Apparatus for applying tape
o Umted States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,880,701  
 Moree 1 1 Apr. 29, 1975 1 1 APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TAPE 3.112.225 11/1963 Harms 156/575 3.116.195 12/1963 Lalhrnp el al 156/575 [75] Inventor: Bully N. Moree, Edgcwuter. C010. 3374A 3H968 Priming 4 H 56/577 [73} Assignee: Colwest Corporation. Wheat Ridge. 3&#39;404&#39;060 10/1968 Taylor- 156/579 C010 3.463.694 8/1969 Dc Roshlu 156/577 3.496.909 2/1970 BcnnctLJr. 156/577 [22] Filed: Aug. 29, 1972 3.582.433 6/1971 Rothcnbcrgcr 156/505 X 3.707.427 12/1972 Erickson 156/579 1211 Appl. N6; 284,588  
  Primar E.raminerChar1es E. Van Horn US. Cl. 156/5 /5 5; Axsislum E \&#39;aminerM. G. Wityshyn 156/579 Attorney. Agent. ur Firm-Richard D. Law [51] Int. Cl. B44c 7/02 [58] Field of Search 156/524. 577, 545. 509.  
 156/505. 5116. 526. 575. 579-. 221/70 1 1 ABSTRACT An elongated frame includes a tape r011 mounting [561 References (I&#39;m! means. a mastic mud reservoir through which the tape UNITED STATES PATENTS passes, wiper means. and application r0l1ers for press- 225.860 3/1880 P1111150 156/524 ing the p P Tape holding mechanism and 2.328.571 9/1943 Mcycr 156/526 tape cutting means are individually actuated by a slide 2.405.742 8/1946 Fulfcr.... 156/577 actuator.  
 2.815.142 12/1953 Amcs 156/526 111511.955 11/1958 Harrell 156/575 3 Claims. 8 Drawing igur s APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TAPE This invention relates to improvements in taping machines for wallboard, gypsum board, sheet rock, dry wall, or the like, and is arranged to supply adhesive coated tape over the joints of the wallboard or the like.  
  The joints between abutting panels of various types of wall covering sheet material is conventionally covered with a paper tape. Such tape is coated with an adhesive, usually a plaster or spackling material and either of these serves as an adhesive for securing the tape to the joints. Additional adhesive material may subsequently be added to provide sufficient material to present a smooth surface over the joint.  
  Apparatus for applying tape to wall boards on a production basis are well known in the art. However, the known taping machines are rather elaborate affairs, being very expensive to manufacture and mostly are rented to the user, rather than a direct sale. One available mechanical taping machine includes a tape holder which applies the tape to the wall and a separate reservoir and pump which pumps mud through a hose to the applicator. Such an apparatus, and other commercially available units, is useful for large contractors, but is not economically feasible for smaller contractors where taping constitutes a rather small portion of their total business. Other disadvantages of current taping machines include cleaning problems, which prevent a thorough daily cleaning of the unit, difficult feeding of adhesive mud to the mud reservoir, excessive weight of the unit, etc.  
  It is, therefore, among the objects and advantages of the present invention to provide a taping machine for paper tape which is simple to use and is sufficiently light weight for continuous use during a full work day.  
  Another object of the present invention is to provide a taping machine of simple design which is easily cleaned of mud. adhesive or the like.  
  Another object of the invention is to provide a reser voir for adhesive which is arranged to maintain adhesive in contact with tape passing through the reservoir.  
  Yet another object of the invention is to provide a taping machine having an accurate control on the quantity of adhesive applied to the tape.  
  A still further object of the invention is to provide a taping machine having a single lever control for a cutting mechanism and a tape holding mechanism.  
  An additional object of the invention is to provide a taping machine which is easily handled by a single workman and is easily manipulated throughout a taping operation.  
  These and other objects and advantages of the invention may be readily ascertained by referring to the fol lowing description and appended illustrations in which:  
  FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the right side of a tape machine according to the invention;  
  FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the left side of the taping machine according to the invention;  
  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a taping machine ac cording to the invention with reservoir open for filling with an adhesive;  
  FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail, cross-sectional view of an adhesive gate valve of the taping machine according to the invention;  
  FIG. Sis an enlarged detail view. partly broken away. of a tape holding mechanism;  
  FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail view, partly broken away, of a tape cutting mechanism according to the invention;  
  FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of tape applying wheels of the tape machine of the invention; and  
  FIG. 8 is a front elevational detail of the loading mechanism and reversed holding mechanism of the cam according to the invention.  
  In the form of a tape applying apparatus selected for illustration, a taping unit, shown in general by numeral 10, includes an elongated body 12 terminating in a bifurcated end 14 at one end and a manipulating handle mechanism 16 at the opposite end. Included on the frame 12 is a mud reservoir 18 having an arcuate wall 20 and a cover 22. The mud reservoir is mounted intermediate the ends of the device, providing a slit entrance for tape and a slit exit for tape. Adjacent to the mud reservoir is a bifurcated section 24 having a shaft 26 extending through both sides of the bifurcated section holding a roll of paper tape 30. The free end ofthe tape 30 passes into the reservoir 18, normally conforming along the arcuate wall 20. and out through bifurcated end I4 for application to the wall, as explained below. The hinged cover 22 is provided with a latch mechanism closing the reservoir. and a luggage type lock 32a and 32b is satisfactory. Various latch mechanisms may be used.  
  A gate valve mechanism is arranged in the reservoir at the outlet end for the tape passing through the reservoir, and it includes gate valve 36 (FIGS. 3 and 4) secured by fastening means 37 to the upper wall 19 of the reservoir 18 and extending over the outlet to the reservoir. A bolt or screw 40 having a knurled head 41 for mainpulation is threaded through wall 19 having a threaded reinforcing member 42 thereon. The bolt variably bears against the gate valve 36. This provides an adjustment of the distance between the gate valve 36 and the wall 20 as the tape 30 passes through the reservoir 18 and over the outlet past the gate valve. Therefore, the quantity of adhesive on the tape may be controlled.  
  The tape leaving the reservoir passes under a tape locking mechanism, shown in general by numeral 45, FIG. 5, between a reverse locking set shown in general by numeral 46 and over applicator rolls 47 and 48. The locking mechanism includes a shaft 50 having an attached eccentric 51 arranged to press the tape 30 against the wall 20 when the shaft 50 is rotated in a counterclockwise rotation. An arm 52 is secured to the shaft 50, and the arm 52 is pinned by a pin 53 into a slot 54 in a push-pull rod 55. The rod 55 is pivotally mounted on a slide bar 57 (FIG. 1) which is arranged to slide on track 58. A tape locking cam 51 mounted on shaft 50 is arranged to lock the tape between it and wall 20 before movement of the cutting knife in cutting the tape.  
  When the slide 57 is moved to a full forward position the arm or crank 52 is pushed forwardly in a clockwise rotation around the shaft 50 raising the cam 51 from the wall 20 and releasing the tape 30 for freely passing therebetween. When the arm is moved backwardly to release the pressure from the back of the slot on the pin, the spring rotates the shaft counterclockwise so that the eccentric SI bears against the wall 20 and the tape therebetween. The elongated slot gives a lost motion to the connecting arm 55 and permits it to release only when the slide 57 is moved to the full forward position. ln intermediate positions the tape is locked between the eccentric SI and the wall 20.  
  To prevent the tape from backing up into the unit, a Ol&#39;lC\-tl gate is provided, as shown in FIGS. and 8. A shaft mounted between the two walls of the bifurcated end is arranged with a free running roller 61 having three discs 62. 63 and 64, thereon. The roller 60 is arranged for free rotation in a counterclockwise direction. A second shaft 65 (mounted below shaft 60) is provided with a pair of spaced apart eccentrics 66 and 67 which are secured to and rotate with the shaft 65. The edge 66a of eccentric 66 is smooth and the edge 67a of the eccentric 67 is likewise smooth. The shaft 65 is spring loaded by means of a helical spring, not shown, biasing it in a counterclockwise direction, so that the tape 30 between the roller discs and the eccentrics may freely pass outwardly. On reverse movement of the tape 30, the eccentrics press against the discs locking the tape from a reverse motion. This arrangement provides means for preventing reverse rolling of the tape roll 30.  
  The tape cutter, FIG. 6, includes a sliding knife 70 mounted in a slide guide 71 which is mounted between walls of the bifurcated end 14. The knife is arranged to move from a retracted position, shown in full lines 70, to an extended position, shown in dash lines. Movement of the knife is achieved by means of an arm 72 mounted in a slot 73 in the knife. The arm 72 is affixed to a shaft 74 and pivots therewith. The shaft has a lever arm 75 attached thereto so that movement of the arm 75 rotates the shaft 74 moving the arm 72 upwardly and downwardly and extending or retracting the knife blade 70. The arm 75 is pinned by means of a pin 76 into a slot 77 in push-pull arm 78 which is attached to the slide 57. The slot provides a lost motion for the arm 78 whereby the slide may be moved forward, to release the lock ofthe cam 51 on the paper as explained above without pressing the arm 72 against the bottom of the slot 73 of the knife.  
  At the outer end of the end 14 is mounted a shaft 80 between the two walls. Attached to the shaft at one end, on the outside of the wall, is an arm 81 arranged for rotational movement therewith. Mounted on the shaft 80 are the two freely rotating wheels 47 and 48 each having hubs 47a and 48a for spacers and a serrated edge. The wheels are arranged to press the adhesive coated tape onto wall board. Secured to the shaft for rotation therewith between the two wheels, is a hub 84 from which extends an arm 85. A bifurcated end 86 in arm supports a rotatable wheel 87. The wheel 87, mounted on shaft 870 between the ends of bifurcated end 86, is arranged to be moved into forward position to crease the tape coming over wheel 47 48, permit ting it to be moved into a corner which is being taped. Pivotally attached to the bell crank or arm 81 is pushpull rod 89 which is attached at its opposite end to a bell crank 90 secured to a shaft 91 (FIG. 2) mounted for rotation below the handle 16. Secured to the shaft 91 and arranged for rotation therewith is a manipulat ing handle 92. The lever system is arranged so that when the handle 92 is pivoted away from the handle 16 the creasing roller 97 is moved into a retract position. When the handle 92 is pulled into general contact with the handle 16, shown in FIG. I, the roller 87 is extended. This permits the worker to use one hand to op erate the creaser roller when desired. The roller is moved to extended position as shown in FIG. 1. In this extended position the creaser creases the paper tape as it is moved onto the wall from the unit. A stationary knife 90 mounted above the wheels 47 48 between the walls of end 14 provides means for cutting tape apart from the blade 70.  
  For use of the unit, a roll of tape 30 is placed on the shaft 26 and the end of the tape is passed through the opening into the reservoir 18 and out between gate valve 36 and wall 20. The slide 57 is pushed fully for ward so that tape may move freely between locks 45 and 46. The tape is pulled through the one way gate 46 and passed over the rollers 47. The tape is moved to generally conform to the wall 20 and the reservoir 18 is filled with the adhesive. The cover for the reservoir is closed and locked and the machine is then ready for use. A sufficient amount of tape is pulled out through the unit so that tape coated with adhesive appears on the rollers. Note that the inside of the tape is coated with the adhesive and as it extends out over the rollers that is the side of the tape which contacts the wall. Thus the adhesive is on the tape side contacting the wall. The gate valve is adjusted for desired thickness of adhesive by rotating the thumb screw 41. The unit is then ready for use. Tape with adhesive on the exposed surface is passed over the rollers 47 and 48 and placed on the wall at the bottom ofa joint. The slide 57 is pushed full forward to release the lock on the tape, so that the tap ing may proceed. The unit is then moved upwardly while the wheels are in contact with the wall. The unit is moved up the wall along the joint to the ceiling. At the wall-ceiling intersection, the slide 57 is pulled to the full reverse position, which locks the paper tape and extends the knife forwardly cutting the tape at the joint. The slide is moved full forward. Additional tape is then pulled out around the wheels 47 and 48 and the taping of a ceiling proceeds by forcing the tape against the ceiling with the wheels 47 4 48. The machine is moved across the joint on the ceiling to the other intersection of the ceiling with the wall. At this point the slide is again pulled to full reverse, cutting the tape. After which, the slide is moved to full forward position again releasing the tape for continued taping.  
  The action of the unit maintains a constant pressure of the tape against the supply of adhesive in the reservoir. This is completely across the width of the tape and for the length of the reservoir. This insures that the width of the tape is completely covered with the adhesive. As the quantity of adhesive reduces in the reservoir, the tape moves with it away from the wall 20 so as to maintain full contact between the adhesive and the tape for sufficiently coating the tape. This insures that it will adhere to the wall. As the quantity of adhesive reduces, the tape approaches the top wall 19 of the reservoir.  
  When an inside corner to be taped is encountered, the operator merely pulls a handle 92 against the main handle 16 extending the creasing roller 87. Tape is then passed over the rollers 47 and 48 which are moved into contact with the walls straddling the corner. ln this position, the creasing roller 87 is in the corner and it creases the tape as it is applied to the wall. The creasing roller stretches the tape between the two rollers, and all three rollers jointly lay the tape on the wall tightly and neatly creased. When the intersection of ceiling and wall is met, the slide is pulled back moving the cutter into cutting position and cutting off the tape at the Corner, as explained above.  
  By making the unit about 34 inches long, the average height worker is able to tape the walls and the ceiling without additional help from elevating devices such as saw horses, stilts or the like. and he may produce a good taping job with a minimum of work in the taping process. By adjusting the gate valve the correct amount of adhesive may be applied to the tape so that the tape will provide a smooth joint when applied to the wall. Further, no extraneous adhesive leaves the reservoir so that there is no dripping of adhesive on the floors of the building, and the clean-up after taping is minimal. As no extraneous adhesive leaves the unit during the taping, there is essentially no clean-up of the tape after it is applied to the wall. Additional adhesive may be applied to the tape after the cement in the adhesive has dried. by the usual adhesive trowel.  
 1 claim:  
  I. A taping device for spreading an adhesive on one side of a continuous strip of tape and applying the tape to wall board or the like. the taping device comprising:  
 elongated frame means including an enclosed elon gated reservoir for adhesive having a tape inlet and a tape outlet arranged at opposite ends of said resorvoir; said reservoir having one straight wall and an opposed arcuate wall against which tape is placed prior to filling said reservoir with adhesive, said arcuate wall being arranged to extend continuously between said inlet and said outlet so as to concentrate the adhesive placed in the reservoir and said tape is in continuous contact with the adhesive in the reservoir, whereby the tape passing through the reservoir is completely coated by the adhesive;  
 support means for a roll tape mounted on said frame means adjacent to and in alignment with said reservoir whereby tape leaving said roll passes directly into said reservoir;  
 manipulating handle means extending outwardly from said support means;  
 adjustable gate valve means mounted at said tape outlet arranged to press against said arcuate wall with the tape passing therethrough having its un coated side against said arcuate wall and to control the amount of adhesive on the opposite side of the tape; one way release means adjacent the outlet of said reservoir for passing tape outwardly from said gate valve means to prevent inward movement thereof;  
 selectively operable lock means for temporarily locking said tape from travel from said gate valve means;  
 cut-off knife means movable to tape cutting position;  
 operating means adjacent said reservoir interconnecting said releasable lock means and said cut off knife and arranged to initially actuate said selectively operable lock means and thereafter actuate said cut-off knife means; and  
 a pair of independent, freely rotatable tape applicator wheels mounted on the end of said frame means spaced from and independent of said cut-off knife means positioned to pass the adhesive coated side of tape to a wall and press the coated tape against the wall.  
  2. A taping device according to claim 1 wherein said one way release means includes a cam and a roller having the tape pass therebetween and having said cam biased toward said roller providing one-way movement of the tape.  
  3. A taping machine according to claim I wherein said selectively operable lock means and said cut-off knife means are actuated by push-pull rods with lost motion connections therebetween, said rods being connected to a common slide said lost motion connections being operable through different ranges of movement of said slide whereby said lock means may be actuated prior to actuating said cut-off knife means.