Abstract:
This invention concerns a carpet stand for lifting carpet, containing a rigid lift tip body along its long axis, further containing a support rod and a lifting tip. The lifting tip itself lies tangent to the exterior of the rigid lift tip&#39;s body, and perpendicular to its long axis, and is shaped such that it may grip or hold onto, into the backing of a carpet. The support rod itself is sized so that it may pass through the backing of a carpet. The support rod is then inserted down through the carpet such that the lift tip will grip and raise the carpet a distance sufficient to separate a carpet from its supporting surface.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This Non provisional application is a continuation from U.S. provisional application 61/273,813 filed Aug. 10, 2009 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to carpet and carpet pad and more particularly to a device that creates a separation between installed carpet and the pad. More specifically the invention is a tool that is used on installed carpet to create a separation between the carpet and pad. More specifically the tool is applied just after the carpet has been cleaned or steam cleaned to create said air gap separation. 
     Every year thousands of consumers are faced with spots in there carpet. Consumers may have there carpets cleaned by a carpet cleaning company or may choose to clean the carpet themselves. Stains and spots in carpets often return after cleaning the carpets due to the stain transferring up from the pad. As the carpet and pad dry, the stain wicks up from the pad into the carpet again resulting in the stain or spot to return. 
     Traditionally consumers have to accept that the stain has returned or may opt to have the carpet and pad replaced. Carpet cleaning companies may offer a return visit to work on the spots that return but cannot guarantee that they will not return again. These return visits can get expensive and is time and labor consuming. 
     There has been a long felt yet unresolved need to provide a solution for this problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention described below overcomes all of the disadvantages of what was done prior to the invention. The invention substantially reduces the need for carpet cleaners to return to re-clean stains and spots that return. This invention reduces carpet cleaners cost of time, labor, and machine wear and tear. This invention enables people to keep carpet looking better and longer. 
     A carpet stand device is provided to achieved a separation or air gap between the carpet and the pad. The carpet stand enables the carpet and pad to dry without touching each other. The invention is designed and intended to create the air gap separation and sustain the air gap separation until the carpet stand is removed. This invention is designed to stop carpet wicking when the pad and carpet dry together in contact with each other. 
     The carpet stand device comprises a shaft with a 90 degree angle on one end and a handle grip at opposing end. A second shaft rides parallel to the first shaft with the 90 degree end. The second shaft will slide on the inside and parallel to the 90 degree shaft, or on the outside but still parallel to the 90 degree shaft. The 90 degree tip end is inserted through an opening between the carpet fibers. While the 90 degree tip is through the carpet backing the shaft is rotated to the upright position. The second shaft is now inserted and a latch or mechanism is used to sustain the second shafts projection farther than and past the 90 degree angle end to create the air gap between the carpet and pad. 
     The stop latch mechanism may be located on either of these shafts. Its purpose is that the inner or parallel shaft is to stick out past the 90 degree angle end and sustain the projection until the release of the stop latch mechanism allowing the second shaft to retract. The embodiment of the utility tool may be made of solid or tubular construction or any combination or any different materials such as any formulations of steels or plastics to be determined. 
     According to another form of the invention, the carpet stand is simplified to a one piece carpet stand to create the air gap. For example the 90 angle and the shaft and handle are of the same one piece body. The carpet is lifted and carpet stand is inserted and shifted into position to create said air gap. 
     According to another form of the invention, The carpet stand is simplified to a second design of the one piece embodiment to create the air gap. For example the 90 angle and the shaft and handle are of the same one piece body. The carpet is lifted and carpet stand is inserted and turned into position to create said air gap. 
     According to another form of the invention, the carpet stand is designed to be used one time and then discarded, while another form of the carpet stand is reusable multiple times. 
     One advantage provided by the invention is that carpets can dry independent of the pad which substantially reduces the stain or spot from returning. Another advantage is carpet cleaning companies will not have as many call backs due to stains and spots that return. Another advantage is that when carpets are made to stay cleaner, they look better which enables carpet to be kept longer and last longer. Another advantage is that apartment complexes and landlords etc will be able to take advantage of the carpet stand to save money. 
     These and other advantages of the instant invention will become understood and readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description in combination with reference to the following figures. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique view of one form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side view of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an oblique view of another form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line VI-VI shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an oblique view of yet another form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line IX-IX shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an oblique view of yet another form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XII-XII shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an oblique view of yet another form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XV-XV shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an oblique view of another form of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XVIII-XVIII shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is an oblique view of yet another form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XXI-XXI shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is an oblique view of another form of the invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XXIV-XXIV shown in  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is the opposing cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XXIV-XXIV shown in  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 26  is an oblique view of yet another form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 27  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XXVIII-XXVIII shown in  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 29  is an oblique view of another form of the invention; 
         FIG. 30  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XXXI-XXXI shown in  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 32  is an oblique view of yet another form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 33  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 34  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XXXIV-XXXIV shown in  FIG. 33 ; 
         FIG. 35  is an oblique view of another form of the invention; 
         FIG. 36  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 35 ; 
         FIG. 37  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XXXVII-XXXVII shown in  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 38  is an oblique view of another form of the invention; 
         FIG. 39  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 38 ; 
         FIG. 40  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XL-XL shown in  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 41  is an oblique view of yet another form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 42  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 41 ; 
         FIG. 43  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XLIII-XLIII shown in  FIG. 42 ; 
         FIG. 44  is an oblique view of another form of the invention; 
         FIG. 45  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 44 ; 
         FIG. 46  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XLVI-XLVI shown in  FIG. 45 ; 
         FIG. 47  is an oblique view of yet another form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 48  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 47 ; 
         FIG. 49  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line XLIX-XLIX shown in  FIG. 48 ; 
         FIG. 50  is an oblique view of another form of the invention; 
         FIG. 51  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 50 ; 
         FIG. 52  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line LII-LII shown in  FIG. 51 ; 
         FIG. 53  is an oblique view of yet another form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 54  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 53 ; 
         FIG. 55  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line LV-LV shown in  FIG. 54 ; 
         FIG. 56  is an oblique view of another form of the invention; 
         FIG. 57  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 56 ; 
         FIG. 58  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line LVIII-LVIII shown in  FIG. 57 ; 
         FIG. 59  is an oblique view of yet another form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 60  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 59 ; 
         FIG. 61  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line LXI-LXI shown in  FIG. 60 ; 
         FIG. 62  is an oblique view of another form of the invention; 
         FIG. 63  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 62 ; 
         FIG. 64  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line LXIV-LXIV shown in  FIG. 63 ; 
         FIG. 65  is an oblique view of another form of the invention; 
         FIG. 66  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 65 ; 
         FIG. 67  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line LXVII-LXVII shown in  FIG. 66 ; 
         FIG. 68  is an oblique view of yet another form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 69  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 68 ; 
         FIG. 70  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line LXX-LXX shown in  FIG. 69 ; 
         FIG. 71  is an oblique view of another form of the invention; 
         FIG. 72  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 71 ; 
         FIG. 73  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line LXXIII-LXXIII shown in  FIG. 72 ; 
         FIG. 74  is an oblique view of yet another form of the carpet stand comprising the invention; 
         FIG. 75  is a top view of the invention shown in  FIG. 74 ; 
         FIG. 76  is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line LXXVI-LXXVI shown in  FIG. 75 ; 
         FIG. 77  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vessel illustrating operation of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For purposes of the following description, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inclined.” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented as in  FIG. 49 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and component spacing, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Moreover, in reference to the drawing figures, like numerals will be used in the different views to illustrate similar components. 
     Referring to the drawing figures, the different embodiments shown therein generally illustrate a device used after some carpet has been cleaned or steam cleaned. The device is then utilized to sustain an air gap separation between the carpet and the pad to assist drying and stop carpet wicking in the user&#39;s desired locations. The carpet stand may be used on a wide variety of carpets and pads. The invention also virtually eliminates the need for professional carpet cleaning services to have to return to re-clean stains and spots that come back after the carpets have dried. 
     According to one form of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 47-49 , a carpet stand for carpet and pad comprises a generally tubular body  101  having a carpet lift tip on one end  102  and a body handle  103  at the opposing end. The tubular body  101  is shown as being substantially cylindrical, although a polygonal-shape or faceted shape would also be acceptable. It is envisioned that the shapes and sizes may range from cylindrical to triangular in cross section. The carpet pap separator may be made from any one of a number of materials including metals, plastics, including thermoplastics and thermosetting resins injected or from a mold which may include various colors which show contrast and location when in use on carpet and may even be transparent or even to have a colored transparency. The carpet pad separator is envisioned in some embodiments to be solid material and in some embodiments to have a concentric cavity along the longitudinal axis of the tubular body and extending through both ends. A preferred quality and characteristic of the material is that it be substantially impermeable to fluids and more specifically carpet cleaning solutions. Any one of a number of materials may be used to form the carpet pad separator so long as the material can provide a rigid sidewall  110  to define a cavity  106  between the bottom end of the lift tip body and more specifically at the lift tip end of the housing  109  to the opposing end of the body on the top at cavity  106  of the body handle  103  The body handle  103  and the lift tip  102  is generally at a right angle to the cylindrical lift tip body  101  The lift tip  102  and tip body  104  may be constructed as a separate piece or part and then attached with the lift tip body  101  of an alternative material or may be formed as part of the lift tip body  101  as one piece unit using the same material. In the support rod embodiment in  FIGS. 44-46  the support rod  213  has a substantially cylindrical solid rod like embodiment. Between the support rod tip  127  to opposing end  128  the handle  123  on the top end  128  is generally at a right angle to the support rod shaft  121  The handle  123  may be in the form of an L-shape shown in  FIG. 53  or a T-shape as pictured in conjunction with the lift tip body in  FIG. 47  The lift tip embodiment in  FIGS. 41-43  is used in conjunction with the support rod embodiment in  FIGS. 44-46  The support rod tip  127  is inserted in into the body handle cavity  106  and is intended to resemble the orientation of the embodiment in  FIG. 47   
     The separate embodiments in  FIG. 41  and  FIG. 44  shown as a unit together in  FIG. 47  and also in related  FIG. 35  both are oriented in ready to use fashion. The tool is held by the handle  103  and the lift tip body  101  is held substantially parallel to the carpet while the lift tip  102  is pointing down to the carpet. The user then spreads the carpet fibers to expose an opening in the carpet backing. The lift tip  102  is inserted down into the opening in the carpet backing and the tool is rotated to an upright position with the lift tip  102  still below the carpet backing. The handle  123  is inserted down fully to meet with handle  103  so that they are together as shown in  FIG. 35  The carpet is now standing away from the pad as shown in  FIG. 77  and an air gap space is achieved between the carpet and the pad to help facilitate drying and most importantly the air gap separation between the carpet and pad. 
     In one particular form of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1-3  The unit is a solid body one piece metal construction but is also envisioned as being made from other materials. The user holds the tool  200  by the body handle  103  and then the support rod tip  107  is inserted through an opening in the carpet backing so that the support rod  121  is at a right angle to the carpet face and lift tip  102  is parallel and kept in the same orientation as described. While the first support rod tip  107  is inserted a second lift tip body and support rod  200  body handle  103  tip is inserted through the carpet backing near the location of the first tool and is only used to lift the carpet into position. While the carpet is lifted up into position by the second tool, the first tool handle is then rotated in a fashion as to move the lift tip  102  into position under the carpet so that when the second tool is removed the carpet is resting on top of the lift tip  102  to create an air gap space to help facilitate drying and most importantly an air gap separation between the carpet and pad. 
     In another form of the invention shown in  FIGS. 4-6  The unit is a solid body one piece metal construction but is also envisioned as being made from other materials. The user holds the tool  201  by the handle  103  and then the support rod tip  107  is inserted through an opening in the carpet backing so that the rod  121  is at a right angle to the carpet face and lift tip  102  is parallel to the carpet and kept in the same orientation as described. While the first support rod tip  107  is inserted in the carpet and a second lift tip body and support rod tool  201  handle tip  103  is inserted through the carpet backing near the location of the first tool and is only used to lift the carpet into position. While the carpet is lifted up into position by the second tool, the first tool handle is then shifted in a fashion as to move the lift tip  102  into position under the carpet so that when the second tool is removed the carpet is resting on top of the lift tip  102  to create an air gap space to help facilitate drying and most importantly an air gap separation between the carpet and the pad. 
     In another form of the invention shown if  FIGS. 7-9  The lift tip embodiment  202  is shown as a solid body metal construction but is also envisioned as being made from other materials such as metals or plastics. The user grasp the body handle  103  and inserts the lift tip  102  into the carpet backing and then the tool is rotated into the upright position. While in the upright position the second part of this two piece tool shown in  FIGS. 13-15  the support rod  203  also a solid body metal construction but is also envisioned as being made from other materials. The support rod tip  127  is inserted through a opening in the carpet backing adjacent to the lift tip  102  already inserted into position. The support rod  203  is then pushed straight down to the floor with the handle  123  while the longitudinal axis is kept at a right angle to the floor. The lift tip body  202  is then raised straight up by the handle  103  so that the lift rod eyelet  130  is then set on top of the support rod pin  122  so that the support rod pin  122  is inset into the eyelet  130  to retain the carpet in a lifted position to create the air gap separation between the carpet and pad. 
     In yet another form of the invention shown in  FIGS. 10-12  The lift tip body  204  is shown as a solid body metal construction but is also envisioned as being made from other materials. The user grasps the lift handle  103  and inserts the lift tip  102  into the carpet backing and then the tool is rotated into the upright position. A second part of this two piece tool shown in  FIGS. 13-15 , is called a support rod  203 , and is also a solid body metallic or plastic construction. The support rod tip  127  is inserted through a opening in the carpet backing adjacent to the lift tip  102  already inserted into position. The support rod  203  is then pushed straight down to the floor with the handle  123  while the longitudinal axis remains at a right angle to the floor. The lift rod  204  is then raised straight up by the handle  103  so that the lift rod eyelet  130  is then set on top of the support rod pin  122  so that the pin  122  is inset into the eyelet  130  to retain the carpet in a lifted position to create the air gap separation between the carpet and pad. 
     In another form of the invention shown in  FIGS. 16-18  the lift rod  205  is shown as a solid body metal construction, but is also envisioned as being made from other materials. The user grasps the lift body handle  103  and inserts the lift tip  102  into the carpet backing and then the tool is rotated into the upright position. A second part of this two piece tool is shown in  FIGS. 13-15 , is called a support rod  203 , and is also solid body metal construction but may also be made from other materials. The support rod tip  127  is inserted through the top of the lower eyelet opening  131 . The support rod  203  is pressed down through an opening in the carpet backing adjacent to the lift tip  102  which is already inserted into position. The support rod  203  is then pushed straight down to the floor with the handle  123  while the longitudinal axis at a right angle to the floor. The lift tip body  205  is then raised straight up by the body handle  103  so that the lift tip body eyelet  130  is then set on top of the support rod pin  122  so that the pin  122  is inset into the eyelet  130  to retain the carpet in a lifted position to create the air gap separation between the carpet and pad. 
     In yet another form of the invention shown if  FIGS. 19-21  The lift tip body  206  is shown as a solid body metal construction but is also envisioned as being made from other materials. The user grasps the body handle  103  and inserts the lift tip  102  into the carpet backing and then the tool is rotated into the upright position. The second part of this two piece tool shown in  FIGS. 13-15 , called the support rod  203 , is also solid body metal construction, but may also be made from other materials. The support rod tip  127  is inserted through the top of the lower eyelet opening  131 . The support rod  203  is pressed down through an opening in the carpet backing adjacent to the lift tip  102  already inserted into position. The support rod  203  is then pushed straight down to the floor with the handle  123  while the longitudinal axis at a right angle to the floor. The lift tip body  206  is then raised straight up by the handle  103  so that the lift rod eyelet  130  is then set on top of the support rod pin  122  so that the pin  122  is inset into the eyelet  130  to retain the carpet in a lifted position to create the air gap separation between the carpet and pad. 
     In another form of the invention shown in  FIGS. 22-25  The lift tip body  208  is shown as a solid body metal construction but is also envisioned as being made from other materials. The user grasps the support rod handle  103  and inserts the lift tip  102  into the carpet backing and then the tool is rotated into the upright position. The second part of this two piece tool, shown in  FIGS. 26-28 , is called the support rod  207 , and is a solid body metal construction, but may be constructed from other materials. The support rod tip  127  is inserted through the top eyelet opening  130  and inserted down and through the lower eyelet  131 . The support rod  207  is pressed down through an opening in the carpet backing adjacent to the lift tip  102  already inserted into position. The support rod  207  is then pushed straight down to the floor with the handle  123  while the longitudinal axis is kept at a right angle to the floor. The lift tip body  208  is then raised straight up by the handle  103  so that the support rod handle  123  can rotate into position and inset under the lift rod latch hook  140  to retain the carpet in a lifted position to create the air gap separation between the carpet and pad. 
     In yet another form of the invention shown assembled together in  FIGS. 35-37  their embodiments shown separately in  FIGS. 29-34  and  38 - 40  The support rod  209  and the lift tip body  210  are assembled and manipulated by the user in essentially the same manner as previous forms of the invention were described. The support rod tip  127  is inserted into the cavity  106  on top of the lift body handle  103  and is now prepared for installation. The carpet pad separator manipulated as previous forms and installed on the carpet shown in  FIG. 77  The carpet pad separator is used to facilitate drying and most importantly used to produce the air gap separation between the carpet and pad. Embodiments are made of similar constructions of metal and plastics and other materials may be used and or combined to assemble the carpet stand tool and may be made interchangeable. Some embodiments may be pre-assembled for use or field assembled at time of installation. 
     In another form of the invention shown assembled together in  FIGS. 47-49 , their embodiments shown separately in  FIGS. 41-46 , the support rod  213  and the lift tip body  214  are assembled and manipulated by the user in essentially the same manner as previous forms of the invention were described. The support rod tip  127  is inserted into the top cavity  106  of the lift tip body handle  103  and is prepared for installation. The carpet pad separator is manipulated as previous forms were described and installed on carpet as shown in  FIG. 77 . The carpet pad separator is used to facilitate drying and most importantly used to produce the air gap separation between the carpet and pad. Embodiments are made of similar constructions of metal and plastics and other materials previously described may be used and or combined to assemble the carpet stand tool. Lift tip assembly diagrams in  FIGS. 68-76  depict a lift tip  102  that may be formed, then attached to the lift tip body  104  as shown in lift tip assembly  223 , or may be made as one piece as shown in lift tip assembly  222  and  224 . The lift tip  102  may be formed to or attached to many positions on the diameter along the lift tip body  104 . 
     In another form of the invention shown in  FIGS. 50-61  The support rod  117  and  119  and the lift tip body  116  and  118  are shown with L-shaped handles to help facilitate ease of engagement with the carpet as not to interfere with the handle movement. These forms of the invention are assembled and manipulated by the user in essentially the same manner as previous forms of the invention were described. The support rod bottom tip  127  is inserted in the top cavity  106  of the lift tip body handle  103 . Embodiments are made of similar constructions of metal and plastics and other materials previously described may be used and or combined to assemble the carpet stand tool. Lift tip assemblies  222 ,  223 , and  224  shown in diagram  FIGS. 68-76  may be formed then attached to the lift tip body  101  or formed on the lift tip body  104   
     In another form of the invention shown in  FIGS. 62-67  The support rod  221  and the lift tip body  220  are assembled and manipulated by the user in essentially the same manner as previous forms of the invention were described. The support rod tip  127  is inserted in the top cavity  106  of the lift tip body  101  and is prepared for installation. The carpet pad separator is used to facilitate drying and most importantly used to produce an air gap separation between the carpet and the pad as shown in  FIG. 77 . Embodiments are made of similar constructions of metal and plastics and other materials may be used and or combined to assemble the carpet stand tool and may be made interchangeable. Some embodiments may be pre-assembled for use or field assembled at time of installation. Some carpet stand tools are intended for reuse while others may be intended for one time use and discarded.