Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/144,455 filed on April 8, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The disclosed subject matter is generally directed to an apparatus and method for applying adhesive labels to an elevated structural component using an extension device from a base position. More particularly, the disclosed subject matter is directed to an apparatus and method for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component using an extension pole from a ground-level position, a floor-level position or other working surface or platform. Background

[0003] Building operating systems include structural components that are installed in elevated locations during construction. For example, plumbing systems include an array of piping components, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") systems include an array of air ducts, and such structural components often are installed in overhead spaces for safe and efficient operation and to reduce the footprint of such systems. Typically, such piping, ductwork and other components require identification for future access for maintenance operations. One method for identifying the elevated structural components is the application of adhesive labels to each such component. The use of ladders to reach the elevated structural components for the application of the adhesive label is a contributing factor to workplace accidents. An apparatus and method for applying adhesive labels to the surface of an elevated structural component using an extension device from a base position, without the use of a ladder, would substantially eliminate such workplace accidents and enhance workplace safety. Summary

[0004] In one aspect, the present invention resides in an apparatus for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component, the apparatus comprising: a frame having a base member, a first elevation member, a first support member, a second elevation member, and a second support member, the first elevation member and the second elevation member extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base member, the first elevation member and the second elevation member forming an angle therebetween in the range of between about 45° and about 90°; a mount defining a collar for receiving an extension device therein; a first roller disposed on the first support member, the first roller defining a first outer diameter; and a second roller disposed on the second support member, the second roller defining a second outer diameter, the second outer diameter being greater than the first outer diameter.

[0005] In another aspect, the present invention resides in a method of applying an adhesive label to an elevated structural component, the method comprising: providing an application device, the device including, a frame having a base member, a first elevation member, a first support member, a second elevation member, and a second support member, the first elevation member and the second elevation member extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base member, the first elevation member and the second elevation member forming an angle therebetween in the range of between about 45° and about 90°, a mount defining a collar for receiving an extension device therein, a first roller disposed on the first support member, the first roller defining a first outer diameter, and a second roller disposed on the second support member, the second roller defining a second outer diameter, the second outer diameter being greater than the first outer diameter; securing the device to an extension pole; positioning a label on the device, the label having a label face and an adhesive side, the adhesive side facing up; affixing a first end of the label to the first roller and draping a remaining portion of the label over the second roller; raising the device with the adhesive label position thereon toward a selected surface of the elevated structural component using the extension pole with the first roller disposed below the second roller; making contact with the second roller and the adhesive label draped thereon to the selected surface; moving the device such that the second roller is moved in the direction of the first roller thereby forcing the label to release from the first roller while adhering to the selected surface and leaving the remaining portion of the adhesive label dangling from the selected surface; and moving the device such that the second roller is moved in a reverse or opposing direction such that the second roller passes over the remaining portion of the adhesive label which is moved into contact with the selected surface thereby completing the application of the adhesive label onto the selected surface of the elevated structural component.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component in accordance with the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the apparatus for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component of FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of the apparatus for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3B is one side view of the apparatus for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component of FIG. 3A.

[0010] FIG. 3C is another side view of the apparatus for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component of FIG. 3A.

[0011] FIG. 4A is depiction of a first step in a method for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component in accordance with the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 4B is depiction of a second step in the method for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 4C is depiction of a third step in the method for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 5A is a top view of the face of an adhesive label to be applied in accordance with the method for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 5B is a front elevation view of the adhesive label of FIG. 5A.

[0016] FIG. 5C is a bottom view of the adhesive label of FIG. 5A. Detailed Description

[0017] The present invention provides an apparatus and method for applying adhesive labels to an elevated structural component using an extension device from a base position. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component using extension pole from a ground-level position, a floor- level position or other working surface or platform such as, for example, a lift or scaffolding. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component using an extension pole from a ground-level position, a floor- level position or other working surface or platform. The apparatus and method of the present invention provide for the installation of the adhesive label, commonly referred to as a marker, and incorporate a frame which is attached to an extension pole, preferably a non-conductive extension pole.

[0018] In one embodiment, the frame supports a pair of offset rollers which are used to affix adhesive labels or markers at elevated levels without the use of a ladder. The offset rollers include a first roller of a first diameter and a second roller of a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter. In summary, the method of the present invention includes removing the protective backing from an adhesive label. With the adhesive side facing up, one end of the label is affixed to the first roller and the remainder of the adhesive label is draped over the second roller. The frame with the adhesive label positioned thereon is raised toward a selected surface of the elevated component using the extension pole with the first roller disposed below the second roller. When the second roller and the adhesive label draped thereon makes contact with the selected surface, the frame is moved in a forward direction such that the second roller is moved in the direction of the first roller thereby forcing the label to release from the first roller while adhering to the selected surface. This action leaves a portion of the adhesive label dangling from the elevated surface. Thereafter, the second roller is moved in a reverse or opposing direction such that the second roller passes over the dangling portion of the adhesive label which is moved into contact with the selected surface thereby completing the application of the adhesive label onto the selected surface of the elevated component.

[0019] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 A, 3B and 3C, an apparatus for applying an adhesive label to an overhead structural component with an extension pole from a ground-level position, a floor-level position or other working surface or platform, is generally designated by the numeral 10. The apparatus 10 includes a frame 20 and a mount 30. In one embodiment, the frame 20 is fabricated from cylindrical stock such as, for example, metal wire or extruded plastic. The frame 20 includes a base member 22, a first elevation member 23 and a first support member 24, and a second elevation member 25 and a second support member 26. A first roller 12 is disposed on the first support member 24, and a second roller 14 is disposed on the second support member 26. The first roller 12 has an outer diameter Dl and the second roller has an outer diameter D2 wherein the outer diameter D2 is greater than the outer diameter Dl. Thus, in one embodiment, the first roller 12 defines a relatively smaller dimeter and the second roller 14 defines a relatively larger dimeter.

[0020] Optionally, a pliable cover 15 is placed over the second roller 14 to provide a malleable surface for pressing against the selected surface of the elevated structural component during application of the adhesive label as described in detail below. In one embodiment, the cover 15 is a neoprene cover. In one embodiment, the cover 15 defines a thickness Tl of about 6.35 mm (0.25 inch); thus, the second roller defines an outer diameter D2' of the sum of D2 and twice the thickness Tl. Hereinafter, the outer diameter of the second roller, with or without the cover 15 placed thereon, is referred to as outer diameter D2.

[0021] The frame 20 is fixedly attached to, or integrally formed with, the mount 30. In one embodiment, the base member 22 is fixedly attached to, or integrally formed with, the mount 30. The mount 30 is selectively attachable to an extension device 40 such as an extension pole 42 (FIG. 3A). The extension pole 42 defines a first end 43 that engages and attached to the mount 30, and a second end 44 that is grasped by a user of the apparatus 10. In one embodiment, the extension pole 42 is a non-conductive extension pole. In one embodiment, the mount 30 defines a cylindrical collar 34 for receiving the extension device 40 therein. In one embodiment, the collar 34 defines an internal thread for engaging and threadedly receiving a corresponding external thread defined on the first end 43 of the extension pole 42. The collar defines a height HI. In one embodiment, the height HI is up to about 38.10 mm (1.5 inches).

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, an adhesive label to be applied to an elevated structural component with the apparatus 10 is generally designated by the numeral 110. The adhesive label 110 defines a label face 111 and an adhesive side 112 having an adhesive 113 disposed thereon. The adhesive label 110 defines a length LL, a width LW, a first portion 110A and a second portion HOB. The first portion 110A defines a length LL1, a first portion of length LL. The second portion HOB defines a length LL2, a second portion of length LL.

[0023] Referring again to FIGS. 3 A, 3B and 3C, the first elevation member 23 and the second elevation member 25 extend substantially perpendicularly outwardly from the base member 22. Preferably, the first elevation member 23, the second elevation member 25 and the base member 22 are not coplanar such that the first elevation member 23 and the second elevation member 25 form an angle a therebetween. In one embodiment, the angle a is in the range of between about 45° and about 90°. In one embodiment, the angle a is about 60°. The first elevation member 23 defines a first length LI, and the second elevation member 25 defines a second length L2. In one embodiment, length LI and length L2 are equal. In one embodiment, length LI is less than length L2. In one embodiment, length LI is greater than length L2. In one embodiment, length LI and length L2 are about 76.2 mm (3.0 inches).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3B, the distance between a first elevation point-of-contact PI of the first roller 12 and a second elevation point-of-contact P2 of the second roller 14 is defined as a height H2. The height H2 is selectively configured and adapted to accommodate the length LL of the adhesive label 110. As described in more detail below with reference to a method 100 for applying the adhesive label 110 to an elevated structural component as shown in FIGS. 4 A, 4B and 4C, the height H2 is selectively configured and adapted to receive the first portion 110A and carry the second portion HOB during application of the adhesive label 110 to the elevated structural component. In one embodiment, the height H2 is in the range from about 6.35 mm (0.25 inch) to about 76.2 mm (3.0 inches). In one embodiment, the height H2 is at least 25.40 mm (1.0 inch). In one embodiment, the height H2 is at least 38.10 mm (1.5 inches).

[0025] The length LL1 of the first portion 11 OA the adhesive label 110 is of sufficient length to be attachable to the first roller 12; and the length LL2 of the second portion HOB is of sufficient length to be draped over the second roller 14 and allow gravity to situate the adhesive side 112 of for continued application of the adhesive label 110 to the elevated structural component. In one embodiment, the length LL1 is in the range from about 2.54 mm (0.1 inch) to about 6.35 mm (0.25 inch). In one embodiment, the length LL2 is at least 25.40 mm (1.0 inch). In one embodiment, the length LL1 is less than 5% of the length LL. [0026] The first support member 24 and the second support member 26 are sized to accommodate the installation or mounting of conventional- sized rollers thereon using conventional fasteners disposed respectively on each end of each of the first roller 12 and the second roller 14. In one embodiment, such fasteners are press-fit snap rings 16. The cylindrical stock from which the frame 20 is fabricated defines an outer diameter D3. In one embodiment, outer diameter D3 is up to about 12.7 mm (0.5 inch). In one embodiment, outer diameter D3 is about 6.35 mm (0.25 inch). The frame 20 defines an overall length L3. In one embodiment, the length L3 is up to about 152.4 mm (6 inches). In one embodiment, the length L3 is up to about 123.19 mm (4.85 inches).

[0027] The overall length L3 of the frame is optimized to support the mounting of the first roller 12 and the second roller 14 respectively on the first support member 24 and the second support member 26. The first roller 12 defines a length L4 and the second roller 14 defines a length L5. In one embodiment, length L4 and length L5 are equal. The size of each of the first roller 12 and the second roller 14 is optimized to accommodate a size of a particular adhesive label being applied to the elevated structural component. For example, an adhesive label having a width of about 76.2 mm (3.0 inches) can be accommodated by a set of rollers defining a length of about 101.6 mm (4.0 inches). In one embodiment, length L4 and length L5 are about 101.6 mm (4.0 inches). In one embodiment, length L4 and length L5 are about 99.06 mm (3.9 inches). In one embodiment, the first roller 12 is a hard plastic roller. In embodiment, the outer diameter Dl of the first roller 12 is up to about 19.05 mm (0.75 inch). In embodiment, the outer diameter Dl is about 16.51 mm (0.65 inch). In one embodiment, the second roller 14 is a hard plastic roller. In embodiment, the outer diameter D2 of the second roller 14 is up to about 38.10 mm (1.5 inches). In embodiment, the outer diameter D2 is about 25.40 mm (1.0 inch).

[0028] Optionally, the mount 30 defines symmetric radiused sides 36A and 36B having a radius of curvature Rl. In one embodiment, the radius of curvature Rlis about 76.2 mm (3.0 inches).

[0029] A method 100 for applying the adhesive label 110 to an elevated structural component 120 using the apparatus 10 disclosed hereinabove is shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, and is described herein with reference to the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 is secured to the extension pole 42. As shown in FIG. 4A, the adhesive label 110 is positioned on the apparatus 10. With the adhesive side 112 facing up or facing toward the elevated structural component 120, the first portion 110A of the label 110 is affixed to the first roller 12 and the second portion HOB of the adhesive label 110 is draped over the second roller 14. The apparatus 10 with the adhesive label 110 positioned thereon is raised toward a selected surface 122 of the elevated structural component 120 using the extension pole 42 with the first roller 12 disposed below the second roller 14. When the second roller 14 and the adhesive label 110 draped thereon makes contact with the selected surface 122 as shown in FIG. 4B, the apparatus 10 is moved in a first direction indicated by the arrow X such that the second roller 14 is moved in the direction of the first roller 12 thereby forcing the label 110 to release from the first roller 12 while adhering to the selected surface 122. This action leaves the second portion HOB of the adhesive label 110 dangling from the second roller 14. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4C, the second roller 14 is moved in a second or opposing direction indicated by the arrow Y such that the second roller 14 passes over the second portion HOB of the adhesive label 110 which is moved into contact with the selected surface 122 thereby completing the application of the adhesive label 110 onto the selected surface 122 of the elevated structural component 120.

[0030] The apparatus and method for applying adhesive labels to an elevated structural component using an extension device from a base position in accordance with the present invention eliminates the use of ladders to reach the elevated structural components for the application of the adhesive label. Thus, common workplace accidents caused by the use of ladders are substantially eliminated in relation to performing this task. Moreover, the elimination of the use of a ladder for performing this task substantially increases the speed and efficiency by which this task is performed because the ladder need not be carried and installed at each location where a label is to be applied. Accordingly, the labor and cost associated with performing this task are correspondingly reduced.

[0031] Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.