Abstract: A device for stretching carpets (11) to be laid on a plane floor (12) with nail ledges (14) in a vicinity of walls, without adhesives being used, includes a stretching head (22) which has spikes (25) and which is movable via a lever drive mechanism (20, 21) arranged on a base unit (17). A tensioning 1edge (28), which engages behind the nail ledge (14), and a hold-down element (31), which acts in an area of the surface of the nail ledge (14), are mounted for pivotal movement. The tensioning ledge (28) and the hold-down element (31) are each respectively mounted on a first and a second bracket member (27 and 30), and the two bracket members are arranged for pivotal movement about a joint fulcrum (19) on the base unit.