US1791355A

US1791355A - Rug displaying and removing mechanism

Info

Publication number: US1791355A
Application number: US361216A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank P Gracey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1929-05-07
Filing date: 1929-05-07
Publication date: 1931-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 1948-02-03

Description

Feb. 3, 1931. F. P. GRAQEY RUG DISPLAYING AND REMOVING MECHANISM '7 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 7, 1929 Harz/Tel? *010% ATREY.`

F. F. GRACEY RUG DISPLAYING AND REMOVING' MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 N VEN TOR. Z'awie l? @Wwe/ff,

Filed May 7. 1929 A TTORNEY.

. F. P. GRACEY v RUGDISPLAYING AND REMOVING MECHANISM Feb. 3, 193i Filed may 7, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. @am/7e E dmzcey,

-AToRA/EY.

Feb. 3, 193.1. F. P. GRACEY @l-@39355 RUG DISPLAYING AND REMOVING MECHNISP n 30 E@ Z3 Z5 ,fj INVENTOR.

@i i7 By eb. 3, WSE. I F. i=A GRACEY 1,79L35-'3 RUG DISPLAYING AND REMOVING MECHANISM Filed May 7, 1929 7 sheets-sheet e INV EN TOR.

EL; F, p @RAQEY jgg) RUG DISPLAYING AND REMOVING rfzECHANISM Filed May 7, 1929 TShees-Sheet '7 Patented Feb. 3, 1,9131

FRANK P. GRACEY, OF AUGUSTA, GEORGIA RUG DSPLAYNG- AND REIJIOVING MEGHANISM Application filed May 7, 1929.

This invention relates to a rug displaying and removing mechanism and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hercinafter set forth, a convenient and expeditious Aieans for displaying each rug of a pile of rugs and for selectively removing the rugs from the pile.

further object of the invention is to 1provide a device for the purpose aforesaid where- Y by the physical eiiort ordinarily necessary to display a pile of rugs is largely eliminated, thereby making it possible for saleswomen to display rugs with substantially the same degree of ease and efficacy as salesmen.

ifi further object of the invention is to eliminate the likelihood of a pile of rugs becoming disarranged by the frequent handling theren thereby preventing the pile from becomng unsightly and unworlrable and maintainthe rugs in a neat and orderly arrangement.

A furtler object of the invention is 'to facilitate he removal of a selected rug from a pile without disarranging the remaining rugs and without the expenditure of any apn 1 preciable amount oi physical eflort.

il further object of the invention is to eirable a pile of rugs to be displayed in a relatively short period of time, thereby conserv- 4 the time of t customer and salesman and g possible a greater number of sales in foregoing and other objects in view, il e ention consists of *he novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more particularly described, and as illustrated in the accompai v ing drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that such description and drawings are to be teken illustrative and that the invention ed to be limited only by the scopeof ciaims hereunto appended.

ln the accompanying drawings which like numerals employed to designate like parts throughout the same: A 'ure i is a top plan of a device in accordit-ri this invention. Yare 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Serial No. 361,216.

Figure 3 is a transverse section tierethrough.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the device showing the positions of the arms at the conipletion of the display of a pile of rugs.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through one of the forward arms.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through one of the rearward arms.

Figure 'Z is a fragmentary plan of a forward and rearward arm assembled on their common shaft.

Figure 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a forward arm extension and associated parts.

Figure l is perspective view of one of the movable lingers carried by each forward arm extension.

Figure ll is a perspective view of the other movable linger of each forward arm extension.

Figure l2 is a perspective view of a rearward arm extension and associated parts.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a movable inger carried by each rearward arm ei;- tension.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of a forward arm and extension thereA for.

vFigure l is a fragmentary top plan of the embodiment shown in Figure 9.

Figure i6 is a perspective view of one of thev rods which are secured to the forwarl ends of the rugs in the pile.

Figure i7 is a perspective view of one of the clamps for securing the rods in position.

Figure i8 is a sectional elevation showing the assembled relation of a rug, rod and clamp.

Figures i9, 20, 2l and 22 are diagrammatic views showing the various stages in the operation of removing a rug from the pile.

Figure 23 a fragmentary perspective view of one o the runners which are inserted l 'ln tion. The base 1 is preferably of a size to 3X the flange 2i' and terminates at its forward tend beyond the ends and aides of a 9 i: 12 rug; extremity in a nose 30. Slidably secured to when the latter is posi ned thereon. Sethe outer flange 3; ot the extension 18, by

cured to the :sides ot the .oase 1 and ezrteneing` upwardly therefrom is a of uprights 8 and 4L. Extending through the sides of the basic and through the npriclit-s 3 and #l is a shaft 5, upon the extreme o ler ends oit which ie fixedly mounted a pair ol forward tending arms 6 and 7. Rotatably mourn` ,1 the shaft between the. arms G and T and the sides of the base, is a pair of rearwardly extent iig arms 8 and 0. Connectino' the orward arm 6 wit1 the rearward arm o is, cable 10, which extenc-a; downwadly :trom the formircL arm G over a pulley7 11 secured to the base 17 thence upwardly nd earwardl\ 7 over a pulley 1Q secured to the upright 8, 'trom where the cable entende downwardlj,- and rearwardly to the rearward arm 8.

The for Jard arm 7 coinected with the rearward arm 9 in ff l l er by means of a cable ll! oun fie orward arm G and proie x n at an upward inclination. is an actnati lever 1' by means of which the forward and l arms may be swung in a vertical are tei .s each other due to the operation of the

cahlea

10 and 13.

The ara 6 is ot cylindrical Yto.rnaition and may he conveniently secured to the ahnt 5 by means ot a pin 14 extending); through the shaft and a collar 15 which terme a part ot the arm The arm G provided at it; t rward end with can 17 through which exlannion 18 which is ot I-bea tends an eX ci conthc flanges there-.oiE d struction wit, Sed vertically. Fixedly aecnrec o the inner end ot the exten-Sion 18 pieton 19, which i@ ot ball bearing M I.gement with the inner tace ot the cylindrical member (l.

n-cr as the torward arm G and provided with an extension 22 corresponding; to the extension 18.

on the aha'lt 5 by n'ieana ot a euitahl-`4 bearing' 28 and projecting from the rearward end ot the arm 8 is an extension which is normally forced in a rearward direction by means of a coiled aprire` disooaed within the cylindrical arm 8. The e: eneion 2li is ot I-beam conetruction and is poaitioned that the flanges thereof are diapoeed honaontally. The rearward arm 9 is ot the Same const wie tion as the arm 8 and is provided with an eX- tenrl'ion 2G correapondina to the extension 9A.

Slidably Secured to the inner llanfre 27 of the extension 18. bv means of a pair of clamps 28 is what will he termed an upper linger 2S), the forward portion of which projects above means o1 pair ot clamps 32, is what will be termed a lower linger 83 which is provided at its forward extremity with a nose 3%. The inner flange 2?' ia oi reatcr height than the outer 'flange 81 and the upper lace of the nose is projected above the upper tace of the flange 31 into horizontal alignment with the upper 'lace oi" the flange 27. The extension 2Q is provided with an upper linger 85 anl a lower linger 8S which correapond in every respect to the tingers 29 and 8.53 respectively.

'lfhe extension 24 of the rearward arm 8 l 5 its upper flange 87 projecting beyond the remaininggf portion oi the extension to provide stationary ripper linger 38. Slidably secured to the lower flange of the ateneion 2a, by means; of Suitable clamps 410, is a inger- 41, the outer portion 'of which counterpart ot the linger 88 when portion is projected from the end 'e 39. T he linger Ll1 is normally in projected relation with reapeet to the tange 39 by means of a coiled Spring 2. rl`he extension 2G of the rearward arm 9 provided vith Stationary and movable lingers corresponding to the lingers and 41.

The lower finger oi the efrenaion 18 is normal-ly maintained with ite outer end flush with 'tl e enter end ot the extension bv means of a. coiled spring 13, in wl poanion the nose 3% projects forwardly from the outer end ot the extension. rllhe lower inner of the eiteneion 22 is controlled by a iiprng which correeponcs to the spring' 53. The

r iii ger Q9 is normally ma 'i its forward end fir-.sh with the end of the extension 18 by means f 45 which secured as indicated at r iinger 29 and passes; around the forward ciu thereof over a pulley 4G mounted at the tf i ward end of the extension 187 and eaten-.la rearwardly beneath the ehait 5 between the collar 15 and bearing' 28. The cable l5 then passes; through an opening 8 into the rear ward arm 8 and is secured at its rear'wz rd end as indicated at 2li to the extension 2-lf of the rearward arm 8,

rEhe operation of the Springn 95 in normally forcing the extension Q11 in a rearward direction also controls the cahle 45 whereby the finger 29 is normally maintained in its torward position. A. Similar cable 47 connecte. the upper Vtinger et the extension 22 vith the extension 26 of the rearward arm 9. Connected with the upper finger 29 is a cable o which extends rearwardly and passes over iIO a pulley 49 on the upright 8 and is Secured to a handle member 50. Connected with the upper finger iS a cable 51 which extends rearwardly, thence transversely ot the hase and ie paased over a mlley 52 on the upright ICU 3 and is secured to the handle member 50. The handle member 50 operates in a vertically disposed slot 53 formed in the upright 3 and is adapted for selective engagement with a series of teeth 5e disposed on either side of the slot 53.

Connected with the lower finger 33 is a cable 55 which passes over a pulley 56 and through a keeper 57 secured to the upright member 3 and is secured to a ring 58 whereby the cable is prevented from becoming withdrawn through the keeper cable 59 is connected with the lower finger 36, which extends rearwardly, hence transversely of the base and passes over the pulley 56 and through the keeper 47 and is con nected with the ring 58. Connected with the movable finger l1 of the extension 2e; is a cable 60 which passes over a pulley 6l and through a keeper 62 on the upright member 3 and is secured to a ring 63 whereby the cable 60 is prevented from being withdrawn through the keeper 62. A similar cable 64.- is connected with the movable finger of the Yxtension 26 and passes forwardly, thence transversely of the base, over the pulley 6l and through the keeper 62 and is connected with the ring 63.

Connected with the extension 18 is a cable 65, the rearward end of which passes through 'an opening in the arm 6 and is connected to a pedal 66 which is pivotally mounted in any suitable manner adjacentthe upright member 3. A similar cable 67 is connected with the extension 22 and extends therefrom to the pedal 66.

Connected to each side of the base 1, adjacent the forward end thereof, is a guide 68 for a plurality of rods 69. Each rod 69 is adapted to be. detachably secured to a rug, adjacent the forward edve of the latter, by means of clamps 70. The opposing legs of each clamp 70 are provided with oppositely disposed arcs 71 and 72 for respectively seating the rod 69 and a portion of the rug which is pressed outwardly by the action of the rod. The rods are of a length to extend beyond the side edges of the rug and spaced from each end thereof, each rod is provided with a spacing washer 73, by means of which the rods are maintained in spaced relation.

Projecting inwardly from the inner face of each of the uprights 3 and t is a pair of spaced guide members 741-. Slidably extending through each pair of guides 74 is a bar 75, the lower portion of which is formed with teeth 76 to provide a rack. Meshing with the teeth 76 of each bar 75 is a gear 77 which is fiXedly secured on a shaft 78 extending transversely of the base 1. Adjacent the upright 3, a ratchet 7 9 is fixedly secured to the shaft 78 and disposed above the ratchet 79 is a horizontally disposed guide 80 which is supported by the upright 3. Operating within the guide 80 is a ratchet lever 81 to provide for the acif; similar tuation of the shaft 78 and gears 77 through the medium of the ratchet 79.

Projecting upwardly from the base 1, between the rearward end thereof and each bar 75, is a guide 82 through which a rack bar 83 slidably extends. Meshing with the teeth of each rack bar 83 is a gear 8l which is fixedly secured to a shaft 85 extending transversely of the base. ln alignment with the ratchet 79, longitudinally of the base, the

shaft 85 is provided with a. ratchet similar to the ratchet 79 and such ratchet is actuated by a ratchet lever 86 which extends upwardly through a. horizontally disposed guide 87 proj ecting` rearwardly from a guide 82.

Connecting the rack bars 75 is a cross bar 88 which entends across the pile of rugs in contact with the uppermost rug of such pile. Between the cross bar 88 and the upper ends of the rack bars 75, the latter are connected y means of a cross bar 89. The cross bars 88 and 89 are adapted for adjustment longitudinally of the rack bars 75, as by means of a series of spaced openings 90 extending through the rack bars 75. Adapted for suspension from the upper cross bar 89, by means of their hook-like upper ends, is a plurality of hook members 91.

In the operation of my device, a pile of rugs 2 is positioned on the base 1 and the cross bar 88 is adjusted longitudinally of the raclr bars 75 to bear against the upper face of the uppermost rug` of the pile 2. Cne of the rods 69 is se ured to the `forward end of each rug in the pile, by means of clamps 7 0 and the ends of the rods 69 are positioned within the guides 68. rlhe lever 14 is then actuated to lower the forward arms 6 and 7 until the lower lingers 33 and 36 are seated on the uppermost of the rods 69. The

fingers

33 and 36 are then withdrawn by exerting a pull on the ring 58 with which the

cables

55 and 59 are connected, which permits a further lowering of the arms 6 and 7 until the noses 30 of the upper lingers 29 and 35 rest on the uppermost of the rods 69.

rlhe ring 58 is then released and the

fingers

33 and 36 respectively are actuated by the springs 43 and da to move in a forward direction whereby the noses 34 are passed under the uppermost of the rods 69. rlhe lever 11i is then actuated to swing the arms 6 and 7 in a vertical arc. Due to the connection of the. arms 6 and 7 with the rearward arms 8 and 9 respectively by the

cables

10 and 13, the rearward arms 8 and-9 are swung in a vertical arc co-incidentally with the swinging of the forward arms 6 and 7 and the paths of the rearward arms and forward arms are towards each other. At t ie upper end of the paths of movement of the arms the cuter ends of the

extensions

24 and 26 are disposed beneath the horizontal plane of the outer ends of the

extensions

18 and 22. T he

extensions

18 and 22 are then drawn farther imi into the cylindrical portions of the arms 6 and 7 by manipulation of the pedal (i6 and the rod GS) which hs been carried upwardly bv the fingers on the extensions 1S and Q2 is thereby transferred to the fingers 38 and 11 n the earward extensions Qll and 2G.

llefore releasing the pedal (3G, the lever ifi is .actuated to start the retin-n of the forward url remy-.Yard arms to their or' During the retin-n i'novei arms, the rod if) which has been .ransferjed to the lingers 38 and fl is carried by the latter and the rug' to which the rod is secured is thereby folded upon itself.

,ll-y rep-ratingl the above evnlained opera.- tion, the next rug in the pile may be folder upon itself but before the lever 142 is actuated to start the uinvard movement of the arms, 1. pull is of; ted on tlr ri whereby the lower fingers 4l on the e1 ons Q4 and QG are removed from underneat i the rod 69 secured to th rug;r which has iis-:t been folded ipon itself. As illustrate 'n -Figure il, the folded portion of each successive rug becomes shorter, therefore as the operation progresses, it necessary to slierten the distances between the lingers and 35 and the shaft 5 and also between the lingers 0S and- .i1 and 'the shaft 5, before the transfer of each succeeding rod G9 from the fingers 29 and 35 to the llingers 38.

This may be accomplished by adjusting the handle member 50 with respect to the teeth 54 alongr the sides of the slot 53 through the upright member 3. is the handle member .30 moves upwardly, 'the lingers 29 and 35 are drawn towards the shaft 5 due to the cables 4S and 51 which connect the handle member with the

fingers

29 and 3*". Upon the .vithdrawal of tl e lingers 29 and 35 towards the shaft 5, the extensions 24; and 26 are also drawn towards the shaft 5, due to their connection with the lingers 29 and 35 by means of the cables l5 and 11"". Owing to the difference in height in the flanges 27 and 31 of the e1:- tension 18 and of the corresponding flanges of the extension 22. the ends of the rod 69 which is engaged by the fingers 29 and 35 will ride over the clamps 32 which secure the lower lingers 33 and 36 in position, when the fingers Q9 and 35 are withdrawn towards the shaft 5. During the foregoing' operation, the cross bar 89 is disconnected from the rock bars 7 5.

lVhen it is desired to remove a rug from the pile, the rugs disposed above the rug selected for removal are folded over as above explained and the cross bar 89 with the hoolrs 91 suspended therefrom secured in position. T he cross bar 89 is adjusted longitudinally of the raclr bars 75 to permit the lower end portions of the hook members to be inserted between the selected rug and that rug next above. The rack bars 7 5 are then moved upwardly by the actuation of the ratchet lever 81 until the folded rugs assume substantially the position illustrated in Figure Q0. 1 series of runners 92 are then inserted between the selected run' and the rugs which have been partially removed therefrom.

llach runner S2 is of elongated form and cver'ured to its s'de edges a series of spaced l i relier' abe-ve and below the faces ofthe runners. The 93 on opposite edges of the runners are .posed in oppose( relation and rotatably mounted between the upper ends of opine' plates as well as between the lower L.ds thereof are rollers 94j.

rllhe rolle permit the runners 92 to be ed between the selected rug-j and f t e ipile which have been parl from the selected rug'. After have been inserted in position, 95 passed thereunder, adjaracl: bars 7 A cable or the like in ded from a` hooi; 97, one of which on eI ch of the rack bars 75. lifting` bar 95 has been secured in io-ori n, a similar liftingl` liar 98 is passed under the runners 92 adj acont the rearward rack hars 83. The lifting; bar 98 suspended by of cables S9 from tl e rack bars 83 sinrlarly to the suspension of the lifting` bar from the raclr bars 75. rl`he racl bars 83 are then actuated upwardly to a position substantially as illustrated in Figure The rack bars 75 and 83 slightly incline upwardly and rearwardly in order to permit the elevation of the forward portion of the folded rug before the rearward portion thereof without distnrbinev the posit-ion of the rearward portions of the folded rugs with respect to the rear edges of the rugs remaining` flatwise on the pile.V

It is thought that the many advantages of a rug,` displaying` and removingmechanism in accordance with this invention will be readily apparent, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be made, so long as such changes fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is:

1. ln a device of the character described, a pair of arms for pivotal mounting,` on a common axis, means operatively connectingl the arms to provide for relative., reciprocating, swinging' movement thereof, and means transferable from one arm to the other for engagement with av marginal portion of a rug.

lilik FS In a device of the character described, a shaft, a pair of forward arms iiXedly mounted on the shaft, a pair of rearward arn pivotally mounted on the shaft, means operative ly connecting the forward arms with the rearward arms to provide for relative, reciprocating, swinging movement thereof, and means transferable from one pair of said arms to the other for engagement with a marginal portion of a rug.

3. in a device of the character described, a shaft, a pair of forward arms fixedlj mounted on the shaft, a pair of rearward arms pivotally moon" f the shaft, operatively cor c rwa d wil. e rearward arms to 1ovide for relative, rerocating, swinging movement thereof, and means carried by the forwarc arms for engagement with a mar ial porti i of a rug during the movement of the forward and rearward arms towards each other, sa.: means being transferable to the rearward arms to be carried there by during the movement of the forward and rearward arms away from each other.

4. ln a device of the character described, a shaft, a pair of forward arms oppositely disposed with respect to a pile of rugs and fiXedly mounted on said shaft, a pair of rearward arms oppositely disposed with respect to the pile of rugs and pivotally mounted on said shaft, a rod for connection with a marginal portion of a rug, means operatively connecting the forward arms with the rearward arms to provide for relative, reciprocating, swinging movement thereof, means carried by the forward arms for engagement with said rod during the movement of the forward and rearward arms towards each other, means for transferring said rod to the rearward arms at the end of the movement ofthe forward and rearward arms towards each other, and means carried by the rearward arms for engagement with said rod during the movement of the forward and rearward arms away from each other.

5. In a device of the character described, a shaft, a pair of forward arms oppositely disposed with respect to a pile of rugs and fixedly mounted on the shaft, a pair of rearward arms oppositely disposed with respect to the pile of rugs and piv-otally mount-ed on the shaft, means operatively connecting the forward and rearward arms to provide for relative reciprocating, swinging movement thereof, a longitudinally movable eX- tension forming a part of each arm, a rod for connection with a marginal portion of the uppermost rug of said pile of rugs, means carried by the extensions on the forward arms for engagement with said roo during the movement of the forward and rearward arms towards each other, means for transferring said rod to the extensions on the rearward arms at the end of the movement of the forward and rearward arms towards each other, and means carried by the eXtensions on the rearward arms for engagement with .said rod during the travel of the for ward and rearward arms away from each other.

6. ln a device of the character described, a shaft, a pair of forward arms oppositely disposed with respectto a pile of rugs and iiiedly mounted on the shaft, a pair of reariins oppositely disposed with respect to the pile of rugs and pivotally mounted on the shaft, means operatively connecting the forward and rearward arms to provide for relative, reciprocating, swinging movement thereof, longitudinally movable extension forming a part of each arm, a rod for connection with a marginal portion of the uppermost rugof said pile of rugs, a pair of longitudinally movable lingers. carried by each forward extension for engagement with said rod during the movement of the forward and rearward arms towards each other, a stationary and a longitudinally movable finger carried by each rearward extension for engagement with said rod during `the travel of the forward and rearward arms away from each other, and means for transferring said rod from the forward eXtensions to the rearward extensions at the end of the path of movement of the forward and rearward arms toward each other.

7. ln a device of the character described, a pair of arms for pivotal mounting on a common axis, means operatively connecting the arms to provide for relative, reciprocating, swinging movement thereof, and means transferable from one arm to the other for engagement with a marginal portion of a rug, said last named means including a rod for disposition transversely of the rug to project beyond the side of the latter, and a plurality of clamps., each having a pair of legs for the reception of said marginal portion therebetween, the legs of each clamp having op positely disposed, outwardly arched portie to provide a seat for the rod and for a surface portion of the rug.

8. ln a device of the character described, a base for supporting a pile of rugs in superposed relation, a plurality of rods for engagement with marginal portions of the rugs at one end of the pile, and means pivotally connected with the base for consecutive engagement with the rods for successively shifting the rugs into folded position to expose the uppermost of the remaining rugs.

9. ln a device of the character described, a base for supporting a. pile of rugs in superposed relation, a plurality of rods for engagement with marginal portions of the rugs at one end of the pile, and spring controlled, adjustable means pivotally connected to the base for consecutive engagement with the rods for successively shifting the rugs into folded position to expose the uppermost of the remaining rugs.

lO. In a device of the character described, a for supporting a pile of rugs in superq posed relation, a plurality of rods for engagement with marginal portions of the rugs at one end of the pile, means pivotally connected to the base for consecutive engagement with the rods for successively shifting' the rugs into folded position to expose the uppermost of the remaining` rugs, npwa "dly movable racks supported by the base on opposite sides and intermediate the ends thereof, a cross bar connecting said raclrs and adjustable longitudinally thereof, and hook members for suspension from the cross bar for insertion beneath the lowermost of the shifted rugs.

1l. In a device of the character described, a shaft, a pair of forward arms oppositely disposed with respect to a pile of superposed rugs and fixedly mounted on said shaft a pair of rearward arms oppositely disposed with respect to the pile of rugs and pivetally mounted on said shaft, a plurality of rods disposed in snperposed relation and each connected with a rug of sain pile of rugs, a longitudinally movable extension carried by each arm, a longitndin. j' movable finger carried by each forward extension for engagement with the uppermost of said rods. means operatively connecting the forward and rearward arms to provide for relative, reciprocating, swinging` moifement thereof, a stationary and a longitudinally movable .finger carried by each rearward extension, means for adj Listing the position of the 'linger on the forward extension with respect to the shaft, means for normally n'iaintaininsa) the fingers upon the rearward extension nearer to said shaft than the linger on the forward extension, and means for actuating` the forward extension to move the finger carried by the latter int closer proximity o the shaft than the fingers on the rea ward extension.

l2. In a device of the character described, a base for supporting a pile of rugs in superposed relation, a plurality of rods for engagement with marginal portions of the rugs at one end of the pile, means pivotally connected to the base for consecntve engagement with the rods for successively shifting the rugs into folded position to expose the uppermost of the remaining; rugs, upwardly movable raclrs supported by the base on opposite sides and intermediate the ends thereof, a cross bar connecting said racks and adjustable longitndinally thereof, hook members for suspension from the cross bar for e tion beneath the lowermost of the slnted rugs, means for shifting the racks in an upward direction, a. pair of racks positioned rearwardly of the firs" racks, means t namef; for anchoring,l said lowermost rug' to said last named racks, and means for shifting the latter in an upward direction.

13. In a device of the character described, a pair of arms, means to provide a. common axis for pivotally monntiingr the arms, means operatively connecting tho arms to provide for relative, reciprocating, swinging` movement thereof, and means transferable from ono arm to the other for engagement with a mawinal portion of a rag.

lin a device of the character described, r of arms, means to provide a pivotal ting for each arm, means operativehY ce ictingr the arms to provide for relative, reciprocating', swinging movement thereof, ad means transferable from one arm to the r for engagement with a marginal portion of a rug.

l5. ln a device of the character described, a pair of forward arms, a pair of rearward arms, means to provide pivotal mounting for each pair fi: arms, means operatively connec the forward arms with the rearward to provide for relative, reciprocating, swingir 5 movement thereof, and means transferable from one pair of said arms to the other for engagement with a marginal portion of rug'.

1G. In a dei/'ice of the character described, pair of arms, means to provic a common axis for pivotally mounting the arms, means operatively connecting the arms to provide for relative, reciprocating, swinging movement thereof, and means transferable from one a m to the other for enoagement with a mi.,h nal portion of al rug, said last named means including a red for disposition transversely of the rug to project beyond the side s of the latter, and a plurality of clamps, each having a pair of legs for the reception of toe rod and a marginal portion of the rug therebetween.

n testimony whereof, l my signature hereto.

ERANK P. GRACEY.