US3567557A - Masking tape and masking paper applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

A MASKING TAPE AND MASKING PAPER APPLICATOR FOR MANUAL APPLICATION OF MASKING TAPE AND/OR MASKING PAPER COMPRISING A HANDLE FRAME AND A ROLLER FRAME HAVING COMMON SPRING MEANS FOR CONNECTING THE HANDLE FRAME AND THE ROLLER FRAME TOGETHER, THE ROLLER FRAME BEING ADAPTED TO CARRY A ROLL OF MASKING TAPE AND THE HANDLE FRAME CARRYING A TAPE APPLICATOR ROLLER IN ROTATABLY MOUNTED RELATION THEREON, THE APPLICATOR ROLLER HAVING AN ENLARGED BORE MOUNTED ON A SUBSTANTIALLY SMALLER AXLE CARRIED BY THE HANDLE FRAME SO THAT SPRING MEANS TENDING TO MOVE THE ROLLER FRAME TOWARD THE APPLICATOR ROLLER MAY FORCE THE ROLLER TO MOVE LATERALLY WITH RELATION TO THE AXLE ON WHICH THE ENLARGED BORE IS MOUNTED AND WHEREBY PRESSURE OF THE APPLICATOR ROLLER ON A SURFACE WHEN APPLYING TAPE PERMITS THE ROLLER TO MOVE RELATIVE TO THE AXLE IN A DIRECTION AT RIGHT ANGLES THERETO AND TO DEFLECT THE ROLL OF TAPE AND THE ROLLER FRAME RESILIENTLY RELATIVE TO THE HANDLE FRAME.

Description

March 1971 J. D. KINGERY ETAL MASKING TAPE AND MASKING PAPER APPLICATOR Filed Aug. 22, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

JOHN D. KINGERY DANNY L. POOL March 2, 1971 J, D, KINGERY ETAL 3,567,557 I MASKING TAPE AND MASKING PAPER APPLICATOR Filed Aug. 22, 1968 I '5 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 9.

INVILNTOR.

JOHN D. KINGERY 7 DANNY L. PQQL MASKING TAPE AND MASKING- PAPER APPLICATQR Filed Aug. '22, 1968 Man}! 2; 1971 J. .D. K'INGERY ETAL s' Sheets-:Sheet s INVENTOR. JOHN 0. KINGERY BY DANNY L. POOL,

United States Patent Ariz.

Filed Aug. 22, 1968, Ser. No. 754,698 Int. Cl. B32b 31/18, 31/20 US. Cl. 156523 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A masking tape and masking paper applicator for manual application of masking tape and/or masking paper comprising a handle frame and a roller frame having common spring means for connecting the handle frame and the roller frame together, the roller frame being adapted to carry a roll of masking tape and the handle frame carrying a tape applicator roller in rotatably mounted relation thereon, the applicator roller having an enlarged bore mounted on a substantially smaller axle carried by the handle frame so that spring means tending to move the roller frame toward the applicator roller may force the roller to move laterally with relation to the axle on Which the enlarged bore is mounted and whereby pressure of the applicator roller on a surface when applying tape permits the roller to move relative to the axle in a direction at right angles thereto and to deflect the roll of tape and the roller frame resiliently relative to the handle frame.

This invention relates to a masking tape and masking paper applicator which is for manual use in applying masking and/or masking paper such as may be used in the painting trade and/ or other related industries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Masking tape dispensers and applicators have been used in the painting trade and in various other industrial activities. The prior art dispensers and applicators for masking tape, for example, have been used to mask various sur faces, such as automobile bodies, building structure surfaces, and others, in order to establish a boundary for painting operations and particularly for spray painting.

While many of these dispensers and applicators have been used, it has been a problem to provide a very compact tape dispenser or applicator which may be moved relative to a surface being masked and which may be readily and easily operated by one hand of an artisan or even a layman for accurately applying masking tape to various structures as desired.

There has been a great need for a masking tape applicator which may be used by one hand of an operator accurately to apply masking tape, and also to quickly and accurately cut off a tape portion at the end of masking tape which has been applied to a surface, preliminary to painting or other operations.

Many of the prior art masking tape applicators have lacked a combination of facilities which enable accurate and uniformly pressurized application of masking tape as well as automatic compensation for tape alignment in relation to pressure application of the tape adjacent to straight edges or straight boundaries.

It has been found desirable to operate a masking tape applicator with only one hand of the operator and to accomplish this accurately while leaving the other hand of the operator free in order to permit accurate application of tape in close quarters and with respect to various structures where the applicator must apply tape in corners of building rooms and in relation to areas where a bulky ice multiple hand operated device would be very slow and awkward.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a very simple, compact and efiicient masking tape and paper applicator having a handle frame which supports a rotatable tape applicator roller and a roller frame movable relative to the handle frame and resilient means urging the roller frame to move relative to the handle frame so as to urge a roll of tape rotatably supported on a roller frame into contact proximity with the periphery of the applicator roller and to thereby spring load it and pressure it in such a manner that resilient peripheral portions of the applicator roller may be moved relative to side flanges at opposite axial ends of the applicator roller which side flanges form applicator guides and also overly opposite sides of a roll of masking tape and opposite edges of the tape being applied accurately to maintain alignment and even pressurization of the tape at all times during application of masking tape by use of a single hand of the operator of the invention.

The invention also comprises a novel tape cut off blade also spring loaded by the aforementioned spring and operable by a cam lever to pivot into an interfering angle with tape applied by the tape applicator roller of the invention so that the blade may be used quickly and efficiently to cut off a terminal end of tape applied from the roll of tape on the applicator; the cut off blade being operable by the same hand of the operator that is used to motivate the handle frame and the entire operating mechanism of the masking tape applicator of the invention.

A further feature of the invention is a novel slide and locking mechanism which interconnects the handle frame and the roller frame of the invention so as to permit constant loading of a roll of masking tape against the' periphery of a resilient applicator roller and also to provide an open lock position of the roller frame relative to the handle frame against resilient means tending to force the roller frame toward the applicator roller of the invention so that when the roller frame is in open lock position relative to the handle frame that a roll of masking tape may be readily placed on a masking tape roll support rotatably mounted on the roller frame and thus masking tape may be threaded through guide means of the applicator and relative to the applicator roller of the invention with a minimum of effort and with utmost accuracy.

Another novel feature of the invention is the mounting of a soft surfaced tape applicator roller on the handle frame of the invention such that an axle on the handle frame is of smaller diameter than the surrounding bore of the applicator roller to permit lateral movement of the roller relative to the axle and in response to resilient means 'which forces the roller frame of the invention and a roll of tape such that the periphery of the roll of tape engages the periphery of the applicator roller and moves it in a direction laterally of the axis of its supporting shaft on the handle frame.

An even further novel feature of the invention is a guide bar carried by the aforementioned axle and projecting into the enlarged bore of the applicator roller so as to permit the applicator roller to move radially relative to the axle supporting the applicator roller in a direction toward the resiliently mounted tape supporting roller on the roller frame but which prevents the applicator roller from moving substantially radially with respect to its supporting axle in a direction which is at substantially right angles to the aforementioned direction and which utlimately prevents the applicator roller from moving generally radially with respect to its supporting axle in a direction opposite to a plane on which the applicator roller is compressively applying masking tape.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide a novel yet very smiple and economical masking tape and masking paper applicator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a masking tape applicator having all of the novel features hereinbefore set forth under the foregoing summary of the invention.

A further object of the invention is to provide a masking tape and masking paper applicator which may efficiently be operated by one hand of the operator to apply masking tape overlying the edge of a roll of extending paper, all being accomplished by one hand of the operator to provide a substantially broad mask to be used to mask an area adjacent to which painting is being accomplished.

Another object of the invention is to provide a masking tape applicator having a novel co-operable arrangement of a handle frame, a masking tape roller frame movable relative thereto; a masking tape roller frame having means for rotatably mounting a roll of masking tape; a masking tape applicator roller rotatably mounted on the handle frame and having a soft peripheral portion engagable by the periphery of a roll of masking tape supported on the roller frame the invention; a spring tending to move the roller frame relative to the handle frame and cause the periphery of a roll of masking tape to resiliently bear on a periphery of a applicator roller in opposition to the surface thereof which engages a surface and impresses a strip of masking tape thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a masking tape applicator having novel means for cutting off terminal portions of masking tape, all of which may be operated by the same hand of the operator which motivates the handle frame and entire masking tape applicator of the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a masking tape applicator which is very simple and easy to operate by one hand of the operator and is particularly adapted to facilitate the accurate placement of masking tape in corners and other restricted areas where a two-handed operated masking tape applicator would be unwieldy, awkward and slow to manipulate.

Further objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from the following specification, claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a masking tape applicator according to the present invention and showing by broken lines a varying position of the roller supporting frame of the invention and a roll of masking tape thereon and in said varying position;

FIG. 2 is a reduced side elevational view of the masking tape applicator of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation view of the masking tape applicator of the invention taken from the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the masking tape applicator roller of the invention viewed from substantially the same position as shown in FIG. 3, but omitting the tape cut off mechanism of the invention from the view in order to facilitate the illustration and clearly show the disposition of the masking tape applicator roller of the invention and guide flanges thereof in relation to the edge of a surface structure to which masking tape is being applied by the applicator roller of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken from the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken from the line 4 77 of FIG. 2 showing parts and portions in elevation to facilitate the illustration; 7

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the masking tape applicator of the invention; FIG. 8 being similar to FIG. 2, but showing the roller frame of the invention moved to open locked position relative to the handle frame, whereby a roll of masking tape may be loaded or unloaded relative to the tape supporting roller of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the masking tape applicator of the invention With the tape cut off blade actuated to cut oft a terminal portion of masking tape which has been applied to a surface area;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the invention showing the masking tape and masking paper applicator of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a plan sectional view taken from the line 11-11 of FIG. 10 showing parts and portions in elevation to facilitate the illustration;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 1212 of FIG. 10 showing the paper roller supporting structure of the invention with a roll of masking paper thereon;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of a further modification of the invention showing the tape applicator roller thereof applying masking tape to a fiat surface; and

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the same structural modifications disclosed therein, but showing the applicator roller of the invention applying tape adjacent to a straight edge of a structural member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings the invention is provided with a handle frame 20 provided with a handle 22 adapted to be grasped by one hand of the operator. This handle 22 is carried by a shank 24 of the handle frame and integral with the shank 24 is a frame portion 26 having an L-shaped slot 28 therethrough. This L- shaped slot is provided with an elongated slot portion 30 having an off set notch portion 32 therein.

The slot 28 at the elongated slot portion 30 and notch 32 retains headed pins 34 and 36 which are fixed to a roller frame 38 adapted movably to carry a roll of masking tape on a rotatable roller as will be hereinafter described in detail.

The headed pins 34 and 36 are shown in section in FIG. 7 of the drawings. These headed pins 34 and 36 are fixed at 40 and 42 to the roller frame 44 and provided with shank portions 46 and 48, these shank portions 46 and 48 are nearly the breadth of the slot 28 so as to provide for a smooth slidable fit therein and to be movable longitudinally of the portion 30 of the slot 28, as will be hereinafter described in detail.

Integral with the shanks 46 and 48 of the headed pins 34 and 36 are enlarged flange heads 50 and 52, respectively, these heads are substantially annular or circular as shown in FIG. 1 and overly edges of the slot 28 so as to retain the roller supporting plate 44 closely adjacent the handle frame 20 during traverse of the pins 34 and 36 in the slot 28, as will be hereinafter described in detail.

The roller frame or roller supporting plate 38 is provided with an off set spring connection portion 52 to which one end 54 of a spring 56 is connected. This spring 56 is provided with an opposite hook end portion 58 connected to an eye portion 60 of a cut off blade bracket 62 pivotally connected to the handle frame 20 by means of a pin 64.

The spring 56 is a tension spring urging the roller supporting frame 38 to move toward the pin 64 and toward a tape applicator roller '66 of the invention, as will be hereinafter described.

As the spring 56 maintains tension between the roller frame 38 and the handle frame 20 it tends to slide the headed pins 34 and 36 toward the applicator roller 66 and when it is desired to move the roller supporting frame 38 away from the applicator roller 66 and to lock it into position so that a roll of masking tape designated 68 may be placed on a tape supporting roller 70, the pin 36 is moved into a notch portion 32 as shown in FIG. 8 thereby locking the roller frame 38 in a position against tension of a spring 56 such that a roll of masking tape 68 is at its periphery 72 spaced from the periphery of the applicator roller 66 as will be hereinafter described in detail.

The tape supporting roller 70 is provided with a plurality of ribs 74 extending radially outward therefrom and adapted to engage a conventional cardboard core tube structure 76 internally of the roll of tape 68, thus frictionally holding the roll of masking tape 68 on the periphery of the tape supporting roller 70.

The tape supporting roller 70, as shown best in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, is rotatably mounted on a shaft 78 which is integral or fixed to the roller frame 38 and which extends from an opposite side thereof relative to the extending direction of the headed pins 34 and 36; the roller 70 is provided with a hub 80 having a bore 82 rotatably mounted on the shaft 78 and a screw threaded nut 84 retain the hub 80 on the shaft 78 so that the roller 70 may rotate about the axis of the shaft 78 and properly support the roll of masking tape 68.

As shown in FIGS. and 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that tension of the spring 56 forces the periphery 86 of the roll of masking tape 68 intofirm contact engagement with the periphery 88 of the masking tape applicator roller 66.

This masking tape applicator roller 66 is rotatably mounted about a shaft structure 90 fixed to the handle frame 20 at 92. A peripheral portion 94 of the shaft structure 90 is considerably smaller than the internal bore '96 of the tape applicator roller 66 and the periphery of the applicator roller 66 is provided with a layer of soft spongy material designated 98.

The shaft structure 90 comprises a hollow shaft element 100 fitted over a shaft supporting boss 102 which is internally screw threaded to receive a screw 104. The screw 104 passes through a shaft element 106 and is screw threaded in the boss 102, the shaft 106 being the same diameter as the hollow shaft element 100.

Held securely between the shaft element 100 and 106 is a plate member 108 carrying a radially disposed arm 110 adapted to engage the internal bore 96 of the roller 66 to prevent movement of the roller 66 in the direction of an arrow A relative to the roll of masking tape 68 when the applicator of the invention is being moved in a direction of an arrow B to apply masking tape to a surface C.

The masking tape being disposed over the soft surface layer 98 of the roller 66 as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawlngs.

Integral with the shaft portion 106 is a radially disposed tape guide flange 112 having a peripheral edge portion 114 which overlies opposite sides of the roll of masking tape 68 and serves as a guide for opposite edges of masking tape being dispensed therefrom.

At the opposite end of the applicator roller 66 and surrounding the boss 102 and fixed thereto is another flange 114 having a chordally relief portion 116 adapted to provide clearance relative to surfaces engaged by the periphery 88 of the applicator roller 66 when it is engaged with a surface C as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings, and when the flange 112 is guiding the applicator roller 66 relative to an edge 118 of a structure adjacent the surface C.

Integral with the handle frame 20 is a tape guide bar 120 disposed in close proximity to the periphery of the ta e applicator roller 66 and overlying the same for holding tape in close proximity to the flanges 114 and to maintain alignment of the tape with the tape applicator roller preliminary to each tape applying operation performed by the tape applicator roller 66 of the invention.

Secured to the cut off blade support 62 by means of a screw 122 is a tape cut off blade 124. This tape cut off blade 124 is provided with a pointed end 126 adapted to 6 be pivoted into a position as shown in FIG. 9 by means of a cam surface 128 of a thumb operated lever 130 pivoted by means of a pin 132 on the handle frame 20.

A thumb engaging portion 134 of the lever 130 is engagable to operate the lever while the applicator of the invention is held in the handle of 22 by the same hand of the operator.

Downward pressure on the front piece 134 cams the blade 124 into a position such that its sharp end 126 engages the tape at 140, shown in FIG. 9, thereby Cutting and tearing the tape and readily terminating the application of the tape to a surface C, as shown best in FIG. 9 of the drawings.

As shown in FIG 10 of the drawings, the invention comprises a modification wherein a paper roll supporting bracket is carried by the handle frame 20 and supported on this bracket 150 is a paper roll supporting roller 152. This roller 152 is rotatably mounted on a bolt 154 screw threaded at 156 into the bracket 150. A Bellville spring loading washer 158 is disposed under a head 160 of the bolt 154 and in a socket 162 of the roller 152 to provide some frictional detention of the roller 152 so that it maintains the tension of the paper relative to the periphery 164 of a roll 166 of paper carried on the roller 152.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the roller 152 is provided with a flange 168 against which an end 170 of the roll 166 is abutted so that an edge 170 of the paper passing from the roll is aligned at substantially an intermediate portion of the tape applicator roller 66 of the invention. The paper 170 is thus adhered to by the tape in an area 6, shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings, and the remaining area H of the tape is then adapted to adhere to the surface hereinbefore described, and thus the paper is held to the surface greatly extending the masked area, and particularly facilitating spray painting up to a corner or an edge or a boundary as desired. Thus the mask of the paper is a facility which greatly extends the breadth of the normal mask provided by the tape alone.

The modification of the invention, shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, is provided with a modified tape guide bar 172 having a tape guide bar portion 174 and a paper guide bar 176. This guide bar 176 is provided with a loop 178 having a U-shaped paper edge retaining portion 180 and an opposed paper retaining loop 182 so as to maintain alignment of opposite edges of the paper passing from the roll 166 to an intermediate portion of the tape dispensed or applied by the dispenser of the invention and which passes over the tape applicator roller 66 and which is compressively applied thereby.

The cut off blade of the modification carries an extension blade 184 extended laterally from the blade 124 which cuts the masking tape, the bale 184 being provided with a cutting edge 186 adapted to cut the paper extending from the roll 166, all as shown best in FIG. 11 of the drawings.

In the modification, as shown in FIG. 13, the applicator roller 66 is provided with a flange plate 190 similar to the flange plate 112 of the invention, shown in FIG. 4, and another flange plate 192 is similar to the flange plate 112, but is located in a position of the flange plate 116, as shown in FIG. 4. The flange plate 190 and flange plate 192 are therefore similar, completely circular plates, and in accordance with the disclosure of FIG. 7, it will be seen that the bore 96 of the roller 66 permits the periphery of the soft sponge sleeve 98 to be projected to a broken line position 99, such that the periphery of the tape applicator roll-er may extend slightly beyond the flanges 114 at their peripheries, and this is also true of the roller 66 with respect to the flanges 190 and 192, shown in FIG. 13. It will be appreciated that the spring 56 always forces the roll of tape 68 against the tape applicator roller 66 and will always tend to extend the periphery of the tape applicator roller to a broken line position 99, as shown in FIG. 7, or to the position as shown in FIG. 13, so that tape may be applied to a flat surface 194, as shown in FIG. 13, while both the roliers 190 and 192 are fully circular. It will be understood that in all instances, the invention includes the spring 56 and the tape supporting roller 70 which constantly follows radially toward the tape applicator roller 66 until the entire roli of tape 68 is exhausted from the roller 70. This action is permitted by means of the slot 28, the pins 34 and 36, and the spring 567 It will be understood that one of the flanges 190 or 192 may follow a crevice adjacent to an area to be taped. As for example, a crevice which is located between the edge of a piece of chrome stripping on an automobile body and the actual body panel. Likewise, the flange 190, as shown in FIG. 14, may engage an edge 196 of a structure adjacent to which the flat surface 194 exists, as shown in FIG.13, and in this manner, the invention with its spring loaded tape applicator roller may follow various structures and apply tape either to surfaces adjacent edges or crevices or may apply tape to a flat surface, all as indicated in FIGS. 13 and 14 of the drawings. The invention, with the cutaway portion 116 shown in FIGS. and 7, is particularly adapted for use in applying paper with masking tape to extend the masked area, as hereinbefore described.

The invention thus comprises a very novel floating action of the tape applying roller so that the roller may be depressed with respect to the axle 90, as shown in FIG. 7, or may be extended beyond the peripheries of the flanges 190 and 192, as shown in FIG. 13, allowing great versatility of the invention, and permitting application of tape adjacent to edges, crevices or on flat surfaces, as desired. The floating action of the roller 66 with its iarge bore around the relatively smaller axle 90 permits this versatile mode of operation and the soft sponge peripheral sleeve 98 permits adaptation of the periphery of the roller to slight irregularities in the surfaces on which tape are being applied, and also permits a slight angular deflection of the periphery of the roller, as indicated in FIG. 14, when the flange 190 is adjacent an edge 196 and the roller is applying tape to the flat surface adjacent the edge 196.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the masking tape and/ or masking tape and masking paper applicator of the invention may be operated by one hand of the operator either to dispense and apply masking tape individually, or a combination of masking tape and masking paper to extend the masked area.

it will also be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the invention may be resorted to within the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. In a. masking tape applicator, the combination of: handle frame; a roller frame freely movably mounted on said handle frame; a tape roll support rotatably mounted on said roller frame, said roll support having means adapted frictionally to engage the bore of a roll of masking tape; a tape applicator roller rotatably mounted on said handle frame; a spring connected to said handle frame and said roller frame and tending to force said roller frame and said roll support toward said applicator roller, whereby the periphery of a roll of masking tape on said roll support may automatically be forced into rolling contact with the periphery of said applicator roller while tape is continually removed from said periphery of said roll of said masking tape; a shaft carried by said handle frame; said applicator roller being rotatably mounted on said shaft, said applicator roller being provided with a circular body having a bore surrounding said shaft, said bore being of a considerably larger diameter than said shaft to permit said applicator roller to move radially relative to said shaft and toward said roll support; a soft flexible cover on the periphery of said body of said applicator roller; said spring tending to apply resilient force to said applicator roiler, laterally of its axis, by means of said periphery of said roll of masking tape contacting said applicator roller; said spring thus applying force to said applicator roller in a direction toward a iilrface on which tape is being applied by said applicator ro er.

2. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a tape tape guide bar is carried by said handle frame and dis posed in close proximity to the periphery of said applicator roller, such that tape may be disposed between said guide bar and a roll of masking tape on said roll support, said guide bar thus disposed and adapted to support tape adjacent the periphery of said applicator roller.

3. The invention, as defined in claim 2, wherein: a pair of flange members are mounted on said shaft and held against radial movement thereon, said flange members disposed at opposite ends of said applicator rolier and adapted to project radially beyond the periphery of said soft flexible cover, when said cover is forced against the surface with sufficient force to cause said applicator roller to move radially with respect to said shaft and to shift said roll of masking tape, together with said roii support and roll frame relative to said handle frame and in 0pposition to force of said spring, whereby said flanges are adapted to serve as guides adjacent the structure on which masking tape is to be applied by the tape applicator of the invention.

4. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a tape cut off blade means is pivoted to said handle frame; said spring coupled to said blade and tending to hold said blade in a generally chordal alignment with said applicator roller to prevent interference of said blade means with said tape being applied by said applicator roller; and a manually operable lever pivoted on said handle frame and adapted to pivot said blade means into an angular alignment with an area radially beyond the periphery of said applicator roller, whereby pivotal movement of said handle frame may cause cut off engagement of said blade means with tape applied by said applicator roller, and which is still attached to said roll of masking tape carried by said roll support.

5. The invention, as defined in claim 4, wherein: said lever is provided with a cam portion engageable with said blade means for pivotally actuating said blade means relative to said handle frame.

6. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: means movably mounting said roll frame on said handle frame comprises an elongated slot said handle frame; a pair of headed pins projecting through said slot and overlying the same at the headed portions of said pins, and an offset slot portion communicating with said slot and adapted to be engaged by one of said headed pins for holding said roll frame in a position against force of said spring, such that the periphery of the roll of tape on said roll support may be in loading or unloading spaced relation to said applicator roller.

7. The invention, as defined in claim 3, wherein: means movably mounting said roll frame on said handle frame comprises an elongated slot in said handle frame; a pair of headed pins projecting through said slot and having heads adapted to overlie said handle frame at one side of said slot; and an offset slot portion communicating with said slot and adapted to be engaged by one of said headed pins for holding said roil frame in a position against force of said spring, such that the periphery of a roll of tape on said roll support may be in loading or unloading spaced relation to said applicator roller.

8. The invention, as defined in claim 7, wherein: a tape cut olf blade means is pivoted to said handle frame; said spring being coupled to said blade and tending to hold said blade in a generally chordal alignment with said applicator roller to prevent interference of said blade means with tape being applied by said applicator roller; and a manually operable lever pivoted on said handle frame and adapted to pivot said blade means into an angular alignment with an area readially beyond the pe riphery of said applicator roller, whereby pivotal movement of said handle frame may cause cut off engagement of said blade means with tape applied by said applicator roller, and which is still attached to said roll of masking tape carried by said roll support.

9. The invention, as defined in claim 8, wherein: said lever is provided with a cam portion engagable with said blade means for pivotally actuating said blade means relative to said handle frame.

10. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said handle frame is provided with a manual handle portion extending away from said roll frame and said applicator roller.

11. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a tape cut off blade means is pivoted to said handle frame; said spring coupled to said blade means and tending to hold said blade means in a generally chordal alignment with said applicator roller to prevent interference of said blade means with tape being applied thereby; and a manually operable lever pivoted on said handle frame and adapted to pivot said blade means into an angular alignment with an area radially beyond the periphery of said applicator roller, whereby pivotal movement of said handle frame may cause cut off engagement of said blade means with tape applied by said applicator roller, and which is still attached to said roll of masking tape carried by said roll support, said handle frame having a manual handle portion extending away from said roll frame and said applicator roller, said lever extending adjacent to said manual handle portion.

12. The invention, as defined in claim 3, wherein: means pivotally mounts said roll frame on said handle frame and comprises an elongated slot in said handle frame; a pair of headed pins projecting through said slot; and having head portions overlying said handle frame outwardly beyond said slot; and an offset slot portion communicating with said slot and adapted to be engaged by one of said headed pins for holding said roll frame in a position against force of said spring, such that the periphery of a roll of tape on said roll support may be in loading or unloading spaced relation to said applicator roller.

13. The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein: flange members are disposed at opposite ends of said applicator roller; said flanges having edges overlying sides of a roll of tape carried by said roll support; said flanges extending beyond the periphery of said applicator roller.

14. The invention as defined in claim 13, wherein: one of said flanges is provided with a chordal clearance cut back edge opposite to form an edge overlying the sides of said roll in order to provide clearance for the periphery of said applicator roller when engaged with a surface on which tape is being applied.

15. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein: a bar is disposed on said shaft; said bar extending radially at an angle therefrom and internally of the bore of said applicator roller so as to permit said applicator roller to move in a direction radially relative to said shaft and toward said roll support but not in another direction substantially degrees relative to said first mentioned direction.

16. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: means is provided for supporting a paper roll on said handle frame in spaced relation to said applicator roller and said first mentioned roll support; and guide means adapted to hold an edge of a roll of paper carried by said last mentioned means such that an edge of the roll of paper is in alignment with a median area of said tape so that said edge of said paper may be applied beneath said tape and adhered thereunder and onto a surface area.

17. The invention as defined in claim 16, wherein: said means for guiding said paper is provided with opposed loop portions adapted to retain opposite edges of said paper within desired disposition and to prevent the paper from moving substantially in an edge to edge direction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,196,797 9/1916 MacLaurin 156-526 2,755,953 7/1956 Vogt 156-527 3,120,461 2/1964 Harbour 156-554 3,156,602 11/1964 Pritzinger 156-523 3,364,096 1/1968 Hetes 156-577 SAMUEL FEINBERG, Primary Examiner J. M. HANLEY, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

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