Floor adhesive product applicator

Abstract

Apparatus for applying an adhesive product having an adhesive layer and a liner includes a first wheel and a first rod rotationally coupled to and spaced a distance apart from the first wheel, rotation of the wheel winding the liner about the first rod. The liner winds about the first rod at approximately the same rate as the adhesive layer is applied to a surface. A method for assembling the apparatus includes coupling a first rod and first pulley to a first housing, the first rod and first pulley being substantially coaxial, coupling a second rod to a second housing, coupling a first wheel and a second pulley to a frame, the first wheel and second pulley being substantially coaxial, and rotationally coupling the first pulley and second pulley, such that a rotational speed of the first rod is substantially the same as a rotational speed of the first wheel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for applying an adhesive product having an adhesive layer and a liner, the apparatus comprising:
 a first wheel; and   a first rod rotationally coupled to and spaced a distance apart from the first wheel, rotation of the wheel winding the liner about the first rod.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a belt wherein the wheel and the first rod are rotationally coupled by the belt. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a first pulley coupled to the first rod and a second pulley coupled to the first wheel, the belt being in contact with at least a portion of each of the first and second pulleys. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base, the first wheel being rotatably coupled to the base; and   a shaft coupled to the base.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a second wheel rotatably coupled to the base; and   a handle coupled to the shaft.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a second rod; and   a first rod sleeve disposed about at least a portion of the first rod.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the second rod retains the adhesive product and the liner of the adhesive product is wound about the first rod sleeve as the first wheel rotates. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the liner of the adhesive product is wound about the first rod sleeve at approximately the same rate as the adhesive layer of the adhesive product is applied to a surface. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the surface is a floor. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the first rod sleeve is adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first rod sleeve adheres to the liner of the adhesive product as the liner is wound about the first rod sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first rod housing and a second rod housing, the first rod housing and second rod housing being coupled to the shaft, the first rod being rotatably coupled to the first housing and the second rod being removably and rotatably coupled to the second rod housing. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first rod housing is slidably engaged with the shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second wheel is pivotally coupled to the base. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the second wheel is selected from the group consisting of a caster and a sphere. 
     
     
         16 . An adhesive product applicator consisting of:
 a base;   a first wheel and a second wheel, each of the first and second wheels being rotatably coupled to the base;   a shaft coupled to the base;   a tape reel coupled to the shaft;   a liner reel coupled to the shaft; and   a belt rotationally coupling the first wheel and liner reel such that a number of rotations of the first wheel is substantially equal to the number of rotations of the liner reel when the adhesive product applicator is operated.   
     
     
         17 . A method for assembling an apparatus for applying an adhesive product to a surface, the method comprising:
 coupling a first housing and a second housing to a shaft having a longitudinal axis;   rotatably coupling a first rod and a first pulley to the first housing, the first rod and first pulley being substantially coaxial;   rotatably coupling a second rod to the second housing;   rotatably coupling a first wheel and a second pulley to a frame, the first wheel and second pulley being substantially coaxial;   coupling the shaft to the frame such that the first housing is a greater longitudinal distance from the frame than the second housing; and   rotationally coupling the first pulley and second pulley with a resilient belt, such that a rotational speed of the first rod is substantially the same as a rotational speed of the first wheel.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising rotatably coupling a second wheel to the frame. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising disposing a first sleeve about at least a portion of the first rod and disposing a second sleeve about at least a portion of the second rod. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein at least a portion of the first sleeve is adhesive.