GB2224049A

GB2224049A - Trim strip

Info

Publication number: GB2224049A
Application number: GB8824861A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aidan Simon Bruce; Nigel John George Yardle Mills; Stephen Powell
Original assignee: HOMELUX PROD Ltd
Current assignee: HOMELUX PROD Ltd
Priority date: 1988-10-24
Filing date: 1988-10-24
Publication date: 1990-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-24
Also published as: GB8824861D0; GB2224049B

Abstract

A trim strip 3 for use in building work to cover the join between adjacent surfaces comprises a first cover portion 4 and a second cover portion 5 made of relatively rigid material, joined by a hinge portion 6 of flexible material. Self adhesive tapes 9, 10 are used to attach the respective portions 4, 5 to the adjacent surface to provide an attractive and protective cover for the corner. Flexible lips 7, 8 may be provided to give the strip a sealing function. It is used on e.g. tiled edges around window sills. A ridge 11 helps to position the strip and it includes a frangible portion 12 in case it is not required. <IMAGE>

Description

"STRIP FOR USE IN BUILDING WORK" This invention relates to a strip for use in building work and intended primarily for covering internal and external edges in such work.

In building work, outside corners frequently need to be formed and in some circumstances these can be vulnerable to damage. The present invention seeks to provide a strip which will act to protect such corners and/or provide an attractive aesthetic feature at the corner.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a strip for covering a join between first and second adjacent surfaces, said strip being shaped to provide, in cross section, a first portion including means for attachment to said first surface, a second portion including means for attachment to said second surface and a flexible third portion joining said first portion to said second portion. In an embodiment one or, preferably, both of said first and second portions additionally incorporate flexible sealing means at their ends (in section) remote from said third portion for making sealing connection with the adjacent surface.

Although primarily intended for external corners such as the edge of a tiled window sill, the strip of the invention may also be used to cover and seal internal corners. The adjacent surfaces will normally meet at right angles, but this need not necessarily be th case, and the strip of the invention is capable of being used on a wide variety of meeting surfaces in domestic or industrial premises.

Preferably the strip is formed integrally as an extrusion. The first and second portions are preferably of relatively, rigid material such as P.V.C.

or a.b.s., while the flexible third portion and the flexible sealing means (if fitted) are of flexible material such as nitrile.

The first and second portions may take many forms, but preferably they are shaped so as to cover that part of the surface immediately adjacent the join.

These cover portions may be attached to the surface by any suitable means such as screws, glue or self-adhesive tape.

In order that the invention may be better understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view of an edging strip made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the strip of Figure I used to cover the join between two almost coplanar surfaces; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the strip of Figure 1 used to cover the tiled edges of a window reveal.

Referring to Figure 1, the edging strip is shown in use covering an external tiled edge, for example a window reveal. The edge tile of the horizontal surface is shown under reference 1, and the edge tile of the vertical surface is shown under reference 2. The edging strip, shown under reference 3, acts to cover and seal between the two edges.

The edging strip 3 is formed as an extrusion of which a section is shown in Figure 1. The extrusion comprises three main parts: a first cover portion 4 covering the top surface of tile I immediately adjacent the corner; a second cover portion 5 covering the edge of tile I and part of the outer surface of tile 2; and a flexible hinge portion 6 joining the first and second cover portions. The cover portions are made of relatively rigid plastics material such as P.V.C. or a.b.s., while the hinge portion 6 is made from flexible plastics material such as nitrile.

Extending from the free edge of each of the cover portions 4,5 is a flexible sealing lip 7,8 respectively which is directed so as to bear against the adjacent surface and seal same against ingress of liquid or dust or similar. The sealing lips may for example be made of nitrile.

Each of the cover portions 4,5 are affixed to their respective surfaces by respective self adhesive tapes 9,10, such as closed cell acrylic tape.

One of the cover portions (reference 4 in this case) is provided, at that end adjacent the hinge portion 6, with an upstanding ridge 11 protruding from its undersurface. The purpose of this ridge is to act as a positioning abutment surface for the edge of the tile 1 during fitting. The ridge ii may, in some situations - see below, be in the way, and a line of weakness may be incorporated so that it can be snapped off, if necessary before fitting. An exemplary positioning for such a line of weakness is illustrated by the shaded triangular area 12 in Figure 1.

To give an impression of scale, one example of size would be approximately 17mum, as indicated by dimension A. A range of sizes could be made for different applications, and the two "arms", separated by the hinge portion 6, could be of different lengths.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment for covering the joint between surfaces 13,14 which are angled with respect to one another to form an internal corner, and with a small step 15 at the join. It will also be noticed that there is a considerable gap between the facing edges of the surfaces.

Because of the wide angIe between the surfaces, it is necessary to break off the upstanding ridge II before fitting since this otherwise interferes with the correct positioning of the cover portion 4. The approximate span of the strip from the tip of sealing lip 7 to the tip of sealing lip 8 is 27mm.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the strip used in the manner illustrated in Figure 1 to cover the external edges of a tiled window reveal. The strip serves the multiple purpose of providing an aesthetically pleasing finish to the corner, of protecting the vulnerable edge from damage, and of providing a seal against ingress of liquids etc. to the corner area. The whole strip with the exception of the self-adhesive tapes 9,10, and including the sealing lips 7,8, is formed as a one piece extrusion. A small amount of relative movement between the surfaces can be tolerated without affecting the sealing properties of the strip.

Claims

1. A strip for covering a join between first and second adjacent surfaces, said strip being shaped to provide, in cross section, a first portion including means for attachment to said first surface, a second portion including means for attachment to said second surface and a flexible third portion joining said first portion to said second portion.

2. A strip as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second portions are provided at their ends, in section, remote from said third portion with a flexible lip operable to effect sealing connection with the adjacent surface.

3. A strip as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first and second portions are made of relatively rigid material.

4. A strip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the components of the strip are formed integrally as an extrusion.

5. A strip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second portions are shaped so as to cover that part of the surface immediately adjacent the join.

6. A strip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one of said first and second portions is provided with an upstanding ridge protruding from its undersurface, said ridge being positioned to act as an abutment surface during installation of the strip.

7. A strip as claimed in claim 6 wherein a narrowed line of weakness is formed in said ridge to enable it to be broken off in the event that it is in the way.

8. A strip for covering a join between adjacent surfaces substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.