Drywall tape dispenser

Claim 2

In a tape applicator device wherein an open frame is provided with spaced apart sidewalls, a tape supply roll journaled between said sidewalls and a first pressure roller is journaled between said sidewalls adjacent to one edge of said open frame, the improvement comprising: guide roll means journaled in said open frame between said tape supply roll and pressure roll for guiding tape from said supply roll across a surface of said pressure roll externally of said open frame; tape cutter means pivotally mounted on said open frame including a hand operable lever projecting externally of said open frame and a cutter blade pivotal in response to actuation of said lever into the path of travel of said tape whereby said tape cutter means is operative to sever said tape at a predetermined location; and a second pressure roller including means pivotally mounting said second pressure roller on said guide roll means for pivotal movement between a position away from the path of travel of said tape and a working position in the path of travel of said tape downstream of and in alignment with said first pressure roller.

Claim 3

In a tape applicator device according to claim 1, one of said sidewalls including a hand strap adjustably secured to one of said sidewalls.

Claim 4

In a tape applicator device according to claim 1, each of said sidewalls including means for externally connecting a hand strap thereto.

Claim 5

In a tape applicator device according to claim 1, said open frame including a relatively wide forwardly divergent frame portion within which said tape supply roll is mounted and a forwardly convergent extension of reduced width in relation to said frame portion within which said guide roll means and said first pressure roll are mounted.

Claim 6

In a tape applicator device according to claim 4, said guide roll means defined by a pair of pinch rollers journaled in spaced parallel relation to one another including means yieldingly urging one pinch roller into surface engagement with the other of said pinch rollers whereby to guide the advancement of said tape from said tape supply roll between said pinch rollers across the surface of said first pressure roll.

Claim 7

In a tape applicator device according to claim 5, said tape cutter means being pivotally mounted on a shaft for one of said pinch rollers such that said lever projects downwardly from said forward extension.

Claim 8

In a tape applicator device according to claim 6, said second pressure roller pivotally mounted on a shaft for said other of said pinch rollers for movement into a working position above said first pressure roller, and limit stop means releasably positioned in at least one of said sidewalls to support said second pressure roller in said working position.

Claim 9

A portable drywall tape dispenser comprising in combination: an open frame having a pair of spaced sidewalls including a forwardly convergent extension at one end; a tape supply roll journaled between said sidewalls; a first pressure roller journaled in said forward extension; guide roll means journaled within said open frame for guiding tape from said tape supply roll across said pressure roller externally of said forward extension; tape cutter means mounted on said open frame including a hand operable lever projecting externally of said open frame and a cutter blade pivotal in response to actuation of said lever into the path of travel of said tape whereby said tape cutter means is operative to sever said tape at a predetermined location; a second pressure roller having a convex tape-engaging surface, said second pressure roller including means pivotally mounting said second pressure roller for movement into engagement with said tape downstream of and in alignment with said first pressure roller; and a hand strap, each of said spaced sidewalls provided with securing means for interchangeable, adjustable connection of said hand strap externally of each said respective sidewall whereby to permit insertion of one hand within said strap by an operator so that the fingers of one hand are in a position to actuate said hand operable lever on said tape cutter means.

Claim 10

A portable drywall tape dispenser comprising in combination: an open frame having a pair of spaced sidewalls including a forwardly convergent extension at one end; a tape supply roll journaled between said sidewalls; a first pressure roller journaled in said forward extension; guide roll means journaled within said open frame for guiding tape from said tape supply roll across said pressure roller externally of said forward extension; tape cutter means mounted on said open frame including a hand operable lever projecting externally of said open frame and a cutter blade pivotal in response to actuation of said lever into the path of travel of said tape whereby said tape cutter means is operative to sever said tape at a predetermined location; a second pressure roller having a convex tape-engaging surface, said second pressure roller including means pivotally mounting said second pressure roller for movement into engagement with said tape downstream of and in alignment with said first pressure roller; and a hand strap, each of said spaced sidewalls provided with securing means for interchangeable, adjustable connection of said hand strap externally of each said respective sidewall whereby to permit insertion of one hand within said strap by an operator so that the fingers of one hand are in a position to actuate said hand operable lever on said tape cutter means.

Claim 11

A portable drywall tape dispenser according to claim 8, said second pressure roller having V-shaped tape-engaging surfaces disposed at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to one another.

Claim 12

A portable drywall tape dispenser according to claim 9, said pivotal mounting means for said second pressure roller defined by a pair of pivotal support arms pivotal on said guide roll means for extension between said sidewalls behind said first pressure roller.

Claim 13

A portable drywall tape dispenser according to claim 8, said tape cutter means including a lever arm pivotally mounted on said guide roll means for advancement of said cutter blade into the path of movement of said tape from said guide roll means into said first pressure roller.

Claim 14

A portable drywall tape dispenser according to claim 11, said tape cutter means including a return spring extending between said lever arm and said pivotal mounting means for said second pressure roller yieldingly urging said cutter blade into a retracted position away from the path of movement of the tape between said guide roll means and said first pressure roller.

Claim 15

A portable drywall tape dispenser according to claim 11, said lever arm projecting downwardly from said forwardly convergent extension to terminate in a free end disposed externally of said open frame.

Claim 16

A portable drywall tape dispenser according to claim 8, said second pressure roller composed of a resilient material such that its tape-engaging surface will conform to different angles formed at the corners between adjoining wall sections.