EP1604593A1

EP1604593A1 - Securing arrangement for a stair covering

Info

Publication number: EP1604593A1
Application number: EP05253526A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Richard Anthony Whiting
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-11
Filing date: 2005-06-09
Publication date: 2005-12-14
Also published as: GB0413063D0

Abstract

A securing arrangement (10) for a stair covering is mountable on a stair comprising a stair tread and a stair riser. The securing arrangement comprises a first member (14), a second member (16) extending downwardly over the stair riser, and a third member (18) securable to the first member. The third member (18) comprises a downwardly extending portion (22) extending over the second member (16). The arrangement also includes an insertion member (32) insertable between the downwardly extending portion (22) and the second member (16) to lock the third member (18) to the first and second members (14, 16).

Description

This invention relates to securing arrangements for stair coverings.
According to this invention, there is provided a securing arrangement for a stair covering, the arrangement being mountable on a stair comprising a stair tread and a stair riser, the securing arrangement comprising a first member mountable on the stair tread, a second member extending downwardly over the stair riser, a third member securable to the first member and including a downwardly extending portion extending over the second member, and an insertion member insertable between the downwardly extending portion and the second member to lock the third member to the first and second members.
Preferably, the first and third members include cooperating formations to cooperate with each other to secure the third member to the first member. The cooperating formations may include corresponding engagement surfaces to engage each other when the third member is secured to the first member. Preferably, the engagement surfaces slope relative to the first member and the third member. The co-operating formation on the first member may comprise an upwardly extending lug, preferably first and second spaced upwardly extending lugs. The upwardly extending lugs are preferably spaced from each other width wise of the first member.
The co-operating formation or third member may comprise a downwardly extending lug, preferably first and second spaced downwardly extending lugs. The downwardly extending lugs are preferably spaced from each other widthwise of the third member.
The second member may comprise a downwardly facing shoulder, to be engaged by the insertion member. The downwardly extending portion and the insertion member may include corresponding detent formations to secure the insertion member between the downwardly extending portion and the second member.
Preferably, the detent formations include a first formation on the downwardly extending portion and a second formation on the insertion member. Preferably, the first formation comprises a projection, and the second formation comprises a recess to receive the projection.
The insertion member may include a sloping face to facilitate insertion of the insertion member between the second member and the downwardly extending portion.
Preferably, the insertion member engages the shoulder when the detent formations of the second member of the downwardly extending portion engage each other. The insertion member preferably comprises a front portion to engage the shoulder.
Preferably, the first and second members are in the form of a one piece stair engaging element, which is desirably a one piece unit. The third member may comprise an upper portion engageable with the first member. The upper portion may include an overlapping element to extend over the stair covering. The third member may comprise a securing element comprising the upper portion and the downwardly extending portion.
The securing arrangement may further comprise attachment means to attach the first member to the stair. The attachment means may comprise a threaded member, for example a screw, or a nail or other suitable means.
A shim assembly may be provided to adjust the height of the securing arrangement on the stair. The first member may have a holding formation to hold the shim assembly in place the holding formation may comprise a recess. The shim assembly may have a corresponding formation to be received in the recess. The shim and the first member may each have a respective pair of corresponding holding formations.
The shim assembly may comprise at least one main shim, and preferably, at least one subsidiary shim to adjust the height of the securing arrangement on the stair. The shim assembly may include first and second subsidiary shims. Mounting formations may be provided on the main shim and on the subsidiary shims. Mounting formations may comprise apertures and projections. Preferably, the apertures are provided on the main shim, and the projections may be provided on the, or each, subsidiary shim. Where more than one subsidiary shim is provided, at least one subsidiary shim may have projections and corresponding apertures to receive projections from a shim below.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a securing arrangement for a stair covering;
Fig. 2 shows the securing arrangement of Fig 1 in an assembled condition;
Fig. 3 shows an end view of a stair engaging element;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the stair engaging element shown in fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is an end view of a cover element;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cover element shown in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is an end view of an insertion member;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the insertion member shown in Fig. 7;
Figs. 9A-9F show the steps in assembling the securing arrangement onto a stair;
Fig. 10 is a sectional side view of an assembled securing arrangement on a stair;
Fig. 11 is a sectional side view of an assemble stair engagement of a stair having a different configuration to that shown in Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is perspective view of a main shim;
Fig. 13 is a top view of the main shim in Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a side view of the shim in Fig. 12.
Fig. 15 shows a top perspective view of a first subsidiary shim;
Fig. 16 shows a bottom perspective view of the first subsidiary shim;
Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the first subsidiary shim;
Fig. 18 is a side view of the first subsidiary shim;
Fig. 19 is a top perspective view of a second subsidiary shim;
Fig. 20 is a top plan view of the second subsidiary shim;
Fig. 21 is a side view of the second subsidiary shim;
Figs 22A to 22F show the securing arrangement with different shims to accommodate different heights of flooring.
Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a securing arrangement 10 for use with a stair covering. The securing arrangement 10 comprises a stair engaging element 12 having a first member 14 arrangeable over the stair tread of a stair, and a second member 16 which is formed integrally with the first member 14 and extends downwardly therefrom over the stair riser of the stair.
The securing arrangement 10 also includes a securing element 18 which is arrangeable over, and lockable to the stair engaging element 14. The securing element 18 comprises an upper portion 20 arrangeable over th first member 14 and a downwardly extending portion 22 arrangeable over the second member 16.
A shim assembly 24 is provided comprising a main shim 26, and first and second subsidiary shims 28, 30 respectively. The shim assembly 24 is used in order to adjust the vertical distance of the stair engaging element 12 and the securing element 18 relative to the stairs. It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the shim assembly may not be necessary, but if it is, then the main shim assembly 26 is arranged between the first member 14 and the stair tread and if greater vertical distance is required then either or both of the first and second subsidiary shims 28, 30 can be arranged underneath the main shim 26.
The securing arrangement 10 further includes an insertion member 32 for insertion between the downwardly extending portion 22 of the securing element 18 and the second member 16 of the stair engaging element 12.
Fastening means in the form of a screw 34 is provided to secure the stair engaging element 12 to the stair. The first member 14 of the stair engaging element 12 is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 36 through which the screw can be inserted. As can be seen , the main shim 26 and the first and second subsidiary shims 28, 30 are also provided with apertures 36 through which screw 34 can pass.
Referring to Fig. 2, there is shown the securing arrangement 10 in an assembled condition.
Figs. 3 and 4 show respectively a side view and a perspective view of the stair engaging element 12.
The first member 14 comprises a pair of upwardly extending formations or lugs 38, 40 which are spaced from each other widthwise of the first member 14 and each of the projections 38, 40 comprises a sloping surface 42, 44, as will be explained below. As can be seen from Fig. 4, each of the projections 38, 40 extends lengthwise of the stair engaging member 12.
The downwardly extending second member 16 of the stair engaging element 12 defines a downwardly facing shoulder 43. The downwardly extending portion 22 of the securing element 18 comprises an inwardly extending detent member 49 which extend lengthwise of the downwardly extending portion 22.
Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, there is shown, respectively, a side view and a perspective view of the securing member 18. A pair of downwardly extending formation or lugs 46, 48 extend from the lower surface 50 of the upper portion 20. The lugs 46, 48 comprise downwardly sloping surfaces 52, 50 which correspond to the sloping surfaces 42, 44 of the upwardly extending lugs 38, 40 on the first member 14 of the stair engaging element 12. As will be explained below, the securing element 18 is securably locked to the stair engagement element 12 when the surfaces 52, 54 of the downwardly projecting lugs 46, 48 are in engagement with the surfaces 42, 44 of the upwardly extending lugs 38, 40 on the first member 14 of the stair engaging element 12. The securing member also includes an overlapping portion 55 which, in use, overlaps the edge of the flooring or the stair tread, see for example Fig. 10.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, there is shown the insertion element 32, which is elongate and comprises a first part 56 defining a detent recess 60 extending lengthwise of the insertion member 32 , and a second part 62 providing a sloping surface 64 adjacent the detent recess 60.
The second part 62 also includes a front nose portion 66 adjacent the sloping surface 64.
The insertion member 32 is inserted between the downwardly extending portion 22 of the securing elements 18 and the first member 60 of the stair engaging element 12 such that the front portion 66 engages the inwardly extending shoulder 43 on the second member 16 of the stair engaging element 12. The detent projection 49 on the downwardly extending portion 22 engages in the detent recess 60 in the insertion member 32.
Referring to Figs. 12 -14 there is shown the main shim 26 which has a generally rectangular body 68 defining a plurality of apertures 70. A pair of upwardly extending holding members 72A and 72B which extend upwardly from the main body 68 to be received in corresponding holding recesses 41A, 41B in the first member 14 of the stair engaging element 12. The holding recesses, 41A, 41B and the upwardly extending holding members 72A, 72B are correspondingly shaped such that when the holding members 72A, 72B are received in the holding recesses 41 A, 41 B, the main shim 26 is held to the first member 14 of the stair engaging element 12.
The first subsidiary shim 28 comprises a main body 74 which is generally the same size and shape as the main body 68 of the main shim 26. The first subsidiary shim 28 comprises a plurality of upwardly extending cylindrical projections 76 which correspond in position to the apertures 70 in the main body 68 of the main shim 26. The projections 76 extend from the upper surface 78 of the main body 74. The plurality of recesses 80 are defined in the main body 74 from the lower surface 82 in the same position as the projection 76.
The second subsidiary shim 30 is shown in Figs. 19 to 21 and comprises a main body 84 and a plurality of upwardly extending projections 86, which are in a corresponding position to the projections 76, to the apertures 82 of the first subsidiary shim, and to the apertures 70 of the main shim 26. As can be seen, the main body 84 of the second subsidiary shim 36 is thinner than the main body 74 of the first subsidiary shim 28. Thus by either not using the shim assembly 24 or by using the main shim 26 with none, one, or both of the first and second subsidiary shims 28, 30 the securing arrangement 10 can be arranged at the appropriate vertical position relative to the stair.
Referring to Figs. 9A to 9B, there is shown the steps in assembling the security arrangement 10 onto a stair 100. In Figs. 9A to 9F, the stair 100 comprises a stair tread 102, a stair riser 104. The stair tread 102 extends into a stair nose 106, which extends beyond the stair riser 104. The first step in the assembly of the securing arrangement 10 is to fit the underlay and laminate flooring 110 to the stair riser 104, then the appropriate shims, (which in Figs 9A to9F are the main shim 26 and the first subsidiary shim 28) are fitted to the underside of the first member 14 of the stair engaging element 12. The stair engaging element 12 and the shim assembly 24 are then arranged on the stair tread 102 with the second member 16 extending over the nose 106 to engage the flooring 110. Screws 34 are then inserted through the apertures 36 in the first member 14 of the stair engaging element 12. This secures the stair engaging element 12 to the stair 100, an underlay 112 and flooring 114 are then arranged on the stair tread 102 and the securing element 18 arranged over the stair engaging element 12. The securing element 18 is moved downwardly as indicated by the arrow A such that the lugs 46, 48 which extend downwardly from the upper portion 20 do not engage the lugs 38, 40 which extend upwardly from the first member 14. When the securing element 18 is in engagement with the stair engaging assembly 12 as shown in Fig 9D, it can be slid in the direction as shown by the arrow B to the position shown in Fig. 9E where the lugs 38, 40 engage the lugs 46, 48 respectively. As can be seen, the downwardly extending portion 22 of the securing element 18 is spaced from the second member 16 of the stair engaging element 12. The insertion member 32 (see Fig. 9F) is then inserted into the space between the downwardly extending member 22 and the second member 16 such that the lug 49 on the downwardly extending member 22 engages in the recess 60 of the insertion member 32 and the nose 66 engages the shoulder 43 on the second member 16 of the stair engaging element.
An enlarged drawing of the assembled securing arrangement 10 on the stair 100 is shown in Fig. 10. With the insertion member 32 in position, the securing element 18 is held in place and cannot be, for example, inadvertently dislodged from its position.
Fig. 11 shows a further arrangement in which the stair 100 is not provided with a nose 106. The features of the assembly of the arrangement 10 shown in Fig. 11 are the same as those shown in Fig. 10 and have been designated with the same reference numeral.
There is thus described a securing arrangement for a covering of a stair assembly which is easy to install and provides the advantage that it is difficult to dislodge and can be used for different configurations of stairs.
Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

A securing arrangement for a stair covering, the arrangement being mountable on a stair comprising a stair tread and a stair riser, the securing arrangement comprising a first member mountable on the stair tread, a second member extending downwardly over the stair riser, a third member securable to the first member and including a downwardly extending portion extending over the second member, and an insertion member insertable between the downwardly extending portion and the second member to lock the third member to the first and second members.
A securing arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the first and third members include cooperating formations to cooperate with each other to secure the third member to the first member.
A securing arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the cooperating formations include corresponding engagement surfaces to engage each other when the third member is secured to the first member.
A securing arrangement according to claim 3 wherein the engagement surfaces slope relative to the first member and the third member.
A securing arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the cooperating formation on the first member comprises an upwardly extending lug.
A securing arrangement according to claim 5 wherein the cooperating formation on the first member comprises first and second spaced upwardly extending lugs, the upwardly extending lugs being spaced from each other width wise of the first member.
A securing arrangement according to any of claims 2 to 6 wherein the cooperating formation on the third member comprises a downwardly extending lug.
A securing arrangement according to claim 7 wherein the cooperating formation on the third member comprises first and second spaced downwardly extending lugs, the downwardly extending lugs being spaced from each other widthwise of the third member.
A securing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the second member comprises a downwardly facing shoulder to be engaged by the insertion member.
A securing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the downwardly extending portion and the insertion member include corresponding detent formations to secure the insertion member between the downwardly extending portion and the second member.
A securing arrangement according to claim 10 wherein the detent formations include a first formation on the downwardly extending portion and a second formation on the insertion member.
A securing arrangement according to claim 10 wherein the first formation comprises a projection, and the second formation comprises a recess to receive the projection.
A securing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the insertion member includes a sloping face to facilitate insertion of the insertion member between the second member and the downwardly extending portion.
A securing arrangement according to claim 9 or any of claims 10 to 13 when dependent or ultimately dependent upon claim 9 wherein the insertion member engages the shoulder when the detent formations of the second member of the downwardly extending portion engage each other, the insertion member comprises a front portion to engage the shoulder.
A securing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the first and second members are in the form of a one piece stair engaging element and the third member comprises an upper portion engageable with the first member.
A securing arrangement according to claim 15 wherein the upper portion comprises an overlapping element to extend over the stair covering and the third member comprises a securing element comprising the upper portion and the downwardly extending portion.
A securing arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the securing arrangement further comprises attachment means to attach the first member to the stair.
A securing arrangement according to any preceding claim comprising shim assembly to adjust the height of the securing arrangement on the stair, the first member having a holding formation to hold the shim assembly in place.
A securing arrangement according to claim 18 wherein the holding formation comprises a recess and the shim assembly has a corresponding formation to be received in the recess.
A securing arrangement according to claim 19 wherein the shim and the first member each have a respective pair of corresponding holding formations.
A securing arrangement according to claim 18, 19 or 20 wherein the shim assembly comprises at least one main shim, and at least one subsidiary shim to adjust the height of the securing arrangement on the stair.
A securing arrangement according to claim 21 wherein the shim assembly includes first and second subsidiary shims.
A securing arrangement according to claim 21 or 22 wherein mounting formations are provided on the main shim and on the subsidiary shims, the mounting formations comprising apertures and projections.