Rolled material applicator

Abstract

An applicator for applying a rolled material to a body includes a spindle configured to hold the rolled material. A length of the spindle is at least equivalent to the width of the rolled material. A handle is coupled to the spindle, and a brake mechanism is integral with the handle for controlling a tension of the rolled material as it is applied to the body. The rolled material may be pre-wound on a spool that rotates around the spindle. Actuation of the braking mechanism increases pressure on the rotating spool in order to increase tension on the rolled material. Alternatively, the spindle rotates in conjunction with a shaft within the handle. The braking mechanism applies pressure against the rotating shaft to increase tension in the elongated material. Pre-wound cartridges of rolled material may be successively loaded on to the applicator's spindle for repeated usage of the applicator.

1 . An applicator for applying a rolled material to a body, said rolled material exhibiting a width, and said applicator comprising:
 a spindle configured to hold said rolled material, said spindle having a length that is at least equivalent to said width of said rolled material;   a handle coupled to and longitudinally aligned with said spindle; and   a brake mechanism integral with said handle for controlling a tension of said rolled material as it is applied to said body.   
     
     
         2 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said rolled material is rolled onto a hollow spool, said hollow spool having an inner diameter, and a diameter of said spindle is less than said inner diameter of said spool to enable said spool to rotate about said spindle when said brake mechanism is disengaged. 
     
     
         3 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said brake mechanism comprises a lever, said lever including:
 a first end portion located in said handle;   a second end portion located in said spindle; and   a fulcrum interposed between said first and second end portions and in fixed relation with said handle and said spindle, wherein when said first end portion is compressed inwardly into said handle, said lever rotates about said fulcrum such that said second end portion extends outwardly to engage said spool.   
     
     
         4 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said spindle, said handle, and said brake mechanism are concurrently formed as a single molded component. 
     
     
         5 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said rolled material is rolled onto a hollow spool, said hollow spool having an inner diameter, and said applicator further comprises a collar interposed between said spindle and said handle, said collar exhibiting a collar diameter that is greater than said inner diameter of said hollow spool. 
     
     
         6 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 1  further wherein said rolled material is rolled onto a hollow spool, said hollow spool having an inner diameter, and said applicator further comprises a projection element positioned on an end of said spindle distal from said handle, said projection element exhibiting a diameter that is greater than said inner diameter of said hollow spool. 
     
     
         7 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 6  further comprising longitudinally arranged slots extending through said projection element and partially through a portion of spindle, said slots enabling inward compression of said spindle to accommodate placement of said spool onto said spindle. 
     
     
         8 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said handle comprises:
 a shaft coupled to and extending from said spindle; and   an outer housing aligned with and extending around said shaft, said shaft being rotatable within said outer housing to cause rotation of said spindle.   
     
     
         9 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said brake mechanism is coupled to said outer housing and is actuated to engage with said shaft to limit rotation of said spindle. 
     
     
         10 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said shaft comprises:
 a first end exhibiting a first diameter;   a second end coupled to said spindle, said second end exhibiting a second diameter that is greater than said first diameter; and   a tapered central portion extending between said first and second ends.   
     
     
         11 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said brake mechanism comprises:
 a movable portion slidably engaged with said outer housing; and   an extension coupled with said movable portion and extending inwardly into said outer housing for selectively engaging with said central portion of said shaft as said movable portion is slid toward said spindle to limit rotation of said shaft and said spindle relative to said outer housing.   
     
     
         12 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said outer housing comprises a compressible friction sleeve surrounding said shaft to produce said brake mechanism, and compression of said outer housing engages said compressible friction sleeve with said shaft to limit rotation of said spindle. 
     
     
         13 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said compressible friction sleeve comprises a longitudinally arranged slot extending through said friction sleeve along an entire length of said friction sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said rolled material is rolled onto a hollow spool having an inner diameter, and a outer diameter of said spindle is approximately equivalent to said inner diameter of said spool to prevent rotation of said spool with said rolled material relative to said spindle. 
     
     
         15 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said rolled material is rolled onto a hollow spool having an inner diameter, and said spindle includes outwardly extending ribs that substantially prevent rotation of said spool with said rolled material relative to said spindle. 
     
     
         16 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said spindle further comprises a longitudinally aligned slot, said slot having a slot length that is at least equivalent to said width of said rolled material. 
     
     
         17 . A system comprising:
 a rolled material exhibiting a width; and   an applicator for applying said rolled material to a body, said applicator including:
 a spindle for holding said rolled material, said spindle having a length that is at least equivalent to said width of said rolled material; 
 a handle coupled to and longitudinally aligned with said spindle; and 
 a brake mechanism integral with said handle for controlling a tension of said rolled material as it is applied to a body. 
   
     
     
         18 . A system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said rolled material comprises an adhesive material coupled to at least one of opposing ends of said rolled material for facilitating attachment of said rolled material to said body, said adhesive material being absent from a remaining portion of said rolled material. 
     
     
         19 . A system as claimed in  claim 17  further comprising a hollow spool loadable onto said spindle, said rolled material being rolled onto said hollow spool. 
     
     
         20 . A system as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising a plurality of cartridges, each of said cartridges including said hollow spool and said rolled material rolled onto said hollow spool, wherein said cartridges are successively loadable onto said spindle for repeated use of said applicator. 
     
     
         21 . A system as claimed in  claim 19  wherein:
 said hollow spool exhibits an inner diameter;   said spindle exhibits a diameter that is less than said inner diameter of said spool to enable said spool to rotate about said spindle; and   said brake mechanism comprises a lever, said lever including a first end portion located in said handle, a second end portion located in said spindle, and a fulcrum interposed between said first and second end portions and in fixed relation with said handle and said spindle such that when said first end portion is compressed inwardly into said handle, said lever rotates about said fulcrum to cause said second end portion to extend outwardly to limit engage said spool.   
     
     
         22 . A system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said handle comprises:
 a shaft coupled to and extending from said spindle; and   an outer housing aligned with and extending around said shaft, said shaft being rotatable within said outer housing to cause rotation of said spindle, and said brake mechanism is actuated to engage with said shaft to limit rotation of said spindle.   
     
     
         23 . A system as claimed in  claim 22  wherein:
 said shaft comprises a first end exhibiting a first diameter, a second end coupled to said spindle, said second end exhibiting a second diameter that is greater than said first diameter, and a tapered central portion extending between said first and second ends; and   said brake mechanism comprises a movable portion slidably engaged with said outer housing, and an extension coupled with said movable portion and extending inwardly into said outer housing for selectively engaging with said central portion of said shaft as said movable portion is slid toward said spindle to limit rotation of said shaft and said spindle relative to said outer housing.   
     
     
         24 . A system as claimed in  claim 22  wherein:
 said system further comprises a hollow spool, said rolled material being rolled onto said hollow spool, and said hollow spool exhibiting an inner diameter; and   said spindle exhibits an outer diameter that is approximately equivalent to said inner diameter of said spool to prevent rotation of said spool relative to said spindle when said spool is loaded onto said spindle.   
     
     
         25 . A system as claimed in  claim 22  wherein said outer housing comprises a compressible friction sleeve surrounding said shaft to produce said brake mechanism, and compression of said outer housing engages said compressible friction sleeve with said shaft to limit rotation of said spindle. 
     
     
         26 . An applicator for applying a rolled material to a body, said rolled material being rolled onto a hollow spool, said rolled material exhibiting a width, and said applicator comprising:
 a spindle configured to hold said spool of said rolled material, said spindle having a length that is at least equivalent to said width of said rolled material, and said spindle exhibiting a diameter that is less than an inner diameter of said hollow spool;   a handle coupled to and longitudinally aligned with said spindle; and   a brake mechanism integral with said handle for controlling a tension of said rolled material as it is applied to said body, said spool being rotatable about said spindle when said brake is disengaged and rotation of said spool being limited when said brake mechanism is engaged, wherein said spindle, said handle, and said brake mechanism are concurrently formed as a single molded component.   
     
     
         27 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 26  wherein said brake mechanism comprises a lever, said lever including:
 a first end portion located in said handle;   a second end portion located in said spindle; and   a fulcrum interposed between said first and second end portions and in fixed relation with said handle and said spindle, wherein when said first end portion is compressed inwardly into said handle, said lever rotates about said fulcrum such that said second end portion extends outwardly to engage said spool.   
     
     
         28 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 26  further comprising a collar interposed between said spindle and said handle, said collar exhibiting a collar diameter that is greater than said inner diameter of said hollow spool. 
     
     
         29 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 26  further comprising:
 a projection element positioned on an end of said spindle distal from said handle, said projection exhibiting a diameter that is greater than said inner diameter of said hollow spool; and   longitudinally arranged slots extending through said projection element and partially through a portion of spindle, said slots enabling inward compression of said spindle to accommodate placement of said spool onto said spindle.