Abstract:
A carpet binding tape which abuts the cut edge of the carpet with a glue-filled stitched matrix, resulting in a closer fitting binding than prior art carpet binding tapes.

Description:
[0001]    This invention relates to a new, improved carpet binding tape which abuts the cut edge of the carpet with a glue-filled stitched matrix, resulting in a closer fitting binding than prior art carpet binding tapes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Carpeting is generally supplied on large rolls with the edges unbound. If the carpeting is installed wall-to-wall, there is no need to bind the edges. If, however, the carpeting is used as a hall or stairway runner or as an area rug or if it is desired to use a remnant as a mat, the carpet edges need to be bound to prevent fraying and to present a pleasing appearance. 
         [0003]    The traditional way to bind carpeting is by stitching a binding tape to the cut edges of a carpet. Binding requires heavy duty sewing machines and skilled workers who move the carpet through the machine while an experienced sewing machine operator sews the binding on. Binding is typically done in a special shop, away from the customer&#39;s site. While portable carpet binding sewing machines exist, they are very bulky, difficult to handle, and are limited in their use. 
         [0004]    Another system for carpet binding involves a stapler and glue gun system. This system is inferior to sewing. The user staples binding tape to the front of the carpet, folds it over the carpet edge, then glues the tape to the back of the carpet. The problem with this system is that the staples sometimes stick out from the binding tape and pose hazards to floor and foot. Furthermore, the process is very time-consuming. 
         [0005]    Another system, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,329,324 to Boatwright, is also available. It consists of a welted carpet tape that uses a double adhesive system: a two-sided tape used to temporarily position the carpet edge on the tape, and a hot melt glue applied with a glue gun to form a permanent bond of tape to the carpet. This system has a number of drawbacks. Among them, the binding leaves a gap between the welting and the carpet fibers. The gap appears as a separation between binding and carpet and is not particularly visually pleasing. In addition, this gap traps dirt and debris and, after a while, becomes even more unsightly. 
         [0006]    Another do-it-yourself system, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,922 to Ang and U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,097 to Moffat Devine, is composed of carpet tapes backed with two-sided adhesive strips. The user removes a protective backing from the strip and folds the strip over the cut carpet edge. The drawback to this system is that binding tapes are somewhat stiff pieces of fabric and hard to manage with just fingertip control; thus, it is difficult to get a smooth binding using these tapes. Also, the adhesive is usually insufficient to create a sturdy bond, and the tapes are apt to peel away from the carpet edge, exposing the edge and creating a circumstance where fraying occurs, as well as creating a tripping hazard. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,616 discloses a thermoglue binding tape that requires a fusing iron to adhere the tape to the carpet edge. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is an improvement over the prior art carpet binding tapes. It consists of a welted carpet binding tape having a glue-filled stitched matrix surface for adhesion to the carpet edge. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a cross section of a preferred embodiment of the carpet binding tape of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cross section of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  as applied to a carpet edge. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of the carpet binding tape, showing the stitched matrix surface. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a cross section of a second embodiment of the carpet binding tape of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the carpet binding tape as it appears when applied to a carpet edge. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  5 . Fabric tape  40  is folded over a welt  41  and secured onto itself, e.g., either sewn or glued, at point  42 . Decorative edging material  43 , such as e.g. yarn or braiding, is stitched to the fabric tape  40 . The stitching thread  44  passes behind edging material  43  at point  45 , emerges in front of edging material  43  at point  46 , continues downward to point  47  where it passes through fabric tape  40  and then catches edging material  43 . Thread  44  then passes through fabric tape  40  at point  48 , continues up to a second point  46  where it catches edging material  43 . The pattern repeats, creating a welted carpet binding tape, with a decorative outer edge and an inner stitched matrix surface  60 . 
         [0015]    The user applies glue  51  to a length of the vertical matrix surface  60  and to the horizontal fabric tape  40 . Glue  51  may be a specially formulated non-toxic latex fast-drying glue. Carpet edge  52  is then positioned on fabric tape  40  so carpet fibers  53  adhere to matrix surface  60 ; fabric tape  40  folds along line  49  and the carpet bottom  54  adheres to the fabric tape  40 . 
         [0016]    A second embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 4 . A thermoplastic glue  70  is applied to the matrix surface  60  and the horizontal portion of the fabric tape  40  and allowed to dry. It is positioned on a carpet edge, as shown in  FIG. 2 , with the fiber edges  53  abutting the matrix surface  60  and the carpet bottom  54  lying atop the horizontal portion of fabric tape  40 . The tape and the carpet edge are then run through a specialty iron, disclosed in applicant&#39;s application Ser. No. 10/880,793, now allowed. The iron heats and melts the thermoplastic glue while applying pressure on the tape from three sides. As the carpet edge emerges from the iron, it is bound with the carpet tape. 
         [0017]    The decorative edging material  43  overlaps the carpet edge to cover imperfections thereof. The line of stitching at points  46  give the carpet tape the appearance of being stitched to the carpet edge.