Patent Publication Number: US-6666522-B2

Title: Floor-stripping tool

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a floor stripping tool for attachment to a pallet truck. Once attached, the tool transforms the pallet truck into a self-propelled floor stripper. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Self-propelled floor strippers are generally known in the art for interior remodeling projects. These floor strippers are expensive machines dedicated to the sole task of removing existing floor surfaces. 
     Self-propelled floor strippers have been disclosed in U.S. Patents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,790, to Weiland teaches a Floor Milling Machine. The machine mills the floor surface and then vacuums the removed matter into a waste hopper. Weiland&#39;s machine seeks to eliminate or reduce the release of dust into the surrounding air; hence it is intended for indoor use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,206 to Craft discloses an Apparatus for Removing a Surface Layer From a Floor or the Like. As with Weiland, Craft discloses a large machine upon which the operator sits. Craft&#39;s apparatus rises off its front wheels as a hydraulic actuator generates the force to remove the floor surface. U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,257 B1 to Constantino, discloses a Machine for Removing Tile with Articulated Frame. Constantino&#39;s machine provides an articulated structure, which allows the adjustment of the angle of its scrapper blade by pivot motion of its main body element. 
     Interior demolition presents a number of challenges. Floors are typically resurfaced in occupied commercial structures. The step of removing the previous surface is especially noisy and disruptive. Hence, it must be performed after normal working hours and on weekends. At these times workers must be paid higher wages. Additionally, removing the previous surface consumes much time, adding to the expense. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a floor-stripping tool. The tool has a chassis structure with forward and rear portions. A blade holder is mounted at the forward portion of the chassis structure. The blade holder secures a blade, and a material shield. The chassis structure is configured for attachment to the forks of a pallet truck. Pallet trucks are very common in industry and are relatively inexpensive compared to machines fully dedicated to floor surface removal. Attaching the floor-stripping tool to the pallet truck presents a self-propelled floor stripper. The chassis structure additionally has first and second fork holders, for receiving respectively the first and second forks of a pallet truck. 
     The fork holders have a generally “C” shape in cross-section, formed by upper and lower edges separated by fork holder sides. The fork holders abut the forks on three sides. The fork holders also have a plurality of anchor holes along the upper edges of the fork holders. Anchor bolts are received in these holes, thereby bolting the fork holders to the forks. 
     Forward, center, and rear brackets stabilize the fork holders. The brackets are adjustable to accommodate various pallet trucks. The forward bracket secures the blade holder. The forward bracket has a weight cradle for mounting weights. 
     To remove a floor surface, the fork holders are first attached to the forks of the pallet truck. Then the forward, rear, and center brackets are adjusted to accommodate the distance separating the forks of the pallet truck. When the forks of the pallet truck are lowered, the blades of the tool are inserted under the surface to be removed. Moving the pallet truck forward scrapes the surface from the floor. 
     Accordingly, it is a principle object of the invention to provide a tool for attachment to a conventional battery-powered pallet truck, thereby transforming the pallet truck into a floor stripper. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an inexpensive battery-powered floor stripper. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a floor stripper with superior floor removal performance, in terms of increased speed, reduced noise, and superior preparation of the underlying substrate. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tool that is easily attachable to a variety of pallet trucks. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying and drawings where: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a front, perspective view of the floor stripping tool according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the floor-stripping tool according to the present invention attached to a conventional pallet truck; 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a close-up view of the adjusting means and fork holder of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an alternative embodiment for the center bracket and its adjusting means; and 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative, interchangeable blade for the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In order to be better understood, a description of the invention is herewith offered, based on a practical application of the above-mentioned drawings. 
     The floor-stripping tool of the present invention is generally illustrated in FIG.  1 . The chassis structure  12  provides the foundation of the present invention. The chassis  12  and its constituent parts are described in reference to forward and rear portions  14 , 16  of the chassis. 
     The first and second fork holders  22 , 24  form the sides of the chassis  12 . The first and second fork holders  22 , 24  are parallel to each other and their paired ends run from the rear portion  16  to the forward portion  14 . In one embodiment, the fork holders  22 , 24  are forty-five inches long and separated by thirteen and one-quarter inches. The fork holders  22 , 24  each have upper and lower edges  34 ,  36  separated by a fork holder side  35 . The fork holders  22 , 24  have a generally “C” shaped cross section. The fork holders  22 , 24  can be placed on the forks  102 , 104  of a pallet truck  100 , and in this particular embodiment the fork holders  22 , 24  abut their respective forks  102 , 104  on three sides. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, a view of the floor-stripping tool in combination with a pallet truck. 
     The upper edges  34  of the fork holders  22 , 24  have a plurality of anchor holes  40  running their length. The anchor holes  40  receive anchor bolts  38 , which secure the fork holders  22 , 24  to the forks  102 , 104  of the pallet truck  100 . 
     The forward portion  14  of the chassis structure  12  has a forward stabilizing bracket  26  that connects the first and second fork holders  22 , 24 . In the particular embodiment illustrated here, the forward stabilizing bracket  26  is attached to the lower edges  36  of the fork holders  22 , 24 . The Forward stabilizing bracket additionally has a weight cradle  44  for mounting a weight  46 . The weight  46  is attached to counter-balance the resistance encountered by the blade  20  as it removes the floor. 
     A blade holder  18  is attached to the forward bracket  26 . The blade holder  18  holds the blade  20  and additionally a material shield  42 . The blade  20  removes material from the floor surface, and the material shield  42  subsequently directs the material away from the tool. 
     At the rear portion  16  of the chassis  12 , a rear-stabilizing bracket  30  connects the first and second fork holders  22 , 24 ; this bracket  30  is perpendicular to the fork holders  22 , 24  and keeps the holders  22 , 24  parallel in relation to each other. The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows a rear bracket attached to the upper edges  34 , however the rear bracket might be attached to either the lower edge  36  or the fork holder side  35 . 
     A center-stabilizing bracket  28  connects the first and second fork holders  22 , 24 ; as with the other stabilizing brackets, the center bracket  28  is perpendicular to the fork holders  22 , 24  and keeps the holders  22 , 24  parallel in relation to each other. The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows a center bracket  28  attached to the upper edges  34 , however the center bracket  28  might be attached to either the lower edge  36  or the fork holder side  35 . The center bracket  28  is between and parallel to the forward and rear brackets  26 , 30 . 
     In one embodiment, all the brackets, forward, center, and rear  26 , 28 , 30  have an adjusting means  32 . By adjusting the length of the brackets, the distance separating the first and second fork holders  22 , 24  can be changed to accommodate a variety of pallet trucks. FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of the adjusting means  32  and second fork holder  24  of the present invention. Here, the adjusting means  32  is shown on the forward-stabilizing bracket  26 . However, the adjusting means is identical on all the brackets. The adjusting means is a division in the bracket, splitting the bracket into two pieces. The two pieces overlap and are bolted together. The pieces might overlap to varying degrees and be bolted together to achieve the desired distance of separation. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative configuration for the center bracket and its adjusting means. Here, the center bracket is attached to the fork holder side. 
     During operation of the floor-stripping tool the brackets undergo considerable stress. Hence, in one embodiment all the brackets are fabricated of one-inch thick steel plates. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative, interchangeable blade apparatus for the present invention. The user selects a particular blade depending on its suitability for removing a particular floor surface. The alternative blade apparatus has an alternative holder  50 , which is analogous to the blade holder  18 . Further, the alternative holder  50  attaches to the forward bracket in the same manner as the blade holder  18 . The alternative blade  52  of the alternative blade apparatus is analogous to the blade  20 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the floor-stripping tool of the present invention in combination with a pallet truck  100 . The tool is bolted onto the first and second forks  102 , 104  of the pallet truck  100 . Pallet trucks are very common in industry and are relatively inexpensive compared to machines fully dedicated to floor surface removal. For example, YALE sells a low lift 4000 lb motorized hand pallet truck (Model: MPB 040AC) that might be combined with a floor-stripping tool. 
     To remove a floor surface, the fork holders are first attached to the forks of the pallet truck. Then the forward, rear, and center brackets are adjusted to accommodate the distance separating the forks of the pallet truck. When the forks of the pallet truck are lowered, the blades of the tool are inserted under the surface to be removed. Moving the pallet truck forward then removes the surface. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.