Abstract: The present invention relates to recipient customization of a bone conducting hearing device. Customization of the bone conducting hearing device may include attaching the bone conducting hearing device to a recipient, establishing communication between the hearing device and an external device, generating at least one control setting with the external device, and storing the at least one control setting in a memory device in the hearing device.

Abstract: A membrane puller and related method. The puller includes a frame including a front end and a rear end, a lever assembly, a clamp assembly carried by the frame and including an elongate body slidably received by the front end of the frame and a clamp member fixed to the body, and a cable having one end attached to the lever assembly and another end attached to the clamp assembly, wherein the lever assembly is movable toward the front end of the frame to place the cable in tension to pull the clamp assembly toward the front end of the frame such that the elongate body slidably moves toward the rear end of the frame.

Abstract: A tool and method for removing a film from a surface is provided, wherein the tool can include a frame, a handle operably coupled to the frame, a number of wheels operably coupled to the frame, a cylinder rotatably coupled to the frame, an arm rotatably coupled to the frame, and a number of separating devices operably coupled to the arm. In some embodiments, the wheels can rotate about one or more axes parallel to the surface. The cylinder, which collects the removed film, rotates about an axis that can also be parallel to the surface. The arm can rotate about an axis that can also be parallel to the surface.

Abstract: A tool and method for removing a film from a surface is provided, wherein the tool can include a frame, a handle operably coupled to the frame, a number of wheels operably coupled to the frame, a cylinder rotatably coupled to the frame, an arm rotatably coupled to the frame, and a number of separating devices operably coupled to the arm. In some embodiments, the wheels can rotate about one or more axes parallel to the surface. The cylinder, which collects the removed film, rotates about an axis that can also be parallel to the surface. The arm can rotate about an axis that can also be parallel to the surface.

Abstract: A membrane puller for pulling a sheet of membrane material over an underlying surface has a frame with a lever arm pivotally attached to the frame for pivotal movement between a first position and a second position. A foot actuatable clamp assembly is carried by the frame for relative movement with the frame in response to pivotal movement of the lever arm. A cable has one end adapted for operable attachment to the lever assembly and another end adapted for operable attachment to the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly moves conjointly with the body via the cable and in response to pivotal movement of the lever arm toward its second position to pull the membrane material toward the front of the membrane puller.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing carpeting, such apparatus comprises a substantially flat member having a plurality of teeth disposed on an underside thereof for biting into carpeting to be stretched. A handle member attached to such flat member on one end and to an elongated transmission means on another end. There is a connecting means that is engageable on one end to the handle and on the other end with the power transmission means for causing said power transmission means to force such apparatus to stretch such carpeting. The apparatus has an attachment means engageable with the transmission means on one end and with carpeting, wood or concrete on a second end for assisting in stretching such carpet when the apparatus is in use.

Abstract: A tail section for a carpet stretching tool. The carpet stretching tool is the type having a carpet engaging head, an elongate body, a tail section and a lever mechanism allowing extension of the elongate body. The tail section includes a first leg and a second leg, each leg having a wall running face. The legs may be selectively positioned between at least two positions. In one positions the wall running faces form a substantially flat surface allowing use of the tool down a wall section. In a second position the wall running faces on the first and second leg of the tool may be positioned at an angle to allow the tool to be used on corner locations within a room or on a post.

Abstract: A floor covering lifting and removal hand tool for lifting an edge and removing a floor covering that is secured to a floor surface. An arcuate lifting base is formed with a grip end spaced from an opposite end and optionally including load distribution flanges across the arcuate lifting base. An upwardly extending lever arm joins to the arcuate base to rotate the base. The base further incorporates a releasable clamp that captures the edge of the floor covering. Anti-slip features are incorporated about a face of the base to contact the floor covering. In operation, the lever arm is rotated to overcome the force of the bond to lift and remove the floor covering from the floor surface. The lever arm is adjustable, removable, and is optionally ratchetable for use in confined spaces near walls and corners.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing carpeting, such apparatus comprises a substantially flat member having a plurality of teeth disposed on an underside thereof for biting into carpeting to be stretched. A handle member attached to such flat member on one end and to an elongated transmission means on another end. There is a connecting means that is engageable on one end to the handle and on the other end with the power transmission means for causing said power transmission means to force such apparatus to stretch such carpeting. The apparatus has an attachment means engageable with the transmission means on one end and with carpeting, wood or concrete on a second end for assisting in stretching such carpet when the apparatus is in use.

Abstract: A tail section for a carpet stretching tool. The carpet stretching tool is the type having a carpet engaging head, an elongate body, a tail section and a lever mechanism allowing extension of the elongate body. The tail section includes a first leg and a second leg, each leg having a wall running face. The legs may be selectively positioned between at least two positions. In one positions the wall running faces form a substantially flat surface allowing use of the tool down a wall section. In a second position the wall running faces on the first and second leg of the tool may be positioned at an angle to allow the tool to be used on corner locations within a room or on a post.

Abstract: A power cord winding apparatus for manually winding a power cord of a vacuum cleaner. The apparatus includes a loop body in the form of a pipe and having an opening formed on a side thereof, a door cover hinged to the opening of the loop body, three rollers rotatably disposed in the loop body to support a power cord passing through the inside of the loop body, a connecting part extended from an opposite side to the side of the loop body on which the opening is formed, and an arch part the form of an arch above the connecting part.

Abstract: A panel assembly system is disclosed, which includes an anchor; a tension line, secured to the anchor; and a puller, comprising an engaging face, a pivot joint secured to the engaging face, a lever rotatably mounted about the pivot joint, and a roller mounted on the lever, wherein the puller is configured to receive the tension line threaded about the puller and the pin, and to self-bind the tension line at the puller and tense the tension line between the puller and the anchor, when the lever is rotated.

Abstract: A compact carpet stretching apparatus may include a frame member, floor engagement members, and a head unit configured for use without extension poles. In one illustrative embodiment, the stretcher apparatus includes a head unit to engage a portion of a web of carpet, frame side members spaced laterally of the head unit that extend from the rear of the head unit past the front end of the head unit, and floor engaging anchors coupled to the frame side members proximal to the front portion.

Abstract: A carpet stretcher is provided with the improvement of a stabilizing apparatus and method that attaches to a carpet stretching tool to prevent the carpet stretching tool and any of its additional stretcher tubes from bending or bowing when utilized to stretch carpeting during carpet installation. The stabilizing apparatus consists of a bar with appropriate means for attachment to a carpet stretcher.

Abstract: A carpet stretcher including a power stretcher head coupled to one end of an extension pole, a power stretcher tail piece coupled to one end of a second extension pole, one or more stretcher extensions intermediate said first and second extension poles and coupled to the ends thereof remote from said head and tail piece, and a stabilizer member longitudinally disposed relative to said poles and extensions and having a plurality of spring clamping members adapted to clip onto said poles and stretcher extensions to stabilize them from distortional bowing.

Abstract: A supplementary stretcher for laying carpet includes a flat head having a plurality of tines on the underside protected by a cap and lug on rear end, a hollow interior handle having a downward arcuate front end pivoted to the lug of the head, a detent means in cooperation with an elastic plate disposed in a rear end of the handle, a sliding bar slidably inserted into the rear end of the handle having a plurality of serrations on the underside engageable with a retaining frame of the detent means and a pushing plate combined with a soft plate on outer surface and an inverse U-shaped member on inner surface pivoted to the rear end of the sliding bar with a spring engaged therebetween. The feature is that the handle is lengthily adjustable, the flat head and the pushing plate may slant a certain angle to correspond with the ergonomics. Besides, the flat head may be replaced with a sucking disk.

Abstract: A carpet removal system for efficiently removing carpet from a floor. The carpet removal system includes a leverage member, an engaging member for engaging the carpet to be removed, and a connecting member connected between the leverage member and the engaging member. The leverage member is an elongate structure which allows for the connecting member to be attached at various locations for providing various leverage forces. The leverage member includes a footplate having a plurality of engaging teeth for engaging the flooring.

Abstract: A carpet installation device having multiple adjustment features to facilitate carpet installation. These features include a base member of variable length having carpet gripping spikes mounted on the bottom thereof. A winch support mounted on said base member for receiving a winch. The winch includes a winch cable for connecting the winch to a remote anchor. The winch being able to stretch the carpet by pulling said base member toward said anchor. An additional carpet adjusting tool is moveably mounted on the base member for adjusting carpet sections. The carpet adjusting tool includes carpet gripping spikes thereon and linkage operated movement for stretching small sections of carpet between the spikes on the base member and those on the carpet adjusting tool.

Abstract: A tool that includes a lifting member adapted to be positioned adjacent to a flooring in a manner that permits an exertion of a force on the flooring is disclosed. The tool includes a pivotable leverage member adapted to communicate an applied force as the exertion force through the lifting member to the flooring to thereby separate the flooring from the subfloor. The lifting member and the pivotable leverage member may be adapted to permit the separation of the flooring from the subfloor as a substantially continuous section. The tool may include a securing feature adapted to secure at least a portion of the flooring to the tool. The securing feature is adapted to secure at least a portion of the flooring to the tool substantially simultaneously with an applied force communicating as an exertion force through the lifting member to thereby separate the flooring from the subfloor.

Abstract: A carpet stretching device and method of using the same to install carpet on stairs, the device including a primary support arm extending from an anchor to a base, a lever arm extending from a grip to a base, a gripping head having carpet-engaging teeth attached to a base, and a stretching mechanism operatively connecting the base of the support arm to the base of the gripping head. The stretching mechanism also is operatively connected to the lever arm, so that application of a force to the grip of the lever arm forces the gripping head to move toward the anchor of the primary support arm.

Abstract: A pivoting force arm at one end presses against a vinyl baseboard. Various wall contours are addressed through various interchangeable wall heads which alternatively press against a straight wall portion, or inside or outside corner. The other end presses against flooring. Depending upon whether the flooring is smooth or carpeted, the appropriate head for engaging with the flooring will also be selected from two interchangeable heads. One head is designed for a smooth floor and the other for carpeting. The clamp allows vinyl base to be installed with adhesive, without the vinyl loosening or separating from the wall while the adhesive sets.

Abstract: A powered apparatus for removing floor coverings includes two frames which are interconnected in a scissor-type manner. Each of the frames supports one or more wheels which are secured at the outer ends of the frames. Thus, the wheels are adapted to be brought into contact in a vertical configuration. Furthermore, at least one of the wheels is driven. Also disclosed is a method of using the device of the present invention.

Abstract: A gauge including a housing mounted as a telescoping extension section in a power stretcher unit between the transfer tube and the baseplate. At one end of the housing is a connector for mating the housing to one point on the power stretcher, a chamber and a socket communicating with the chamber; at an opposite end of the housing is a movable piston which is slidably received in the socket at the first end, and a connector for mating the housing to a second point on the power stretcher. A sensing device is mounted in the chamber which senses the movement of the piston towards the chamber as occurs when a force is applied to stretch the carpet. Finally, a display, such as a gauge dial or digital display, can be connected to the sensing device for indicating to the operator of the power stretcher the force applied by the carpet stretcher to the carpet.

Abstract: In order to provide a simple and inexpensive laying aid for floor covering elements, in particular ready-made parquet flooring, laminated or floor panels, it is suggested that the laying aid be designed in the form of a belt tensioning device with a belt and have a shaped part on both sides, that each shaped part have a receiving means for the belt, that each shaped part have an arm with a projection which can be fixed at a groove or a tongue of the floor covering elements by engaging in it and around it, respectively, and that when the arm is fixed in such a manner the receiving means be positioned such that the belt is guided by this close to the floor covering elements.

Abstract: A tail stock for a carpet stretcher includes a generally V-shaped body with a pair of intersecting abutting surfaces which form a V-shaped recess with an included angle therebetween. The tail stock is adapted to engage a flat wall, intersecting corner wall surfaces, a center post and includes a floor hook attachment to directly engage the floor. A pair of end sections having front coplanar surfaces extend outwardly from non-intersecting ends of the V-shaped section. A layer of resilient material is disposed on the co-planar and abutting surfaces and includes a plurality of spaced parallel vertically extending ribs. A pair of spaced flanges extend rearwardly from a top and a bottom of the tail stock forming a recessed area therebetween. A pair of aligned holes are formed in the top and bottom flanges for pivotally mounting a tubular end of a carpet stretcher to the tail stock.

Abstract: A portable carpet stretching device enabling a user to stretch carpeting at an angle into engagement with a tack strip affixed along the base of an adjacent wall, thus to eliminate wrinkles. The device has a carpet-engaging head member and a relatively fixed base member. The front of the base member is attached by an extensible member to the rear of the head member, and pivotally connected anchoring means are utilized for securing the base member in a desired relationship to the adjacent wall. Power applying means enable the user to force the head member and the base member apart, so the anchoring of the base member with respect to the adjacent wall by the anchoring means results at the time of application of the power means, in the portion of the carpet engaged by the head member being forced toward the adjacent wall and into contact with the tack strip. The anchoring means includes a pulling plate having a lower edge adapted to engage the tack strip.

Abstract: In order to provide a simple and inexpensive laying aid for floor covering elements, in particular ready-made parquet flooring, laminated or floor panels, the laying aid is in the form of a belt tensioning device with a belt and have a shaped part on both sides, each shaped part having a receiving means for the belt, and each shaped part having an arm with a projection which can be fixed at a groove or a tongue of the floor covering elements by engaging in it and around it, respectively. When the arm is fixed in such a manner the receiving means is positioned such that the belt is guided close to the floor covering elements.

Abstract: A carpet stretcher foot comprising a base plate and a carpet stretcher receptacle pivotally connected to the base plate. The base plate has a plurality of nail holes adjacent its periphery. The carpet stretcher receptacle is rotatable about the base plate a full 360.degree. whereby the base plate may be secured to a floor with a carpet therebetween and the receptacle may be rotated relative to the floor and the base plate a full 360.degree. in stretching the carpet. There is also provided a method for stretching carpet comprising removably securing a carpet stretcher foot to a floor with a carpet to be stretched therebetween, the foot having a base plate and a carpet stretcher receptacle pivotally secured to the base plate, the receptacle being rotatable about the base plate a full 360.degree.

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.

Abstract: A hand-operated carpet stretcher has a first handle securely attached to an otherwise conventional gripping head engagable with a carpet, and a second handle securely attached to a drive member or mass. The gripping head and drive member are interconnected by a telescoping shank supported on a skid. The shank has an outer, elongated tube connected to the gripping head, and an inner shaft connected to the drive member and terminating in a hammer that is slidingly received within the outer tube. During operation, a carpet installer holds the drive and head handles, and thrusts the drive member in a forward direction towards the gripping head while the tubes telescope together. After a period of free travel during which the drive member develops momentum, the hammer strikes an abutment or anvil provided within the outer tube adjacent to the gripping head. The sudden impact of the hammer on the anvil causes the gripping head to move in the forward direction, thereby stretching the carpet.

Abstract: Carpet stretching apparatus which is particularly effective in stretching long lengths of carpet taut and does not transfer the stretching force away from the stretching head to a remote location. Rather, the stretching force is transferred by a frame to a location near the stretch site, independent of the length of carpet being stretched.

Abstract: A portable carpet stretching device [in accordance with this invention enables] enabling a user to stretch carpeting at an angle into engagement with a tack strip affixed along the base of an adjacent wall, thus to eliminate wrinkles. This device comprises a carpet-engaging head member and a relatively fixed base member. The front of the base member is attached by an extensible member to the rear of the head member, and pivotally connected anchoring means are utilized for securing the base member in a desired relationship to the adjacent wall. Power applying means enable the user to force the head member and the base member apart, so the anchoring of the base member with respect to the adjacent wall by the anchoring means results at the time of application of the power means, in the portion of the carpet engaged by the head member being forced toward the adjacent wall and into contact with the tack strip.

Abstract: A device for holding a conventional carpet stretcher and providing a tail block footing against a wall. The tail block is mounted on rollers and has a short tubular extension whereby one or more tubular extensions may be mounted thereon with the far terminal end being mounted against the conventional stretcher.

Abstract: This invention relates to a belaying clamp for releasably fixing a stretching rope to the boom or mast base of a windsurfing craft. To permit the sail to be retrimmed with a relatively small effort and while the craft is on the water, the belaying clamp (10) is directly connected to the boom (1) or mast base by means of an adjusting element (5).

Abstract: The invention provides substantial support for bracing the feet of rug stretchers during carpet laying. An open top box frame is centrally affixed to a substantially rectangular base. The edges of the base extend beyond the outer walls of the box frame sufficiently to form a stable platform. The platform is apertured with spaced nailing holes and when nailed firmly through the carpet being laid into the flooring, the attached box frame becomes a relocatable stable cleat for bracing the feet on the support arms of rug stretchers in a variety of positions.

Abstract: A plurality or kit of brace assemblies for a carpet stretcher of the type having a carpet gripping head supported by a plurality of elongated telescoping tubular sections that are adjustable to vary the effective length of the head from a fixed support. Three interchangeable brace assemblies are provided, each of which may be substituted by the installer for the standard wall engaging foot on the end telescopic section. Each of the braces is adapted to fit around a fixed discrete vertical support commonly found in areas where carpets are installed such as support posts. All the brace assemblies include a "U" shaped retainer and a tubular base. The largest of these brace assemblies includes a U-shaped arcuate retainer that is adapted to fit around and grasp one of the cylindrical support posts in the carpet installation area. This retainer has a non-pivotal connection to a base that snaps in the telescopic tubular sections of the stretcher.