GB2276317A

GB2276317A - Trim for bridging floorcoverings of different thicknesses

Info

Publication number: GB2276317A
Application number: GB9306277A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Graham Law; Meredith Graham Wilkinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-03-26
Filing date: 1993-03-26
Publication date: 1994-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2013-03-26
Also published as: GB2276317B; GB9306277D0

Abstract

A one-piece trim (1) for bridging two floorcoverings of different thicknesses comprises a rigid length of material of uniform stepped cross-section. The trim (1) defines a base portion (2) which can be secured to a subfloor and over which the thinner of the two floorcoverings can be located to abut a riser (3) of the step. Projecting outwardly on the opposite side of the riser (3) to the base portion (2) is a binder (4) beneath which an edge of the thicker of the two floorcoverings can be located. The thickness of the base portion (2) adjacent the riser (3) is adapted to be such that the top surface of the thinner of the two floorcoverings is brought to substantially the same height as that of the thicker when laid thereon. The thinner of the two floorcoverings may be secured to the trim by adhesive. The trim thus provides a comparatively inexpensive and safe way of bridging the transition between the floor coverings. <IMAGE>

Description

TRIM FOR FLOORCOVERINGS The present invention relates to trim for floorcoverings and in particular to trim for use in bridging two adjacent floorcoverings such as carpet and linoleum, tiles or the like.

It is often desirable to cover large floor areas, such as those in department stores and other commercial buildings, with more than one form of floorcovering.

Typically, carpet is one of the coverings and a covering of a different thickness such as floor tiles is the other.

In these circumstances it is necessary to bridge the transition between the two forms of covering in a safe manner to prevent accidents. Currently, two-piece trims are available for this purpose. With these, the floor coverings are fastened to projecting base portions either side of a fixing channel into which a resilient top is push fitted to overlap the adjacent edges of the floorcoverings. However, these trims have the disadvantage of being comparatively expensive to produce. Another disadvantage is that because the two floorcoverings are of different thicknesses, the resilient top slopes from the thicker of the two coverings down to the the thinner and can still, as a result, cause accidents.

The object of the present invention is to overcome or substantially mitigate the aforementioned disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a one-piece trim for bridging two floorcoverings of different thicknesses and comprising a rigid length of material of uniform stepped cross-section which defines a base portion securable to a sub-floor and over which the thinner of the two floorcoverings can be located to abut a riser of the step, and a binder that projects outwardly on the opposite side of the riser to the base portion and beneath which an edge of the thicker of the two floorcoverings can be located, the thickness of the base portion adjacent the riser being such that the top surface of the thinner of the two floorcoverings is brought to substantially the same height as that of the thicker when laid thereon.

Preferably, the thickness of the base portion tapers from the riser to its outside edge.

Preferably also, the upper surface of the base portion is provided with channels which provide a key for a coating or an adhesive for attachment of the thinner of the two floorcoverings thereto.

Preferably also, the base portion is provided with holes to enable the trim to be secured to the sub-floor by screw fixings.

Preferably also, the binder comprises a downwardly curved and pointed edge to grip the edge of the thicker of the two floorcoverings.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of bridging two floorcoverings of different thicknesses and comprising the steps of: securing a one-piece trim according to the first aspect of the present invention to a sub-floor over which the two floorcoverings are to be laid in a position where the two floorcoverings are to join and with the base position of the trim on the side to be laid with the thinner of the two floorcoverings; coating that area of the sub-floor over which the thinner of the two floorcoverings is to be laid with a coating material to a thickness which is substantially the difference between the thicknesses of the floorcoverings; laying the thinner of the two floorcoverings over the coating so that it also covers the base portion of the trim and abuts the riser; and laying the thicker of the two floorcoverings over the sub-floor on the opposite side of the trim and pushing an edge thereof beneath the binder.

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a transverse cross-section of a length of trim according to the first aspect of the invention.

The trim 1 as shown in the drawings is preferably an aluminium extrusion but could be made from any suitable material and in any suitable fashion. As mentioned previously, it is primarily intended to provide a smooth transition between two floorcoverings of different types and thicknesses.

The trim 1 has a uniform stepped cross-section which defines a base portion 2, a riser 3 and a binder 4. In use, the base portion 2 lies beneath the edge of the thinner of the two floorcoverings and the binder 4 projects over the edge of the thicker. Preferably, the trim is produced with dimensions specifically tailored to the thicknesses of the two floorcoverings with which it is to be used. In this regard, the thickness of the base portion 2 adjacent the riser 3 is designed to be such that the top surface of the thinner of the two floorcoverings is brought to substantially the same height as that of the thicker when laid thereon. Thus, when in use the transition is marked only by a strip formed by a flat top or tread 5 joining the top of the riser 3 with the binder 4.As the upwardly projecting height of the tread 5 is above the two floorcoverings is comparatively small, accidents can bee substantially avoided.

The base portion 2 is provided with holes (not shown) at regular intervals to enable the trim to be secured to a sub-floor by screw fixings. In addition, the upper surface 6 of the base portion 2 is provided with two parallel channels 7 which provide a key for an adhesive or a coating for use in attachment of the thinner of the two floorcoverings thereto. In order to provide a smooth transition, the base portion 2 tapers from the riser 3 to its outside edge 8.

The binder 4 projects outwardly on the opposite side of the riser 3 to the base portion 2 and provides an overhang beneath which an edge of the thicker of the two floorcoverings can be located. In order to grip the floorcovering, which is usually carpet, the binder 4 comprises an downwardly curved and pointed edge 9 which can bite into the pile.

The trim is preferably used as follows to bridge two floorcoverings of different thicknesses in the following fashion.

First, lengths of the trim 1 are secured to a subfloor over which the two floorcoverings are to be laid in positions where the two floorcoverings are to join. The base portions 2 of the trim 1 are located on the side of the trim to be laid with the thinner of the two floorcoverings. The sub-floor on this side is then coated with a material such as cement to a thickness which is substantially the difference between the thicknesses of the floorcoverings. The coating is skimmed over at least part of the base portion 2 if necessary to provide a flat surface. The thinner of the two floorcoverings is then laid over the coating and fastened down, usually by an appropriate adhesive so that it also covers the base portion 2 of the trim and abuts the riser 3.

The thicker of the two floorcoverings, which is usually carpet is then laid over the sub-floor on the opposite side of the trim 1. The cut edge of the carpet is pushed beneath the binder 4 so that it is held in position by the edge 9. Usually, the carpet is also fastened down to the sub-floor to prevent it from riding up. This can also be accomplished by a suitable adhesive. Often, a layer of paper is stuck down to the sub-floor first and then the carpet stuck to the paper. This facilitates removal of the carpet at a later date as the paper simply tears to permit the carpet to be taken up without causing damage to either the carpet or the sub-floor.

After both floorcoverings have been laid, the trim 1 bridges the join neatly as only the flat tread 5 is visible and as this is a low barrier, it is unlikely to cause accidents.

It will be appreciated that whilst the trim 1 is primarily intended to bridge two floorcoverings of different thicknesses, the thicker of which is usually carpet, provided that the one which overlies the base portion 2 does not project above the height of the tread 5, any floorcoverings can be used in conjunction therewith.

Claims

1. A one-piece trim for bridging two floorcoverings of different thicknesses and comprising a rigid length of material of uniform stepped cross-section which defines a base portion securable to a sub-floor and over which the thinner of the two floorcoverings can be located to abut a riser of the step, and a binder that projects outwardly on the opposite side of the riser to the base portion and beneath which an edge of the thicker of the two floorcoverings can be located, the thickness of the base portion adjacent the riser being such that the top surface of the thinner of the two floorcoverings is brought to substantially the same height as that of the thicker when laid thereon.

2. A trim as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the thickness of the base portion tapers from the riser to its outside edge.

3. A trim as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the upper surface of the base portion is provided with channels which provide a key for a coating or an adhesive for attachment of the thinner of the two floorcoverings thereto.

4. A trim as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the base portion is provided with holes to enable the trim to be secured to the sub-floor by screw fixings.

5. A trim as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the binder comprises a downwardly curved and pointed edge to grip the edge of the thicker of the two floorcoverings.

6. A one-piece trim for bridging two floorcoverings of different thicknesses substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

7. A method of bridging two floorcoverings of different thicknesses and comprising the steps of: securing a one-piece trim as claimed in Claim 1 to a sub-floor over which the two floorcoverings are to be laid in a position where the two floorcoverings are to join and with the base position of the trim on the side to be laid with the thinner of the two floorcoverings; coating that area of the sub-floor over which the thinner of the two floorcoverings is to be laid with a coating material to a thickness which is substantially the difference between the thicknesses of the floorcoverings; laying the thinner of the two floorcoverings over the coating so that it also covers the base portion of the trim and abuts the riser; and laying the thicker of the two floorcoverings over the sub-floor on the opposite side of the trim and pushing an edge thereof beneath the binder.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the thicker of the two floorcoverings is laid over and secured to a rippable sheet material which is itself secured to the sub-floor.

9. A method of bridging two floorcoverings of different thicknesses substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.