AU2023355065A1

AU2023355065A1 - A floating floor trim system

Info

Publication number: AU2023355065A1
Application number: AU2023355065A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephen Danher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-10-19
Filing date: 2023-10-18
Publication date: 2024-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2043-10-18
Also published as: AU2023355065B2; WO2024082010A1

Abstract

The floating floor trim system comprises a cover strip with a cover plate and an engagement rail for secure attachment to a clip of at least one base piece. The channel may be created by multiple spaced apart base pieces affixed in alignment on a floor surface. The use of separate base pieces, as opposed to a continuous one, offers advantages in installation flexibility, ease of maintenance and independent movement to accommodate temperature and humidity-induced expansion and contraction. The clip may be designed to be placed against floor cover edges. Variations in the cover strip include different lateral widths, height options for the clip, and straight or curved portions for engaging various floor elements. Stair-nose configurations feature an edge overhang plate for stair edges, and the clip is positioned at the baseplate's edge for secure attachment. 12

Description

A floating floor trim system

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to a type of floating floor trim system.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Floor trims are essential components in interior design and flooring installations. They serve the purpose of concealing and protecting the edges of various types of floating flooring, including floorboards, tiles, carpets, and similar materials.

[0003] These trims are designed to provide a clean and polished appearance to the transitions between different types of flooring or between flooring and other surfaces, such as walls. They come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, allowing for flexibility in design and functionality.

[0004] By covering the exposed edges, floor trims not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the space but also safeguard the edges of the flooring, preventing potential damage and extending the longevity of the floors.

[0005] Some floor trims consist of a two-part assembly, with a cover piece that slots into a base rail securely affixed to the floor. The cover piece, often designed to complement the flooring material or the overall interior decor, serves as the visible element of the trim. This cover piece is specifically shaped and designed to neatly cover the exposed edges of the flooring, creating a smooth and visually appealing transition. On the other hand, the base rail, which is securely attached to the floor, acts as the support and anchoring structure for the cover piece. It not only provides stability but also ensures that the cover piece remains in place, preventing any movement or dislodging. This dual-component system not only enhances the aesthetics of the space by seamlessly blending the edges of the flooring but also offers practicality and durability, making it a vital part of flooring installations in both residential and commercial settings.

[0006] The present invention seeks to provide a way to overcome or substantially

ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an

alternative.

[0007] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such

reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the

common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0008] There is provided herein a floating floor trim system that has a cover strip

which includes a cover plate and an engagement rail designed to securely attach to

a clip created by at least one base piece.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the floating floor trim system consists of multiple

base pieces attached to the floor surface in alignment and wherein the cover strip

extends across the plurality of base pieces.

[0010] For installation, the clips of the base pieces are aligned, and the cover strip

extends between these base pieces, with each base piece only gripping the

engagement rail at spaced sections. The base pieces may be spaced apart at 10-20

cm intervals for uniform securement.

[0011] Using a plurality of separate base pieces that engage the cover strip offers

several benefits over having a single base piece with the same length as the cover

strip. Firstly, this modular approach provides greater flexibility in installation. The

separate base pieces can be aligned and spaced as needed to accommodate irregular

floor shapes, transitions, or obstacles, ensuring a more tailored and precise fit. This

flexibility is particularly advantageous when dealing with non-standard room layouts.

[0012] Secondly, the modularity of separate base pieces enhances the durability of

the trim system. If one section experiences excessive wear or damage, it can be

replaced individually without affecting the integrity of the entire trim. In contrast, a

single, continuous base piece would require replacement of the entire length, which

is more costly and time-consuming.

[0013] Furthermore, separate base pieces are more adaptable to expansion and

contraction of the flooring material due to temperature and humidity changes. They allow for independent movement, reducing the risk of warping or buckling in the trim system, which can occur when using a single, rigid base piece.

[0014] The separate base pieces may furthermore facilitate storage and

transportation as compared to continuous lengths.

[0015] Both the base pieces and the cover strip are typically made of extruded

aluminium and are designed to interface with various types of floor coverings.

[0016] There are variations of the cover strip, including an end cover strip with one

wider lateral side for replacement of conventional beading or scotia, a uniform cover

strip with the same width on both sides, and an expansion cover strip with a wider

cover plate for expansion and contraction tolerance.

[0017] The clip may define a channel between vertical walls, with an outer wall

meeting the edge of the baseplate. This arrangement allows the baseplate to abut

against edges of floor pieces. The engagement rail slots between the vertical walls

to interlock mechanically. The upper faces of the walls are preferably inwardly slanted

and may extend outwardly beyond the walls, creating a gap between them to

accommodate misalignment during installation.

[0018] Inwardly slanted upper faces may lead to inner sharp edges, which are

designed to hold the engagement rail in place but not too tightly that it cannot be

disengaged. The engagement rail may feature smooth edged longitudinal undulations

to facilitate repeated insertion and removal.

[0019] The clip's height can vary, with taller clips having an intervening web between

the walls to maintain grip. There may also be variants of the cover strip with both

straight and curved lateral portions for engaging different floor pieces.

[0020] Stair-nose embodiments have an edge overhang plate for interfacing with stair

edges, and the clip is typically at the edge of the baseplate. The lower edge of the

curved lateral portion preferably extends beneath the baseplate, and the edge

overhang plate extends beyond the curved lateral portion's lower edge.

[0021] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] The figures in the provided text are described as follows:

[0024] Figure 1 shows a low-profile base piece of a floating floor trim system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0025] Figure 2 shows a high profile base piece of the system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 3 shows an end cover strip with one lateral side of the cover plate wider than the other;

[0027] Figure 4 shows a uniform cover strip with a cover plate of the same width on both sides of the engagement rail;

[0028] Figure 5 shows an expansion cover strip with a wider cover plate, allowing for expansion and contraction tolerance;

[0029] Figure 6 shows a stair-nose variant of the cover piece with both a straight lateral portion and a curved lateral portion;

[0030] Figures 7 and 8 show the stair-nose embodiment of the system, featuring a base piece with an edge overhang plate for interfacing with a stair edge;

[0031] Figure 9 shows the overall floating floor trim system with separate base pieces affixed to the floor surface in alignment wherein the cover strip extends between these base pieces; and

[0032] Figure 10 shoes illustrates the clip-in channel defined between a pair of vertical walls.

Description of Embodiments

[0033] Figure 9 shows a floating floor trim system 100 comprising at least one base piece 101 affixed to a floor surface 102.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the system 100 comprises a plurality of base pieces 101 affixed to the floor 102 in alignment.

[0035] With reference to Figure 1, the base piece 101 defines a baseplate 103 and a

clip 104.

[0036] The system 100 further comprises a cover strip 105. With reference to Figure

3, the cover strip 105 defines a cover plate 106 and an engagement rail 107 which

may be substantially perpendicular to the cover plate 106. The clip 104 defines a

channel 123 and wherein the engagement rail 107 is configured to clip into the

channel123.

[0037] The base piece 101 and the cover strip 105 are preferably metallic and further

preferably made from extruded aluminium.

[0038] The cover plate 106 defines an upper surface 110 which interfaces between

floor coverings of the same or different type. For example, the cover plate 106 may

interface an edge of a wooden floorboard and a carpet. The cover plate 106 may have

friction formations thereon, such as longitudinal ridges according to the embodiment

shown.

[0039] With reference to Figure 9, the clips 104 of the base pieces 101 are placed in

alignment. As is shown in Figure 9, each clip 104 may be placed against an edge 108

of a floor cover piece 109 (such as a tile, board or the like).

[0040] As such, the cover strip 105 is configured to extend across and engage these

separate base pieces 101 in alignment. In other words, each base piece 101 is much

shorter than the cover piece 105 so that the base pieces 101 only grips the

engagement rail 107 at spaced apart sections therealong.

[0041] The base pieces 101 may be spaced apart at between 10 - 20 cm centres to

provide uniform securement along the cover piece 105. In embodiments, each base

piece may be between 20 and 40 mm wide (along a longitudinal axis defined by the

cover piece 105).

[0042] In alternative less preferred embodiments however, the base piece 101 may

have the same length as that of the cover piece 105.

[0043] Figure 3 represents an end cover strip 105 characterised in that one lateral

side of the cover plate 106 is wider as compared to the other. This end trim

embodiment could be used for covering flooring expansion gaps as compared to conventional beading or scotia. Specifically, whereas a timber beading or scotia is commonly placed around skirting to cover an expansion gap, the end trim embodiment shown could be used instead wherein the cover plate 106 would cover the expansion gap without requiring unsightly beading. In a variant of the end cover strip 105, the cover plate 106 is right angled so that the cover plate 106 only extends to one side of the engagement rail 107.

[0044] Figure 4 represents a uniform cover strip 105 wherein the cover plate 106 has

the same width on both sides of the engagement rail 106. Furthermore, whereas the

cover plate 106 may be planar according to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the

cover plate 106 of the embodiment of Figure 4 may be convex so that outer edges of

the cover plate 106 press down hard against the floor cover to minimise catching

edges.

[0045] Figure 5 represents an expansion cover strip 105 characterised in that the

cover plate 106 is wider than the embodiment of Figure 3. This wider cover plate 106

may allow expansion and contraction tolerance thereunderneath. According to this

embodiment, the cover plate 106 may be between approximately 20 and 40 mm wide.

[0046] With reference to Figure 10, the channel 123 is defined between a pair of

vertical walls 111 and wherein the engagement rail 107 is configured to slot into the

channel 123 between the vertical walls 111 and mechanically interlock with the

vertical walls 111.

[0047] The walls 111 may comprise an outer wall 111A and an inner wall 111B. The

outer wall 111A may meet an edge 112 of the baseplate 103. As such, the clip 104

may be substantially at an edge of the baseplate 103 so that the base piece 101 can

abut against edges 108 of floor covering pieces 109 in the manner shown in Figure

9. This configuration may be especially useful for interfacing rigid and soft floor

coverings wherein, for example, wooden floorboards interface carpet and wherein it

is undesirable to insert the baseplate 103 under the rigid floorboard but wherein the

baseplate 103 can fit under the soft carpet.

[0048] Upper ends of the walls 111 may define opposing inwardly slanted upper faces

113 which facilitate guiding a lower edge 114 of the engagement rail 107 into the

channel104.

[0049] Each inwardly slanted upper face 113 may be wider than the portion of wall

111 thereunderneath to define a gap between upper edges thereof which is wider

than between inner faces of the walls 111. This feature is especially useful wherein

the individual base pieces 101 are not placed exactly in alignment during installation.

[0050] It should be noted that proper alignment of the base pieces 101 may be

achieved by temporarily inserting a ruler or other planar piece into the clips 104 of

the base pieces 101 during the affixing of the base pieces 101. The base pieces 101

may be affixed by way of a screw fastener through the baseplate 103 or alternatively

by way of adhesive applied under the base plate 103. Once the base pieces 101 are

aligned, the temporary really may be removed and replaced by the cover strip 105.

[0051] Furthermore, the inwardly slanting upper faces may extend outwardly beyond

the walls 111 to widen the gap for guidance of the engagement rail 107. More

specifically, in a plane parallel with the baseplate 103, each inwardly slanted upper

face 113 may extend beyond an outer face of a respective wall 111 as is illustrated

in Figure 10.

[0052] The inwardly slanted upper faces 111 may lead to opposing inner sharp edges

115. Preferably, base piece 110 only defines a single pair of inner sharp edges 115

which are sufficient to hold the engagement rail 114 in place but not overly so to

prevent disconnection of the cover strip 105 if required. Furthermore, a single pair of

inner sharp edges 105 may allow for setting the cover strip 105 at an angle to account

for uneven floor surfaces when interfacing floorcoverings of different thicknesses.

[0053] These inner sharp edges 115 preferably perpendicularly overhang interfaces

a respective wall thereunderneath (i.e., are barb shaped in cross section) so that

lesser force is required to insert the engagement rail 107 as compared to that which

is required to remove the engagement rail 107.

[0054] With reference to Figure 3, the cross-section of the engagement rail 107 may

define a plurality of smooth-edged longitudinal undulations 116 which are smooth on both upper and lower edges thereof. These undulations 116 interfere with the inner sharp edges 116 sufficiently told the cover piece 105 in place but are not sharp edged so that the engagement rail 107 can be inserted and removed repeatedly.

[0055] Figure 1 shows a low-profile base piece 106 as compared to the higher profile

base piece of Figure 2. According to Figure 1, the clip 104 may be between 5 - 8 mm

tall whereas according to Figure 2, the clip 104 may be between 5 - 14 mm tall.

[0056] To maintain the grip of the taller clip 104, the clip 104 may comprise an

intervening web 117 therebetween. The web 117 may be approximately halfway up

between the walls 111.

[0057] The intervening web 117 defines the channel 123 thereabove and a void 118

thereunderneath.

[0058] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a stair-nose embodiment of the system 100 wherein

the base piece 101 further comprises an edge overhang plate 120 perpendicularly

interfacing an edge of the baseplate 103 so that the baseplate 103 and the edge

overhang plate 120 can interface an edge of a stair 119 with the clip 104 exposed on

an upper surface of the baseplate 103.

[0059] Preferably the clip 104 is at an edge of the baseplate 103 to facilitate

engagementof thecoverpiece 105 rightatan edge of thestair 119. More specifically,

the outer wall 111 of the clip 104 may be coplanar with the edge overhang plate 120.

[0060] Figure 6 shows a variant of the cover strip 105 which has a cover plate 106

having a straight lateral portion 106A and a curved lateral portion 106B.

[0061] As is shown in Figure 8, the straight lateral portion 106A may engage a

horizontal floor piece 109A on top of the stair 119 whereas the curved lateral portion

106B may engage a vertical floor piece 109B on a side of the stair 119.

[0062] According to the preferred configuration shown in Figure 8, a lower edge 121

of the curved lateral portion 106B may extend beneath the baseplate 103 and a lower

edge 122 of the edge overhang plate 120 extends beyond the lower edge 121 of the

lateral curved portion 106B.

[0063] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific

nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A floating floor trim system comprising:

a plurality of spaced apart base pieces affixed to a floor surface in alignment,

each base piece defining:

a baseplate; and

a clip; and

a cover strip defining:

a cover plate; and

an engagement rail configured to clip into the channel, wherein the

cover strip extends across the base pieces and is secured at spaced apart sections of

the engagement rail by respective clips of the base pieces.
2. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip defines a

channel between a pair of vertical walls, and wherein the engagement rail is

configured to slot between the vertical walls and mechanically interlock with the

vertical walls.
3. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip is at an

edge of the baseplate.
4. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the clip defines a

channel between a pair of vertical walls and wherein the walls comprise an outer wall

which meets an edge of the baseplate.
5. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 1, wherein upper ends of the

walls define opposing inwardly slanted upperfaces.
6. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 5, wherein, in a plane

parallel with the baseplate, the opposingly inwardly slanted upper faces extend

beyond outer faces of respective walls to define a gap between upper edges thereof

which is wider than between inner faces of the walls.
7. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inwardly

slanted upper faces lead to opposing inner sharp edges which overhang inner faces

of respective walls thereunderneath.
8. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base plate

comprises only a single pair of inner sharp edges.
9. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inwardly

slanted upper faces and the opposing inner sharp edges define a pair of opposing

barb-shaped profiles.
10. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cross-section

of the engagement rail defines a plurality of smooth-edged undulations which are

gripped by the inner sharp edges.
11. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the walls define

an intervening web therebetween and which defines a channel thereabove for the

engagement rail and a void thereunderneath between the walls.
12. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the intervening

web is positioned approximately halfway up the walls.
13. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system

comprises a base piece further comprising an edge overhang plate perpendicularly

interfacing an edge of the baseplate so that the baseplate and the edge overhang

plate are configured to interface an edge of a stair with the clip exposed on an upper

surface of the baseplate.
14. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip is defined

by an outer wall at an edge of the base plate and an inner wall, and wherein an outer

wall of the and the overhang plate are coplanar.
15. The floating floor trim system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cover plate

comprises a lateral straight portion and a lateral curved portion and wherein, when

the cover strip is attached to base piece, a lower edge of the lateral curved portion

extends beneath the baseplate and a lower edge of the edge overhang plate extends

beyond the lower edge of the lateral curved portion.
16. A method of securing floating floor coverings using the system as claimed in

claim 1, the method comprising affixing a plurality of spaced apart base pieces in

alignment to a floor surface and attaching the cover strip across the plurality of base

pieces.