# US 8,540,216 B2 · Carpet stretching apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,216 B2 - Document ID: US8540216B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/928,150 - Filed: 2010-12-06 - Published: 2012-06-07 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2010-12-06 - Applicants: Benjamin P. Abeleda; Earl T. Hackley - Inventors: Benjamin P. Abeleda; Earl T. Hackley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540216B2 ## CPC - A47G 27/0493: {Carpet-expanding devices, e.g. stretchers} - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) ## Abstract An electrically or pneumatically powered carpet stretcher including a wheeled dolly and designed for use by a standing operator. A variable speed electric or pneumatically powered drive unit having a chuck is removably attached to the wheeled dolly. A number of interchangeable head assemblies may be selectively attached to a power unit using its chuck. A multi-head carpet stretching head assembly allows fast stretching of carpet. Smaller single unit heads allow work in corners or other tight spaces. A tile removing head may also be provided to utilize the carpet stretcher to remove tile from floors or other similar tasks. An adjustable height lip may be provided at the front edge of a carpet stretching head to allow easy tucking of carpets with different piles and/or thicknesses. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator; comprising: a) a carriage assembly having at least two ground-engaging casters swivelably connected thereto; b) a drive unit removably attached to said carriage, said drive unit comprising a variable speed hammer jack selected from the group: an electrically powered, motorized variable speed hammer jack, and a pneumatically powered variable speed hammer jack; c) a chuck connected to said variable speed hammer jack selected from the group: an electrically powered, motorized variable speed hammer jack, and a pneumatically powered variable speed hammer jack and adapted to receive an interchangeable head assembly therein; and d) an interchangeable head assembly operably connected to said drive unit through said chuck. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 1, wherein said carriage comprises an adjustable length handle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 1, wherein said interchangeable head assembly comprises at least one selected from the group: a carpet stretching head, and a floor tile removal blade. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 3, wherein said interchangeable head assembly comprises a carpet stretching head comprising: i) a head shell; and ii) a plurality of downwardly directed, carpet engaging protrusions disposed within said head shell. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 4, further comprising: iii) a lip adjustably disposed on a front edge of said head shell, said lip being adjustable in a place orthogonal to a horizontal surface upon which said carpet stretcher is disposed and parallel to a front edge of said interchangeable head assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 5, wherein said interchangeable head assembly comprises at least two carpet stretching heads. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 5, wherein said plurality of downwardly directed, carpet engaging protrusions comprise a removable support plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 7, wherein said removable support plate comprises a nail plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 7, wherein said removable support plate comprises at least two removable support plates. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 9, wherein said interchangeable head assembly comprises at least two carpet stretching heads. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 4, wherein said interchangeable head assembly comprises at least two carpet stretching heads. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 4, wherein said plurality of downwardly directed, carpet engaging protrusions comprise a removable support plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 12, wherein said removable support plate comprises a nail plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 12, wherein said removable support plate comprises at least two removable support plates. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The carpet stretching apparatus for use by a standing operator as recited in claim 14, wherein said interchangeable head assembly comprises at least two carpet stretching heads.