Abstract: A utility knife of the type having a replaceable blade held in a blade holder and used for cutting carpeting, trimming wallpaper and other related uses. The blade holder comprises a handle which can be gripped when using the tool, the handle including an internal recess for containing the blade as well as a slide member having dove-tail edges cooperating with a tapered guideway and a thumb grip on the slide member projects through an opening in the handle to allow the user to readily move the slide member. The cooperation between the dove-tail edges on the slide member and the tapered guideway causes a clamping force to be imparted to the blade, locking it in a desired preset position.

Abstract: A cutting attachment for a carpet stripping tool whereby the carpeting being removed from a floor area is simultaneously cut into strips as the adhesive bond between the carpet and the floor is separated.

Abstract: A carpet handling tool for facilitating the gripping and pulling of carpeting by its edges. The tool comprises two arcuately curved handle members which are pivotally coupled together to form a fulcrum. Individually attached to each handle member is a gripper jaw in the form of a generally flat plate having its leading edge bent at a right angle and arranged such that the leading edge of one jaw member overlaps that of the other to define a predetermined space therebetween. When a segment of carpet is placed between the jaw members and the arcuate handles are squeezed together, the carpet is tightly gripped by the jaws and a substantial, two-handed pulling force may be applied to the handle members to manipulate the carpet.

Abstract: A carpet steaming tool comprising an elongated plenum having a flat steam dispensing surface and a blade member extending along the tool and projecting transversely beyond the dispensing surface to comb or stir a carpet pile while steam is being dispensed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing worn carpeting which may have been adhesively bonded to the floor of a building. The method involves the steps of affixing a power winch mechanism to the floor of the building proximate one side edge of the carpet to be removed and affixing pulleys, in pairs, on opposite side edges of the room. A rope from the winch is routed through said pulleys and the free end thereof is connected to an elongated clamp mechanism secured to one edge of the carpet to be removed. By energizing the power winch, the old carpeting is peeled back to the middle of the room, at which time, the rope is routed through a different pulley to a further carpet clamp whereby the pulling force acts in an opposite direction to complete the peeling of the remaining half of the carpeting to the middle of the room.

Abstract: An assembly for facilitating the lifting and repositioning of heavy rolls of sheet material, such as carpet rolls and the like. First and second jack assemblies are mounted separately on two frames, each supported by two casters. The jacks have stubs of predetermined lengths which can be raised and lowered as the jack handle is manipulated. Extending between the stubs on each of the jack assemblies are a plurality of joined segments of pipe which pass through the center of the roll to be lifted. As the jacks are operated, the load is elevated from the floor to a desired height and, because the jack assemblies are on wheels, the load may be moved laterally as well. The frames on which the jack assemblies are mounted also include a plurality of upwardly extending stubs for facilitating self-storage of the plural pipe segments when they are not in use.

Abstract: A two-wheel hand truck which includes a generally rectangular frame having parallel and spaced apart side members and cross members with a hinged or foldable toe plate which allows it to project forwardly from the plane of the frame or, alternatively, can be folded flush to the frame. The wheels are mounted outboard from the sides of the frame and project rearwardly therefrom to thereby provide increased stability. Handles are adapted to be connected to the upper portion of the frame and they too project rearwardly. The diameter of the wheels and the length of the handles are dimensioned such that when the cart is laid down with the ends of the handles abutting the ground, the plane of the cart is generally horizontal. First and second elongated rollers are journaled for rotation between the aforementioned cross members to thereby facilitate the dispensing of carpeting and the like from a roll.

Abstract: This invention relates to an oscillating carpet and tile stripper in which the cutting blade is mounted on a mounting and drive assembly which is connected to an eccentric driven by an electric motor to impart an orbital motion to the cutting blade. The end of the drive bar assembly adjacent the cutting blade is guided in translatory movement such that the movement of the cutting blade is at an angle to the frame and is slightly restricted in a transverse direction. This will decrease the effect of centrifugal force of the blade in the transverse direction of movement of the cutting blade without change of the amount of eccentricity of the eccentric to minimize vibration on the machine. The blade operates at a high rate of speed to provide a shearing action at the blade tip which rapidly removes bonded carpet or tile from a floor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved floor covering measuring and cutting apparatus which includes a measuring and cutting table and an adjustable roll holding cradle. Bulk rolls on the cradle may be readily adjusted relative to the position of the cutting table and the guides thereon to assure proper feed of the floor covering material from the bulk roll through the measuring and cutting table. The measuring and cutting table includes an improved means for positioning the floor covering material on a roll up shaft to insure proper feed to the shaft and uniform wrapping of the floor covering material thereon. The adjustable bulk roll holding cradle includes improved means for loading and unloading bulk rolls thereon. The improvements facilitate operation of the apparatus by a single operator, making it readily adaptable for all sizes of floor covering material and enabling the operator to load and unload the bulk roll, reroll it after cutting and to unload the measured and cut roll.

Abstract: A cutting tool designed for changing or repositioning blades without requiring internal access to the tool, as by opening or otherwise taking the handle apart for access to the blade. The tool in one preferred form has only the end opening, out of which the blade extends for cutting, for gaining access to the blade to reposition or change it.A blade holder for holding a cutting blade rigidly in place while cutting but allowing the blade to be readily repositioned in or removed from the holder for replacement or positional adjustment therein. The holder is configured such that it adjustably and slidably holds the cutting blade in a selected position by lateral surface area contact or wedging of the blade in the holder in a cutting position.

Abstract: A measuring and cutting machine for floor covering which is portable and adjustable to accommodate varying widths of carpet and which is articulated or pivoted along its extent for ease in movement through crowded locations. The improved measuring and cutting machine may be brought to the site of large carpet rolls to measure and cut from the rolls without requiring movement of the rolls to a measuring and cutting area. The improved machine may make use of in addition a flotation principle which aids in movement of the floor covering through the machine to enable operation of the machine by a single operator.

Abstract: A carpet and tile stripper is disclosed which has a blade member mounted to a power-driven oscillating member so that the blade pivots about a shaft in axial alignment with the direction of travel of the carpet stripper. The extent of rotation of the blade is about 10.degree.-20.degree.. The blade oscillates at a high rate of speed providing a shearing action at the blade tip that rapidly and cleanly removes bonded carpet or tile from the floor.

Abstract: Truck mounted carpet roll loading and unloading apparatus is provided comprising an electrically driven shaft mounted on the front wall of the truck which is remotely controlled to wind and unwind a cable which, for selected steps in the loading and unloading process, is passed through a pulley assembly before being attached to the carpet roll. Operation of the shaft permits step by step loading of the carpet roll utilizing a single cable connected to the carpet at only one point.