This invention relates to carpet removing, in particular to apparatus, devices, systems and methods for removing automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down and tacked down carpeting from rooms and other spaces.
The removal of glued down carpeting has often typically required human laborers to physically peel up the carpeting with either their hands or some hand tools, such as pry bars, and screw drivers, etc. In addition, the laborer must then pull and rip the carpeting out which is very difficult since they often must stand on the actual carpeting they are removing. The hand tools used can often damage the underlying floor beneath the carpet which will require additional time and expense to fix. Often physical injuries such as wrenched backs, and torn up hands result from such removal techniques. In addition, this time consuming work will often takes hours if not days to accomplish for large amounts of spaces and buildings, which adds additional expense.
Devices have been attempted over the years to try to remove carpeting but still have problems of their own. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,371 to Bell et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,118 to Thomas et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,146 to Thomas et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,323 to Thomas; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,308 to Heavrin; U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,899 to Glenn et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,844 to Hanson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,868 to Galella; U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,426 to Johnson; U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,886 to Kraft.
Thomas '323, Heavrin '308, Hanson '844, and Gaiella '868 each require a laborer having to physically grip tools to remove the carpeting, which would be undesirable for being at least time consuming and labor intensive.
Bell '371, Thomas '118, Thomas '146, Kraft '886, and Johnson '426 have automated machines that generally require an operator be adjacent to the machine for operate, and the machine is placed directly on the carpet. Thus, the machines would generally need to be constantly moved about so that the carpet under the machines is removed. Also, some of these machines require anchoring through the carpeting which could be difficult to achieve and could potentially damage the sub floor under the carpeting. Additionally, many of these machines can require two or more persons to operate, and the machines can cost in the thousands of dollars, which makes them further undesirable to use.
Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods for automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting from spaces that eliminates any labor extensive efforts of having to physically pull up and tear out the carpet.
A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods for automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting from spaces without having to physically move or drag tools or machines about the carpet.
A third objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods for automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting from spaces that allows for an operator to be spaced away from and not in the same room as the carpet that is being removed.
A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods for automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting from spaces that does not require anchoring through the floor.
A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods for automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting from spaces that substantially reduces the time and labor to remove the carpeting.
A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods for automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting from spaces so that only one person is needed to remove carpeting in a timely manner from any size room.
A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods of automatically removing fixed down carpeting, such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting, with an inexpensive machine that is light enough to be carried and transported by a single operator.
Improvements
An eighth objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods of automatically removing fixed down carpeting, such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting, with a double clamp locking jaw that provides enhanced gripping strength on a carpet edge.
A ninth objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods of automatically removing fixed down carpeting, such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting, with a carpet grabbing floor plate that allows for the winch and motor and telescoping bars with clamp ends to be floor mounted.
A tenth objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus, devices, systems and methods of automatically removing fixed down carpeting, such as glued down carpeting and tacked down carpeting, with a wheeled carrying case that allows the devices and systems to be both portable and readily able to be rolled into and out of a space for carpet removal.
A novel automated carpet removing device, can include a motor powered winch having an elongated line rolled thereon, the line having an outer end, a carpet gripper attached to the outer end of the line adapted for gripping a raised edge of a carpet, and a doorway anchor for mounting the winch adjacent to a doorway of a room that the carpet is to be removed.
The doorway anchor can include telescoping bars having a first outer end and a second outer end. The anchor can include a first clamp attached to the first outer end that clamps about a first vertical frame member of a doorjamb, and a second outer clamp attached to the second outer end that clamps about a second vertical frame member of the doorjamb.
The first clamp and the second clamp can each include a telescoping member for allowing the first clamp and the second clamp to expand or contract about different widths of the doorjamb.
The first clamp and the second clamp can each include an elongated telescoping member for allowing the first clamp and the second clamp to expand or contract about different widths of the doorjamb, and mount the winch outside the room in which the carpet is being removed.
A remote control for operating the winch can be included so that an operator is adapted to be located outside the room in which the carpet is being removed.
The carpet edge gripper can include a carpet edge clamp having gripping teeth for locking about the raised edge of the carpet.
The doorway anchor can include members for mounting the winch directly inside of the doorway. The doorway anchor can include members for mounting the winch to be located outside to the doorway and outside of the room in which the carpet is being removed.
A novel method of automatically removing carpeting from a room, can include the steps of mounting a motor powered winch to doorjambs of a doorway of a room where carpeting is to be removed, attaching an outer end of an elongated line wrapped about the winch to a raised edge of carpeting spaced away from the winch, and operating the winch to retract the elongated line in order to start removal of the carpeting from the room.
The mounting step can include the step of clamping ends of a bar about each doorjamb. The method can include the step of telescopingly expanding or retracting the bar so at fit within the doorway.
The clamping step can include the steps of clamping a first end of the bar with a first width adjustable clamp about a first doorjamb, and clamping a second end of the bar with a second width adjustable clamp about a second doorjamb.
The mounting step can include the step of mounting the winch directly inside of the doorway of the room where the carpet is to be removed. The mounting step can include the step of mounting the winch to be located outside to the doorway and outside of the room in which the carpet is being removed.
Additional embodiments of the invention can use a carpet grabbing plate adapter having raised upper hooks, and a lower surface having carpet grabbing teeth. The adapter allows for the doorway mounted automatic device to be floor mounted. The clamp ends of the automated device can be locked into the upper hooks on the carpet grabbing plate, which is then secured to the carpet by the downwardly protruding teeth.
Still another embodiment can use double clamp jaws for securing edges of the carpeting having easy to operate handles so that a carpet edge can be more securely locked. The double jaws can include channels in the top pivotable jaws that pass between the raised teeth in the base.
Still another embodiment allows for carrying case that can easily store and be used to transport the automatic carpet removing device with or without the carpet gripping adapter plate and double jaws. The case can have handles to allow the entire case to be lifted and carried. Alternatively, the case, can have a wheel or wheels at one end that allows the case to be wheeled about similar to luggage having wheels.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.
Improvements
Double Clamp Lock Jaws
Carpet Grabbing Floor Plate Adapter
Carrying Case with Wheel(S)
Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
The components of the invention will now be described.
Improvements
Referring to
Attached to the support plate 60 can be telescoping bars 30. One bar 32 can be fixed to the support plate 60 between the motor 40 and winch 50. The fixed bar 32 can have a open female socket end 33 at one end. A second bar 36 can have a male protruding end 37 which can be telescopingly received within the female socket end 33 of the fixed bar 32. A tightening thumb type screw 38 can be attached to pass through the top of female socket end 33 of the fixed bar 32 in order to tighten against the upper surface of male protruding end 37 of the telescoping bar 36. Moving the male protruding end 37 of the telescoping bar 36 in and out of female socket end 33 of fixed bar 32 can adjust the length of the telescoping bars 30.
The opposite end of the fixed bar 32 can be attached to a fixed L-shaped arm 12 of a first doorjamb clamp 10. The fixed arm 12 can have an open end with a female socket 13, so that the male protruding end 15 of a moveable L-shaped side arm 14 can be inserted therein. A locking screw 18 can pass through the top of female socket end 13 to abut against the top of male protruding end 15 so that the width of the clamp 10 can be adjusted in size for different sized doorjambs.
The opposite end of the moveable bar 36 can be attached to a fixed L-shaped arm 22 of a second doorjamb clamp 20. The fixed arm 22 can have an open end with a female socket 23, so that the male protruding end 25 of a moveable L-shaped side arm 24 can be inserted therein. A locking screw 28 can pass through the top of female socket end 23 to abut against the top of male protruding end 25 so that the width of the clamp 20 can be adjusted in size for different sized doorjambs.
A remote control 70 can be tethered to the motor 40 so that an operator can turn on and off the winch from a remote location. Alternatively, the remote control can be battery operated, and be wireless for activating the motor for the winch.
Referring to
This version has the same components as the former carpet removing device, with the exception of adding an additional insert adapters 230, 240 so as to be able to space the support 60 with winch 50 and motor 40 outside of the doorway 80 and into a different space/room than which the carpet 300 is to be removed. Here, the male end 232 of the adapter 230 telescopingly is inserted into the female socket 23 of the fixed L-shaped arm 22. Next, the male protruding end 25 of the moveable L-shaped arm 26 is inserted into the female socket end 237 of the second fixed L-shaped arm 236. The screws 28 and 238 can adjust the lengths of the bar 234 so as to customize the amount of distance for placing the support 60 with winch 50 and motor 40 outside of the room where the carpet is to be removed. Likewise, the second adapter 240, has components 242, 244, 246, 247, 248 which function similarly with L-shaped arms 12 and 14.
The carpet gripping clamp can also be two parallel bars that can be bolted together with screws/bolts that can pass through a carpet edge that is inserted between the bars. One bar can move relative to another bar so as to tightly grip the carpet edge.
The doorway clamps can also be positioned in a window frame as needed.
The novel device can weigh between approximately 50 to approximately 60 pounds so as to be carriable and can be operated by a single operator. The prior art machines often require two or more operators to carry and operate, and can weigh over 150 pounds.
Although the invention is described as being used to remove carpeting, the invention can be adapted to remove other types of rolled down flooring, such as but not limited to rubber flooring, vinyl flooring, and the like.
While the winch is described as being electrically powered with a wall mounted power plug, the winch can be powered by other batteries, and the like. Alternatively, the winch can be powered by other sources, such as but not limited to gas and the like.
Although the invention is described for removing glued down carpeting, the invention has other applications such as but not limited to removing carpeting that is nailed down, and fastened in other ways to a floor surface.
Improvements
Double Clamp Lock Jaws
Referring to
Each upper jaw 530, 540 can pivot from a closed lock position as shown in
Each of the upper jaws 530, 540 can include respective raised front flanges 532, 542 that can function as a safety abutment for users.
Carpet Grabbing Floor Plate Adapter
Referring to
Referring to
Carrying Case with Wheel(S)
Referring to
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 12/688,279, filed on Jan. 15, 2010.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4332371 | Bell | Jun 1982 | A |
4533118 | Thomas | Aug 1985 | A |
4560146 | Thomas | Dec 1985 | A |
4906323 | Thomas | Mar 1990 | A |
5387308 | Heavrin | Feb 1995 | A |
5454899 | Glenn | Oct 1995 | A |
5456794 | Barrett | Oct 1995 | A |
5720844 | Hanson | Feb 1998 | A |
5909868 | Galella | Jun 1999 | A |
6004426 | Johnson | Dec 1999 | A |
7032886 | Kraft | Apr 2006 | B1 |
7097157 | Lodrick | Aug 2006 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 12688279 | Jan 2010 | US |
Child | 13021440 | US |