Lacing tape dispenser

Abstract

A lacing tape dispenser having an upright spindle, an upright guide and a cutting blade, all mounted on an upper surface of a weighted base. The upright guide directs lacing tape from a spool mounted on the upright spindle. The cutting blade is pivotally mounted in a blade housing and is biased into a position such that the cutting edge is contained within the housing. A receiving notch accepts the lacing tape pulled through the upright guide. The cutting blade is biased such that the force of pulling the lacing tape through the receiving notch pivots the cutting blade so as to expose the cutting edge through the receiving notch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lacing tape dispenser, comprising:
 a weighted base, having a first surface;   an upright spindle extending from the first surface of the weighted base for receiving a spool of lacing tape;   a cutting blade disposed on the first surface of the weighted base opposite the upright spindle; and   an upright guide disposed on the first surface of the weighted base between the upright spindle and the cutting blade.   
     
     
         2 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the upright spindle includes upper and lower grommets configured to support and retain the spool of lacing tape. 
     
     
         3 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 2 , wherein the lower grommet is enlarged so as to support a spool of heavy-duty lacing tape. 
     
     
         4 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the upright guide has an eyelet and a rubber washer therethrough so as to guide lacing tape from the upright spindle to the cutting blade. 
     
     
         5 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the upright guide is disposed generally midway between the upright spindle and the cutting blade. 
     
     
         6 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting blade is enclosed in a blade housing affixed to the weighted base, and the blade housing has a receiving notch configured so as to receive lacing tape. 
     
     
         7 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein the cutting blade is pivotally mounted within the receiving notch such that the cutting blade pivots between a safety position and a cutting position. 
     
     
         8 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 7 , further comprising a biasing means within the blade housing whereby the cutting blade is biased into the safety position. 
     
     
         9 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 8 , wherein the biasing means permits pivoting of the cutting blade into the cutting position in response to force exerted by the lacing tape when pulled through the receiving notch. 
     
     
         10 . A lacing tape dispenser, comprising:
 a weighted base, having a first surface;   an upright spindle extending from the first surface of the weighted base;   a cutting blade disposed on the first surface of the weighted base opposite the upright spindle, wherein the cutting blade is enclosed in a blade housing affixed to the weighted base, and wherein the blade housing has a receiving notch configured so as to receive lacing tape; and   an upright guide disposed on the first surface of the weighted base between the upright spindle and the cutting blade, wherein the upright guide has an eyelet and a rubber washer therethrough so as to guide lacing tape from the upright spindle to the cutting blade.   
     
     
         11 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the upright spindle is configured to receive a spool of lacing tape. 
     
     
         12 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the upright spindle includes upper and lower grommets configured to support and retain the spool of lacing tape. 
     
     
         13 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the lower grommet is enlarged so as to support a spool of heavy-duty lacing tape. 
     
     
         14 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the upright guide is disposed generally midway between the upright spindle and the cutting blade. 
     
     
         15 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the cutting blade is pivotally mounted within the receiving notch such that the cutting blade pivots between a safety position and a cutting position, further comprising a biasing means within the blade housing whereby the cutting blade is biased into the safety position. 
     
     
         16 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the biasing means permits pivoting of the cutting blade into the cutting position in response to force exerted by the lacing tape when pulled through the receiving notch. 
     
     
         17 . A lacing tape dispenser, comprising:
 a weighted base, having a first surface;   an upright spindle extending from the first surface of the weighted base for receiving a spool of lacing tape, and wherein the upright spindle includes upper and lower grommets configured to support and retain the spool of lacing tape;   a cutting blade disposed on the first surface of the weighted base opposite the upright spindle, wherein the cutting blade is enclosed in a blade housing affixed to the weighted base, and wherein the blade housing has a receiving notch configured so as to receive lacing tape; and   an upright guide disposed on the first surface of the weighted base between the upright spindle and the cutting blade, wherein the upright guide is disposed generally midway between the upright spindle and the cutting blade, and wherein the upright guide has an eyelet and a rubber washer therethrough so as to guide lacing tape from the upright spindle to the cutting blade.   
     
     
         18 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the lower grommet is enlarged so as to support a spool of heavy-duty lacing tape. 
     
     
         19 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the cutting blade is pivotally mounted within the receiving notch such that the cutting blade pivots between a safety position and a cutting position, further comprising a biasing means within the blade housing whereby the cutting blade is biased into the safety position. 
     
     
         20 . The lacing tape dispenser of  claim 19 , wherein the biasing means permits pivoting of the cutting blade into the cutting position in response to force exerted by the lacing tape when pulled through the receiving notch.