# Patent

## Title
Automated glued-down carpet remover

## Abstract

Apparatus, devices, systems and methods for removing automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting from spaces. The apparatus can include a motor powered winch having a hook end that can grip about a raised edge of the carpet. The winch can be anchored to a doorway by clamping ends of a telescopic bar to doorjamb members about the doorway opening. An operator can operate the winch by remote control and be spaced outside the room that the carpet is being removed from. Another version can include a U-shaped telescopic clamp arrangement so that the winch is also spaced outside the room from which the carpet is being removed.

## Background
This invention relates to carpet removing, in particular to apparatus, devices, systems and methods for removing automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down and tacked down carpeting from rooms and other spaces.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
The removal of glued down carpeting has often typically required human laborers to physically peel up the carpeting with either their hands or some hand tools, such as pry bars, and screw drivers, etc. In addition, the laborer must then pull and rip the carpeting out which is very difficult since they often must stand on the actual carpeting they are removing. The hand tools used can often damage the underlying floor beneath the carpet which will require additional time and expense to fix. Often physical injuries such as wrenched backs, and torn up hands result from such removal techniques. In addition, this time consuming work will often takes hours if not days to accomplish for large amounts of spaces and buildings, which adds additional expense.
Devices have been attempted over the years to try to remove carpeting but still have problems of their own. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,332,371 to Bell et al.; 4,533,118 to Thomas et al.; 4,560,146 to Thomas et al.; 4,906,323 to Thomas; 5,387,308 to Heavrin; 5,454,899 to Glenn et al.; 5,720,844 to Hanson; 5,909,868 to Galena; 6,004,426 to Johnson; 7,032,886 to Kraft.
Thomas '323, Heavrin '308, Hanson '844, and Gaiella '868 each require a laborer having to physically grip tools to remove the carpeting, which would be undesirable for being at least time consuming and labor intensive.
Bell '371, Thomas '118, Thomas '146, Kraft '886, and Johnson '426 have automated machines that generally require an operator be adjacent to the machine for operate, and the machine is placed directly on the carpet. Thus, the machines would generally need to be constantly moved about so that the carpet under the machines is removed. Also, some of these machines require anchoring through the carpeting which could be difficult to achieve and could potentially damage the sub floor under the carpeting. Additionally, many of these machines can require two or more persons to operate, and the machines can cost in the thousands of dollars, which makes them further undesirable to use.
Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods for automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting from spaces that eliminates any labor extensive efforts of having to physically pull up and tear out the carpet.
A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods for automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting from spaces without having to physically move or drag tools or machines about the carpet.
A third objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods for automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting from spaces that allows for an operator to be spaced away from and not in the same room as the carpet that is being removed.
A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods for automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting from spaces that does not require anchoring through the floor.
A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods for automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting from spaces that substantially reduces the time and labor to remove the carpeting.
A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods for automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting from spaces so that only one person is needed to remove carpeting in a timely manner from any size room.
A seventh of objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods of automatically removing fixed down carpeting, such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting, with an inexpensive machine that is light enough to be carried and transported by a single operator.
A novel automated carpet removing device, can include a motor powered winch having an elongated line rolled thereon, the line having an outer end, a carpet gripper attached to the outer end of the line adapted for gripping a raised edge of a carpet, and a doorway anchor for mounting the winch adjacent to a doorway of a room that the carpet is to be removed.
The doorway anchor can include telescoping bars having a first outer end and a second outer end. The anchor can include a first clamp attached to the first outer end that clamps about a first vertical frame member of a doorjamb, and a second outer clamp attached to the second outer end that clamps about a second vertical frame member of the doorjamb.
The first clamp and the second clamp can each include a telescoping member for allowing the first clamp and the second clamp to expand or contract about different widths of the doorjamb.
The first clamp and the second clamp can each include an elongated telescoping member for allowing the first clamp and the second clamp to expand or contract about different widths of the doorjamb, and mount the winch outside the room in which the carpet is being removed.
A remote control for operating the winch can be included so that an operator is adapted to be located outside the room in which the carpet is being removed.
The carpet edge gripper can include a carpet edge clamp having gripping teeth for locking about the raised edge of the carpet.
The doorway anchor can include members for mounting the winch directly inside of the doorway. The doorway anchor can include members for mounting the winch to be located outside to the doorway and outside of the room in which the carpet is being removed.
A novel method of automatically removing carpeting from a room, can include the steps of mounting a motor powered winch to doorjambs of a doorway of a room where carpeting is to be removed, attaching an outer end of an elongated line wrapped about the winch to a raised edge of carpeting spaced away from the winch, and operating the winch to retract the elongated line in order to start removal of the carpeting from the room.
The mounting step can include the step of clamping ends of a bar about each doorjamb. The method can include the step of telescopingly expanding or retracting the bar so at fit within the doorway.
The clamping step can include the steps of clamping a first end of the bar with a first width adjustable clamp about a first doorjamb, and clamping a second end of the bar with a second width adjustable clamp about a second doorjamb.
The mounting step can include the step of mounting the winch directly inside of the doorway of the room where the carpet is to be removed. The mounting step can include the step of mounting the winch to be located outside to the doorway and outside of the room in which the carpet is being removed.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the novel carpet removing device.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the carpet removing device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the motor and winch with support plate of the carpeting removing device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an opposite side view of the motor and winch with support plate of the carpeting removing device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a rear side view of the carpet removing device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a front side view of the carpet removing device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a top view of the carpet removing device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the carpet removing device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 shows the carpet removing device attached to a doorjambs of a doorway with a gripping clamp about a raised edge of a carpet.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the telescoping bar section of FIGS. 3-4 along arrows 10X.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of the gripping clamp of FIG. 9 along arrow 11X.
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a second version of the clamp ends of the telescoping bars of the novel carpet removing device.
FIG. 13 shows the carpet removing device attached to the doorjambs of a doorway so that the winch and motor sits outside of the room in which the carpet is to be removed.



DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
The components of the invention will now be described.

    
    
        1. Automated carpet removing device
        10. First doorjamb clamp
        12. fixed L-shaped side arm
        13. female socket of fixed side arm
        14. moveable L-shaped side aim
        15. male protruding member of moveable side arm
        18. locking screw for first door clamp
        20. Second Doorjamb clamp
        22. fixed L-shaped side arm
        23. female socket of fixed side arm
        24. moveable L-shaped side arm
        25. male protruding member of moveable side arm
        28. locking screw for second door clamp
        30. Telescoping bars
        32. fixed bar
        33. female socket end
        36. moveable bar
        37. male protruding end
        38. locking screw for telescoping bars
        40. Motor
        45. power cord
        50. Winch
        55. cable
        58. hook end of cable
        60. Support plate
        70. Remote control
        80. Doorway
        82. First Doorjamb
        84. Second doorjamb
        100. Carpet gripping clamp
        200. Expandable clamp embodiment with elongated telescoping bars
        230, 240 Additional insert adapters 230, 240
        232, 242 Male end
        236, 246, Second Fixed L-shaped arm
        237, 247, Female Socket
        238, 248, Screw down tighteners
        300. Carpeting in room/space
        310. raised edge of carpeting
        400. Operator
    
    


FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the novel carpet removing device 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the carpet removing device 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of the motor and winch with support plate of the carpeting removing device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an opposite side view of the motor 40 and winch 50 with support plate 60 of the carpeting removing device 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a rear side view of the carpet removing device 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a front side view of the carpet removing device 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a top view of the carpet removing device 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the carpet removing device 1 of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the carpet removing device can include an electrical motor 40, such as 12 volt motor that is powered by a wall plug 45. The motor can run a winch 50 having a rotatable drum with a elongated line 55, such as a cabled wrapped thereon. At the end of the cable 55 can be a hook end 58 for attachment to a carpet edge clamp that will be described later. The motor 40 and winch 50 can be fastened to a support plate 60.
Attached to the support plate 60 can be telescoping bars 30. One bar 32 can be fixed to the support plate 60 between the motor 40 and winch 50. The fixed bar 32 can have a open female socket end 33 at one end. A second bar 36 can have a male protruding end 37 which can be telescopingly received within the female socket end 33 of the fixed bar 32. A tightening thumb type screw 38 can be attached to pass through the top of female socket end 33 of the fixed bar 32 in order to tighten against the upper surface of male protruding end 37 of the telescoping bar 36. Moving the male protruding end 37 of the telescoping bar 36 in and out of female socket end 33 of fixed bar 32 can adjust the length of the telescoping bars 30.
The opposite end of the fixed bar 32 can be attached to a fixed L-shaped arm 12 of a first doorjamb clamp 10. The fixed arm 12 can have an open end with a female socket 13, so that the male protruding end 15 of a moveable L-shaped side arm 14 can be inserted therein. A locking screw 18 can pass through the top of female socket end 13 to abut against the top of male protruding end 15 so that the width of the clamp 10 can be adjusted in size for different sized doorjambs.
The opposite end of the moveable bar 36 can be attached to a fixed L-shaped arm 22 of a second doorjamb clamp 20. The fixed arm 22 can have an open end with a female socket 23, so that the male protruding end 25 of a moveable L-shaped side arm 24 can be inserted therein. A locking screw 28 can pass through the top of female socket end 23 to abut against the top of male protruding end 25 so that the width of the clamp 20 can be adjusted in size for different sized doorjambs.
A remote control 70 can be tethered to the motor 40 so that an operator can turn on and off the winch from a remote location. Alternatively, the remote control can be battery operated, and be wireless for activating the motor for the winch.
FIG. 9 shows the carpet removing device 1 attached to a doorjambs of a doorway with a gripping clamp 100 about a raised edge 310 of a carpet 300. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the telescoping bar section of bars 32, 36 and locking screw 38 of FIGS. 3-4 along arrows 10X. FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of the gripping clamp 100 of FIG. 9 along arrow 11X with adjustable handle 110 and pair of clamp teeth 120. A raised edge 310 of carpet can be inserted between teeth 120 and locked in place by pushing down on handle 110. The carpet gripping clamp 100 can be such as but not limited to the gripping jaw assembly 20 shown and described in reference to U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,118 to Thomas et al., which is incorporated by reference.
Referring to FIGS. 9-11 and 1-8, the operator can attach each of the clamps 10, about side edges of a first doorjamb 82 and a second doorjamb 84 of a doorway, by wrapping each of the L-shaped arms of the clamps 10, 20 about the respective doorjamb and tightening the attachment with respective locking screws 18, 28. Here the motor 40 and winch 50 with support plate 60 can sit directly in the actual doorway 80 of the room where the carpet 300 is to be removed. Next, the gripping clamp 100 can be attached to the hook end 58 of the elongated line (such as a cable) 55. The operator 400 can stand behind the doorway 80 outside of the room in which the carpet 300 is to be removed. To activate the device 1, the operator 400 merely needs to turn on and off the winch 50 to start pulling the elongated line 55 about the drum of the winch 50 and pulls up the carpet edge 310 which results in removing the carpeting 300 from the space.
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a second version 200 of the clamp ends of the telescoping bars of the novel carpet removing device 200. FIG. 13 shows the carpet removing device 200 attached to the doorjambs 82, 84 of a doorway 80 so that the winch 50 and motor 40 sits outside of the room in which the carpet is to be removed.
This version has the same components as the former carpet removing device, with the exception of adding an additional insert adapters 230, 240 so as to be able to space the support 60 with winch 50 and motor 40 outside of the doorway 80 and into a different space/room than which the carpet 300 is to be removed. Here, the male end 232 of the adapter 230 telescopingly is inserted into the female socket 23 of the fixed L-shaped arm 22. Next, the male protruding end 25 of the moveable L-shaped arm 26 is inserted into the female socket end 237 of the second fixed L-shaped arm 236. The screws 28 and 238 can adjust the lengths of the bar 234 so as to customize the amount of distance for placing the support 60 with winch 50 and motor 40 outside of the room where the carpet is to be removed. Likewise, the second adapter 240, has components 242, 244, 246, 247, 248 which function similarly with L-shaped arms 12 and 14.
The carpet gripping clamp can also be two parallel bars that can be bolted together with screws/bolts that can pass through a carpet edge that is inserted between the bars. One bar can move relative to another bar so as to tightly grip the carpet edge.
The doorway clamps can also be positioned in a window frame as needed.
The novel device can weigh between approximately 50 to approximately 60 pounds so as to be car fable and can be operated by a single operator. The prior art machines often require two or more operators to carry and operate, and can weigh over 150 pounds.
Although the invention is described as being used to remove carpeting, the invention can be adapted to remove other types of rolled down flooring, such as but not limited to rubber flooring, vinyl flooring, and the like.
While the winch is described as being electrically powered with a wall mounted power plug, the winch can be powered by other batteries, and the like. Alternatively, the winch can be powered by other sources, such as but not limited to gas and the like.
Although the invention is described for removing glued down carpeting, the invention has other applications such as but not limited to removing carpeting that is nailed down, and fastened in other ways to a floor surface.
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

## Claims

1. An automated carpet removing device, comprising:
a motor powered winch having an elongated line rolled thereon, the line having an outer end;
a carpet gripper attached to the outer end of the line adapted for gripping a raised edge of a carpet; and
a doorway anchor for mounting the winch adjacent to a doorway of a room that the carpet is to be removed from, the doorway anchor includes:
telescoping bars having a first outer end and a second outer end;
a first clamp having two L-shaped arms attached to the first outer end that clamps about opposite side edges of a first vertical frame member of a doorjamb; and
a second outer clamp having two L-shaped arms attached to the second outer end that clamps about opposite side edges of a second vertical frame member of the doorjamb.

2. The automated carpet removing device of claim 1 wherein the first clamp and the second clamp each include a telescoping member for allowing the first clamp and the second clamp to expand or contract about different widths of the doorjamb.

3. The automated carpet removing device of claim 1, further comprising:
a remote control for operating the winch so that an operator is adapted to be located outside the room in which the carpet is being removed.

4. The automated carpet removing device of claim 1, wherein the carpet edge gripper includes:
a carpet edge clamp having gripping teeth for locking about the raised edge of the carpet.

5. The automated carpet removing device of claim 1, wherein the doorway anchor includes members for mounting the winch directly inside of the doorway.

6. The automated carpet removing device of claim 1, wherein the doorway anchor includes members for mounting the winch to be located outside to the doorway and outside of the room in which the carpet is being removed.

7. An automated carpet removing device, comprising:
a motor powered winch having an elongated line rolled thereon, the line having an outer end;
a carpet gripper attached to the outer end of the line adapted for gripping a raised edge of a carpet;
telescoping bars having a first outer end and a second outer end;
a first clamp having two L-shaped arms attached to the first outer end that clamps about opposite side edges of a first vertical frame member of a doorjamb, the two L-shaped arms of the first clamp forming a generally U shaped configuration; and
a second outer clamp having two L-shaped arms attached to the second outer end that clamps about opposite side edges of a second vertical frame member of the doorjamb, the two L-shaped arms of the second clamp forming a generally U-shaped configuration.

8. The automated carpet removing device of claim 7, wherein the first clamp includes a telescoping portion for allowing each of the two L-shaped arms to move toward or away from one another, and the second clamp includes a telescoping portion for allowing each of the two L-shaped arms to move toward or away from one another.

9. An automated carpet removing device, comprising:
a motor powered winch having an elongated line rolled thereon, the line having an outer end;
a carpet gripper attached to the outer end of the line adapted for gripping a raised edge of a carpet;
telescoping bars having a first outer end and a second outer end;
a first clamp having a generally U-shaped configuration attached to the first outer end, the first clamp having arms that clamp about opposite side edges of a first vertical frame member of a doorjamb; and
a second outer clamp having at generally U-shaped configuration attached to the second outer end, the second clamp having arms that clamps about opposite side edges of a second vertical frame member of the doorjamb, the two L-shaped arms of the second clamp forming a generally U-shaped configuration.

10. The automated carpet removing device of claim 9, wherein the first clamp includes a telescoping portion for allowing each of the arms to move toward or away from one another, and the second clamp includes a telescoping portion for allowing each of the arms to move toward or away from one another.