Patent Publication Number: US-2021179383-A1

Title: Brake assembly for a tape dispenser

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/714,914, filed on Dec. 16, 2019, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/340,268 filed on Nov. 1, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,544,003; the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to tape dispensers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a braking or brake assembly for a tape dispenser. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to brake spokes having a unique configuration for applying a braking force. 
     Background Information 
     Adhesive tape is typically provided on a hub and is configured to be unwound therefrom to dispense the tape. Additionally, the adhesive tape is typically housed in a hand-held tape dispenser. 
     Issues continue to exist with hand-held tape dispensers. Particularly, as the tape is dispensed, it may over-rotate. The over-rotation of tape unwinding from the hub may cause tape to be wasted for the given taping task. Or, the over rotation may cause the tape to become knotted. 
     Some prior art has attempted to cure the over-rotation of tape during dispensing by providing ways to frictionally engage the unwinding tape to effectuate a braking force. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,474 (the &#39;474 patent) discloses a tape dispenser brake mechanism utilizing an inwardly extending brake spoke configured to contact the annular hub of a roll of tape. The &#39;474 patent further discloses that the brake spoke extends into an annular void defined between an outer surface and an inner surface on the hub. Nothing in the &#39;474 patent suggests that the brake spoke or one of the arcuate ribs contact the tape sidewall defined by the roll of tape. 
     Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,062 (the &#39;062 patent) is prior art and utilizes a depressible and flexible sidewall to act as a brake to slow a roll of wound tape on a hub rotating about an axle. The &#39;062 patent indicates that the inside surface of the sidewall contacts both the hub and the wound roll of tape. 
     Notably, the &#39;062 patent does not utilize brake spokes, however it does use guide spokes (but they do not provide any braking effect). The guide spokes of the &#39;062 patent are used to fit within the annular void positioned between the outer portion and the inner portion of the hub. Thus, they guide the tape hub and are not configured to stop the hub with a braking force. 
     SUMMARY 
     Issues continue to exist with dispensing tape and the prior art braking means. As such, the present disclosure provides a solution that improves the braking effect to effectively stop the unwinding of tape from the dispenser. 
     In one aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a tape dispenser comprising a brake spoke tapering (i.e., narrowing) from a distal radial end to a proximal radial end relative to a tape rotational axis, wherein the brake spoke effectuates the braking of wound adhesive tape on a hub by contacting the adhesive tape and hub simultaneously. 
     In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a tape dispenser comprising: a first side member and an opposing second side member; an axle extending between the first and second side members defining a hub axis; a hub carrying wound adhesive tape therearound configured to be unwound and dispensed, and the hub positioned concentric around the axle to rotate about the hub axis; a first brake spoke extending from a first inner surface on the first side member; and a tapered wall on the first brake spoke, wherein when the first side member is flexed, the tapered wall effectuates braking of the adhesive tape and the hub. 
     In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method dispensing wound tape and braking the same comprising the steps of: dispensing adhesive tape wound around a hub from a tape dispenser having brake spokes extending inwardly in a cantilevered manner from opposing side members; flexing the opposing side members inwardly towards each other; and contacting a tapered end wall on each brake spoke with the wound adhesive tape, the hub, or both simultaneously to effectuate braking of the adhesive tape wound around the hub. 
     In another aspect, an embodiment of present disclosure may provide a tape dispensing system comprising: a new wound roll of adhesive tape carried by a hub, the wound roll of adhesive tape defining an annular sidewall concentric with a hub axis; and a brake spoke carried by a side member on a tape dispenser, wherein the roll of adhesive tape is disposed within the tape dispenser, and the brake spoke is aligned to extend entirely along the annular sidewall and adapted to contact the annular sidewall to impart a braking force after tape is unwound from the roll. 
     In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method comprising: providing a new wound roll of adhesive tape carried by a tape dispenser including a brake spoke extending cantilevered form a side member, wherein the brake spoke is at least as long as an annular sidewall of the wound roll of adhesive tape prior to dispensing the roll from the tape dispenser; pulling a portion of the adhesive tape to unwind a portion of tape; and engaging the brake spoke with the annular sidewall to impart a braking force to slow the adhesive tape from unwinding. 
     In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a tape dispenser comprising: a first side member and an opposing second side member; an axle extending between the first and second side members defining a hub axis; a hub carrying wound adhesive tape therearound configured to be unwound and dispensed, and the hub positioned concentric around the axle to rotate about the hub axis; a first brake spoke extending from a first inner surface on the first side member and a free end wall on the first brake spoke, wherein when the first side member is flexed, and the end wall effectuates braking of the adhesive tape and the hub by contacting one of the following (i) the adhesive tape, (ii) the hub, and (iii) the adhesive tape and the hub simultaneously; and an imaginary radial line extending radially from the hub axis, wherein the imaginary radial line intersects the first brake spoke at two points. In this embodiment, the brake spoke may have an arcuate profile. Or, the imaginary radial line may intersect the brake spoke at first and second ends. Or, the imaginary radial line may not intersect an intermediate portion of the brake spoke. This embodiment may also include a plurality of brake spokes, wherein the first brake spoke is one brake spoke forming the plurality of brake spokes, wherein the imaginary radial line only intersects the first brake spoke. There may be a second brake spoke adjacent the first brake spoke, wherein the imaginary radial line intersects the second brake spoke at least once. In fact, the imaginary radial line may intersect the second brake spoke twice. 
     In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a tape dispenser comprising: a first side member and an opposing second side member; an axle extending between the first and second side members defining a hub axis; a hub carrying wound adhesive tape therearound configured to be unwound and dispensed, and the hub positioned concentric around the axle to rotate about the hub axis; a first brake spoke extending from a first inner surface on the first side member and a free end wall on the first brake spoke, wherein when the first side member is flexed, and the end wall effectuates braking of the adhesive tape and the hub by contacting one of the following (i) the adhesive tape, (ii) the hub, and (iii) the adhesive tape and the hub simultaneously; and an imaginary radial line extending radially from the hub axis, wherein the imaginary radial line intersects the first brake spoke at only one point. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A sample embodiment of the disclosure is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are fully incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various examples, methods, and other example embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tape dispenser having a braking means in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  is a side elevation view of the disassembled tape dispenser, having one type of brake spokes; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side elevation view of the disassembled tape dispenser, having another type of brake spokes; 
         FIG. 2C  is a side elevation view of the disassembled tape dispenser, having another type of brake spokes; 
         FIG. 2D  is a side elevation view of the disassembled tape dispenser, having another type of brake spokes; 
         FIG. 2E  is a side elevation view of the disassembled tape dispenser, having another type of brake spokes; 
         FIG. 2F  is a side elevation view of the disassembled tape dispenser, having another type of brake spokes; 
         FIG. 3  is a transverse cross section view taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1  of the assembled tape dispenser having the type of brake spokes presented in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is an enlarged cross section view of the region labeled “SEE  FIG. 3A ” in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an operational cross section view of the tape dispenser in  FIG. 3 ;  FIG. 4A  is an enlarged operational cross section view of the region labeled “SEE  FIG. 4A ” in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a transverse cross section view taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1  of the assembled tape dispenser having the type of brake spokes presented in  FIG. 2B ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a transverse cross section view taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1  of the assembled tape dispenser having the type of brake spokes presented in  FIG. 2C . 
     
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , a tape dispenser in accordance with the present disclosure is generally indicated at  10 . The tape dispenser  10  is configured to house a roll of adhesive tape  12  therein and for dispensing therefrom. The roll of the adhesive tape  12  is mounted on a hub  14  ( FIG. 2A ). Hub  14  may also be referred to as a “core” or “tape core” in the adhesive tape industry. The tape dispenser  10  further comprises a first side member  16 , a second side member  18 , and a cutter member  20 . 
     The first and second side members  16 ,  18  are aligned side-by-side and meet at a parting line or union  22  defining the longitudinally aligned center plane  24 . Longitudinal center plane  24  may also be referred to as a longitudinal axis. 
     When assembled, hub  14  is concentric about a hub axis  26  which is orthogonal to longitudinal center plane  24 . The hub axis  26  may also be referred to as a transverse axis  26 . As will be described in greater detail below, the roll of adhesive tape  12  is configured to dispense tape from dispenser  10  as hub  14  rotates about hub axis  26 . 
     The first side member includes a first surface  28  opposite a second surface  30  ( FIG. 2A ). When tape dispenser  10  is assembled, first surface  28  faces outwardly and second surface  30  faces inwardly towards second side member  18 . Similarly, second side member  18  includes a first outside facing surface  32  opposite an inwardly facing second surface  34  ( FIG. 2A ). 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the cutter member  20  is mounted between the first surface  28  on first side member  16  and the first surface  32  on second side member  18 . The cutter member  20  spans the parting line  22  and connects to each the first side member  16  and the second side member  18 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2D , the hub  14  may comprise an outer cylindrical wall  36  and an inner cylindrical wall  38  connected together by inner member  40  such that the hub  14  is I-shaped in longitudinal cross-section. 
     Each side member has a plurality of brake spokes  42  extending inwardly in a cantilevered manner from a rigid connection with a respective inner surface. More particularly, a first set of brake spokes  42 A are connected to inner surface  30  on first side member  16 . A second set of brake spokes  42 B connect to the inner surface  34  of second side member  18 . 
     The brake spokes  42  can be configured in a number of different ways to impart a braking force to the hub  14 , or impart a braking force to the adhesive tape wound around hub  14 , or a combination of simultaneously imparting a braking force to the hub  14  and to the adhesive tape  12 . The brake spokes  42  may have a length oriented radially relative to hub axis  26  that spans from inner cylindrical wall  38  on hub  14  to the radial outermost portion of adhesive tape  12  in an assembled position. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 2A , the imaginary dashed circle  44  corresponds to the profile of inner cylindrical wall  38  having a radius R 1 . The radial outermost surface of adhesive tape  12  is represented by a dashed circle  46  having a radius R 2 . The length of the brake spokes  42 A,  42 B is equal to radius R 2  less radius R 1 . In this regard, when a braking force is applied by pressing and flexing the first and second side members  16 ,  18  through manual squeezing force along the hub axis  26 , the brake spokes  42 A,  42 B contact the adhesive tape  12  and the hub  14  simultaneously. Collectively, this imparts a braking force to stop the adhesive tape  12  from being over dispensed. 
     The brake spokes of  FIG. 2A  are shown as linear members spaced generally regular about hub axis  26 . In one particular embodiment, there may be five brake spokes located on each respective side member. However, the number of brake spokes is not intended to be limiting and there may be more than five brake spokes on each side member or less than five brake spokes on each side member. It is recognized that the optimal number of brake spokes located on each side member may be determined through iterative testing as one have ordinary skill in the art would understand. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2B , a first set of brake spokes  42 C may extend in a cantilevered manner from the inner surface  30  of first side member  16 . A second set of brake spokes  42 D may opposingly extend in a cantilevered manner from the inner surface  34  on second side member  18 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2B , the plurality of brake spokes  42 C,  42 D may extend radially a linear length relative to hub axis  26  that corresponds to the distance from the profile  44  corresponding to inner cylindrical wall  38  to the imaginary profile  48  having a radius R 3  which corresponds to the outer cylindrical wall  36  on hub  14 . The radial length of brake spokes  42 C,  42 D is equal to radius R 3  less radius R 1 . The radial length of brake spokes  42 C,  42 D corresponds in a manner such that the brake spokes engage the hub  14  when the first side member  16  and the second side member  18  are flexed inwardly towards each other along hub axis  26  to impart a braking force to the adhesive tape  12 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 2B , the first set of brake spokes  42 C and the second set of brake spokes  42 D are oriented orthogonal relative to transverse hub axis  26 . The orthogonal alignment establishes brake spokes  42 C,  42 D as linear members spaced circumferentially about the transverse axis  26 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2C , a first set of brake spokes  42 E are positioned cantilevered on the inner second surface  30  of first side member  16  and a set of brake spokes  42 F are positioned opposingly cantilevered on the inner surface  34  of second side member  18 . The brake spokes  42 E,  42 F identified in  FIG. 2C  are positioned orthogonally relative to hub axis  26  such that they are radially linear and have a length that corresponds to contact the adhesive tape  12  wound on hub  14 . The brake spokes  42 E,  42 F have a length equal to the radius R 2  less radius R 3 , which corresponds to the outer profile  46  of adhesive tape  12  and profile  48  of outer cylindrical wall  36  respectively. Notably, the brake spokes  42 E,  42 F identified in  FIG. 2C  contact the adhesive tape  12  to impart a braking force, but would not contact hub  14 . Stated otherwise, brake spokes  42 E,  42 F are purposely spaced from a cylindrical axle  50  which will be described in greater detail below. The brake spokes  42 E,  42 F spaced from cylindrical axle  50  define a space that is equal to the radial length of hub  14  from outer cylindrical wall  36  to inner cylindrical wall  38 . This may provide an advantage of a brake spoke that contacts adhesive tape  12  which is distinct from U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,062 which only contacts its adhesive tape by utilizing the inner surface of the side member. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2D , a plurality of brake spokes  42 G extend in a cantilevered manner from the inner surface  30  on first side member  16  and a second set of brake spokes  42 H extend in a cantilevered manner from the inner surface  34  on second side member  18 . Brake spokes  42 G,  42 H are non-linear when viewed from the side. More particularly, brake spokes  42 G,  42 H extend radially (relative to axis  26 ) in an arcuate manner. Furthermore, each brake spoke  42 G,  42 H may include a first end  52 , a second end  54 , and an intermediate portion  56 . Brake spokes  42 G,  42 H are positioned such that the first end  52  and the second end  54  intersect an imaginary radial line  58  orthogonal to hub axis  26 . Intermediate portion  56  does not intersect imaginary line  58 . The brake spoke  42 G,  42 H extends in an arcuate manner between first end  52  to second end  54  such that the intermediate portion  56  is offset from imaginary radial line  58 . 
     The length associated with brake spokes  42 G,  42 H relative to hub axis  26  would correspond to brake spokes that would contact the adhesive tape  12  and the hub  14  simultaneously. Stated otherwise, the radial length along imaginary radial line  58  associated with brake spokes  42 G,  42 H would correspond to that generally equal to radius R 2  less radius R 1 . 
       FIG. 2E  depicts brake spokes  421 ,  42 J that are cantileveredly attached to inner surfaces of first side member  16  and second side member  18 , respectively. Brake spokes  421 ,  42 J are linear, but not orthogonal relative to transverse of axis  26  along their entire length. State otherwise, an imaginary line  58  only intersects a single point of the respective individual brake spoke. 
     The first set of brake spokes  421  and the second set of brake spokes  42 J have a radial length that would correspond to contact the hub  14  and the entire roll of adhesive tape  12 . This would impart a braking effect when the first and second side members are respectively squeezed along the transverse hub axis causing brake spokes  421 ,  42 J to contact the hub  14  and the adhesive tape  12  simultaneously. 
       FIG. 2F  depicts arcuately extending cantilevered brake spokes  42 K and brake spokes  42 L. Brake spokes  42 K,  42 L extend arcuately in a manner similar to that of brakes spokes  42 G,  42 H. However, arcuate brake spokes  42 K,  42 L have a greater curve length that is asymmetric with respect to the curved apex. In this particular embodiment, the apex is defined as the intermediate portion  60  which is intermediate the first end  62  and the second end or tail end  64  which is farther away from hub axis  26 . The asymmetrical apex  60  faces the direction of unwinding rotation of adhesive tape  12 . Brake spokes  42 K,  42 L may be considered asymmetrically parabolic in shape. With continued reference to  FIG. 2F , an imaginary radial line  58  intersects apex  60  on one of the brake spokes and intersects the second end  64  on an adjacent brake spoke. Stated otherwise, the imaginary radial line  58  drawn relative to hub axis  26  intersects two adjoining brake spokes. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a transverse cross-section taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 . The transverse cross-section of assembled tape dispenser  10  depicts the coaxial nesting fit of cylindrical axle  50 , which is defined by first axle  50 A attached to the first side member  16  and an axle second portion  50 B attached to second side member  18 . The assembled axle  50  enables hub  14  to rotate therearound while carrying adhesive tape  12 . Cylindrical axle  50  is centered concentrically with hub axis  26 . 
       FIG. 3A  depicts an enlarged cross-section view of brake spoke  42 B located on the inside surface  34  of second side member  18 . Brake spoke  42 B is the same brake spoke embodied in  FIG. 2A . Brake spoke  42 B includes a proximal radial end  66  and a distal radial end  68  relative to hub axis  26 . The proximal end  66  is closer to hub axis  26  than the distal end  68 . The distal end wall defining distal end  68  is cantilevered longer than the proximal end wall defining proximal end  66 . As such, an inwardly facing terminal wall  70  tapers radially from the distal end  68  towards the proximal end  66 . Terminal end wall  70  is a free end that does not contact the tape  12  or the hub  14  when the second side member  18  is in a first neutral position as depicted in  FIG. 3A . Accordingly, a gap is defined between the terminal end wall  70  and the adhesive tape  12  carried by hub  14 . Because the distal end wall cantilevered length is greater than the proximal end wall defining proximal end  66 , a distal portion of the gap is narrower than proximal portion of the gap. The distal portion of the gap is represented by smaller dimension lines  72  and the proximal portion of the gap is represented by the greater dimension lines  74 . 
     In operation and with reference to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 4A , the tape dispenser  10  enables the braking and slowing of adhesive tape  12  from being dispensed. 
     The first and second side members  16 ,  18  are generally formed from a flexible material such as plastic enabling them to slightly bend and flex inwardly when center portions are depressed along the transverse axis  26  in the direction of Arrow A indicated in  FIG. 4 . The inward deflection of first and second side members  16 ,  18  moves their respective inner surfaces closer toward each other. The movement of inner surface  30  towards inner surface  34  causes the brake spokes  42  to move therewith. 
     Tape dispenser  10  encourages an operator to depress the first side member  16  and the second side member  18  at its center along axis  26 . Accordingly, the proximal portions of the first and second side members  16 ,  18  that are closer to the transverse hub axis  26  deflect more than the distal portions of the same wall of a respective side member. Because the proximal portions of the side member wall deflect more than the distal portions, the tapered terminal end wall  70  of the brake spoke  42  contacts annular side wall  76  defined by the wound adhesive tape  12  and the hub side wall  78  simultaneously as indicated in  FIG. 4A . When the side members  16 ,  18  are flexed into their braking position ( FIG. 4A ), the tapered terminal end wall  70  provides constant contact with the outer side wall of hub  14  and the outer side wall of adhesive tape  12 . The constant contact is primarily established based on the tapered formation of the brake spoke as described above. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, brake spokes  42  provide advantages over previously known braking mechanisms on tape dispensers because during the manufacture of the tape and hub, there are tolerance variations in the tape and the tape hub. Thus, if the tape hub transverse width is not equal to the tape transverse width (i.e. less than or greater than), then the brake spokes  42  having a tapered terminal end wall  70  will compensate in the event the adhesive tape width is not exactly equal with the transverse hub width. Furthermore, even when the tape leaves a manufacturing facility from Asia bound for the United States, it is typically shipped via shipping container. The long container shipping transport of tape rolls are often in hot conditions which make it possible for the rolled adhesive tape to be conically displaced in even small increments. The tape dispenser  10  having a taper end wall  70  on brake  42  overcomes deformities in the roll of adhesive tape and still enables the tape dispenser  10  to brake the unwinding of adhesive tape  12  unwinding from hub  14 . 
     The radial length of brake spoke  42 A and brake spoke  42 B is identified by radially aligned linear dimension  80  which is equal to the tape adhesive roll less radius R 1  of the inner cylindrical member of hub  14 . Dimension  80  may be in a range of about one-half inch to about one inch. Linear dimension  80  is the length of the radially aligned annular sidewall defined by the wound adhesive tape when the tape is new and unused. 
     As depicted in the transverse cross-section of  FIG. 5 , the plurality of brake spokes  42 C and  42 D associated with the tape dispenser  10  depicted in  FIG. 2B  are identified as having a tapering terminal end wall extending from a distal end to a proximal end. Terminal end wall of brake spokes  42 C,  42 D extends a shorter dimension  82  which is equal to that of radius R 3  less radius R 2 . Dimension  82  may be in a range from about one-eighth inch to about one-half inch. While the brake spokes identified in  FIG. 5  only contact brake hub  14  to effectuate the cessation of dispensing adhesive tape  12  from tape dispenser  10 , the tapered wall principle described above still applies. Namely, when the first and second side members  16 ,  18  are flexed inwardly towards each other along transverse axis  26 , proximal ends of brake spokes  42 C,  42 D deflect a greater distance than the distal ends of the respective brake spokes. As such, a uniform constant contact is applied across the tapering terminal end wall with the side wall  78  of hub  14 . 
     As depicted in the transverse cross-section of  FIG. 6 , the brake spokes  42 E and  42 F are shown as extending inwardly from the first side member  16  and the second side member  18 , respectively. Brake spokes  42 E,  42 F are positioned in a manner such that they effectuate a braking force to the adhesive tape  12  during squeezing application of force as described above. The radially aligned linear length dimension  84  of brake spokes  42 E,  42 F is defined by radius R 1  less radius R 3 . The dimension  84  is in a range from about one-fourth inch to about three-fourths inch. Similar to the other embodiments, brake spokes  42 E,  42 F include a terminal wall that tapers from a distal end towards the proximal end. Thus, the squeezing application of force of the two side members inwardly towards each other creates a constant contact of the terminal end wall  70  with the side wall  76  defined by the wall of adhesive tape  12 . 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of the preferred embodiment of the disclosure are an example and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.