EP3980609A1

EP3980609A1 - Application head for a tape applicator, tape applicator provided with such a head

Info

Publication number: EP3980609A1
Application number: EP19739670.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lionel DELESTRE
Original assignee: Pierre Grehal et Cie SA
Current assignee: Edma
Priority date: 2019-06-04
Filing date: 2019-06-04
Publication date: 2022-04-13
Also published as: US20220220750A1; WO2020245509A1

Abstract

The invention concerns an application head (100) for an applicator (1) for applying jointing tape between two plaster boards. The application head comprises a fixing core (111) and two sides (112a, 112b) receiving two rotation shafts (120, 130) parallel to each other, two notched rollers (121) being carried by the first rotation shaft (120), two link rods (131a, 131b) being mounted so as to be able to pivot on the second rotation shaft (130), one end of each link rod being mounted so as to be able to rotate freely on a third rotation shaft (132), to either side of a corner roller (133). The application head also comprises: • -a spring (140) comprising two legs bearing against the fixing core, extended by an elbow linked to a blocking arm provided with a notch for immobilising the link rods in the use position, the blocking arms being linked together by a return hoop; • - reversible blocking means (150, 151, 152) for immobilising the link rods in the retracted position, separate from the spring.

Description

Title of the invention: Application head for a tape applicator, tape applicator provided with such a head

The present invention relates to an application head for a jointing tape applicator between two plasterboards.

[0002] Such an applicator is intended for laying a strip of paper or similar material, in the form of a roll, between two adjacent plasterboards, under construction or under renovation, and this by means of a pasty plaster.

[0003] Thus, the coating fills the space between the two plates and the strip keeps it together.

[0004] The tape is laid between two plates arranged on the same plane or at an angle. Once the plaster and tape are in place, the user smooths it out with a flat or angled spatula for angles. The tape thus ensures a perfectly smooth seal between the plates.

We already know tape applicators, commonly called

"Banjo", comprising a plaster tank and a reel of a jointing tape on a roll for performing numerous joints, especially on large construction sites.

[0006] To this end, the reservoir has, with reference to the position of use, a rear wall defining an entrance slot for the strip and a front wall defining an exit slot for the strip.

An application head is generally intended to be fixed on the front wall above the exit slot, to ensure a good application of the strip, that is to say a drive of the loaded strip. 'coated off the applicator and plating the tape against the drywall. A finishing smoothing is then carried out by the user using a spatula.

[0008] Document WO201 1094820 describes an application head shaped to apply a strip between two plasterboards forming an angle between them.

The head includes a plate for fixing to the applicator, the plate being extended by a fixed arm supporting a corner roller having a V-shaped profile for applying the strip at an angle.

[0009] This head has many drawbacks. This is because it is only suitable for angled tape application, so it must be removed to reassemble an application head suitable for flat tape application. So you need two separate heads, which is tedious and risks losing one of the two heads.

[0010] Furthermore, the plate is intended to be fixed inside the reservoir and to cooperate with an axis of an external adjustment screw provided with an eccentric, and which not only allows the fixing of the plate, but also its movement along the reservoir to adjust the height of the strip exit slot, as illustrated in document US51 1427. The plate and the adjustment mechanism are therefore directly in contact with the coating, which clogs the mechanism and the abyss, because you have to force it to adjust the height of the slot. In addition, the application head delimiting the upper edge of the slot, it is necessary to regularly change the entire head, because the upper edge of the slot is subjected to very strong abrasion and a very high temperature during the passages. repeated from the band.

[001 1] An objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a head

multifunction application, that is to say allowing the application of the strip flat and the application at the corner, not requiring to be dismantled between the two functions (the application of the strip flat and the corner application), and does not need to be changed due to the wear created by the belt.

[0012] Document FR3007439 describes a multifunction application head which also has the advantage of not requiring disassembly between the two functions (the application of the strip flat and the application at the corner).

[0013] However, this application head is complex and its structure also does not allow the height adjustment of the tape exit slot.

In fact, the application head comprises a fixing plate comprising a fixing core provided with means for fixing the application head against the front wall of the reservoir, and two flanks perpendicular to the fixing core and each having two orifices facing each other in pairs to receive a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation parallel to each other,

[0015] The application head also includes two notched rollers

belt drive carried by the first axis of rotation, and two connecting rods mounted in free rotation, on the second axis of rotation, between a retracted position and a position of use. A second end of each connecting rod is mounted in free rotation on a third axis of rotation, on either side of a corner caster.

The connecting rods are held elastically in the retracted position and in the position of use by two independent springs each comprising an upstream arm (close to the plate) and a downstream arm (resiliently resting on the first axis of rotation carrying the rollers notched).

[0017] To go from the retracted position to the position of use of the angle caster, it is necessary to deactivate and then activate these springs in a complex manner. Indeed, it is first necessary to disengage one by one the upstream arms of the springs from the connecting rods and to move the downstream arms of the springs one by one from the outside of the notched rollers towards the inside of the notched rollers, which represents four actions. The connecting rods are then tilted in contact with the first axis of rotation to place the angle caster in the use position.

Then the downstream arms of the springs are activated one by one by positioning them against the connecting rods, and the upstream arms of the springs are activated one by one by positioning them against the sides, which represents four more actions. It therefore takes a total of nine actions to switch from the retracted position to the operating position, all while handling small parts, which is not easy on a job site with hands full of plaster. Correspondingly, the risk of clogging of the elastic support parts of the head are significant.

[0018] An objective of the present invention is to provide an application head allowing simple kinetics and handling of the passage from the retracted position to the position of use, without having to disassemble the entire head.

According to the invention, the function of maintaining in the retracted position and the function of resiliently maintaining in the position of use are provided by two independent structures, allowing the passage between the two positions in three operations only, while greatly limiting the risk of clogging of the elastic retaining parts.

[0020] Thus, the invention relates to an application head for an applicator of jointing tape between two plasterboards, the applicator comprising a reel for a jointing tape on a roll and a coating reservoir in which The strip is unwound, in use, the reservoir having, with reference to the position of use, an entry slot for the strip formed between a free end of a rear wall of the reservoir and a first free end of a wall bottom of the reservoir, and an outlet slot for the strip formed between a free end of a front wall of the reservoir and a second free end of the lower wall of the reservoir, the reservoir further comprising two side walls, of which the one constitutes a removable side cover for access to the interior of the reservoir, the application head being intended to be fixed to the front wall above the outlet slot, the application head comprising:

- a fixing plate comprising a fixing core provided with means for fixing the application head against the front wall of the reservoir, and two flanks perpendicular to the fixing core and each having two orifices facing each other two by two to receive a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation parallel to each other,

- two notched belt drive rollers carried by the first axis of rotation;

- two connecting rods being mounted by a first end in free rotation, on the second axis of rotation, between a retracted position and a position of use, a second end of each rod being mounted in free rotation on a third axis of rotation, of on either side of a corner wheel itself in free rotation on the third axis of rotation;

the application head according to the invention comprising:

- a spring comprising two support legs against the fixing plate, each support leg being extended by an elbow connected to a locking arm provided with a notch for locking the connecting rods in the use position, the locking arms extending in a plane secant to a plane passing through the two supporting legs, the locking arms being interconnected by a return hoop extending in a plane secant to the plane passing through the two locking arms

- Reversible locking means of the connecting rods in the retracted position, independent of the spring.

[0021] According to particular embodiments:

- The locking means may include at least one locking claw and at least one stopper shaped so that at least one connecting rod is maintained, in the blocking position, resting against the stop by the claw;

- the claws and / or the connecting rods can be shaped to allow a force release of the connecting rods out of the claws

- The locking means may include a locking hole and a locking pin intended to be inserted reversibly into the locking hole;

- in which the return hoop can be chosen from straight hoops or curved hoops;

- The locking notches may include a lateral locking bead of the connecting rods in the use position;

- the application head may be intended to be fixed against an outer contact face of the front wall of the reservoir, in the fixing position, the contact face comprising a sliding guide provided with an oblong orifice, the reservoir comprising, furthermore, a strip exit slot, a plate for adjusting a height of said exit slot, said plate being arranged inside the tank, and a coupling and clamping axis of the plate, the axis being engaged in an orifice of the plate and in the oblong hole of the sliding guide, the fixing core of the application head may comprise a bearing face intended to be supported against the contact face of the wall front of the tank, in the fixing position, the bearing face of the fixing core carrying a sliding stop provided with a central hole intended to be crossed by the coupling and clamping axis, and in which the means of fixing of the application head against the front wall ale of the reservoir are able to cooperate with the coupling and tightening axis to allow tightening / loosening of the fastening core against the front wall of the reservoir;

- The fixing means may comprise a quick-clamping lever comprising a cam pivotally and eccentrically fixed to a coupling member intended to be fixed to the coupling and clamping axis; - the sliding stop, carried by the bearing face of the fixing core, may be constituted by an oblong groove intended to cooperate with the sliding guide carried by the contact face of the front wall of the reservoir, the guide sliding being an oblong rib; and or

- the sliding stop, carried by the bearing face of the fixing core, may be constituted by an oblong rib intended to cooperate with the sliding guide carried by the contact face of the front wall of the reservoir, the guide sliding being an oblong groove.

The invention also relates to a spring for a previous application head, the spring comprising two support legs against the fixing plate, each support leg being extended by an elbow connected to a locking arm provided with a notch for locking the connecting rods in the position of use, the locking arms extending in a plane secant to a plane passing through the two support legs, the locking arms being interconnected by an arch of recall extending in a plane secant to the plane passing through the two locking arms.

[0023] According to particular embodiments:

- the return hoop can be chosen from straight hoops or curved hoops; and or

- The locking notches may include a lateral locking bead for the connecting rods in the use position.

The invention also relates to a jointing tape applicator between two plasterboards, the applicator comprising a reel for a jointing tape in roll and a coating reservoir in which the tape is unwound, in use , the reservoir having, with reference to the position of use, a rear wall defining an inlet slot for the strip and a front wall defining an outlet slot for the strip, characterized in that the front wall of the reservoir carries a previous application head.

[0025] According to particular embodiments:

- The front wall of the reservoir may comprise an outer face of contact with a bearing face of the application head, the contact face carrying a sliding guide provided with an oblong orifice, the reservoir further comprising a plate for adjusting a height of the exit slot, said plate being arranged inside the reservoir, and a plate coupling and clamping pin, the pin being engaged in an orifice of the plate and in the oblong hole of the sliding guide, in which the bearing face of the 'fixing core carries a sliding stop provided with a central hole through which the coupling and clamping axis passes, and in which the means for attaching the application head to the front wall of the reservoir cooperate with the axis coupling and tightening to allow tightening / loosening of the plate and the adjustment plate against the front wall of the tank;

- The fixing means may include a quick-release lever comprising a cam pivotally and eccentrically fixed to a coupling member fixed to the coupling and clamping axis;

- the sliding stop carried by the bearing face of the fixing core can be constituted by an oblong groove slidingly cooperating with the sliding guide carried by the contact face of the front wall of the tank, the sliding guide being an oblong rib; and or

- the sliding stop carried by the bearing face of the fixing core may be constituted by an oblong rib slidingly cooperating with the sliding guide carried by the contact face of the front wall of the tank, the sliding guide being an oblong groove.

[0026] A subject of the invention is also a method of applying a joint strip between two adjacent plasterboards forming an angle between them, the method comprising the following steps:

a) Provide a previous sealant tape applicator, the applicator reservoir being filled with sealant and the tape ready for use and includes a free end protruding from the tape exit slot;

b) if the connecting rods carrying the angle caster are in the retracted position, deactivate the connecting rods fixing means to make them pivot towards the first axis of rotation;

c) pinching the spring by applying a pinching force between the two arms of the spring and at the level of the return arch to allow the pivoting of the connecting rods until they are in contact with the first axis of rotation; d) position the locking notches of the spring arms above the connecting rods then release the spring, so that the connecting rods are in the position of use, resiliently biased towards the first pivot axis; e) apply the free end of the strip against the two adjacent plasterboards, in the angle formed by the two plasterboards, then apply the head of the applicator against the two plasterboards so that the rollers drive apply the tape against the plates;

f) move the applicator so that the drive rollers drive the unwinding strip which carries the plaster and the angle roll, carried by the connecting rods in the use position, presses the strip into the angle in all tilting positions of the applicator with respect to the plasterboards, thanks to the elastic return of the connecting rods towards the first pivot axis.

Other features of the invention will be set out in the detailed description below, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent, respectively:

[0028] [Fig. 1] shows a schematic perspective view of a tape applicator according to the invention in the use position, that is to say in the application position of a tape, and provided with an application head according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig. 2] is a schematic perspective view viewed from the rear of the tape applicator of Figure 1 with one side wall raised to show the internal structure of the applicator;

[0030] [Fig. 3] is a schematic exploded perspective view of an application head according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig. 4] shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a spring for an application head according to the invention;

[0032] [Fig. 5] shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a spring for an application head according to the invention;

[0033] [Fig. 6] is a schematic perspective view of an application head according to the invention in the retracted position of the angle roller;

[0034] [Fig. 7] shows a schematic perspective view of an applicator head according to the invention during deployment of the angle roller towards the position of use; [0035] [Fig. 8] shows a schematic perspective view of an application head according to the invention in the position of use of the angle roller;

[0036] [Fig. 9] shows a schematic exploded perspective view from a first angle of view of a second embodiment of an application head according to the invention, further comprising a means for adjusting the height of the tape outlet slot of the applicator according to the invention; and

[0037] [Fig. 10] is a schematic exploded perspective view from a second angle of view of the embodiment of an application head of Figure 8 showing the height adjustment plate of the tape exit slot.

[0038] An applicator provided with an application head according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 1.

[0039] The applicator 1 comprises a reel 2 for a rolled jointing strip 3 (shown in dotted lines) and a reservoir 4 of coating in which the strip is unwound, in use.

[0040] The applicator also comprises a handle 5 for its transport or operational handling during the application of the strip.

[0041] Alternatively or in combination, the applicator can include a gripping strap (not shown) allowing the applicator to be gripped from below.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the reservoir 4 has, with reference to the position of use, an inlet slot 6 of the strip formed between a free end 7a of a rear wall 7 of the reservoir and a first end free 8a of a lower wall 8 of the tank.

The reservoir 4 also comprises an outlet slot 9 of the strip formed between a free end 10a of a front wall 10 of the reservoir and a second free end 8b of the lower wall 8 of the reservoir.

The tank further comprising two side walls 1 1 and 12, one of which constitutes a removable side cover 1 1 allowing access to the interior of the tank 4.

An application head 100 according to the invention is fixed to the front wall 10 of the reservoir 4. The application head 100, illustrated in exploded perspective in Figure 3, comprises a fixing plate 1 10 comprising a fixing core 1 1 1 and two flanks 1 12a-1 12b perpendicular to the fixing core 1 1 1. Each side 1 12a 1 12b having two openings 1 13-1 14 facing two by two. Thus, the orifice 1 13 of the side 1 12a is opposite the orifice 1 13 of the side 1 12b to receive a first axis of rotation 120, and the orifice 1 14 of the side 1 12a is opposite the orifice January 14 of the sidewall 1 12b to receive a second axis of rotation 130. The axes of rotation 120 and 130 are mutually parallel.

The fixing core 1 1 1 is provided with fixing means 1 15 against the front wall 10 of the tank to fix the application head 100 on the tank. In FIG. 3, these fixing means consist of at least one orifice 115 capable of receiving a screw (not shown) for fixing to the reservoir. Alternatively, as described in relation to Figures 8 and 9, the fastening means can be more elaborate and allow, moreover, an adjustment of the height of the exit slot, again via the orifice 1 15.

[0048] The first axis of rotation 120 carries two notched rollers 121 for driving the band during application. Preferably, the notched rollers 121 are mounted in free rotation around the axis of rotation 120 and outside the sidewalls 1 12a-1 12b, by means of spacers 122. The assembly is held in position by means of washers 123 and a nut 124.

Preferably, the first axis of rotation 120 also carries a smooth plating wheel 125 mounted in free rotation between the two flanks 1 12a-1 12b, and which serves to plate the strip against the plasterboards.

[0050] The application head also comprises two connecting rods 131 mounted in

free rotation on the second axis of rotation by a first end 131a, between a retracted position (illustrated in Figure 6) and a position of use (illustrated in Figure 7).

A second end 131b of each connecting rod is mounted in free rotation on a third axis of rotation 132, on either side of an angle wheel 133 itself in free rotation on the third axis of rotation 132. The corner roller has a V-shaped running edge for applying the strip to plasterboards forming an angle between them. According to the invention, the application head 100 comprises a spring 140 (illustrated in more detail in Figure 4) comprising two support legs 141 against the mounting plate 1 1 1, each support leg 141 being extended by an elbow 142 connected to a locking arm 143 of the connecting rods in the use position, each locking arm 143 being provided with a locking notch 144.

The locking arms143 extend in a plane secant to a plane passing through the two support legs 141. Preferably, the arms are substantially perpendicular to the fixing plate 1 1, in the position of use.

The locking notches have a support portion 144a with the sides 1 12a-1 12b or the connecting rods 131 depending on the retracted position or the position of use. The support portion is preferably perpendicular to the flanks 1 12a-1 12b or to the connecting rods 131, while the locking arms 143 are substantially parallel to the flanks 1 12a-1 12b or to the connecting rods 131.

The support portion has a length greater than or equal to the sum of the thickness of the sides 1 12a-1 12b and the thickness of the connecting rods 131.

In an advantageous embodiment, the locking notches 144

include a side locking bead 144b of the connecting rods in the use position. The bead prevents accidental lateral release of the connecting rods in the use position.

[0057] The bead 144b is located at the outer end of the contact portion 144a. What matters is that the bearing portion has a length L1, taken between the arm 143 and the bead 144b, greater than or equal to the sum of the thickness of the flanks 1 12a-1 12b and the thickness of the connecting rods 131.

A spring winding 145 is arranged between the free ends of the support legs 141 and the elbows 142 for connecting to the arms 143. This winding 145 performs two functions simultaneously: an elastic return function which allows the entire part formed the portion of the legs connected to the elbows 142, the elbows 142, the arms 143 and the hoop 146 to pivot together while the portion of the legs carrying their free end remains in contact with the mounting plate 1 1 1. The winding allows also to accommodate the second axis of rotation 130, which maintains the spring in position and ensures a pivoting of the spring about the axis of rotation 130. In addition, the locking arms 143 are interconnected by a return hoop 146 extending in a plane secant to the plane passing through the two locking arms 143.

This return hoop can be a curved hoop (Figure 4) or a straight hoop 146a (Figure 5). It can be arranged towards the first axis of rotation 120, as illustrated in the figures. In this case, the spring has the general shape of an S in profile view. The hoop can also be arranged towards the second axis of rotation 130 (not shown), in which case the spring has a general C-shape in profile view.

The return hoop 146 fulfills an unexpected return function which ensures, when the spring is clamped at said hoop 146, that the elbows tend to approach each other, which allows the notches blocking 144 to disengage from the sides to allow the connecting rods 131 to pass when passing between the retracted position and the position of use, and vice versa, as explained with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. This also makes it possible to temporarily block the elbows 142 against the inside of the flanks 1 12a-112b during passage between the retracted position and the position of use, which avoids having to hold the spring.

[0062] In the absence of a hoop, the elbows 142 tend to move apart during the

pinching, which prevents sufficient clearance of the locking notches 144, and prevents, in addition, to be able to insert them temporarily between the flanks 1 12a-1 12b.

[0063] According to the invention, the application head 100 according to the invention comprises

also reversible locking means 150 of the connecting rods 131 in the retracted position, independent of the spring.

A preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figure 3, in which the locking means 150 comprise at least one locking claw 151 and at least one stop 152 shaped so that at least one connecting rod is maintained, in the locking position, resting against the stop 152 by the claw 151.

The stop 152 has the shape of a ramp, which prevents the angle wheel 133 from being in contact with the reservoir 4 in the retracted position. The claws 151 have a longitudinal portion 151a in the vertical extension of the flanks 1 12a-1 12b, and a shoulder 151b which locks and tightens the connecting rods against the stop 152.

The claws 151 and / or the connecting rods 131 are shaped to allow a

force release of the connecting rods out of the claws. Thus, when the user wants to switch the connecting rods from the retracted position to the position of use, in the direction of arrow F1 (FIG. 7), he forces the connecting rods to pass out of the claws 151. This force release is allowed. by the elasticity of the connecting rods 131 and / or the elasticity of the claws (in particular of the longitudinal portion 151a) which allow elastic deformation of the connecting rods and / or of the claws.

When a tape is to be applied between two plates forming an angle between them, it must be ensured that the tape is well pressed in the corner and against the plasterboard. For this, we must use the angle caster.

Thus, to apply a joint strip between two adjacent plasterboards forming an angle between them using an applicator provided with an application head according to the invention, the procedure is as follows, shown in Figures 6 to 8.

[0069] Figure 6 illustrates an application head according to the invention in position

retracted, that is, in which the angle caster is inactive and cannot come into contact with the belt. In other words, in this position, only the notched rollers 121 and, optionally, the plating roll 125 are in contact with the strip. This position is the one used when the tape is to be applied between two coplanar plasterboards.

In this figure, we see that the reservoir is full of coating E and the band B is in the position of use, that is to say that it is positioned in contact with the coating in the tank , and that it has a free end B1 protruding from the exit slot 9.

In the retracted position (Figure 6), when the connecting rods 131 carrying the angle roller 133 are in the retracted position, the fixing means 150 of the connecting rods are deactivated to rotate them in the direction of the arrow F1 towards the first axis of rotation 120 (Figure 7). In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting rods are forced in the direction of the arrow F1 so that they are released by force from the claws 151. Once the connecting rods 131 released from the claws 151, the spring is clamped by applying a clamping force (illustrated by the arrows F2 and F3) between the two arms of the spring 140 and at the level of the return hoop 145 to retract the locking notches 144 towards the space located between the two flanks 1 12a-1 12b and allow the passage of the connecting rods and their pivoting until they bear against the first axis of rotation 120.

The locking notches 144 of the arms of the spring are then positioned above the connecting rods 131 then the spring is released (illustrated by the arrows F4 and F5), so that the locking notches are in elastic contact with the connecting rods , and that the latter are, in the position of use, resiliently biased towards the first pivot axis. More precisely, the spring is shaped such that, in the position of use, the locking notches are in elastic contact with the connecting rods between the second pivot axis of the connecting rods and the portion of the connecting rods which is in contact with the first axis pivot 120.

The free end of the strip can then be applied against the two adjacent plasterboards, in the angle formed by the two plasterboards, then the head of the applicator is applied against the two plasterboards of such that the drive rollers press the tape against the plates.

The applicator is then moved so that the rollers

feed force the unwinding strip pulling up plaster. At the same time, the angle wheel, carried by the connecting rods in position

of use, press the strip at the angle and against the plates, and this in all positions of inclination of the applicator relative to the plasterboards, thanks to the elastic return of the connecting rods towards the first pivot axis.

To replace the head in the retracted position, the spring is clamped between the two arms of the spring 140 and at the level of the return arch 145 to retract the locking notches 144 towards the space located between the two sides 112a. January 12b and allow the passage of the connecting rods and their pivoting in the opposite direction to the arrow F1, then activates the locking means of the connecting rods in the retracted position. In the illustrated embodiment, this is done by forcing the passage of the connecting rods against the claws 151 until the connecting rods come into contact with the stop 152. In this position, the connecting rods are completely. passed against the claws 151 which deploy elastically above the connecting rods and block the latter, preventing their tilting by gravity.

[0077] The application head according to the invention is therefore versatile and very simple and quick to use. It only takes three movements to move from one position to the other, where prior art heads require more movement.

[0078] In addition, it allows a plating of the strip while allowing a wide variety of movements since the connecting rods (and therefore the angle wheel) are applied elastically towards the front of the head, that is, that is to say to the first pivot axis 120.

Finally, the structure of the application head allows it to carry means for attaching to the reservoir which also provide a function of adjusting the height of the outlet slot 9 of the strip.

In fact, the outlet slot 9 of the strip is formed between a free end of a front wall of the tank and a second free end of the bottom wall of the tank. The height H1 of this slot determines the amount of coating carried by the belt.

Now, it is desirable to be able to modulate this amount of coating, depending on the conditions of use, the viscosity of the coating, etc.

The invention proposes to mechanically couple to the application head, a plate, structurally independent of the head, and able to slide relative to the slot to reduce the resulting height H2 of the slot 9 and, thus, reduce the amount of coating deposited with the strip.

This embodiment, illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, takes advantage of the structure of the application head according to the invention and in particular, of the mounting plate.

In these figures, only the elements necessary for understanding this functionality have been illustrated. Of course, the connecting rods, 131, the angle wheel 133, the spring 140 according to the invention, the pivot pins 120-130, the drive rollers 121, etc. can be added.

The application head 100 according to the invention is intended to be fixed against an outer contact face 10b of the front wall 10 of the reservoir 4, in the fixing position. The invention provides that the contact face 10b comprises a sliding guide 14 provided with an oblong hole 15. As will be described later, the length of the oblong hole determines the sliding length of the plate and therefore the resulting height H2 of the exit slit 9.

The reservoir further comprises an adjustment plate 16 of a height H2 of said outlet slot, the adjustment plate 16 being arranged inside the reservoir, against the front wall 10 of the reservoir.

A coupling and clamping pin 17 of the plate 16 is engaged in an orifice 16a of the plate 16 and in the oblong hole 15 of the sliding guide 14.

Additionally, the fixing core 1 1 1 of the applicator head comprises a bearing face 1 1 1 a intended to bear against the contact face 10b of the front wall 10 of the reservoir, in position of fixation.

The bearing face 11 1 a of the fixing core comprises a stop

sliding 1 1 1 b provided with the hole 1 15 arranged centrally with respect to the sliding stop.

The hole 1 15 is intended to be crossed by the coupling and clamping pin 17 for fixing the application head against the front wall of the tank.

Complementary fixing means are provided to cooperate with the coupling axis 17 and clamping to allow tightening / loosening of the fixing core 1 1 1 against the front wall 10 of the tank.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the fixing means

include a quick-release lever 1 16 comprising a cam 1 16a pivotally fixed along the X-X axis and eccentric to a coupling member 1 17 intended to be fixed to the coupling and clamping axis. Advantageously a washer 1 18 is provided between the coupling member and the fixing core 1 1 1 to protect the latter from the friction of the cam 1 16a during

tightening / loosening.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding stop 1 1 1 b carried by the bearing face 1 1 1a of the fixing core 1 1 1 is constituted by an oblong groove intended to cooperate with the guide sliding 1 14 carried by the contact face 10b of the front wall 10 of the reservoir, the sliding guide 1 14 being an oblong rib of complementary shape, except in length, of the groove 1 1 1 b. In this case, the groove carried by the fixing core will have a length L3, and the rib carried by the reservoir will have a length L2 less than the length L3.

[0095] Of course, it is possible to reverse the volumes, and that the stop

sliding carried by the bearing face of the fixing core is constituted by an oblong rib intended to cooperate with the sliding guide carried by the contact face of the front wall of the reservoir, the sliding guide being an oblong groove. In this case, the groove carried by the tank will have a length L3, and the rib carried by the fastening web will have a length L2 less than the length L3.

To adjust the height H2 of the exit slot, the means for energizing / de-energizing the coupling and clamping axis are actuated to allow loosening of the plate and of the plate against the front wall of the tank.

To do this, the lever 1 16 is pivoted so as to position the cam 1 16a at a smaller distance from the washer. The clamping tension exerted on the coupling and clamping pin 17 is therefore reduced.

Then, we slide the plate 110 coupled to the adjustment plate 16 via the coupling and clamping pin 17, until the exit slot of the strip has an operational height H2 corresponding to a target coating application rate.

The means for switching on / off the coupling and clamping axis are then actuated to allow clamping of the plate and of the plate against the front wall of the reservoir. In the illustrated embodiment, the lever 1 16 is rotated so as to position the axis of rotation XX of the cam 1 16a at a greater distance from the washer, which increases the clamping tension exerted on the axis of coupling and clamping 17.

[0100] In an advantageous embodiment, the orifice 16a of the plate 16 is polygonal and the coupling and clamping axis 17 comprises a polygonal cylindrical portion 17a of complementary shape to the polygonal hole 16a and intended to be inserted into the polygonal hole 16a to prevent the plate from rotating around of the coupling and clamping axis. Perfect parallelism of the functional edges of the outlet slot 9 is thus easily ensured during application.

[0101] The structure of the application head according to the invention also allows easier adjustment of the height H2. Indeed, the adjustment is generally made when the applicator is placed on a support, by the lower face 8. In this position, it is difficult to see the exit slot 9.

The invention provides that the plate 1 10 has a distal rectilinear rim 1 19, that is to say at the opposite end of the first axis of rotation, which makes it possible to constitute an adjustment mark with respect to a scale 13 graduated parallel to the distal rectilinear edge 19 and which is carried by the outer contact face 10b of the front wall 10 of the reservoir. This scale thus directly represents the exit slit, so that the user can view directly, above the locking head, the measurement of the opening of the exit slit which is located below the head and which is not visible when the user is adjusting the height of the exit slit.

[0103] This thus avoids having to turn the appiicator over after or during the adjustment.

[0104] The fixing head 100 according to the invention therefore allows height adjustment of the slot, while being structurally independent of the adjustment plate.

[0105] Thus, in the event of wear of the plate, it is possible to change it without having to change the application head.

[0106] In addition, this allows different materials to be used for the application head and the plate. The latter is advantageously made of stainless metal, which is more resistant to heat and to the abrasion of the plaster and the strip than the plastic generally used for the manufacture of application heads.

[0107] According to alternative or complementary embodiments not illustrated:

[0108] - the locking means 150 may include a locking orifice and a locking pin intended to be inserted reversibly into the locking orifice. The locking orifice is, for example, carried by the flanks 1 12a 1 12b and the locking pin is carried by the connecting rods. The locking pin (which can be combined with an elastic return means) is then released from the locking orifice in order to be able to pivot the connecting rods towards the position of use. [0109] the distal rectilinear edge 1 19 can be bevelled to allow easier reading of the height adjustment of the exit slot on the graduated scale 13.

Claims

[Claim 1] Application head (100) for an applicator (1) of jointing tape between two plasterboards, the applicator comprising a dispenser (2) for a jointing tape (B) on a roll (3) and a coating reservoir (4) in which the strip unwinds, in use, the reservoir having, with reference to the position of use, an inlet slot (6) of the strip formed between a free end (7a) of a rear wall (7) of the reservoir and a first free end (8a) of a lower wall (8) of the reservoir, and an outlet slot (9) for the strip formed between a free end (10a) of a front wall (10) of the reservoir and a second free end (8b) of the lower wall (8) of the reservoir, the reservoir further comprising two side walls (1 1 -12), one of which constitutes a cover removable side access to the interior of the tank, the application head (100) being intended to be fixed on the front wall (10) above the slot of output, the application head (100) comprising:

a fixing plate (1 10) comprising a fixing core (11 1) provided with means for fixing the application head against the front wall of the tank, and two flanks (1 12a-1 12b) perpendicular to the core fixing and each having two openings (1 13-1 14) facing two by two to receive a first axis of rotation (120) and a second axis of rotation (130) parallel to each other,

two notched rollers (121) for driving the band carried by the first axis of rotation;

two connecting rods (131) being mounted by a first end in free rotation, on the second axis of rotation (130), between a retracted position and a position of use, a second end of each rod being mounted in free rotation on a third axis of rotation (132), on either side of an angle wheel (133) itself in free rotation on the third axis of rotation;

the application head (100) being characterized in that it comprises:

a spring (140) comprising two legs (141) supporting against the fixing plate, each supporting leg being extended by an elbow (142) connected to a locking arm (143) provided with a notch (144) locking rods in the use position, the locking arms extending in a plane secant to a plane passing through the two support legs, the locking arms being interconnected by a return hoop (146) extending in a plane secant to the plane passing through the two locking arms

reversible locking means (150, 151 -152) of the connecting rods in the retracted position, independent of the spring.

[Claim 2] An applicator head (100) according to claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises at least one locking claw (151) and at least one stop (152) shaped so that at least one connecting rod is held , in the locked position, resting against the stop by the claw.

[Claim 3] An applicator head (100) according to claim 2, wherein the claws and / or the connecting rods are shaped to allow forceful release of the connecting rods from the prongs

[Claim 4] An applicator head (100) according to claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises a locking hole and a locking pin intended to be reversibly inserted into the locking hole.

[Claim 5] Application head (100) according to any of

claims 1 to 4, wherein the return hoop is selected from straight hoops or curved hoops.

[Claim 6] Application head (100) according to any of

Claims 1 to 5, wherein the locking notches comprise a lateral locking bead (144b) of the connecting rods in the use position.

[Claim 7] Application head (100) according to any of

claims 1 to 6, intended to be fixed against an outer contact face (10b) of the front wall (10) of the reservoir, in the fixing position, the contact face comprising a sliding guide (14) provided with an orifice oblong (15), the reservoir further comprising a plate (16) for adjusting a height of the outlet slot, said plate being arranged inside the reservoir, and a coupling and clamping pin (17 ) of the plate, the axis being engaged in an orifice (16a) of the plate and in the oblong hole (15) of the sliding guide, the fixing core (1 1 1) of the application head comprising a bearing face (1 1 1 a) intended to rest against the face contact of the front wall of the tank, in the fixing position, the bearing face of the fixing core carrying a sliding stop (1 1 1 b) provided with a central hole (1 15) intended to be traversed by the coupling and tightening axis (17), and in which the means for fixing the application head against the front wall of the reservoir are able to cooperate with the coupling and tightening axis to allow tightening / loosening of the fastening core against the front wall of the tank.

[Claim 8] The applicator head (100) according to claim 7, wherein the fixing means comprise a quick-release lever (1 16) comprising a cam (1 16a) pivotally and eccentrically fixed to a coupling member (1 17) intended to be fixed to the coupling and clamping axis (17).

[Claim 9] Application head (100) according to any of

Claims 7 or 8, in which the sliding stop, carried by the bearing face of the fixing core, is formed by an oblong groove intended to cooperate with the sliding guide carried by the contact face of the front wall of the reservoir, the sliding guide being an oblong rib.

[Claim 10] Application head (100) according to any of

Claims 7 or 8, in which the sliding stop, carried by the bearing face of the fixing core, consists of an oblong rib intended to cooperate with the sliding guide carried by the contact face of the front wall of the reservoir, the sliding guide being an oblong groove.

[Claim 1 1] Spring (140) for an application head (100) according to

any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises two supporting legs against the fixing plate, each supporting leg being extended by an elbow connected to a locking arm provided with a notch. locking of the connecting rods in the position of use, the locking arms extending in a plane secant to a plane passing through the two support legs, the locking arms being interconnected by a return hoop extending in a plane secant to the plane passing through the two locking arms.

[Claim 12] A spring according to claim 11, wherein the return hoop is selected from straight hoops or curved hoops.

[Claim 13] A spring according to any one of claims 1 1 or 12, wherein the locking notches comprise a bead of

lateral locking of the connecting rods in the use position.

[Claim 14] Applicator (1) for jointing tape between two

plasterboard, the applicator comprising a reel for a jointing strip on a roll and a coating reservoir in which the strip is unwound, in use, the reservoir having, by reference to the position of use, a rear wall delimiting an entry slot for the strip and a front wall delimiting an exit slot for the tape, characterized in that the front wall of the reservoir carries an application head according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

[Claim 15] Applicator (1) according to claim 14, wherein the front wall (10) of the reservoir comprises an outer face of contact with a bearing face of the application head, the contact face carrying a guide of sliding provided with an oblong orifice, the reservoir further comprising a plate for adjusting a height of the outlet slot, said plate being arranged inside the reservoir, and an axis for coupling and clamping the plate, the axis being engaged in an orifice of the plate and in the oblong hole of the sliding guide, in which the bearing face of the fixing core carries a sliding stop (1 1 1 b) cooperating in sliding with the sliding guide (14), the sliding stop being provided with a central hole through which the coupling and clamping axis passes, and in which the means for fixing the application head on the front wall of the reservoir cooperate with the coupling and clamping axis to allow a

tightening / loosening of the plate and the adjustment plate against the front wall of the tank.

[Claim 16] An applicator (1) according to claim 15, wherein the securing means comprises a quick release lever comprising a cam pivotally and eccentrically attached to a coupling member secured to the coupling and clamping pin.

[Claim 17] Applicator (1) according to claim 15 or 16, in which the sliding stop carried by the bearing face of the fixing plate consists of an oblong groove (1 1 1 b) of determined length (L3 ) cooperating in sliding with the sliding guide carried by the contact face of the front wall of the tank, the sliding guide being an oblong rib (14) of determined length (L2) less than the length (L3) of the oblong groove .

[Claim 18] Applicator (1) according to any of

claims 15 or 16, in which the sliding stop carried by the bearing face of the fixing plate is constituted by an oblong rib of determined length (L2) slidingly cooperating with the sliding guide carried by the contact face of the front wall of the reservoir, the sliding guide being an oblong groove of determined length (L3) greater than the length (L2) of the oblong rib.

[Claim 19] A method of applying a joint strip between two adjacent plasterboards forming an angle between them, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

a) providing a jointing tape applicator as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, the reservoir of

the applicator being filled with a gasket and the strip ready for use and having a free end protruding from the exit slot of the strip; b) if the connecting rods carrying the angle caster are in the retracted position, deactivate the connecting rods fixing means to make them pivot towards the first axis of rotation;

c) pinch the spring by applying a pinching force between the two arms of the spring and at the return arch to allow the

pivoting of the connecting rods until they bear against the first axis of rotation;

d) position the locking notches of the spring arms above the connecting rods then release the spring, so that the connecting rods are in the position of use, resiliently biased towards the first axis of

pivoting;

e) apply the free end of the strip against the two plates of adjacent plaster, in the angle formed by the two plasterboards, then apply the applicator head against the two plasterboards so that the driving rollers apply the tape against the boards;