Hand tools for applying masking tape and the like to various surfaces

Abstract

A plurality of hand tools for use in a wide variety of different applications for applying masking tape to various surfaces prior to painting, staining, detailing, sanding and the like wherein one embodiment includes a removably attachable blade member associated with one end portion of the tool and a removably attachable roller member or nudger member associated with the opposite end portion of the tool, and an extension/retraction mechanism for extending and retracting the blade member. Another embodiment of the present hand tool includes a handle member adaptable for receiving any combination of removably attachable roller members, nudger members, and blade members for attachment to the opposite end portions of the handle member. The present tools along with the various roller members, knife blades and nudger members can also be provided in kit form to accommodate a wide variety of different surface applications.

1 . A tool for applying tape to various surfaces comprising:
 a handle member having first and second end portions;   a roller member removably attachable to the first end portion of said handle member;   a knife blade member attachable to the second end portion of said handle member, said knife blade member being removably attachable to said handle member and being movable between a first position wherein said knife blade member is retracted and a second position wherein said knife blade member is extended for operative use; and   a nudger member removably attachable to said one end portion of said handle member.   
     
     
         2 . The tool defined in  claim 1  wherein said roller member includes a bracket member, said bracket member being removably attached to said one end portion of said handle member. 
     
     
         3 . The tool defined in  claim 1  wherein said nudger member includes a bracket member, said bracket member being removably attachable to said one end portion of said handle member. 
     
     
         4 . The tool defined in  claim 1  wherein said handle member includes a substantially circular opening extending completely therethrough at a generally central location along its length, said opening being adapted to receive a finger of a user. 
     
     
         5 . A tool for applying tape to various surfaces comprising:
 a handle member having opposite end portions;   at least one roller member removably attachable to both opposite end portions of said handle member; and   at least one nudger member removably attachable to both opposite end portions of said handle member;   said tool being configurable to include a removably attachable roller member associated with each opposite end portion of said handle member, a removably attachable nudger member associated with each opposite end portion of said handle member, or a removably attachable roller member associated with one end portion of said handle member and a removably attachable nudger member associated with the other end portion of said handle member.   
     
     
         6 . The tool defined in  claim 5  wherein said at least one roller member includes a bracket member, said bracket member being removably attachable to both opposite end portions of said handle member. 
     
     
         7 . The tool defined in  claim 5  wherein said at least one nudger member includes a bracket member, said bracket member being removably attachable to both opposite end portions of said handle member. 
     
     
         8 . The tool defined in  claim 5  wherein said at least one roller member includes a projection member, said projection member being cooperatively receivable within a corresponding cavity associated with both opposite end portions of said handle member. 
     
     
         9 . The tool defined in  claim 5  wherein said at least one nudger member includes a projection member, said projection member being cooperatively receivable within a corresponding cavity associated with both opposite end portions of said handle member. 
     
     
         10 . The tool defined in  claim 5  wherein said at least one roller member and said at least one nudger member each include a member having a spring biased button member associated therewith, said spring biased button member being positioned and located so as to cooperatively engage an opening associated with a cavity located within each respective opposite end portion of said handle member, each of said cavities being adaptable for cooperatively receiving said projection member. 
     
     
         11 . The tool defined in  claim 5  wherein both opposite end portions of said handle member include a cavity having a circumferential projection associated therewith, and said at least one roller member and said at least one nudger member each including a projection member having a recessed circumferential portion associated therewith, said recessed circumferential portion mating with said circumferential projection when said projection member is slidably positioned within either cavity associated with both opposite end portions of said handle member. 
     
     
         12 . The tool defined in  claim 5  including a blade member removably attachable to at least one end portion of said handle member. 
     
     
         13 . A tool for applying tape to various surfaces comprising:
 a handle member having opposite end portions;   a first nudger member fixedly attached to one end portion of said handle member; and   a second nudger member fixedly attached to the other end portion of said handle member.   
     
     
         14 . The tool defined in  claim 13  wherein said first and second nudger members are of a different configuration. 
     
     
         15 . A tool for applying tape to various surfaces comprising:
 a handle member having opposite end portions;   a first roller member fixedly attached to one end portion of said handle member; and   a second roller member fixedly attached to the   
       other end portion of said handle member. 
     
     
         16 . The tool defined in  claim 15  wherein said first and second roller members are of a different configuration. 
     
     
         17 . A kit for applying tape to various surfaces comprising the following components:
 a handle member having opposite end portions; and   at least two of the following components;
 a roller member removably attachable to at least one end portion of said handle member; 
 a nudger member removably attachable to at least one end portion of said handle member; and 
 a blade member removably attachable to at least one end portion of said handle member. 
   
     
     
         18 . The kit defined in  claim 17  wherein said kit includes a roller member removably attachable to at least one end portion of said handle member and a nudger member removably attachable to at least one end portion of said handle member. 
     
     
         19 . The kit defined in  claim 17  wherein said kit includes a nudger member removably attachable to at least one end portion of said handle member and a blade member removably attachable to at least one end portion of said handle member. 
     
     
         20 . The kit defined in  claim 17  wherein said kit includes a roller member removably attachable to each opposite end portion of said handle member. 
     
     
         21 . The kit defined in  claim 17  wherein said kit includes a nudger member removably attachable to each opposite end portion of said handle member. 
     
     
         22 . The kit defined in  claim 17  wherein said kit includes a blade member removably attachable to each opposite end portion of said handle member. 
     
     
         23 . A tool for applying tape to various surfaces comprising:
 a handle member having first and second end portions;   a nudger member associated with the first end portion of said handle member, said nudger member having an opening associated therewith; and   a knife blade member associated with the first end portion of said handle member, said knife blade member being movable between a first position wherein said knife blade member is retracted and a second position wherein said knife blade member is extended for operative use through the opening of said nudger member.   
     
     
         24 . The tool defined in  claim 23  wherein said nudger member is removably attachable to the first end portion of said handle member. 
     
     
         25 . The tool defined in  claim 23  wherein said knife blade member is removably attachable to said handle member. 
     
     
         26 . A tool for applying tape to various surfaces comprising:
 a handle member having first and second end portions;   a housing member associated with the first end portion of said handle member, at least a portion of said housing member being formed of a soft membrane material;   a blade member positionable within said handle member and extendable through said housing member; and   an extension and retraction mechanism operatively coupled to said blade member for moving said blade member between a first retracted position and a second position wherein said blade member is extended through said housing member for operative use;   said housing member functioning as a nudger tool when said blade member is in said first retracted position.   
     
     
         27 . A tool for applying tape to various surfaces comprising:
 a handle member having opposite end portions; and   a roller member associated with one end portion of said handle member, said roller member being adaptable for rolling adjacent the edge portion of a taped surface for sealing the edge portion of the tape with the underlying surface.   
     
     
         28 . The tool defined in  claim 27  wherein said roller member is removably attachable to said one end portion of said handle member. 
     
     
         29 . A tool for applying tape to various surfaces comprising:
 a handle member having opposite end portions; and   a nudger member associated with one end portion of said handle member, said nudger member being adaptable for pushing against the edge portion of a taped surface for sealing the edge portion of the tape with the underlying surface.   
     
     
         30 . The tool defined in  claim 29  wherein said nudger member is removably attachable to said one end portion of said handle member.