US Patent 7383868 Tape dispenser with cutter shield

A tape dispenser includes base plate, a handle, a tape reel and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly includes a base, a cutter with a blade at an end, a shield, a shield base and a wiper plate. The shield is moved between a first position, in which the shield covers the blade of the cutter to protect users from hurt by the cutter, and a second position, in which the shield exposes the blade of the cutter to cut a tape off. The wiper plate has an elastic member with an end urging the shield toward the first position. No independent spring is included to reduce a number of elements and a cost of manufacture.