Taping tool having swivel joint
View Patent ↗The present disclosure describes a taping tool for taping gaps, seams, and/or joints between wallboard members that includes a swivel joint. The taping tool has a first portion for receiving a flow of mastic, and a second portion for receiving the flow of mastic and for dispensing tape and mastic. The first and second portions define fluid communication paths therein for the flow of mastic therethrough. The taping tool also has a swivel joint intermediate the first and second portions that defines a fluid communication path therein allowing mastic to flow from the taping tool's first portion, through the swivel joint, and into the taping tool's second portion. The swivel joint also allows the taping tool's first portion to rotate relative to the taping tool's second portion through an angle of 360 degrees about the taping tool's longitudinal axis, while mastic is flowing through the taping tool.
1. An apparatus for taping a joint between wallboard members, said apparatus comprising:
a first portion for receiving mastic and for controlling the flow rate of the mastic in response to user input, said first portion defining a fluid communication path for mastic extending therethrough; and
a second portion for receiving mastic from said first portion and for dispensing tape and mastic, said second portion defining a fluid communication path for mastic extending therethrough; and
a swivel joint intermediate said first portion and said second portion, said swivel joint defining a fluid communication path for mastic extending therethrough and in fluid communication with said fluid communication path of said first portion and said fluid communication of said second portion, said swivel joint enabling rotation of said first portion relative to said second portion;
wherein said second portion comprises a device for pressing tape dispensed by said second portion toward the joint between wallboard members and said first portion comprises an actuator for receiving user input to control movement of said device, and wherein movement of said device is controllable via said actuator during rotation of said second portion relative to said first portion in response to user input received by said actuator.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said second portion is rotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to said first portion.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said device comprises a creaser wheel.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said swivel joint comprises a member rotatable in unison with said second portion for transmitting a force to said device corresponding to movement of said actuator in response to user input, and wherein said swivel joint further comprises a mechanism connected to said actuator and rotatable in unison with said first portion, said mechanism being rotatable relative to said member and configured to cause translation of said member in response to movement of said actuator.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said mechanism includes at least one roller and said member includes a plate engaged and displaced by said at least one roller in response to movement of said actuator.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said second portion defines a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, and wherein said member is rotatable about said longitudinal axis relative to said mechanism.
7. An apparatus for taping a joint between wallboard members, said apparatus comprising:
a first portion for receiving mastic from a source of mastic and for controlling the flow rate of the mastic, said first portion having a fluid communication path for mastic;
a second portion for receiving mastic from said first portion and for dispensing tape and mastic over a joint between wallboard members, said second portion having a fluid communication path for mastic and being rotatable into multiple angular orientations relative to said first portion about a longitudinal axis; and
wherein said first portion and said second portion are fluidically coupled for the flow of mastic from said first portion to said second portion regardless of the angular orientation between said first portion and said second portion about said longitudinal axis;
wherein said first portion comprises an actuator for receiving user input and said second portion comprises a device movable from a first position to a second position in response to user input received by said actuator, said device being movable in response to user input received by said actuator regardless of the angular orientation between said first portion and said second portion about said longitudinal axis.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said second portion is rotatable about said longitudinal axis from a first angular orientation of said multiple angular orientations relative to said first portion into a second angular orientation of said multiple angular orientations relative to said first portion while mastic flows from said first portion to said second portion.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said first portion and said second portion are fluidically coupled for the flow of mastic by a swivel joint having a fluid communication path for mastic.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said device is operative to direct dispensed tape into a joint between wallboard members.
11. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said first portion comprises an actuator for receiving user input and said second portion comprises a device movable from a first position to a second position in response to user input received by said actuator, said device being movable in response to user input received by said actuator during rotation of said second portion from a first angular orientation of said multiple angular orientations into a second angular orientation of said multiple angular orientations.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein said device comprises a creaser wheel for pushing tape into a joint between wallboard members.
13. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein tape and mastic are dispensable from said second portion regardless of the angular orientation between said first portion and said second portion about said longitudinal axis.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein tape and mastic are dispensable from said second portion during rotation of said second portion from a first angular orientation of said multiple angular orientations into a second angular orientation of said multiple angular orientations.