Tape machine

Abstract

An improved automated tape applicator that applies pavement marking tape to a pavement surface. The automated tape applicator may include dual knives for cutting two or more patterns simultaneously, a hinged frame that permits an adhesion roller to be lifted off the ground when not in active use, an electronic clutch for selectively engaging a tape feed mechanism, a swiveling front tire, an automated controller for simultaneous application of multiple markings and accurate dimensioning, and/or replaceable knife inserts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated tape applicator for installing pavement marking tape on a pavement surface, comprising:
 a supply spindle onto which one or more rolls of pavement marking tape may be installed;   an adhesion roller for applying pressure to a non-adhesive side of said pavement marking tape to adhere an adhesive side of said pavement marking tape to said pavement surface;   an upper guide roller for directing pavement marking tape from said one or more rolls toward said adhesion roller;   an upper feed mechanism comprising at least one roller for applying pressure to said adhesive side of said pavement marking tape to aid in engagement of said pavement marking tape by said upper guide roller, wherein said upper feed mechanism is retractable from said upper guide roller when not in use and extendable to said upper guide roller when in use; and   a cutting mechanism disposed between said upper guide roller and said adhesion roller for cutting said pavement marking tape.   
     
     
         2 . The automated tape applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said cutting mechanism comprises a first knife and a second knife, wherein said first knife is configured to cut pavement marking tape from a first roll of pavement marking tape and said second knife is configured to cut pavement marking tape from a second roll of pavement marking tape. 
     
     
         3 . The automated tape applicator of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first knife actuator operably engaged with said first knife;   a second knife actuator operably engaged with said second knife; and   an automated controller in operative communication with said first and second knife actuators and configured to control each of said first and second knife actuators independently.   
     
     
         4 . The automated tape applicator of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a sensor disposed adjacent to a moving component of said automated tape applicator, wherein a rate of rotation of said moving component is directly associable with a speed of said automated tape applicator in relation to said pavement surface and wherein said sensor transmits a signal regarding said rate of rotation to said automated controller.   
     
     
         5 . The automated tape applicator of  claim 4 , wherein said moving component is a toothed sprocket that is rotated as a result of said adhesion roller rolling across said pavement surface. 
     
     
         6 . The automated tape applicator of  claim 5 , wherein said automated controller is programmable with at least a first pattern and a second pattern for application of pavement marking tape, wherein an operator may select said first pattern for application of pavement marking tape from said first roll of pavement marking tape and said second pattern for application of pavement marking tape from said second roll of pavement marking tape. 
     
     
         7 . The automated tape applicator of  claim 6 , further comprising an upper feed mechanism actuator for extending and retracting said upper feed mechanism with respect to said upper guide roller. 
     
     
         8 . The automated tape applicator of  claim 7 , wherein said automated controller calculates a distance traveled by said automated tape applicator as a function of said signal from said sensor and transmits control signals to direct operation of:
 said first knife actuator;   said second knife actuator; and   said upper feed mechanism actuator;   wherein said operation of said first knife actuation, said second knife actuator, and said upper feed mechanism actuator according to said control signals results in application of pavement marking tape from said first roll of pavement marking tape according to said first pattern and application of pavement marking tape from said second roll of pavement marking tape according to said second pattern.   
     
     
         9 . The automated tape applicator of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a drive mechanism operatively attaching said adhesion roller to said upper guide roller to rotate said upper guide roller in response to rotation of said adhesion roller across said pavement surface.   
     
     
         10 . The automated tape applicator of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a clutch in operative engagement with said upper guide roller, wherein said clutch is controllable by said automated controller to effect at least one of rotational engagement and disengagement of said upper guide roller with respect to said drive mechanism.   
     
     
         11 . The automated tape applicator of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a frame, wherein said adhesion roller is mounted to said frame, wherein said frame is pivotally mountable to a carrier vehicle, wherein said frame may be pivoted with respect to said carrier vehicle between an elevated configuration wherein said adhesion roller is spaced apart from said pavement surface and an application configuration in which said adhesion roller is in contact with said pavement surface.   
     
     
         12 . The automated applicator of  claim 11 , wherein said carrier vehicle is a walk-behind cart. 
     
     
         13 . The automated tape applicator of  claim 12 , wherein said cart comprises a swiveling front wheel, and wherein said swiveling front wheel is selectively lockable to restrict swiveling.