Method and apparatus for applying drywall tape

Abstract

Apparatus and method for applying and embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywall joint which includes an applicator, or use thereof, for guiding the tape along the joint and provided with a handle structure and a blade portion having slots to guide the tape.

1 . A method of applying and embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywall joint, comprising: 
 (a) guiding the tape through a first slot at a rear end of a handle structure,    (b) guiding said tape through a second slot in an extended blade portion of said handle structure at the opposite end of said handle structure to said rear,    (c) guiding said tape through a third slot in said extended portion remote from said handle structure,    (d) pressing the guided tape onto the joint compound along the drywall joint with sufficient force to spread the joint compound and simultaneously moving said extended portion along the drywall joint, thereby continually embedding the tape in the drywall compound along the drywall joint and spreading the joint compound compacted by the tape.    
   
   
       2 . A method of applying and embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywall joint, comprising: 
 (a) guiding the tape through a first slot at a rear end of a handle structure,    (b) guiding said tape through a second slot in an extended blade portion of said handle structure at the opposite end of said handle structure to said rear,    (c) guiding said tape through a third slot in said extended portion remote from said handle structure,    (d) providing said extended portion with upstanding wing portion remote from said handle structure,    (e) pressing the guided tape onto the joint compound along the drywall joint with sufficient force to spread the joint compound and simultaneously moving said extended portion along the drywall joint, thereby continually embedding the tape in the drywall compound along the drywall joint and spreading the joint compound compacted by the tape.    
   
   
       3 . Apparatus for applying and embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywall joint, comprising: 
 (a) a handle structure having a first slot at a rear end for guiding drywall tape under the handle structure and parallel thereto,    (b) an extended blade portion extending from said handle structure at its opposite end to said rear end,    (c) a second slot in said blade portion for passage of said tape upwards therethrough,    (d) a third slot forward of said second slot for passage of said tape downwards therethrough to facilitate application to a drywall joint with sufficient force applied to the outer end of said blade portion to embed the tape in the drywall joint.    
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  in which said first slot is in a depending portion of said handle structure.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said extended blade portion has upstanding wing portions to facilitate pressing of said tape.  
   
   
       6 . (Cancelled)  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said extended blade portion has upstanding wing portions to facilitate pressing of said tape.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a guide protrusion to facilitate guiding of said tape.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a guide protrusion to facilitate guiding of said tape.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a guide protrusion to facilitate guiding of said tape.  
   
   
       11 . A method of applying and embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywall joint, comprising: 
 providing a handle structure having an extended blade portion attached to an end of the handle structure;    guiding drywall tape up through a first slot in an extended blade portion of said handle structure;    guiding said tape down through a second slot, forward of the first slot in said extended portion; and    pressing the tape onto joint compound along a drywall joint with sufficient force to spread the joint compound and simultaneously moving said extended portion along the drywall joint, thereby continually embedding the tape in the joint compound along the drywall joint and spreading the joint compound compacted by the tape.    
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for applying and embedding drywall tape in joint compound along a drywall joint, comprising: 
 a handle structure having an extended blade portion attached to an end of the handle structure;    a first slot in said blade portion for passage of drywall tape upwards therethrough; and    a second slot forward of said first slot for passage of said tape downwards therethrough to facilitate application to a drywall joint with sufficient force applied to an outer end of said blade portion to embed the tape in the drywall joint.