US2628610A - Loosening apparatus for wall coverings - Google Patents

Description

A. S. CHRISTOPHER LOOSENING APPARATUS FOR WALL COVERINGS WAT E R Feb. 17, 1953 Filed Sept. 28, 1949 LPUMP Feb. 17, 1953 A. s. CHRISTOPHER LOOSENING APPARATUS FOR WALL COVERINGS 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Sept. 28, 1949 Hgii llIIIIIH 73" I al I nu I gi/glf Patented Feb. 1 7, 1 953 LOOSENING APPARATUS FOR WALL COVERINGS Albert S. Christopher, Chicago, Ill.

Application September 28, 1949, Serial No. 118,377

'7 Claims.

, This invention relates in general to loosening apparatus for wall coverings and more particularly to apparatus for loosening old wall paper and similar wall coverings or coatings to facilitats the removal thereof from walls or like surfaces.

An important object of the invention is to provide such apparatus which will be quick in starting and in operation. In similar apparatus provided heretofore, steam is supplied from a remote source such as a boiler wherein a considerable quantity of Water is heated to provide the steam. The time lag in such an operation is proportional to the volume of water in the boiler and is, therefore, ordinarily considerable. In accordance with my invention, this time lag is materially reduced or substantially eliminated by generating steam at the applicator where asmall volume of water may be rapidly heated to provide the steam and this under the constant control of an operator as operating conditions may require.

Another object is to provide for conditioning steam at the applicator, such as by introducing water or mixing water therewith to increase the moisture content thereof in accordance with surface requirements. Relatively dry steam is required for the loosening of surface coverings having paint, varnish or similarly impervious exterior coating thereon while relatively porous surface coverings such as wall paper and some hardened plaster coverings may be more readily loosened for removal by the application thereto of saturated or vet steam. Apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention permits ready adjustment by an operator so that either dry or wet steam may be applied to surfaces in accordance with requirements without materially interrupting operation of the applicator.

Other objects, and structural features, will be obvious as the invention is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses an embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating apparatus embodying the invention including an applicator;

Fig. 2 is a plan View showing the top of the 7 applicator illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View of the same,

viewing the applicator from the left in Fig. 1;

Fig- 6 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing enlarged structuralv details. for mounting an adapter as intercepted on the plane 66 in Fig. 1.

The features of my invention include the provision of apparatusrfor applying relatively dry steam directly to wall surf-aces when required and similarly apparatus for applying wet steam to such surfaces when the condition of the surface requires or permits. These features may be incorporated in varying form in accordance with predetermined requirement, such as where limited operation is required a relatively simple or mostly self-contained unit maybe utilized, while extensive or long continued operational requirements may be most efliciently expedited by such apparatus in which the applicator is arranged for connection to one or morev remotely located supply sources so that periodic recharging operations would not be required. To illustrate one such embodiment arranged for receiving fuel and water supplies from remote supply units, I have shown a water tank ll, having a power operable pump l2 associated therewith, a high pressure fuel tank l3, an applicator unit I 4, and flexible conduits l5 and I6 connecting the applicator unit M with the pump l2 and the fuel tank I3 respectively.

The water supply tank ll may be any suitable container such as the open tank shown, to which the pump l2 may be operably connected for supplying water under pressure to the applicator unit M through the conduit I5. A suitable by-pass pressure regulator 2| may be connected in the pump discharge pipe 22 to which the conduit I5 is connected. Obviously the conduit 15 may be connected directly to a suitable water supply when such is available, or a small water container may be mounted directly on the applicator when water requirements are not extensive.

The fuel tank l3 illustrated is a commercial high pressure container in which any suitable fuel gas may be stored under relatively high pressure, having a pressure regulator 23 controlling the outlet thereof whereby the gas pressure may be reduced in accordance with requirements before being discharged into the conduit I6 whereby it is conducted to the applicator M. A suitable pressure gage 24 may be connected with the conduit 6 to indicate operating pressure.

The applicator I4 is essentially a pan' shaped hood 3|, a peripheral laterally extending flange 32 of which defines a suitable steam chamber when placed against a wall surface, a suitable manipulating handle 33 whereby the hood 3| may be moved over or pressed against a wall surface, and at least one jet or nozzle 34 through which steam may be discharged under" the hood 3! or into the steam chamber formed thereby.

In the present embodiment two steamgenerators 35 are carried by the hood'3l and a gas burner 38 is provided for each one or the steam generators 35. These units are provided in duplicate for balance and high operating efllciency, but it will be obvious that the applicator may be provided with more or less of such units upon occasion as above indicated. All duplicate parts in these units are identified by the same reference numerals.

The steam generator 35 illustrated includes a series of helical windings or coils of relatively small diameter metallic tubing, such as an inner coil 4| and an outer coil 42. These coils are prefcrably formed of a continuous tube which is provided with suitable fittings at each end thereof, whereby it may be connected to a control valve 43 and a mixing head 44. The coils 4| and 42 are preferably close wound and are proportioned and arranged to form a duct 45 at the upper end of the coil 4|. Where the coils are not in lapped relationship, the exterior surfaces thereof may be covered with an insulating sleeve such as the sleeves 48 and 41 and a metal sleeve 48 mounted over the sleeve 41 and carrying a closure plug 49 of insulating material forms a heat trap at the top of the coils.

The steam generator 35 is carried on the applicator l4 through its connections with the valve 43 and the mixing head 44. The valve 43 is rigidly mounted on a supply pipe 52, as shown in Fig. 4, and the mixing head 44 is rigidly mounted in the hood 3| by means of the nozzle 34 as shown in Fig. 5.

The supply pipe 52 is arranged for connection to the conduit l5 and is branched out for con nection to the valves 43. A continued extension 55 of the pipe 52 connects to a control valve 56 whereby water may be supplied to the mixing head 44 through a balancing valve 51 connected to the control valve 58 by a pipe nipple 58 and to the mixing head 44 by a nipple 59.

A stem 82 of the control valve 58 extends through a bracket 83 of the handle 33 for engagement by a pivoted lever 84 having pivotal support on the bracket 63 as at 85, Fig. 5, and extending therefrom for engagement by an operator. The valve 58 may be of a type in which the lin pressure tends to unseat the valve and this tendency may be normally counteracted by a suitable compression spring 88. A threaded screw 81 extending through the lever 64 and having threaded engagement in the bracket 83 locates the spring 88 and provides means for regulating the valve 58.

The extension 55 of the supply pipe 52 extends through an opening 88 in a lower bracket 89 of the handle 33 for support therein.

The gas burners 38 include a jet 1| arranged to discharge fuel into a combustion tube 12 carried in a bracket 13 which is attached to the hood 3| with the jet 1| and tube 12 arranged to heat the steam generator 35. The jet 1| is connected through a control valve 14 to a supply pipe 15 which is arranged for connection to the conduit l6. It will be obvious that any suitable commercial heating unit operating on gaseous or liquid fuels or by electricity such as may be controlled by an operator may be utilized for generating steam as above described.

While the applicator hood 3| illustrated is rectangular or substantially square in outline to facilitate operation into square corners, it will be obvious that hoods of other shapes canbe provided when required by operating conditions such as when relative narrow recessed surfaces are to be treated an elongated rectangular hood may be provided, and where curved surfaces may be encountered correspondingly curved hoods may be provided.

To provide means for adapting the applicator shown to abnormal surfaces, I have shown an adapter 8| of oblong or elongated rectangular form and relatively deep to facilitate operation in relatively deep recesses. The adapter 8| and hood 3| are arranged for detachable mounting of the adapter 8| to permit independent operation of the hood 3| or substitution of the adapter for other interchangeable adapters formed in accordance with other surface conditions as above described.

The adapter 8| may be formed of any suitable material, such as sheet metals, arranged to form a hollow tube of rectangular or other suitable form having a laterally extending base flange 82 formed at one end thereof. A sponge rubber or similar gasket 83 may be clamped between the adapter flange 82 and the hood 3| for sealing the joint. The base flange 82 is proportioned to fit freely inside of the peripheral flange 32 of the hood 3| at two points on opposit edges of the hood 3|, Figs. 1, 2 and 6, so that when the flange 82 is engaged behind a retaining flange 84 extending laterally from the peripheral flange 32, an opposite edge portion of the flange 82 may be clamped against the gasket 83 and the hood 3| by means of a suitable clamping device to rigidly mount the adapter on the hood 3| in sealed relationship therewith. Retaining flanges 84 may be provided on two edges of the hood 3| as shown to facilitate attachment of the adapter 8| in either vertical or horizontal relationship.

A suitable latching device is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 6, including a hook element 85 and a latch bar 86. The hook element having a hinged connection with the latch bar at a point 81 near an end 88 thereof. The end 88 is formed out of alignment with a plane extending between the point of the hook 85 and the bearing point 81 so that it will normally remain in latching position as shown until the remote end of the bar 88 is lifted or rotated counter-clockwise. To clamp the adapter to the hood for operation the hook 85 and end 88 are engaged with the hood and flange 82 respectively and draw these parts together in clamped relationship as an incident to clockwise rotation of the bar 88.

In operation, water and fuel is supplied under pressure through the conduits l5 and I8 to the applicator |4 when same is operably connected thereto. To start steam generation one or more of the gas burners 38 may be started and adjusted by means of control valve 14 to preheat the coils 4| and 42. Heat from the burner circulates upwardly through the coil 4| into the heat trap 5| and then downwardly between the coils as indicated by arrows in Fig. 4.

The applicator is then ready for operation and by adjustment of the valve 43 relatively dry steam will be generated and issue from the nozzle 34 in such volume as may be determined by the adjustment of the valve 43. Pressure may be built up under the hood 3| or in the adapter 8| by pressing the applicator against the surface under treatment to restrict the escape of steam.

When a relatively wet steam is required by the surface under treatment, water may be mixed with the dry steam to condition the steam in accordance with requirements. This may be accomplished by depressing the lever 84 and thereby opening the water control valve 58 to the extent required by surface conditions. The balancing valve 51 is provided to facilitate balancing by means of an adjusting screw 9| to equalize the flow of water when two or more steam generating units are coupled for simultaneous operation.

Pressure. on the lever 64 releases water into the mixing head 44 where it is mixed with steam in a mixing chamber 92 and as an incident to its discharge through the nozzle orifice 93, Fig. 5. Upon occasion the operating position of the lever 64 may be fixed by the adjusting screw 61 so that constant pressure on the lever 64 by an operator need not be required.

A suitable heat guard 95, such as a formed sheet metal covering, may be attached to the handle 33 and to the hood 3| to shield an operators hand from excessive heat during operation.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the forms herein-before described being merely preferred embodiments thereof.

I claim:

1. An applicator adapted for manipulation over a wall surface to effect the loosening of wall paper or similar coating thereon, comprising a body having a handle and a steam confining hood for confining steam to predetermined surface areas, means including a continuously operable steam generator and a conductor for discharging steam under the confining hood, and periodically operable means including a separate conductor for discharging water into the steam conductor adjacent the confining hood for mixture with the steam prior to the discharge thereof under the confining hood so that the moisture condition of the steam may be instantaneously controlled in accordance with operating requirements.

2. An applicator for manipulation over a wall surface to effect the loosening of wall paper or similar coatings thereon, comprising a body having a handle and a steam confining hood wherein steam may be confined and applied to a wall surface, said body carrying steam generating means connected with the confining hood and arranged for control by an operator, and water mixing means carried by said body and connected with the steam generating means near the connection thereof with the confining hood, said water mixing means including a manually operable flow control valve arranged for manipulation by an operator by means of which steam may be instantaneously conditioned by addition of water for application in accordance with varying surface conditions.

3. A steam generating applicator including a hood shaped body adapted for manipulation over wall surfaces for the purpose of effecting the loosening of wall paper or similar coatings thereon, said applicator carrying continuously operable steam generating means, having a fixed outlet in the hood shaped body, and manually controlled variable water injecting means also carried by said body and connected with the steam generating means adjacent the fixed outlet thereof and bein operable for instantaneously mixing water with steam from the steam generating means.

4. An applicator for manipulation over a wall surface to efiect the loosening of wall paper or similar coatings thereon, comprising a body havhood, and means including a by-passjconnection and a control valve operably connected with the mixing head for directly injecting water into the steam at the mixing head for mixture with the steam adjacent the discharge outlet'therein.

5. In an applicator for the purpose described the combination of a body having a recessed side for cooperation with a wall surface. to form a steam chamber, means including a: connecting head and a conduit connected therewith for conducting a constant supply of steam to the recessed side of the applicator, said connecting head having a discharge opening into the steam chamber, with manually operable steam conditioning means connected therewithfat the connecting head for injecting water therein for mixture with the steam prior to the discharge thereof through the discharge opening.

6. In an applicator for the purpose described the combination of a body having a recessed side for cooperation with a wall surface to form a steam chamber, continuously operable steam generating means carried by said body for supplying steam continuously, and means including a mixing head and a conduit connecting the steam generating means with the steam chamber and having a discharge opening therein, with steam conditioning means for saturating steam by the injection of water, said conditioning means being attached to the mixing head and including a manually operable variable ,flow control valve.

7. An applicator adapted for manipulation over a wall surface to effect the loosening of wall paper or similar coating thereon, comprising a body having a handle and a steam confining hood for confining steam to predetermined surface areas, steam generating means carried by .said bod and having water supply line connections for receiving water supply from a remotely located supply source, said steam generating means being operably connected toa discharge head for discharging steam under the confining hood, and means including a by-pass conduit and an interconnected control valve therefor mounted for control by an operator for passing water from the water supply line connections into the discharge head for mixture with steam therein.

ALBERT s. CHRISTOPHER.

REFERENCES CITED- The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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