Abstract:
A pivoting force arm at one end presses against a vinyl baseboard. Various wall contours are addressed through various interchangeable wall heads which alternatively press against a straight wall portion, or inside or outside corner. The other end presses against flooring. Depending upon whether the flooring is smooth or carpeted, the appropriate head for engaging with the flooring will also be selected from two interchangeable heads. One head is designed for a smooth floor and the other for carpeting. The clamp allows vinyl base to be installed with adhesive, without the vinyl loosening or separating from the wall while the adhesive sets.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains generally to implements for applying a pushing force against a building component during adhesive bonding. In a more specific manifestation, the invention pertains to an implement for pushing vinyl base against a vertical wall until an adhesive sets. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In any building, there are countless junctions between different surfaces. Floors and walls, windows and doors, and even carpet and vinyl flooring all exist side by side in a typical building. As is known in the construction trade, it is not economically practical to form perfect junctions between every one of these different surfaces. Instead, a low-cost trim or finish piece is applied to conceal imperfections. The trim improves appearance without requiring the time and expense that would be needed to craft a perfect junction. In many cases, the trim is also used to provide added functional benefits, beyond those attained in even a perfectly crafted junction. 
     For example, in both commercial and residential flooring, it is customary practice to provide finish or trim at the various junctions between different flooring, as well as at junctions between floor and wall. This trim frequently offers both decorative and functional benefit. One exemplary type of trim in common use is referred to in the trade as vinyl base, which is also known as vinyl baseboard or vinyl mop board. This vinyl base, as the name suggests, is applied at the base of a vertically extending wall surface. Base provides coverage of the junction between a floor surface and wall, and may be used to conceal the edge of many types of flooring. In addition to aesthetic benefits obtained by concealing the edges of the floor and wall, vinyl base also is relatively scratch, dent and scuff resistant, and so provides functional benefit by protecting an underlying surface against accidental damage. Water, detergent and solvent resistance are also characteristics, so activities such as carpet cleaning, hard floor mopping, and floor waxing or refinishing will not harm the vinyl base. As is known, many wall materials and coverings would be seriously harmed or destroyed by water, detergent and solvents. In the unlikely event a portion of vinyl base is accidentally destroyed, the vinyl base is also more readily patched or replaced than the underlying wall or floor. As should be apparent, the strictly aesthetic benefits of vinyl base can be less significant than the functional benefits. 
     Nevertheless, the benefits of vinyl base can only be obtained once the base is properly installed. In this matter of installation though, some of the earlier cited advantages of vinyl become disadvantageous. For example, solvent and moisture resistance translates to resistance to various glues and adhesives, and limited release of solvents used in the adhesives. Consequently, adhesives of choice in the industry today take a substantial amount of drying time before releasing enough solvent to keep the vinyl adhered to a surface. Further compounding the slow adhesion, vinyl base is frequently sold in rolls. Vinyl base is not inherently completely limp, but instead is somewhat resilient. Consequently, once rolled, the vinyl base will tend to take on the shape of the coil and may not conform immediately to a flat wall. Furthermore, flexing vinyl base about sharp corners while still maintaining adhesive contact between the base and wall can be very difficult. 
     Currently, when working with vinyl base, a worker will apply the base with adhesive and then subsequently check numerous times looking for sections that might not be properly adhered. Inside and outside comers can be particularly troublesome, and comers are also difficult to inspect and remedy. Between the extra labor incurred and the possibility for incomplete adhesion, a better method has been sought for installing vinyl base. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first manifestation, the invention is an implement for applying a pushing force between a floor covering and a wall covering. The implement includes a pedestal which engages the floor covering at a contact surface, resists relative motion therewith, and, when removed therefrom, leaves the contact surface unaltered. A first arm is flexibly coupled to the pedestal through a first connector, and extends along a first longitudinal axis. A second arm is flexibly coupled to the first arm through a second connector and extends along a second longitudinal axis. A head is flexibly coupled to the second arm through a third connector. The head engages the wall covering and resists relative motion therewith. When removed therefrom, the head leaves the wall covering unaltered. The pedestal, first arm, second arm and head rest entirely under the force of gravity when the first and second arms are not in a line, and apply a force between the pedestal and head transmitted through the first and second arms when the first and second arms are in line. 
     In a second manifestation, the invention is a method for installing vinyl base to a wall adjacent a juncture between a floor and said wall. The steps include applying adhesive to the wall or vinyl base; positioning the base adjacent the wall; applying a retaining force between the floor and vinyl base by forcing a clamp between. 
     In a third manifestation, the invention is a wall clamp, for pressing vinyl base and other material against a wall, which is particularly adapted to maintain a pressing force for extended duration. The clamp includes a means for releasably engaging a floor without damage; a means for releasably engaging a surface extending angularly from the floor without damage; and a means for releasably applying a pushing force against the floor engaging means and surface engaging means. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     A first object of the invention is to provide an implement which will frictionally engage a horizontal surface and simultaneously press vinyl base against a vertical surface. A second object of the invention is to be able to provide the pressing force with a small and compact implement. A third object of the invention is to enable workers of all skill levels to quickly and safely apply the implement to a section of vinyl base. A further object of the invention is to adapt the implement to diverse floor surfaces. Another object of the invention is to adapt the implement to diverse wall contours. Yet a further object of the invention is to adapt the implement for additional applications requiring a simple and adaptable tool for applying a pushing force in a non-marring, non-destructive way. These and other objects of the invention are obtained in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which will be best understood when considered in conjunction with the following text and illustrations. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment base clamp from a side plan view showing the carpet pedestal and outside corner head. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the head of the preferred embodiment base clamp of FIG. 1 in greater detail, showing the compressible pad thereon. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the installation of an inside corner attachment to the head of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a flat attachment which can be added to the head of FIG.  2 . 
     FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the outside, inside and flat heads respectively, each from top plan view. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates the pedestal of the preferred embodiment base clamp of FIG. 1 in greater detail, showing the carpet attachment partially removed. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a preferred embodiment hard floor attachment which can be substituted for the carpet attachment of FIG.  8 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A preferred embodiment base clamp  100  is illustrated in FIG. 1, and includes a base  110  with removable carpet attachment  120 . A flexible coupling such as a rivet, bolt or other suitable fastener  132  attaches arm  130  to pedestal  110  and forms a first pivot point therewith. At an opposite end of arm  130  from fastener  132  a second pivot point is formed by fastener  142 , which forms a rotatable junction between arm  130  and arm  140 . Fastener  142  may be manufactured from the variety of fasteners as are known, similar to fastener  132 . Arm  130  additionally includes large dimple  134 , which is most preferably a round protrusion on one side of arm  130 , and an indentation on the opposite side, such as might be formed by metal stamping. A v-shaped stop  136  is also most preferably formed by metal stamping. Arm  140  includes smaller dimple  144 , which is designed to interact with larger dimple  134  to form a positive detent between arms  130  and  140  when the two arms are straightened so as to co-extend along the same longitudinal axis. To prevent arm  140  from rotating freely in both directions about arm  130 , a v-shaped stop  146  is also stamped therein. V-shaped stop  146  will mate with v-shaped stop  136  and prevent rotation beyond co-axial in one direction of rotation, as is evident from the figure. At an end of arm  140  distal to arm  130  is another fastener  148 , which connects arm  140  to head  150  through small u-shaped bracket  152 . At a lower portion of head  150  is a yoke  154 , having a y-shaped yoke top  156 . When arms  130  and  140  are coaxial, y-shaped yoke top  156  will surround arm  140  and engage with it to provide further support. 
     During installation, a person will set pedestal  110  down onto a carpet surface, so that head  120  engages with the carpet. Head  150  will be pressed loosely against an outside corner of a wall, most preferably where a vinyl base has been installed. Base clamp  100  will be in a first position such as illustrated, for exemplary purposes, in FIG.  1 . The person will then press down on either or both of arms  130  and  140 , until small dimple  144  snaps into engagement with larger dimple  134 , and stop  146 , engages stop  136 . In this second position, arms  130  and  140  will both extend longitudinally along parallel axes. The movement from first to second positions applies forces which increase the distance between fasteners  132  and  148 . Yoke  154  will most preferably engage through yoke top  156  with arm  140 , thereby ensuring the application of force against head  150  from two distant points at fastener  148  and yoke  154 , to ensure adequate pressure across the entire surface of head  150 . 
     FIGS. 2 and 5 illustrate head  150  in greater detail, including a v-shape formed from two angularly offset surfaces  151  and  153 . As illustrated, the angle of offset between these surfaces  151 ,  153  is most preferably ninety degrees, though any suitable angle could be fabricated as desirable. A contact face of head  150  is most preferably covered by a relatively resilient and non-slip material such as polyurethane foam sprayed upon an open nylon or polyester web, commonly referred to as vinyl scrim. Other resilient materials would also be suitable, most preferably combining as many of the properties as possible found in the scrim, including resilience, non-marring and anti-slip properties. among other suitable materials are foam rubber and synthetic materials, ow-durometer rubbers and synthetics, and other such materials. Less preferably, head  150  may be left uncovered or alternatively covered with a more rigid or slippery material. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an attachment head  250 , partially slid into engagement with head  150 , which is designed for inside comers, and FIG. 6 illustrates head  250  form a top plan view. Head  250  includes four walls  251 ,  252 ,  255  and  256 . Walls  251  and  252  will engage with walls  151  and  153  during use, and walls  255  and  256  will be the hard surfaces which transmit force into the inside comer of a wall or vinyl base. Most preferably, head  250  will also include a resilient, non-marring and anti-slip material  258  similar to vinyl scrim  158 . To help with the engagement between head  150  and head  250 , a pair of clips  253 ,  254  are provided. These will most preferably be a springy, somewhat rigid material such as a spring or stainless steel, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, polymeric material, or other suitable material as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     FIGS. 4 and 7 illustrate attachment head  350 , which, similar to head  250 , may be slid into engagement with head  150 . Head  350  is for application to flat surfaces, and has particularly preferred utility where long straight runs of vinyl base are to be installed. As aforementioned, along these long straight runs, it is probable that the vinyl will attempt to coil back up and will separate from the wall before the adhesive dries. Using head  350  in combination with clamp  100 , the vinyl base can be held tightly against the wall. While head  350  is similar to head  250 , a flat force surface  355  is provided to work in association with resilient pad  358  as the force applying surface. Clips  353 ,  354  and faces  351 ,  352  are otherwise comparable to the counterparts in head  250 . 
     FIG. 8 illustrates pedestal  110  with carpet attachment  120  partially removed. Carpet attachment may be attached to pedestal  110  in any number of ways, but is most preferably slid into engagement such that a wide area  124  rests against and acts as a stop with pedestal  110 . A large number of teeth  126  in the shape of large diameter wires or nails extend down so as to dig into the pile of a carpet to form a firm but non-damaging and easily removable engagement therewith. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 9, an alternative attachment  220  is useful for hard or resilient floors such as sheet or tiled vinyl, hardwood, ceramic tile, or other such surface where attachment  120  would otherwise be unsuitable. Alternative attachment  220  includes the same rail  222  which will slide into pedestal  110 , and an enlarged head  224  which will act as a stop. However, instead of a set of small thin points extending down, a rubber or similar resilient base  226  will most preferably include suction cups  227  thereon. Any other suitable material can be used. Once again, the most preferred properties are that the material be non-slip, non-marring, and most preferably somewhat resilient. Suction cups  227  provide these characteristics admirably, while vinyl scrim will also work. The idea features a pivoting force arm that at one end will press against a vinyl baseboard. either at a straight wall portion or on an inside or outside corner. The other end as two interchangeable heads, one designed for a hard floor and the other for carpeting. The clamp allows vinyl base to be installed with adhesive, without the vinyl loosening or separating from the wall. 
     While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. For example, while the most preferred embodiment has numerous structural components that are preferably formed from stamped metal such as steel, the materials may include various metals, plastics, etc. The invention is not limited to a particular material or method of fabrication. The scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims hereinbelow.