Window sash paint replacement tape application tool and method
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorGordon L. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tape application tool (30) that can hold an adhesive-backed paint replacement tape in position relative to a window frame (34), as well as apply at least the sash section of the tape to the sash portion of the window frame, without having to use a separate location tool and without having to use a paint replacement tape that includes a removable location tab. The tool comprises at least one tape application roller (58), at least one or more guide rollers (66,68), a biasing mechanism, at least one first tape locating surface (54) and, optionally, a tool stop surface (44).
Claims21
A tool for applying at least part of an adhesive-backed decorative tape to a window frame of a vehicle door, the window frame having a front surface, a back surface and an inside edge, the tape having a shape corresponding to a least a portion of the window frame, an inside peripheral edge and a top decorative surface opposite an adhesive back surface, and said tool comprising:
- at least one tape application roller operatively adapted for applying at least part of the tape to the front surface of the window frame, said tape application roller having a lower end region and an upper end region;
- at least one guide roller operatively adapted for engaging the back of the window frame;
- a biasing mechanism operatively adapted for biasing said at least one tape application roller and said at least one guide roller towards each other, and further operatively adapted to allow the biasing of said biasing mechanism to be overcome such that said at least one tape application roller and said at least one guide roller can be separated from each other;
- and
- at least one first tape locating surface located adjacent the lower end region of said tape application roller, said first tape locating surface being operatively adapted for receiving thereon a first part of the inside peripheral edge of the tape such that, after said tool is attached to the window frame, a section of the tape can be located at a corresponding portion of the window frame;
- and
- comprising at least one second tape locating surface operatively adapted such that a second part of the inside peripheral edge of the tape can be located against said second tape locating surface while the first part of the inside peripheral edge of the tape is received on said first tape locating surface.
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6-9. (canceled)
13-18. (canceled)
20-25. (canceled)
The tool according to claim 7, wherein said block is a movable block that can be repositioned relative to the rest of said tool such that said movable block can be moved out of the way of an obstacle on the vehicle door, where said block would otherwise contact the obstacle and prevent said tool from completely applying the part of the adhesive-backed decorative tape to the window frame of the vehicle door, and wherein said movable block is a hinged block that can be pivoted about an axis to be moved out of the way of the obstacle.
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31-40. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.