Seam tape tool

Abstract

A seam tape tool configured to dispense a tape onto a top surface of a floor or surface protection material. The seam tape tool includes a frame, an optional handle connected to the rear of the frame, a tape holder rotatably connected to the frame, an application wheel connected to the frame, an optional tape guide positioned adjacent to the application wheel to maintain the position of dispensed tape relative to the application wheel, a tape cutter arrangement movably mounted to the frame, an optional cutter guide to guide the movement of the tape cutter arrangement relative to the frame, an optional lock arrangement configured to lock the tape cutter arrangement in a retracted non-cut position, a cutter movement arrangement to move the tape cutter arrangement from the retracted non-cut position to the extended cut position, an optional cutter handle, and an optional base slide or base wheel arrangement.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A seam tape tool configured to dispense tape from a roll of tape; said seam tape tool comprising:
 a frame;   a tape holder rotatably connected to said frame and configured to receive a roll of tape;   an application wheel that is connected to said frame;   a tape cutter arrangement movably mounted to said frame between a retracted non-cut position and an extended cut position; said tape cutter arrangement includes a cutter blade having a lead cut edge and outwardly extending portions positioned rearwardly of said lead cut edge, said lead cut edge has a V-shaped configuration, said lead cut edge having a narrowest width at a central region of said lead cut edge;   a cutter lock arrangement configured to lock and unlock said tape cutter arrangement in said retracted non-cut position; and   a cutter movement arrangement to move said tape cutter arrangement from said retracted non-cut position to said extended cut position when said tape cutter arrangement is unlocked from said cutter lock arrangement; said application wheel and said tape holder are positioned on said frame such that when a roll of tape is positioned on said tape holder at least a portion of said application wheel is positioned under the roll of tape; said cutter movement arrangement includes a biasing system used to move said tape cutter arrangement from said retracted non-cutting position to said extended cut position, said biasing system positioned below a rotation axis of said tape holder and a rotation axis of said application wheel.   
     
     
         26 . The seam tape tool as defined in  claim 25 , further including a first handle and a second handle; both said first and second handles are connected to a rear portion of said frame; said first handle and said second handle are both configured for grasping by a user during use of said seam tape tool. 
     
     
         27 . The seam tape tool as defined in  claim 25 , wherein a rotation axis of said tape holder is positioned upwardly and rearwardly of a rotation axis of said application wheel. 
     
     
         28 . The seam tape tool as defined in  claim 25 , further including a tape guide positioned adjacent to said application wheel to maintain a position of said tape relative to said application wheel. 
     
     
         29 . The seam tape tool as defined in  claim 25 , wherein said cutter lock arrangement is configured to releasably lock said tape cutter arrangement in said retracted non-cutting position;
 said cutter lock arrangement includes a movable bar arrangement configured to releasably engage one or more engagement members on said tape cutter arrangement.   
     
     
         30 . The seam tape tool as defined in  claim 25 , further including a cutter guide that is located on said frame to facilitate in guiding and maintaining said tape cutter arrangement in position relative to said frame and facilitating in preventing said tape cutter arrangement from disengaging from said frame when said tape cutter arrangement moves between said retracted non-cutting position and said extended cut position. 
     
     
         31 . The seam tape tool as defined in  claim 25 , said cutter movement arrangement includes a) a first cutter handle that enables a user to move said tape cutter arrangement from said extended cut position to said retracted non-cutting position, said first cutter handle is located a) on one side of said frame, said first cutter handle movable along a longitudinal length of said frame, or b) a first and second cutter handles that enable a user to move said tape cutter arrangement from said extended cut position to said retracted non-cutting position, said first cutter handle is located one side of said frame and said second cutter handle is located on another side of said frame, said first and second cutter handles simultaneously movable along a longitudinal length of said frame. 
     
     
         32 . The seam tape tool as defined in  claim 25 , wherein said cutter lock arrangement includes a release button that is located on a bottom of said frame, said release button is configured to cause said cutter lock arrangement to release said tape cutter arrangement from a releasably locked position when said tape cutter arrangement is in said retracted non-cutting position, said release button is pivotally connected to said frame. 
     
     
         33 . The seam tape tool as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said release button is biased in said releasably locked position. 
     
     
         34 . The seam tape tool as defined in  claim 25 , further including a base slide or a base wheel arrangement to facilitate in movement of said seam tape tool over a floor surface; said base slide or base wheel arrangement is located on a bottom portion of said frame and at or near a front portion of the frame; said base slide or said base wheel arrangement including a curved surface configured to engage the floor surface; said base slide or base wheel arrangement is connected to said cutter movement arrangement. 
     
     
         35 . A method for applying a tape to a surface of a floor or to a surface protector that is positioned on a top surface of the floor comprising:
 providing a seam tape tool configured to dispense tape from a roll of tape; said seam tape tool comprising:
 a frame; 
 a tape holder rotatably connected to said frame and configured to receive a roll of tape; 
 an application wheel that is connected to said frame; 
 a tape cutter arrangement movably mounted to said frame between a retracted non-cut position and an extended cut position; said tape cutter arrangement includes a cutter blade having a lead cut edge and outwardly extending portions positioned rearwardly of said lead cut edge, said lead cut edge has a V-shaped configuration, said lead cut edge having a narrowest width at a central region of said lead cut edge; 
 a cutter lock arrangement configured to lock and unlock said tape cutter arrangement in said retracted non-cut position; and 
 a cutter movement arrangement to move said tape cutter arrangement from said retracted non-cut position to said extended cut position when said tape cutter arrangement is unlocked from said cutter lock arrangement; said application wheel and said tape holder are positioned on said frame such that when a roll of tape is positioned on said tape holder at least a portion of said application wheel is positioned under the roll of tape; said cutter movement arrangement includes a biasing system used to move said tape cutter arrangement from said retracted non-cutting position to said extended cut position, said biasing system positioned below a rotation axis of said tape holder and a rotation axis of said application wheel 
   loading a roll of tape onto said tape holder of said seam tape tool;   applying said tape to the top surface of said floor or to a top surface of said surface protector; and,   activating said cutter lock arrangement to release said tape cutter arrangement from said retracted non-cut position to said extended cut position to cause said tape to be cut.   
     
     
         36 . The method as defined in  claim 35 , further including a first handle and a second handle; both said first and second handles are connected to a rear portion of said frame; said first handle and said second handle are both configured for grasping by a user during use of said seam tape tool. 
     
     
         37 . The method as defined in  claim 35 , wherein a rotation axis of said tape holder is positioned upwardly and rearwardly of a rotation axis of said application wheel. 
     
     
         38 . The method as defined in  claim 35 , further including a tape guide positioned adjacent to said application wheel to maintain a position of said tape relative to said application wheel. 
     
     
         39 . The method as defined in  claim 35 , wherein said cutter lock arrangement is configured to releasably lock said tape cutter arrangement in said retracted non-cutting position, said cutter lock arrangement includes a movable bar arrangement configured to releasably engage one or more engagement members on said tape cutter arrangement. 
     
     
         40 . The method as defined in  claim 35 , further including a cutter guide located on said frame to facilitate in guiding and maintaining said tape cutter arrangement in position relative to said frame and facilitating in preventing said tape cutter arrangement from disengaging from said frame when said tape cutter arrangement moves between said retracted non-cutting position and said extended cut position. 
     
     
         41 . The method as defined in  claim 35 , said cutter movement arrangement includes a) a first cutter handle that enables a user to move said tape cutter arrangement from said extended cut position to said retracted non-cutting position, said first cutter handle is located on one side of said frame, said first cutter handle movable along a longitudinal length of said frame, or b) a first and second cutter handles that enable a user to move said tape cutter arrangement from said extended cut position to said retracted non-cutting position, said first cutter handle is located one side of said frame and said second cutter handle is located on another side of said frame, said first and second cutter handles simultaneously movable along a longitudinal length of said frame. 
     
     
         42 . The method as defined in  claim 35 , wherein said cutter lock arrangement includes a release button that is located on a bottom of said frame, said release button is configured to cause said cutter lock arrangement to release said tape cutter arrangement from a releasably locked position when said tape cutter arrangement is in said retracted non-cutting position. 
     
     
         43 . The method as defined in  claim 42 , wherein said release button is biased in said releasably locked position, said release button is pivotally connected to said frame. 
     
     
         44 . The method as defined in  claim 35 , further including a base slide or a base wheel arrangement to facilitate in movement of said seam tape tool over a floor surface, said base slide or base wheel arrangement is located on a bottom portion of said frame and at or near a front portion of the frame, said base slide or said base wheel arrangement including a curved surface configured to engage the floor surface, said base slide or base wheel arrangement is connected to said cutter movement arrangement. 
     
     
         45 . A seam tape tool configured to dispense tape from a roll of tape, said seam tape tool comprising a frame, a tape holder rotatably connected to said frame and configured to receive a roll of tape, an application wheel that is connected to said frame, a tape cutter arrangement movably mounted to said frame between a retracted non-cut position and an extended cut position, a cutter lock arrangement configured to lock and unlock said tape cutter arrangement in said retracted non-cut position, and a cutter movement arrangement to move said tape cutter arrangement from said retracted non-cut position to said extended cut position when said tape cutter arrangement is unlocked from said cutter lock arrangement; said application wheel and said tape holder are positioned on said frame such that when a roll of tape is positioned on said tape holder at least a portion of said application wheel is positioned under the roll of tape; a rotation axis of said tape holder is positioned upwardly and rearwardly of a rotation axis of said application wheel; said tape cutter arrangement includes a cutter blade having a lead cut edge and outwardly extending portions positioned rearwardly of said lead cut edge, said lead cut edge has a V-shaped configuration; said lead cut edge has a narrowest width at a central region of said lead cut edge; said cutter movement arrangement includes a first and second cutter handles that enable a user to move said tape cutter arrangement from said extended cut position to said retracted non-cutting position, said first cutter handle is located one side of said frame and said second cutter handle is located on another side of said frame, said first and second cutter handles simultaneously movable along a longitudinal length of said frame; said cutter lock arrangement includes a release button that is located on a bottom of said frame, said release button is configured to cause said cutter lock arrangement to release said tape cutter arrangement from a releasably locked position when said tape cutter arrangement is in said retracted non-cutting position, said release button is pivotally connected to said frame.