Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02803398 2013-01-23
TITLE: APPARATUS FOR AIDING INSTALLATION OF CARPET
INVENTORS:
Maurice L. Despins, David L. Despins and Gregory J. Gundlach
TECHNICAL FIELD:
The present disclosure is related to the field of carpet installation
apparatuses, in particular, carpet gripping mats or plates for holding carpet
pieces in place while seaming the pieces together, for preventing "dead-man"
tubes from bowing during use and for "dead-man" anchor plates.
BACKGROUND:
During installation of carpet, carpet pieces are stretched to provide a
wrinkle-free and professional looking installation. Carpet pieces are often
seamed together when installing carpet on large floor areas. When seaming
stretched carpet pieces together, either with hot-glue or cold-glue
techniques, the
stretched carpet pieces can pull away from each other before the glued seam
between the pieces has fully set or cured.
During installation of carpet, a "dead-man" anchor can be placed on a
piece of carpet to provide an anchor for a carpet stretching tool, as well
known to
those skilled in the art. Such tools can use tubes to extend the distance from
the
anchor to where the tool is being used to stretch carpet away from the anchor.
In
the stretching process, considerable force can be applied by the tool to
stretch
the carpet from the anchor. In so doing, the tube can bow thereby limiting the
force that can be effectively applied by the tool to stretch the carpet.
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It is, therefore, desirable to provide an apparatuses for aiding the
installation carpet, namely, carpet gripping mats to hold carpet pieces in
place
when seaming them together, to prevent dead-man tubes from bowing and to
provide anchor plates for dead-man installation tools.
SUMMARY:
An apparatus for aiding in the installation of is provided in the description
herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise a cleat mat having a
plurality of cleats extending from a bottom surface thereof.
In some
embodiments, the cleats can be straight. In other embodiments, the cleats can
be curved. In further embodiments, the cleats can extend from the mat at an
angle. In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise a planar member
having a pair of cleat mats on a bottom surface thereof with a seam area
extending longitudinally therebetween. In some embodiments, the cleats can be
angled towards the seam area. In other embodiments, the apparatus can
comprise one or more observation ports disposed along the seam area. In this
embodiment, the apparatus can function as a "carpet grabber" to keep two
pieces of carpet together when they are being seamed or joined together.
In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise two planar members
having cleats mats on bottom surfaces thereof, the planar members separated by
an inverted channel member extending therebetween. In some embodiments,
the cleats on the cleat mats can be angled away from the channel member. In
this embodiment, the apparatus can be used as "tube support" for a dead-man
carpet stretching tool wherein the tube of the tool is placed within the
channel
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member as the planar members are placed on a carpet such that the cleats
engage the carpet. As the tool is being used, the tube's tendency to bend or
bow
can be constrained by being inside the channel member. As the tube bends or
bows, it can contact the channel member and impart a lateral force that can
force
the cleats of a planar member to dig deeper into the carpet and hold it in
place
thereby minimizing the bending or bowing of the tube.
In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise a planar member with
a cleat mat disposed on a bottom surface thereof, and a stop member extending
substantially perpendicular from an edge of the planar member, the stop
extending upwardly from a top surface of the planar member. In some
embodiments, the cleats can be angled away from the stop member. The
apparatus can be used alone or ganged together with one or more other planar
members. In this embodiment, the apparatus can be used as a "dead-man
anchor" for a dead-man carpet stretching tool. The apparatus can be placed on
a carpet wherein the cleats can engage the carpet. The stop of the tool can be
placed against the stop member of the apparatus. As the tool is being used to
stretch carpet, the stop presses against the stop member and causes the cleats
to dig deeper into the carpet and hold the apparatus in place, thereby acting
as
an anchor for the dead-man carpet stretching tool.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for aiding
the installation of carpet, the apparatus comprising a planar member
comprising
a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface further comprising a
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plurality of cleats extending therefrom, the plurality of cleats disposed on
the
bottom surface in a spaced-apart configuration.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for aiding
the installation of carpet, the apparatus comprising: a first planar member
comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface further
comprising a first mat area, a second mat area and a seam area extending
longitudinally therebetween; and a first cleat mat disposed on the first mat
area,
and a second cleat mat disposed on the second mat area, wherein each of the
first and second cleat mats further comprise a plurality of cleats extending
away
from the bottom surface, the plurality of cleats disposed on the cleat mats in
a
spaced-apart configuration.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a support apparatus is provided for
a dead-man carpet installation tool, the apparatus comprising: a first planar
member and a second planar member, each of the planar members further
comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; an inverted channel member
disposed between and operatively coupling the first and second planar members
to the channel member; and a cleat mat disposed on the bottom surfaces of each
of the first and second mat areas, the cleat mats further comprising a
plurality of
cleats extending away from the bottom surface, the plurality of cleats
disposed
on the cleat mats in a spaced-apart configuration.
Broadly stated, in some embodiments, an anchor apparatus is provided
for a dead-man carpet installation tool, the apparatus comprising: a planar
member comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface
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further comprising a mat area; a cleat mat disposed on the mat area, the cleat
mat further comprising a plurality of cleats extending away from the bottom
surface, the plurality of cleats disposed on the cleat mats in a spaced-apart
configuration; and a stop member extending substantially perpendicular from an
5 edge of the planar member, the stop member extending upwardly from the
top
surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 is a top plan cut-away view depicting a first embodiment of an
apparatus for aiding the installation of carpet.
Figure 2 is a top plan view depicting the apparatus of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a bottom plan view depicting the apparatus of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a perspective view depicting the apparatus of Figure 1 used in
the seaming of carpet.
Figure 5A is bottom plan view depicting a first embodiment of a cleat mat
for use with an apparatus for aiding the installation of carpet.
Figure 5B is an end elevation view depicting a pin of the cleat mat of
Figure 5A.
Figure 5C is a side elevation view depicting the cleat of Figure 5B.
Figure 6 is an end elevation view depicting a second embodiment of an
apparatus for aiding the installation of carpet.
Figure 7 is a perspective view depicting the apparatus of Figure 6 used in
the installation of carpet.
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Figure 8 is a top plan cut-away view depicting a third embodiment of an
apparatus for aiding the installation of carpet.
Figure 9 is a perspective view depicting the apparatus of Figure 8 used in
the installation of carpet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figures 1 through 4, a first embodiment of an apparatus for
aiding the installation of carpet is illustrated. In some embodiments, the
apparatus can comprise planar member 14 having top surface 15 and bottom
surface 17. Planar 14 can be comprised of a metal plate, of a piece of
plywood,
of composite material or any other functionally equivalent material as well
known
to those skilled in the art, or combinations thereof. In the illustrated
embodiment,
planar 14 is shown as being rectangular but can comprise any suitable shape as
necessary or as required for a particular carpet installation.
In some
embodiments, bottom surface 17 can comprise mat areas 16 and 20 with seam
area 18 extending longitudinally therebetween. In some embodiments, mat
areas 16 and 20 can comprise cleat mats 10 disposed thereon.
In some embodiments, cleat mats 10 can comprise a plurality of cleats 12
disposed thereon. Referring to Figures 5A, 5B and 5C, cleats 12 can be
disposed in a spaced-apart configuration. In some embodiments, cleats 12 can
be arranged in a grid or matrix formation. Cleats 12 can be configured as pins
or
pin tips, as illustrated. In some embodiments, cleats 12 can be straight or
curved, similar to a cat's claw. In some embodiments, cleats 12 can be angled
relative to the bottom surface of cleat mat 10. In some embodiments, cleats 12
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can be angled at approximately 60 to 70 degrees relative to the bottom surface
of
cleat mat 10. In some embodiments, cleat mat 10 can be approximately 6 inches
by 6 inches with cleats 12 spaced approximately 5/8 to 3/4 of an inch apart.
Referring back to Figures 1 to 4, in some embodiments, planar member
14 can comprise one or more observation ports 22 disposed therethrough from
top surface 15 to bottom surface 17. Ports 22 can be disposed in seam area 18
between mat areas 16 and 20. Ports 22 can be used by a carpet installer to
align
the apparatus over seam 24 between two pieces of carpet 23, as shown in
Figure 4. In some embodiments, cleats 12 of cleat mats 10 can be angled
towards seam area 18. In operation, carpets pieces 23 can be stretched towards
each other along seam 24 to be joined together using hot-glue or cold-glue
techniques, as well known to those skilled in the art. Once carpet pieces 23
have
been brought together and seamed, planar member 14 can be placed on top of
carpet pieces wherein ports 22 are positioned along seam 24. With cleats 12
angled towards seam area 18, any tendency of carpet pieces 23 to pull away
from each due to tension therein caused by stretching pieces 23 towards each
other will cause cleats 12 to dig in deeper into carpet pieces 23 thereby
holding
carpet pieces 23 in place until the glue used to seem carpet pieces 23 has
cured
or set.
Referring to Figures 6 and 7, a second embodiment of an apparatus for
aiding the installation of carpet is provided. In some embodiments, the
apparatus
can comprise a pair of planar members 28, each comprising top surface 29 and
bottom surface 31, and inverted channel member 30 disposed therebetween and
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operatively coupled to planar members 28 along edges 33 to form an omega-
shaped member. While the illustrated embodiment shows channel member 30as
being rectangular-shaped, it is obvious that channel member 30 can comprise
any functionally equivalent shape, such as semi-circular, triangular or
polygonal.
In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise cleat mats 10 comprising
cleats 12 disposed on bottom surfaces 31 of planar members 28. In some
embodiments, cleats 12 can be angled away from channel member 30. In
operation, the apparatus can be used with a dead-man carpet stretching tool,
as
well known to those skilled in the art. Channel member 30 can be placed over
tube 32 of the carpet stretching tool wherein cleats 12 engage carpet 23. As
the
tool is being used to stretch carpet 23, tension in tube 32 can cause it to
bend or
bow. As shown in Figure 6, force F in tube 32 can cause it to bend or bow
within
channel member 32. In so doing, force F can be imparted to the apparatus,
wherein cleats 12 can dig in deeper into carpet 23 and thereby holding the
apparatus in place and keeping tube 32 from bending or bowing excessively.
Referring to Figures 8 and 9, a third embodiment of an apparatus for
aiding installation of carpet is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus
can comprise planar member 34 that can be configured as a dead-man anchor
plate. In some embodiments, planar member 34 can comprise top surface 40
and bottom surface 42, with cleat mat 10, having cleats 12 disposed thereon,
disposed on bottom surface 42. In some embodiments, planar member 34 can
be approximately 12 inches by 18 inches in area. In some embodiments, two or
more planar members 34 can be ganged together to form a larger anchor.
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Referring to Figure 9, for illustrative purposes only, four planar members 34
are
shown ganged together to form an anchor of approximately 48 inches by 18
inches. In some embodiments, each planar member 34 can comprise stop
member 36 disposed along edge 44, wherein stop member 36 can extend
substantially perpendicular away from top surface 40. In some embodiments,
cleats 12 can be configured on cleat mats 10 to point away from stop member
36. In operation, one or more planar members 34 can be placed on carpet 23 to
provide an anchor for a dead-man carpet stretching tool such that stop 38 of
dead-man carpet stretching tool can be placed against stop members 36. As the
tool is operated to stretch carpet 23, force F can be imparted along tube 32
and
through stop 38 to stop members 36. In so doing, force F can cause cleats 12
to
dig deeper into carpet 23 causing planar members 34 to maintain their position
and function as an anchor. In some embodiments, additional weights 46 can be
placed on top of planar members 34 to provide additional means to hold planar
members in place.
Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications
can
be made to these embodiments without changing or departing from their scope,
intent or functionality. 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.
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