GB2040823A - Apparatus for use in decorating - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for applying sheet material to a surface (for example paper to a ceiling). The apparatus having a series of steps (7) and a frame (1) supporting a pair of rollers (11, 18) and a trough (23) for holding the sheet material. The roller (11) is pivotally attached to side members (2,3) of the frame (1) by a pair of arms (12,13). Springs (16,17) resiliently bias the roller (11) into contact with the surface. The apparatus is provided with hand rails for safety and casters (10,10a) for ease of movement. In use the sheet material co-operates with the roller (18) which supports the weight of the paper and supported against the surface by the roller (11). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for use in decorating The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in decorating.

Applying wallpaper can be a time consuming and difficult operation, particularly when the surface to which the wallpaper is being applied is a ceiling.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus to facilitate the application of a sheet material, such as wallpaper, to a surface.

Accordingly the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a frame having a series of steps attached to the lower portion thereof, a trough for carrying sheet material and at least one roller attached directly or indirectly to the upper portion thereof, said at least one roller being capable, in use, of supporting the sheet material against a surface.

In a preferred embodiment a pair of spaced apart rollers are attached to the upper portion of the frame, at least one of the rollers supporting the sheet material against a surface. Conveniently one of the rollers is pivotably attached to the frame.

Handles may be provided on the frame and wheels may be provided at the foot of the frame so that the apparatus can be moved easily.

The apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful for applying wallpaper to a ceiling.

Therefore, it is preferred that the frame be extendable so that the apparatus can be used in rooms of different ceiling heights.

When the apparatus of the invention is to be used for applying sheet material to ceilings above stairs, the frame may be supported by an additional support member which attaches to the foot of the frame and which is preferably angled away from the frame for rigidity.

The present invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an apparatus according to the present invention; and Figure la shows an additional support member for use with the apparatus of Figure 1.

The apparatus of Figure 1 comprises a tubular frame 1, having side members 2,3 and cross members 4,5 for strength. The frame 1 has a step supporting frame 6,6a attached to the lower portion thereof, the frame 6,6a having steps 7 fixed thereon.

The step supporting frame 6,6a has a bar 8 fixed to 6 and 6a to provide strength.

The frame 1 may be made up of connectable tubular sections, whose side members are constructed telescopically so that the height of the frame may be increased.

Alternatively additional sections may be added to increase the height of the frame.

The tubular frame preferably of cylindrical configuration comprises interconnecting sections one section having a reduced diameter portion which fits within the tube of the mating section. The telescopically adjustable side members comprise a first tube which is slidably received within a second tube. The first tube forming the lower fixed portions of the frame and the second tube, forming the upper extendable portion of the frame. A locking collar carried by the first tube engages with the end of the second tube and may be locked in the desired positions to give the required height of the apparatus.

The frame 1 has hand rails 9, 9a, which extend between the upright side members 2,3, at approxi matelythe midpoint and thefront uprights 21,21a of the step supporting frame 6,6a. Wheels 10,10a are pivotally mounted on the step surrounding frame 6,6a. Preferably a safety rail 24 (shown dotted) is provided between the side members 2,3 to prevent a user from walking off the top of the steps.

Afirst roller 11 is mounted on arms 12,13 which are pivotally attached to the frame 1 at 14,15.

Springs 16,17 are connected to the arms 12,13 and side members 2,3 respectively, and these springs bias the arms 12,13 carrying the first roller 11 (in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure 1) towards a second roller 18, and thus in use this first roller presses the sheet material against the surface.

The second roller 18 is mounted on rods 19,20 which slot into the top of the side members 2,3 respectively. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the second roller is arranged to be spaced slightly away from the ceiling and acts merely to support the paper before it is applied against the surface. Optionally springs 21,22 may be provided to support the second roller 18 above the frame 1.

In the preferred embodiment the external surface of the rollers 11 and 18 is resilient and conveniently is a foam plastics. Each roller is cylindrical and has a coaxial centre bore into which is received a spindle, the roller rotating on the spindle. In the case of the first roller 11 the spindle is attached at its respective ends to the arms 12,13. The spindle for the second roller 18 is attached to the side members 2,3 orto rods 19,20 which are an extension thereof.

In a modification, (not illustrated) the spindle extends outwardly of one or both of the rods 12,13 and carries additional roller parts constructed of a resilient material. A flange secured to each end of the spindle retains the roller part on the spindle.

Since the frame is wider than the rollers 11 and 18 the additional roller parts may be required when for example it is required to apply paper adjacent to the ceiling perimeter. Both the rollers 11 and 18 may be provided with the extended spindle and the additional roller parts.

A trough 23 is fixed to the side members 2,3 near the top thereof.

In use, a roll ofwallpaper is placed in the trough and is passed over the rollers 11 and 18. The frame is then adjusted to a height such that the wallpaper is held against the surface to be covered by the first roller. Paste is applied to the wallpaper prior to folding and placing in the trough, the apparatus is positioned and then moved in the desired direction so that the roll of wallpaper unrolls passing over the second rollerwhich supports the weight of the paper and being pressed against the surface by the first roller.

Prior to moving the apparatus the operator may conveniently apply the first foot or so of the sheet material to the ceiling whilst standing on the steps of the apparatus. Then dismounting, the apparatus may be moved in the desired direction to unfold the paper. The provision of wheels in the form of casters enables the apparatus to be manoeuvred accurately into the required position and the spring loaded pivotally mounted roller applies the sheet material to the ceiling with a substantially uniform force. The uniform tension set up in the sheet material also assists in ensuring that the apparatus travels in the desired direction.

In the case of ready pasted wallpapers, they can be soaked in water before placing in the trough and then applied to the surface as above.

In an alternative embodiment the second roller 18 is adjusted in height so that it contacts the surface against which the sheet material is to be supported, and a pair of springs are provided which bias the second roller into contact with the surface. The springs serve to accommodate any discrepancy in the height of the surface.

When the surface to be covered is a ceiling above stairs, the additional support member 100 shown in Figure la may be attached to the frame 1 at the base thereof. The support member 100 may fit directly into the tubular side members of the frame or additional sockets may be provided on the frame (not shown). The support member has feet 101, 102 whose height may be adjusted. In use, the frame 1 sits on one step and the support member 100 will sit on a step of three or four steps below.

The apparatus of the present invention is also particularly advantageous for use with long strips of wallpaper.

Advantageously the frame work may be constructed such that the dimension 'w' is equal to the dimension 'd'. This enables the side members 2,3 to be connected to the upright 21,21a. The apparatus may be used to support sheet material to be applied to a substantially vertical surface. It may be particularly advantageous in this instance if the trough is capable of being attached to the side members at different positions. The trough may be used to support the sheet material in order to avoid stretching. Conveniently the roller 11 may be arranged to support the sheet material against the surface.

Claims (16)

1. An apparatus comprising a frame having a series of steps attached to the lower portion thereof, a trough for carrying sheet material and at least one roller connected directly or indirectly to the upper portion thereof, said at least one roller being capable, in use, of supporting a sheet material against a surface.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the frame comprises a step supporting frame carrying the series of steps and a pair of side members spaced apart and extending upwardly from the step supporting frame, the side members and the step supporting frame being secured together, and the side members being interconnected by the trough.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which one roller is carried by a pair of arms which are pivotally secured to the frame.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 in which the roller is resiliently biased into contact with the surface.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which a spring taking its abutment at one end on the side member of the frame and at its other end on the arm carrying the roller resiliently biases the roller.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a second roller capable of cooperating with the sheet material is attached either directly or by a pair of connecting rods, to the frame at the upper portion thereof.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which a spring acts between the frame and the connecting rods to resiliently bias the second roller into contact with the surface.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the roller or rollers are received rotatably on a spindle which is secured to the pair of arms, the pair of rods or the pair of side members.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the external cylindrical surface of the roller or rollers is resilient.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a pair of wheels are pivotally secured to the lower portion of the frame to facilitate movement of the apparatus.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a hand rail is secured to the side member of the frame.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which an additional supporting member in the form of a pair of cross-braced legs is secured to the lower portion of the frame and to facilitate use of the apparatus on stairs.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the frame is adjustable in height.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the frame is telescopically adjustable and locking means are provided to fix the frame at the desired height.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the series of steps the upper portion of the frame, the roller or rollers and the trough are releasably interconnected.

16. An apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.