CA2999659C - A drywall taping tool for applying mud-coated tape to the joint spaces of drywall - Google Patents

Abstract

A drywall taping tool used to apply mud coated tape to the joint space of abutting boards of drywall is well known in the construction industry as a Banjo. This Banjo’s design is ergonomic, lightweight, features built-in tape cutting and comer creaser mechanisms and an automatic fall back preventer. A roll of tape is loaded onto the Banjo, the tape is threaded through a rear tape slot, into the mud reservoir, out front tape slot, the mud reservoir is filled, the door latched closed. The taper applies the mud coated tape to the joint space, activates the cutting mechanism. Once the tape is cut, the fall back preventer automatically prevents the mud coated tape from falling back into the mud reservoir. Thus, allowing the taper to easily reset the tape for the next joint space. By activating the built-in comer creaser, the taper can cover inside joints as well.

Description

 CA 2999659 A DRYWALL TAPING TOOL FOR APPLYING MUD-COATED TAPE TO THE JOINT SPACES OF DRYWALL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 [0001] There is a need for a drywall taping tool that is affordable to the individual taper that can be easily manipulated for the purpose of covering the joint spaces of abutting boards of drywall with mud-coated tape efficiently. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 [0002] It is well known in the construction industry the material used to construct interior walls and ceilings is known as drywall, gypsum board, sheet rock, wallboard and the like depending on the manufacture the product is purchased from. For the purpose of simplicity, the same product will be described as drywall within this description. Drywall typically comes in 4' X 8' boards. These boards are installed by professionals well known in the construction industry as Boarders. When 15 the installation of drywall takes place the 4' X 8' boards are typically screwed onto, either a wooden or steel, framework of wall studs and ceiling joists with drywall screws. Smaller pieces are cut to facilitate completely covering the framework of the wall studs and ceiling joists to form the interior walls and ceilings within a residential or commercial building. The spaces between the abutting boards of drywall is well known in the construction industry as a joint space. It is then, a 20 professional well known in the construction industry as a Taper, will come in to apply an adhesive compound, well known in the construction industry as mud, over the joint space, then apply a strip of paper, well known in the construction industry as tape to cover the joint spaces to eventually form a smooth wall surface. 1 Date reçue / Received date 2024-09-17  [0003] The process of forming a smooth wall surface is a multi-step process in itself. Step one is for the taper to apply a coat of the mud, then the tape or the mud-coated tape to cover the joint space of abutting boards of drywall. The second step is for the taper to use a putty knife to thinly 5 secure the mud-coated tape to the joint space of the abutting boards of drywall. The third step is for the taper to allow the mud-coated tape to dry. The fourth step is for the taper to manually apply a thin coat of mud over the dried mud-coated tape. The fifth step is to let the fourth step dry completely. The sixth step is to repeat the fourth step. The seventh step is to repeat the fifth step. The eighth step is to lightly sand the dried mud-coated joint spaces of abutting boards of drywall 10 to form a smooth wall surface.

[0004] It is well known in the construction industry there are four methods for the taper to accomplish step one, covering the joint spaces of abutting boards of drywall with mud, then tape or with mud-coated tape. These methods are: by a multi-step manual process of applying the mud 15 to the joint space, then manually applying the tape over the mud-coated joint space; by using a Mud Box to manually coat a strip of tape for the taper to apply the strip of mud-coated tape to the joint space; by using a multi-piece apparatus known as a Bazooka, this apparatus is designed to apply mud onto the tape and continuously apply mud-coated tape to the joint spaces or by using a single-piece apparatus known as a Banjo, this apparatus is designed to apply mud onto the 20 tape and continuously apply mud-coated tape over the joint space.

[0005] Today process of covering the joint space of abutting boards of drywall is still primarily preformed manually in the same multi-step, time consuming, labor intensive process. Using this first method, a taper accomplishes covering the joint spaces of abutting boards of drywall by 2 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  applying mud to the joint space using a hawk, a specialized tool used to hold a pile of mud on top of, in one hand and a putty knife in the other. The taper loads his putty knife with some mud off the hawk and spreads the mud over the joint space. Then, he must put down his hawk, tear off a strip of tape to place on top of the mud-covered joint space. Then, use his putty knife to apply 5 enough pressure to over the piece of tape, without stretching the tape, tearing the taping or moving the tape off the joint space while simultaneously removing any air bubbles behind the tape before the mud begins to dry to form a smooth surface between the abutting boards of drywall. Then, repeating this process on all the inside joint spaces within the building. 10 [0006] The second method for tapers to accomplish covering the joint spaces of abutting boards of drywall is by using a Mud Box. The Mud Box, such as CA patent number 2316427-Sweeny 2001, US patent number 8286681-Goldman 2012, and US patent number 8435377-Greenhalga in 2013, are among the most recent examples of prior art for the Mud Box. The Mud Box is well known in the construction industry. The purpose of a Mud Box is to coat tape with mud for the 15 purpose of manually applying the mud-coated tape to the joint space of abutting boards of drywall. Once the tape is threaded through the first slot of the Mud Box, the tape enters the container and is then threaded out the second slot. The Mud Box is filled with mud. The taper pulls the tape that is exposed out the second slot, until the tape comes out of the Mud Box coated with mud. The taper then pulls out the desired length of mud- coated tape, cuts the desired length free from the 20 Mud Box, then manually applies it over the joint space. The taper, then uses his putty knife to apply enough pressure to over the piece of tape, without stretching the tape, tearing the taping or moving the tape off the joint space while simultaneously removing any air bubbles behind the tape before the mud begins to dry to form a smooth surface between the abutting boards of drywall. Then, repeating this process on all the inside joint spaces within the building. While the Mud Box 3 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  eliminates the first step of the taper having to coat the joint space with mud manually, then applying tape over the mud coated joint space, this process still remains multi-step, still time consuming and labor intensive. 5 [0007] The third method of for tapers to accomplish covering the joint space of abutting boards of drywall is by using an apparatus, well known in the construction industry as the Bazooka. In 1939, brothers' Robert and Stan Ames developed a newer method for finishing drywall in Georgia, USA. They called their invention the Corner Shoe. The Corner Shoe, was the first invention in a long line of apparatuses to come designed to continuously cover the joint spaces of abutting boards of 10 drywall with mud-coated tape by way of air pressure and a long hose. The Ames Brothers eventually developed their Corner Shoe idea into the invention well known in the construction industry today as, The Combined Tape and Mastic Applicator in U.S. Patent number 2502499, 1950-Ames, aka the Bazooka. 15 [0008] This first drywall taping apparatus provided for the feeding mud by way of air pressure to a nozzle which applies a layer of mud to the tape and provides mechanisms fortape cutting and creasing the mud-coated tape into the inside joint space. This taping apparatus was battery powered and weighed more than one-hundred pounds when fully loaded. Robert Ames continues improvement of his Bazooka with the development of the Self-Contained Dry Wall Taper, U.S. 20 Patent number 4086121, 1978-Ames. This invention provides for an improvement over U.S. Patent number 2815142, 1957-Ames whereas the spring-based tape advancing pin has been changed to one that will not drag on the tape to the tape on its return movement and will have no tendency to move the tape in a reverse direction in the tape guide. Ames also provides a novel means to take up the slack the tape cutting blade server experiences via normal wear and tear. 4 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  While Ames continues to improve his original design, problems persist that negatively affect the maintenance costs, ease of operation, work effectiveness, and taping quality. Notably, a main drawback in the Ames design resides in the cable arrangement between the piston and the drive wheel resulting in the operator having to exert increased effort to continue the taping operation. If 5 the taper allows any slippage of the drive wheels to occur on the drywall board it will leave a dry spot on the tape, which is unacceptable. Additionally, U.S. Patent number 4086121, 1978-Ames, wherefore in this design the cable arrangement, which resides between the piston and the drive wheels, is prone to twisting and/or wind up over itself causing the rate of delivery of mud to the head (nozzle) to be intermittent rather than uniform. Nor is there a mechanism that allows for 10 control of the quantity of mud applied to the tape. Additionally, it is well known for the cable to break altogether, thereby causing productivity to cease until repairs are completed. Lastly, in order to activate and deactivate the corner creaser mechanism, the taper has to let go of his normal grip to grasp comer creaser lever. 15 [0009] Taping Tool having Improved Tape Advance, U.S. Patent number 9359777, 2016- Jungklaus et al. (aka AXIA Acquisition Corporation, a subsidiary of Ames Holdings), addresses the problem in the prior art U.S. Patent number 4086121, 1978-Ames. In the design of the Ames Bazooka, a piston is mounted within the elongated hollow tube (mud reservoir) and moves in unison with the tape-engaging drive wheels via a connection by a cable. As the taper moves the 20 Bazooka forward on the tape-engaging wheel the compound dispensing front head (nozzle) applies mud simultaneously to tape and mud as the taper moves forward over the joint space. This Taping Tool having Improved Tape Advance, within claims what is described as "a simplified tape advance/actuation assembly". The tape advance/actuation assembly has a control member that forms part of the elongated body and functions in unison with the tape engagement member 5 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  that is house in the tools head (front). The tape engagement member provides for engagement or disengagement of tape, through the manipulation of a single fastener, depending on the position and/or direction of movement of the control member. Thus, improving upon the action of tape advancement for the taper running this taping tool. In addition, the corner creaser can now 5 be activated without the taper having to move his hand from the normal grip position.

[0010] The Ames team is making progress with improving the short-comings of their original design, as well as other inventors as found in the prior art of U.S. Patent number 6513562, 2003- Trout. Trout's design focuses improvement of the head of the Ames design. Trout calls his 10 invention, Drywall Taping Tool. The prior art of the Ames design shows the head (nozzle) of the Bazooka is comprised of multiple metallic components, precision machined parts, assembled together with screws. Over time, the pressurized mud and normal wear and tear of the Bazooka weaken the overall effectiveness of the screws to maintain uninterrupted use for the taper. With prolonged use of the Bazooka, these screws often become loosened, especially along the side 15 walls and mud can leak in this area. It is known for taper to attempt to plug-up these spaces with a silicon sealant, or attempt adjustments of these screws to minimize the leakage. Trout's solution for the improvement of the Ames design of the multi-component head (nozzle) is to provide the Bazooka apparatus a unitary nozzle (head). The unitary nozzle features a cradle section adjacent a tube receiving section and a flange for sealing receiving a mastic tube. A mastic (mud) is 20 extruded and contained along a path extending along one side of the tape and between a front and rear end of the nozzle. This invention addresses the problem of the leakage of mud into the undesired sections and out of the nozzle (head) of the previously patented Ames Bazooka.

[0011] The above referenced prior art of the apparatus well known in the industry as the Bazooka 6 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  are a multi-component system the Taper must put together each day. At the beginning of the day the Taper affixes a one end of a component called the goose neck to the rear of the Bazooka and the other end of the goose neck is affixed to a pump. The pump is placed into a bucket of mud. Then the taper grabs the handle on the pump and by moving the handle in and up and down 5 motion the mud is pushed through the goose neck into the rear of the Bazooka thereby filling up the mud reservoir. Once the reservoir is full, the taper disconnects the goose neck from the rear of the Bazooka, prepares for the application mud-coated tape to the joint space of the abutting boards of drywall. When the mud reservoir is empty, the taper must stop to reattach the goose neck to the rear of the Bazooka, repeat the pumping process to refill the mud reservoir, and 10 disconnects the goose neck from the rear of the Bazooka to continue applying mud-coated tape to the joint space. It is well known in the construction industry the Bazooka is prone to breakdowns, as previously noted. These breakdowns are costly in terms of the cost of new parts and the unproductive time. Lastly, due to the multi-component system, the lengthy time it take to clean at the end of each day diminishes the taper’s daily productivity. 15

[0012] In the next example of prior art the Pneumatic Drywall Taper-2009, U.S. Patent number 7628295 Mondloch et al. The Mondloch et al. claims to provide a system for permitting substantially continuous flow of drywall compound (mud) to be delivered to wallboard (drywall), while having improved control over the rate of drywall compound (mud) that is delivered to the 20 tape. Thus, eliminating the need to continually refilling the mud reservoir of the Bazooka with a goose neck/pump system. Mondloch et al, design provides for a delivery system for a continuous flow of drywall compound (mud) to the wallboard joint (drywall joint) utilizing a delivery tube that is connected to the drywall compound (mud) supply assembly, the delivery tube has a second end that communicates with the drywall pressure sensitive dispensing head, the flow rate is 7 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  controlled by a valve arrangement. The valve arrangement includes a pinch valve having a flexible diaphragm for controlling the flow of pressurized drywall compound (mud). This design also provides for a tape advancing mechanism, a tape severing device and a creaser wheel assembly. While improvements to Ames original design make the Bazooka slightly easier to use the overall 5 functionality remains cumbersome due to its multi-part design. Whether using the Bazooka, with the goose neck and the pump design or the improved continuous flow design of Mondloch et al. design, for the application of mud-coated tape to the joint space of drywall, the overall design of the Bazooka is very large, heavy and cumbersome and all-day use is difficult. Each day time must be taken to assemble, fix problems that arise and clean-up is time consuming as well due to the 10 multi-component design. Thus, diminishes the actual daily productivity of the Taper. In addition, the Bazooka is very expensive to purchase and additional down-time can be expected due to repair issues as noted. Therefore, some Tapers have opted for a less expensive apparatus well known in the industry as the Banjo for the application of mud-coated tape to the abutting joint space of drywall. 15

[0013] The fourth method of for tapers to accomplish covering the joint space of abutting boards of drywall is by using an apparatus, well known in the construction industry as a Banjo. The Banjo is well known in the construction industry used for the application of applying mud-coated tape to the joint space of abutting boards of drywall. The design of a typical Banjo consists of an area in 20 the rear of the machine that holds a roll of tape on a spool, the tape is threaded through a rear tape slot into the mud reservoir, along the top of the reservoir, out the front tape slot, through the front guide rollers and over the front guide wheels. The door to the mud reservoir is opened, filled with mud and the door is latched closed. The taper then pulls the tape forward from the front tape slot until the tape comes out the front tape slot coated with mud. The taper pulls forward enough 8 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  mud-coated tape to cover over the front guide wheels. Then the taper presses the Banjo onto the joint space of the drywall to be covered, moves in a forward direction to the end of the joint space being covered. In less sophisticated Banjo models, the taper would then get ahold of his putty knife to cut the tape from the machine, while simultaneously holding the Banjo against the end of 5 the joint space. The more sophisticated models have a mechanism can be slid, pulled or squeezed, depending on the design of that model, to activate a cutting blade that will cut the tape free the joint space being covered with the Banjo by the Taper. These models, typically have a corner creaser that can be activated by the taper to "tuck" the mud-coated tape onto the inside joint spaces of abutting sheets of drywall. 10

[0014] In 1880, Prior art U.S. Patent number 225860 by R.R. Patterson, titled Automatic Paper hanger claims, "it will be observed that the feeding, trimming, pasting, and fixing to the wall are performed mechanically by one machine," was novel for its time. In 1943, Prior art U.S. Patent number 2328571 by Merle Meyer, as well as in 1958, Prior art U.S. Patent number 2858953 by 15 G.W. Harrell both used Paterson's design as inspiration for their own inventions' of what is well known in the industry as the Banjo. In 1963, U.S. Patent number 3116195 was granted to Lathrop et al. This prior art, while technically a Bazooka, demonstrates a slide action mechanism similar to Moree's slide action handle he incorporated into his Banjo's design. 20 [0015] In 1975, Billy Moree was granted U.S. Patent number 3880701 for his invention he called, Apparatus for Applying Tape. Moree describes his invention's design as, "An elongated frame includes a tape roll mounting means, a mastic mud reservoir through which the tape passes, wiper means, and application rollers for pressing tape into place. Tape holding mechanism and tape cutting means are individually actuated by a slide actuator." Moree's Banjo allows the taper to 9 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  apply mud-coated tape to the drywall joint space, a cutting mechanism to cut the tape away from the machine, and a corner creaser to "tuck" the mud-coated tape into the inside joint space. Like the Ames design of the Bazooka, Moree's design sets the standard of a typical modern design of what is well known in the industry today as the Banjo. U.S. Patent number 4003781 to Holsten in 5 1977, U.S. Patent number 4196028 to Mill et al. in 1980, and U.S Patent number 4452663 to Heaton in 1984 provide examples of prior art relating to the present invention. Holsten's invention provides for a pivotally mounted tape cutter assembly that he considers solves the problem of the tape cutter being too closely adjacent to the cement (mud) container in Moree's design, thereby solving the issue of the leading tape needing to be extracted and restrung over the front guide 10 wheels after each cut. Holsten's design claims for more continuous taping after each cut. Mill et al. also notes the issue of Moree's design of the tape cutter being too close to the dispensing chamber outlet at the main rollers, "the taper must manually advance and restring about the main rollers after each cut." Mills et al. focus was for providing for a taping tool, "...that will enable the operator to accurately cut the tape at the end of the wallboard section and begin taping a new 15 section without having to manually restring the freshly cut tape about the rollers." Additionally, the invention of Mill et al. claims their corner roller "squares" the tape into the corners of the inside corners and ceiling joints rather than merely creasing the tape into the said corner joint space. Heaton's invention, while does not provide for an automatic cutting mechanism, it does provide a breaking mechanism that when activated, "The application of the brake holds the tape so that it 20 may be maintained in tension as a knife is used to cut the tape below the roller." The taper then utilizes his putty knife to cut the mud-coated tape free from the Banjo. The inventors goal of the above referenced prior art of Moree, Holsten, Mill et al. and Heaton provide example of design modifications of what is well known in the industry as the Banjo to facilitate ease of the application of applying mud-coated tape to the joint space of abutting boards of drywall. These modifications 10 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  have yet to be inclusive on one tool. This invention is considered to be a Banjo within the construction industry.

[0016] In taking into account the design features and design shortcomings of the prior art currently 5 on the market for the Banjo tool, I have designed and constructed a drywall taping tool that includes the features to facilitate ease of use by the taper. This invention provides: an ergonomic, durable, lightweight, balanced design, easy set-up, a mud flow control mechanism, an automatic fallback preventer mechanism, an automatic tape cutter mechanism, an automatic corner creaser mechanism, an extended rear handle, a comfort grip, a grip handle, a T-base, tethered hitch pin, 10 four key-hole slots, a hook, a stationary knife and easy to clean at the end of the day. I call this invention the Banjomatic. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] This invention, the Banjomatic, was invented by a taper for tapers for the use of applying 15 mud-coated tape to the joint space of abutting boards of drywall. It is the goal of this invention to provide a Banjo, for ease of use for the taper that is ergonomic, durable light-weight, and has a balanced design for all day use. This invention provides for: easy set-up; provides a mud flow control mechanism to regulate the quantity of mud that is applied onto the tape that is applied to abutting joint space of drywall; provides an automatic fallback preventer mechanism to prevent 20 the mud-coated tape from retracting backward after activating the tape cutting mechanism that cuts the mud-coated tape at the end of the joint space being covered; and provides an automatic corner creasing mechanism that tucks and embeds the mud-coated tape into the inside corner joint space of abutting boards of drywall. The Banjomatic also provides: an extended rear handle designed, for the average height taper to reach eight-foot ceilings without the use of stilts or 11 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  scaffolding equipment; a comfort grip on the rear handle; a T-base design that allows for the drywall taping tool to be put on a level surface without falling over; a hitch pin, used to secure the tape housing spool, that is tethered to the Banjomatic preventing loss of the hitch pin; a rubberized grasp handle for extra grip; the tape guide assembly wheels are chamfered to provide extra grip 5 during the application of the mud-coated tape to the joint space of abutting boards of drywall; and has four key-hole slots and a hook that can be used to hang the Banjomatic on a drywall screw or scaffolding to free up both hands while working. The Banjomatic provides stationary knife allowing for the taper to pull out and cut small strips of mud-coated tape for application to the smaller joint space of abutting boards of drywall. The Banjomatic provides for quick and easy 10 clean up at the end of the day. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In the drawings, which form part of this specification: 15 [0019] FIG. 1. Is the Left Side View of the Banjomatic, an apparatus for applying mud-coated tape to the joint spaces of abutting boards of drywall.

[0020] FIG 2. Is the Right Side View of the Banjomatic, an apparatus for applying mud-coated tape to the joint spaces of abutting boards of drywall. 20

[0021] FIG. 3A. Is the Bottom View of the Banjomatic, an apparatus for applying mud-coated tape to the joint spaces of abutting boards of drywall.

[0022] FIG. 3B. Is the Close-Up Bottom View of the Banjomatic, an apparatus for applying mud- 12 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  coated tape to the joint spaces of butting boards of drywall.

[0023] FIG. 4A. Is the Top View of the Banjomatic, an apparatus for applying mud-coated tape to the joint spaces of hutting boards of drywall. 5

[0024] FIG. 4B. Is the Close-Up Top View of the Banjomatic, an apparatus for applying mud- coated tape to the joint spaces of abutting boards of drywall. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 10 [0025] The Banjomatic, a drywall finishing tool, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 4A, comprises of a rear handle 1, which is attached to the T-base 5. On the rear handle 1 is a grip 3 that is secured by a ring 2. The ring 2 is secured to the rear handle 1via a set screw 2A. The T-base 5 is attached to the left housing assembly panel 7A and right tape housing assembly panel 7B. 15 [0026] The tape housing assembly is comprised of parts: as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 4A, the left tape housing assembly panel 7A, the right tape housing assembly panel 7B, the tape housing assembly cable to tether spool 8, tape housing assembly rear tether cable crimp sleeve 8A, tape housing assembly front tether cable crimp sleeve 813, tape housing assembly ring pin 9, tape housing assembly hitch pin 10 and tape housing assembly spool 11. One end of the tape housing 20 assembly cable to tether the spool 8 is looped and the loop is secured by the tape housing assembly rear tether cable crimp sleeve 8A and that loop is riveted into the precut hole on the rear of the left tape housing assembly panel 7A and the other end of the tape housing assembly cable to tether the spool is looped around the tape housing assembly pin ring 9 and secured by the tape housing assembly front tether cable crimp sleeve 8B. The tape housing assembly pin 13 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  ring 9 is inserted into the tape housing assembly hitch pin 10. The tape assembly hitch pin 10 in slid into the precut hole in the middle of the left tape housing assembly panel 7A through the precut hole in the center of the tape housing assembly spool 11 and through the precut hole in the center of the right tape housing assembly panel 7B. The left tape housing panel 7A is attached 5 to the left mud reservoir side panel 12A. The right tape housing panel 7B is attached to the right mud reservoir side panel 12B via welds.

[0027] The mud reservoir is comprised of parts: as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A, left mud reservoir side panel 12A, right mud reservoir side panel 12B, top mud reservoir panel 17, bottom mud 10 reservoir panel 21, mud reservoir door 13, piano hinge 14, mud reservoir door latch 15 and mud reservoir hinge 16. The mud reservoir door 13, is attached to the left mud reservoir side panel 12A via a piano hinge 14. The mud flow control mechanism control plate 44C is attached to the front end of the bottom mud reservoir panel 21 by lining up of the precut holes and secured by rivets. The tape tensioner 42 is riveted into the precut holes of the bottom mud reservoir panel 15 21. The bottom mud reservoir panel 21, and he top mud reservoir panel 17, is attached left mud reservoir side panel 12A and the right mud reservoir side panel 12Bto comprise the mud reservoir and secured via welds. Once the mud reservoir is affixed together the length of the bottom mud reservoir panel 21 allows for the rear tape slot 46 and the front tape slot 47. A spring wire mud reservoir door latch 15, is connected to the hinge 16, the hinge 16, is welded the right mud 20 reservoir panel 12B.

[0028] The grip handle is comprised of parts: as seen in FIGS. 1,2, 3A and 4A, the front grip handle base 18A, the rear grip handle base 188, the left grip bar 19A and the right grip bar 19B. The left grip bar 19A and the right grip bar 19B are inserted onto pre-cut holes in the front grip 14 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  handle base 18A and the rear grip handle base 18B, then the bases are attached to the top mud reservoir panel 17. The hook 20, is attached to the front of the front grip handle base 188 and to the top mud reservoir panel 17 via welds. 5 [0029] The corner creaser mechanism is comprised of two assemblies: as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 4A and 4B. The corner creaser handle assembly and a comer creaser wheel assembly that is connected together by the corner creaser mechanism cable and corner creaser mechanism spring to form the corner creaser mechanism. The comer creaser handle assembly is comprised of parts: corner creaser handle assembly base 43, corner creaser handle assembly guide rod 22, 10 corner creaser handle assembly handle 23 and the corner creaser handle assembly rubberized grasp handle 24. The corner creaser handle assembly rubberized grasp handle 24, is attached to the corner creaser handle assembly base 43, which is attached to the top mud reservoir panel 17 via a weld. The corner creaser handle assembly handle 23 is slid horizontally through the pre-cut slot on the corner creaser handle assembly base 43. The corner creaser handle assembly guide 15 rod 22 is inserted into the pre-cut hole within comer creaser handle assembly rubberized grasp handle 24, and through the pre-cut hole in the corner creaser handle assembly handle 23 and stopping at the end of the pre-cut hole in the corner creaser handle assembly base 43. The corner creaser handle assembly guide rod 22 is then secured into place by a set screw 24A in the corner creaser handle assembly rubberized grasp handle 24. The corner creaser mechanism cable 25 20 is connected to the comer creaser handle assembly handle 23, and is secured to the corner creaser handle assembly base 43 by the rear corner creaser mechanism cable clip 27B, the cable is thread through the pre-cut holes in rear left corner creaser mechanism cable hole 26B located on the left side of the rear grip handle base 18B and through the front left corner creaser mechanism cable hole 26A located on the left side of the front grip handle base 18A, then is 15 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  secured to the front portion of the left mud reservoir side panel 12A with the front corner creaser mechanism cable clip 27A, and attaches to the comer creaser assembly/tape guide wheel assembly shaft 28 and secured to the shaft by the front corner creaser cable mechanism crimp sleeve 25A. 5

[0030] The corner creaser wheel assembly is comprised of parts: as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the left corner creaser wheel assembly arm 29A, the right corner creaser wheel assembly arm 29B that have precut holes on both ends of the arm, the corner creaser wheel assembly wheel 30 and the corner creaser wheel assembly wheel connecter bolt 31. Place the left corner creaser wheel 10 assembly arm 29A against the one side of the corner creaser wheel assembly wheel 30 and the right corner creaser wheel assembly arm 29B against the other side of the corner creaser wheel assembly wheel 30, matching the precut holes in the corner creaser wheel assembly arms 29A and 29B to the precut hole on the center of the corner creaser wheel assembly wheel 30, then slide the corner creaser wheel assembly wheel connector bolt 31 starting from the left, slide 15 through exiting the right side and secure the corner creaser wheel assembly connecting bolt 31 in place.

[0031] The guide wheel assembly is comprised of parts: as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 4A and 4B, the left tape guide hub 34A with a precut hole on the rim for insertion of a set screw, the left tape 20 guide wheel with a chamfered outside edge 33A, the center tape guide hub 34C, the right tape guide wheel with a chamfered outside edge 33B, right tape guide hub 34B with a precut hole on the rim for insertion of a set screw.

[0032] The comer creaser wheel assembly and the guide wheel assembly is attached to the 16 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  Banjomatic by placing the center precut hole of the left corner creaser wheel assembly arm 29A, against the left tape guide assembly hub 34A, then place the Left tape guide assembly wheel with a chamfered outside edge 33A against the opposite side of left tape guide assembly hub 34A, then placing the center tape guide assembly hub 34C against the left tape guide assembly wheel 5 with a chamfered outside edge 33A, then placing the right tape guide assembly wheel with a chamfered outside edge 33B against the opposite side center tape guide assembly hub 34C, then place the right tape guide assembly hub 34B against the right tape guide assembly wheel with a chamfered outside edge 33B, then place right corner creaser assembly arm 29B against the right tape guide assembly hub 34B, all the while lining up to all the center precut holes in parts 29A, 10 34A, 33A, 34C, 33B, 34C, 29B, then while holding those seven parts in alinement place the corner creaser assembly/tape guide wheel assembly parts between front of left mud reservoir side panel 12A and right mud reservoir side panel 12B, then take corner creaser assembly/ tape guide wheel assembly shaft 28 and slide it through the front precut hole on the left mud reservoir panel 12A, through the center hole on parts 29A, 34A, 33A, 34C, 33B, 34C, 29B, through front precut hole 15 on right mud reservoir panel 12B. Parts 29A, 34A, 33A, 34C, 33B, 34C, 29B are secured to the corner creaser assembly/ tape guide wheel assembly shaft 28, by placing set screws into the precut hole on the rim of the left tape guide assembly hub 34A and the right tape guide assembly hub 34B thereby, securing the corner creaser assembly and the tape guide wheel assembly to the Banjomatic. 20

[0033] The mud flow control mechanism is comprised of parts: as seen in FIGS. 1, 3A and 3B, mud flow control mechanism square shaft 44A, mud flow control mechanism thumb screw 448 and the mud flow control mechanism control plate 44C. The mud flow control mechanism thumb screw is attached to the mud flow control mechanism square shaft 41A by screwing it into a precut 17 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  threaded hole on the mud flow control mechanism square shaft 41A. The mud flow control mechanism square shaft 41A is secured into the pre-cut square hole located on the left mud reservoir side panel 12A and the right mud reservoir side panel 12B via welds. The mud flow control mechanism thumb screw 44B makes contact on the mud flow control mechanism plate 5 44C. By tightening the thumb screw 44B, the screw applies pressure to the mud flow control mechanism plate 44C, which decreases the amount of mud flowing onto the drywall tape. Inversely, untightening the mud flow control thumb screw 44B decreases the pressure to the mud flow control mechanism plate 44C which increases the amount of mud flowing onto the drywall tape. 10

[0034] The fallback preventer mechanism is comprised of parts: as seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the fallback preventer shaft 41A, the fallback preventer pin 418 and the fallback preventer spring 41C. The fallback preventer mechanism shaft inserted 41A into the precut holes on the front top area of left mud reservoir panel 12A and the right mud reservoir panel 12B. The fallback preventer 15 mechanism pin 41B is inserted into the precut hole on the fallback preventer mechanism shaft 41A. The fallback preventer mechanism spring is attached to the fallback mechanism shaft 41A and secured to the right mud reservoir panel 12B.

[0035] The tape cutting mechanism is comprised of parts: as seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the lever 20 4, tape cutting mechanism cable 6, tape cutting mechanism cable housing 6A, tape cutting mechanism cable clip 6B, tape cutting mechanism cable crimp sleeve 6C, tape cutting mechanism blade 35, tape cutting mechanism housing 36, tape cutting mechanism shaft 37A, tape cutting mechanism eye bolt 37B, tape cutting mechanism spring 37C, tape cutting mechanism ejector pin 38. The tape cutting mechanism cable 6 is threaded though the tape cutting mechanism cable 18 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04  housing 6A. The lever 4 is secured onto the rear handle 1. The ferruled end tape cutting mechanism housing covered cable 6/6A is inserted into the lever 4, the tape cutting mechanism housing covered cable 6/6A is secured to the rear of the right tape housing panel 7B by a tape cutting mechanism cable clip 6B, the tape cutting mechanism housing covered cable 6/6A 5 continues through pre-cut holes rear right tape cutting mechanism cable hole 26D located on the right side of the rear grip handle base 18B and front right tape cutting mechanism cable hole 26C located on the right side of the front grip handle base 18A, and then is secured, via stringing the tape cutting mechanism housing covered cable 6/6A through the precut hole the tape cutting mechanism shaft 37A and securing the tape cutting mechanism cable 6 with a tape cutting 10 mechanism cable crimp sleeve 6C. The tape cutting mechanism shaft 37A is then inserted into the precut holes on the left mud reservoir panel side panel 12A and right side reservoir panel 12B, then the tape cutting mechanism eye bolt 37B is screwed into the tape cutting mechanism shaft 37A and secures it into place. Then the tape mechanism spring 37C is attached to the tape mechanism eye bolt 37B and secured to the precut hole on the left mud reservoir side panel 12A. 15 The tape cutting mechanism blade 35 is inserted into the tape cutting mechanism housing 36, then is inserted to the front bottom area, lining up to the precut holes between the left mud reservoir side panel 12A and the right mud reservoir side panel 12B and securing the tape cutting mechanism blade 35 and tape cutting mechanism housing 36 with screws. The tape cutting mechanism ejector pin 38 inserted through the precut slot of the tape cutter mechanism blade 35 20 and the tape cutter mechanism housing 36 and screws into the precut threaded hole on the tape cutting mechanism shaft 37A. 19 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04 [0036] The stationary knife 40, as seen in FIGS. 2, 4A and 4B, is attached to the stationary knife housing 39 by rivets, then is welded between the front top angled area of left mud reservoir side panel 12A and the right mud reservoir side panel 12B. 20 Date Regue/Date Received 2022-05-04

Claims

 CLAIMS The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 5 1. A drywall taping tool for applying mud-coated tape to joint spaces, abutting boards of drywall comprising: a) a body having a top and extended rear handle with a comfort grip; b) a tape housing assembly, having a tethered hitch pin for a tape housing spool; c) a mud reservoir, for holding a supply of mud; 10 d) a tape guide assembly having left and right guide wheels with chamfered outside edges for guiding mud-coated tape on joint spaces; e) a grip handle on the top of the body, to ease of carrying the drywall taping tool; f) a corner creaser mechanism having a corner creaser wheel and a grasp handle, wherein the corner creaser wheel, when activated, tucks and embeds mud-coated tape into the 15 inside corners of abutting boards of drywall; g) a mud flow control mechanism to regulate the quantity of mud delivered onto the drywall tape; h) a tape cutting mechanism, that when engaged will cut the mud-coated tape; i) a fallback preventer mechanism, that inhibits the mud-coated tape from retracting after the 20 mud-coated tape is cut; j) a T-base, allows for the drywall taping tool to be set on a level surface without falling over; k) a hook, allows for the drywall taping tool to be hung over a scaffolding bar; I) four key-hole slots, to hang the drywall taping tool on a screw. 21 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023- 11-17  2. The drywall taping tool of claim 1 wherein the body and the extended rear handle measures 104.14 centimeters in length. 5 3. The drywall taping tool of claim 1wherein the tethered hitch pin is tethered to the tape housing by a cable attached to a ring on the tethered hitch pin. 4. The drywall taping tool of claim 3 wherein the tethered hitch pin secures the tape spool to the tape housing. 10 5. The drywall taping tool of claim 4 wherein a roll of drywall tape is placed on the tape spool and the tethered hitch pin secures the spool of drywall tape in the tape housing. 6. The drywall taping tool of claim 5 wherein the drywall tape is inserted into a rear tape slot, 15 passing through the mud reservoir, exiting a front tape slot. 7. The drywall taping tool of claim 6 wherein mud is placed into the mud reservoir. 8. The drywall taping tool of claim 7 wherein the drywall tape exiting through the front tape slot is 20 coated with mud on one side. 9. The drywall taping tool of claim 1,wherein the mud flow control mechanism provides the means to adjust the quantity of mud coating the tape by turning a thumb screw on the mud control mechanism in one direction to decrease the quantity of mud on the drywall tape as it exits a front 22 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023- 11-17  tape slot and turning the thumb screw on the mud flow mechanism in the opposite direction to increase the quantity of mud on the drywall tape as it exits the front tape slot. 10. The drywall taping tool of claim 1 wherein the mud-coated tape may be pulled over the tape 5 guide assembly wheels; consisting of a left tape guide assembly wheel that is chamfered on the outside edge and a right tape guide assembly wheel that is chamfered on the outside edge. 11. The drywall taping tool in claim 10 wherein the tape guide assembly wheels that embody chamfered outside edges provide the means to apply mud-coated tape to the joint spaces of 10 abutting boards of drywall by placing the tape covered guide wheels perpendicular to the joint space of abutting boards of drywall to be covered by the mud-coated tape and pushing in a forward direction until the joint space is covered with the mud-coated tape in it entirety. 12. The drywall taping tool of claim 11 wherein the tape cutting mechanism is activated by 15 squeezing a lever located on the extended rear handle which retracts a cable attached to the cutting mechanism to cut the mud-coated tape free from the drywall taping tool. 13. The drywall taping tool of claim 1 wherein the fall back preventer mechanism prevents the mud-coated tape from retracting into a front tape slot after the mud-coated tape has been cut free 20 from the drywall taping tool. 14. The drywall taping tool of claim 1 wherein a taper has the means to apply, tuck and embed mud-coated tape to the inside joint spaces of abutting boards of drywall by activating the corner 23 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023- 11-17  creaser mechanism. 15. The drywall taping tool of claim 14 wherein the corner creaser mechanism may be activated by squeezing the corner creaser assembly handle, thereby retracting a cable attached to the 5 corner creaser wheel, which extends the corner creaser mechanism into position. 16. The drywall taping tool of claim 15 wherein the edge of the mud-coated tape exiting from a front tape slot may be pulled forward to cover the tape guide assembly and the corner creaser wheel. 10 17. The drywall taping tool of claim 16 wherein the chamfering of the outside edges of the left and the right tape guide assembly wheels provide for additional grip in the applying and securing of mud-coated drywall tape to the inside corners of abutting boards of drywall. 15 18. The drywall taping tool of claim 1wherein a grip handle is affixed to a top mud reservoir panel for ease carrying the drywall taping tool. 19. The drywall taping tool of claim 18 wherein a hook is affixed to the top of the top mud reservoir panel and adjacent to the grip handle to hang the drywall taping tool off an elevated surface. 20 20. The drywall taping tool of claim 1 wherein the T-base receives the rear handle and is affixed to a rear of the tape housing assembly. 24 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023- 11-17  21. The drywall taping tool of claim 1 wherein four keyhole slots are precut into one or both of a left or right mud reservoir side panel to hang the drywall tool. 22. The drywall taping tool of claim 1 wherein the tape cutting mechanism has a stationary knife 5 affixed between a left mud reservoir side panel and a right mud reservoir side panel to tear off desired lengths of mud-coated tape. 25 Date Re^ue/Date Received 2023- 11-17