GB2348123A - Carpet protector - Google Patents

Abstract

The carpet protector body (1) contains strong downward pointing steel spikes/nails (2) that will pierce carpet backing (hessian) and underlay if used. Once several protectors have been placed, heavy furniture can then be centrally located on their top conical faces.

Description

CARPET PROTECTOR This invention relates to a carpet protector that is an individual item designed to support a load within or above the Carpet pile. These carpet protectors can be placed or removed to any new position as and when required.

The'dish'carpet protector has been in existence for many years but fails to give full protection against permanent localise flattening of carpet pile and underlay. More recent carpet dishes made from plastic have shallow integral cones pointing downwards on their undersides. These plastic cones are shallow and can only prevent slippage from a set position therefore offer little protection against permanent carpet pile/underlay deformation.

To overcome the problem of carpet damage, a robust dish has been designed with imbedded steel nails/spikes that point downwards from the underside. These nails/spikes are of sufficient length and sharpness to penetrate the carpet backing and underlay where load is transmitted onto the concrete or floorboards below. This leaves the pile free standing and undamaged. If the protector is then removed after a period of time, the hessian backing and carpet pile merely move back into their natural position.

Figure 1. Shows a side section of the carpet protector.

Figure 2. Shows a plan view of the carpet protector.

Figure 3. Shows the underside of the carpet protector.

Figure 4. Shows the carpet protector-carrying load through the carpet and underlay onto the floor.

Figure 1 shows how the nails/spikes 2 are imbedded in the carpet protector 1 with their heads displacing transmitted loads. The top profile seen here is designed to encourage central seating of the object to be carried.

Figure 2 shows the topside of the carpet protector 1 where the wheel or foot of the object will be placed.

Figure 3 shows the underside of the carpet protector 1 with layout of nails/spikes 2.

Figure 4 is a side view of the carpet protector 1 fully penetrating the carpet 5 and underlay 6 via nails/spikes 2. The load acting on the protector 1 in this case is indicated by an armchair wheel 4.

These carpet protectors are best used in any carpeted residence under furniture that is heavy and likely to be moved from time to time. Typical items that would cause permanent damage even in the short term are; beds, sofas, armchairs, dining tables and bureau's.

Claims (6)

CLAIM A carpet protector comprises of a body with projecting nail/spikes on the underside.

1. These embedded nails/spikes as claimed in claim 1 have points of sufficient sharpness to pierce the carpet backing and underlay to then touch the floor.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A carpet protector that comprises of a body that contains nine embedded nails/spikes that project from the underside. These nails/spikes are of sufficient sharpness and toughness to pierce carpet backing (hessian) and secondly, underlay before transferring load to the floor.

2. A carpet protector, as claimed in claim 1, that when moulded from tough plastic, encapsulates the nails and their heads within the body at manufacture.

3. A carpet protector, as claimed in claim 1, that only requires eight circumferential equi-spaced nails/spikes plus one centrally placed as an additional support. Fewer nails/spikes for less frictional penetration.

4. A carpet protector, as claimed in claim 1, that has a conical shaped top face that centralises the transmitting load and prevents side drift and tipping.

5. A carpet protector substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A carpet protector substantially, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.