Dual roller applicator for seam tape

Abstract

A one-handed tool for use in application of seam tape or seaming tape. The device has a frame with an upper support with an ergonomic grip, with a finger guard or shield extending across the front of the grip to protect the user's fingers. A primary roller support and a secondary roller support extend downward from upper support. Each roller support comprises a pair of parallel arms extending downward at angles behind and in front of the upper support when in use, supporting a primary roller and a secondary roller, respectively. The primary roller is used to apply pressure to the seaming tape, while the secondary roller is used for stability and to apply additional pressure to the edges of the seaming tape. A retractable blade or knife may be located on one or more roller supports.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of applying seam tape, comprising:
 placing a length of a seam tape to a seam between a first edge of a first panel and a second edge of a second panel, wherein the first panel is mounted on a structure or frame adjacent to second panel such that the first edge and the second edge are adjacent to each other and form the seam therebetween;   providing a seam tape roller, said seam tape roller comprising:
 a frame with an upper support with a hand grip, a pair of primary roller support arms extending downward from the upper support, and a pair of secondary roller support arms extending downward from the upper support; 
 a primary roller rotationally mounted on the pair of primary roller support arms; and 
 a secondary roller rotationally mounted on the pair of secondary roller support arms; 
 wherein the primary roller has an axis of rotation and the hand grip has a length parallel to the axis of rotation of the primary roller; and 
   applying pressure to some or all of the length of seam tape by passing the seam tape along at least a section of the length of seaming tape.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the primary roller has a center and the length of seam tape has a center axis extending the length of the seam tape, and the center of the primary roller and the center axis of the length of seam tape are generally aligned while applying pressure to some or all of the length of seam tape. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of applying pressure comprises holding the hand grip and applying pressure to the primary roller and second roller. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary roller comprises two end sections with a first outside diameter, and a center section with a second outside diameter, wherein the first outside diameter is greater than the second outside diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the primary roller comprises a cylinder with a third outside diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the third outside diameter is equal to the first outside diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a finger guard disposed proximate a side of the hand grip. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hand grip is configured to be held by a single human hand. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the hand grip is configured to be held by either a right hand or a left hand. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a safety line attachment point. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a blade affixed to the frame. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the primary roller is removably mounted on the pair of primary roller support arms. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary roller is removably mounted on the pair of secondary roller support arms. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hand grip is removably attached to the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , where the pair of primary roller support arms and the pair of secondary roller support arms each have an upper end which meet at the upper support, thereby forming an angle therebetween. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the angle is acute. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a roll of tape is not mounted thereon or dispensed therefrom. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the primary roller comprises rubber.