Apparatus for positioning and then fixing floorboards relative to an underlying substrate

Abstract

An apparatus ( 10 ) for positioning and fixing floorboards ( 12 ) includes an anchor portion ( 16 ) and a floorboard-engaging portion ( 18 ) which can be urged, via pneumatic actuators ( 22 ), into engagement with a floorboard. The apparatus ( 10 ) also includes a pneumatic fixing device ( 36 ) for fixing the positioned floorboard in place. The apparatus ( 10 ) is lightweight and portable, and operated by a user from a standing position.

1 . An apparatus for positioning and then fixing floorboards relative to a substrate comprising:—
 an anchor portion adapted to engage the substrate and thereby anchor the anchor portion relative to the substrate;   a floorboard-engaging portion movable relative the anchor portion between a retracted position and an extended position; and   a fixing device mounted for movement with the floorboard-engaging portion, and operable to fix a floorboard in position.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in use, the movement of the floorboard-engaging portion relative to the anchor portion, and the operation of the fixing device, are each controlled by a user in an upright standing position. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the anchor portion includes spikes or similar on its underside for engaging the substrate. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  or  3 , wherein the anchor portion is adapted to receive the foot of a user in order to facilitate anchoring of the anchor portion relative to the substrate. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises pneumatic actuators for moving the floorboard-engaging portion relative to the anchor portion from the retracted position to the extended position. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fixing device includes a safely mechanism which prevents operation of the fixing device, and wherein the safety mechanism is disabled when the floorboard-engaging portion engages a floorboard in the extended position such that the fixing device may be operated to fix the floorboard. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is readily portable such that a single person can relocate the apparatus, and wherein the apparatus is immediately functional upon relocation. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the apparatus weighs less than 10 kg. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is an underlying floor surface or a floor joist. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fixing device is a pneumatic staple gun. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the anchor portion and floorboard-engaging portions are keyed together such that the floorboard-engaging portion can slide relative to the anchor portion between the retracted position and the extended position. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a cover plate is provided to prevent pinching of the foot of a user when the floorboard-engaging portion returns from the extended position to the retracted position. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the floorboard-engaging portion engages the tongue side of a tongue-and-groove floorboard, and the floorboard-engaging portion includes replaceable adaptor blocks for accommodating different dimension floorboards. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a frame extends upwardly from the anchor portion to approximately waist-height on a user, said frame including controls for controlling the movement of the floorboard-engaging portion relative to the anchor portion and for controlling operation of the fixing device. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein a pressure-regulating device is located upstream of the pneumatic actuators such that the supply pressure to the pneumatic actuators is controlled in order to avoid damaging the floorboard. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as claimed in the  claim 1 , wherein the operation of the fixing device is controlled via a cable mechanism.