Importance

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Abstract

An improved carpet seaming electric iron of the kind used for making carpet face seams with hot melt adhesive tapes is disclosed. Improved heat transfer and control is achieved by reducing the thermal mass of the iron baseplate, and by providing a raised channel, integral with the top surface of the base plate, for mounting the heating element to efficiently transmit the heat generated by the heating element through the baseplate. A temperature control switch having a sensor is provided for sensing the temperature of the baseplate at the top surface, and for controlling the flow of current to the heating element to return the baseplate to a desired temperature set by the operator. A heat shield is provided to protect the operator and carpet backings. Lower temperatures at the surface of the heat shield are obtained by using an insulating gasket to eliminate any direct contact between the heat shield and the baseplate, by using brackets and fasteners which do not conduct heat well to attach the heat shield to the baseplate, and by providing the heat shield with a plurality of air inlets around the bottom of the heat shield, and one or more air outlets at the top of the heat shield, to permit air to circulate through the space between the heat shield and the baseplate. When the air is warmed by the base plate, it rises through the air outlet, thus keeping the heat shield cool. A handle which is nonconductive to heat is provided to enable the iron to be manipulated by an operator. This combination provides a lighter carpet seaming iron with excellent thermal control.

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First Claim