IP Library Granted Patent US 9,827,708
Granted Patent B2
US 9,827,708 · App. 15/054,016 · Granted Nov 28, 2017

Tape applicator assembly and tape assembly

Inventors: Jonathan D. Harkless (Newcastle, WA); Daniel T. Kretz (Snoqualmie, WA); Jason P. Covey (Snoqualmie, WA)
Assignee: GaffTech, LLC
B29C65/5092B29C63/02B29C63/024B32B37/1284B32B37/20B32B38/18B65H16/005B65H16/04B65H35/0033B65H37/005B65H37/04B29L2009/00B29L2031/3462B32B2307/202B32B2405/00B32B2457/00B65H2301/41518B65H2402/412B65H2701/1922C09J7/02C09J7/04Y10T156/1788Y10T156/1795
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,827,708
App. No.
15/054,016
Granted
Nov 28, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tape applicator assembly for securing at least one cable within a corner defined by a first surface and a second surface that includes a body moveable along the at least one cable positioned on the first surface, a tape-receiving cavity defined in the body for receiving a tape assembly having tape, wherein the tape assembly is receivable within the tape-receiving cavity such that the tape is positioned for dispensing from the body, and a tape applying assembly defined within the body. The tape applying assembly is configured to adhere the tape to both the at least one cable and the first and second surfaces defining the corner as the body moves along the at least one cable on the first surface.

Claims (19)

1. A tape applicator assembly for securing at least one cable within a corner defined by a first surface and a second a surface, comprising:

(a) a body moveable along the at least one cable positioned on the first surface;

(b) a tape-receiving cavity defined in the body for receiving a tape assembly having tape, wherein the tape assembly is receivable within the tape-receiving cavity such that the tape is positioned for dispensing from the body; and

(c) a tape applying assembly defined within the body, the tape applying assembly configured to adhere the tape to both the at least one cable and the first and second surfaces defining the corner as the body moves along the at least one cable on the first surface, wherein the tape applying assembly includes a wheel assembly disposed within a corner of the body that includes a first wheel rotatable about a first axis and a second wheel rotatable about a second axis disposed substantially transversely to the first axis, wherein the first wheel is configured to adhere the tape to the first surface and the second wheel is configured to adhere the tape to the second surface, and wherein the first wheel is moveable toward and away from the second wheel linearly along the first axis to accommodate the positioning of the at least one cable in the corner defined by the first and second surfaces beneath the tape.

2. The tape applicator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tape applying assembly further comprises a tape guide positioned between the tape assembly and the wheel assembly, wherein the tape guide is engageable with an exterior, non-adhesive side of the tape.

3. The tape applicator assembly of claim 2 , wherein the tape guide is configured to shape the tape for engagement with the at least one cable positioned within the corner defined by the first and second surfaces.

4. The tape applicator assembly of claim 3 , wherein the tape guide is configured to shape the tape such that an interior adhesive side of the tape engages the at least one cable positioned within the corner defined by the first and second surfaces on substantially a tape center longitudinal axis.

5. The tape applicator assembly of claim 3 , wherein the tape guide includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein an acute angle is defined between the first and second portions.

6. The tape applicator assembly of claim 4 , further comprising a cable alignment assembly having a funnel defined within a bottom interior of the body for receiving and substantially aligning the at least one cable with the tape center longitudinal axis, the funnel defining a front cable opening at a front portion of the body and a rear cable opening opposite the front cable opening, the funnel tapering in size from the front cable opening to the rear cable opening.

7. The tape applicator assembly of claim 6 , wherein the funnel is defined by a funnel guide and the second surface when the tape applicator assembly is positioned for taping the at least one cable within the corner defined by the first and second surfaces.

8. The tape applicator assembly of claim 7 , wherein the funnel guide is moveable toward or away from the second surface for increasing or decreasing the size of the rear cable opening.

9. A tape applicator assembly for securing at least one cable within a corner defined by a first surface and a second a surface, comprising:

(a) a body moveable along the at least one cable positioned on the first surface;

(b) a tape-receiving cavity defined in the body for receiving and positioning a tape assembly having tape such that the tape is positioned for dispensing from the body toward the corner defined by the first and second surfaces; and

(c) a tape applying assembly defined within the body, the tape applying assembly configured to adhere the tape to both the at least one cable and the first and second surfaces defining the corner as the body moves along the at least one cable on the first surface; and

(d) a cable alignment assembly having a funnel, wherein an upper portion of the funnel is defined by a funnel body portion of the body that is engageble with the second surface to position the body relative to the second surface, wherein a first side portion of the funnel is defined by a funnel guide positioned within an interior portion of the body, and wherein a second side portion of the funnel opposite the first side portion is defined by the second surface, wherein the funnel guide is engageble with the at least one cable to position the at least one cable in the corner defined by the first and second surfaces as the body moves along the first surface while engaging the second surface.

10. The tape applicator assembly of claim 9 , wherein the funnel is configured to receive and substantially align the at least one cable with a tape center longitudinal axis.

11. The tape applicator assembly of claim 9 , wherein the funnel defines a front cable opening at a front portion of the body and a rear cable opening opposite the front cable opening, the funnel tapering in size from the front cable opening to the rear cable opening.

12. The tape applicator assembly of claim 11 , wherein the funnel guide is moveable toward or away from the second surface for increasing or decreasing the size of the rear cable opening.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: BRON TAPES, LLC
To: FIDELITY DIRECT LENDING LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 071895/0030 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 9, 2024
From: GAFFTECH, LLC
To: BRON TAPES, LLC
Reel/Frame 067357/0905 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 23, 2024
From: HARKLESS, JONATHAN D.; KRETZ, DANIEL T.; COVEY, JASON P.
To: GAFFTECH, LLC
Reel/Frame 066213/0385 →
Continuity (6)
Division 14601391 · Jan 21, 2015
Continuation In Part 14167557 · Jan 29, 2014
Continuation In Part 14166656 · Jan 28, 2014
Provisional Application 62084474 · Nov 25, 2014
Provisional Application 62057846 · Sep 30, 2014
Related Publication 20160250803A1 · Sep 1, 2016