Compact carpet stretcher

Abstract

A compact carpet stretching apparatus may include a frame member, floor engagement members, and a head unit configured for use without extension poles. In one illustrative embodiment, the stretcher apparatus includes a head unit to engage a portion of a web of carpet, frame side members spaced laterally of the head unit that extend from the rear of the head unit past the front end of the head unit, and floor engaging anchors coupled to the frame side members proximal to the front portion.

1 - 38 . (canceled)  
   
   
       39 . A carpet stretcher apparatus, comprising: 
 a frame member having a rear portion fixedly joined with first and second side arms, the first side arm extending forwardly from the rear portion to a first front portion, and the second side arm extending forwardly from the rear portion to a second front portion;    a first set of anchors to removably couple the first front portion of the first side arm to a floor, and a second set of anchors to removably couple the second front portion of the second side arm to the floor; and    an adapter portion to releasably join with a stretcher head assembly such that, when the stretcher head assembly is joined with the adapter portion, the stretcher head assembly extends forwardly in a longitudinal direction from the rear portion of the frame member and the first and second sets of anchors are disposed laterally and forwardly of the stretcher head assembly.    
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the rear portion of the frame member is integral with the first and second side arms.  
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the first and second side arms are spaced laterally of the adapter portion.  
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the first and second side arms are spaced laterally of the stretcher head assembly when the stretcher head assembly is joined with the adapter portion.  
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the first set of anchors are rigidly coupled with the first side arm, and the second set of anchors are rigidly coupled with the second side arm.  
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the frame member comprises a single connector to mate with the adapter portion in at a single location.  
   
   
       45 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , further comprising a support member spanning between the first and second side portions, wherein the support member is rigidly connected to the first and second side arms such that substantial downward forced can be transmitted through the support member to the anchors.  
   
   
       46 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the first set of anchors coupled to the first side arm comprises at least three anchors.  
   
   
       47 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the at least a portion of an anchor is curved.  
   
   
       48 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , further comprising at least one anchor guard adapted to substantially cover at least a portion of one or more anchors, the anchor guard comprising a moldable plastic material.  
   
   
       49 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the adapter portion extends forwardly from the rear portion at an upward angle away from the floor when the frame member is removably coupled to the floor.  
   
   
       50 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein when the stretcher head assembly is joined with the adapter portion, a carpet-engaging head unit of the stretcher head assembly is disposed proximal the first and second front portions and elevated from a horizontal plane defined by the floor.  
   
   
       51 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein when the carpet-engaging head unit is forced downward to engage a web of carpet, a moment is created about the frame member that compels the first and second sets of anchors toward the floor.  
   
   
       52 . A carpet stretcher apparatus, comprising: 
 a frame member comprising a rear portion, a first side arm extending forwardly from the rear portion to a first front portion, and a second side arm extending forwardly from the rear portion to a second front portion;    one or more anchors to removably couple the first front portion of the first side arm to a floor, and one or more anchors to removably couple the second front portion of the second side arm to the floor; and    an adapter portion to releasably join with a stretcher head assembly, the adapter portion extending forwardly from the rear portion at an upward angle away from the floor when the frame member is removably coupled to the floor,    wherein when the stretcher head assembly is joined with the adapter portion, the stretcher head assembly extends forwardly in a longitudinal direction from the rear portion of the frame member and a carpet-engaging head unit of the stretcher head assembly is disposed proximal the first and second front portions and elevated from a horizontal plane defined by the floor.    
   
   
       53 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein when the carpet-engaging head unit is forced downward to engage a web of carpet, a moment is generated about the frame member that compels the anchors toward the floor.  
   
   
       54 . A method, comprising: 
 positioning a stretching apparatus over a web of carpet, the stretching apparatus including a head unit that is releasably joined with a frame member such that the head unit is operable to move in a longitudinal direction relative to the frame member, the frame member comprising a rear portion fixedly joined with first and second side arms, a plurality of anchors rigidly coupled to front portions of the first and second side arms and disposed laterally and forwardly of the head unit;    disposing the anchors against a floor or a tack strip; and    operating the stretcher apparatus to stretch at least a portion of the web of carpet.    
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising securing a portion of the web of carpet on a tack strip and repositioning the stretching apparatus over an adjacent portion of the web of carpet.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the stretching apparatus is repositioned over the adjacent portion of the web by lifting the stretcher apparatus from the floor prior to trimming the carpet's edge.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising trimming a substantial portion of an edge of the web after a substantial portion of the web has been stretched and secured to tack strips.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising penetrating the web of carpet with the anchors.