Reusable Barrier Tape Device

Abstract

A reusable barrier tape device for extending a reusable barrier tape around an area and retracting the reusable barrier tape onto a reel includes a spool rotatably coupled to a housing. A tape is coiled around the spool. The spool is rotatable to selectively extend and retract the tape from the housing. The tape has an inner end loop that is removably coupled to the spool and an outer end loop that is distally positioned relative to the inner end loop. A clip is coupled to the outer end loop of the tape. The clip is openable wherein the clip is configured to facilitate securement of the tape to an external structure when the tape is wrapped around the external structure. A crank is operably engaged with the spool wherein rotation of the crank rotates the spool.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A caution tape reel assembly comprising:
 a housing;   a spool being rotatably coupled to the housing;   a tape being coiled around the spool wherein the spool is rotatable in a first direction to uncoil the tape for extension of the tape from the housing and wherein the spool is rotatable in a second direction to coil the tape around the spool for retraction of the tape onto the spool, the tape being removably coupled to the housing wherein the tape is removable from the housing when the tape is completely uncoiled from the spool, the tape further including:
 an inner end loop being removably coupled to the spool; 
 an outer end loop being distally positioned relative to the inner end loop; 
 an indicium being printed on the tape, the indicium being a cautionary indicium selected from a group of cautionary indicia wherein the cautionary indicium is configured to convey a message to inhibit a user from crossing the tape when the tape is extended around an area; 
   a clip being coupled to the outer end loop of the tape, the clip being openable wherein the clip is configured to facilitate securement of the tape to an external structure when the tape is wrapped around the external structure, the clip including:
 a clip pin being coupled to the outer end loop; 
 a clevis being coupled to the clip pin, the clevis being pivotably coupled to the clip pin wherein a lateral end of the clevis is pivotable away from the clip pin into an open position, the inner end loop of the tape being positionable around the clevis when the lateral end of the clevis is in the open position whereby the inner end loop of the tape is couplable to the clip; and 
   a crank being coupled to the housing, the crank being operably engaged with the spool wherein the crank is rotatable in the first direction to rotate the spool in the first direction for extension of the tape from the housing and wherein the crank is rotatable in the second direction to rotate the spool in the second direction for retraction of the tape onto the spool.   
     
     
         2 . The caution tape reel assembly of  claim 1 , the housing further comprising a pair of plates being parallel to each other, the pair of plates being spaced from each other. 
     
     
         3 . The caution tape reel assembly of  claim 2 , the housing further comprising a handle being coupled to and extending between the pair of plates, the handle extending upwardly from the pair of plates. 
     
     
         4 . The caution tape reel assembly of  claim 2 , the housing further comprising a pair of guide rollers being coupled to and extending between the pair of plates, the pair of guide rollers being spaced from and being adjacent to each other wherein the pair of guide rollers define a guide slot, the tape extending through the guide slot between the pair of guide rollers wherein the pair of guide rollers is configured to facilitate the tape in being extended and retracted from the housing and wherein the pair of guide rollers is configured to inhibit the tape from being horizontally folded when the tape is being extended and retracted from the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The caution tape reel assembly of  claim 2 , the pair of plates further comprising:
 a first plate aperture extending through a first plate of the pair of plates; and   a second plate aperture extending through a second plate of the pair of plates, the second plate aperture being aligned with the first plate aperture, the second plate aperture being centrally positioned on the second plate.   
     
     
         6 . The caution tape reel assembly of  claim 5 , the pair of plates further comprising:
 a first plate mount being coupled to the first plate, the first plate mount having a cavity being aligned with the first plate aperture; and   a second plate mount being coupled to the second plate, the second plate mount having a through hole being aligned with the second plate aperture.   
     
     
         7 . The caution tape reel assembly of  claim 6 , the cavity further comprising a threaded inner surface. 
     
     
         8 . The caution tape reel assembly of  claim 7 , the spool further comprising:
 a head being positionable against an outer surface of the second plate mount when the spool is coupled to the pair of plates, the head having a diameter exceeding a diameter of the through hole extending through the second plate mount;   a rod being coupled to and extending outwardly from the head, the rod having a diameter being less than a diameter of the through hole wherein the rod is positionable within the first plate aperture and the second plate aperture;   a terminal end of the rod being distal to the head; and   a rod threading extending from the terminal end along the rod, the rod threading being complementary to the threaded inner surface of the cavity within the first plate mount wherein the spool is threadably couplable to the first plate mount.   
     
     
         9 . The caution tape reel assembly of  claim 6 , the crank further comprising:
 a leg being coupled to the first plate mount, the first plate mount being rotatably coupled to the first plate wherein rotation of the leg rotates the first plate mount on the first plate around the first plate aperture and wherein rotation of the first plate mount rotates the spool to selectively extend and retract the tape relative to the housing; and   a foot being coupled to the leg distally to the first plate mount, the foot extending outwardly from the leg wherein the foot is configured to facilitate the user in rotating the leg.   
     
     
         10 . The caution tape reel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the crank is pivotably coupled to the housing wherein the crank is pivotable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the crank being rotatable when the crank is in the unlocked position, the crank being inhibited from being rotated when the crank is in the locked position. 
     
     
         11 . The caution tape reel assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a locking mechanism being coupled to the crank, the locking mechanism being engaged when the crank is in the locked position wherein the locking mechanism is configured to inhibit the crank from being rotated whereby the locking mechanism inhibits the spool from being rotated to inhibit the tape from being extended or retracted from the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The caution tape reel assembly of  claim 11 , the locking mechanism further comprising:
 a pivot pin coupling the crank to the housing wherein the crank pivots around the pivot pin between the locked position and the unlocked position; and   a leaf spring being coupled to the housing, the leaf spring being positioned adjacent to the pivot pin, the leaf spring being biased outwardly from the housing wherein the leaf spring abuts the crank to inhibit the crank from being pivoted between the locked position and the unlocked position and wherein the leaf spring is configured to retract inwardly toward the housing when the user pivots the crank between the locked position and the unlocked position.   
     
     
         13 . The caution tape reel assembly of  claim 1 , the tape further comprising an elongated body extending between the inner end loop and the outer end loop, the indicium being positioned on the elongated body, the elongated body being non-adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The caution tape reel assembly of  claim 1 , the housing further comprising a pair of plates being spaced from each other, each plate of the pair of plates including:
 a first flange; and   a second flange extending outwardly from opposing lateral sides of the first flange wherein the first flange and the second flange form an x-shape.   
     
     
         15 . A caution tape reel assembly comprising:
 a housing including:
 a pair of plates being parallel to each other, the pair of plates being spaced from each other, the pair of plates including:
 a first plate aperture extending through a first plate of the pair of plates; 
 a first plate mount being coupled to the first plate, the first plate mount having a cavity being aligned with the first plate aperture, the cavity having a threaded inner surface, the first plate mount being circular; 
 a second plate aperture extending through a second plate of the pair of plates, the second plate aperture being aligned with the first plate aperture, the second plate aperture being centrally positioned on the second plate; 
 a second plate mount being coupled to the second plate, the second plate mount having a through hole being aligned with the second plate aperture, the second plate mount being circular; 
 
 a handle being coupled to and extending between the pair of plates, the handle extending upwardly from the pair of plates, the handle including:
 a cutout extending through the handle wherein the cutout is configured to facilitate a user in gripping the handle; 
 a grip being positioned within the cutout, the grip being coupled to and extending downwardly from the handle toward the housing wherein the grip is configured to facilitate the user is gripping the handle; 
 
 each plate of the pair of plates including:
 a first flange being vertically oriented, the first flange being elongated, the handle being positioned on the first flange; 
 a second flange being coupled to the first flange, the second flange being elongated, the second flange extending outwardly from opposing lateral sides of the first flange wherein the first flange and the second flange form an x-shape, the second flange being angled downwardly extending outwardly from the opposing lateral sides of the first flange and extending downwardly from the handle; 
 
 a plurality of spacers being coupled to and extending between the pair of plates wherein the plurality of spacers is configured to stabilize a position of the first plate relative to the second plate, the plurality of spacers being positioned adjacent to an outer edge of the second flange of each plate of the pair of plates; 
 a pair of guide rollers being coupled to and extending between the pair of plates, the pair of guide rollers being distally positioned on the first flange of each plate of the pair of plates relative to the handle, the pair of guide rollers being spaced from and being adjacent to each other wherein the pair of guide rollers define a guide slot being perpendicular to the pair of plates, the pair of guide rollers being rotatably coupled to the pair of plates wherein each roller of the pair of guide rollers is rotatable within the housing; 
 a spur being coupled to the pair of plates adjacent to the pair of guide rollers, the spur extending downwardly from the housing wherein the spur is configured to contact a supporting surface to facilitate the user in maintaining a position of the housing when the user is gripping the handle, the spur including:
 a tip being distal to the housing, the tip being pointed; 
 
   a spool being rotatably couplable to the housing, the spool extending between the pair of plates when the spool is coupled to the housing, the spool being centrally positioned on each plate of the pair of plates, the spool being removably couplable to the housing, the spool including:
 a head being positionable against an outer surface of the second plate mount when the spool is coupled to the pair of plates, the head having a diameter exceeding a diameter of the through hole extending through the second plate mount; 
 a rod being coupled to and extending outwardly from the head, the rod having a diameter being less than a diameter of the through hole wherein the rod is positionable within the first plate aperture and the second plate aperture; 
 a spool slot extending through the rod, the spool slot being parallel to the guide slot when the spool is coupled to the housing; 
 a terminal end of the rod being distal to the head, the spool slot extending through the terminal end; 
 a rod threading extending from the terminal end along the rod, the rod threading being complementary to the threaded inner surface of the cavity within the first plate mount wherein the spool is threadably couplable to the first plate mount; 
   a tape being coiled around the spool wherein the spool is rotatable in a first direction to uncoil the tape for extension of the tape from the housing and wherein the spool is rotatable in a second direction to coil the tape around the spool for retraction of the tape onto the spool, the tape extending through the guide slot between the pair of guide rollers wherein the pair of guide rollers is configured to facilitate the tape in being extended and retracted from the housing and wherein the pair of guide rollers is configured to inhibit the tape from being horizontally folded when the tape is being extended and retracted from the housing, the tape being a high visibility color wherein the high visibility color is configured to increase visibility of the tape to the user, the tape having a width between 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches, the tape having a length between 100.0 feet and 300.0 feet, the tape being removably coupled to the spool wherein the tape is removable from the spool when the tape is completely uncoiled from the spool, the tape further including:
 an indicium being printed on the tape, the indicium being a cautionary indicium selected from a group of cautionary indicia wherein the cautionary indicium is configured to convey a message to inhibit the user from crossing the tape when the tape is extended around an area, the group of cautionary indicia consisting of:
 “caution”; 
 “hazard”; 
 “police line”; 
 “do not cross”; 
 “crime scene”; 
 “closed”; 
 “warning”; 
 “danger”; 
 “do not enter”; 
 “authorized personnel only”; and 
 “construction”; 
 
 an inner end loop being removably coupled to the spool, the inner end loop being positionable around the rod through the spool slot to couple the tape to the spool, the inner end loop being slidable outwardly from the rod past the terminal end to remove the tape from the spool; 
 an outer end loop being distally positioned relative to the inner end loop; 
 an elongated body extending between the inner end loop and the outer end loop, the indicium being positioned on the elongated body, the elongated body being non-adhesive; 
   a clip being coupled to the outer end loop of the tape, the clip being openable wherein the clip is configured to facilitate securement of the tape to an external structure when the tape is wrapped around the external structure, the clip including:
 a clip pin being coupled to the outer end loop; 
 a retainer being coupled to the clip pin wherein the retainer secures the outer end loop to the clip pin; 
 a clevis being coupled to the clip pin, the clevis being pivotably coupled to the clip pin wherein a lateral end of the clevis is pivotable away from the clip pin into an open position, the lateral end of the clevis being positioned adjacent to the retainer wherein the retainer inhibits the outer end loop of the tape from being removed from the clip when the lateral end of the clevis is in the open position, the inner end loop of the tape being positionable around the clevis when the lateral end of the clevis is in the open position whereby the inner end loop of the tape is couplable to the clip; 
   a crank being coupled to the housing, the crank being centrally positioned on the first plate of the pair of plates, the crank being operably engaged with the spool wherein the crank is rotatable in the first direction to rotate the spool in the first direction for extension of the tape from the housing and wherein the crank is rotatable in the second direction to rotate the spool in the second direction for retraction of the tape onto the spool, the crank being pivotably coupled to the housing wherein the crank is pivotable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the crank being rotatable when the crank is in the unlocked position, the crank being inhibited from being rotated when the crank is in the locked position, the crank including:
 a leg being coupled to the first plate mount, the first plate mount being rotatably coupled to the first plate wherein rotation of the leg rotates the first plate mount on the first plate around the first plate aperture and wherein rotation of the first plate mount rotates the spool to selectively extend and retract the tape relative to the housing; 
 a foot being coupled to the leg distally to the first plate mount, the foot extending outwardly from the leg wherein the foot is configured to facilitate the user in rotating the leg, the foot being perpendicular to the leg; 
   a locking mechanism being coupled to the crank, the locking mechanism being engaged when the crank is in the locked position wherein the locking mechanism is configured to inhibit the crank from being rotated whereby the locking mechanism inhibits the spool from being rotated to inhibit the tape from being extended or retracted from the housing, the locking mechanism including:
 a pivot pin coupling the crank to the first plate mount wherein the crank pivots around the pivot pin between the locked position and the unlocked position; 
 a leaf spring being coupled to the first plate mount, the leaf spring being positioned adjacent to the pivot pin, the leaf spring being biased outwardly from the first plate mount wherein the leaf spring abuts the crank to inhibit the crank from being pivoted between the locked position and the unlocked position and wherein the leaf spring is configured to retract inwardly toward the first plate mount when the user pivots the crank between the locked position and the unlocked position; and 
 the foot extending outwardly from the leg of the crank toward the first plate of the housing when the crank is in the locked position wherein the foot abuts the first plate of the housing to inhibit the crank from being rotated.