FLOOR COVERING CARPET STRETCHER

Abstract: The carpet stretcher comprises a head (6) having spikes (7) to engage an area of carpet, and an anchoring portion (11) which has tail spikes (3) which pass through the carpet and engage an underlying floor structure. The head (6) and the anchoring portion (11) are joined by telescopically engaged guide tubes (5) and by jacking arrangement in the form of a pair of pivotally coupled arms (1A, 1B) which, when urged towards a linear configuration, cause the head and anchoring portions (6, 11) to move apart. An ajustable stop (9) determines the maximum extension of the arms (1A, 1B), and the knee plate (10) is provided on the anchoring portion (11) for urging the tail spikes (3) into engagement with a hard floor.

Description: FLOOR COVERING CARPET STRETCHER (Specification No. ) discloses carpet stretching apparatus in which the apparatus is used to stretch new or exsisting carpets/floor coverings to a static position on floor base. In that carpets and floor coverings require stretching and securing to acquire a desirable and useable application, this has a number of advantages over previous carpet stretching tools one of which is that injury to the leg ligaments is less pronounced than with a tool used for the same application known as the knee kicker. Tests have shown that a high percentage of users of the knee kicker suffer from knee and hip injuries, also inadequate stretching results on application. The aim of the present invention is to overcome these problems of which this invention is capable of. The present invention provides Floor Covering Carpet Stretcher, comprising of apparatus for the stretching of floor covering/carpets. The apparatus providing means for adequately stretching carpets to a desired degree with a minimal amount of effort. Where surplus to requirement carpet is drawn up/along the tail spikes when apparatus is activated, ensuring the stretching of the carpet when carpet is secured at opposite edge. The invention will now be exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, Figure 1 is a general arrangement of the floor covering carpet stretcher in accordance with the invention in a cocked position. SUBSTITUTESHEET Figure 2 Illustrates the floor covering carpet stretcher in accordance with the invention in a stretched action. Referring to fig.1, the apparatus comprises of an aluminium frame structure 1A 1B. This structure could be made of any suitable durable material of varying lengths and dimensions, in this instance each section 1A 1B are approximately 300mm in length. Connecting hinges 2 are used to create a pivoting action bearing downward pressure onto both tail spikes 3 and carpet gripper head spikes 7. Tail spikes 3 are detachable and can be made of any suitable material of varying lengths and dimensions to suit the application, in this instance constructed of stainless steel and held in place by grub screw 4* one or more tail spikes can be used, in this instance two are shown. Connecting metalic telescopic slide rods 5 can be made of any suitable material of varying lengths and diameters. One or more telescopic units can be used running in parallel dependant on the size of the apparatus in order to create structual extendable bracing. The length of these rods are determined by the operating angle required within the length of 1A and 1B. By turning apparatus gauεe movement setting lock 9 the angle of 1A and 1B can be determined to achieve the amount of stretching distance reαuired. SUBSTITUTESHEET 5 is connected to head spike housing 6 this housing can be made of any suitable material of varying dimensions in accordance with the dimensions of the apparatus. Housed within 6 are head carpet gripping spikes 7 > three or more metalic spikes are housed and can be adjusted in length by 8 to suit the thickness of carpet, the length of these head gripper spikes are adjustable for desired length by screw action nob 8 creating an up and down movement. Pressure plate housing 10 enables the user to concentrate direct body weight when knee is positioned thereon, thus in turn transferring body weight onto the point of 3 ensuring grip on hard surfaces for example, concrete sub-base. SUBSTITUTESHEET - A - In use the apparatus as shown in figure 1 is positioned on top of the laid carpet. By rotating knob 8 the operator acquires the correct length of carpet gripper head spike 7 to suit the thickness of carpet. These head spikes should be set long enough to grip the carpet but not penetrate the floor structure below. Already having selected the appropriate tail spikes 3 to suit material structure of floor base and held in position by screw A, exsert downward pressure with hand, foot or/knee onto upper most part of hinged frame 1A, this pressure will be transferred into force securing head spikes 7 into carpet fibres and forcing tail spikes 3 through carpet fibres, thus embedding themselves in floor structure. On hard floor structure such as concrete the user places ones knee on 10, to secure body weight firm hold. After ensuring carpet is held firmly in position at opposite edge to positioned apparatus, continue with downward pressure the apparatus will expand and surplus to requirement carpet will be drawn up/along the length of 3» when carpet is stretched to desired amount cut off surplus and secure to either carpet gripper rail or with clot nail, this process should be repeated until all surplus carpet is removed, making the carpet useable and visibly suitable. SUBSTITUTESHEET

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Floorcovering stretching apparatus comprising a head portion (6) provided with spikes (7) or other means for engagement with an area of floorcovering, characterised by an anchoring portion (11) and coupling means (5, 1A, 1B ) joining the head and anchoring portion such that two portions can be moved apart to carry the area of floorcovering engaged by the head portion away from the anchoring portion (11). 2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the anchoring portion (11) comprises spike means (3) for engagement with a floor. 3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, in which spike means (3) is directed away from the head portion (6). A- Apparatus according to Claiπr 3* in which the spike means (3) is sufficiently long to pass through said floorcovering and engage an underlying floor, and the floorcovering is able to move along the spike means as the head and anchoring portions are moved apart► 5« Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the anchoring portion (11) comprises a pressure plate (10) for exerting downward pressure on the anchoring portion (11) by the knee of the user. 6. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the coupling means (5, 1A, 1B ) comprises jacking means (1A,1B) for urging apart the head and anchoring portions. SUBSTITUTESHEET 7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, in which the jacking means (1 , 1B) comprises a first arm member (1A) which is coupled to the anchoring portion (11), and a second arm member (1B) which is coupled to the head portion (6), the two arm members being pivotally coupled together, and the arrangement being such that by manually moving the arm members from an angular configuration towards a ' linear configuration the head and anchoring portions are urged apart. 8. Apparatus according to Claim » including adjustable stop means (9) for determining the maximum mutual angle to which the arm members (1A, 1B) can be moved. 9. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the coupling means (5, 1A, 1B) comprises guide means (5) arranged to guide the head anchoring portion for linear movement. 10. Apparatus according to Claim 9» in which the guide means (5) comprises at least one pair of telescopicaily engaged members. SUBSTITUTESHEET

Inventors: BRUETON JOHN THEOPHILUS, BRUETON, JOHN, THEOPHILUS
Applicants: BRUETON JOHN THEOPHILUS, BRUETON, JOHN, THEOPHILUS
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A47G27
IPC codes: A47G27