Apparatus for Stretching Carpet
A carpet stretching apparatus is provided. The apparatus can comprise a rail having a fixed pin block operatively disposed at one end thereof, with the pin block configured with a plurality of pins configured to engage the backing of the carpet thereby enabling the pin block to grip or otherwise releasably attach to the carpet. The apparatus can further comprise a travelling mechanism disposed on the rail, the mechanism further comprising a second pin block disposed thereon that can work in cooperation with the fixed pin block. When the travelling mechanism is operated, the pin blocks work in cooperation to stretch or move the carpet.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/350,670 filed Jan. 8, 2009, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/021,179 filed Jan. 15, 2008 and hereby incorporates these documents by reference herein in their entirety. This application also claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/245,738 filed Sep. 25, 2009 and hereby incorporates the same provisional application by reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure is related to the field of carpet stretching apparatuses, in particular, hand-operated tools for use in stretching carpet to aid in its installation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is known to use hand-operated tools to stretch carpet to aid in its installation. Such tools are cumbersome and often require considerable physical strength on the part of the installer. Different carpet stretching tools are often required depending on the type of carpet being installed and where it is installed.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide an apparatus for stretching carpet that is easy to operate and includes accessories that allow a single apparatus to be used in installing in various configurations and applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn apparatus for stretching carpet is provided in the description herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise a rail having a fixed pin block operatively disposed at one end thereof, the pin block configured with a plurality of pins further configured to engage the backing of the carpet thereby enabling the pin block to grip or otherwise releasably attach to the carpet. In some embodiments, the pin block can comprise the pin block as described and shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,764 issued on Jul. 3, 2007, said patent incorporated into this application by reference in its entirety.
In some embodiments, the pin block can comprise a parallelepiped baseblock that can further comprise a plurality of pins extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the baseblock. The pins can be linearly aligned in a single file along the bottom surface of the baseblock. Each pin extending from the baseblock can be encased in a cylindrical pin support such that only the pin tip is exposed and protruding downward from the end surface of the pin support, which can be adapted for contacting a carpet backing. In some embodiments, each baseblock can comprise between two to eight pin supports. In other embodiments, each baseblock can comprise between four to six pin supports. In a representative embodiment, the baseblock can comprise five pin supports.
In some embodiments, each pin support can be canted towards the front surface of the baseblock as it extends downward. In further embodiments, the pin supports can be canted at an angle of approximately 75° to approximately 45° with respect to the bottom surface. In a representative embodiment, this angle can be approximately 60°.
In some embodiments, a fin can extend between each adjacent pair of pin supports that intersects with the bottom surface. The pin block can further comprise a strengthening gusset extending between the bottom surface and the pin support closest to the front surface. Each fin can comprise a downward edge that is flush with the end surface of the pin supports whereby the combination of the end surfaces and the downward edges of the fins can form a single continuous contact surface that is substantially parallel to the bottom surface.
In some embodiments, the combination of the fins and the pins supports can extend approximately ⅜″ to approximately ⅝″ downward from the bottom surface of the baseblock. Each pin tip can extend approximately ⅛″ from the end surface of its pin support.
In some embodiments, each baseblock can comprise a protrusion extending from one side surface and a recess on the other side surface whereby the protrusion of one pin block can releasably interlock with the recess of another pin block. Therefore, a number of pin blocks can be releasably interlocked and aligned together to form a ganged pin block for a carpet gripping device, the ganged pin block having superior gripping power over a single pin block.
In operation, a number of pin blocks can be stacked together side by side to form a ganged gripping block installed in a carpet gripping device. The ganged block can be placed on the carpet with each pin tip piercing the carpet backing but the depth of penetration limited by the length of the pin tip and the contact surface formed by the fins and the end surfaces. The depth of the fins and pin supports can be set to accommodate the typical height of the fibers of the carpet. The length of the pin tip can be selected to penetrate the carpet backing but not to extend through the carpet backing and perforate any membrane on the bottom layer of the carpet backing or to tear the underlay as the carpet is stretched into position.
In some embodiments, the apparatus can further comprise a travelling mechanism disposed on the rail, the mechanism further comprising a second pin block disposed thereon that can work in cooperation with the fixed pin block. The mechanism can be configured to travel in a one-way direction on the rail when a lever disposed on the mechanism is operated.
In some embodiments, the apparatus can be further configured so that the travelling mechanism can move away from the fixed pin block with the fixed and second pin blocks configured with the pins facing away from each other whereby carpet can be stretched between the two pin blocks. The apparatus can also be further configured so that the travelling mechanism can move towards the fixed pin block with the fixed and second pin blocks configured with the pins facing towards each other whereby two pieces of carpet can be stretched towards each together to be seamed together using a carpet seaming tool.
In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise one at least one support rod disposed on the apparatus to guide the movement of the travelling mechanism. In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise a housing to enclose the travelling mechanism. In further embodiments, the housing can comprise at least one passageway through which the at least one support can pass through to guide the movement of the travelling mechanism. In some embodiments, the housing can further comprise means for releasably attaching to an extension tube that can further comprise a third pin block. The extension tube can be of varying lengths, depending on the application the apparatus is being used for. With a short extension tube installed, the apparatus can be used for stretching and installing carpet on stairs. With a long extension tube installed, the third pin block can comprise a backstop wherein the apparatus can be configured as a deadman stretcher for stretching wider expanses of carpet.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a longitudinal rail having first and second ends; a first bracket disposed on the first end, and a second bracket disposed on the second end; a first pin block foot disposed on the first bracket, the first pin block configured to grip a first patch of carpet; a travelling module operatively disposed on the rail, the travelling module further comprising means for moving the travelling module along the rail; and a second pin block foot disposed on the travelling module, the second pin block configured to grip a second patch of carpet wherein operating the moving means causes the second pin block foot to move the second patch of carpet relative to the first patch of carpet.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a carpet installation tool is provided, comprising: a longitudinal rail having first and second ends; a first bracket disposed on the first end, and a second bracket disposed on the second end; a first pin block foot disposed on the first bracket, the first pin block configured to grip a first patch of carpet; a travelling module operatively disposed on the rail, the travelling module further comprising means for moving the travelling module along the rail; and a second pin block foot disposed on the travelling module, the second pin block configured to grip a second patch of carpet wherein operating the moving means causes the second pin block foot to move the second patch of carpet relative to the first patch of carpet.
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Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The terms and expressions used in the preceding specification have been used herein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow.
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a) a longitudinal rail having first and second ends;
- b) a first bracket disposed on the first end, and a second bracket disposed on the second end;
- c) a first pin block foot disposed on the first bracket, the first pin block configured to grip a first patch of carpet;
- d) a travelling module operatively disposed on the rail, the travelling module further comprising means for moving the travelling module along the rail; and
- e) a second pin block foot disposed on the travelling module, the second pin block configured to grip a second patch of carpet wherein operating the moving means causes the second pin block foot to move the second patch of carpet relative to the first patch of carpet.
2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a tail blade that can be releasably attached to the second bracket, the tail blade configured to hold on to a tack strip.
3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one support rod operatively disposed between the first and second brackets and substantially parallel to the rail.
4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the travelling module further comprises a housing disposed thereon, the housing further configured to move along the at least one support rod.
5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the housing further comprises at least one rod passageway configured to have the at least one support rod pass therethrough.
6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, further comprising:
- a) an extension tube further comprising a third pin block foot disposed thereon; and
- b) attachment means disposed on the housing for releasably attaching the extension tube to the housing.
7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the third pin block foot further comprises a backstop configured to be releasably and pivotally attached to the extension tube.
8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the pin block feet further comprises at least one removable pin block.
9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the at least one pin block further comprises:
- a) a parallelepiped baseblock having a bottom surface, the baseblock configured to attaching to at least one of the pin block feet;
- b) a plurality of pin supports, each pin support extending downwardly a predetermined distance from the bottom surface to form an end surface configured for contacting a carpet backing, each pin support defining a longitudinal axis and configured to support a pin; and
- c) a pin substantially centered in each pin support and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pin support, each pin having a pin tip protruding downwardly a predetermined distance from the end surface, the length of the tip selected such that the pin tip will not extend through the carpet backing when the end surface is in contact with the carpet backing.
10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the at least one pin block further comprises two parallel side surfaces that extend upwardly from and intersect with the bottom surface, one the two side surfaces comprising a protrusion, the other of the two side surfaces comprising a recess wherein the protrusion of one pin block will releasably interlock with the recess of another pin block thereby permitting a plurality of pin blocks to be releasably interlocked together to form a ganged pin block with all pin blocks having their bottom surfaces in alignment with each other.
11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the travelling module further comprises a travelling mechanism of a bar clamp/spreader.
12. A carpet installation tool, comprising:
- a) a longitudinal rail having first and second ends;
- b) a first bracket disposed on the first end, and a second bracket disposed on the second end;
- c) a first pin block foot disposed on the first bracket, the first pin block configured to grip a first patch of carpet;
- d) a travelling module operatively disposed on the rail, the travelling module further comprising means for moving the travelling module along the rail; and
- e) a second pin block foot disposed on the travelling module, the second pin block configured to grip a second patch of carpet wherein operating the moving means causes the second pin block foot to move the second patch of carpet relative to the first patch of carpet.
13. The tool as set forth in claim 12, further comprising a tail blade that can be releasably attached to the second bracket, the tail blade configured to hold on to a tack strip.
14. The tool as set forth in claim 12, further comprising at least one support rod operatively disposed between the first and second brackets and substantially parallel to the rail.
15. The tool as set forth in claim 14, wherein the travelling module further comprises a housing disposed thereon, the housing further configured to move along the at least one support rod.
16. The tool as set forth in claim 15, wherein the housing further comprises at least one rod passageway configured to have the at least one support rod pass therethrough.
17. The tool as set forth in claim 15, further comprising:
- a) an extension tube further comprising a third pin block foot disposed thereon; and
- b) attachment means disposed on the housing for releasably attaching the extension tube to the housing.
18. The tool as set forth in claim 17, wherein the third pin block foot further comprises a backstop configured to be releasably and pivotally attached to the extension tube.
19. The tool as set forth in claim 12, wherein at least one of the pin block feet further comprises at least one removable pin block.
20. The tool as set forth in claim 19, wherein the at least one pin block further comprises:
- a) a parallelepiped baseblock having a bottom surface, the baseblock configured to attaching to at least one of the pin block feet;
- b) a plurality of pin supports, each pin support extending downwardly a predetermined distance from the bottom surface to form an end surface configured for contacting a carpet backing, each pin support defining a longitudinal axis and configured to support a pin; and
- c) a pin substantially centered in each pin support and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pin support, each pin having a pin tip protruding downwardly a predetermined distance from the end surface, the length of the tip selected such that the pin tip will not extend through the carpet backing when the end surface is in contact with the carpet backing.
21. The tool as set forth in claim 20, wherein the at least one pin block further comprises two parallel side surfaces that extend upwardly from and intersect with the bottom surface, one the two side surfaces comprising a protrusion, the other of the two side surfaces comprising a recess wherein the protrusion of one pin block will releasably interlock with the recess of another pin block thereby permitting a plurality of pin blocks to be releasably interlocked together to form a ganged pin block with all pin blocks having their bottom surfaces in alignment with each other.
22. The tool as set forth in claim 12, wherein the travelling module further comprises a travelling mechanism of a bar clamp/spreader.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 27, 2010
Publication Date: Mar 24, 2011
Inventors: Maurice Despins (Edmonton), David Despins (Edmonton)
Application Number: 12/891,405
International Classification: A47G 27/04 (20060101);