A floor covering such as carpet, linoleum or other covering that is wound onto a carrier roll is usually laid by rolling out the floor covering manually over the floor. The covering is laid in strips or lengths, care being taken that the strips or lengths placed next to each other butt up against each other accurately. The floor covering is either laid loose on the floor or is glued or tacked down on it.

A disadvantage of the traditional method of laying floor coverings is that it is a labour-intensive process, certainly if a covering of several hundred m2 has to be laid within a short space of time, as is the case, for example, when an exhibition is being set up.

The object of the invention is to achieve a device for laying a floor covering that makes it possible to lay the floor covering quickly and efficiently.

A device for laying a floor covering according to the invention is characterized in that the device comprises an unrolling unit provided with a bearing table on which a carrier roll can be mounted, around which carrier roll the floor covering can be rolled up, which unrolling unit is disposed upstream of a drum, which is provided with suction means for drawing the floor covering, which can be wound off the carrier roll, against an outside wall of the drum, which drum can further be driven so that it rotates, in order to take floor covering that is present on said outside wall to a floor on which it is to be laid. The use of an unrolling unit provided with a drum makes it possible to lay the floor covering by machine. Drawing the covering against the outside wall of the drum before laying it on the floor ensures that the covering is stretched tightly, so that said floor covering is laid nice and evenly on the floor.

A first preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention is characterized in that it further comprises a pressure roll, which is disposed in a position virtually parallel to the drum and is provided in order to guide the floor covering coming off the carrier roll towards the drum, and to press it against the outside wall of the drum. In this way accurate guidance of the carrier roll towards the drum is achieved, and it is ensured that the floor covering is laid correctly on the drum, which therefore helps to produce correct laying on the floor.

A second embodiment of a device according to the invention is characterized in that at least one slide block is fitted downstream of the drum, which slide block is provided for the purpose of pressing down the floor covering on the floor. The slide block ensures that the laid floor covering is pressed onto the floor, which is advantageous in particular when adhesive is used to fix the floor covering.

It is advantageous that the device comprises a cutting element, which is disposed so that it can move in the widthwise direction of the floor covering. This means that the floor covering can be cut to the correct length by machine.

A third preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention is characterized in that it has two arms disposed in a position virtually parallel to each other and each connected to a first end of a rod, a second end of the rod being connected to a tilting mechanism. This means that rolls of differing widths can be mounted on the same device.

A fourth preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention is characterized in that the unrolling unit is detachably connected to a propulsion unit, which propulsion unit is provided with guide means for guiding it along a predetermined path. The detachable connection makes it possible to connect unrolling units of differing widths to the same propulsion unit. The guide means in turn make it possible to

guide the device and in that way to lay the different strips or lengths of floor covering accurately alongside each other.

A fifth preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention is characterized in that the guide means comprise at least two detection elements, which are staggered relative to each other and are provided in order to generate a detection beam, and are disposed in such a way that the detection beam is directed towards the floor, which detection elements are further provided in order to detect a reflected detection beam and to determine a guide signal from the reflected detection beam. The reflected detection beam makes it possible to detect deviations from a predetermined line and in this way correct the guide.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. In the drawing: Figure 1 shows a rear side of a device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the guide mechanism for moving the carrier arms; Figure 3 shows a top view of an unrolling unit as part of the device according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a cross section along a vertical plane and in the longitudinal direction through the device according to the invention; Figures 5 a), 5 b), 5 c) and 5 d) show details of the upward and downward movement of the second sub-frame; Figure 6 shows the inside of the drum; Figures 7,8 and 9 show the cutting and gluing element as part of the device according to the invention.

Figure 10 shows a detailed view of the wheels as part of the propulsion element; Figure 11 shows a side flank with the detectors fitted on it; Figure 12 shows an arrangement of the detectors; and

Figure 13 shows a detail of the detectors.

In the drawing the same or a corresponding element is given the same reference numeral.

As shown in Figure 1, the device 1 for laying a floor covering comprises a bearing table 2, in which a carrier roll is to be laid, on which carrier roll the floor covering to be laid is rolled up. In the remainder of the description the floor covering will in each case be referred to as carpet 5. It will, however, be clear that the invention is not limited to the laying of carpets and that other types of floor covering that can also be wound onto a carrier roll, such as, for example, linoleum can also be laid with the device according to the invention.

The device further comprises a clamping mechanism for clamping the carpet roll. Said clamping mechanism comprises two head pieces 3,4, which preferably have a conical end for engaging in the carrier roll around which the carpet is wound. The head pieces 3 and 4 are each mounted on a carrier arm 6,7. One end of a first rod 8 and a second rod 9 respectively is connected to the arm 7 and 6 respectively, as is shown in greater detail in Figure 2. The other ends of the first and second rods 8 and 9 are connected to a first plate 10, in such a way that the first rod 8 is connected to a first end 11 and the second rod 9 is connected to a second end 12 of the first plate 10. Said first end 11 and second end 12 are disposed symmetrically relative to a central axis of rotation 13. The first plate 10 is fitted so that it can rotate about the vertical axis of rotation 13. The rotation is provided by, for example, a first compressed air piston 14, which makes the first plate rotate through an angle a of, for example, 30°.

Owing to the fact that the first rod 8 and the second rod 9 are each connected on either side of the central axis 13, a rotary movement of the first plate 10 will result in a translation movement of the first and second rod in the direction of the arrows 15 and 16. The result of the translation movement of the rods is that the arms 6 and 7 also

undergo a translation movement because the arms are connected to the rods. The translation movement of the arms ensures that the head pieces 3 and 4 can be moved in and out of the carrier roll of the carpet, and in this way can retain the carpet roll when the first plate 10 is in its idle position and can be removed from the carpet roll by making the first plate 10 rotate.

The first plate and the compressed air piston 14 are preferably mounted on a first guide mechanism 17, which in turn is connected to a first actuator 18. The first actuator makes it possible for the first guide mechanism to perform a translation, as shown by the arrow 19. Such a translation has the advantage that it can compensate for irregularities that occur during the rolling up of the carpet around the carrier roll. The fact is that without this compensation these irregularities would result immediately in irregularities in the laid carpet. By making the clamping mechanism, and in particular the arms 6 and 7, which are connected to the first guide mechanism by way of the first plate and the rods, shift in a left-right movement, these irregularities can be compensated for and the carpet can be laid in an aligned manner. The first actuator is controlled, for example, by means of photoelectric cells (not shown in the figure), which are disposed along the edge of the carpet roll.

As further shown in Figure 1, the device according to the invention further comprises a pressure roll 22, which is disposed in a position virtually parallel to a drum 28. The pressure roll is provided in order to guide the carpet coming off the carrier roll towards the drum and to press it against an outside wall of the drum. The pressure roll can be moved up and down, and to that end is fitted on a first lifting mechanism, one end of which is situated in an opening 27 of a side wall of the device.

The movement up and down of the pressure roll is what makes the pressure action on the drum possible.

Disposed virtually parallel to the pressure roll 22 is a guide roll 20, in order to guide the carpet coming off the carpet roll 5 to the first lifting mechanism. The first lifting mechanism comprises two actuators 23,24, for example in the form of pneumatic pistons or an electric motor, which are fitted on the inside against the side flanks of the device. The actuators are connected to the pressure roll 22 and provide an upward and downward movement of the pressure roll. In order to guide this upward and downward movement, openings 27-1,27-2 in which guide plates 25 and 26 can move are provided in the side flanks. Said guide plates are fitted on the ends of the pressure roll 22. Corresponding profiles are preferably provided both in the openings and on the lateral edges of the guide plates, in order to provide correct guidance. During its upward and downward movement the pressure roll is guided in the opening by the guide plates.

At least one slide block 29 is fitted at the bottom of the device and downstream of the drum 28. The slide block is provided in order to press down the laid floor covering on the floor. To that end, the slide block is fitted on a holder 31 provided on the flank 30 of the device.

A rod, around which a spring 32 is coiled, is present between the holder 31 and the slide block. For this purpose, the slide block is fitted resiliently, and the spring 32 exerts a force upon the slide block, so that the latter is pressed towards the floor and thereby exerts a downward pressure on the carpet that is wound off the drum 28 and laid on the floor.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the bearing table 2, which forms part of the device according to the invention. The bearing table is substantially V-shaped and comprises a set of rolls 33 that are rotatably mounted in order to ensure that the carpet roll can be moved easily on the bearing table. The rolls are each disposed with their end faces opposite each other. The bearing table is mounted on an actuator 34, as shown in Figure 4. Said actuator is, for example, in the form of a

pneumatic piston, which moves the bearing table up and down, for example over a distance of 8 cm. The movement of the bearing table up and down makes it possible to take the carpet roll to the head pieces 3 and 4 when a new carpet roll is being placed in position. It is further possible for the bearing table 2 to continue to support the carpet roll in order to ensure that too rapid unrolling of the carpet is slowed down.

The device according to the invention comprises an unrolling unit 36 and a propulsion unit 35, which are detachably connected, for example by means of bolts and nuts, by magnetic connection or by other connection means. Because the unrolling unit and the propulsion unit are mounted detachably, it is possible to have different unrolling units for different widths of carpet rolls, which unrolling units can then each be connected to the same propulsion unit.

The propulsion unit 35 comprises a main frame, which is substantially formed by the bars 37 and 38, which extend in the widthwise direction of the device. Two guide tracks 39 and 40 are provided on this main frame, which guide tracks likewise extend in the widthwise direction, virtually parallel to the bars 37 and 38. Sliding elements 41,42 are provided on said guide tracks, which sliding elements form part of a first sub-frame, which in turn is fitted on an actuator 43, in order to allow the sub-frame to be subjected to a left-right movement. Said left-right movement makes it possible to make the entire unrolling unit undergo a left-right movement and in this way to ensure that corrections can be carried out during the laying of the carpet.

A second sub-frame is provided on the first sub-frame, which second sub-frame is adjustable in height. The drum 28 and also the bearing table 2 and the pressure roll 22 are fitted on the second sub- frame, so that the latter is likewise adjustable in height, and in this way the device can be lifted off the ground while travelling without carpet. The height adjustment can also be used to press the carpet down on the floor with the drum. The height adjustability of the second sub-frame is carried

out by means of two actuators 47-1 and 47-2, as shown in Figure 3.

These actuators are, for example, in the form of pneumatic pistons or electric motors. The actuators are each provided with a piston, each piston acting upon a first end of a substantially L-shaped connecting piece 44,45. The centre part of the L-shaped connecting pieces is connected to a shaft 46, which also connects the two connecting pieces to each other. The shaft 46 extends further into a curved opening 48 made in the first sub-frame.

As shown in greater detail in Figures 4 and 5, sliding pieces 49 are fitted on the other ends of the L-shaped connecting pieces, which sliding pieces belong to the second sub-frame. These sliding pieces act upon a guide, as shown in Figures 5 c) and 5 d), which guide is part of the first sub-frame. In the lowest position of the second sub-frame, as shown in Figure 5 a), the pistons of the actuators 47-1 and 47-2 are in the retracted state. In order now to raise the height of the second sub- frame, the actuators 47-1 and 47-2 are activated, so that their pistons will move. The linear movement of the pistons exerts a force upon the one end of the L-shaped connecting pieces 44 and 45, so that the latter will begin to rotate anticlockwise about the shaft 46. The rotation of the L- shaped connecting pieces results, on the one hand, in a movement of the shaft 46 in the opening 48 and, on the other hand, in an upward movement of the other ends of the L-shaped connecting pieces. The latter upward movement causes the second sub-frame 50 to slide in the sliding pieces 49, with the result that the second sub-frame is lifted upwards as shown in Figures 5 b) and 5 d). Owing to the fact that the drum, the bearing table and the pressure roll are fixed on the second sub-frame, they will likewise undergo this upward movement. Owing to the fact that the bearing table 2 itself is mounted on a linear actuator 34, said bearing table can undergo a double upward and downward movement, namely that imposed by the actuator 34 and that imposed by the actuators 47-1 and 47-2. The second sub-frame is again taken to the

lowest position by operating the actuators 47-1 and 47-2 and taking their pistons to the idle position.

The device further comprises a measuring unit 51, which comprises a small drum that rolls over the carpet running along the drum 28. The rotation of the small drum is measured by a sensor, which converts the rotation into distance travelled and in this way measures how many metres of carpet have been unwound from the roll. The measured value is useful for making the ends of the carpet butt up against each other at the end faces.

As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the drum 28 is provided with suction means, which, inter alia, comprise an outer casing of the drum provided with perforations 88. Fitted in the inside of the drum is a fan 52, which is driven by a motor 53. Since said motor 53 rotates along with the drum, it is supplied with power by means of sliding contacts 54. The rotation itself of the drum is brought about by a further motor 55, which drives a wheel 56 that is in contact with the inside wall of the drum 28.

The wheel is preferably provided with a rubber circumferential sheath, in order to achieve a good transmission of the power supplied by the motor 55. The wheel can also be in the form of a gearwheel that acts upon a gear ring provided on the inner casing of the drum. The suction power developed by the fan 52 draws in the air through the perforations 51 on the outer casing of the drum, with the result that a vacuum effect is created on the drum, which vacuum effect draws in the carpet running along the drum onto said drum. The drawing in of the carpet means, on the one hand, that the carpet will be subject to the rotation of the drum and will therefore be unwound from the carrier roll and, on the other hand, that the carpet is positioned accurately and tightly on the drum, with the result that accurate laying is promoted.

The carpet is preferably rolled onto the carrier roll in such a way that the side laid on the floor is situated on the outside. The carpet is conveyed over the guide roll 20 as shown in Figure 4. From there it is

guided under pressure roll 22, so that the latter can exert a pressure force on the carpet and the drum. The carpet is laid anticlockwise around the drum, so that when the drum 28 is rotated anticlockwise the carpet comes out at the rear side of the device and is fitted on the floor.

The carpet is cut by means of a cutting element, which is disposed so that it is movable in the widthwise direction of the floor covering, as shown in the Figures 4,7, 8 and 9. The cutting element is mounted on a first crossbar 57, which is rigidly connected to the frame of the unrolling unit. A linear actuator 59, the piston of which is connected to a second crossbar 58, is fitted on said first crossbar. Said second crossbar in the idle position extends in a manner virtually parallel to the first crossbar 57. The actuator 59 produces a linear movement of the second crossbar 58 from and to the external surface 28 of the drum.

A cutting element 60, which is provided with a foot 61, is fitted on the second crossbar 58, as shown in Figure 8. Fitted above the foot 61 is a circular cutting disc 62, which is driven rotatably by a motor 63. The cutting disc and the motor likewise form part of the cutting element. The foot 61 is placed against the outer casing of the drum by means of movement of the second crossbar, so that said foot can be positioned under the carpet. The cutting disc 62 takes care of the cutting of the carpet. Owing to the fact that the cutting disc is fitted opposite the foot 62, the cutting disc will not damage the drum during the cutting because the foot is now in fact situated between drum and cutting disc.

The cutting element is fitted in such a way that it can be moved in the widthwise direction on the second crossbar 58. To this end, the cutting element is fitted on a chain or a toothed belt that is driven by a motor. Said movement makes it possible during a cutting operation to move the cutting element over the second crossbar and therefore along the drum on which the carpet is placed. During said movement the cutting disc and the foot move over the width of the carpet and in this way can cut it over the entire width.

The cutting element can preferably be connected to an arm 64, which is fitted in such a way that it can pivot about a shaft 65. The shaft 65 is fitted on the second crossbar 58. The pivoting movement is made along an axis that is perpendicular to the second crossbar. The pivoting movement of the arm 64 ensures that the cutting element can tilt outwards through an aperture 66 in the side flank. This makes it possible to cut the carpet over the entire width without constantly projecting parts being fitted on the device. Furthermore, the cutter is more easily accessible and is simple to replace. Figure 8 shows how the cutting element is tilted outside the device.

In order to achieve cutting off of the carpet at an angle, the second crossbar is fitted in such a way that it can rotate. To this end, guide pieces 68 that have a substantially U-shaped profile are provided on either side of the second crossbar 58 and in each case on the first crossbar 57. In each of said guide pieces a bearing 69 is fitted, which bearing in turn is fitted on a flange 67, which is connected to the second crossbar. The flanges 67 in turn are each connected to an actuator that can impose a linear movement. The linear movement of the actuator is transmitted to the flange, with the result that the bearing 69 connected to it will move in the guide piece 68. The downward or upward movement, as a function of the chosen direction of rotation of the actuator, will therefore be transmitted to the second crossbar, so that the latter will rotate about the shaft 70 of the actuator 59 through an angle of, for example, no more than 20°. Owing to the fact that the cutting element is mounted on the second crossbar, a rotation of said crossbar will also lead to a rotation of the cutting element, with the result that the carpet can be cut off at an angle.

In order to apply adhesive to the carpet, the device is preferably provided with a gluing element 71, which is fitted, for example, underneath the cutting element on the second crossbar 58. This means that the gluing element can be moved over the entire width of the carpet.

Figure 10 shows a front side of a device according to the invention. The propulsion unit comprises a motor 71, which drives a front wheel 72 fitted on the front side of the device. The wheel rests on the floor in order to permit the forward movement of the device. The propulsion unit is further provided with a turning element 73, as shown in Figure 10, in order to make the wheel rotate about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the floor through an angle of preferably 90°. This means that the device can perform a rotation movement through 90°.

The device is further provided with guide means for guiding it along a predetermined path. Said guide means comprise, inter alia, a camera 74, which is disposed on the front side, and also a light source (not shown in the drawing). The light source is, for example, fitted against a wall towards which the device has to move. The light source is disposed in such a way that it forms a reference point for the device. The camera 74 then proceeds to intercept the light transmitted by the light source. A virtual centre line is provided in the lens of the camera.

Deviations from this centre line result in a correction of the guide. The correction is made by means of a control unit that is known per se, so long as the device is moving correctly towards the reference point.

Figure 10 also shows further details of the propulsion unit.

In addition to the front wheel 72, two rear wheels 75 and 80 are also provided. The rear wheel 75 can be driven by a motor 76 and is further connected to a turning element 77. The turning element 77 has a function that is comparable to that of the turning element 73 and ensures that the rear wheel 75 is rotatable through an angle of 90°. The turning element 77 is further connected to a first plate 79 to which one end of a rod 78 is connected. Another end of the rod 78 is connected to a second plate 81, on which the other rear wheel 80 is fixed. The rod 78 will therefore transmit the rotation imposed by the turning element 77 on the rear wheel 75 to the other rear wheel 80, so that both wheels can rotate

in synchronism. The plates 79 and 81 are rotatable about the shafts a and b respectively.

The turning elements 73 and 77 can be synchronized with each other, so that the front wheel and the two rear wheels can be rotated together through an angle lying between 0 and 90°. The rotation through an angle of 90° is necessary in order drive the entire device in or out of a corner. The motor 76 is preferably activated, in synchronism with motor 71, only when the rear wheels have been turned crosswise relative to the usual forward direction of movement.

Figure 11 illustrates how further guide means 82 have been fitted on a side flank of the device according to the invention. As further illustrated in Figure 12, six (82-1 to 82-6) detectors are preferably provided, said detectors forming part of the guide means. The detectors are fitted on the underside of the side flanks, and for each side flank three detectors are provided, each at a distance from the other. As shown in Figure 13, each detector 82 comprises a first detection element 83 and a second detection element 84, for example a photoelectric cell pointing towards the floor. The first and second detection elements are disposed in a manner staggered relative to each other, so that there is in each case a distance between their centre points. Each photoelectric cell transmits a detection beam in the direction of the floor. The reflection of the transmitted beam is detected and a guide signal is determined from the reflected signal.

If the carpet is being correctly laid during unwinding from the drum 28, then the edge 85 of the carpet will ultimately lie precisely between the photoelectric cells 83 and 84. Photoelectric cell 83 will then, for example, receive light reflected by the floor, while photoelectric cell 82 will receive light reflected by the carpet. The intensity of the two reflected beams will therefore clearly be different. The quantity of reflected light is converted into a current or voltage value, which is delivered to a control unit 86, to which the detection elements are connected. So long as the

carpet is laid correctly the difference between the two reflected detection beams will hardly vary, and the control unit will monitor that this difference remains within predetermined values.

If, however, the carpet is laid out of line, for example because it had not been rolled up correctly or because the propulsion unit is not propelling the device in a straight line, then the edge of the carpet will deviate from the ideal line running between the detection elements 83 and 84, so that the difference between the detection signals will vary and will go outside the predetermined value. Therefore, for example, if the two detection elements 83 and 84 receive light reflected by the floor, the difference between the two reflected beams will disappear and the control unit 86 will establish that the difference between the two values presented is too small. The control unit will react to this by delivering a guide signal that will be proportionate to the measured difference between the two input signals received. This guide signal is then delivered to a central control unit 87, which in turn will generate correction signals. The correction signals are then either transmitted to the carrier arms 6,7 by way of the first guide mechanism 17 if the carpet roll has to be shifted, or are transmitted to the front wheel 72 if the correction signal has come from the camera 74 and/or the detectors 82. In this way it is ensured that the carpet is laid correctly. It is also possible to transmit the correction signal to the actuator of the first sub-frame, in order to cause a left-right movement of the sub-frame. The correction signal can, of course, also be distributed over the various elements that make correction possible.

In order to ensure that the device, which is self-propelling, is provided with the necessary power supply and/or compressed air, an electric generator and/or a compressor is/are mounted on the device.