JP2007523012A - Paint replacement film locator tool assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

  A locator tool assembly (10) including a locator tool (20) attachable to a vehicle door (200). Tool (20) includes at least one locator protrusion (42a, 42b) configured to attach to one or more film tabs (104). Each tab (104) forms a removable portion of the adhesive film structure (102). The assembly (10) further includes a stripper mechanism (50) associated with the locator tool (20) used to remove one or more film tabs (104) from the at least one locator protrusion (42a, 42b). .

Description

  The present invention relates to paint replacement films and tapes, in particular tools and methods used to apply such films or tapes to a desired adherend, and more particularly paint replacement films or tapes to vehicles (eg, automobiles, airplanes, ships, etc.) ) Related to the tool and method used for applying to the part.

  Adhesive (eg, pressure sensitive adhesive) paint replacement films or tapes have been used to color parts of a vehicle, such as, for example, an automobile body. One such tape is colored black and has been used to color various parts of an automobile, such as window sashes and / or automobile door pillars, for example.

  Various tools have been created to assist in applying such tapes to automobile doors. For example, there are tools that place the tape in the desired location on the automobile door before actually bonding the tape to the door. An example of such a tape locator tool is Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-259972, filed on August 29, 2001, which was assigned to the assignee of the present application by inventor Takanobu Fujino, published on March 5, 2003. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-063729 “Adhesive Tape Adhesion Auxiliary Jig and Adhesive Tape Adhesion Method Using the Jig” . Such a tool has a structure for fixing the tool to the door and holding the tape close to the position of the door to which the tape is adhered. In this way, the tape can be applied more accurately and steadily to the desired part of the automobile door. Paint replacement tapes used with such tape locator tools include a release liner to protect the pressure sensitive adhesive (ie, PSA) until the tape is applied. Examples of such paint replacement tapes are found in US Pat. No. 6,748,993, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

  The present invention provides an improvement in such locator tool technology.

  A locator tool assembly is provided that includes a locator tool attachable to an end of a vehicle door outer surface. In one embodiment, the tool is attachable to the outer edge of the vehicle door outer surface. In other embodiments, the tool is attachable to the inner edge of the vehicle door outer surface. The tool serves to properly position the adhesive film structure relative to the vehicle door so that at least a segment of the film structure can be accurately applied to the desired portion of the vehicle door. The film structure can also include a tab that is attached to one or more locator protrusions of the tool. The film structural segment can be secured to a vehicle door (eg, a door sash or pillar) by using a pressure sensitive adhesive on the back side of the segment. One film structural segment that can be applied according to the present invention is a paint replacement film with adhesive that is used in place of conventional liquid paint. The locator tool assembly can also include a stripper mechanism associated with the locator tool that is used to remove one or more tabs held by the one or more locator protrusions.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, a locator tool is provided that can be placed at the end of a vehicle door outer surface. The tool serves to properly place the applied adhesive film segment on the vehicle exterior door surface. The tool is associated with a body that is configured to be attached to an end of a vehicle door outer surface, a retaining structure associated with the body that removably secures the body to the outer surface end. And at least one locator protrusion configured to mount an adhesive film structure including an adhesive film segment to an exterior door surface of the vehicle.

  In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a locator tool assembly including a locator tool that is attachable to a vehicle door and includes at least one locator protrusion configured to attach one or more film tabs. The Each tab forms a removable portion of the adhesive film structure. The tool assembly further includes a stripper mechanism associated with the locator tool that is used to remove the one or more film tabs from the at least one locator protrusion.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for applying an adhesive film segment to a vehicle door outer surface. The method includes providing a locator tool assembly that includes a locator tool that is attachable to a vehicle door and has at least one locator protrusion. The locator tool assembly further includes a stripper mechanism associated with the locator tool. The method includes: attaching a locator tool to a vehicle door; attaching the adhesive film structure to at least one locator protrusion through a tab forming portion of the adhesive film structure; Securing the adhesive-attached film segment forming portion to the vehicle door outer surface and removing the adhesive-attached film structure tab from the at least one locator protrusion via a stripper mechanism.

  1-6 illustrate a locator tool assembly 10 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention for use in applying an adhesive film or tape segment 100 to the outer surface of an adherend. The adhesive film segment 100 includes a paint replacement film applied to the outer surface 202 of the vehicle door 200 in the illustrated embodiment. See FIG. 5 and FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle door 200 includes a sash 204 and a pillar 206. The vehicle door outer surface 202 is defined by the outer surfaces of the sash 204 and the pillar 206.

  The film segment 100 is shown as a perspective line in FIG. 5 and as a solid line in FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, the film segment 100 defines a portion of the adhesive film structure 102. The film structure 102 further includes an adhesive film tab 104. A release liner 106 is removably attached to the adhesive side of the film structure 102. The film tab 104 has a pair of openings 104a. Similarly, the first portion 106a of the release liner 106 removably secured to the tab 104 includes a pair of openings 106b aligned with the openings 104a. The openings 104a and 106b allow the film structure 102 and corresponding release liner 106 to be attached to the tool assembly 10. Details of this will be described later.

  The release liner 106 further includes a second portion 106 c that is removably secured to the film segment 100. Perforated lines 108 are formed in the film structure 102 so that the film segment 100 can be separated from the tab 104. A perforation line 108 a is also formed in the release liner 106, which may be formed simultaneously with the perforation line 108 of the film structure 102. The release liner 106 may also include a break line 108b, which is a cut that extends completely through the liner 106, so that the second portion 106c of the release liner can be removed from the film segment 100.

  Film structure 102 may include any of the pressure sensitive adhesive films or tapes disclosed in the following references. WO 01/28769 A1, pamphlet “CONFORMABLE MULTILAYER FILMS”, published 26 April 2001, WO 02/064674 A2, pamphlet of “plasticized polyvinyl chloride” (REPLACEMENT FOR PLASTICIZED POLYVINYL CHLORIDE), published on August 22, 2002, US Pat. No. 6,524,675 B1, “ADHESIVE-BACK ARTICS”, US Pat. No. 6,607,831 B2, “MULTI-LAYER ARTICLE, US Pat. No. 6,759,110 B1,“ Structured release liner with improved adhesion to adhesive articles. (STRUCTURE RELEASE LINERS WITH IMPROVED ADHESION TO ADHESIVE ARTICLES) and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0207065 A1, "Adhesives with micro-replica topography and manufacturing method thereof" SAME) ". The disclosures of these documents are incorporated herein by this reference.

  Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the locator tool assembly 10 includes a locator tool 20 and a stripping or stripper mechanism 50. The locator tool 20 is attached to the outer end 202 a of the vehicle door outer surface 202. The tool 20 includes, in the illustrated embodiment, a body 30 having first and second legs 32 and 34, and with reference to FIG. 5, approximately 100 so that the body 30 can be attached to the corner 207 of the vehicle door 200. An angle Θ of degrees is defined. The angle Θ may be varied from 0 degrees to 180 degrees, for example, so that the main body 30 can be configured into the shape of the vehicle door corner. It is contemplated that the body may have a single leg that is substantially straight or curved. The body 30 may be formed from polyacetal, nylon, linen reinforced bakelite or similar material. It is contemplated that the body 30 may be formed from a metal having a surface painted or coated with a polymer layer so as not to damage the painted surface of the vehicle door to which the tool 20 is attached.

  The body 30 includes first and second opposing flanges 36a, 36b that define a first recess 38a, third and fourth opposing flanges 36c, 36d, and a third that define a second recess 38b. It further includes fifth and sixth opposing flanges 36e, 36f that define a recess 38c. See FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 5 and FIG. As is apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6, the locator tool 20 is mounted such that the outer end 202a of the vehicle door outer surface 202 is received in the recesses 38a to 38c. The first, second, and third pairs of magnets 40a, 40b, and 40c are attached to corresponding openings of the main body 30 so as to be flush with the openings or slightly recessed in the openings. Magnets 40a-40c preferably do not extend to recesses 38a-38c so as not to scratch or damage vehicle door outer end 202a. See FIG. 5 and FIG. Magnets 40a-40c serve to removably fix or hold locator tool 20 on vehicle door outer surface 202. It is contemplated that each recess 38a-38c may be defined only by a single flange instead of two flanges.

  A pair of locator pins 42a and 42b (also referred to herein as locator projections) extend through corresponding perforations 39a and 39b in the body 30. See FIG. Release liner 106. The tab 104 and the corresponding release liner portion 106a may remain on the locator pins 42a, 42b. A number of tabs 104 and corresponding release liner portions 106a may be laminated to the locator pins 42a, 42b in order to use the locator tool 20 to apply a plurality of film segments 100 to a number of vehicle doors. When the tabs 104 are stacked, removal from the locator pins 42a, 42b becomes more difficult, and the holes 104a, 106a in the tabs 104 and the corresponding release liner portions 106a and the locator pins 42a, 42b are designed to fit completely. Is especially. A stripper mechanism 50 associated with the locator tool 20 provides a simple means of pushing or moving the tab 104 and the corresponding release liner portion 106a away from the locator pins 42a, 42b.

  Stripper mechanism 50 includes first and second guide rods 52a and 52b slidably received in perforations 39c and 39d of locator tool body 30. See FIG. The mechanism 50 further includes first and second stripper plates 54 and 56 (also referred to herein as stripper elements) coupled via guide rods 52a, 52b. Bolts, screws or pins 55 fixedly couple plates 54 and 56 to guide rods 52a, 52b. After being joined, the plates 54 and 56 are placed on both sides 30a and 30b of the body 30. See FIG.

  First and second openings 54a and 54b are provided to the first plate 54, respectively, and first and second openings 56a and 56b are provided to the second plate 56, respectively. The locator pin 42a passes through the first openings 54a and 56a of the plates 54 and 56, and the locator pin 42b passes through the second openings 54b and 56b of the plates 54 and 56. Therefore, the peeling mechanism 50 may be manually moved to the main body 30 and the main body locator pins 42a and 42b.

  First and second plate recesses 132 and 134 are respectively provided to the body 30 and formed to receive the first and second plates 54 and 56, respectively. See Figures 1 and 2. The first plate 54 is received in the first plate recess 132 when the stripper mechanism 50 is moved to the first position so that the film structure 102 can be positioned proximate the first side 30 a of the body. See FIG. It is noteworthy that the stripper mechanism 50 is floating relative to the body 30 in the illustrated embodiment. Therefore, when the tab 104 is pressed against the locator pins 42a and 42b so as to be close to the first side 30a of the main body, the stripper mechanism 50 is moved to the first position so that the first plate 54 is received by the first plate recess 132. Place automatically. When the stripper mechanism 50 is in the first position, the second plate 56 is spaced from the second side 30 b of the main body 30. The second plate 56 is received in the second plate recess 134 when the stripper mechanism 50 is moved to the second position so that the film structure 102 can be positioned proximate the second side 30b of the body. See FIG. When the stripper mechanism 50 is in the second position, the first plate 54 is spaced from the first side 30 a of the main body 30.

  When one or more tabs 104 located on the locator pins 42a, 42b are removed, the operator manually moves the stripper mechanism 50 in the direction of the tabs 104 to move the tabs 104 away from the pins 42a, 42b. I just need it. For example, a single tab 104 disposed on the locator pins 42a, 42b is shown in perspective in FIG. The tab 104 is also located proximate to the first side 30 a of the body and the first stripper plate 54. To remove the tab 104, manually move the stripper mechanism 50 in the direction of the tab 104, move the first stripper plate 54 away from the first side 30a of the body, and move the tab 104 from the locator pins 42a, 42b. Remove and press. See FIG.

  The process of applying the adhesive film segment 100 to the outer surface 202 of the vehicle door 200 will be described. First, the locator tool 20 is manually mounted on the outer end 202a of the vehicle door outer surface 202 so that the outer end 202a can be received by the recesses 38a to 38c. See Figures 5 and 6. Next, the adhesive film structure 102 and the corresponding release liner 106 are attached to the locator pins 42a, 42b. See FIG. A portion of the film structure 102 is shown with perspective lines. The second portion 106c of the release liner 106 is separated from the first portion 106a of the release liner via the break line 108b and removed from the film segment 100. The adhesive side of the film segment 100 closest to the vehicle door 200 is manually adhered to the door outer surface 202. An operator may use a squeegee (not shown) including a soft plastic block covered with a padded cloth to reduce scratching of the vehicle door 200 to assist in applying the film segment 100 to the vehicle door outer surface 202. . A hand-held tool (not shown) having one or more rollers for applying the film segment 100 to the vehicle door outer surface 202 may be provided. It is also conceivable for the operator to wear soft gloves when applying the film segment 100 to the vehicle door outer surface 202 with or without a squeegee or tool having one or more rollers. Next, the locator tool 20 is removed from the vehicle door 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the film segment 100 is automatically separated from the tab 104 and the locator pins 42a and 42b are secured in place on the body 30 via locking press-fit pins 44a and 44b or set screws. The locator pins 42a and 42b are spaced a distance substantially equal to the distance between the opening 104a of the film tab 104 and the opening 106b of the release liner 106. The locator pins 42a, 42b serve to attach the adhesive film structure 102 and the corresponding release liner 106. Each of the pins 42a and 42b and the openings 104a and 106b is sized so that one of them fits in the other. The locator tool 20, which is preferably pre-mounted on the outer end 202 a of the vehicle door outer surface 202 by completely mounting the film structure 102 and release liner 106 on the pins 42 a, 42 b, is a segment 100 of the film structure 102. The film structure 102 is appropriately disposed with respect to the vehicle door 200 so that the film structure 102 is accurately disposed and applied to the vehicle door 200. It is contemplated that a single locator projection may be provided in place of the locator pins 42a and 42b. Such a single projection has a circular cross section, such as either pin 42a or 42b, or is wider than the height (ie, the width of spaced pins 42a and 42b, the height of either pin 42 diameter). ), Each of the tab and release liner, or at least a cross section received in a single slot provided in the tab.

  Because the locator pins 42a and 42b extend outward beyond the first and second outer surfaces or sides 30a and 30b of the body 30, the locator tool 20 is used to either the right or left hand vehicle door. Adjacent film structure 102 and corresponding release liner 106 may be mounted. It is also conceivable that the locator pins 42a, 42b extend outward only from a single side 30a or 30b of the body 30. In the latter embodiment, the tool 20 may be used only on the right or left hand vehicle door.

  A textured or grooved surface 130 is provided on the body 30 portion 30c of each of the body sides 30a and 30b in the vicinity of the flanges 36a-36f. See FIG. The textured surface 130 is when the adhesive side of the adhesive film segment 100 is in contact with the body 30 so that the adhesive side of the segment can be easily removed from the textured surface 130. It serves to reduce the amount of adhesive force that is generated.

  During the film segment application process, described more clearly below, the film segment 100 separates from the corresponding tab 104 and release liner 106. The tab 104 and the corresponding release liner portion 106a may remain on the locator pins 42a, 42b. A number of tabs 104 and corresponding release liner portions 106a may be laminated to the locator pins 42a, 42b in order to use the locator tool 20 to apply a plurality of film segments 100 to a number of vehicle doors. When the tabs 104 are stacked, removal from the locator pins 42a, 42b becomes more difficult, and the holes 104a, 106a in the tabs 104 and the corresponding release liner portions 106a and the locator pins 42a, 42b are designed to fit completely. Is especially. A stripper mechanism 50 associated with the locator tool 20 provides a simple means of pushing or moving the tab 104 and the corresponding release liner portion 106a away from the locator pins 42a, 42b.

  Stripper mechanism 50 includes first and second guide rods 52a and 52b slidably received in perforations 39c and 39d of locator tool body 30. See FIG. The mechanism 50 further includes first and second stripper plates 54 and 56 (also referred to herein as stripper elements) coupled via guide rods 52a, 52b. Bolts, screws or pins 55 are provided for fixedly coupling the plates 54 and 56 to the guide rods 52a, 52b. After being joined, the plates 54 and 56 are placed on both sides 30a and 30b of the body 30. See FIG.

  First and second openings 54 a and 54 b are respectively provided in the first plate 54, and first and second openings 56 a and 56 b are respectively provided in the second plate 56. The locator pin 42a passes through the first openings 54a and 56a of the plates 54 and 56, and the locator pin 42b passes through the second openings 54b and 56b of the plates 54 and 56. Therefore, the peeling mechanism 50 may be manually moved to the main body 30 and the main body locator pins 42a and 42b.

  First and second plate recesses 132 and 134 are respectively provided to the body 30 and are formed to receive the first and second plates 54 and 56, respectively. See Figures 1 and 2. The first plate 54 is received in the first plate recess 132 when the stripper mechanism 50 is moved to the first position so that the film structure 102 can be positioned proximate the first side 30 a of the body. See FIG. It is noteworthy that the stripper mechanism 50 is floating relative to the body 30 in the illustrated embodiment. Therefore, when the tab 104 is pressed against the locator pins 42a and 42b so as to be close to the first side 30a of the main body, the stripper mechanism 50 is moved to the first position so that the first plate 54 is received by the first plate recess 132. Place automatically. When the stripper mechanism 50 is in the first position, the second plate 56 is spaced from the second side 30 b of the main body 30. The second plate 56 is received in the second plate recess 134 when the stripper mechanism 50 is moved to the second position so that the film structure 102 can be positioned proximate the second side 30b of the body. See FIG. When the stripper mechanism 50 is in the second position, the first plate 54 is spaced from the first side 30 a of the main body 30.

  When one or more tabs 104 located on the locator pins 42a, 42b are removed, the operator manually moves the stripper mechanism 50 in the direction of the tabs 104 to move the tabs 104 away from the pins 42a, 42b. I just need it. For example, a single tab 104 disposed on the locator pins 42a, 42b is shown in perspective in FIG. Tab 104 is also positioned proximate to first side 30a of body and first stripper plate 54. To remove the tab 104, manually move the stripper mechanism 50 in the direction of the tab 104, move the first stripper plate 54 away from the first side 30a of the body, and move the tab 104 from the locator pins 42a, 42b. Remove and press. See FIG.

  A process for applying the adhesive film segment 100 to the outer surface 202 of the vehicle door 200 will be described. First, the locator tool 20 is manually mounted on the outer end 202a of the vehicle door outer surface 202 so that the outer end 202a can be received by the recesses 38a to 38c. See Figures 5 and 6. Next, the adhesive film structure 102 and the corresponding release liner 106 are attached to the locator pins 42a, 42b. See FIG. A portion of the film structure 102 is shown with perspective lines. The second portion 106c of the release liner 106 is separated from the first portion 106a of the release liner via the break line 108b and removed from the film segment 100. The adhesive side of the film segment 100 closest to the vehicle door 200 is manually adhered to the door outer surface 202. An operator may use a squeegee (not shown) including a soft plastic block covered with a padded cloth to reduce scratching of the vehicle door 200 to assist in applying the film segment 100 to the vehicle door outer surface 202. . A hand-held tool (not shown) having one or more rollers for applying the film segment 100 to the vehicle door outer surface 202 may be provided. It is also conceivable for the operator to wear soft gloves when applying the film segment 100 to the vehicle door outer surface 202 with or without a squeegee or tool having one or more rollers. Next, the locator tool 20 is removed from the vehicle door 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the film segment 100 is automatically separated from the tab 104 via the perforation line 108 when the tool 20 is removed from the door 200. Or you may provide the main body 30 with the recessed part (not shown) located in a line with the perforation line 108. FIG. The recess allows the operator to easily apply pressure to the film structure 102 along the perforation line 108, such as by using a pointed tip of a squeegee, to separate the film segment 100 from the tab 104.

  After the tool 20 is removed, the remaining portion of the film segment 100 that is not yet adhered to the door outer surface 202 is replaced with a surface 202 that includes an overlap of the outer end of the film segment 100 around the outer edge of the vehicle door outer surface 202. To complete the grant process. Immediately after applying the corresponding film segment 100 to the vehicle door 200 using the stripper mechanism 50, the tab 104 and the corresponding release liner portion 106a may be removed from the locator pins 42a, 42b. Alternatively, the plurality of tabs 104 and corresponding release liner portions 106 a may be stacked on the locator pins 42 a, 42 b and later removed simultaneously via the stripper mechanism 50.

  A locator tool 400 constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention for use in applying an adhesive film or tape segment 300 to the outer surface of an adherend such as a vehicle door 500 is shown in FIG. The adhesive film segment 300 includes a paint replacement film applied to the outer surface 502 of the vehicle door 500 in the illustrated embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle door 500 includes a sash 504 and a pillar 506. The outer surface 502 is defined by the outer surfaces of the sash 504 and the pillar 506.

  A part of the film segment 300 is shown by a perspective line in FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, the film segment 300 defines a portion of the adhesive film structure 302. The film structure 302 further includes an adhesive film tab 304. A release liner (not shown) removably attached to the adhesive side of the film structure 302 is provided. The film tab 304 has a pair of openings 304a. Similarly, the first portion of the release liner that is removably secured to the tab 304 includes a pair of openings. The opening of the tab and the first portion of the release liner allow the film structure 302 and corresponding release liner to be attached to the tool 400.

  The release liner further includes a second portion that is removably secured to the film segment 300. The film structure 302 is provided with perforation lines 308 so that the film segment 300 can be separated from the tab 304. A break line (not shown) may be provided to the release liner so that the second portion of the release liner can be separated from the first portion of the release liner.

  The film structure 302 may include any of the pressure sensitive adhesive films or tapes used to form the film structure 102 described above.

  In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the locator tool 400 is attached to the inner end 502 a of the vehicle door outer surface 502. Tool 400 includes a body 430 having first and second legs 432 and 434 that are substantially parallel to each other in the illustrated embodiment. The main body 430 may be formed from any of the materials used to form the main body 30 described above.

  The body 430 includes a first set of flanges 436a that define a first recess therebetween, a second set of flanges 436b that define a recess therebetween, and a third set of flanges 436c that define a recess therebetween. And. The flanges 436a to 436c are the same as the opposed flanges 36a to 36f described above. As is apparent from FIG. 8, the locator tool 400 is mounted such that the inner end 502a of the vehicle door outer surface 502 is received in a recess defined by flanges 436a-436c. The first, second, and third pairs of magnets (not shown) are mounted in corresponding openings of the main body 430 so as to be flush with the openings or slightly recessed in the openings. The magnets preferably do not extend into the recesses defined by the flanges 436a-436c so as not to scratch or scratch the vehicle door inner end 502. The magnet serves to removably secure or hold the locator tool 400 to the vehicle door inner surface 502.

  A pair of locator pins 442a and 442b (also referred to herein as locator projections) extend through corresponding perforations in the body 430. Locator pins 442a and 442b are fixed to a fixed position of main body 430 through locking pins (not shown) similar to pins 44a and 44b described above. The locator pins 442a, 442b serve to attach the adhesive film structure 302 and the corresponding release liner. The locator tool 400, which is preferably pre-attached to the inner end 502a of the vehicle door outer surface 502 by attaching the film structure 302 and release liner to the pins 442a, 442b, ensures that the segment 300 of the film structure 302 is accurately Positioned and serves to properly position the film structure 302 relative to the vehicle door 500 for application to the vehicle door 500.

  Although not shown in FIG. 8, the portion 430c of the body 430 near the flanges 436a-436c may be provided with a textured or grooved surface. The textured surface is a bond that occurs when a portion of the adhesive side of the adhesive film segment 300 contacts the body 430 so that the adhesive side of the segment can be easily removed from the textured surface. Serves to reduce the amount of power.

  Although not shown in FIG. 8, a similar peeling or stripping mechanism may be provided to the peeling mechanism 50 described above to assist in removing one or more tabs 304 disposed on the pins 442a and 442b.

  A process for applying the adhesive film segment 300 to the outer surface 502 of the vehicle door 500 will be described. First, the locator tool 400 is manually mounted on the inner end 502a of the vehicle door outer surface 502, and the inner end 502a is received in a recess defined between the flanges 436a-436c. Next, the adhesive film structure 302 and the corresponding release liner are attached to the locator pins 442a, 442b. The second portion of the release liner corresponding to the film segment 300 is removed from the film segment 300. The adhesion side of the film segment 300 closest to the vehicle door 500 is manually adhered to the door 500. The operator may use a squeegee (not shown) to assist the film segment 300 applied to the vehicle door 500. The tool 400 is removed from the door 500. Film segment 300 is separated from tab 304 via perforation line 308 when tool 400 is removed from door 500. The portion of film segment 300 pre-positioned on body portion 430c and other portions not yet secured to door outer surface 502 are manually glued to outer surface 502 to complete the application process. Tab 304 is removed through the peel mechanism if present or manually if such mechanism is not provided and discarded. If there is no peeling mechanism, the tab 304 may be larger than the outer end of the main body 430 so that the operator can easily grasp the tab 304 in order to remove it from the locator pins 442a, 442b.

  While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, it is considered that a film can be applied to an article other than a vehicle sash such as an instrument or a tool using the tool of the present invention.

1 is an exploded view of a locator tool assembly constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a locator tool assembly constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the locator tool assembly of FIG. 2 with the stripper mechanism shown in a retracted position relative to the see-through tab. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the locator tool assembly of FIG. 2 showing the stripper mechanism in an extended position to help move the tabs away from the body of the locator tool and free from the locator pins. . FIG. 3 is a side view of the locator tool assembly of FIG. 2 mounted at a vehicle door corner. FIG. 3 is a side view of a section of a vehicle door section with the tool assembly of FIG. 2 mounted on the outer end of the vehicle door outer surface. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the film structure in front of a segment separated from a tab. FIG. 6 is a side view of a locator tool assembly constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention mounted on an inner end of a vehicle door outer surface.

Claims (23)

A body configured to be attached to an end of a vehicle door outer surface;
A retaining structure associated with the body for removably securing the body to the outer surface end;
At least one locator protrusion associated with the body and configured to attach an adhesive film structure including a film segment that can be adhered to an exterior door surface of a vehicle;
A locator tool positionable at an end of a vehicle door outer surface configured to receive an adhesive film segment comprising:   The locator tool of claim 1, wherein the body includes at least one recess for receiving the outer surface edge.   The locator tool according to claim 2, wherein the body includes at least one flange defining the recess.   The locator tool according to claim 2, wherein the holding structure includes at least one magnetic element.   The locator tool according to claim 4, wherein the magnetic element is mounted so as not to extend into the recess.   The locator tool of claim 1, wherein the at least one locator protrusion includes at least two locator pins configured to receive a removable tab forming portion of the adhesive film structure.   The locator tool according to claim 1, wherein the main body has a configuration that can be attached to an outer end portion of an outer surface of the vehicle door.   The locator tool according to claim 1, wherein the main body has a configuration that can be attached to an inner end portion of an outer surface of the vehicle door.   The body includes a first leg and a second leg, and the first and second legs are less than about 140 degrees so that the body can be attached to a corner of an outer surface of the vehicle door. The locator tool of claim 1, wherein the locator tool defines an angle of   At least a portion of the body has a textured surface to reduce the adhesive force that occurs when a portion of the adhesive film segment on the adhesive side contacts the body; The locator tool according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive side of the segment can be easily removed from the textured surface. A locator tool including at least one locator protrusion that is attachable to a vehicle door and is configured to attach one or more film tabs each forming a removable portion of an adhesive film structure; ,
A stripper mechanism associated with the locator tool used to remove the one or more film tabs from the at least one locator protrusion;
Including locator tool assembly. The locator tool is
A body configured to be mounted on a vehicle door and coupled with the at least one locator protrusion;
A retaining structure associated with the body for removably securing the body to the door;
The locator tool assembly of claim 11, further comprising:   The locator tool assembly of claim 12, wherein the body includes at least one recess for receiving an end of a vehicle door.   The locator tool assembly of claim 12, wherein the retaining structure includes at least one magnetic element. The stripper mechanism is
At least one guide rod;
At least one stripper element coupled to the guide rod;
12. The stripper element and the guide rod can be moved relative to the at least one locator protrusion to remove the one or more tabs from the at least one locator protrusion. The locator tool assembly described.   The at least one guide rod extends through a bore in the body of the locator tool, and the at least one stripper element is coupled to the at least one guide rod on both sides of the body. The locator tool assembly of claim 15, comprising a stripper plate.   The at least one locator protrusion has at least two locator pins extending through a bore in the body such that the one or more film tabs are attached to one of the first and second sides of the body. The locator tool assembly of claim 16, comprising:   The locator tool assembly of claim 11 in combination with one or more adhesive film structures.   The locator tool assembly of claim 18, wherein each of the one or more adhesive film structures includes an adhesive paint replacement film structure. A method of applying a film segment with an adhesive to an outer surface of a vehicle door,
Providing a locator tool assembly that includes a locator tool that is attachable to a vehicle door and includes at least one locator protrusion, the locator tool assembly further including a stripper mechanism associated with the locator tool;
Attaching the locator tool to a vehicle door;
Attaching a film structure with an adhesive having a segment to the at least one locator protrusion via a tab forming portion of the film structure with an adhesive;
Fixing the adhesive film segment to the vehicle door outer surface;
Removing the tab of the adhesive film structure from the at least one locator protrusion via the stripper mechanism;
Including methods.   The locator tool includes a body including at least one recess, and the mounting step includes positioning the body such that an end of an outer surface of the vehicle is received in the at least one recess. 20. The method according to 20.   The stripper mechanism includes at least one guide rod and at least one stripper element coupled to the guide rod, and the removing includes removing the stripper element and the guide rod from the tab. 21. The method of claim 20, comprising moving relative to the at least one locator protrusion for removal from a locator protrusion.   21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of bonding the tabs and segments of the adhesive film structure prior to the securing step and separating the segments from the tabs.

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