U.S. patent application number 11/154644 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for carpet installation device for doorjambs.
Invention is credited to Terry A. Speck, Kenneth D. Wagster.
Application Number | 20060282981 11/154644 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37571889 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060282981 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Speck; Terry A. ; et
al. |
December 21, 2006 |
Carpet installation device for doorjambs
Abstract
The invention is directed to a carpet installation device for
attaching carpeting to a floor surface along the peripheral edges
of a doorjamb. The carpet installation device includes an elongated
strip having top and bottom surfaces. The strip includes first and
second outer wing sections, and a middle portion located between
the first and second wing sections. The middle portion has first
and second opposite ends, wherein the first and second opposite
ends of the middle portion are respectively joined to the first and
second wing sections. The middle portion and the first and second
outer wing sections respectively define first and second inner
angles. The strip is configured for positioning generally adjacent
the peripheral edges of a doorjamb and further includes means for
securing a section of carpet to the top surface of the strip, and
means for fastening the strip to a floor surface.
Inventors: |
Speck; Terry A.; (Myrtle
Beach, SC) ; Wagster; Kenneth D.; (Goose Creek,
SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD AND EISENBERG, PLLC
2121 Eisenhower Ave
Suite 200
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
37571889 |
Appl. No.: |
11/154644 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
16/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 27/0462 20130101;
Y10T 16/131 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
016/016 |
International
Class: |
A47G 27/04 20060101
A47G027/04 |
Claims
1. A carpet installation device for attaching carpeting to a floor
surface along the peripheral edges of a doorjamb, said device
comprising: an elongated strip, said strip having top and bottom
surfaces, said strip comprising first and second outer wing
sections, and a middle portion located between said first and
second wing sections, said middle portion having first and second
opposite ends, wherein said first and second opposite ends of said
middle portion are respectively joined to said first and second
wing sections, wherein said middle portion and said first and
second outer wing sections respectively define first and second
inner angles, and wherein said strip is configured for positioning
generally adjacent the peripheral edges of a doorjamb; means for
securing a section of carpet to said top surface of-said strip; and
means for fastening said strip to a floor surface.
2. The carpet installation device according to claim 1, wherein
each of said first and second inner angles are in the range between
about 90.degree. and about 150.degree..
3. The carpet installation device according to claim 1, wherein
each of said first and second inner angles have similar magnitude
values selected from the group consisting of: 95.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 100.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 105.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 110.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 115.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 120.degree. (+4.degree.), 125.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 130.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 135.degree.
(+4.degree.), 140.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 145.degree.
(+4.degree.), and 150.degree. (.+-.4.degree.).
4. The carpet installation device according to claim 1, wherein
each of said first and second inner angles have dissimilar
magnitude values selected from the group consisting of: 95.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 100.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 105.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 110.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 115.degree.
(.+-.4.degree. ), 120.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 125.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 130.degree. (.+-.4.degree. ), 135.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 140.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 145.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), and 150.degree. (.+-.4.degree.).
5. The carpet installation device according to claim 1, wherein
each of said first and second inner angles are approximately equal
in magnitude and are in the range between about 90.degree. and
about 150.degree..
6. The carpet installation device according to claim 1, wherein
said first and second inner angles are dissimilar in magnitude and
are in the range between about 90.degree. and about
150.degree..
7. The carpet installation device according to claim 1, wherein
said strip is made of a material selected from the group consisting
of wood, plywood, plastic, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyester,
polyether, polyureas, polystyrene, and any combination thereof.
8. The carpet installation device according to claim 1, wherein:
said means for securing a section of carpet to said top surface of
said strip is selected from the group consisting of: a plurality of
tack elements received in and protruding from said top surface of
said strip, and adhesive, and said means for fastening said strip
to a floor surface is selected from the group consisting of
adhesive attached to the bottom surface of said strip, and a
plurality of nail elements received in said top surface of said
strip and capable of being hammered through said strip to protrude
from said bottom surface to enable said strip to adhere to a floor
surface.
9. The carpet installation device according to claim 8, wherein
said plurality of tack elements and said plurality of nail elements
are spaced at predetermined positions along said wing sections and
said middle portion of said strip.
10. The carpet installation device according to claim 8, wherein
said plurality of tack elements protrude from said top surface at
an angle in the range between about 15.degree. and about
80.degree..
11. The carpet installation device according to claim 8, wherein
said plurality of tack elements protrude from said top surface at
an angle of about 30.degree..
12. The carpet installation device according to claim 8, wherein
said plurality of tack elements protrude from said top surface at
an angle of about 45.degree..
13. A carpet installation device for attaching carpeting to a floor
surface along the peripheral edges of a doorjamb, said device
comprising: an elongated strip, said strip having top and bottom
surfaces, said strip comprising first and second outer wing
sections, and a middle portion located between said first and
second wing sections, said middle portion having first and second
opposite ends, wherein said first and second opposite ends of said
middle portion are respectively joined to said first and second
wing sections, wherein said middle portion and said first and
second outer wing sections respectively define first and second
inner angles, said first and second inner angles are in the range
between about 95.degree. and about 150.degree., and wherein said
strip is configured for positioning generally adjacent the
peripheral edges of a doorjamb; means for securing a section of
carpet to said top surface of said strip; and means for fastening
said strip to a floor surface.
14. A carpet installation device for attaching carpeting to a floor
surface along the peripheral edges of a doorjamb, said device
comprising: an elongated strip, said strip having top and bottom
surfaces, said strip comprising first and second outer wing
sections, and a middle portion located between said first and
second wing sections, said middle portion having first and second
opposite ends, wherein said first and second opposite ends of said
middle portion are respectively joined to said first and second
wing sections, wherein said middle portion and said first and
second outer wing sections respectively define first and second
inner angles, each of said first and second inner angles are in the
range between about 95.degree. and about 130.degree., and wherein
said strip is configured for positioning generally adjacent the
peripheral edges of a doorjamb; a plurality of tack elements
received in and protruding from said top surface of said strip; and
a plurality of nail elements received in said top surface of said
strip and capable of being hammered through said strip to protrude
from said bottom surface to enable said strip to adhere to a floor
surface.
15. The carpet installation device according to claim 14, wherein
each of said first and second inner angles are in the range between
about 100.degree.and about 120.degree..
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates generally to carpet installation
devices. More specifically, this invention relates to a carpet
installation device for attaching carpeting to a floor surface
along the peripheral edges of a doorjamb.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Fitting carpets is a time consuming exercise. While
homeowners do not usually have to account for time spent fitting a
carpet, the same is not true for professional carpet fitters and
carpet fitting businesses. Put another way, for professional carpet
fitting staff, there is an ever present need to lay carpets more
efficiently. For example, carpet fitters typically cut pieces from
a single long piece of tack-strip and fit the individually cut
pieces around the doorjamb, which is a time-consuming exercise and
is wasteful because some pieces are often not used. Thus, fitting
carpets around doorjambs, i.e., door frames, presents a particular
problem. A need exists for an efficient means of fitting a carpet
around a doorjamb.
[0005] The Applicant is unaware of inventions or patents, taken
either singly or in combination, which are seen to describe the
instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention is directed to a carpet installation device
for attaching carpeting to a floor surface along the peripheral
edges of a doorjamb. The carpet installation device includes an
elongated strip having top and bottom surfaces. The strip includes
first and second outer wing sections, and a middle portion located
between the first and second wing sections. The middle portion has
first and second opposite ends, wherein the first and second
opposite ends of the middle portion are respectively joined to the
first and second wing sections. The middle portion and the first
and second outer wing sections respectively define first and second
inner angles. The strip is configured for positioning generally
adjacent the peripheral edges of a doorjamb and further includes
means for securing a section of carpet to the top surface of the
strip, and means for fastening the strip to a floor surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a carpet
installation device, according to the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carpet installation
device of FIG. 1 with the bottom surface thereof shown in
outline.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carpet installation
device of FIG. 1 fitted around an oversized doorjamb.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top view of the of the carpet installation
device of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a top view of the carpet installation device of
FIG. 1 fitted around an oversized doorjamb.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a partial view of the carpet installation device
of FIG. 1 showing trigonometric features thereof.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the carpet installation device
according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the carpet installation device
according to the present invention.
[0015] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] This invention is directed to carpet installation devices.
More specifically, this invention is a carpet installation device
for attaching carpeting to a floor surface along the peripheral
edges of a doorjamb.
[0017] The carpet installation device of the present invention is
indicated generally by the numeral 100.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a perspective environmental of a carpet
installation device 100, according to the invention. The carpet
installation device 100 has been placed on a floor surface 120
around a doorjamb 140. The carpet installation device 100 comprises
an elongated strip 160. The elongated strip 160 has top and bottom
surfaces 180 and 200, respectively. The elongated strip is
configured for positioning generally adjacent the peripheral edges
of a doorjamb 140.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the elongated strip 160
comprises first wing section 220 and second 240 outer wing
sections, and a middle portion 260 located between the first and
second wing sections 220 and 240. The middle portion 260 has first
and second opposite ends 280 and 300. The first 280 and second 300
opposite ends are respectively joined to the first 220 and second
240 wing sections. The middle portion 260 and the first 220 and
second 240 outer wing sections respectively define first
.alpha..sub.1 and second .alpha..sub.2 inner angles (see FIG.
5).
[0020] It should be understood that the construction of the strip
160 can vary without detracting from the spirit of the present
invention as defined in the claims section attached hereto. For
example, the strip 160 may be continuous, i.e., the middle wing
sections 220 and 240 are permanently attached to the opposite ends
280 and 300 of middle portion 260. Alternatively, the first 220 and
second 240 wing sections may be attached separately to the middle
portion 260.
[0021] A plurality of tack elements 360 protrudes from the top
surface 180 of the elongated strip 160, i.e., the plurality of tack
elements 360 are positioned or received in the top surface 180 such
that tack elements 360 have exposed sharp tapered ends for gripping
to the underside of, for example, a carpet (not shown). The tack
elements 360 can be tilted such that the tack elements 360 are
tilted inwards such that when the carpet installation device 100 is
fitted around a doorjamb 140, the tack elements 160 tilt towards
the doorjamb 140 (see, e.g., FIG. 1). The tack elements 360 can
also be used to grip the underside of carpet underlay.
[0022] A plurality of nail elements 380 are positioned or received
in the top surface 180 of strip 160 and capable of being hammered
through strip 160 and protrude from bottom surface 200 to enable
the strip 160 to adhere to floor surface 120.
[0023] Each of the first .alpha..sub.1 and second .alpha..sub.2
inner angles can independently vary (i.e., can have similar or
dissimilar angles) in the range between about 90.degree. and about
150.degree. or in the range between about 95.degree. and about
130.degree. or in the range between about 100.degree. and about
120.degree.. For example, both the .alpha..sub.1 and second
.alpha..sub.2 inner angles could both have similar magnitude values
selected from the group consisting of: 90.degree. (.+-.4.degree.),
95.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 100.degree. (.+-.4.degree.),
105.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 110.degree. (.+-.4.degree.),
115.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 120.degree.(.+-.4.degree.),
125.degree.(.+-.4.degree.), 130.degree.(.+-.4.degree.),
135.degree.(.+-.4.degree.), 140.degree. (.+-.4.degree.),
145.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), and 150.degree. (.+-.4.degree.). The
.alpha..sub.1 and .alpha..sub.2 inner angles can have similar
magnitudes; for example, .alpha..sub.1 and X2 could both have
dissimilar magnitude values selected from the group consisting of:
90.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 95.degree. (.+-.4.degree.),
100.degree.(.+-.4.degree.), 105.degree. (.+-.4.degree.),
110.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 115.degree. (.+-.4.degree.),
120.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 125.degree. (.+-.4.degree.),
130.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 135.degree. (.+-.4.degree.),
140.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 145.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), and
150.degree. (.+-.4.degree.).
[0024] For example, each of the first .alpha..sub.1 and second
.alpha..sub.2 inner angles can independently vary (i.e., can have
similar or dissimilar angles) in the range between about 95.degree.
and about 150.degree.. For example, both the .alpha..sub.1 and
second .alpha..sub.2 inner angles could both have similar magnitude
values selected from the group consisting of: 95.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 100.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 105.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 110.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 115.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 120.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 125.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 130.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 135.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 140.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 145.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), and 150.degree. (.+-.4.degree.). The .alpha..sub.1
and .alpha..sub.2 inner angles can have similar magnitudes; for
example, .alpha..sub.1 and .alpha..sub.2 could both have dissimilar
magnitude values selected from the group consisting of: 95.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 100.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 105.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 110.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 115.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 120.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 125.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 130.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 135.degree.
(.+-.4.degree.), 140.degree. (.+-.4.degree.), 145.degree.
(+4.degree.), and 150.degree. (.+-.4.degree.).
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, the first and second inner
angles .alpha..sub.1 and .alpha..sub.2 are separated by distance
d.sub.1 (see FIG. 5). When each of the first .alpha..sub.1 and
second .alpha..sub.2 inner angles are between about 95.degree. and
150.degree., the device 100 can be fitted around a wider than
expected doorjamb 140' (see FIG. 3), i.e., around a doorjamb 140'
with a width w (see FIG. 5), where w is greater than d.sub.1. For
example, when .alpha..sub.1 and .alpha..sub.2 are approximately
equal in magnitude and in the range between about 95.degree. and
about 135.degree., the doorjamb 140' can have a width w (see FIG.
5) based on virtual triangle ABC (see FIG. 6) of about:
w=d.sub.i+((0.5)tan .alpha..sub.3*AB)
[0026] where, .alpha..sub.3 is angle .angle.ABC, wherein
.alpha..sub.3=(.alpha..sub.2-90.degree.) where, AB is adjacent to
angle .alpha..sub.3 or w=d.sub.i+(0.5) (BC.sup.2-AB.sup.2)
[0027] where, BC is the distance between B and C, i.e., the
hypotenuse of triangle ABC, and
[0028] where, AB is the distance between A and B.
[0029] When inner angles .alpha..sub.1 and .alpha..sub.2 are
greater than 90.degree., for example, between about 100.degree. to
about 115.degree. , can be fitted around a doorjamb 140' with a
width w greater than d.sub.1 such that the strip 160 would not be
able to wrap around the doorjamb 140' with inner angles of
90.degree. or less.
[0030] The carpet installation device 100 can be made of any
suitable material such as a material selected from the group
consisting of: wood, plywood, plastic, polyurethane, polyethylene,
polyester, polyether, polyureas, polystyrene, and any combination
thereof.
[0031] The carpet installation device 100 can be attached to a
section of carpet using the plurality of tack elements 360 received
in and protruding from the top surface 180 of the strip 160.
Alternatively, any suitable adhesive can be applied to the top
surface 180 for gripping the undersurface of a section of carpet in
close proximity to a doorjamb 140. In addition, a combination of
adhesive or tack elements 360 can be used to attach the strip 160
to a section of carpet.
[0032] The device 100 can be attached to the floor surface 120
using any suitable adhesive to attach the bottom surface 200 of the
strip 160 to floor 120. Alternatively, a plurality of nail elements
380 received in the top surface 180 of strip 160 and capable of
being hammered through the strip 160 to protrude from the bottom
surface 200 to enable the strip 160 to adhere to a floor surface
120. The tack 360 and nail 380 elements can be spaced at
predetermined positions.
[0033] The tack elements 360 can protrude vertically upwards at a
perpendicular angle (i.e., at 90.degree. ) with respect to top
surface 180. Alternatively, the tack elements 360 can protrude
individually at any predetermined angle between about 15.degree.
and about 80.degree. or between about 15.degree. and about
80.degree. with respect to the top surface 180. The tack elements
360 can also protrude at predetermined angles such as 30.degree. or
about 45.degree..
[0034] FIGS. 7 and 8 are bottom views of the carpet installation
device 100. While the dimensions of the carpet installation device
100 can vary, in a preferred embodiment the approximate dimensions
are as shown in TABLE 1 below. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 (refer to
FIG. 8) (Non-limiting examples of dimensions) Approximate range of
Non-limiting example Side lengths in inches lengths in inches a 2
to 31/4 27/8 a' 2 to 31/4 27/8 b 3/4 to 11/2 1 b' 3/4 to 11/2 1 c
31/2 to 5 4 3/16 c' 31/2 to 5 4 3/16 d 11/4 to 21/4 17/8 d' 11/4 to
21/4 17/8 e 11/4 to 21/4 13/4 e' 11/4 to 21/4 13/4 f 1/4 to 5/8 3/8
f' 1/4 to 5/8 3/8 g 2 to 31/4 23/4 g' 2 to 31/4 23/4
[0035] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *