WO2000012307A1

WO2000012307A1 - Apparatus for removing a floor covering

Info

Publication number: WO2000012307A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/020210
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald A. Pope
Original assignee: Pope Donald A
Priority date: 1998-09-02
Filing date: 1999-09-01
Publication date: 2000-03-09
Also published as: AU5703599A

Abstract

An apparatus for removing at least one surface layer from a floor or the like comprises a frame (2) supported by right and left rear drive means (4) that are driven by an integrated hydraulic system including two fluid pumps (22). A blade tool assembly is secured to the front of the machine body and can be used for removing the floor covering. The tool may pivot (58) about the latitudinal axis of the apparatus causing the blade to remain in constant contact with the floor covering. Further, the apparatus includes a tongue jack assembly (72) removably attached to the front of the frame.

Description

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING A FLOOR COVERING

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/098,816, filed September 2, 1998 and entitled APPARATUS FOR REMOVING A SURFACE LAYER FROM A FLOOR. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to operator mounted machines for removal and demolition of at least one layer of floor covering on a floor. The types of floor coverings that the present machine will remove include, but are not limited to, carpet, vinyl tile, ceramic tile, wood, stone, and other floor coverings that are generally found in residential and commercial buildings.

Floor coverings are often removed in buildings that are being renovated or improved. Removal of floor coverings is usually a difficult and arduous task because the floor coverings are affixed to floors such that they will remain permanently. However in order to install a new floor covering, the prior floor covering usually must be removed. Removing a floor covering by hand is not a viable option because of the difficulty of the task and the amount of areas needed to be covered. Therefore, new improved methods of removing floor covering using operator mounted machines have been invented in which the machine is mounted by an operator who sits atop the machine and controls it during use. The operator mounted type of machine is advantageous in that it is generally safer and more efficient that other known floor covering removal machines.

David B. Craft disclosed an operator mounted apparatus for removing a surface layer from a floor in U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,206, issued May 24, 1997. In the Craft patent, the internal components disclosed for driving and operating the apparatus include a hydraulic system having a internal combustion motor or electric motor that powers a single hydraulic pump rhat communicates with a variable flow controller and a volume flow divider. The volume flow divider provides hydraulic fluid to right and left drive wheels and a scraper position controller. Furthermore, the apparatus disclosed in the Craft patent includes a front weight bearing wheel means, front and rear weight plates, and a means for pivoting a support plate and scraping blade. The support plate and scraping blade are pivotable between a first elevated transport position with the front wheel supporting the weight of the apparatus and a second position in contact with a floor for scraping with the front wheel elevated. The support plate and scraping blade are pivoted by operating a hydraulic cylinder connected between the machine body and the support plate.

Contractors often price floor covering removal jobs based upon the amount of time and labor expected to complete the work required. The floor covering removal apparatus of the Craft patent and other operator mounted machines known in the prior art utilize a front weight bearing wheel that lengthens the apparatus. The length of a floor removal apparatus is further increased by the addition of weight plates to the front of the apparatus as taught by the Craft patent. The greater length of a machine like those being discussed increases the area needed for maneuvering the machine, and an increased maneuvering area causes the machines to miss a greater amount of floor area during the floor covering removal process, thus leading to costly inefficiencies of time and labor.

As indicated, floor covering removal jobs are time critical in that profits from a job can be depleted by down time caused by malfunctions of the floor covering removal equipment being used. Although the Craft patent discloses an apparatus having integrated hydraulics for driving the apparatus, the system disclosed single hydraulic pump system. The process of removing a floor covering can be very demanding on the drive systems being used because of the difficulty in removing a covering that is often affixed permanently to a floor. Therefore, the single hydraulic pump system as disclosed by Craft may be subject to extreme stress that can cause overheating and pump failure.

A further problem exists during the removal process when the scraping blade does not remain flush against the floor causing the scraping blade not to penetrate and remove the floor covering. For example, the apparatus disclosed in the Craft patent teaches a scraping blade pivotal in relation to the horizontal surface of the floor and then operated in a fixed horizontal plane. Removed floor covering debris often builds up in the path of a rear drive wheel of the machine, and this causes that rear wheel to be raised with respect to the other rear wheel. The raised rear wheel changes the plane of the scraping blade, and the blade does not remain flush with the floor.

Thus, while compact operator mounted machines are known for removing floor coverings, these known devices do not solve the problems discussed above.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an operator mounted floor covering removal apparatus for removing carpet, vinyl tile, ceramic tile, wood, stone, and other floor coverings that obviates one or more of the limitations and disadvantages associated with using prior apparatuses.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for removing floor covering that utilizes an integrated hydraulic drive means that may withstand greater stress during the floor covering removal process.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for removing floor covering that is more compact and requires a reduced maneuvering area.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the penetration of the scraping blade into the floor covering material.

Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide means for maintaining a scraping blade in flush contact with the floor surface and the covering material being removed.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those persons skilled in this art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The floor covering removal apparatus of the present invention provides more efficient removal of carpet, vinyl tile, ceramic tile, wood, stone, and other floor coverings from the floors of residential and commercial buildings. The apparatus comprises a machine body frame that is mounted by an operator. The body frame is supported by a rear drive means having a right drive means and a left drive means that is driven by an integrated hydraulic pump system having a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump. The hydraulic system drives the right and left drive means independently, providing precision control over the piloting of the apparatus. The two hydraulic pumps overcome problems of prior art single hydraulic pump systems that were subject to stress causing overheating. A blade tool assembly is attached to the front of the body frame such that the blade assembly pivots about the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. Thereby, the scraping blade of the blade assembly maintains constant contact with the floor covering during removal, even when one side of the rear drive means rolls up onto floor covering debris. To provide adequate penetration of the blade into the floor covering material, additional weight may be added. The present apparatus provides for weight plates to be added to weight supporting means on the sides of the machine body, thereby reducing the required length of the apparatus. Further, a detachable front wheel means is provided for transporting the apparatus. When, the apparatus is in use for removing floor covering, the front wheel means may be removed to further reduce the length of the apparatus and improve the apparatus' maneuverability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of the apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention with a front wheel means attached thereto.

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of the present invention in operation with the front wheel means detached and having weights added thereto.

Figure 3 is a front view of the apparatus of figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cut away top view of the apparatus of figure 2 that shows in detail the configuration of the integrated hydraulic pump system.

Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the blade tool assembly constructed in accordance with present invention.

Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the blade tool assembly of figure 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in detail, the apparatus comprises a body frame 2 having left and right rear drive means 4 that support the rear end of the body frame. The right and left drive means each comprise at least one wheel pair of wheels attached via independent axle means to at least one independently operable hydraulic drive motor 5 contained within the frame. The hydraulic fluids flowing from hydraulic pumps provide power to each of the independent drive motors to drive each drive means separately in rearward or forward directions. The present apparatus provides a compact and highly mobile apparatus for removing floor covering that uses an integrated dual hydraulic pump system that separately drives the wheels of the independent right and left rear drive means. The apparatus may be piloted in very tight settings, and the mobility of the apparatus makes it much easier to use than the prior art floor covering removers of the type disclosed herein.

In the preferred embodiment, the body frame 2 includes a rear end on which a hydraulic fluid container 6 is attached for providing a source of fluid to the integrated hydraulics system. Further, in this embodiment an electric motor is utilized to provide power to the hydraulic system, thus a power cord holder 8 and power cord rotator 10 are also mounted on the rear end of the body frame and a control panel 11 is provided for operating the motor. The comfort of the machine operator is provided for by a spring cushioned seat mount 12 on the top of the body frame having a seat 13 mounted thereon and feet rests 18 affixed to the body frame for the operator to rest his feet on. While seated on the seat the operator controls levers 14 to independently control the rearward and forward direction of the rear drive means 4 of the apparatus. Thereby, the user may begin use of the apparatus to remove floor covering 74 from a floor by using start switch 15 to initiate the provision of electric or other power to the apparatus.

Depending upon the nature of the floor covering, additional weight may be needed to add additional force needed to cause the scraping blade 62 to penetrate the floor covering. In prior art machines, weight is added at the front or rear of the machine to control the penetration of the blade. However, in the present apparatus, weight plates 16 may be added to weight holders 17 that are integrally attached to the right and left sides of the body frame 2. These side positioned weight holders contribute to reducing the length of apparatus and also help provide for optimum weight and balance of the machine.

The present apparatus includes an integrated hydraulic pump system for driving the rear drive means. Hydraulic fluid filtered by a fluid filter 20 is provided to the hydraulic system from the fluid container 6 to a pair of hydraulic pumps 22 consisting of a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump. Each of the hydraulic pumps of the present invention are integrated into the body frame 2 of the apparatus. The use of two hydraulic pumps reduces stress on each hydraulic pump and provides simple independent control of each drive wheel to assist in maneuvering the apparatus. Each of the hydraulic pumps connect to a fluid forward line 24, a fluid reverse line 26, and an overflow line 28. Each of these lines connects to the rear hydraulic axle 5. The fluid forward line provides hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic axle for driving the wheels 4 in the forward direction. The fluid reverse line provides hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic axle for driving the wheels in the rearward direction. The overflow line provides a re-feed mechanism for fluid overflow from the fluid container.

The hydraulic pumps 22 include a valve plug 30 and a control plug 32. The control plug is connected to control links 34 which connect to the control levers 14 that the user uses to control the direction hydraulic fluids driving the wheels. The valve plug may be loosened to release the hydraulic fluid pressure within the system and provide a means to allow the drive means to rotate and move freely upon exerting force upon the body frame 2. Free movement of the wheels provides important flexibility in rolling the apparatus short distances.

The hydraulic pumps 22 connect to a motor 40 via pulleys 36 and 42 on both the hydraulic pumps and on the motor. A belt 38 is placed on the pump pulleys 36 and the motor pulleys 42 to drive the hydraulic pumps. The motor is powered by electrical power provided by a power cord 44. The power cord connects to the motor control box and runs upward on the power cord holder 8 and is held by the power cord rotator 10 such that the power cord does not interfere with the operation of the device. The motor mounts to the body frame via a reinforced motor mount 46.

The scraping blade 62 for removing floor covering material 74 is attached to the front of the body frame 2 by a blade assembly that pivot about the longitudinal axis of the body frame. The blade assembly comprises several features. First, a blade holder frame 58 is connected to the body frame 2 via a spindle bearing 58. The spindle bearing allows the blade holder frame to pivot laterally about the longitudinal axis of the body frame while the apparatus is being used to remove floor covering material. A dome 60 is built into the blade holder frame to provide clearance for the spindle bearing so that it does not interfere with the blade holder frame.

A pivot axle 50 connects a scraping blade holder 52 to the blade holder frame 48 and allows the blade holder to pivot upward and downward on the blade holder frame. Further, the blade holder frame includes a flange on each side thereof having slots 54 that the blade holder is attached to by bolts 56 and that permit the blade holder to slide upward and downward within the slots for adjusting the pitch of the blade holder. The combination of the blade holder frame connected to the body frame 2 by the spindle bearing 58 and the pivotal attachment of the blade holder to the blade holder frame provides a floating blade assembly that when a rear drive wheel 4 rolls up onto debris of floor covering material 74 that has been removed, the blade 62 adjusts to remain flush with the floor.

The blade 62 fits within the blade holder 52 and is clamped down using a pair of bolts 64. The top side of the blade holder is slightly convex to strengthen the hold of the blade holder on the blade and also to allow the use of a wider variety of blade types.

A tongue jack sleeve 66 is provided at the front of the body frame 2 such that a tongue jack assembly 72 may be adapted to be attached to the body frame. The tongue jack assembly has an extension shaft 70 that is attached to the jack sleeve using a pin 68. The attachment of a tongue jack assembly is helpful in the transport of the apparatus in that it provides a front weight bearing wheel as a supportive means for rolling the apparatus. However, the tongue jack assembly is removable so that it is not used during the operation of the apparatus. Removing the tongue jack assembly, reduces the overall length of the apparatus and increases its mobility, which assists in the efficient removal of floor covering. Likewise, the removable tongue jack abrogates the need for a permanent front weight bearing wheel affixed to the body frame of the machine, thus further reducing the length of the operable machine.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various modification may be made in these embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For that reason, the scope of the invention is set for in the following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. An apparatus for removing a floor covering from a floor surface comprising: a frame mountable by a machine operator during operation having a front end and a longitudinal axis; rear drive means; a hydraulic fluid pump means contained within the frame for driving the rear drive means; a blade tool attached to the front end of the frame; a detachable front wheel means which provides a first transport position when attached to the front end of the frame in which said front wheel means contacts the floor surface and said blade tool is elevated from the floor surface, and a second operating position when the front wheel means is detached from the frame in which the blade tool contacts the floor covering being removed.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rear drive means includes a right drive means and a left drive means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said hydraulic fluid pump means includes a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump, said first hydraulic pump providing fluid to independently drive said right drive means, and said second hydraulic pump providing fluid to independently drive said left drive means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising means for allowing said right drive means and left drive means to rotate by exerting a force against said frame.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said blade tool includes a blade holder frame, a blade holder, and a scraping blade.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said blade holder frame pivots about the longitudinal axis of said frame.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detachable front wheel means includes a tongue jack sleeve, a tongue jack assembly, an extension shaft attached to the tongue jack assembly, and a means for attaching the extension shaft to the tongue jack sleeve.

8. An apparatus for removing a floor covering from a floor surface comprising: a frame mountable by a machine operator during operation having a front end and a longitudinal axis; rear drive means having a right drive means and a left drive means; a hydraulic fluid pump means contained within the frame having a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump, said first hydraulic pump providing fluid to independently drive said right drive means, and said second hydraulic pump providing fluid to independently drive said left drive means; a blade tool attached to the front end of the frame; a detachable front wheel means which provides a first transport position when attached to the front end of the frame in which said front wheel means contacts the floor surface and said blade tool is elevated from the floor surface, and a second operating position when the front wheel means is detached from the frame in which the blade tool contacts the floor covering being removed.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said blade tool includes a blade holder frame, a blade holder, and a scraping blade.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said blade holder frame pivots about the longitudinal axis of said frame.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said detachable front wheel means includes a tongue jack sleeve, a tongue jack assembly, an extension shaft attached to the tongue jack assembly, and a means for attaching the extension shaft to the tongue jack sleeve.

12. An apparatus for removing a floor covering from a floor surface comprising: a frame mountable by a machine operator during operation having a front end, a right side, a left side, and a longitudinal axis; weight supporting means on the right side of the frame and the left side of the frame for holding variable amounts of weights; rear drive means; a hydraulic fluid pump means contained within the frame for driving the rear drive means; a blade tool attached to the front end of the frame; a detachable front wheel means which provides a first transport position when attached to the front end of the frame in which said front wheel means contacts the floor surface and said blade tool is elevated from the floor surface, and a second operating position when the front wheel means is detached from the frame in which the blade tool contacts the floor covering being removed.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said rear drive means includes a right drive means and a left drive means.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said hydraulic fluid pump means includes a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump, said first hydraulic pump providing fluid to independently drive said right drive means, and said second hydraulic pump providing fluid to independently drive said left drive means.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said blade tool includes a blade holder frame, a blade holder, and a scraping blade.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said blade holder frame pivots about the longitudinal axis of said frame.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said detachable front wheel means includes a tongue jack sleeve, a tongue jack assembly, an extension shaft attached to the tongue jack assembly, and a means for attaching the extension shaft to the tongue jack sleeve.