Patent Publication Number: US-2007107337-A1

Title: Tape and joint compound applicator for drywall

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/724,017 filed Oct. 06, 2005. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates, in general, to a tape applicator, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a tape applicator for drywall compound in which the joint compound and tape are applied to the drywall in a one step operation.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Drywall finishing is a difficult process requiring care and know-how for professional results. Working with a joint compound and drywall tape simultaneously, as is the current practice, requires hand-eye coordination and considerable practice. This labor intensive operation often results in wasted time, money and materials if is not correctly completed. Considerable effort and care is needed to perform the operation correctly.  
      Thus, it would be advantageous if there were a method or a process that could eliminate the need for applying the joint compound directly to the drywall prior to taping and thereby reducing the effort required on the part of those working with drywall.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for applying tape and joint compound to a drywall. The apparatus comprises a pan member having each of a predetermined size and a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material for holding a drywall joint compound. A holder means that is engageable with the pan member is designed for holding a roll of drywall tape and there is a slot disposed at a predetermined location on each end of the pan member for permitting the tape to enter a first end of the pan member and exit a second end of the pan member wherein the tape exiting the second end of the pan member is covered on substantially an upper side with such joint compound.  
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
      It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a tape applicator for drywall compound where both are applied simultaneously.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape applicator which is easy to use.  
      Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tape applicator wherein joint compound is applied effortlessly to one side of the tape for applying to the drywall.  
      Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tape applicator which save time and labor costs.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape applicator which will the reduce the effort needed by the drywall workers.  
      Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tape applicator which uses a simple three step process.  
      These and various other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent after a full reading of the following detailed description, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attached drawings as described below and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 2  is an end view of the pan member showing the slot for the tape to enter and exit from the pan.  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  showing the joint compound in the pan and the holder attachment to the pan. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
      Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.  
      In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus, generally designated  10 , for applying tape and joint compound to a drywall. The apparatus  10  comprises a pan member  2  having each of a predetermined size and a predetermined shape and formed of a predetermined material for holding a drywall joint compound  4 . A holder means, generally designated  20 , that is engageable with the pan member  2  is designed for holding a roll of drywall tape  6  and there is a slot  8  disposed at a predetermined location on each end of the pan member  2  for permitting the tape to enter a first end  12  of the pan member  2  and exit a second end  14  of the pan member  2  wherein the tape  6  exiting the second end  14  of the pan member  2  is covered on substantially an upper side with such joint compound  4 .  
      The holder means  20  includes a roll member  16  for holding the drywall tape  6 . The holder means  20  further includes a first arm member  22 , a second arm member  24  and a connecting member  26  that is engageable with a first end of the first arm member  22  and a first end of the second arm member  24 .  
      The second end of the first arm member  22  of the holder means  20  is further securely engageable with a side of the pan member  2 .  
      The first arm  22  is engageable with the roll member  16  at a point intermediate the first end and the second end. The second end of the first arm member  22  of the holder means  20  is affixed to the side of the pan member  2  by means of one of rivets  42  and bolts  42 . It is presently preferred that such first arm  22  is affixed the pan member  22  by rivets  42 .  
      The second arm member  24  is substantially parallel to the first arm member  22 . A second end of the second arm member  24  is pivotably engageable with an end of the roll member  16  for holding the roll member  16  in place. The second end of the second arm member  24  can be pivoted upwardly thereby disengaging itself from the roll member  16  when a new roll of tape  6  is needed.  
      The tape  6  used in this operation is a paper tape which does not have any adhesive on either side but is secured to the wall by means of the joint compound  4  that is carried on one side of the tape. There is always the possibility of some joint compound wicking over on the other side of the tape but this does not present any problem since some joint compound  4  will be forced out from under the tape when the tape is rolled on the drywall. This extra joint compound will be used to cover the tape.  
      The predetermined material used for forming such pan member  2  is selected from one of plastic, aluminum and tinplate. It is presently preferred that such pan member  2  be made of plastic.  
      As previously stated the slot disposed on each end of the pan member  2  is placed closely adjacent a bottom of the pan member  2 . The holder member  20  can be made of metal or plastic and it is presently preferred that such holder means  20  be made of plastic.  
      It is also within the scope of the invention that such roll of tape  6  is mounted on the roll member  16  in the holder  20  so that the tape  6  is dispensed from a top of the roll of tape to slot  8  that is disposed closely adjacent to the bottom of the pan member  2 . The width of the outlet slot  8  is adjustable in which a wing bolt is used to control the amount of joint compound that is applied to the tape.  
      Thus, the present invention provides a one step operation in which drywall tape and joint compound are applied to the drywall in a single step. Tape from an attached roll is fed through a slot on one end of the pan passed through the small amount of joint compound that is poured into the pan and exits through the outlet slot on the other end of the pan. As stated previously, the width of the outlet slot  8  is adjustable in which a wing bolt is used to control the amount of joint compound that is applied or remains on the tape.  
      While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention has been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.