Abstract:
A carpet lifting assembly for facilitating the lifting of the end of a rolled carpet by permitting use of the shoulder while lifting. The carpet lifting assembly includes a main member, a carpet rod extending from one end of the main member, and a shoulder bar extending from an opposite end of the main member. The carpet rod is positioned in the end of a rolled carpet and the shoulder bar is supported by the shoulder of the lifter to promote lifting using the legs.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to carpet lifters and more particularly pertains to a new carpet lifting assembly for facilitating the lifting of the end of a rolled carpet by permitting use of the shoulder while lifting. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of carpet lifters is known in the prior art. More specifically, carpet lifters heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,815; U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,313; U.S. Pat. No. 2,431,780; U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,612; U.S. Pat. No. 3,583,600; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 290,033. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new carpet lifting assembly. The inventive device includes a main member, a carpet rod extending from one end of the main member, and a shoulder bar extending from an opposite end of the main member. The carpet rod is positioned in the end of a rolled carpet and the shoulder bar is supported by the shoulder of the lifter to promote lifting using the legs. 
     In these respects, the carpet lifting assembly according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of facilitating the lifting of the end of a rolled carpet by permitting use of the shoulder while lifting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of carpet lifters now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new carpet lifting assembly construction wherein the same can be utilized for facilitating the lifting of the end of a rolled carpet by permitting use of the shoulder while lifting. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new carpet lifting assembly apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the carpet lifters mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new carpet lifting assembly which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art carpet lifters, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a main member, a carpet rod extending from one end of the main member, and a shoulder bar extending from an opposite end of the main member. The carpet rod is positioned in the end of a rolled carpet and the shoulder bar is supported by the shoulder of the lifter to promote lifting using the legs. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new carpet lifting assembly apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the carpet lifters mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new carpet lifting assembly which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art carpet lifters, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new carpet lifting assembly that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new carpet lifting assembly that is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new carpet lifting assembly which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such carpet lifting assembly economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new carpet lifting assembly which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new carpet lifting assembly for facilitating the lifting of the end of a rolled carpet by permitting use of the shoulder while lifting. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new carpet lifting assembly which includes a main member, a carpet rod extending from one end of the main member, and a shoulder bar extending from an opposite end of the main member. The carpet rod is positioned in the end of a rolled carpet and the shoulder bar is supported by the shoulder of the lifter to promote lifting using the legs. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new carpet lifting assembly that facilitates lifting using the legs as opposed to the arms and back. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new carpet lifting assembly that maintains proper back alignment during lifting to prevent back injury. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a new carpet lifting assembly according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the alternate embodiment taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 is a cut-away view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new carpet lifting assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the carpet lifting assembly  10  generally comprises a main member  12 , a carpet rod  14 , and a shoulder bar  16 . 
     The carpet rod  14  is coupled to the first end  22  of the main member  12  and extends outwardly from the main member  12  such that a distal end  24  of the carpet rod  14  is designed for insertion into an end  4  of a rolled carpet  2  for facilitating lifting of the end  4  of the rolled carpet  2 . 
     The shoulder bar  16  is coupled to the second end  26  of the main member  12  and is designed for being supported by a user&#39;s shoulder whereby the shoulder bar  16  is designed for facilitating lifting of the end  4  of the rolled carpet  2  by the user. 
     In an embodiment, the carpet rod  14  is pivotally coupled to the main member  12  by a pivot axle  72  and is pivotable between a use position and a storage position. The use position is defined by the carpet rod  14  extending substantially orthogonal to the main member  12  and the storage position is defined by a longitudinal axis of the carpet rod  14  being positioned to extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main member  12 . 
     In an embodiment, the shoulder bar  16  is pivotally coupled to the main member  12  and is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. The open position is defined by the shoulder bar  16  extending substantially orthogonal to the main member  12  and the closed position is defined by a longitudinal axis of the shoulder bar  16  being positioned to extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main member  12 . 
     In an embodiment, the main member is telescopic. The main member includes an inner sleeve  32  and an outer sleeve  34 . The inner sleeve  32  is slidable within the outer sleeve  34 . The inner sleeve  32  includes a hole  36  and the outer sleeve  34  includes a plurality of apertures  38 . The apertures  38  are spaced along a length of the outer sleeve  34 . Each of the apertures  38  is alignable with the hole  36  of the inner sleeve  32  for adjusting a length of the main member  12 . 
     A pin assembly  40  is insertable through the hole  36  and an aligned one of the apertures  38  for holding the outer sleeve  34  in a static position relative to the inner sleeve  32 . 
     A carpet rod stop  52  extends outwardly from the first end  22  of the main member proximate the carpet rod  14 . The carpet rod stop  52  is positioned to prevent the carpet rod  14  from pivoting past a right angle with respect to the main member  12 . 
     A shoulder bar stop  54  extends outwardly from the second end  26  of the main member  12  proximate the shoulder bar  16 . The shoulder bar stop  54  is positioned to prevent the shoulder bar  16  from pivoting past a right angle with respect to the main member  12 . 
     The pin assembly  40  includes a stop member  42  coupled to the inner sleeve  32 . The stop member  42  includes a main portion  44  insertable through the hole  36  and a selectable one of the apertures  38  in the outer sleeve  34 . The stop member  42  also includes a flange portion  46  extending outwardly from the main portion  44  for preventing the stop member  42  from passing entirely through the hole  36 . A biasing member  48  is coupled to the stop member  42  for biasing the main portion  44  of the stop member  42  outwardly through the hole  36  in the inner sleeve  32  to engage the selected one of the apertures  38  in the outer sleeve  34 . Thus, the outer sleeve  34  is held in a static position with respect to the inner sleeve  32 . The stop member  42  is depressible such that a distal end  43  of the main portion  44  of the stop member  42  is positioned substantially flush with an outer surface  33  of the inner sleeve  32 . Thus the inner sleeve  32  is slidable within the outer sleeve  34  for adjusting the length of the main member  12 . 
     In an embodiment, a shoulder pad  56  is coupled to a distal end  17  of the shoulder bar  16 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the main member  12  is telescopic and includes an inner sleeve  32 ′ and an outer sleeve  34 ′. The outer sleeve  34 ′ includes a hole  36 ′. The inner sleeve  32 ′ includes a plurality of apertures  38 ′, the apertures  38 ′ being spaced along a length of the inner sleeve  32 ′. Each of the apertures  38 ′ is alignable with the hole  36 ′ of the outer sleeve  34 ′ for adjusting a length of the main member  12 . A pin assembly  60  is insertable through the hole  36 ′ and an aligned one of the apertures  38 ′ for holding the outer sleeve  34 ′ in a static position relative to the inner sleeve  32 ′. 
     The outer sleeve  34 ′ includes a pin assembly housing  62  aligned with the hole  36 ′. A pin  64  extends through the pin assembly housing  62 . A first end  63  of the pin  64  includes a handle  65  and a distal end  66  of the pin extends through the hole  36 ′ in the outer sleeve  34 ′. 
     The pin  64  includes a flange  67  positioned within the pin assembly housing  62 . The flange  67  extends radially outward from the pin  64  and is spaced from the distal end  66  of the pin  64  for permitting the distal end  66  to extend through the hole  36 ′ and a selectable one of the plurality of apertures  38 ′ in the inner sleeve  32 ′. A biasing member  68  is positioned between an end wall  69  of the pin assembly housing  62  and the flange  67  for biasing the distal end  66  of the pin  64  through the hole  36 ′ and a selected one of the apertures  38 ′ in the inner sleeve  32 ′. The biasing member  68  is compressible such that the distal end of the pin  66  is withdrawable from the selected one of the apertures  38 ′ for permitting sliding of the inner sleeve  32 ′ within the outer sleeve  34 ′ for adjusting the length of the main member  12 . 
     In an embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the main member  12  is telescopic and includes an inner sleeve  32 ″ and an outer sleeve  34 ″. The inner sleeve  32 ″ is slidable within the outer sleeve  34 ″. The inner sleeve  32 ″ includes a pair of aligned holes  58 . The outer sleeve includes a plurality of apertures  59  configured into a pair of aperture rows  57 . The aperture rows  57  are spaced along a length of the outer sleeve  34 ″. A selectable pair of opposing apertures  59  are alignable with the holes  58  for adjusting a length of the main member  12 . The pin assembly  60 ′ includes a pair of pins  74  and an arcuate medial portion  76  extending between the pair of pins  74  for resiliently biasing the pair of pins  74  outwardly. Each of the pins  74  is insertable through an associated hole  58  and an associated one of the selectable apertures  59 . Thus, the inner sleeve  32 ″ is held in a static position relative to the outer sleeve  34 ″. 
     In use, the shoulder bar  16  and the carpet rod  14  are positioned to extend from the main member  12 . The carpet rod  14  is inserted into the rolled carpet  2  and the shoulder bar  16  is positioned over the shoulder of a crouched user. The user can then support the shoulder bar  16  with the shoulder and stand up to lift the rolled carpet. In use, one carpet lifting assembly  10  would be used at each end of the rolled carpet. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.