(19)
(11) EP 0 822 101 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
19.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/51

(21) Application number: 97305619.5

(22) Date of filing: 25.07.1997
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7B44C 7/02, B26D 1/10

(54)

Wallpapering aid

Tapezierhilfsmittel

Appareil à préparer la tapisserie


(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB

(30) Priority: 03.08.1996 GB 9616375

(43) Date of publication of application:
04.02.1998 Bulletin 1998/06

(73) Proprietor: Whiterock Products Limited
Llandarcy, Neath SA10 6ES (GB)

(72) Inventor:
  • King, Peter
    Langland, Swansea (GB)

(74) Representative: Davies, Gregory Mark 
Urquhart-Dykes & Lord Alexandra House 1 Alexandra Road Wales
Swansea, Wales SA1 5ED
Swansea, Wales SA1 5ED (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A- 0 338 648
DE-A- 3 709 774
GB-A- 509 468
CH-A- 506 380
FR-A- 2 697 470
GB-A- 2 188 580
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to a wallpapering aid.

    [0002] Wallpapering aids are known which are securable to a pasting table, and arranged to support a roll of wallpaper enabling a length of wallpaper to be drawn from the roll and cut by means of a blade, which may either be hand held or mounted on a support guide. Examples of such wallpapering aids are disclosed in, for example, EP-A-0334648, DD-A-245626, US-A-5392676, GB-A-2188580 and CH-A-506380.

    [0003] GB-A-2188580A discloses apparatus to assist in measurement as well as cutting of sheet material such as wallpaper into predetermined lengths comprising two parallel sheet guiding bars shaped to engage the edge of a table, a baseboard thereon, at least one slat interconnecting the bars and a counting device. In this apparatus the slat provides a guide for a cutter to cut paper to desired length after it has been fed, pattern side up, from a roll hung from the baseboard.

    [0004] CH-A-506380 discloses apparatus for cutting material supplied from a roll comprising means arranged to support a roll of material on a frame, paper guide means arranged to guide paper beneath cutter guide means and a cutter arranged for pivotal movement towards or away from a cutting position in which a cutting knife extending downwardly from the cutter guide may be operated on materialposition below it. The support frame may be mounted on a table or other surface.

    [0005] An improved wallpapering aid has now been devised.

    [0006] The apparatus of CH-A-506380 may generally be described as capable of acting as a wallpapering aid in conjunction with a roll of wallpaper and a pasting table, the wallpapering aid comprising:

    i) roll holder means arranged to support the roll of wallpaper;

    ii) cutting means for cutting the wallpaper to a desired size, the cutting means comprising an elongate guide arrangeable adjacent the working surface of the pasting table, and a cutter element guided to move along at least a part of the length of the elongate guide, the cutter element being operable to cut to length wallpaper laying adjacent the guide; and,

    iii) mounting means for mounting the wallpapering aid in position relative to the pasting table.

    According to the present invention the mounting means comprises a clamp means for clamping the elongate guide along the edge of the pasting table and the cutter element comprises a captive portion movable along and retained captive by the guide and a blade portion projecting upwardly from the captive portion to cut wallpaper overlaying the guide.

    [0007] The captive portion of the cutter element preferably comprises a slider which is slidable relative to the guide.

    [0008] The guide and the captive portion of the cutter element are advantageously respectively configured such the captive portion of the cutter element is movable along the guide but inhibited from being separated from the guide.

    [0009] It is preferred that the guide comprises channel means shaped and dimensioned to receive the captive portion of the cutter element therein. Desirably, the cutter element extends upwardly through a slot or slit defined by the channel means.

    [0010] The blade portion of the cutter element is preferably orientated to have a blade edge sloping upwardly away from the captive portion of the cutting means. Advantageously, the cutting blade is at least partially sheathed in a protective cover or housing preferably such that a portion only of the blade edge of the cutting blade is exposed. The cutter element may be gripped by the user and drawn along the guide to effect cutting of the wallpaper.

    [0011] It is preferred that the blade edge of the blade portion of the cutter element is oriented to cut in the direction of travel of the cutter element along the guide. Alternatively, or in addition the facility may be provided for a cutter element having a blade portion, the blade edge of which is orientated to cut parallel to the longitudinally running edge of the wallpaper fed from the roll.

    [0012] The guide is preferably arranged to be secured to the table such that it is held in abutment with, the surface of the table.

    [0013] It is preferred that the captive portion of the cutter element has a width which is greater than the width of the blade portion.

    [0014] The wallpapering aid preferably further comprises paper guide means arranged to guide paper fed from a roll held by the roll holder to extend across the guide. Advantageously, the paper guide means guides the paper to extend over at least a portion of the cutter element guide.

    [0015] It is preferred that the paper guide means comprises one or more guide elements extending substantially parallel to the cutter guide, preferably at a position spaced between the roll holding means and the cutter guide. Advantageously, the guide means is provided at a level below the roll holding means. Preferably, the paper guide means comprises a pair of spaced projections each arranged to guide the wallpaper adjacent an opposed longitudinally running edge.

    [0016] The clamping means preferably comprises one or more "G" or "C" clamp arrangements, advantageously having a quick release clamping facility. In one embodiment, such a quick release clamp comprises a threaded clamping member normally threadably engaged with a threaded component defining part of a receiving bore in a limb of the clamp. The threaded component (which is normally biased into engagement with the threaded shaft of he clamping member) is displaceable from its engagement position, preferably against resilient biasing means, to permit the threaded clamping member to move more freely through the receiving bore in the limb of the clamp.

    [0017] It is preferred that the roll holding means, cutting means and mounting means are provided as a self-supporting assembly. Desirably, the assembly comprises a pair of mounting means, one arranged at each opposed end of the cutter guide. Desirably, the assembly comprises a pair of upstands or wings, one arranged at each opposed end of the cutter guide, each arranged to carry a respective portion of the roll holding means. Advantageously, the upstands or wings are arranged to carry the paper guide means.

    [0018] It is preferred that the assembly is dis-assembleable at least to the extent that the roll holding means and/or the mounting means may be dis-assembled from the guide of cutting means.

    [0019] The guide of the cutting means preferably extends beyond the width of the paper fed from the roll holding means, such that the cutter element may be parked in a stowed position spaced from the longitudinally running edge of the wallpaper. To this end, the guide of the cutting means accordingly extends beyond the roll holding means and/or the mounting means and/or the respective upstands or wings which may carry such means.

    [0020] The arrangement of roll holding means, cutter guide means and paper guide means ensures that the paper is fed from the roll to pass over the cutter guide ready for cutting to length. It is preferred that the roll holding means is arranged to support the roll of wallpaper at a level above the paper guide means, the paper being fed downwardly from the roll. The guide elements of the paper guide means preferably engage the pasting side of the paper only and therefore do not cause damage to the patterned side of the paper.

    [0021] The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

    Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wallpapering aid according to the invention;

    Figure 2 is cut-away perspective view of part of the wallpapering aid shown in Figure 1;

    Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a cutter element comprising the wallpapering aid of Figures 1 and 2; and

    Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of a part of an alternative embodiment of a wallpapering aid according to the invention.



    [0022] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, a wallpapering aid (generally designated 1) comprises a pair of upstand supports 2,3, formed as integrally moulded plastic articles each upstand support 2,3 comprises a respective clamp 4,5, roll support projection 6,7, paper guide projection 8, and connector socket 9,10.

    [0023] Each socket 9,10, receives a respective end of a cutter guide channel 11, to assemble the aid in its operational configuration. Cutter guide channel 11, comprises a generally 'U' shaped channel having respective terminal lips 12,13, extending towards one another, and terminating to define an elongate slot 14, therebetween. A first cutter 15, is guided by guide channel 11, to be slidably movable along the length of channel 11 in order to cut wallpaper overlaying guide channel 11.

    [0024] As shown most clearly in Figure 3, cutter 15 comprises a slider portion 16 shaped and dimensioned to be held captive in guide channel 11. Cutter 15 cannot be lifted out of channel 11 because slider portion 16 engages with terminal lips 12, 13. Cutter 15 further comprises a blade portion 17, extending upwardly through slot 14 in guide channel 11, carrying an upwardly extending blade 18, which has a blade edge 19 inclined upwardly. A plastics moulded sheath 20 is provided about blade 18 being shaped to expose a portion of the blade edge 19; sheath 20 can be gripped between the finger and thumb of a user to draw the cutter 15 along channel 11 to effect cutting of the paper.

    [0025] The wallpapering aid is secured to the end of a pasting table by means of clamps 4,5, which are in configuration and function similar to well known conventional 'C' or 'G' clamps. Each clamp is, however, provided with a "quick release" facility permitting rapid retracting and/or advancing of respective threaded clamping members 21, 22. Each respective "quick release" mechanism comprises a depressible button 23, carrying a projection 24, which is provided with a slot through which a respective threaded clamping member 21, 22 passes. A threaded internal surface portion of the slot in projection 24, is normally biassed into engagement with the threaded shaft of clamping member 21, 22, by means of a resilient biassing spring 25. Clamping member 21, 22, is normally advanced to the clamping position by means of rotation about its axis causing threaded advancement through projection 24. In order to effect "quick release" actuation button 23 is depressed disengaging threaded engagement between clamping member 21/22, and the threaded portion of the slot in projection 24, thereby permitting the shaft of threaded member 21/22, to be freely advanced or retracted axially. This facility enables rapid clamping of the assembly in place.

    [0026] Roll holder projections 6,7, engage in opposed ends of a roll of wallpaper to rotatably mount the roll on the wallpapering aid. A free end of the paper is then drawn downwardly passing under paper guides 8, to subsequently extend over cutter guide channel 11, such that the paper is presented "pattern side down" (pasting side up) on the pasting table.

    [0027] Paper guide projections 8, project only a relatively small distance towards respective opposed upstand supports 2,3, but are important to guide the paper accurately over the channel and also to prevent the wallpaper curling back onto the roll following cutting of a length. The configuration of upstand supports 2,3, connector sockets 9,10, and the length of guide channel 11, are arranged such that, when assembled, a standard size wallpaper roll is accommodated on roll holder projections 6,7, having a relatively small gap between the ends of the roll and upstand supports 2,3. The cutter guide channel 11 is however longer the width of the paper to be cut, by an amount permitting cutter 15 to be "parked" at the end of guide channel 11, without interfering with the paper as it is drawn from the roll for cutting.

    [0028] A second cutter 30, may be provided which, once again, is slidable along the length of guide channel 11 (being held captive within the guide channel). Cutter 30 has a blade which is orientated at 90° to the blade of cutter 15, such that, when a length of paper is drawn over guide channel 11, cutter 30 may cut along the length of the sheet (parallel to the longitudinal edge of the sheet). Cutter 30 may be moved by means of sliding along channel 11 to a "parked position" at the other end of guide channel 11.

    [0029] Referring to Figure 4, there is shown an alternative embodiment of wallpapering aid according to the invention in which certain components of the aid as described in Figures 1 to 3 are modified and further features provided.

    [0030] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the second cutter 130 is slidable along a substantially cylindrical cutter guide channel 142 discrete from the primary cutter guide channel 111. This enables respective captive portions 142,116 of respective cutters 130,115 to pass one another without hinderance. Blades 140,119 of cutters 130,115 are inclined upwardly and rearwardly of respective guide channels 140,111. Projections 108 provided integrally with upstands 2,3 serve to locate with "snap fit" formations 146a,146b of an elongate wing 145 extending between upstands 2,3. Wing 145 is pivotally movable about projections 108 (see arrow A) and serves to provide further guidance for the length of wallpaper 150 fed from the wallpaper roll.

    [0031] It is an important feature of the apparatus that the paper cutter 15,115 (and/or cutter 30,130) projects upwardly from the guide. This enables a cantilevered cutter guide support above the level of the paper (which is a feature of prior art arrangements) to be dispensed with thereby significantly reducing the cost of producing the wallpapering aid, whilst enabling the efficacy of the device to be undiminished. The wallpapering aid according to the invention can be assembled rapidly from relatively few manufactured components, and secured conveniently in place for use.


    Claims

    1. A wallpapering aid (1) for use in conjunction with a roll of wallpaper (150) and a pasting table, the wallpapering aid comprising:

    i) roll holder means (6, 7) arranged to support the roll of wallpaper;

    ii) cutting means for cutting the wallpaper to a desired size, the cutting means comprising an elongate guide (11, 111) arrangeable adjacent the working surface of the pasting table, and a cutter element (15, 115) guided to move along at least a part of the length of the elongate guide, the cutter element being operable to cut to length wallpaper lying adjacent the guide; and,

    iii) mounting means (4, 5) for mounting the wallpapering aid in position relative to the pasting table;

    characterised in that the mounting means comprises a clamp means (4, 5) for clamping the elongate guide along the edge of the pasting table and the cutter element comprises a captive portion (16, 116) movable along and retained captive by the guide and a blade portion (17) projecting upwardly from the captive portion to cut wallpaper overlaying the guide.
     
    2. A wallpapering aid according to claim 1, wherein the captive portion of the cutter element comprises a slider (16, 116) which slider is slidable relative to the guide.
     
    3. A wallpapering aid according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the elongate guide comprises a channel, shaped and dimensioned to receive the captive portion of the cutter element therein.
     
    4. A wallpapering aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the blade portion of the cutter element has a blade edge (19, 119), the blade portion being sheathed in a protective cover or housing (20) such that a portion only of the blade edge is exposed.
     
    5. A wallpapering aid according to any preceding claim, further comprising paper guide means (8) arranged to guide wallpaper fed from the roll so as to extend across the guide of the cutting means.
     
    6. A wallpapering aid according to claim 5, wherein the paper guide means comprises one or more guide elements (8) extending substantially parallel to the cutter guide.
     
    7. A wallpapering aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the clamping means comprises a quick release facility.
     
    8. A wallpapering aid according to any preceding claim, including paper guide means arranged to guide wallpaper fed from the roll to pass laterally over the cutter guide means, the paper guide means comprising a pair of guide elements traversing the longitudinal edge of said wallpaper when fed from the roll, about which guide elements the paper is partially folded or wrapped.
     
    9. A wallpapering aid according to any preceding claim wherein the roll holder means and clamping means are carried by respective wings (2), connector sockets (9, 10) being provided for respective wings, the connector sockets being engageable with respective opposed ends of the elongate guide permitting assembly and disassembly of the aid.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Tapezierhilfsmittel (1) zur Verwendung zusammen mit einer Tapetenrolle (150) und einem Tapeziertisch, welche umfaßt

    i.) Rollenhalterungen (6,7) angeordnet, um die Tapetenrollen zu tragen;

    ii.) Schneidmittel zum Schneiden der Tapete auf eine gewünschte Länge, wobei die Schneidmittel eine längliche Führungsschiene (11, 111) umfassen, die an die Arbeitsfläche des Tapeziertisches angrenzend angeordnet werden kann, sowie ein Schneidelement (15, 115), das zur Bewegung längs mindestens eines Teiles der Länge der länglichen Führungsschiene geführt ist und betätigt werden kann, um die an die Führungsschiene angrenzend liegende Tapete auf Länge zu schneiden; und

    iii.) Befestigungsmittel (4,5), um das Tapezierhilfsmittel in Position relativ zum Tapeziertisch zu befestigen;

    dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Befestigungsmittel ein Klemmittel (4,5) umfassen, um die längliche Führungsschiene entlang des Randes des Tapeziertisches festzuklemmen, und daß das Schneidelement einen unverlierbaren Abschnitt (16,116) umfaßt, der längs der Schiene beweglich und durch diese unverlierbar gehalten ist, sowie einen Klingenteil (17), der sich von dem unverlierbaren Abschnitt aus nach oben erstreckt, um eine oberhalb der Führungsschiene liegende Tapete zu schneiden.
     
    2. Tapezierhilfsmittel nach Anspruch 1, worin der unverlierbare Abschnitt des Schneidelementes ein Gleitstück (16,116) umfaßt, das relativ zur Führungsschiene gleitbar ist.
     
    3. Tapezierhilfsmittel nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, worin die längliche Führuhngsschiene eine Hohlkehle enthält, die zur Aufnahme des unverlierbaren Abschnittes des Schneidelementes geformt und dimensioniert ist.
     
    4. Tapezierhilfsmittel nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin der Klingenteil des Schneidelementes eine Schneidkante (19,119) besitzt, die so mit einem Schutzdeckel oder Gehäuse (20) abgeschirmt ist, daß nur ein Teil der Schneidkante exponiert ist.
     
    5. Tapezierhilfsmittel nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, weiterhin enthaltend Papierführungen in solcher Anordnung, daß sich eine von der Rolle abgezogene Tapete quer über die Führungsschiene der Schneidmittel erstreckt.
     
    6. Tapezierhilfsmittel nach Anspruch 5, worin die Papierführungen eine oder mehrere Führungselemente (8) umfassen, die sich im wesentlichen parallel zur Schneidmittelführung erstrecken.
     
    7. Tapezierhilfsmittel nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin die Klemmittel eine Schnellauslöse-Möglichkeit enthalten.
     
    8. Tapezierhilfsmittel nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, einschließlich Papierführungen in solcher Anordnung, daß eine von der Rolle abgezogene Tapete seitlich über die Schneidmittelführung läuft, wobei die Papierführungen ein Paar von Führungselementen umfassen, welche die Längskante von der Rolle abgezogen Tapete überdecken, wobei die Tapete an den Fürhungselementen teilweise gefaltet oder umgeschlagen wird.
     
    9. Tapezierhilfsmittel nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin sowohl die Rollenhalterungen als auch die Klemmittel jeweils von Flügeln (2) getragen werden und Verbindungssockel (9,10) für jeden Flügel vorgesehen sind, welche mit den gegenüberliegenden Enden der länglichen Führungsschiene in Eingriff gebracht werden können, um eine Montage und Demontage des Tapezierhilfsmittels zu erlauben.
     


    Revendications

    1. Accessoire de tapisserie (1) à utiliser avec un rouleau de papier peint (150) et une table de collage, l'accessoire de tapisserie comprenant :

    i) des moyens de support de rouleau (6, 7) agencés pour supporter le rouleau de papier peint ;

    ii) des moyens de coupe pour couper le papier peint à une dimension souhaitée, les moyens de coupe comprenant un guide allongé (11, 111) pouvant être agencé à proximité de la surface de travail de la table de collage, et un élément de coupe (15, 115) guidé pour se déplacer le long d'au moins une partie de la longueur du guide allongé, l'élément de coupe pouvant servir à couper aux dimensions souhaitées le papier peint se trouvant à proximité du guide ; et

    iii) des moyens de fixation (4, 5) pour fixer l'accessoire de tapisserie en position par rapport à la table de collage ;

       caractérisé en ce que les moyens de fixation comprennent des moyens de serrage (4, 5) pour serrer le guide allongé le long du bord de la table de collage et en ce que l'élément de coupe comprend une partie encastrée (16, 116) mobile le long de et retenue encastrée par le guide, et une partie de lame (17) faisant saillie vers le haut depuis la partie encastrée pour couper le papier peint situé au-dessus du guide.
     
    2. Accessoire de tapisserie selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la partie encastrée de l'élément de coupe comprend un coulisseau (16, 116), lequel coulisseau peut coulisser par rapport au guide.
     
    3. Accessoire de tapisserie selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel le guide allongé comprend un canal, formé et dimensionné de manière à recevoir la partie encastrée de l'élément de coupe à l'intérieur.
     
    4. Accessoire de tapisserie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la partie de lame de l'élément de coupe possède un bord de lame (19, 119), la partie de lame étant recouverte par un capot ou boîtier protecteur (20) de telle sorte que seule une partie du bord de lame soit exposée.
     
    5. Accessoire de tapisserie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre des moyens de guidage de papier (8) agencés de manière à guider le papier peint délivré depuis le rouleau afin de s'étendre à travers le guide des moyens de coupe.
     
    6. Accessoire de tapisserie selon la revendication 5, dans lequel les moyens de guidage de papier comprennent un ou plusieurs éléments de guidage (8) s'étendant sensiblement parallèlement au guide de coupe.
     
    7. Accessoire de tapisserie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens de serrage comprennent un dispositif de dégagement rapide.
     
    8. Accessoire de tapisserie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant des moyens de guidage de papier agencés pour guider le papier peint délivré à partir du rouleau afin qu'il passe latéralement par-dessus les moyens de guide de coupe, les moyens de guidage de papier comprenant une paire d'éléments de guidage traversant le bord longitudinal dudit papier peint lorsqu'il est délivré à partir du rouleau, autour desquels éléments de guidage le papier est partiellement plié ou enveloppé.
     
    9. Accessoire de tapisserie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens de support de rouleau et les moyens de serrage sont portés par des ailes respectives (2), des embases de raccordement (9, 10) étant prévues pour les ailes respectives, les embases de raccordement pouvant être mises en prise avec les extrémités opposées respectives du guide allongé, permettant ainsi de monter et de démonter l'accessoire.
     




    Drawing