Patent Application
20230398705
The present disclosure relates to a worksite tool for applying forces to tapes and/or films, so as to ensure that there are no bubbles or wrinkles.
Tapes and films are well known items that serve a variety of functions. For example, they can be used to fasten or connect items, seal gaps and protect surfaces. They may also be used, as a further example, for cosmetic purposes or for their refractive or insulating qualities. However they are used, they are often applied to surfaces using a tool commonly known as a squeegee. Squeegees are used to press and push tapes and films uniformly across a surface, ensuring that there are no bubbles or wrinkles (“smoothing”). Squeegees can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the application, so long as the device has an edge or surface for smoothing types of tape or film.
Some applications require squeegees to be used in non-ideal working conditions. In the construction industry, for example, professionals that install heating, ventilation or air conditioning systems may apply tape to seal or connect ducts in cramped, poorly lit areas such as attics or crawl spaces. Hazards such as gaps in walls and floors are common in such areas, and are often the reason for lost or broken squeegees and other tools. In the shipping and moving industries, professionals may apply tape to packaging or to box items in a warehouse for delivery or storage. Such warehouses may be highly trafficked areas, requiring those professionals to move to different areas depending on changing tasks or responsibilities. In yet another example, automobile customizers may apply films in the course of performing custom body detailing or window tinting. In performing those services, automobile customizers often must work in large open areas or transient worksites, rely on ambient lighting or their own light source, and bring their own equipment.
Tools can become lost or damaged in these environments, for example, due to cramped spaces, open walls or floors, poor lighting, or a high volume of traffic through the worksite. Moreover, professionals are frequently limited to hand-carrying a small number of tools into the worksite, and removing them from the site at the end of the work period. Professionals may also have to secure tools on their person in order to free their hands to use other tools, and because there are limited surfaces to leave their tools safely and securely.
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for performing several operations with tape or film in non-optimum environments, and that is small and lightweight and may be carried in a pocket onto a worksite or secured to a leash or lanyard, in order to allow a user to operate other hand tools and to prevent loss or damage.
In one aspect, the apparatus comprises an edge for smoothing tape or film, an operable light emitting device for illumination, and a receptacle for a leash or lanyard.
In another aspect, the apparatus comprises an edge for smoothing tape or film, a cutting blade, and a receptacle for a leash or lanyard.
In still another aspect, the apparatus comprises an edge for smoothing tape or film, an operable light emitting device for illumination, a cutting blade, and a receptacle for a leash or lanyard.
As shown in
Squeegee 1 enables a user to perform several operations with tape or film without the need to carry a separate squeegee, flashlight and cutter. In the example embodiment, main body 10 appears as a square, though one of ordinary skill will recognize that other shapes (for example, rectangles, t-shapes and semicircles) are possible.
Edges 11a and 11b allow a user to smooth tape or film over a variety of surfaces such as metal ducts, cardboard containers, auto bodies or windshields. A user may grasp the apparatus with edge 11a exposed and simultaneously push and press edge 11a across and over a section of tape or film to be uniformly applied over a surface.
Light emitting device 12 can be activated using switch 13 such that a user can illuminate surfaces in poor and ambient lighting conditions to ensure adequate view of the application area and surrounding environment. When a user desires illumination, switch 13 may be pressed or swiped. Similarly, switch 13 may be pressed or swiped again when illumination is no longer needed. In some embodiments, light emitting device 12 (including, e.g., a light emitting diode, a battery, and other circuits) and switch 13 may be embedded within the thickened centerline portion of main body 10.
Leash receptacle 14 enables a user to attach squeegee 1 to a leash or lanyard. As shown in
Optional cutting blade 15 and retracting knob 16 enable a user to cut appropriate-sized portions of tape and film according to the user's need. When desired, a user slides retracting knob 15 forward to extend cutting blade 15. Similarly, a user slides retracting knob 15 backward to retract cutting blade 15. In some embodiments, squeegee 1 may comprise optional cutting blade 15 in a fixed position and will not include retracting knob 16. Other embodiments may not include either optional cutting blade 15 or retracting knob 16, according to users' needs and desired configurations.
For the purposes of describing and defining the present disclosure, it is noted that terms of degree (e.g., “substantially,” “slightly,” “about,” “comparable,” etc.) may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. Such terms of degree may also be utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference (e.g., about 10% or less) without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. Unless otherwise stated herein, any numerical value appearing in the present disclosure is deemed modified by a term of degree (e.g., “about”), thereby reflecting its intrinsic uncertainty.
Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail herein, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate modifications and other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as stated in the appended claims.
