GB2278089A - Wallpaper hanging - Google Patents

Abstract

A wallpaper holder (10) has an open topped tray (12) for holding a strip of pasted wallpaper, and a harness (14) for holding the tray (12) against the back of a user of the tray (12). Clips (16, 18) attached to a wall (20) of the tray (12), hold an end of the strip of wallpaper. A user may easily reach and grasp the end of the strip of wallpaper held by the clips (16, 18). <IMAGE>

Description

WALLPAPER HANGING This invention relates to an apparatus and method for hanging wallpaper, particularly but not exclusively relating to applying wallpaper to a ceiling, wall or other flat surface.

There are difficulties associated with hanging wallpaper on walls. These difficulties stem, in the main, from the fact that to obtain the best results wallpaper paste must be applied to wallpaper before the wallpaper is applied to a wall. As a consequence a person who is applying wallpaper (for example a decorator) must manipulate wallpaper which is loaded with paste. Therefore the wallpaper is both heavy and fragile and is quite prone to tearing. It is quite possible that if a strip of pasted wallpaper, which could be two to three metres long, is suspended from the corners of one end of the strip, the corners may tear away from the strip simply under the weight of the pasted strip. Whilst these are difficulties associated with hanging wallpaper on walls, the problem becomes even more acute if the wallpaper is to be applied to a ceiling.To apply wallpaper to a ceiling, the paper must be supported from underneath over much of its length by a decorator in order for it to be pressed against a ceiling.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a new method of wallpapering ceilings and to alleviate at least some of the problems discussed above.

According to a first aspect of the invention I provide a wallpaper holder comprising carrying means adapted to carry a length of wallpaper, attachment means adapted to attach the carrying means to a user of the wallpaper holder, and gripping means adapted to grip a portion of a strip of wallpaper.

Preferably the wallpaper holder is a trough or box. Preferably the trough is adapted to receive wallpaper which has been pasted. The wallpaper may be placed in the trough in a concertina arrangement.

Preferably the attachment means is a harness arrangement fixed (or attachable) to the carrying means. The harness may have two straps, such as two loops of webbing which may fit around over the shoulders of the user of the holder (a decorator).

Preferably each loop may be opened or closed by means of a snap connection. A chest strap may be provided attached at each of its ends to each of the loops or to the carrying means.

Preferably the gripping means is adapted to grip a strip of wallpaper by one or more of its corners at one of its ends. The portion or portions of the gripping means which grips the wallpaper may have at least a region of foam, felt or other resilient material. By choosing a soft material to be in contact with the wallpaper the likelihood of the wallpaper being marked by the gripping surfaces of the clip or clips is minimised. The clips may be removable from the carrying means. Alternatively the gripping means may be movably, for example, pivotally attached to the carrying means, in order that they can be pushed out of the way when they are not required.

Preferably the gripping means comprises one or more clips which are adapted to demountably clip onto the carrying means. Preferably each clip is of a rounded configuration having no sharp edges.

Preferably the wallpaper holder may fit onto the back of the decorator. In use, the decorator may reach behind his back to grasp the free end of the wallpaper when he first applies a length of wallpaper to the ceiling. He may grasp the gripping means, bring the gripping means and thus the wallpaper over his head and apply the wallpaper to the surface to which the wallpaper is to be applied. Alternatively the decorator may reach behind his head, free the end of the wallpaper strip from the gripping means and bring the end of the wallpaper over his head. This arrangement is particularly suitable to apply the wallpaper to a ceiling. However if the wallpaper is to be applied to a wall, an alternative embodiment of the invention is envisaged in which the holder may fit onto the front of the body of the decorator.In this way the decorator may have a clearer view of what he is doing than when the holder is mounted on his back. Alternatively, a back or front mounted holder may be suitable for either applying wallpaper to a ceiling or to a wall.

A main advantage of one embodiment of the invention is that it provides a holder which contains wallpaper in a neat and compact arrangement.

Furthermore, this compact arrangement of wallpaper is readily portable and is maintained in a position fixed relatively with respect to the body of the decorator.

Another advantage of one embodiment of the invention is that it holds the free edge of a length of wallpaper (e.g. behind the users head), leaving the hands free until they wish to apply the length to the surface to be wallpapered.

It is envisaged that provision may be made for the holder to carry other articles that the decorator may need. The holder may have an ancillary holder or holders for holding or carrying brushes, scissors or other tools which may be required by the decorator in decorating. A bin may also be provided in order to collect off-cuts of wallpaper which are created in the wallpaper hanging procedure. The ancillary holder may be detachable from the main holder.

According to a second aspect of the invention I provide a method of hanging wallpaper comprising the steps of supporting a strip of wallpaper on carrying means, attaching the carrying means to a decorator, gripping a free end of the strip of wallpaper in a position fixed relatively to the carrying means and presenting the free end to the decorator such that the free end is readily accessible.

Preferably the method comprises presenting the free end at a region behind the user's head.

Preferably the carrying means is mounted on the user's back, or behind his shoulders.

Preferably the method incorporates using a holder according to the first aspect of the invention.

I may provide a kit comprising carrying means and instructions.

An embodiment of a holder according to the invention will be described in the following drawings of which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a holder according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the holder loaded with pasted wallpaper; and Figure 3 shows schematically the holder in use.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a holder 10 comprising a container 12, a harness 14 and clips 16 and 18. The container is an open-topped shallow box having a front wall 20, back wall 22, two side walls 24, 26 and a bottom 28. Affixed to the outside face 30 of the front wall 20 are two mounting elements 32, 34. The mounting elements 32, 34 provide the attachment between the container 12 and the harness 14.

The harness comprises a composite arrangement of strips of webbing. The harness comprises two loops 36, 38 of webbing, each one attached to one of the mounting elements. Each loop 36, 38 is provided with a coupling clip 40, 42 comprising a male part and a female part to enable the loop to be opened and closed. Two strips of webbing 44, 46 are attached to each of the loops 36, 38. The free ends 48, 50 of the strips 44, 46 are provided respectively with a male part and a female part which are adapted to snap fit together. An alternative arrangement of strips is for them to cross over the chest of the user, with a buckle or other connector at the centre of the "X".

Each clip 16, 18 is identical and is shown in Figure 2. The clip is provided with an upper 52 and a lower 54 clipping portion. The two clipping portions are joined together by a body member.

The lower clipping portion 54 is adapted to be releasably attached to the upper edge 56 of the front wall. The upper clipping portion is adapted to be releasably attached to the end edge 60 of a strip of wallpaper 58. The upper portion is made of, or coated with, soft material such as foam rubber so as not to mark the paper.

In use a strip of wallpaper 58 is pasted with wallpaper paste in a conventional manner. The strip is suspended over the open top of the container and lowered into the container. The strip is laid into the container with an oscillatory motion such that the wallpaper is disposed in the container in the concertina arrangement shown in Figure 2. As the last length of wallpaper is laid into the container, the end edge 60 of the strip of wallpaper 58 is slid into the upper clipping portion 52 of the clips 16, 18 and the end of the strip of wallpaper 58 is held by the clips.

A decorator who is to use the holder then mounts the holder 10 on his back/shoulders, joining each loop 36, 38 around each of his shoulders, and snapping together the free ends 48, 50 of the strips across his chest to load the holder onto his back. The decorator may then proceed to wallpaper a ceiling.

The decorator stands on a platform arrangement arranged such that he can reach the ceiling. He grasps the end 60 of the strip of wallpaper 58 (which is located such as to be readily accessible to him) and manipulates the free edge of the paper so as to free it from the clips 16. With the majority of the strip of wallpaper 58 disposed behind his head and the weight of the strip supported by the holder it becomes a relatively easy task for the decorator to correctly position the wallpaper on the ceiling, since he only has to deal with a relatively short strip of wallpaper at any one time. For example, I would envisage the user applying the free edge of the wallpaper to one edge of the ceiling and working backwards towards the opposite edge of the ceiling - paying out wallpaper from the carrier as he moves backwards.

Claims (15)

1. A wallpaper holder comprising carrying means adapted to carry a length of wallpaper, attachment means adapted to attach the carrying means to a user of the wallpaper holder, and gripping means adapted to grip a portion of a strip of wallpaper.

2. A holder according to claim 1 in which the wallpaper holder is a trough or box.

3. A holder according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the attachment means is a harness arrangement fixed (or attachable) to the carrying means.

4. A holder according to any preceding claim in which the gripping means is adapted to grip a strip of wallpaper at one of its ends.

5. A holder according to any preceding claim in which the portion or portions of the gripping means which grip the wallpaper may have at least a region of foam, felt or other resilient material.

6. A holder according to any preceding claim in which the gripping means is movably attached to the carrying means, such that the gripping means is adapted to be pushed out of the way if it is not required.

7. A holder according to any preceding claim in which the gripping means comprises one or more clips which are adapted to demountably clip onto the carrying means.

8. A holder according to claim 7 in which each clip is of a rounded configuration having no sharp edges.

9. A holder according to any preceding claim which is adapted to fit onto the back of a decorator.

10. A holder according to any preceding claim having an ancillary holder or holders for holding or carrying brushes, scissors or other tools.

11. A holder according to any preceding claim having a bin may also be provided in order to collect cut-offs of wallpaper or other waste.

12. A holder according to claim 10 or claim 11 in which the ancillary holder or bin is detachable from the main holder.

13. A holder substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of hanging wallpaper comprising the steps of supporting a strip of wallpaper on carrying means, attaching the carrying means to a decorator, gripping a free end of the strip of wallpaper in a position fixed relatively to the carrying means and presenting the free end to the decorator such that the free end is readily accessible.

15. A method substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.