US20070261792A1 - Locator Tool Assembly for Paint Replacement Films - Google Patents
Locator Tool Assembly for Paint Replacement Films Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070261792A1 US20070261792A1 US10/598,199 US59819905A US2007261792A1 US 20070261792 A1 US20070261792 A1 US 20070261792A1 US 59819905 A US59819905 A US 59819905A US 2007261792 A1 US2007261792 A1 US 2007261792A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- locator
- main body
- adhesive
- vehicle door
- locator tool
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H37/00—Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating devices for performing specified auxiliary operations
- B65H37/002—Web delivery apparatus, the web serving as support for articles, material or another web
- B65H37/005—Hand-held apparatus
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2801/00—Application field
- B65H2801/51—Automobile
Landscapes
- Automobile Manufacture Line, Endless Track Vehicle, Trailer (AREA)
- Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Adhesive Tapes (AREA)
Abstract
A locator tool assembly (10) comprising a locator tool (20) capable of being mounted to a vehicle door (200). The tool (20) includes at least one locator projection (42 a, 42 b) adapted to mount one or more film tabs (104). Each tab (104) forms a removable part of an adhesive-backed film structure (102). The assembly (10) further includes a stripper mechanism (50) associated with the locator tool (20) for use in removing the one or more film tabs (104) from the at least one locator projection (42 a, 42 b).
Description
- The present invention relates to paint replacement films and tapes, in particular, to tools and methods used to apply such films or tapes to a desired adherend, and more particularly, to such tools and methods that are used in the application of paint replacement films or tapes to portions of a vehicle (e.g., an automobile, aircraft, watercraft, etc.).
- Adhesive backed (e.g., pressure sensitive adhesive backed) paint replacement films or tapes have been used to color portions of a vehicle such as, for example, body portions of an automobile. One such tape is colored black and has been used to color various portions of an automobile door such as, for example, the window sash and/or pillars of an automobile door.
- Various tools have been devised for assisting in the application of such tapes to automobile doors. For example, there are tools that locate tape at a desired position on an automobile door before the tape is actually adhered to the door. An example of such a tape locator tool can be found in Japanese Kokai Patent Publication No. JP2003063729, entitled ADHESIVE TAPE AFFIXING AUXILIARY JIG, AND ADHESIVE TAPE AFFIXING METHOD UTILIZING THE JIG, assigned to the assignee of the present application, by the inventor TAKAYOSHI FUJINO, having Application No. 2001259972, and filed on Aug. 29, 2001, and published on Mar. 5, 2003. Such tools have included structure for securing the tool to the door and for holding the tape adjacent to the location on the door that the tape is to be adhered. In this way, the tape can be more accurately and consistently applied to the desired portion of the automobile door. The paint replacement tapes used with such tape locator tools include a release liner for protecting the pressure sensitive adhesive (i.e., PSA) until the tape is applied. Examples of such paint replacement tapes can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,993, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention provides an improvement in such locator tool technology.
- A locator tool assembly is provided having a locator tool capable of being mounted to an edge of an outer surface of a vehicle door. In one embodiment, the tool is mountable to an outer edge of the vehicle door outer surface. In another embodiment, the tool is mountable to an inner edge of the vehicle door outer surface. The tool functions to properly position an adhesive-backed film structure relative to the vehicle door so that at least a segment of the film structure can be accurately applied to a desired portion of the vehicle door. The film structure can also comprise a tab, which is mounted to one or more locator projections forming part of the tool. The film structure segment can be secured to the vehicle door (e.g., the door sash or pillar) by use of a pressure sensitive adhesive provided on the back side of the segment. One film structure segment that can be applied according to the present invention is an adhesive-backed paint replacement film, which is used to replace conventional liquid paint. The locator tool assembly can also include a stripper mechanism associated with the locator tool for use in removing one or more tabs held by the one or more locator projections.
- In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a locator tool is provided which is capable of being positioned on an edge of an outer surface of a vehicle door. The tool functions to properly locate an adhesive-backed film segment to be applied to the vehicle door outer surface. The tool comprises: a main body configured to be mounted on the edge of the outer surface of the vehicle door; holding structure associated with the main body for releasably securing the main body to the outer surface edge; and at least one locator projection associated with the main body and adapted to mount an adhesive-backed film structure including the film segment capable of being adhered to the vehicle door outer surface.
- In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a locator tool assembly is provided comprising a locator tool capable of being mounted to a vehicle door and including at least one locator projection adapted to mount one or more film tabs. Each tab forms a removable part of an adhesive-backed film structure. The tool assembly further comprises a stripper mechanism associated with the locator tool for use in removing the one or more film tabs from the at least one locator projection.
- In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for applying an adhesive-backed film segment to an outer surface of a vehicle door. The method comprises the step of providing a locator tool assembly comprising a locator tool capable of being mounted to a vehicle door and including at least one locator projection. The locator tool assembly further includes a stripper mechanism associated with the locator tool. The method further comprises the steps of: mounting the locator tool to the vehicle door; mounting an adhesive-backed film structure on the at least one locator projection via a tab forming part of the adhesive-backed film structure; securing an adhesive-backed film segment forming part of the film structure to an outer surface of the vehicle door; and removing the tab of the adhesive-backed film structure from the at least one locator projection via the stripper mechanism.
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FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a locator tool assembly constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a side view of the locator tool assembly constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the locator tool assembly ofFIG. 2 , with the stripper mechanism shown in a retracted position relative to a tab illustrated in phantom; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the locator tool assembly ofFIG. 2 , with the stripper mechanism shown in an extended position so as to assist in moving the tab illustrated in phantom away from a main body of the locator tool and free of locator pins; -
FIG. 5 is a side view of the locator tool assembly ofFIG. 2 mounted to a vehicle door corner; -
FIG. 6 is a side view showing a portion of a vehicle door in cross section with the tool assembly ofFIG. 2 mounted to an outer edge of an outer surface of the vehicle door; -
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a film structure prior to the segment being separated from the tab; and -
FIG. 8 is a side view of a locator tool assembly constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention mounted to an inner edge of an outer surface of a vehicle door. - Illustrated in
FIGS. 1-6 is alocator tool assembly 10 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention for use in applying an adhesive backed film ortape segment 100 to an outer face of an adherend. The adhesive-backedfilm segment 100 may comprise a paint replacement film, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is applied to anouter surface 202 of avehicle door 200, seeFIGS. 5 and 6 . In the illustrated embodiment, thevehicle door 200 comprises asash 204 and apillar 206. The vehicle doorouter surface 202 is defined by the outer surfaces of thesash 204 and thepillar 206. - The
film segment 100 is illustrated in phantom inFIG. 5 and in solid line inFIG. 7 . In the illustrated embodiment, thefilm segment 100 defines a portion of an adhesive-backedfilm structure 102. Thefilm structure 102 further comprises an adhesive-backedfilm tab 104. Arelease liner 106 is provided which is releasably mounted to the adhesive side of thefilm structure 102. Thefilm tab 104 is provided with a pair ofopenings 104 a. Similarly, afirst portion 106 a of therelease liner 106, whichportion 106 a is releasably secured to thetab 104, includes a pair ofopenings 106 b in-line with theopenings 104 a. Theopenings film structure 102 andcorresponding release liner 106 to be mounted to thetool assembly 10, as will be discussed in further detail below. - The
release liner 106 further includes asecond portion 106 c, which is releasably secured to thefilm segment 100. Aperforation line 108 is provided through thefilm structure 102 so as to permit thefilm segment 100 to be separated from thetab 104. Aperforation line 108 a may also be provided in therelease liner 106, whichperforation line 108 a may be formed concurrently with theperforation line 108 in thefilm structure 102. Therelease liner 106 may also include ascore line 108 b, i.e., a cut extending completely through theliner 106, so as to permit the release linersecond portion 106 c to be removed from thefilm segment 100. - The
film structure 102 may comprise any one of the pressure sensitive adhesive films or tapes disclosed in the following documents: WO 01/28769 A1, entitled “CONFORMABLE MULTILAYER FILMS,” published on Apr. 26, 2001; WO 02/064674 A2, entitled “REPLACEMENT FOR PLASTICIZED POLYVINYL CHLORIDE,” published on Aug. 22, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,675 B1 and entitled “ADHESIVE-BACK ARTICLES”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,831 B2 and entitled “MULTI-LAYER ARTICLE”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,759,110 B1 and entitled “STRUCTURED RELEASE LINERS WITH IMPROVED ADHESION TO ADHESIVE ARTICLES”; and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0207065 A1 and entitled “ADHESIVES HAVING A MICROREPLICATED TOPOGRAPHY AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME”; the disclosure of each of these documents is incorporated herein by reference. - Referring again to
FIGS. 1-6 , thelocator tool assembly 10 comprises alocator tool 20 and a release orstripper mechanism 50. Thelocator tool 20 is mounted to anouter edge 202 a of the vehicle doorouter surface 202. Thetool 20 comprises amain body 30 having first andsecond leg portions FIG. 5 , so as to allow themain body 30 to be mounted to acorner 207 of thevehicle door 200. The angle θ may vary, e.g., 0 degrees to 180 degrees, so as to allow themain body 30 to be configured to the shape of any vehicle door corner. It is also contemplated that the main body may comprise a single leg having a substantially linear or curved shape. Themain body 30 may be formed from a polymeric material such as polyacetal, nylon, linen reinforced bakelite or like materials. It is also contemplated that themain body 30 may be formed from a metal having surfaces painted or coated with a polymeric layer so as not to mark a painted surface of a vehicle door to which thetool 20 is attached. - The
main body 30 further comprises first and second opposingflanges first recess 38 a, third and fourth opposingflanges second recess 38 b, and fifth and sixth opposingflanges third recess 38 c, seeFIGS. 1, 2 , 5 and 6. As is apparent fromFIGS. 5 and 6 , thelocator tool 20 is mounted so that theouter edge 202 a of the vehicle doorouter surface 202 is received in the recesses 38 a-38 c. First, second and third pairs ofmagnets main body 30 so as to be flush with the openings or slightly recessed in the openings. The magnets 40 a-40 c preferably do not extend into the recesses 38 a-38 c so as not to scratch or mark the vehicle doorouter edge 202 a, seeFIGS. 5 and 6 . The magnets 40 a-40 c function to releasably secure or hold thelocator tool 20 to the vehicle doorouter surface 202. It is also contemplated that each recess 38 a-38 c may be defined by only a single flange instead of two flanges. - A pair of locator pins 42 a and 42 b (also referred to herein as locator projections) extend through
corresponding bores main body 30, seeFIG. 1 . Therelease liner 106. Thetab 104 and its correspondingrelease liner portion 106 a may remain on the locator pins 42 a, 42 b. Because thelocator tool 20 may be used to apply a plurality offilm segments 100 to multiple vehicle doors, a number oftabs 104 and correspondingrelease liner portions 106 a may build up on the locator pins 42 a, 42 b. As thetabs 104 build up, their removal from the locator pins 42 a, 42 b become more and more difficult, especially when theholes tabs 104 and correspondingrelease liner portions 106 a and the locator pins 42 a, 42 b are designed to fit snuggly together. Thestripper mechanism 50, which is associated with thelocator tool 20, provides an easy means by which to push or move thetabs 104 and correspondingrelease liner portions 106 a off the locator pins 42 a, 42 b. - The
stripper mechanism 50 comprises first andsecond guide rods bores main body 30, seeFIG. 1 . Themechanism 50 further comprises first andsecond stripper plates 54 and 56 (also referred to herein as stripper elements), which are coupled together via theguide rods plates guide rods plates sides main body 30, seeFIG. 2 . - First and
second openings first plate 54, and first andsecond openings second plate 56.Locator pin 42 a passes through thefirst openings plates locator pin 42 b passes through thesecond openings plates release mechanism 50 may be manually moved relative to themain body 30 and the main body locator pins 42 a, 42 b. - First and second plate recesses 132 and 134, respectively, are provided in the
main body 30 and are shaped to receive the first andsecond plates FIGS. 1 and 2 . Thefirst plate 54 is received in thefirst plate recess 132 when thestripper mechanism 50 is moved to a first position so as to allow afilm structure 102 to be positioned adjacent to the main bodyfirst side 30 a, seeFIG. 3 . It is noted that thestripper mechanism 50 is free-floating relative to themain body 30 in the illustrated embodiment. Hence, when atab 104 is pushed onto the locator pins 42 a, 42 b so as to be adjacent to the main bodyfirst side 30 a, thestripper mechanism 50 is automatically positioned in its first position such that thefirst plate 54 is received in thefirst plate recess 132. When thestripper mechanism 50 is in its first position, thesecond plate 56 is spaced away from thesecond side 30 b of themain body 30. Thesecond plate 56 is received in thesecond plate recess 134 when thestripper mechanism 50 is moved to a second position so as to allow afilm structure 102 to be positioned adjacent to the main bodysecond side 30 b, seeFIG. 2 . When thestripper mechanism 50 is in its second position, thefirst plate 54 is spaced away from thefirst side 30 a of themain body 30. - When one or
more tabs 104 positioned on the locator pins 42 a, 42 b are to be removed, an operator need only manually move thestripper mechanism 50 in a direction toward thetabs 104 so as to move thetabs 104 off thepins single tab 104 is shown in phantom inFIG. 3 positioned on the locator pins 42 a, 42 b. Thetab 104 is also positioned adjacent to main bodyfirst side 30 a andfirst stripper plate 54. To remove thetab 104, thestripper mechanism 50 is manually moved in a direction toward thetab 104 such that thefirst stripper plate 54 is moved away from the main bodyfirst side 30 a, thereby pushing thetab 104 off the locator pins 42 a, 42 b, seeFIG. 4 . - The process for applying an adhesive-backed
film segment 100 to theouter surface 202 of avehicle door 200 will now be described. Initially, thelocator tool 20 is manually mounted to theouter edge 202 a of the vehicle doorouter surface 202 such that theouter edge 202 a is received in the recesses 38 a-38 c, seeFIGS. 5 and 6 . Then, an adhesive-backedfilm structure 102 andcorresponding release liner 106 are mounted to the locator pins 42 a, 42 b, seeFIG. 5 where a portion of afilm structure 102 is shown in phantom. Thesecond portion 106 c of therelease liner 106 is separated from the release linerfirst portion 106 a via thescore line 108 b and removed from thefilm segment 100. The adhesive side of thefilm segment 100, which is nearest to thevehicle door 200, is then manually adhered to the doorouter surface 202. A squeegee (not shown) comprising a soft plastic block, which may be covered with a padded cloth to reduce scratching of thevehicle door 200, may be used by the operator to assist in applying thefilm segment 100 to the vehicle doorouter surface 202. A hand-held tool (not shown) having one or more rollers for applying thefilm segment 100 to the vehicle doorouter surface 202 may also be provided. It is also contemplated that an operator may wear soft gloves when applying thefilm segment 100, with or without a squeegee or tool with one or more rollers, to the vehicle doorouter surface 202. Next, thelocator tool 20 is removed from thevehicle door 200. In the illustrated embodiment, thefilm segment 100 automatically separates from thetab 104 locator pins 42 a and 42 b are fixed in position in themain body 30 via locking press-fit pins 44 a and 44 b or set screws. The locator pins 42 a and 42 b are spaced apart a distance which is substantially equal to the distance between theopenings 104 a in thefilm tab 104 and theopenings 106 b in therelease liner 106. The locator pins 42 a, 42 b function to mount an adhesive-backedfilm structure 102 and itscorresponding release liner 106. Preferably, thepins openings film structure 102 and itsrelease liner 106 onto thepins locator tool 20, which preferably has previously been mounted to theouter edge 202 a of the vehicle doorouter surface 202, functions to properly position thefilm structure 102 relative to thevehicle door 200 so that thesegment 100 of thefilm structure 102 may be accurately located and applied to thevehicle door 200. It is also contemplated that a single locator projection may be provided in place of the locator pins 42 a and 42 b. Such a single projection may have a cross-section that is circular shaped, like either pin 42 a or 42 b, or a cross-section that is wider than it is high (e.g., as wide as the spaced apart pins 42 a and 42 b and as high as the diameter of either pin 42) and that is received in a single slot provided in each of tab and release liner, or at least the tab. - Because the locator pins 42 a and 42 b extend outwardly beyond first and second outer surfaces or
sides main body 30, thelocator tool 20 may be used to mount afilm structure 102 and itscorresponding release liner 106 adjacent to either a right-hand or left-hand vehicle door. It is also contemplated that the locator pins 42 a, 42 b may extend outwardly from only asingle side main body 30. In this latter embodiment, thetool 20 may only be used with either a right-hand or a left-hand vehicle door. - A
portion 30 c of themain body 30 near the flanges 36 a-36 f and on each of the main body sides 30 a and 30 b is provided with a textured or groovedsurface 130, seeFIG. 1 . Thetextured surface 130 functions to reduce the amount of adhesion that occurs when a portion of an adhesive side of the adhesive-backedfilm segment 100 contacts themain body 30 thereby allowing the segment adhesive side portion to be easily removed from thetextured surface 130. - During the film segment application process, which will be described more explicitly below, the
film segment 100 is separated from itscorresponding tab 104 andrelease liner 106. Thetab 104 and its correspondingrelease liner portion 106 a may remain on the locator pins 42 a, 42 b. Because thelocator tool 20 may be used to apply a plurality offilm segments 100 to multiple vehicle doors, a number oftabs 104 and correspondingrelease liner portions 106 a may build up on the locator pins 42 a, 42 b. As thetabs 104 build up, their removal from the locator pins 42 a, 42 b become more and more difficult, especially when theholes tabs 104 and correspondingrelease liner portions 106 a and the locator pins 42 a, 42 b are designed to fit snuggly together. Thestripper mechanism 50, which is associated with thelocator tool 20, provides an easy means by which to push or move thetabs 104 and correspondingrelease liner portions 106 a off the locator pins 42 a, 42 b. - The
stripper mechanism 50 comprises first andsecond guide rods bores main body 30, seeFIG. 1 . Themechanism 50 further comprises first andsecond stripper plates 54 and 56 (also referred to herein as stripper elements), which are coupled together via theguide rods plates guide rods plates sides main body 30, seeFIG. 2 . - First and
second openings first plate 54, and first andsecond openings second plate 56.Locator pin 42 a passes through thefirst openings plates locator pin 42 b passes through thesecond openings plates release mechanism 50 may be manually moved relative to themain body 30 and the main body locator pins 42 a, 42 b. - First and second plate recesses 132 and 134, respectively, are provided in the
main body 30 and are shaped to receive the first andsecond plates FIGS. 1 and 2 . Thefirst plate 54 is received in thefirst plate recess 132 when thestripper mechanism 50 is moved to a first position so as to allow afilm structure 102 to be positioned adjacent to the main bodyfirst side 30 a, seeFIG. 3 . It is noted that thestripper mechanism 50 is free-floating relative to themain body 30 in the illustrated embodiment. Hence, when atab 104 is pushed onto the locator pins 42 a, 42 b so as to be adjacent to the main bodyfirst side 30 a, thestripper mechanism 50 is automatically positioned in its first position such that thefirst plate 54 is received in thefirst plate recess 132. When thestripper mechanism 50 is in its first position, thesecond plate 56 is spaced away from thesecond side 30 b of themain body 30. Thesecond plate 56 is received in thesecond plate recess 134 when thestripper mechanism 50 is moved to a second position so as to allow afilm structure 102 to be positioned adjacent to the main bodysecond side 30 b, seeFIG. 2 . When thestripper mechanism 50 is in its second position, thefirst plate 54 is spaced away from thefirst side 30 a of themain body 30. - When one or
more tabs 104 positioned on the locator pins 42 a, 42 b are to be removed, an operator need only manually move thestripper mechanism 50 in a direction toward thetabs 104 so as to move thetabs 104 off thepins single tab 104 is shown in phantom inFIG. 3 positioned on the locator pins 42 a, 42 b. Thetab 104 is also positioned adjacent to main bodyfirst side 30 a andfirst stripper plate 54. To remove thetab 104, thestripper mechanism 50 is manually moved in a direction toward thetab 104 such that thefirst stripper plate 54 is moved away from the main bodyfirst side 30 a, thereby pushing thetab 104 off the locator pins 42 a, 42 b, seeFIG. 4 . - The process for applying an adhesive-backed
film segment 100 to theouter surface 202 of avehicle door 200 will now be described. Initially, thelocator tool 20 is manually mounted to theouter edge 202 a of the vehicle doorouter surface 202 such that theouter edge 202 a is received in the recesses 38 a-38 c, seeFIGS. 5 and 6 . Then, an adhesive-backedfilm structure 102 andcorresponding release liner 106 are mounted to the locator pins 42 a, 42 b, seeFIG. 5 where a portion of afilm structure 102 is shown in phantom. Thesecond portion 106 c of therelease liner 106 is separated from the release linerfirst portion 106 a via thescore line 108 b and removed from thefilm segment 100. The adhesive side of thefilm segment 100, which is nearest to thevehicle door 200, is then manually adhered to the doorouter surface 202. A squeegee (not shown) comprising a soft plastic block, which may be covered with a padded cloth to reduce scratching of thevehicle door 200, may be used by the operator to assist in applying thefilm segment 100 to the vehicle doorouter surface 202. A hand-held tool (not shown) having one or more rollers for applying thefilm segment 100 to the vehicle doorouter surface 202 may also be provided. It is also contemplated that an operator may wear soft gloves when applying thefilm segment 100, with or without a squeegee or tool with one or more rollers, to the vehicle doorouter surface 202. Next, thelocator tool 20 is removed from thevehicle door 200. In the illustrated embodiment, thefilm segment 100 automatically separates from thetab 104 via theperforation line 108 when thetool 20 is removed from thedoor 200. Alternatively, a recess (not shown) may be provided in themain body 30, which recess is in-line with theperforation line 108. The recess allows an operator to easily apply pressure to thefilm structure 102 along theperforation line 108, such as by using a pointed edge of a squeegee, so as to separate thefilm segment 100 from thetab 104. - After the
tool 20 is removed, any remaining portions of thefilm segment 100 which have not yet been adhered to the doorouter surface 202 are pressed against thesurface 202, including the wrapping of outer edges of thefilm segment 100 about outer edges of the vehicle doorouter surface 202, to complete the application process. Thetab 104 and its correspondingrelease liner portion 106 a may be removed from the locator pins 42 a, 42 b just after thecorresponding film segment 100 has been applied to thevehicle door 200 using thestripper mechanism 50. Alternatively, a plurality oftabs 104 and correspondingrelease liner portions 106 a may be allowed to build up on the locator pins 42 a, 42 b and later removed simultaneously via thestripper mechanism 50. - A
locator tool 400, constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention for use in applying an adhesive-backed film ortape segment 300 to an outer face of an adherend, such as avehicle door 500, is illustrated inFIG. 8 . The adhesive-backedfilm segment 300 may comprise a paint replacement film, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is applied to anouter surface 502 of thevehicle door 500. In the illustrated embodiment, thevehicle door 500 comprises asash 504 and apillar 506. Theouter surface 502 is defined by the outer surfaces of thesash 504 and thepillar 506. - A portion of the
film segment 300 is illustrated in phantom inFIG. 8 . In the illustrated embodiment, thefilm segment 300 defines a portion of an adhesive-backedfilm structure 302. Thefilm structure 302 further comprises an adhesive-backedfilm tab 304. A release liner (not shown) is provided which is releasably mounted to the adhesive side of thefilm structure 302. Thefilm tab 304 is provided with a pair ofopenings 304 a. Similarly, a first portion of the release liner, which portion is releasably secured to thetab 304, includes a pair of openings. The openings in the tab and the release liner first portion allow thefilm structure 302 and corresponding release liner to be mounted to thetool 400. - The release liner further includes a second portion, which is releasably secured to the
film segment 300. Aperforation line 308 is provided through thefilm structure 302 so as to permit thefilm segment 300 to be separated from thetab 304. A score line (not shown) may be provided in the release liner so as to permit the release liner second portion to be separated from the release liner first portion. - The
film structure 302 may comprise any one of the pressure sensitive adhesive films or tapes used to form thefilm structure 102, noted above. - In the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 8 , thelocator tool 400 is mounted to aninner edge 502 a of the vehicle doorouter surface 502. Thetool 400 comprises a main body 430 having first andsecond leg portions 432 and 434 which, in the illustrated embodiment, are substantially parallel to one another. The main body 430 may be formed from any one of the materials used to form themain body 30, noted above. - The main body 430 further comprises a first set of
flanges 436 a for defining a first recess between them, a second set offlanges 436 b for defining a recess between them, and a third set offlanges 436 c for defining a recess between them. The flanges 436 a-436 c are similar to the opposing flanges 36 a-36 f set out above. As is apparent fromFIG. 8 , thelocator tool 400 is mounted so that theinner edge 502 a of the vehicle doorouter surface 502 is received in the recesses defined by the flanges 436 a-436 c. First, second and third pairs of magnets (not shown) are mounted in corresponding openings in the main body 430 so as to be flush with the openings or slightly recessed in the openings. The magnets preferably do not extend into the recesses defined by the flanges 436 a-436 c so as not to scratch or mark the vehicle doorinner edge 502 a. The magnets function to releasably secure or hold thelocator tool 400 to the vehicle doorinner surface 502. - A pair of locator pins 442 a and 442 b (also referred to herein as locator projections) extend through corresponding bores in the main body 430. The locator pins 442 a and 442 b are fixed in position in the main body 430 via locking pins (not shown), which pins are similar to
pins film structure 302 and its corresponding release liner. By mounting thefilm structure 302 and its release liner to thepins locator tool 400, which preferably has previously been mounted to theinner edge 502 a of the vehicle doorouter surface 502, functions to properly position thefilm structure 302 relative to thevehicle door 500 so that thesegment 300 of thefilm structure 302 may be accurately located and applied to thevehicle door 500. - While not shown in the
FIG. 8 ,portions 430 c of the main body 430 near the flanges 436 a-436 c may be provided with a textured or grooved surface. The textured surface functions to reduce the amount of adhesion that occurs when a portion of an adhesive side of the adhesive-backedfilm segment 300 contacts the main body 430 thereby allowing the segment adhesive side portion to be easily removed from the textured surface. - While not shown in
FIG. 8 , a release or stripper mechanism similar to therelease mechanism 50 described above may be provided to assist in removing one ormore tabs 304 located on thepins - The process for applying an adhesive-backed
film segment 300 to theouter surface 502 of avehicle door 500 will now be described. Initially, thelocator tool 400 is manually mounted to theinner edge 502 a of the vehicle doorouter surface 502 such that theinner edge 502 a is received in the recesses defined between the flanges 436 a-436 c. Then, an adhesive-backedfilm structure 302 and corresponding release liner are mounted to the locator pins 442 a, 442 b. The second portion of the release liner corresponding to thefilm segment 300 is removed from thefilm segment 300. The adhesive side of thefilm segment 300, which is nearest to thevehicle door 500, is then manually adhered to thedoor 500. A squeegee (not shown) may be used by the operator to assist in applying thefilm segment 300 to thevehicle door 500. Thetool 400 is then removed from thedoor 500. Thefilm segment 300 separates from thetab 304 via theperforation line 308 when thetool 400 is removed from thedoor 500. The portions of thefilm segment 300 previously positioned over themain body portions 430 c as well as any other portions not yet secured to the doorouter surface 502 are then manually adhered to theouter surface 502 so as to complete the application process. Thetab 304 may be removed via a release mechanism, if provided, or manually if such a mechanism is not provided and discarded. If a release mechanism is not provided, thetab 304 may be enlarged so as to extend beyond the outer edges of the main body 430 to thereby allow an operator to easily grip thetab 304 for removal from the locator pins 442 a, 442 b. - While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. For example, it is contemplated that the tools of the present invention could be used to apply films to articles other than vehicle sashes such as appliances, tools, etc.
Claims (24)
1-23. (canceled)
24. A locator tool capable of being positioned on an edge of an outer surface of a vehicle door adapted to receive an adhesive-backed film segment comprising:
a main body configured to be mounted on the edge of the outer surface of the vehicle door;
holding structure associated with said main body for releasably securing said main body to the outer surface edge; and
at least one locator projection associated with said main body and adapted to mount an adhesive-backed film structure including the film segment capable of being adhered to the vehicle door outer surface.
25. The locator tool as set forth in claim 24 , wherein said main body includes at least one recess into which the surface edge is received.
26. The locator tool as set forth in claim 25 , wherein said main body comprises at least one flange which defines said recess.
27. The locator tool as set forth in claim 25 , wherein said holding structure comprises at least one magnetic element.
28. The locator tool as set forth in claim 27 , wherein said magnetic element is mounted so as not to extend into said recess.
29. The locator tool as set forth in claim 24 , wherein said at least one locator projection comprises at least two locator pins adapted to receive a removable tab forming part of the adhesive-backed film structure.
30. The locator tool as set forth in claim 24 , wherein said main body has a configuration allowing it to be mounted to an outer edge of the vehicle door outer surface.
31. The locator tool as set forth in claim 24 , herein said main body has a configuration allowing it to be mounted to an inner edge of the vehicle door outer surface.
32. The locator tool as set forth in claim 24 wherein said main body, comprises a first leg portion and a second leg portion, said first and second leg portions defining an angle less than about 140 degrees so as to allow said main body to be mounted to a corner of the vehicle door outer surface.
33. The locator tool as set forth in claim 24 , wherein at least a portion of said main body has a textured surface so as to reduce the amount of adhesion that occurs when a portion of an adhesive side of the adhesive-backed film segment contacts said main body thereby allowing the segment adhesive side portion to be easily removed from said textured surface.
34. A locator tool assembly comprising:
a locator tool capable of being mounted to a vehicle door and including at least one locator projection adapted to mount one or more film tabs, each tab forming a removable part of an adhesive-backed film structure; and
a stripper mechanism associated with said locator tool for use in removing the one or more film tabs from said at least one locator projection.
35. The locator tool assembly as set forth in claim 34 , wherein said locator tool further comprises:
a main body configured to be mounted to the vehicle door, said at least one locator projection being coupled to said main body; and
holding structure associated with said main body for releasably securing sad main body to said door.
36. The locator tool assembly as set forth in claim 35 wherein said main body includes at least one recess into which an edge of a vehicle door is received.
37. The locator tool assembly as set forth in claim 35 , wherein said holding structure comprises at least one magnetic element.
38. The locator tool assembly as set forth in claim 34 , wherein said stripper mechanism comprises:
at least one guide rod; and
at least one stripper element coupled to said guide rod, said stripper element and said guide rod being movable relative to said at least one locator projection so as to effect removal of the one or more tabs from said at least one locator projection.
39. The locator tool assembly as set forth in claim 38 , wherein said at least one guide rod extends through a bore in a main body of said locator tool and said at least one stripper element comprises first and second stripper plates coupled to said at least one guide rod on opposing sides of said main body.
40. The locator tool assembly as set forth in claim 39 , wherein said at least one locator projection comprises at least two locator pins which extend through bores in said main body so as to permit the one or more film tabs to be mounted on one of first and second sides of said main body.
41. The locator tool assembles as set forth in claim 34 , in combination with one or more adhesive film structures.
42. The locator tool assembly as set forth in claim 41 , wherein each of said one or more adhesive film structures comprises an adhesive-backed paint replacement film structure.
43. A method for applying an adhesive-backed film segment to an outer surface of a vehicle door, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a locator tool assembly comprising a locator tool capable of being mounted to a vehicle door and including at least one locator projection, the locator tool assembly further including a stripper mechanism associated with the locator tool;
mounting the locator tool to a vehicle door;
mounting an adhesive-backed film structure on the at least one locator projection via a tab forming part of the adhesive-backed film structure, the film structure further including a segment;
securing the adhesive-backed film segment to an outer surface of the vehicle door; and
removing the tab of the adhesive-backed film structure from the at least one locator projection via the stripper mechanism.
44. The method as set forth in claim 43 , wherein the locator tool comprises a main body including at least one recess and said mounting step comprising the step of locating the main body such halt an edge of the vehicle outer surface is received in the at least one recess.
45. The method as set forth in claim 43 , wherein the stripper mechanism comprises at least one guide rod, and at least one stripper element coupled to the guide rod, and said removing step comprising the step of moving the stripper element and the guide rod relative to the at least one locator projection so as to effect removal of the tab from the at least one locator projection.
46. The method as set forth in claim 43 , wherein the tab and segment of the adhesive-backed film structure are coupled together prior to said securing step and further comprising the step of separating the segment from the tab.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/598,199 US20070261792A1 (en) | 2004-02-23 | 2005-02-22 | Locator Tool Assembly for Paint Replacement Films |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US54679204P | 2004-02-23 | 2004-02-23 | |
US61914404P | 2004-10-15 | 2004-10-15 | |
PCT/US2005/005510 WO2005082755A1 (en) | 2004-02-23 | 2005-02-22 | Locator tool assembly for paint replacement films |
US10/598,199 US20070261792A1 (en) | 2004-02-23 | 2005-02-22 | Locator Tool Assembly for Paint Replacement Films |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070261792A1 true US20070261792A1 (en) | 2007-11-15 |
Family
ID=34915584
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/598,199 Abandoned US20070261792A1 (en) | 2004-02-23 | 2005-02-22 | Locator Tool Assembly for Paint Replacement Films |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070261792A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1723062A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2007523012A (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0507931A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005082755A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4762686B2 (en) * | 2005-11-14 | 2011-08-31 | 株式会社槌屋 | Adhesive tape application jig and adhesive tape application method |
JP6515319B2 (en) * | 2014-10-30 | 2019-05-22 | 三菱自動車工業株式会社 | Adhesive tape sticking jig |
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-
2005
- 2005-02-22 BR BRPI0507931-4A patent/BRPI0507931A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2005-02-22 US US10/598,199 patent/US20070261792A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-02-22 WO PCT/US2005/005510 patent/WO2005082755A1/en active Application Filing
- 2005-02-22 EP EP05723440A patent/EP1723062A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-02-22 JP JP2007500917A patent/JP2007523012A/en active Pending
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US1901908A (en) * | 1928-05-18 | 1933-03-21 | Hudson Motor Car Co | Body striping |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BRPI0507931A (en) | 2007-07-17 |
WO2005082755A1 (en) | 2005-09-09 |
EP1723062A1 (en) | 2006-11-22 |
JP2007523012A (en) | 2007-08-16 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, MINNESOTA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ANDERSON, GORDON L.;REEL/FRAME:019230/0150 Effective date: 20070426 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |