Abstract: A device for inserting a tongue into an insertion groove in a panel including a first part including a supporting surface configured to cooperate with an upper surface of a panel. The device includes a second part, which is connected to the first part, including a guiding device for a displaceable puncher which is configured to displace a tongue into an insertion groove of a panel. The supporting surface is extending in a first direction and the guiding device is extending in second direction.

Abstract: A versatile lever-type decking and plank removal tool for more efficiently prying floor-boards from deck foundations and floor-joists to which they are nailed. The decking and plank removal tool uses an adjustable demolition head having an offset inverted hook to tear off any deck board in any configuration in seconds with a minimum of effort, allowing the user to remain completely upright for the entire process. An optional vibratory-assist module is also disclosed.

Abstract: A joiner for assembling planks includes a link interconnecting a ram and a motorized tool.

Abstract: A valve device (1) comprising; a body portion (2) having a plurality of openings, a valve seat (6) located within said body portion (2), an end stop (4,8), corresponding to an opening of said body portion (2), said end stop (4,8) comprising a port portion (38,39) through which fluid may flow, and a nozzle (33,35), in fluid communication with said port portion (38,39), said nozzle (33,35) configured for sealing against said valve seat (6) and thereby preventing flow through the valve device (1), the valve device (1) being openable by relative motion of said nozzle (33,35) with respect to said valve seat (6), and adjustment means configured to allow independent adjustment of the location of said nozzle (33,35) with respect to said valve seat (6).

Abstract: A ratchet stand device includes a base joined to a top member such that congruently aligned openings, allow a post having a plurality of locking teeth on one side wall to be snugly inserted through the aligned openings. A ratchet part is pivotally disposed in a side aperture of the top member. The ratchet member may be released, whereupon, a spring urges the ratchet part back to forcibly engage one of the teeth of the post member. The first position of the ratchet member is safely maintained via a locking rod. The selected position for the post member is maintained irrespective of the weight of an object disposed upon a saddle of the post, until the object is removed and the locking rod is removed.

Abstract: A flooring installation tool includes a base having a bottom surface configured to engage a top surface of a flooring material, and a shoe having a connection portion and a vertical surface engaging portion. The connection portion is movably connected to a gear housing supported by the base, and the vertical surface engaging portion is configured to engage a vertical surface of the flooring material. An adjuster is configured to selectively hold the shoe relative to the base in a first position or in a second position that is different from the first position.

Abstract: An abutment device, in particular for laying floor elements, is proposed, comprising a first abutment element with a first abutment face and a second abutment face, which is oriented transversely to the first abutment face, and a second abutment element with a third abutment face, which is oriented transversely to the first abutment face, and which second abutment element is slidingly displaceably guided in a fixable manner on the first abutment element, a spacing between the first abutment face and the third abutment face being fixably adjustable, the first abutment element, on a side opposite to the first abutment face, having a recess, which is limited by an edge and in which the second abutment element is arranged.

Abstract: An accessory kit apparatus for use with a heavy-duty floor jack includes at least one extension tube with a first end configured to engage a matching mounting area of a lowering member of the floor jack and a second end. The accessory kit also includes a separable top support member having a mounting portion extending from a flat base, the mounting portion configured to engage the second end of the extension tube. The separable top support member also has a channel member and a hinge, whereby the channel member is hinged to an edge of the flat base, the channel member having rims defining a channel. The flat base supports the flat base is configured to support the channel member when the jack is in use.

Abstract: A method of locating a flooring element includes: laying a flooring element; providing a spacing member; positioning the spacing member between the flooring element and a fixed element; providing a separating member, the separating member having first and second faces inclined at an angle to one another so that at least a part of the separating member is in the form of a wedge having a wider end and a narrower end; positioning the separating member so that one of the first and second faces contacts the flooring element and the other of the first and second faces contacts the spacing member; and driving the separating member between the flooring element and the spacing member in a direction passing from the wider end of the wedge to the narrower end thereof, thereby exerting forces on the flooring element and the spacing member in directions to separate the flooring element and the spacing member.

Abstract: Jack-type tools for moving elements such as flooring elements by pulling and, alternatively, by pushing are shown and described. In an embodiment, the jack includes a base, a puller pivotably attached to the base, a ram extendable from the base, and a ram-drive mechanism in power-transmission relationship with the ram which is operative to extend the ram. The pivotably attached puller contacts a flooring element side portion during a pulling mode of operation and pivots out of the way so that the jack can push a flooring element during a pushing mode of operation. The ram extends from the base against a fixed surface such as a wall or cabinet to apply a force which pulls the flooring element with the puller to move the puller and flooring element away from the fixed surface and, alternatively, a force which pushes the flooring element by extension of the ram with the tool secured with respect to a subfloor or other support.

Abstract: A pedestal (18) for an access floor assembly (10), the pedestal (18) comprises a stand portion and a head portion. The stand portion has a base plate (21) for resting upon a sub-floor (20), and a stem (22) extending upwardly therefrom. The head portion has a platform (24) and a threaded shaft (26) extending downwardly therefrom. The pedestal (18) includes a lockable nut (28) which has a thread (29) adapted to screwably engage the threaded shaft (26), wherein the lockable nut (28) has at least one detent (30) to lock with the stem (22) in order to prevent the rotation of the lockable nut (28) when abutted against the stem (22).

Abstract: A tool for pressing together flooring panels to be fixed in place one relative to the other(s), wherein a first part of the tool has a foot portion for abutting against a surface, a second part of the tool has a head portion for abutting against an end one of the flooring panels, and the second part is movable relative to the first part for exerting force on the end flooring panel.

Abstract: A tool is provided for installing flooring with snap together edges. Specifically, the tool has a longitudinally-extending guide rod having a first impact member having a first impact face at a first end, and a second impact member having a second impact face at a second end. The first impact member has cleat extending below its lower surface adapted for engaging flooring edges. A sole is secured to the lower edge of the first impact member to protect the underlying flooring surface. The second impact member comprises a foot with an impact face. An impactor with first and second impact faces is slidably movable between the first impact member and second impact member for impacting the first and second impact faces respectively.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing wheel mounting structure used in a horizontal jack is disclosed. The wheel mounting structure includes an axial sleeve (4) affixed to a rear wheel mount (5) of the horizontal jack (100), and a shaft (2), vertically slideably mounted in the axial sleeve (4) and riveted to a bracket (1). The bracket (1) supports a wheel (71). A compression spring (3) is sleeved onto the shaft (2) and stopped between a stop flange around the periphery of the shaft (2) and the top wall of the axial sleeve (4). This arrangement serves to impart a downward pressure to the shaft (2) relative to the axial sleeve (4).

Abstract: A type of illuminating device used to horizontal jack, of which, the middle part of the axial hole of tray axle (1) is provided with insulating filling (6) and transparent polymethylmethacrylate sheet (10); the positioning set (11) under the polymethylmethacrylate sheet (10) is equipped with LED illuminating bulb (13) and relevant circuit elements to form the loop of the illuminating circuit available for control of switch-on and switch-off; the illuminating device of this invention is integrated on the central part of the tray of horizontal jack, which makes full use of the space of tray axial hole to ensure the reliable operation of illuminating elements and relevant circuits with its sound sealing performance for the purpose of improving the poor illumination and solving the problem with maintenance of vehicles and lifting of heavy goods at night.

Abstract: A plank seating apparatus includes an elongated panel that has a top side, a bottom side, a first end, a second end, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A bracket is attached to the bottom side and extends downwardly therefrom. The bracket includes a plate that has an outer surface that is flush with the first end. The outer surface faces away from the second end of the elongated panel. A block is attached to the top side of the panel. The block is positioned nearer to the second end than the first end of the panel. The plate is abutted against an outer edge of a wood plank and the block is hit with a tool to pull the wood plank toward an adjacent wood plank.

Abstract: A tool (10) for pressing together flooring panels (12) to be fixed in place one relative to the other(s), wherein a first part (14) of the tool has a foot portion (18) for abutting against a surface (20), a second part (16) of the tool has a head portion (22) for abutting against an end one (12a) of the flooring panels, and the second part is movable relative to the first part for exerting force on the end flooring panel.

Abstract: A tool and method for abutting an individual floor panel which is near an obstruction, such as a wall, to the assembled floor. The tool and method provide a rod having a flanged member at one end. The flanged member has a notch in its vertical flange which contacts the floorboard to be abutted, requiring a minimal amount of space between the obstruction and floorboard to be set. A sliding weight mounted on a rod can then be slid toward an impact surface resulting in a horizontal force being applied to the individual floorboard thereby abutting or setting that floorboard with respect to the assembled floor. An especially useful application for the device and method is in the installation of a tongue-in-groove laminate floor in which the individual floorboards have a tongue and groove connection on their ends.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating and lifting a manhole cover from a cover mounting ring without disturbing the mounting ring includes a body, a lever arm and lifting arm pivotally connected to the body with the outer end of the lifting arm extending outwardly from the first end of the body, an preferably hydraulic actuator for raising and lowering the outer end of the lifting arm, and a ring engagement plate extending outwardly from the first end of the body below the lifting arm, to be received over the cover mounting ring. The apparatus may be constructed by modifying a conventional hydraulic floor jack. Upon activation of the hydraulic actuator lifting force is imposed between the cover and the cover mounting ring to separate and lift the cover without disturbing the mounting ring.

Abstract: A roller mechanism for transporting loads over a surface, the roller mechanism including a body, at least one roller assembly that permits the body to move in at least one translational direction, the roller assembly being rotatably connected to the body, and a lifting mechanism attached to the body such that the body is selectively rotatable relative to the lifting mechanism, wherein the lifting mechanism can be operated to lift the roller assemblies out of contact with the surface.

Abstract: A deck board straightener is taught which is comprised of a main rod part connected to a handle at one end and a flat steel plate at the opposing end. The flat plate is comprised of two shoulders that consist of the bent edges of the flat plate but could also be shoulder elements separately attached to the flat plate. The shoulders can spaced at a fixed distance apart or be made adjustable to allow for use on a varying material thickness. A securing screw can be placed through one shoulder to provide additional material securing means. A pressure jaw is attached to the flat steel plate and a quick-grip mini bar clamp in a manner that also allows for rotating movement. When in use, the pressure jaw secures material such as a deck board against the flat plate and shoulders.

Abstract: A tool includes pivotally conjoined top and bottom planar bodies being coupled along their distal edges and having opposed linear ends. The bottom body is statically registered while the top body is dynamically articulatable. Slotted brackets are coupled to one linear end of the bodies, and are slidably interlocked and repeatedly moveable between compressed and engaged positions. Knobs traverse through the top body and are engaged therewith. The knobs are adaptable between raised and lowered positions. A turn wheel is connected to the knobs for raising and lowering the knobs in sync. A handle assembly includes wheels that are seated proximal to the bodies. A lever protrudes proximally from the wheels. A mechanism is included for preventing laminate planks from sliding downwardly along the top body. Rotatable and equidistantly spaced rollers are axially oriented along the top body and are registered with corresponding ones of the knobs.

Abstract: A tool for installing a floor element is provided for pushing a floor element against already fixated floor elements prior to the fixation of the floor element. The tool includes a cushion with a first rod-shaped part extending upwardly from an upper side of the cushion and a second rod-shaped part forming a striking tool at a free end thereof. The two rod-shaped parts are hinged to each other so that the striking tool strikes against the cushion by movement of one of the rod-shaped parts relative to the other rod-shaped part. As the cushion has a side surface which is suitable for resting against a side surface of the floor element, the striking of the striking tool against the cushion transfer a striking force through the cushion to the floor element.

Abstract: A cove base molding clamp consisting of a carpet engaging fulcrum, a lever arm having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the lever arm being fixedly attached to the carpet engaging fulcrum; a driving arm having a proximal and a distal end, the proximal end of the driving arm being fixedly attached to the carpet engaging fulcrum; a carpet engaging foot; a jack screw interconnecting the carpet engaging foot and the distal end of the lever arm, the jack screw being adapted for alternately downwardly extending the carpet engaging foot from the lever arm and upwardly retracting the carpet engaging foot toward the lever arm; and a molding engaging head fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the distal end of the driving arm.

Abstract: A floor board installation device comprises a cross bar, a wedge and two pins extending outwardly from the top and bottom sides of, and through, the cross bar. The wedge comprises a top curved edge and a bottom edge including a groove therein. The pins typically are spaced from one another a distance slightly larger than the width of a joist. In use, the cross bar is placed on top of two adjoining joists so that the pins are positioned on either side of a single joist. The other end of the bar merely rests on top of the adjacent joist. A force is then applied to a side edge of the wedge in a direction parallel to the length of the sub floor boards. Due to the rounded shape of the top curved edge and the flat surface of the wedge that contacts the floor board, the wedge will rotate within the cross bar so that the edge of the wedge is flush against the sub floor board and so that the curved surface of the wedge will contact the cross bar at only one point.

Abstract: The device comprises fixation members to be fixed onto the batten, a rod selectively driven in translation with respect to the fixation members, parallely to the batten, a push member which is fixed onto one end of the rod, and driving members that are rigidly connected with said fixation members for driving the rod according to a longitudinal axis of the rod in an advance direction for which the push member is arranged before the rod. The fixation members comprise a cramp forming stirrup which is fitted with a screwable block for adapting a transverse size of the stirrup to the width of the batten, and a knuckle member for selectively fixing the stirrup on the batten.

Abstract: A method for installing tongue-and-groove material comprises the steps of: a) placing a piece of tongue-and-groove material on an installation surface adjacent to a previously installed piece of tongue-and-groove material and/or a border member; b) pivotably securing a lever having a thrust portion and a lever end to the installation surface so that rotating the lever urges the piece of tongue-and-groove material against the previously installed piece and/or the border member; c) rotating the lever, thereby urging the piece of tongue-and-groove material against the previously installed piece and/or the border member; d) securing the piece of tongue-and-groove material to the previously installed piece, the border member, and/or the installation surface; and e) removing the lever from the installation surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an umbrella. The apparatus of the invention includes a base plate which is placed on the surface of the area in which the umbrella is desired, a hollow cylinder connected at its lower end to the base plate and extending upwardly therefrom for receipt and support of an umbrella shaft, and a jack for contacting the underside of a vehicle to place a downward force on the base plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a floor board compressing apparatus and method of use for compressing and tightening a plurality of abutting floor boards. The apparatus has a reel rotationally engaged in a reel housing. An inextensible and flexible tape coiled on and attached to the reel extends to a first hook which attaches to the first end of the boards to be compressed. A second hook is pivotally attached to the reel housing and attaches to the opposing end of the floor boards. A handle which is pivotally engaged to the reel is used to turn the reel within the reel housing so as to draw the first hook toward the second hook. The reel housing preferably includes a plurality of holes and the handle provides a locking peg. After winding in all of the flexible tape by turning the handle, the handle is then rocked on its pivot for engaging and disengaging the locking peg with any one of the locking holes. After the tape has been tightened and locked into place, the reel housing is pushed laterally.

Abstract: A slide hammer has end blocks of a material that will not damage wooden boards when it is used to tap the boards into place. The slide hammer includes a slide rod or bar and a weighted hammer movable on the slide rod. With one of the end blocks in contact with a board, the hammer is moved into contact with one of the end blocks in a vigorous manner to drive the board into place. The edges of the end blocks are configured so as to allow the unit to be positioned in tight spaces between the boards and any surrounding walls.

Abstract: A flooring tool for the installation or repair of wooden tongue and groove flooring. The tool has a jack for exerting linear force, with a fixed and a movable portion. A pivoting gripper is mounted upon the movable portion, and a guide is mounted upon the fixed portion, which allows a brace such as a 2.times.4 board to be inserted into the guide and gripper and held in place, extending the reach and usefulness of the tool. A foot upon a push-pull rod extends downwards from the fixed portion of the jack, and pushes upon the flooring planks. In a preferred embodiment, two attachment points are provided for the foot on its rod, at each end of the fixed portion, providing maximum flexibility.

Abstract: A pressure jaw (1) at the end of a clamping device for the laying of floating floor coverings like laminates and ready-made parquet which are joined by tongue and groove connections includes a long leg (2) and a perpendicular short leg (3), with a perpendicular horizontally protruding shoulder (5), so as to press against the carrier material of a floor covering plate (4). The long leg (2) includes at least two space adjusting-screws (7) separated from each other and insertable into threaded holes (6), by means of which the distance between it and the pressure jaw (1) can be adjusted by resting it on the floor covering plate (4). It thus occurs that the shoulder (5) presses basically directly below the spring (9) of the floor covering plates (4) of various floor coverings with differing material strength.

Abstract: A floor installation clamp comprising a clamp used for joining floorboards. The clamp includes a tension member with a first end and a second end. The tension member is connectable to opposing counterstays. One or both counterstays of the clamp may comprise suction devices removably attachable floorboard surfaces. Alternatively, the opposing counterstay may comprise an end piece that is removably attachable to a floorboard edge.

Abstract: The flooring tool includes a slide hammer located in an elongate body. The body having a flat bottom for resting on the upper surface of the newly laid down tongue and groove flooring. The elongate body, in which the slide hammer is mounted, has at one end a depending hammer head which has an edge corresponding in shape to the edge of the tongue and groove flooring being laid. By manipulating the slide hammer, the hammer head sets the tongue and groove flooring being laid into place.

Abstract: The device and method of the invention enables a single workman to drive a tongue and groove subflooring panel into mating connection with a prelaid subfloor panel without the use of a sledgehammer. The device fits over and receives and is secured to the usual driving plank as an operative part thereof. An elongate handle extends upwardly and backwardly at an acute angle to and from its lower end portion, which is fastened to the upper face of the plank centrally and transversely thereof so the workman standing on the panel facing forwardly with his legs spread apart longitudinally therealong uses his weight to flatten the panel while he forcefully pulls the device backwardly, so the driving plank, whose rearward longitudinal edge face abuts the grooved forward edge face of the subfloor panel to be driven, drives such subfloor panel into mated connection with a rearwardly positioned, prelaid, subfloor panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing wooden deck planks on a supporting frame of joists has an actuator mounted on a base plate with an output shaft movable between an open position and a closed position. A control device is mounted on the frame for selectively controlling the actuator to move the output shaft. A fixed angle clamp is mounted on the base plate and has a leg for engaging an edge of a first deck plank, a sliding angle clamp is attached to the output shaft and has a leg for engaging an edge of a second deck plank, and a spacer plate is slidably mounted on the base plate between the clamps and has a predetermined thickness corresponding to a desired spacing between adjacent deck planks.

Abstract: A vehicle support stand utilizing a slidable spine member to maintain a vehicle at a desired preselected vertical position. The latter is positively achieved through the use of a control plate which serves a wedging relationship with respect to the spine member at a release position, and for the free vertical movement of the spine member at a manually controlled position. Spring means serve to continually urge the control plate into the aforesaid wedging relationship.

Abstract: A device for lifting and positioning a heavy object, comprising a base, a pair of arcuate arm moving rack gears, a pair of arms rotatively affixed to the arcuate rack gears, a pair of arm moving pinion gears fixed to an axle rotatively affixed to each arm and in mechanical engagement with one of the pair of arcuate arm moving rack gears adapted when rotated to move the pair of arms up and down, a foot device rotatively affixed to the pair of arms, a foot pinion gear fixed to an axle rotatively fixed to the pair of arms and fixedly attached to the foot to rotate the foot when the foot pinion gear is rotated, a foot control pinion gear fixedly attached to the base, an elongated member having a rack gear on both of its terminal portions, one of such rack gears in mechanical engagement with the foot pinion gear and the other elongated member rack gear in mechanical engagement with the foot control pinion gear so that when the arm moving pinion gears rotate they cause not only the arm to move up and down but also

Abstract: A device for tightening joints of a wooden type includes a first force transmitting structure and a second force transmitting structure with an assembly for applying force connected therebetween. The force transmitting structure includes a rigid member having a front end portion, a rear end portion and an elongated penetrating portion extending away from the rear end portion. The penetrating portion has a sharpened end and a force applying surface which extends between the sharpened end and the rear end portion. The rear end portion has a striking surface for receiving a hammer blow, a stop surface for limiting the penetration of the penetrating portion into the member, and a lifting surface for applying a lever force to lift the structure from the member. The front end portion has force transmitting surface which couples to the force applying assembly, and an abutment surface for limiting movement of the front end as a result of the force transmittal.

Abstract: The device for driving tongue and groove flooring panels into a mated or seated position for installation on floor joist has a weighted head including a rear face adapted to impact the outer edge of an elongated seated member resting on the floor joist and abutting an outer edge of the flooring panel to be installed. The head also includes an elongated opening for slidably receiving the upper portion of a floor joist. The head is moved back and forth along a floor joist to impact the seating member and drive the panel into a seated position by an elongated handle extending upwardly and rearwardly at an incline from the head. The handle is long enough to permit a workman to straddle a previously installed panel and the panel being installed while driving the latter panel into a fully seated position. The width of the groove and the head approximates the width or thickness of the floor joist.

Abstract: Telescopically slidable tubular members incorporate a hydraulic jack for causing successive minute amounts of relative longitudinal extension thereof. The jack includes a hydraulic piston and cylinder mounted to the rear end of the forward tubular member. This assembly engages a pin inserted in a selected one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes in the forward end of the rear tubular member to thereby provide an initial overall length adjustment. A pump is removably mounted to the rear tubular member and is connected to the piston and cylinder assembly via hoses. The telescoping members are positioned diagonally so that a spade at the forward end of the forward tubular member engages an upper portion of a generally vertically oriented stud wall and so that a toothed base member pivotally connected to the rear end of the rear tubular member engages the floor.

Abstract: A device for forcing railroad car deck planks downward against a support and sidewards against a stop to aid in tying the plank to the support with a clip-like tie member. The device includes an anchor member for being fixedly attached to the support, a body member attached to and extending upward from the anchor member, an engagement member for engaging a portion of the plank, and a jack member for selectively causing the engagement member to force the plank downwards and sidewards relative to the body member.

Abstract: A device for seating tongue and groove plywood is disclosed consisting of a member to be laid against the long side edge of tongue and groove plywood sheets, the member being adapted to be struck with a sledge to drive the opposite side of the plywood sheet into seated tongue and groove engagement. The member has a wood core bounded on the longitudinal sides by channel shaped metal lengths, the metal length on the plywood contacting side being faced with a resilient coating.

Abstract: The invention is a tool for setting jointed flooring boards, particularly of the tongue-and-groove type, having a bracket of L-shaped cross section to which a length of construction lumber is removably attached by screws. A long handle is rigidly and adjustably attached to the bracket and the user grips the handle to slide the length of lumber back and forth across the floor joists to drive a flooring panel into engagement with a mating floor panel.