260  the platform  250  to the horizontal element  222  of the ladder  220  can be manually adjusted to fit any standard ladder rung dimensions. The means for securing  260  the platform  250  to the horizontal element  222  of the ladder  220  is preferably a spring clamp. Another type of clamp or securing arrangement may be used in the alternative.  
      While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.