GB2141457A

GB2141457A - Decoration boundary strip

Info

Publication number: GB2141457A
Application number: GB08326406A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Sumner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-06-16
Filing date: 1983-10-03
Publication date: 1984-12-19
Also published as: GB2141457B; GB8326406D0

Abstract

The strip (12) is provided for facilitating the decoration of a skirting board (11) that is abutted by a floor covering (13). The strip (12), which is of a width substantially less than the height of the skirting board (11), extends along the skirting board with its upper and lower longitudinal edges at levels respectively above and at least as low as the upper surface of the floor covering (13). The strip (12) is either decoratively maintenance-free or removable for decoration. When redecorating the skirting board (11), the latter need only be painted (or otherwise treated) down to the level of the strip (12) as this strip now serves to define the lower visible boundary of the skirting board (11). As a result, the risk of the floor covering (13) being accidentally painted is minimised. The strip (12) itself either does not require decorating or else can be removed for painting. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Decoration Boundary Strip The present invention relates to a decoration boundary strip for facilitating the decoration of a vertical surface that is abutted by a floor covering.

Where a floor covering (such as a carpet, carpet tiles, lino tiles, wood blocks etc.) has been laid in such a manner that it abuts a wall or skirting board, it is often difficult when subsequently repainting the wall or skirting board, to avoid accidentally painting the floor covering; this is especially so if the floor covering is of fibrous material, for example, wool or synthetic fibre.

One way of overcoming this difficulty is to remove the floor covering during the repainting process; however, this solution is in many cases impracticable or very time consuming.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means facilitating the decoration of a skirting board while minimising the risk of damage to a floor covering laid up to the skirting board and retained in situ during decoration.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in a building having a wall with a skirting board up to which a floor covering is laid, a decoration boundary strip juxtaposed and extending along the skirting board, the strip being of a width substantially less than the height of the skirting board and having its upper and lower longitudinal edges at levels respectively above and at least as low as the upper surface of the floor covering, the strip being either decoratively maintenance-free or removable for decoration.

When redecorating the skirting board, the latter need only be painted (or otherwise treated) down to the level of the strip as this strip now serves to define the lower visible boundary of the skirting board, in contrast to the prior art arrangement in which this boundary was defined by the floor covering. As a result, the risk of the floor covering being accidentally painted is minimised. The strip itself either does not require decorating (that is, is decoratively maintenancefree such as would be the case with a selfcoloured plastics material strip) or else is made removable for painting.

The strip can be arranged either to sit with its lower edge on the upper surface of the floor covering or to extend down the edge of the latter between the skirting board and the floor covering.

The strip can be releasably attached to the skirting board, for example, by screws or by cooperating snap-engageable means provided on the vertical surface and the rear of the strip; alternatively, where the strip is decoratively maintenance-free it can be permanently attached to the skirting board by adhesive, pins or other suitable means. Where the strip extends down beneath the upper surface of the floor covering, a further alternative is to so design the strip that the floor covering in endeavouring to lie down on the floor, serves to push the strip hard up against the skirting board, the strip being otherwise unattached to the surface; in one suitable form of strip this effect is achieved by providing the strip with feet that extend out under the floor covering at an angle slightly greater than 900 to the main part of the strip.

Various cross-sectional forms of the strip are possible. Thus where the strip extends below the upper surface of the floor covering the strip may simply be of elongate rectangular cross-section; preferably, however, the strip in cross-section comprises a narrower lower portion, and a wider upper portion, the latter portion passing into the former portion by an undercut step provided on the side of the strip facing away from the skirting board, this step seating on the marginal portions of the floor covering. This form of strip is particularly suitable for insertion between the edge of an existing floor covering (such as a carpet and a skirting board since the lower portion of the strip can be readily pushed down between the covering and skirting board, the strip coming to rest with its undercut step in contact with the upper surface of the floor covering.The upper portion of the strip can be made hollow and open on its side facing the skirting board whereby to accommodate and conceal electrical wiring, for example of hi-fi equipment.

In cases where either the lower strip edge or an undercut step of the strip is arranged to sit down on the marginal portions of the floor covering, the strip is preferably attached to the skirting board by a multi-position engagement means enabling the strip to be pushed down onto the floor covering with the engagement means thereafter retaining the strip in its pushed down position against any upward reaction forces that the floor covering may exert on the strip (for example; due to the presence of a resilient backing layer).The multi-position engagement means can be constituted by first and second cooperating members respectively provided on the.back of the strip and securable to, or integral with, the skirting board, the cooperating members being in the form of a vertical guide and a stud arranged to slide under force in the guide, the guide walls serving to retain the stud in any one of a number of positions therealong.

Although generally the decoration boundary sprip is intended to be used with skirting board of a standard form, advantageously the strip can be used with a skirting board specially formed for cooperation with the strip. Thus, as already mentioned, the strip and board can be provided with cooperating engagement means. Further, the skirting board could be recessed to releasably receive the strip whereby to present a flush appearance of the board and strip combination; with this arrangement, the strip is removed prior to decoration of the skirting board.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a decoration boundary strip which is cross-section has a narrower lower portion and a wider upper portion, the latter portion passing into the former portion by an undercur step provided on one side only of the strip, the strip or at least the part thereof providing the surface of the upper strip portion on the same side as said step, being either decoratively maintenance-free or removable for decoration. In use of the strip, the narrower portion is positioned between the edge of a floor covering and a vertical surface, while the undercut step seats upon the marginal portions of the floor covering.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a decoration boundary strip with associated multi-position engagement means for enabling the strip to be attached to a vertical surface and then pushed down onto a floor covering laid up to said vertical surface, the multi-position engagement means serving to retain the strip in its pushed down position against any upward reaction forces that the floor covering may exert on the strip, said strip or at least the part thereof which is visible when the strip is in a pushed down position, being decoratively maintenance-free or removable for decoration.

Various other novel aspects and features of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying description, given by way of example, of several forms of decoration boundary strip, reference being made to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a part-sectioned perspective view of a carpet and skirting board provided with a first form of decoration boundary strip; Figures 2 to 5 are cross-sections through second, third, fourth and fifth forms of decoration boundary strip shown in situ; Figure 6 is a section on line VI--VI of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a cross-section through a sixth form of decoration boundary strip in situ; and Figure 8 is a cross-section through a skirting board shaped to receive the form of a decoration boundary strip shown in Figure 1 or 7.

Figure 1 shows a floor covering in the form of a carpet 13 laid on a floor 14 in the vicinity of a skirting board 11 (for example of wood) fixed to a wall 1 0. Interposed between the edge of the carpet 13 and the skirting board 11 is a first form of decoration boundary strip 12. The strip 12 is of elongate rectangular cross section and has its upper and lower edges positioned respectively above and below the upper surace of the carpeting.

When redecoration of the skirting board 11 is required, the board need only be painted (or otherwise treated) down to the level of the strip 1 2 as this strip defines the lower visible boundary of the skirting board 11-this is in contrast to the situation where the strip 1 2 is omitted as then the board 11 must be painted down to the carpet 13 with the attendant risk of accidentally painting the carpet. In the present arrangement, the risk of painting the carpet 13 is minimised due to the fact that the strip 1 2 is either decoratively maintenance free or else can be removed for painting. A typical decoratively maintenance-free form of the strip 12 would be a strip made from a self-coloured (that is, homogeneously coloured) plastics material strip.

The strip 12 can be releasably attached to the skirting board 11, for example by means of screw preferably positioned below the level of the upper surface of the carpet 13. Other methods of releasably attaching the strip 12 to the board 11 are, of course, possible such as by arranging for cooperating snap engagement means to be provided on the back of the strip 1 2 and on the lower part of the skirting board 11.

Where the strip 12 is decoratively maintenance-free. then it can be permanently attached to the skirting board 11 by means of pins, adhesives, or any other suitable means.

Depending on the stiffness of the carpet 13, it may be possible to dispense with means attaching the strip 12 to the skirting board 11, the carpet 13 now serving to trap the strip 12 up against the skirting board 11.

Figure 2 shows a second form of decoration boundary strip 1 5. The strip 1 5 comprises, in cross-section a narrower lower portion 1 6 and a wider upper portion 17, the latter portion passing into the former portion by an undercut step 1 8 provided on the side of the strip 1 5 facing away from the skirting board 11. As can be seen in Figure 2, the lower strip portion 16 is interposed between the edge of the carpet 13 and the skirting board 11 while the step 18 projects across the upper surface of the carpet 13.

Typically, the strip 1 5 has an overall height of 18 mm and a width of 4 mm. Preferably, the upper longitudinal edge of the strip 1 5 slopes away from the skirting board 11 at an angle of 20C to the horizontal.

As with the Figure 1 form of a strip, the strip 1 5 of Figure 2 is either decoratively maintenance free or else can be removed for decoration; Furthermore, the strip 1 5 can be attached to the skirting board 11 in any of the ways described with reference to strip 12 of Figure 1.

A particular advantage of the strip 1 5 of Figure 2 is that it can be readily inserted between an existing carpet 1 3 and skirting board 11 due to the presence of the thin lower portion 16.

The third form of decoration boundary strip 1 9 shown in Figure 3 is similar to the strip 15 of Figure 2 but now the portion of the strip lying above the carpet 1 3 is hollow and open on its side towards the skirting board 11. This configuration of a strip 1 9 permits electrical wiring, such as hi-fi loud speaker wiring, to be concealed between the strip 1 9 and the skirting board 11. It should also be noted that the lower portion of the strip 19 diverges upwardly from the skirting board 11; as a result, upon attachment of the strip 1 9 to the board 11 by the-insertion of pins, screws or the like through the lower portion of the strip 19, the upper edge of the strip will be urged into contact with the board 11 thereby preventing the ingress of dust into the hollow space enclosed by the strip 19.

Of course, with the forms of the strip shown in Figures 1 to 3, it is not essential that the portions of the strips that lie concealed behind the carpet 1 3 be either decoratively maintenance-free or removable for decoration, the important part of the strip in terms of decorative condition being the visible portion above the level of the carpet 13. Accordingly, another form of decoration boundary strip can be provided in which only the visible upper portion is decoratively maintenancefree or removable for decoration, this latter alternative being illustrated in Figure 4.

The form of strip 22 shown in Figure 4 comprises a backing member 23 permanently attached to the skirting board 11, and an upper, facia member 24 releasably engageable with the backing member 23. The backing member 24 is interposed between the edge of the carpet 1 3 and the skirting board 11 and projects up above the upper surface of the carpet 1 3. The facia member 24 includes a depending portion 28 which extends outwardly and downwardly into contact with the upper surface of the carpet 13. The releasable engagement of the facia member 24 with the backing member 23 can be effected by any suitable means, one such means being described hereinafter with reference to Figure 6.

Figure 5 shows a modified version of the Figure 4 strip, in which the backing member 23 is disposed with entirely. This modified strip 25 is constituted by the facia member 24 which is now releasably attached directly to the skirting board 11.

A preferred form of releasable attachment means for the strips 22, 25 of Figures 4 and 5 is illustrated in Figure 6 which is a section taken on line VI--VI of Figure 5. These attachment means comprise a stud 26 projecting from the skirting board 11 (or, in the case of the Figure 4 strip, from the backing member 23), and two resilient vertical arms 27 depending from the upper edge of the facia member 24 and together defining a vertical guide in which the stud 26 can be engaged. The facing edges of the arms 27 are scolloped to define a number of stable rest positions for the stud 26 in the vertical guide.

Such an arrangement allows the facia member 24 to be engaged on the stud 26 and then pushed down until the lower edge of the facia member 24 contacts the carpet 13. The resilience of the arms 27 serve to hold the stud 26 in the nearest stable rest position, preventing the strip being pushed upward by resilient reaction forces that may be exerted by the carpet 13. However, the grip exerted by the arms 27 on the stud 26 can be readily overcome manually to lift off the facia member 24.

This form of multi-position attachment ensures that no gap exists between lower edge of the facia member 24 and the carpet 13 regardless of the precise relative position of the stud 26 and upper surface of the carpet 13. Such an arrangement is an advantage even in cases where the facia member 24 is decoratively maintenance-free and is not required to be removed for decoration. The multi-position attachment means of Figure 6 could also be employed with the forms of strips shown in Figures 1 to 3.

It will, of course, be appreciated that a strip provided with attachment means of the Figure 6 form, will generally have a number of cooperating pairs of arms 27, each pair of arms being arranged to engage a respective stud 26.

Furthermore, the studs 26 can either be formed integrally with the skirting board 11 or attached thereto by any suitable means.

The form of decoration boundary strip shown in Figure 7 is not intended for attachment to the skirting board 11 but utilises the weight and/or resilience of the marginal portions of the carpet 13 to press the strip 1 3 firmly against the board 11. The strip 13 comprises a vertical portion 31 projecting above the upper surface of the carpet 13, and a near horizontal portion 32 extending out from the base of the portion 31, beneath the carpet 13. The portion 32 makes an angle slightly greater than 90 with the vertical portion 31 as a result of which the free end of the portion 32 serves as a fulcrum in respect of the downward forces exerted on the strip 30 by the carpet 13; the overall effect is to cause the vertical portion 31 of the strip 30 to be pushed against the skirting board 11.

The strip 30 can again be either decoratively maintenance-free or removable for decoration.

The skirting board 11 shown in Figures 1 to 7 is of a conventional design. It is, however, envisaged that the skirting board may be specifically formed for cooperating with a particular form of decoration boundary strip. Thus, for example, Figure 8 shows a skirting board 35 formed in its lower region with a rectangular recess dimensioned to receive either the strip 12 of Figure 1 or the vertical portion 31 of the strip 30 of Figure 7, in such a manner as to present a flush outer surface above the level of the carpet.

With such an arrangement the cooperating strip 12 or 30 is removable from the recess 36 so that during decoration it is a simple manner to paint the skirting board 35 down to the level of the recess 36 without the danger of accidentally painting the strip 1 2 or 30.

Various other forms of decoration boundary strip are, of course possible. Furthermore, although the illustrated forms of decoration boundary strip have been described in relation to a carpet 13, it will be appreciated that the strips can be used with other types of floor covering, such as, for example, linolium, cork tiles, or wood blocks. In addition, the illustrated decoration boundary strips can also be used directly up against a wall without the interposition of a skirting board.

CLAIMS (Filed on 30/1/84) 1. In a building having a wall with d skirting board up to which a floor covering is laid, a decoration boundary strip juxtaposed and

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Of course, with the forms of the strip shown in Figures 1 to 3, it is not essential that the portions of the strips that lie concealed behind the carpet 1 3 be either decoratively maintenance-free or removable for decoration, the important part of the strip in terms of decorative condition being the visible portion above the level of the carpet 13. Accordingly, another form of decoration boundary strip can be provided in which only the visible upper portion is decoratively maintenancefree or removable for decoration, this latter alternative being illustrated in Figure 4. The form of strip 22 shown in Figure 4 comprises a backing member 23 permanently attached to the skirting board 11, and an upper, facia member 24 releasably engageable with the backing member 23. The backing member 24 is interposed between the edge of the carpet 1 3 and the skirting board 11 and projects up above the upper surface of the carpet 1 3. The facia member 24 includes a depending portion 28 which extends outwardly and downwardly into contact with the upper surface of the carpet 13. The releasable engagement of the facia member 24 with the backing member 23 can be effected by any suitable means, one such means being described hereinafter with reference to Figure 6. Figure 5 shows a modified version of the Figure 4 strip, in which the backing member 23 is disposed with entirely. This modified strip 25 is constituted by the facia member 24 which is now releasably attached directly to the skirting board 11. A preferred form of releasable attachment means for the strips 22, 25 of Figures 4 and 5 is illustrated in Figure 6 which is a section taken on line VI--VI of Figure 5. These attachment means comprise a stud 26 projecting from the skirting board 11 (or, in the case of the Figure 4 strip, from the backing member 23), and two resilient vertical arms 27 depending from the upper edge of the facia member 24 and together defining a vertical guide in which the stud 26 can be engaged. The facing edges of the arms 27 are scolloped to define a number of stable rest positions for the stud 26 in the vertical guide. Such an arrangement allows the facia member 24 to be engaged on the stud 26 and then pushed down until the lower edge of the facia member 24 contacts the carpet 13. The resilience of the arms 27 serve to hold the stud 26 in the nearest stable rest position, preventing the strip being pushed upward by resilient reaction forces that may be exerted by the carpet 13. However, the grip exerted by the arms 27 on the stud 26 can be readily overcome manually to lift off the facia member 24. This form of multi-position attachment ensures that no gap exists between lower edge of the facia member 24 and the carpet 13 regardless of the precise relative position of the stud 26 and upper surface of the carpet 13. Such an arrangement is an advantage even in cases where the facia member 24 is decoratively maintenance-free and is not required to be removed for decoration. The multi-position attachment means of Figure 6 could also be employed with the forms of strips shown in Figures 1 to 3. It will, of course, be appreciated that a strip provided with attachment means of the Figure 6 form, will generally have a number of cooperating pairs of arms 27, each pair of arms being arranged to engage a respective stud 26. Furthermore, the studs 26 can either be formed integrally with the skirting board 11 or attached thereto by any suitable means. The form of decoration boundary strip shown in Figure 7 is not intended for attachment to the skirting board 11 but utilises the weight and/or resilience of the marginal portions of the carpet 13 to press the strip 1 3 firmly against the board 11. The strip 13 comprises a vertical portion 31 projecting above the upper surface of the carpet 13, and a near horizontal portion 32 extending out from the base of the portion 31, beneath the carpet 13. The portion 32 makes an angle slightly greater than 90 with the vertical portion 31 as a result of which the free end of the portion 32 serves as a fulcrum in respect of the downward forces exerted on the strip 30 by the carpet 13; the overall effect is to cause the vertical portion 31 of the strip 30 to be pushed against the skirting board 11. The strip 30 can again be either decoratively maintenance-free or removable for decoration. The skirting board 11 shown in Figures 1 to 7 is of a conventional design. It is, however, envisaged that the skirting board may be specifically formed for cooperating with a particular form of decoration boundary strip. Thus, for example, Figure 8 shows a skirting board 35 formed in its lower region with a rectangular recess dimensioned to receive either the strip 12 of Figure 1 or the vertical portion 31 of the strip 30 of Figure 7, in such a manner as to present a flush outer surface above the level of the carpet. With such an arrangement the cooperating strip 12 or 30 is removable from the recess 36 so that during decoration it is a simple manner to paint the skirting board 35 down to the level of the recess 36 without the danger of accidentally painting the strip 1 2 or 30. Various other forms of decoration boundary strip are, of course possible. Furthermore, although the illustrated forms of decoration boundary strip have been described in relation to a carpet 13, it will be appreciated that the strips can be used with other types of floor covering, such as, for example, linolium, cork tiles, or wood blocks. In addition, the illustrated decoration boundary strips can also be used directly up against a wall without the interposition of a skirting board. CLAIMS (Filed on 30/1/84)

1. In a building having a wall with d skirting board up to which a floor covering is laid, a decoration boundary strip juxtaposed and

extending along the skirting board, the strip being of a width substantially less than the height of the skirting board and having its upper and lower longitudinal edges at levels respectively above and at least as low as the upper surface of the floor covering, the strip being either decoratively maintenance-free or removable for decoration.

2. A decoration boundary strip according to Claim 1, wherein the strip sits with its lower longitudinal edge on the upper surface of the floor covering.

3. A decoration boundary strip according to Claim 1, wherein the strip extends down the edge of the floor covering between the skirting board and the floor covering.

4. A decoration boundary strip according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strip is releasably attached to the skirting board.

5. A decoration boundary according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the strip is permanently attached to the skirting board, the strip being decoratively maintenance-free.

6. A decoration boundary strip according to Claim 3, wherein the strip is provided with feet that extend out under the floor covering at an angle slightly greater than 90" to the main part of the strip, the floor covering, in endeavouring to lie down on the floor, serving to push the strip hard up against the skirting board, the strip being otherwise unattached to the skirting board.

7. A decoration boundary strip according to Claim 3, wherein the strip in cross-section comprises a narrow lower portion, and a wider upper portion, the latter portion passing into the former portion by an undercut step provided on the side of the strip facing away from the skirting board, this step seating on the marginal portions of the floor covering.

8. A decoration boundary strip according to Claim 7, wherein the upper portion of the strip is hollow and open on its side facing the skirting board.

9. A decoration boundary strip according to Claim 8, wherein the upper portion of the strip is defined by a sloping upper surface, a vertical wall connected along its upper edge to said upper surface, and a horizontal surface extending from the lower edge of said vertical wall, the lower portion of the strip depending from the edge of the said horizontal surface remote from the vertical wall.

1 0. A decoration boundary strip according to Claim 9, wherein the lower portion of the boundary strip is angled downwardly towards the skirting board.

11. A decoration boundary strip according to Claim 2 or Claim 7, wherein the strip is attached to the skirting board by a multi-position engagement means enabling the strip to be pushed down onto the floor covering with the engagement means thereafter retaining the strip in its pushed down position against any upward reaction forces exerted by the floor covering.

1 2. A decoration boundary strip according to Claim 1, wherein the strip is releasbly received in a recess formed in the skirting board such that the board and strip in combination present a flush appearance.

13. A decoration boundary strip which in cross-section has a narrower lower portion and a wider upper portion, the latter portion passing into the former portion by an undercut step provided on one side only of the strip, whereby in use of the strip, the narrower portion can be positioned between the edge of a floor covering I and a vertical surface, while the undercut step seats upon the marginal portions of the floor covering, the strip or at least the part thereof providing the surface of the upper strip portion on the same side as said step, being either decoratively maintenance-free or removable for decoration.

14. A decoration boundary strip with associated multi-position engagement means for enabling the strip to be attached to a vertical surface and then pushed down onto a floor covering laid up to said vertical surface, the multiposition engagement means serving to retain the strip in its pushed down position against any upward reaction forces that the floor coveringmay exert on the strip, said strip or at least the part thereof which is visible when the stip is in a pushed down position, being decoratively maintenance-free or removable for decoration.

1 5. A decoration boundary strip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 5,7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.