Multi-purpose Carpet Seam Joining Tool

Abstract

A tool is adapted to attach the ends of carpet onto a flat strip having protruding prongs to form a joining handle and having a spindle, a roller rotatably mounted on the spindle, and a hammer head integral with the yoke. The roller levels the carpet on the strip, forces the prongs through the backing of the carpet, and the hammer flattens the prongs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to multi-purpose tools, namely, carpet laying tools, and more particularly to a tool for attaching the ends of carpets to a strip having protruding prongs to form a joint between carpet pieces.

It is known, from the inventor's prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,538,536, to provide a flat elongated sheet metal strip having parallel rows of raised sharp prongs. The prongs are slanted inwardly, i.e., toward each other, for example, at a vertical inclination of 60.degree., to hold and join the ends of carpets. When the strip is laid on the floor, with the prongs penetrating the back of the carpet, the joined carpet may appear as a seamless web or with a tight seam.

At the present time an experienced carpet installer, when joining carpet by using the strips, would first lay down the strips on the floor. The strip may also have sharp prongs on its bottom side to penetrate and join the strip to an underlayment or to join underlayment pieces. He would then pull the end of one carpet over the rows of prongs pointing in one inward direction and partially secure the prongs in the carpet backing by pushing with his thumbs. He would then pull the other carpet end over the rows of prongs, pointing inward from the opposite direction, and partially secure the prongs in the backing by pushing with his thumbs. He would then hammer the prongs into the carpet by using a mallet or hammer.

This method depends upon the strength and dexterity of the worker laying the carpet. It is relatively tiring and time consuming, although even using such hand methods in laying the metal strip is preferable to the prior time-consuming and expensive method of sewing the carpet ends together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a tool which enables the carpet layer to join carpet ends using the strips described above. The tool is convenient to carry and use and enables the joining of the carpet to be accomplished with relatively less fatigue and at a faster pace.

The tool includes a handle which is adapted to be grasped in the hand. A yoke attached at the end of the handle rotatably carries a cylinder. The carpet layer places the bottom of each end to be joined over a row of prongs and rolls over the top of the carpet. Such rolling action replaces the use of the thumb to partially secure the prongs in the backing. After both ends have been partially secured on the strip, the worker locks up the cylinder using a brake mechanism and pounds down the carpet using a broad-faced hammer which preferably is integral with the yoke.

It is the objective of the present invention to provide a tool for the joining of carpet ends, which tool will make the joining of carpet to strips less fatiguing and faster, resulting in less cost in the joining process and greater efficiency of man power.

It is a further objective to provide a multi-purpose tool for such purpose, which tool is convenient to carry and utilize and which performs all the required functions of securing the carpet to the strips.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of the tool of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tool of FIG. 1, showing the cylinder and its brake means; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the tool of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing an alternative brake means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the multi-purpose tool of the present invention includes a handle 10, preferably about 6 inches long, which is adapted to be gripped by the user. A yoke 11 is attached to the end of the hammer 16. Preferably the yoke 11 is of cast or machined metal. The yoke 11 has two arms 12 and 13 across which is spanned a shaft 14.

A cylindrical roller 15 has a central bore through which shaft 14 loosely fits, so that the roller freely rotates on the shaft 14. Preferably the roller is round in cross-section and all of its cross-sections are of equal diameter. A suitable dimension of roller 15 is 2 inches in diameter and 2 inches in width. The roller may be of wood, metal, or a suitable plastic resin.

A hammer head (mallet) 16 is attached to, or integral with, the yoke. Preferably the hammer head 16 is formed, for example, by casting, integrally with the yoke 11. The hammer is of sufficient weight to pound the sharp prong on a metal strip. For example, the striking head of hammer head 16 may be 2 inches square. The hammer head 16 has raised parallel rows 17.

A locking means selectly prevents rotation of the roller 15. A suitable locking (braking) means, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, consists of a rubber shoe member 18 having a concave rubber face 19 adapted to fit the exterior face of roller 15. The shoe member 18 is slidably fitted to handle 10 so that it may be moved forward (parallel to the axis of the handle and toward the hammer end) or backwards. For example, a shoulder of the shoe member 18 may fit in a channel 20. An alternative locking means is shown in FIG. 3.

A pin 21 is slidably fitted to handle 10. It rides, with sufficient friction to retain it in place, within tube 22 attached to the handle. The end of pin 21 fits in a hole 23 in the wall of roller 15.

Modifications may be made in the preferred embodiment within the scope of the subjoined claims. For example, the locking means may be connected to the yoke instead of to the handle.

Claims

I claim:

1. A multi-purpose tool for the joining of carpet pieces to a strip having protruding prongs, the tool comprising a handle adapted to be gripped by the hand, a yoke connected to the handle and carrying a shaft, a cylindrical roller having a central bore within which said shaft is positioned to mount said roller for free rotation, said roller rolling over the top of the carpet pieces to cause said prongs to piece the carpet backing, a hammer head connected to said yoke, said hammer head being used to hammer said prongs toward the horizontal, and lock means which is movable to lock said roller against rotation or to unlock said roller and permit its rotation.

2. A tool as in claim 1 wherein said lock means consists of a channel fixed to said handle and a rubber shoe slidably mounted in said channel and having a concave face which matches the face of said roller.

3. A tool as in claim 1 wherein said lock means consists of a tube attached to said handle, a pin which is slidably positioned within said tube, and a hole within said roller into which an end of said pin may be removably positioned.

4. A tool as in claim 1 wherein said roller is round in cross-section and all of its cross-sections are of the same diameter.

5. A tool as in claim 1 wherein the yoke and hammer head are formed as an integral metal member.

6. A tool as in claim 5 wherein the hammering surface of said hammer head has parallel rows of protrusions.