GB2466951A

GB2466951A - Device for loosening or removing fixings

Info

Publication number: GB2466951A
Application number: GB0900553A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Forster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-14
Filing date: 2009-01-14
Publication date: 2010-07-21
Also published as: GB0900553D0

Abstract

A device 10 for loosening or removing fixings 80 holding a first member 60 to a second member (90, figure 2) comprises an attachment means, which may include a plate 20, for removable attachment to the first member. A force providing means, which may comprise a hammer 40, is movable between first and second positions relative to the attachment means, the first position being proximate the attachment means, and the second position being distal from the attachment means. A movement limitation means, such as a stop 50, is provided that restricts the movement of the force providing means at the second position, the movement limitation means being connected to, or integral with, the attachment means. In use, the attachment means is removably attached to the first member and the force providing means is moved from the first position to the second position, imparting a force on the attachment means, and so the first member, to loosen or remove the fixings holding the first member to the second member. The device may be used for lifting floor coverings such as floor boards held to floor joists by nails, screws, adhesive, rivets, wall plugs or bolts.

Description

Device for Loosening or Removing Fixings The present invention relates to a device for loosening or removing fixings, and a method of loosening or removing fixings. In particular, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a floor board hfting device.

Although most new buildings are often built with sohd floors, houses built in the past often typically have suspended floors comprising wooden floor boards fixed over, and to, joists. These boards are typically arranged immediately adjacent one another and fixed to the joists with nails.

If access to the sub-space beneath a suspended floor is required then at least one floor board will have to be lifted or removed. This is typically achieved by a bolster or chisel or other such tool being inserted vertically down between the edges of two adjacent boards and the handle then being moved sideways and towards the floor so as to prise-up one of the boards overcoming the nails in the process. However, this method results in damage to at least one of the boards as the edge of the board typically gets compressed. This means that either the board has to be replaced with a new board, which is costly, or be left with an unsightly damaged edge.

It is therefore desirable to be able to lift or remove floor boards without damaging the edges.

In one aspect, the invention provides a device for loosening or removing fixings, the fixings being of the type which hold a first member to a second member, the device comprising an attachment means for removable attachment to the first member, a force providing means movable between a first and a second position relative to the attachment means, the first position being proximate the attachment means and the second position being distal from the attachment means, and movement limitation means for restricting the movement of the force providing means at the second position, the movement limitation means being connected to, or integral with, the attachment means, whereby, in use, the attachment means is removably attached to the first member and the force providing means is moved from the first position to the

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second position thereby imparting a force on the attachment means, and thus the first member, to loosen or remove the fixings holding the first member to the second member.

The attachment means may be a plate-like member such that when it is removably attached to the first member one of its surfaces with the largest area is adjacent a surface of the first member. The means may include strengthening means, to improve its rigidity.

The device may include a guide means for guiding the force providing means between the first and second positions. The guide means may be substantially flexible such as at least one rope or wire. However, the guide means may be substantially rigid such as at least one rod. The force providing means may be moved along the guide means. This movement may be effected by hand, or by electrical and/or mechanical means. For instance, magnetism, compressed air, or a spring may be employed to effect the movement of the force providing means.

At the end of the rope or rod, distal from the attachment means, may be located the movement limitation means. This may take the form of a "stop" such as a knot in the rope, or a nut on the rod. The position of this movement limitation means may be adjustable along the length of the guide means.

The force providing means may be a weight, such as a substantially cylindrical member comprised of metal. A hole may be provided through the member such that the hole accommodates the guide means. The weight may have a mass of between 0.5 kg and 5 kg, although other masses are contemplated dependent on the application of the device.

In another embodiment, the device may not include a guide means, instead a weight may be attached to the attachment means by a substantially flexible tether, such as a rope, the weight being immovable relative to the tether. In use the weight may be grasped and relatively quickly moved away from the attachment means to provide the force on the attachment means and thus the fist member.

The attachment means may include holes for allowing fixings to be used to removably attach the attachment means to the first member. For instance, screws, nails or other such fixings may be employed.

The first member may be a floor covering and the second member may be a floor joist. The floor covering may be a floor board. Alternatively, the first member may be an object secured to a wall, such as a bracket, and the second member may be the wail itself.

The fixings to be removed or loosened may be one or more of nails, screws, adhesive, rivets, wall plugs and bolts.

In another aspect, the invention provides a floor covering lifting device for loosening or removing floor covering fixed to a support member located beneath the floor covering, the device comprising an attachment means for removable attachment to the floor covering, a force providing means movable between a first and a second position relative to the attachment means, the first position being proximate the attachment means and the second position being distal from the attachment means, and movement limitation means for restricting the movement of the force providing means at the second position, the movement limitation means being connected to, or integral with, the attachment means, whereby, in use, the attachment means is removably attached to the door covering and the force providing means is moved from the first position to the second position thereby imparting a force on the attachment means, and thus the floor covering, to loosen or remove the floor covering from the support member beneath.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of loosening or removing fixings, the fixings being of the type which hold a first member to a second member, the device comprising an attachment means for removable attachment to the first member, a force providing means movable between a first and a second position relative to the attachment means, the first position being proximate the attachment means and the second position being distal from the attachment means, and movement limitation means for restricting the movement of the force providing means at the second position, the movement limitation means being connected to, or integral with, the attachment means, the method comprising the steps of: removably attaching the attachment means to the first member; and moving the force providing means relatively quickly from the first position to the second position; such that the force providing means strikes the movement limitation means, thereby imparting a force on the attachment means, and thus the first member, to loosen or remove the fixings holding the first member to the second member.

The various features described above with regard to the devices may also apply to the above method.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for tile sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an elevational view of the invention of Figure 1 with a door board ready to be removed; and Figure 3 is an elevational view of the invention of Figure 1 with a removed floor board.

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the si2e of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein. For instance, the force exerted on the first member may not be substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal length or planar surface. Instead it may be exerted at a different angle as required.

It is to be noticed tliat tlie term "conprising", used in tlie clainis, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily ali referring to the same embodiment, but may refer to different embodiments.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this

disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects he in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

The invention \vill now be described by a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

The device 10 shown in Figure 1 comprises a planar plate 20. This plate is laid on top of a floor board 60. The floor board 60 is fixed down to a joist (not shown) by means of nails 80. The planar plate 20 is fixed to the floor board by means of screws 70.

A rod 30 is attached to the upper surface of the plate 20 at approximately its mid point. The rod 30 extends substantially vertically upwards from the plate 20 such that its longitudinal length lies substantially perpendicular to the hori2ontal. The rod has a circular cross-section but other shapes are contemplated. At the top of the rod 30 a stop 50 is provided. This takes the form of a nut which has a wider diameter than the rod. The rod 30 may be integral with the plate 20, or may be screwed, welded or otherwise connected or affixed to it.

Held captive on the rod 30 is a weight 40. This weight takes the form of a cylinder with a hole running through it along its central longitudinal axis. The rod 30 passes through this hole. The weight is freely movable along the length of the rod between the plate 20 at its lower end and the stop 50 at its upper end.

In Figure 2 it may be seen that the device 10 has been affixed to a floor board 60B. Floor boards 60A and 60C lie at either end of floor board 60B to form a continuous floor surface. The floor boards 60A, B, C are affixed to joists 90 by means of nails 80. The joists lie perpendicularly to the longitudinal length of the tToor boards 60A, B, C as is typical in buildings.

The plate 20 has been affixed to the floor board 60B by means of screws 70.

The weight 40 is shown in a first position resting at the bottom of the rod 30 against the plate 20.

In Figure 3, the weight 40 has been moved upwardly to a second position at the upper end of the rod 30 such that it is pressed against the stop 50.

The action of moving the weight 40 from the first position to the second position in a relatively quick manner provides an upward force against the stop 50. This force is equivalent to the mass of the weight 40 multiplied by the acceleration imparted to the weight by the user.

The upward force on the stop 50 is transmitted via the rod 30 to the plate 20.

Because the plate 20 is affixed to the floor board 60 the force is also transmitted to it. If the force is sufficient, then the frictional force provided by the nails holding the board onto the joists 90 will be overcome and the board will be removed, as shown.

One of the nails 80 holding the floor board to the joists 90 has come away with the board 60B. However, one of the nails 80 has pulled through the board 60B such that it remains in the joist 90. This latter nail may be removed using a claw hammer or other such tool.

If the board is relatively long then the device may be placed at one end and operated to loosen the nails. Once one end of the board has been raised relative to the surrounding boards a suitable implement may be put underneath it to prise the rest of the board loose. Alternatively, or additionally, the device may be repositioned further along the board and the operation of moving the weight repeated to loosen more of the nails.

The device may then be removed. Any holes created in the upper surface of the board due to the temporary fixings 70 may be Riled, sanded, and stained or painted as necessary, such that substantially no mark remains.

The device may preferably have a rod with a length between 30 and 70 cm.

More preferably the length is 45 cm. The plate 20 may have a length between 10 and 50 cm. More preferably the length is 35 cm.

In a different embodiment, not shown, the device may have no tether or guide means. Instead it may have a striking surface connected to, lying substantially parallel with, and located above in use of, the attachment plate 20. The weight may then be struck against the underside of the striking surface. A hammer could be used as the weight. By striking the underside of the striking surface a force may be exerted on to the attachment plate 20 and thus lift the floor board.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for loosening or removing fixings, the fixings being of the type which hold a first member to a second member, the device comprising an attachment means for removable attachment to the first member, a force providing means movable between a first and a second position relative to the attachment means, the first position being proximate the attachment means and the second position being distal from the attachment means, and movement limitation means for restricting the movement of the force providing means at the second position, the movement limitation means being connected to, or integral with, the attachment means, whereby, in use, the attachment means is removably attached to the first member and the force providing means is moved from the first position to the second position thereby imparting a force on the attachment means, and thus the first member, to loosen or remove the fixings holding the first member to the second member.
2. The device of claim 1, including a guide means for guiding the force providing means between the first and second positions.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the guide means is substantially flexible.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein the guide means is substantially rigid.
5. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means includes holes for allowing fixings to be used to removably attach the attachment means to the first member.
6. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the force providing means is a weight.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the weight has a mass in the range of 0.5 kg to 5 kg.
8. The device of either one of claims 6 and 7, when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 2, wherein the weight includes a hole for accommodating the guide means.
9. The device of either one of claims 6 and 7, when dependent on claim 1, including a flexible tether for attaching the weight to the attachment means.
10. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the first member is a floor covering and the second member is a floor joist.
11. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the fixings are one or more of nails, screws, adhesive, rivets, wall plugs and bolts.
12. A floor covering lifting device for loosening or removing floor covering fixed to a support member located beneath the floor covering, the device comprising an attachment means for removable attachment to the floor covering, a force providing means movable between a first and a second position relative to the attachment means, the first position being proximate the attachment means and the second position being distal from the attachment means, and movement limitation means for restricting the movement of the force providing means at the second position, the movement limitation means being connected to, or integral with, the attachment means, whereby, in use, the attachment means is removably attached to the floor covering and the force providing means is moved from the first position to the second position thereby imparting a force on the attachment means, and thus the floor covering, to loosen or remove the floor covering from the support member beneath.
13. A method of loosening or removing fixings, the fixings being of the type which hold a first member to a second member, the device comprising an attachment means for removable attachment to the first member, a force providing means movable between a first and a second position relative to the attachment means, the first position being proximate the attachment means and the second position being distal from the attachment means, and movement limitation means for restricting the movement of the force providing means at the second position, the movement limitation means being connected to, or integral with, the attachment means, the method comprising the steps of: * removably attaching the attachment means to the first member; and * moving the force providing means relatively quickly from the first position to the second position; such that the force providing means strikes the movement limitation means, thereby imparting a force on the attachment means, and thus the first member, to loosen or remove the fixings holding the first member to the second member.
14. A device for loosening or removing fixings substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
15. A method of loosening or removing fixings substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.