Reusable Barrier Tape Device

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The disclosure relates to security border devices and more particularly pertains to a new security border device for extending a reusable barrier tape around an area and retracting the reusable barrier tape onto a reel.

The prior art relates to security border devices. For example, the prior art relates to police tape and caution tape that is extended around an area, such as a crime scene, construction zone, or other potentially hazardous area, to mark the area as dangerous or to notify passerby that the area is off-limits. Caution tape that is commonly for crime scenes or construction zones is designed to be disposable after a single use. Disposal after a single use leads to significant amounts of caution tape being thrown away into landfills. Thus, there is a need for a reusable caution tape device. The caution tape is often sold in a roll, which the user can unravel to extend the caution tape around the area of the crime scene. However, there is no means to re-roll the caution tape. Thus, there is a need for a caution tape device that can facilitate re-rolling the caution tape so that the caution tape can be reused. Sometimes, the crime scene or other off-limits area is extremely large, such that a single roll of caution tape is not long enough to extend around the entire perimeter. Thus, there is also a need for a caution tape device that can be used to temporarily attach multiple lengths of caution tape together so that any size area can be cordoned off and marked as off-limits.

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a housing. A spool is rotatably coupled to the housing. A tape is 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 is 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 includes 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. An indicium is printed on the tape. The indicium is a cautionary indicium selected from a group of cautionary indicia wherein the 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 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. The clip includes a clip pin that is coupled to the outer end loop. A clevis is coupled to the clip pin. The clevis is 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 is 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 is coupled to the housing. The crank is 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.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular tothereof, a new security border device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeralwill be described.

As best illustrated in, the reusable barrier tape devicegenerally comprises a housing. For example, the housingmay include a pair of plates. The pair of platesmay be parallel to each other. The pair of platesare generally spaced from each other.

A first plate aperturemay extend through a first plateof the pair of plates. A first plate mountmay be coupled to the first plate. The first plate mountmay have a cavitythat is aligned with the first plate aperture. The cavitymay have a threaded inner surface. The first plate mountmay be circular.

A second plate aperturemay extend through a second plateof the pair of plates. The second plate apertureis generally aligned with the first plate aperture. The second plate aperturemay be centrally positioned on the second plate. A second plate mountmay be coupled to the second plate. The second plate mountmay have a through holethat is aligned with the second plate aperture. The second plate mountmay be circular.

The housingmay also include a handle. For example, the handlemay extend between the pair of plates. The handlegenerally extends upwardly from the pair of plates. The handlemay include a cutoutthat extends through the handlewherein the cutoutis configured to facilitate a user in gripping the handle. A gripmay be positioned within the cutout. The gripmay be coupled to and extend downwardly from the handletoward the housingwherein the gripis configured to facilitate the user is gripping the handle. In some embodiments, the gripmay comprise a rubber material wherein the grip is configured to increase friction between the handleand a hand of the user to inhibit the handlefrom slipping when the user is holding the handle.

Each plate of the pair of platesmay include a first flangethat may vertically oriented relative to the handle. For example, the handlemay be positioned on the first flangeand the first flangeof each plate of the pair of platesmay extend downwardly from the handle. The first flangemay be elongated.

A second flangemay be coupled to the first flange. The second flangemay extend outwardly from opposing lateral sides of the first flangewherein the first flangeand the second flangeform an x-shape. The second flangemay be horizontally oriented relative to the first flange. The second flangemay be angled downwardly relative to the first flange. For example, the second flangemay be angled downwardly extending outwardly from the opposing lateral sides of the first flangeand extending downwardly from the handle. The second flangemay be elongated.

A plurality of spacersmay be coupled to and extend between the pair of plateswherein the plurality of spacersis configured to stabilize a position of the first platerelative to the second plate. The plurality of spacersmay be positioned adjacent to an outer edge of the second flangeof each plate of the pair of plates.

A pair of guide rollersmay be coupled to and extend between the pair of plates. The pair of guide rollersmay be distally positioned on the first flangeof each plate of the pair of platesrelative to the handle. The pair of guide rollersis generally spaced from and adjacent to each other wherein the pair of guide rollersdefine a guide slot. The guide slotmay be perpendicular to the first flangeof each plate of the pair of plates. The pair of guide rollersmay be rotatably coupled to the pair of plateswherein each roller of the pair of guide rollersis rotatable within the housing.

A spurmay be coupled to the pair of platesadjacent to the pair of guide rollers, the spurextending downwardly from the housingwherein the spuris configured to contact a supporting surface to facilitate the user in maintaining a position of the housingwhen the user is gripping the handle. For example, the supporting surface may comprise a tree, the ground, a fence, or another object. The spurmay include a tipthat is distal to the housing. The tipmay be pointed, and the spurmay be angled extending downwardly and inwardly from the housingto the tip.

A spoolis rotatably coupled to the housing. The spoolmay extend between the pair of plates. The spoolmay be centrally positioned on each plate of the pair of plates. The spoolmay be removably couplable to the housing.

The spoolmay include a headthat is positionable against an outer surfaceof the second plate mountwhen the spoolis coupled to the pair of plates. The headgenerally has a diameter exceeding a diameter of the through holeextending through the second plate mount. A rodmay be coupled to and extend outwardly from the head. The rodgenerally has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the through holewherein the rodis positionable within the second plate aperturethrough the through hole. The rodmay have a length exceeding a distance between the first plateand the second platewherein the rodextends into the first plate aperturewhen the spoolis coupled to the pair of plates.

A spool slotmay extend through the rod. The spool slotmay be parallel to the guide slotwhen the spoolis coupled to the housing. A terminal endof the rodmay be distal to the head. The spool slotmay extend through the terminal end. A rod threadingmay extend from the terminal endalong the rod. The rod threadingis generally complementary to the threaded inner surfaceof the cavitywithin the first plate mountwherein the spoolis threadably couplable to the first plate mount.

A tapeis coiled around the spool. The spoolis rotatable in a first direction to uncoil the tapefor extension of the tapefrom the housing. The spoolis rotatable in a second direction to coil the tapearound the spoolfor retraction of the tapeonto the spooland into the housing. The tapemay extend through the guide slotbetween the pair of guide rollerswherein the pair of guide rollersis configured to facilitate extension and retraction of the taperelative to the housing. The pair of guide rollersmay be configured to inhibit the tapefrom folding horizontally along a length of the tapewhen the tapeis extended and retracted from the housing.

The tapemay be a high visibility color. The high visibility color is generally configured to increase visibility of the tapeto the user. For example, the high visibility color may include a florescent color, such as green, yellow, orange, red, blue, purple, or pink. The tapemay have a width between 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches. The tapemay have a length between 100.0 feet and 300.0 feet. The tapemay be removably coupled to the spoolwherein the tapeis removable from the spoolwhen the tapeis completely uncoiled from the spool.

An indiciummay be printed on the tape. The indiciummay be a cautionary indicium that is selected from a group of cautionary indicia. The cautionary indicium is generally configured to convey a message to inhibit the user from crossing the tapewhen the tapeis extended around an area. In other words, the cautionary indicium is generally configured to convey the message that the area beyond the tape, or the area enclosed within a perimeter defined by the tape, is off-limits or dangerous. The group of cautionary indicia may consist of words such as “caution,” “hazard,” “police line,” “do not cross,” “crime scene,” “closed,” “warning,” “danger,” “do not enter,” “authorized personnel only,” and “construction.” This group, or list, is not considered an exhaustive list and the group of cautionary indicia may include other cautionary indicia or wording.

An inner end loopmay be removably coupled to the spool. The inner end loopmay be positionable around the rodthrough the spool slotto couple the tapeto the spool. The inner end loopmay be slidable outwardly from the rodpast the terminal endto remove the tapefrom the spool. An outer end loopmay be distally positioned relative to the inner end loop. An elongated bodymay extend between the inner end loopand the outer end loop. The indiciumis generally positioned on one or both sides of the elongated body. The elongated bodyis generally non-adhesive.

A clipmay be coupled to the outer end loopof the tape. The clipmay be openable wherein the clipis configured to facilitate securement of the tapeto an external structurewhen the tapeis wrapped around the external structure. For example, the external structuremay comprising a post, a tree, or another object around which the tapemay be wrapped so that the tapecan be positioned to extend around the area enclosed within the perimeter defined by the tape.

The clipmay include a clip pinthat is coupled to the outer end loop. For example, the clip pinmay extend through the outer end loop. A retainermay be coupled to the clip pinwherein the retainersecures the outer end loopto the clip pin.

A clevismay be coupled to the clip pin. The clevismay be pivotably coupled to the clip pinwherein a lateral endof the clevisis pivotable away from the clip pininto an open position. The lateral endof the clevismay be positioned adjacent to the retainerwherein the retainerinhibits the outer end loopof the tapefrom being removed from the clipwhen the lateral endof the clevisis in the open position. The inner end loopof the tapemay be positionable around the cleviswhen the lateral endof the clevisis in the open positionwhereby the inner end loopof the tapeis couplable to the clip. The inner end loopof the tapemay be couplable to the clipto facilitate releasably coupling the tapewith a secondary tapethereby increasing a length of the tape. For example, if the perimeter of the area being marked by the tapeis longer than the length of the tape, the tapemay be releasably coupled to the secondary tapeusing the clevisof the clip.

A crankis coupled to the housing. For example, the crankmay be centrally positioned on the first plateof the pair of plates. The crankis operably engaged with the spoolwherein the crankis rotatable in the first direction to rotate the spoolin the first direction for extension of the tapefrom the housingand wherein the crankis rotatable in the second direction to rotate the spoolin the second direction for retraction of the tapeonto the spool.

The crankmay include a legthat is coupled to the first plate mount. The first plate mountmay be rotatably coupled to the first platewherein rotation of the legrotates the first plate mounton the first platearound the first plate apertureand wherein rotation of the first plate mountrotates the spoolto selectively extend and retract the taperelative to the housing. A footmay be coupled to the legdistally to the first plate mount. The footmay extend outwardly from the legwherein the footis configured to facilitate the user in rotating the leg. The footmay be perpendicular to the leg.

The crankmay be pivotably coupled to the housingwherein the crankis pivotable between an unlocked positionand a locked position. The crankis rotatable when the crankis in the unlocked position. The crankis inhibited from rotating when the crankis in the locked position.

A locking mechanismmay be coupled to the crank. The locking mechanismis engaged when the crankis in the locked position. The locking mechanismis configured to inhibit the crankfrom rotating whereby the locking mechanisminhibits the spoolfrom rotating to inhibit the tapefrom extending or retracting relative to the housing.

The locking mechanismmay include a pivot pinthat couples the crankto the first plate mount. For example, the pivot pinmay extend through the leginto the first plate mount. The crankpivots around the pivot pinbetween the locked positionand the unlocked position.

A leaf springmay be coupled to the first plate mount. The leaf springis generally positioned adjacent to the pivot pin. The leaf springis generally biased outwardly from the first plate mountwherein the leaf springabuts the crankto inhibit the crankfrom pivoting between the locked positionand the unlocked position. The leaf springis configured to retract inwardly toward the first plate mountwhen the user pivots the crankbetween the locked positionand the unlocked position.

The footmay extend outwardly from the legof the cranktoward the first plateof the housingwhen the crankis in the locked positionwherein the footabuts the first plateof the housingto inhibit the crankfrom is rotated. For example, the footmay abut one of the first flangeand the second flangeof the first plate.

In use, the crankcan be rotated in the first direction to uncoil the tapefrom the spooland extend the tapefrom the housing. The tapemay move through the guide slotbetween the pair of guide rollersas the tapeis extended outwardly from the housing. The tapecan be extended around the perimeter of an area that the user wants to cordon off. For example, the tapemay be extended around a crime scene, an accident scene, a construction site, or another area. The tapemay be wrapped around the external structure, such as a pole or a tree, as the tapeis positioned around the perimeter of the area. Accordingly, the tapegenerally comprises a flexible or bendable material.

The inner end loopof the tapecan be removed from the spooland positioned around the clevisof the clip pin, for example to connect the tapein a loop around the area. In another example, the secondary tapecan be attached to the tapeby coupling the inner end loopof the secondary tapeto the clevisof the clip pincoupled to the outer end loopof the tape. In this example, the secondary tapecan effectively increase the length of the tapeto increase the dimensions of the area that can be marked or cordoned off by the tape. The crankcan be rotated in the second direction to re-coil the tapearound the spooland retract the tapeinto the housingwhen the area no longer needs to be marked off.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.