Hand applicator for adhesive tape

#This invention relates to adhesive tape applying apparatus. In particular this invention relates to masking tape applying apparatus that are adapted to easy dispense of masking tape onto surfaces such as along the top edge surfaces of baseboards and the like before applying paints onto them.

#Adhesive tape comes in rolls in different widths and is designed to be applied on surfaces to be masked particularly in the painting and decorating industry. The tape has a gummy side, which causes it to have elasticity properties, which in turn makes it hard to cut, tear or apply in a straight line.

#For anyone that has tried to apply adhesive tape to protect door and window casings, baseboards, etc, from paint that is applied to the walls, you will have experienced the frustration of applying the adhesive tape by hand. First it is very difficult to find the beginning of the tape end. Next, it is difficult to tear the tape and apply it uniformly to the trim that you are trying to protect with a sensitive pressure that will not allow the paint to bleed under the adhesive tape. Finally, after the painting is done you must remove the tape without pealing off the paint under the tape.

#The preferred embodiment will be described by reference to the drawings thereof in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the instant invention constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 without the extension;

#The present invention is of a tape masking tool, or similar tool, which provides for the fast, easy and efficient applying of masking tape and the ease of removing it after use. The principle and operation of a hand-E-masker according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which illustrates a masker 10 in a use position grasped by the hand 12 of a user to apply masking tape 14 to the edge of baseboard 16. Masker 10 has a longitudinal housing 18 which includes a relatively flat portion 20 with a rearwardly extending handle 22 coupled thereto, which is operative for receiving, retaining and dispensing a roll of material, details of which will be further discussed shortly. It will be readily understood that although housing 18 has been herein specifically shown as having a generally longitudinal configuration, any preferred and suitable configuration may be used such as triangular, square, cylindrical, or some other selected geometric configuration without departing from the nature and scope of the instant invention as herein disclosed. Housing 18, including each of the forgoing named elements, is preferably constructed of a substantially rigid material such as plastic or other preferred and suitable material integrally formed of plastic in accordance with conventional injection moulding techniques, masker 10 may be formed having any preferred and selected width, height, and length, as desired to suit specific needs.

#Housing 18 includes a forward portion 24 and a rearward portion 26, as further seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Referring more specifically to FIG. 2, illustrated is a preferred means by which masking tape roll holder 28 having six triangle openings 30 extending inward from outer surface 32 to inner surface 34 of holder 28 may be rotatably integral with forward portion 24 of housing 18 in accordance with conventional practice. It will be readily understood that although openings 110 have been herein specifically shown as having a generally triangle configuration, any preferred and suitable configuration may be used such as circle, square, generally, or some other selected geometric configuration and numbers of the openings without departing from the nature and scope of the instant invention as herein disclosed for reduced weight of the holder 28.

#A plurality of guiding sleeves such as a first guiding sleeve 36 and a second guiding sleeve 38 may be mounted onto the forward portion 24 of housing 18 to press the dispensed masking tape 14 onto a desired surface. The first guiding sleeve 36 is mounted adjacent the holder 28 and the second guiding sleeve 38 is mounted adjacent the trailing end of the housing 18 and thereby facilitate urging of the unwinding tape 14 onto the subjacent surface along a desired line over both guiding sleeves 36, 38. Further, it is recommended to use single guiding sleeve masker for use in painting an automobile or the like such that being smaller in diameter to facilitate small angle applications laying down of the tape in corners and accurately along edges of the receiving surface for improved facilitated tape dispensing. A trigger 40 being a means of tearing the masking tape when it reaches the edge has a relatively rectangular slide body 42 with a thumb engagement head 44 and a cutter head portion 46 at the front end thereof connected thereto a steel blade 48 to provide a sharp pointed cutter tip 50. The steel blade 48 may be in the form of a razor blade or the like. In use, can be seen in FIG. 5, the operator may apply pressure downwardly through the trigger 40 by pressing downwardly with his thumb on the thumb engagement head 44 thereby causing the trigger 40 to be forced downwardly into engagement with a tape 14 extending between roll holder 28 and guiding sleeve 36 to shear the tape located therebetween. The pressure applied by the operator is released by moving the trigger upwardly. Rearward portion 26 of housing 18, can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, having a handle 12 and two c-clips to fix two guide sleeves 36 and 38 onto housing 18.