| Locator tool assembly for paint replacement films -> Monitor Keywords |
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  Locator tool assembly for paint replacement filmsUSPTO Application #: 20070261792Title: Locator tool assembly for paint replacement films 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 (42a, 42b) 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 (42a, 42b). (end of abstract)
Agent: 3m Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul, MN, US Inventor: Gordon L. Anderson USPTO Applicaton #: 20070261792 - Class: 156391000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070261792. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] 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.). BACKGROUND ART [0002] 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. [0003] 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. [0004] The present invention provides an improvement in such locator tool technology. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION [0005] 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. [0006] 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. [0007] 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. [0008] 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a locator tool assembly constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; [0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the locator tool assembly constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the locator tool assembly of FIG. 2, with the stripper mechanism shown in a retracted position relative to a tab illustrated in phantom; [0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the locator tool assembly of FIG. 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; [0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the locator tool assembly of FIG. 2 mounted to a vehicle door corner; [0014] FIG. 6 is a side view showing a portion of a vehicle door in cross section with the tool assembly of FIG. 2 mounted to an outer edge of an outer surface of the vehicle door; [0015] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a film structure prior to the segment being separated from the tab; and [0016] 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. BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [0017] Illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 is a locator tool assembly 10 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention for use in applying an adhesive backed film or tape segment 100 to an outer face of an adherend. The adhesive-backed film segment 100 may comprise a paint replacement film, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is applied to an outer surface 202 of a vehicle door 200, see FIGS. 5 and 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle door 200 comprises a sash 204 and a pillar 206. The vehicle door outer surface 202 is defined by the outer surfaces of the sash 204 and the pillar 206. [0018] The film segment 100 is illustrated in phantom in FIG. 5 and in solid line in FIG. 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the film segment 100 defines a portion of an adhesive-backed film structure 102. The film structure 102 further comprises an adhesive-backed film tab 104. A release liner 106 is provided which is releasably mounted to the adhesive side of the film structure 102. The film tab 104 is provided with a pair of openings 104a. Similarly, a first portion 106a of the release liner 106, which portion 106a is releasably secured to the tab 104, includes a pair of openings 106b in-line with the openings 104a. The openings 104a and 106b allow the film structure 102 and corresponding release liner 106 to be mounted to the tool assembly 10, as will be discussed in further detail below. [0019] The release liner 106 further includes a second portion 106c, which is releasably secured to the film segment 100. A perforation line 108 is provided through the film structure 102 so as to permit the film segment 100 to be separated from the tab 104. A perforation line 108a may also be provided in the release liner 106, which perforation line 108a may be formed concurrently with the perforation line 108 in the film structure 102. The release liner 106 may also include a score line 108b, i.e., a cut extending completely through the liner 106, so as to permit the release liner second portion 106c to be removed from the film segment 100. Continue reading... Full patent description for Locator tool assembly for paint replacement films Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Locator tool assembly for paint replacement films patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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