AU2013204356A1 - An apparatus for securing ends of a cover strip used on an elongate fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

A combination of a cover strip, elongate fitting, and cover strip retainer, the elongate fitting including a channel with inwardly facing side walls, the cover strip configured to fit within the channel and comprising an elongate web covering the 5 channel and respective legs depending from either side of the web adjacent the walls of the channel, the cover strip retainer configured to fit into an end of the channel wherein the legs of the cover strip are urged into frictional engagement with adjacent walls of the channel. There is also provided a door seal kit, a wedge and a method of attaching the cover strip retainer. 7C 7m 7' ---------

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: Raven Products Pty Ltd Address for Service: A.P.T. Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys PO Box 222, Mitcham, SA 5062 Invention Title: An apparatus for securing ends of a cover strip used on an elongate fitting The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 2 An apparatus for securing ends of a cover strip used on an elongate fitting FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing the ends of a cover strip attached to an elongate fitting and in particular to a method and apparatus for 5 securing the cover strip of a face mounted door seal to inhibit shrinkage thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cover strips are fitted into a channel of various types of plastic and metal extrusions for the purpose of concealing the channel or a fixing means contained within the channel. The cover strips are used to improve the aesthetics of the extrusion and 10 prevent debris being caught within the channel. The cover strips are typically constructed from an inexpensive material and can be prone to shrinkage. One type of extrusion in which flexible cover strips can be used are door seals. There are a number of different types of seals currently available that are fixable to a door to reduce draughts and the entry of dust or vermin. These seals typically comprise 15 a generally rigid mount and an elongate flexible portion attached thereto. The mount may be fixed to the door and the flexible portion engages with the threshold of the doorway or door frame. A popular type of seal is the face mounted door seal which can be attached to the door without having to remove the door from its hinges or substantially alter the door, 20 as is necessary with semi-morticed or fully morticed door seals. The face mounted door seal include an elongate support to which the flexible portion is attached and a generally perpendicular projection, extending upwardly from a longitudinal side of the elongate support. The elongate support and projection form a generally L-shaped rigid mount. The projection is positioned against a front or rear of the door such that the 25 elongate support extends under and is held against the bottom of the door. The projection may include an outwardly facing elongate channel with holes that extend through the base of the channel for the attachment of screws used to fix the seal to the door. An elongate flexible cover strip is positioned within the channel to conceal the heads of the screws once attached to the door.

3 The cover strip is usually constructed from a semi-rigid plastic typically PVC but other plastics are also used. In use the cover strip bears against opposing sides of the elongate channel to retain it therein. The reader should appreciate that the door seal may also be attached to a doorjamb or lintel. 5 One of the problems with the use of flexible cover strips, particularly if made from less expensive plastics, is they have a tendency to shrink in a longitudinal direction when exposed to light, including when they are attached to the front face of an exterior door and are exposed to ultraviolet light. Problems can also occur with rigid or semi-rigid cover strips, which may still 10 shrink to a degree and become unsightly over time. The shrinkage of the cover strip means that the ends of the channel become exposed which is aesthetically undesirable and may increase the chance or debris being caught up behind the cover strip. While there are shrink resistant materials currently available, these are expensive and therefore are typically not used by manufacturers. 15 Another problem is that the cover strip is curved outwardly from the base of the channel between its longitudinal edges. This means that there is a gap between the base of the channel and centre of the cover strip which means debris may be caught up behind the seal. The gap also provides a cavity that pests, such as insects and spiders, may enter. 20 Although the invention will be described with particular reference to door seals it should be appreciated that the apparatus may be used to secure a cover strip of any elongate fitting that includes a channel. It should be appreciated that any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification is included solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present 25 invention and should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art was widely known or formed part of the common general knowledge in the field as it existed before the priority date of the application. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a broad aspect, the invention might be said to reside in a combination of a 30 cover strip, elongate fitting, and cover strip retainer, the elongate fitting including a 4 channel with inwardly facing side walls, the cover strip configured to fit within the channel and comprising an elongate web covering the channel and respective legs depending from either side of the web adjacent the walls of the channel, the cover strip retainer configured to fit into an end of the channel wherein the legs of the cover strip are 5 urged into frictional engagement with adjacent walls of the channel. It is preferred that either, said channel walls comprise a protrusion that extends into the channel, with a complementary shaped recess in the cover strip accommodating said protrusion or, said cover strip comprises a protrusion extending into a complementary recess in the wall, or both, thereby inhibiting the cover strip from 10 becoming dislodged from within the channel. In a preferred form the protrusion in the channel wall is an overhang at the upper end thereof, and optionally the cover strip comprises a groove in an upper surface, which is fitted under the overhang to register therewith. In a more preferred form the cover strip retainer includes a tapered wedge, 15 wherein at least a portion of opposite edges of the wedge fit under the overhang. Thus whilst providing for frictional engagement of ends of the cover strip, the wedge also further positively prevents ends of the cover strip from dislodging. A cover strip retainer preferably secures at least one end of the cover strip to inhibit movement of the cover strip in a longitudinal direction relative to the door seal. 20 In still a more preferred form the cover strip retainer comprises first and second wedges each of which secures a respective end of the cover strip. The first wedge is used to secure a first end of the cover strip and the second wedge is used to secure a second end of the cover strip, whereby the cover strip is held within the longitudinal channel under tension between the first and second ends to inhibit shrinkage of the 25 cover strip. Alternatively the first end of the cover strip engages the door seal at one end of the channel and the second end of the cover strip is secured by way of the cover strip retainer that clamps or wedges said second end within the channel to inhibit shrinkage thereof. For instance the first end of the cover strip may be shaped to extend over an 30 edge of the channel to resist inward movement in the longitudinal direction. The cover strip is thereby held under tension between the first end that engages the door seal and the second that that is secured within the channel by said cover strip retainer.

5 The longitudinal channel in one form includes a base and respective elongate lips that overhang inwardly from opposing walls of the channel. The elongate lips are configured to engage with respective edges of the cover strip to hold it within the channel. Preferably the respective edges comprise a shoulder to register with a 5 respective lip, thus providing better retention of the cover strip. In one form the wedge is inserted between the base of the channel and the cover strip to force the longitudinal sides of the cover strip against respective walls of the channel. This clamps the end portion of the cover strip against the opposing lips to thereby hold the cover strip such that when first and second wedges are secured to 10 opposite ends the cover strip, it is held under tension. In one form the cover strip comprises an extruded portion of resiliently flexible material. The cover strip may include an upper generally elongate web with depending legs extending along opposite longitudinal sides of the elongate web. The depending legs include respective outwardly facing shoulders for engagement with respective 15 elongate lips of said channel. The elongate web of the cover strip may be curved outwardly such that when the cover strip is positioned within the channel, an outer surface for the elongate web is flush with or extends slightly outwardly from the upper perimeter of the channel. When in position the depending legs abut with the base and respective walls of 20 the channel. The upper generally elongate web is held above and separated from the base of the channel thereby forming a gap between the base of the channel and centre portion of the cover strip. In one form the wedge is inserted into said gap such that the depending legs are forced against respective walls of the channel. 25 The wedge may include an end plate and a forwardly extending taped portion, wherein the tapered portion is inserted into the gap between the base of the channel and the end of the cover strip. The tapered portion bears against the depending legs of the cover strip and forces them against opposing walls of the channel. The tapered portion may also compress the depending legs. In one form the tapered portion includes 30 sidewardly extending barbs or ridges that assist in maintaining the wedge in position. The wedge may further include a central spine to maintain the space between the cover strip and the base of the channel.

6 The end plate of the wedge is configured to fill an opening of the gap between the base of the channel and the cover strip. In this way the end plate inhibits the ingress of debris or vermin behind the cover strip. The end plate may be an escutcheon plate being a decorative member that is 5 used to conceal the channel and screw heads. The provision of an escutcheon plate conceals the unsightly gap between the base of the channel and the cover strip. It also inhibits debris being caught in the gap that further affects the aesthetics of the extrusion. The cover strip may be constructed from, but not limited to, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic 10 elastomer (TPE), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), or any other type of resiliently flexible material. In accordance with another form of the invention there is proposed door seal kit including a door seal member, cover strip and cover strip retainer for securing said cover strip as herein before described. 15 In another aspect of the invention there is proposed a method of securing a cover strip within a longitudinally extending channel of an elongate fitting, including the step of: engaging the cover strip within said channel wherein the cover strip substantially fills the length of said channel to thereby conceal a base thereof, the cover strip comprising an elongate web and respective legs depending from either side of the web adjacent walls 20 of the channel; securing a first end of the cover strip with a first tapered wedge, wherein the legs of the cover strip are urged into frictional engagement with adjacent walls of the channel; and securing a second end of the cover strip with a second tapered wedge, wherein the legs of the cover strip are urged into frictional engagement with adjacent walls of the channel, 25 the first and second wedges holding the cover strip within the longitudinal channel under tension to inhibit shrinkage thereof. The first and second wedges may be inserted behind respective ends of the cover strip to force the longitudinal edges of the cover strip against respective walls of the channel, wherein said wedges substantially fill the openings of a gap between a 30 base of the channel and the cover strip to thereby inhibit ingress of debris or vermin. In still another aspect of the invention there is proposed a wedge having an end plate, the wedge being insertable behind a cover strip positioned within a channel of an 7 elongate door seal, such that the cover strip is urged into frictional engagement with adjacent walls of said channel, wherein the end plate is configured to fill an opening of the gap between a base of the channel and a cover strip to thereby seal the opening to inhibit the ingress of debris or vermin behind the cover strip. 5 The wedge may be configured to cover the end of the elongate fitting and may be dimensioned to also cover a gasket under the elongate fitting. This secures the cover strip and finish off the end of the elongate fitting to provide an aesthetically improved appearance. The wedge may be used to finish off the end of multiple extrusions or a single wedge having an escutcheon plate may be used on an extrusion having multiple 10 channels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the 15 drawings, Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a door with a face mounted door seal attached; Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of a flexible cover strip engaging the channel of the door seal of figure 1 to thereby conceal the screw heads; 20 Figure 3 is a top view of a first embodiment of the cover strip wedge of the present invention; Figure 4 is a side view of the cover strip wedge of figure 3; Figure 5 is a rear view of the cover strip wedge of figure 3; Figure 6 is a top view of a second embodiment of the cover strip wedge of the 25 present invention; Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the wedge of figure 3 engaging the flexible cover strip of figure 2; Figure 8a is a partial side view of the door seal and cover strip of figure 2; and 8 Figure 8b is a partial side view of the door seal of figure 8a illustrating the attachment of the wedge that encloses the space between the cover strip and base of the channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED AND EXEMPLIFIED 5 EMBODIMENTS There are numerous specific details set forth in the following description. However, from the disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and/or substitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In some circumstance specific details may have been omitted or 10 enlarged so as not to obscure the invention. Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Turning to the figures for a detailed explanation of the invention, there is illustrated a cover strip retainer 10 for inhibiting shrinkage in a resiliently flexible elongate cover strip 12 demonstrating by way of examples, arrangements in which the principles 15 of the present invention may be employed. In the examples the cover strip 12 is attached to an extrusion of a door seal, however the reader will appreciate that the cover strip retainer 10 could be used to secure the ends of a cover strip attached to any plastic or metal extrusion. Figure 1 illustrates a face mounted door seal 14 that is attached to a door 16 by 20 way of screws 18 that engage through holes 20. Although the invention is described with particular reference to face mounted door seals, the reader should appreciate that the invention could be used in conjunction with any door seal that includes a resiliently flexible elongate cover strip 12. In the present embodiment the door seal 14 includes an elongate support 22, to 25 which flexible portions 24 are attached, and a generally perpendicular elongate projection 26 extending upwardly from a longitudinal side of the elongate support 22, thereby forming an L-shaped mount. As further illustrated in figure 2 the elongate projection 26 is positioned against a side 28 of the door 16 such that the elongate support 22 extends under and is held 30 against a bottom 32 of the door 16 adjacent a door threshold 30. The elongate projection 26 includes an outwardly facing elongate channel 34 having a base 36 through which holes 20 extend. The door 16 is mounted on hinges 38, however the door 9 seal could be used on other types of doors or the door seal may be attached to a door jamb or lintel. The elongate flexible cover strip 12 is positioned within the channel 34 to conceal the heads 40 of the screws 18, as illustrated in figure 2. In use the cover strip 12 bears 5 against opposing side walls 42, 44 of the channel 34 to retain it therein. The opposing side walls 42, 44 may include respective lips 46 to ensure that the cover strip is retained within the channel 34, by reason of shoulder of the cover strip engaging therewith. The cover strip 12 comprises an upper elongate web 48 with legs 50, 52 extending downwardly along opposite longitudinal sides of the elongate web 48. The 10 depending legs include respective outwardly facing shoulders 54 for engagement with the respective elongate lip 46 of the channel 34. As further illustrated in figure 2 the positioning of the cover strip 12 within the channel 34 forms a gap 56 therebetween. The invention resides in an cover strip retainer 10 for securing the cover strip 12 attached to a door seal 14 to inhibit movement and in particular to inhibit shrinkage of 15 the cover strip 12 when exposed to light. The cover strip retainer 10 may engage, clamp, wedge or otherwise hold the opposite ends of the cover strip to inhibit movement or shrinkage thereof. In one embodiment, as illustrated in figures 3 to 5, the cover strip retainer comprise a wedge, also referenced in the figures as item '10', that includes an end plate 20 60 and a forwardly extending taped portion 62 having a central tapered spine 64. The end plate is a escutcheon plate that is used as a decorative member to conceal the channel and screw heads. As the reader will appreciate the escutcheon plate conceals the unsightly gap between the base of the channel and the cover strip and inhibits debris or vermin being caught in the gap that further affects the aesthetics of the seal member. 25 In another embodiment, as illustrated in figure 6, the tapered portion 62 includes sidewardly projecting barbs 66 that assist in maintaining the wedge in position during use. In use, as illustrated in figure 7 the tapered portion 62 of the wedge 10 is inserted into the gap 56 between the base 36 of the channel 34 and the cover strip 12. The 30 tapered portion 62 bears against the depending legs 50, 52 and forces them against opposing side walls 42, 44 of the channel 34. The spine 64 is configured to bear against the rear surface of elongate web 48 to both hold the wedge in place and force the 10 elongate web 48 forward such that the shoulders 54 of the cover strip 12 bears against lips 46 of the channel 34. As further illustrated in figure 7 a wedge 10 is positioned at each opposite end 68, 70 of the cover strip 12 to hold the cover strip under tension to thereby inhibit shrinkage. 5 The cover strip retainer 10 also acts to fill the opening of the gap 56 at each end 68, 70 of the cover strip 12. As illustrated in figures 8a and 8b the end plate 60 of the wedge 10 is configured to fill the opening of the gap 56 between the base 36 of the channel 34 and the cover strip 12. In this way the end plate 60 inhibits the ingress of debris or vermin behind the cover strip 12. 10 The invention could also be considered to reside in a door seal kit including a door seal member 14, cover strip 12 and cover strip retainer 10 for securing the cover strip 12 to inhibit shrinkage thereof. The skilled addressee will now appreciate the advantages of the illustrated invention. The invention provide an cover strip retainer 10 that both holds the cover strip 15 12 under tension to inhibit shrinkage and also to block the openings of the gap between the cover strip and door seal mount to inhibit the ingress of debris and vermin. Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the exemplified embodiments of the invention, however, it must be understood that these particular arrangements merely illustrate and that the invention is 20 not limited thereto. Accordingly the invention can include various modifications, which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be further understood that for the purpose of the specification the word "comprise" or "comprising" means "including but not limited to".

Claims (13)

1. A combination of a cover strip, elongate fitting, and cover strip retainer, the elongate fitting including a channel with inwardly facing side walls, the cover strip configured to fit within the channel and comprising an elongate web covering the channel and 5 respective legs depending from either side of the web adjacent the walls of the channel, the cover strip retainer configured to fit into an end of the channel wherein the legs of the cover strip are urged into frictional engagement with adjacent walls of the channel.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein either, said channel walls 10 comprise a protrusion that extends into the channel, with a complementary shaped recess in the cover strip accommodating said protrusion or, said cover strip comprises a protrusion extending into a complementary recess in the wall, or both, thereby inhibiting the cover strip from becoming dislodged from within the channel.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein the protrusion in the channel 15 wall is an overhang at the upper end thereof.

4. The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein the cover strip comprises a groove in an upper surface, which is fitted under the overhand to register with the overhang.

5. The combination in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said cover 20 strip retainer includes a tapered wedge, wherein at least a portion of opposite edges fit under the overhang.

6. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein the cover strip retainer comprise a first and second tapered wedge, the first wedge being used to secure a first end of the cover strip and the second wedge being used to secure a second 25 end of the cover strip, whereby the cover strip is held within the longitudinal channel under tension between first and second ends to inhibit shrinkage thereof.

7. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein the tapered wedge includes an end plate and a forwardly extending taped portion, wherein the tapered portion is inserted into a gap between a base of the channel and an end of the cover strip, the 30 end plate configured to cover an opening of the gap between the base of the channel and the cover strip. 12

8. The combination in accordance with claim 5 or 7 wherein the tapered wedge includes sidewardly extending barbs or ridges that assist in maintaining the wedge in position by bearing against the legs of the cover strip.

9. The combination in accordance with claim 7 wherein the tapered wedge includes a 5 central spine extending along an upper face of the taped portion to assist in maintaining the space between the cover strip and the base of said channel.

10. The combination in accordance with claim 7 wherein the end plate is an escutcheon plate being a decorative member that is used to conceal the channel and the heads of screws used to attach the elongate fitting to an underlying surface. 10

11. A door seal kit including a door seal member, cover strip and cover strip retainer for securing said cover strip, the door seal member including a channel with inwardly facing side walls, the cover strip configured to fit within the channel and comprising an elongate web covering the channel and respective legs depending from either side of the web adjacent the walls of the channel, the cover strip retainer configured 15 to fit into an end of the channel wherein the legs of the cover strip are urged into frictional engagement with adjacent walls of the channel.

12. A method of securing a cover strip within a longitudinally extending channel of an elongate fitting, including the step of: engaging the cover strip within said channel wherein the cover strip substantially fills 20 the length of said channel to thereby conceal a base thereof, the cover strip comprising an elongate web and respective legs depending from either side of the web adjacent opposing walls of the channel; securing a first end of the cover strip with a first tapered wedge, wherein the legs of the cover strip are urged into frictional engagement with adjacent walls of the 25 channel; and securing a second end of the cover strip with a second tapered wedge, wherein the legs of the cover strip are urged into frictional engagement with adjacent walls of the channel, the first and second wedges holding the cover strip within the longitudinal channel under tension to inhibit shrinkage thereof. 30

13. A wedge having an end plate, the wedge being insertable behind a cover strip positioned within a channel of an elongate door seal, such that the cover strip is urged into frictional engagement with opposing walls of said channel, wherein the 13 end plate is configured to fill an opening of the gap between a base of the channel and the cover strip to thereby seal the opening to inhibit the ingress of debris or vermin behind said cover strip.