Mat roller device

Abstract

A machine for quickly and efficiently rolling carpet runners or mats after laundering, for storage, transport and reuse may include a set of belts for generally horizontal travel and an interacting set of belts for generally vertical travel and guide means for directing the leading edge of a carpet runner from engagement with the horizontal belts to engagement with the vertical belts. An assembly including a plurality of arcuate fingers cooperates with the belts to guide the leading edge of a carpet runner into the beginning of a roll and to assist in formation of a tight compact roll of carpet. The machine may include means for driving the belts, means for retracting the finger assembly from a completed rolled carpet runner, and controls for the means. The machine may include a safety apparatus including a light curtain.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A machine for rolling carpet runners, comprising:
 (A) a frame;   (B) a first set of at least a pair of spaced apart parallel rollers supported within the frame;   (C) drive means connected to one of the first set of rollers;   (D) a further roller supported within the frame parallel to and spaced above a rearwardmost roller of the first set of rollers;   (E) a first series of a plurality of endless spaced apart belts supported on the first set of rollers for longitudinal movement in response to rotation of the first set of rollers;   (F) a second series of a plurality of endless spaced apart belts supported between the rearwardmost roller and said further roller for generally vertical travel in response to rotation of the first set of rollers and the further roller, the second series of belts alternating with the first series of belts in the spaces between the belts of the first series;   (G) a concave forwardly facing arcuate guide plate supported at a juncture between the first series of belts and the second series of belts, a lower end of the guide plate extending into one space between the belts of the first series;   (H) an assembly of a plurality of concave downwardly facing fingers pivotally supported and extending forwardly from the spaces between the second series of belts and spaced above the first series of belts;   (I) means for controlling operation of said drive means; and   (J) a safety apparatus including a light curtain attached to the frame;   wherein each roller includes a central axis.