US3125264A - Body engageable member for tape dispenser and cutter therefor - Google Patents

Description

March 17, 1964 E. ENGLISH, JR 3,125,264

BODY ENGAGEABLE MEMBER FOR TAPE DISPENSER AND CUTTER THEREFOR Filed Nov. 7, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ali-i INV EN TOR.

EDGAR ENGLlSH, JR.

March 17, 1964 E. ENGLISH, JR

BODY ENGAGEABLE MEMBER FOR TAPE DISPENSER AND CUTTER THEREFOR Filed Nov. 7/1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV MOR. EDGAR ENGLISH, JR.

United States Patent 3,125,264 BODY ENGAGEABLE MEMBER FGR TAPE DISPENSER AND {IUTTER TEEREFGR Edgar English, Jan, Edwards, Caiif. Filed Nov. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 158,925 7 Qlaims. (Cl. 22578) The present invention consists of a combination onehand-operable dispenser and cutting device for tape which is normally in spirally rolled form mounted on a centrally apertured core, said dispenser and cutting device being adapted to be removably but firmly mounted on a body-encircling belt for one-handed operation by a wearer of the belt and being adapted to be dismounted from the body-encircling belt for use as a two-hand-operable dispenser and cutting device for tape, when desired.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape dispenser and cutting device of the type generally described above, including a bifurcated holder means havingfirst and second spaced side members effectively provided with spindle means adapted to removably receive and rotatably support the centrally apertured core of a quantity of tape in spirally rolled form, with said holder means being provided with severing blade means positioned exteriorly peripherally adjacent to an outer layer of the spirally wound tape for exterior severing engagement therewith as a selected length of the free end of said tape is pulled outwardly away from the remainder of the spirally wound roll of tape against said severing blade means, and with said holder means being provided with fastening means adapted to rigidly fasten it to a body-encircling belt, or the like, adapted to be worn by a user of the combination tape dispenser and cutting device in a position for one-hand tape dispensing and cutting operation thereof.

It is a further object to provide a tape dispenser and cutting device of the type referred to above, wherein the fastening means for rigidly fastening the holder means to the body-encircling belt, or the like, includes mounting means projecting transversely from the holder means and a first engaging element removably cooperable with a sec ond. engaging-element rigidly fastened to the body-encircling belt, or the like, and lockable and unlockable with respect to said second engaging element. It is a further objectto provide a dispenser and cutting device of the type set forth above, wherein the holder means is selectively extendable and retractable and is lockable in any extended or retracted position whereby to receive and effectively rollablymount different-sized spirally wound rolls of tape within the range of extension and retraction of the holder means. i

It is a further object toprovide a tape dispenser and cutting device ofthe character set forth in any of the pre-' ceding objects, which is adapted for easy one-handed operation when mounted with respect to a body-encircling belt, or the like, and adapted for easy two-handed operation when removed therefrom and which is of extremely simple, cheap foolproof construction such as to facilitate widespread use thereof.

Further objects will be apparentto persons skilled in the art after a careful study hereof.

For the purpose of clarifying the nature of the present invention, one exemplary embodiment is illustrated in the hereinbelow-described figures of the accompanying-two sheets .of drawings, and is described in detail hereinafter.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary form of the presentinvention when disengaged from a body-encircling belt, or the like,.and shows the apparatus in a form adapted for two-handed operation.

I FIG. 2 isa fragmentary sectional view taken in the direction ofthe arrows 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device.

3,125,264 Patented Mar. 1'7, 1964 FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the severing or shearing blade and is taken in the direction of the arrows 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the invention illustrating the adjustable holder means adapted to hold various different size spirally wound rolls of tape. The holder means is shown in one extended position in solid lines adapted to carry a roll of tape shown in solid lines and is shown in a further extended position in broken lines adapted to support a larger diameter roll of tape, also shown in broken lines.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one element of fastening or mounting means adapted to removably fasten the device to a body-encircling belt, or the like, in a rigid manner for one-hand operation.

FIG. 7 is a smaller-scale view of the engaging element of the fastening means shown in FIG. 6, but shows the rigid mounting thereof on a fragment of a body-encircling belt adapted to be worn around a human torso and also shows the engaging element with its locking means in unlocked open position adapted for the reception of the other engaging element of the fastening or mounting means shown at the left end of the removable portion of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 and shown at the right end thereof in FIG. 8 in engaged position within the engaging element illustrated individually in FIGS. 6 and 7.

- FIG. 8 shows the removable portion of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 after rigid locked engagement thereof with respect to the engaging element shown individually in FIGS. 6 and 7, whereby to rigidly lock the tape dispenser and cutter on the body-encircling belt for onehanded operation.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of the first or male engaging element of the fastening or mounting means taken in the direction of the arrows lil-li) of FIG. 5.

The specific embodiment of the invention illustrated includes a bifucated substantially U-shaped holder means, one form of which is indicated generally at 20, including a first side member 21 and a second side member 22 substantially parallel to and laterally spaced from the first side member 21, and an interconnecting member 23, with said first and second side members indicated generally at 21 and 22 being provided with corresponding extension portions 24 and 25, respectively, slidably or telescopicaliy engaged with respect to the corresponding first and second side members 21 and 22 for selectable extension and retraction with respect thereto tovary the effective radial distance between the interconnecting member 23 and the spindle means indicated generally at 26 and comprising the two inwardly directed studs 27 and 23 carried ininwardly directed opposed positions by the corresponding extension portions 24 and 25, respectively, to make it possible to effectively mount on the spindle means, comprising the studs 27 and 28, the central aperture 29 in the core 3%) of a spirally wound or rolled tape, such as indicated generally at 31, which may be of various effective outside diameters. In the specific example illustrated, the slidable or telescopic engagement-of the extension portions 24 and 25 with respect to the side members 21 and 22 is accomplished by means of longitudinal slots 32 and 33 carried respectively by the extension members 24 and 25 and slidably cooperable with outwardly transversely directed retaining pin means 34 and respectively. It should be noted that the retaining 35 actually comprises a rivet having outer and inner heads 36 and 37 while the retaining pin 34 comprises a screw having an inner head 38 and having a threaded outer portion 39 threadedly engaged by a manually threadedly advanceable and retractable locking wing nut 40, whereby the wing nut 45 may be loosened to allow the twin extension portions 24 and 25 to be extended or retracted to any desired position with respect to the side members 21 and 22 and also to allow the spindle means 26 comprising the opposed studs 27 and 28 to be engaged within the aperture 29 and the core 30, after which the wing nut 40 may be tightened into firm frictional engagement against the outer surface of the extension portion 24, which will lock the holder means in the desired position supporting the roll of tape 31.

In the specific example illustrated, the forward end of the interconnecting member 23 is provided with severing blade means, indicated generally at 41, and comprising a serrated multi-toothed severing blade 42 fastened by suitable fastening clamp means 43 to the forward end 44 of the front extension of the interconnecting member 23, with the serrated multi-toothed severing blade 42 being positioned exteriorly peripherally adjacent to an outer layer of the spirally wound tape indicated generally at 31 whereby a free end portion 45 thereof may be pulled outwardly away from the roll of tape 31 against the severing blade 42 whereby to effectively cut off any desired length of said free end of the tape 45 after it has initially been extended to any desired distance.

In the specific example illustrated, the holder means, indicated generally at 20, is provided with fastening or mounting means comprising a rear extension 46 having a first engaging element indicated generally at 47. Said fastening or mounting means also includes a second engaging or fastening element indicated generally at 48 (best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7) adapted to be rigidly fastened by suitable fastening rivets or the like 49 to a body-encircling belt, a fragment of which is shown at 50 in FIGS. 7 and 8. It should be noted that the second engaging element, indicated generally at 48, includes a member 51 defining a receiving chamber in dicated generally at 52 having a front opening 53 adapted to be closed by a closure member 54, which is slidably and pivotally mounted by rivet means 55 and which has a locking slot 56 at its lower end lockably engageable with a projecting lower rivet 57 whereby said closure member 54 may be moved from the unlocked open position shown in FIG. 7 into the locked closed position shown in FIG. 6 after the tapered front edge 58 of the first engaging element 47 has been slidably entered through the opening 53 into the interior chamber 52 within the second engaging element, indicated generally at 48, whereby to solidly and rigidly lock the tapered first engaging element 47 within the second engaging element 48, thus rigidly and firmly locking the entire holder means and the roll of tape 31 carried thereby to the body-encircling belt 50, as is clearly shown in FIG. 8 and in a manner such that the free end 45 of the roll of tape 31 can be grasped with one hand by a wearer of the belt 50 and can be extended to any desired length and then pulled upwardly against the severing blade 42 and easily severed-this entire operation being done with one hand only, thus leaving the other hand free for various other purposes. This is particularly important for electricians, telephone line repairmen, and the like, since the other hand will normally be required for tool holding or support purposes.

It should be clearly noted that the fastening means, comprising the first and second engaging elements indicated generally at 47 and 48, are exemplary only and may be modified substantially within the spirit and scope of the present invention. This is also true of certain other specific structural details. Furthermore, it should be noted that, while the preferred form of the present invention is of molded plastic construction exclusive of the retaining pins 34 and 35, the fastening nut 40, the severing blade means 41, and the second engaging ele- 4 ment 48, the invention is not so limited but may be made of various materials suitable for the functional purposes of the various parts of the invention.

It should be understood that the figures and the specific description thereof set forth in this application are for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention to the precise and detailed specific structure shown in the figures and specifically described hereinbefore. Rather, the real invention is intended to include substantially equivalent constructions embodying the basic teachings and inventive concept of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A combination dispenser and cutting device for tape in spirally rolled form adapted to be removably and firmly mounted on a body-engageable member for onehanded operation by a wearer thereof, comprising: a bifurcated substantially U-shaped holder means including a first side member, a second side member substantially parallel to and laterally spaced from said first side member and an interconnecting means connecting the adjacent upper ends of said first and second side members, said holder means having laterally spaced lower ends at least one of which is provided with spindle means adapted to receive and rotatively carry therearound a centrally apertured core of a spirally wound roll of tape, said interconnecting means being provided with severing blade means positioned exteriorly peripherally adjacent to an outer layer of the spirally wound tape carried by the centrally apertured core for exterior severing engagement therewith as a selected length of said tape is pulled outwardly away from the remainder of the spirally wound roll of tape against said severing blade means; said holder means being provided with mounting and fastening means for rigidly fastening it to a body-engageable member adapted to be worn by a user of the combination tape dispenser and cutting device in a position for one-handed tape dispensing and cutting operation thereof; said holder means being extendable and retractable whereby to receive between said laterally spaced side members said spirally wound roll of tape which may be of various desired size within the range of extension and retraction of said holder means.

2. A device of the character defined in claim 1, including operable locking means for locking the holder means in any selected extended or retracted position.

3'. A device of the character defined in claim 1, including operable threaded locking means for locking at least one of the side members of the holder means in any selected extended or retracted position.

4. A combination dispenser and cutting device for tape in spirally rolled form adapted to be removably firmly mounted, on a body-encircling belt for one-handed operation by a wearer of the belt, comprising: a bifurcated substantially U-shaped holder means including a first side member, a second side member substantially parallel to and laterally spaced from said first side member and an interconnecting member connecting adjacent the upper ends of said first and second side members, said holder means having laterally spaced lower ends each of which is provided with a transversely oppositely directed opposed spindle means adapted to receive and rotatively carry therearound a centrally apertured core of a spirally wound roll of tape whereby to rotatively mount said roll of tape for rotation around said spindle means, each of said laterally spaced side members of said holder means including extension portions effectively extendably engaged and slidably retained for limited longitudinal extension and retraction with respect thereto whereby to receive between said laterally spaced side members a spirally wound roll of tape of any desired size within the range of extension and retraction of said holder means; said interconnecting member being provided with an armately spaced serrated multi-toothe'd severing blade means positioned exteriorly peripherally adjacent to an outer layer of the spirally wound tape carried by the centrally r J apertured core for exterior severing engagement therewith as a selected length of said tape is pulled outwardly away from the remainder of the spirally wound roll of tape against said severing blade means; said holder means being provided with mounting and fastening means for removably and securely fastening it to a body-encircling belt adapted to be worn by a user of the combination tape dispenser and cutting device in a position for onehanded tape dispensing and cutting operation thereof.

5. A device of the character defined in claim 4, wherein said extension portions and the slidably engaged adjacent cooperating portions of said laterally spaced side members include parts defining at least one pair of longitudinal slots having at least one longitudinal slot on each side of the holder means, with the portion slidably engaged therewith being provided with a corresponding retaining pin slidable in said longitudinal slot whereby to provide for limited longitudinal slidable extension and retraction of said extension portions of said holder means.

6. A device of the character defined in claim 4, including operable locking means for locking the holder means in any selected extended or retracted position.

7. A device of the character defined in claim 4, including operable threaded locking means for locking at least one of the side members of the holder means in any selected extended or retracted position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,469,247 Smith May 3, 1949 2,470,250 Kienle May 17, 1949 2,777,594 Krueger Jan. 15, 1957 2,963,208 Yates et al. Dec. 6, 1960 2,978,155 Knutson Apr. 4, 1961

Claims (1)

1. A COMBINATION DISPENSER AND CUTTING DEVICE FOR TAPE IN SPIRALLY ROLLED FORM ADAPTED TO BE REMOVABLY AND FIRMLY MOUNTED ON A BODY-ENGAGEABLE MEMBER FOR ONEHANDED OPERATION BY A WEARER THEREOF, COMPRISING: A BIFURCATED SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED HOLDER MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST SIDE MEMBER, A SECOND SIDE MEMBER SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO AND LATERALLY SPACED FROM SAID FIRST SIDE MEMBER AND AN INTERCONNECTING MEANS CONNECTING THE ADJACENT UPPER ENDS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND SIDE MEMBERS, SAID HOLDER MEANS HAVING LATERALLY SPACED LOWER ENDS AT LEAST ONE OF WHICH IS PROVIDED WITH SPINDLE MEANS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND ROTATIVELY CARRY THEREAROUND A CENTRALLY APERTURED CORE OF A SPIRALLY WOUND ROLL OF TAPE, SAID INTERCONNECTING MEANS BEING PROVIDED WITH SEVERING BLADE MEANS POSITIONED EXTERIORLY PERIPHERALLY ADJACENT TO AN OUTER LAYER OF THE SPIRALLY WOUND TAPE CARRIED BY THE CENTRALLY APERTURED CORE FOR EXTERIOR SEVERING ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH AS A SELECTED LENGTH OF SAID TAPE IS PULLED OUTWARDLY AWAY FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE SPIRALLY WOUND ROLL OF TAPE AGAINST SAID SEVERING BLADE MEANS; SAID HOLDER MEANS BEING PROVIDED WITH MOUNTING AND FASTENING MEANS FOR RIGIDLY FASTENING IT TO A BODY-ENGAGEABLE MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE WORN BY A USER OF THE COMBINATION TAPE DISPENSER AND CUTTING DEVICE IN A POSITION FOR ONE-HANDED TAPE DISPENSING AND CUTTING OPERATION THEREOF; SAID HOLDER MEANS BEING EXTENDABLE AND RETRACTABLE WHEREBY TO RECEIVE BETWEEN SAID LATERALLY SPACED SIDE MEMBERS SAID SPIRALLY WOULD ROLL OF TAPE WHICH MAY BE OF VARIOUS DESIRED SIZE WITHIN THE RANGE OF EXTENSION AND RETRACTION OF SAID HOLDER MEANS.

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