GB2282323A

GB2282323A - Template for cutting and laying floor coverings

Info

Publication number: GB2282323A
Application number: GB9320073A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Anthony Ainslie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-09-29
Filing date: 1993-09-29
Publication date: 1995-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2013-09-29
Also published as: GB9320073D0; GB2282323B

Abstract

A template, for use in laying floor coverings, comprises a flat member 10 having a straight edge for abutting a wall 21 at the edge of the floor, and marking means (e.g. in the form of a pair of pins (12; see figure 1)) spaced from the straight edge and projecting from one side of the flat member, for marking a line on the underside of the floor covering 20. The template is moved along the wall step-by-step, to form a continuous line (22): the floor covering is then folded back to show the marked line, the template is placed face down on the underside of the floor covering, with its marking means aligned with the marked line (see figure 3), and the covering is then cut along the straight edge of the flat member 10. <IMAGE>

Description

A Flooring Template This invention relates to a template for use in laying floor coverings.

Floor covering such as carpet and linoleum are difficult even for the expert to fit. The problem lies in cutting the covering so that it fits flush against the wall or other structure at the edge of the floor.

I have now devised a flooring template which alleviates the above mentioned problem.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a template for use in laying floor coverings, the template comprising a flat member having a straight edge for abutting a wall or other structure at the edge of the floor and marking means spaced from said edge and projecting from one side of said member, for marking a line on the underside of the floor covering.

In use, the floor covering is laid on the floor so that it extends part way up the wall or other structure. The flooring template is laid on the floor underneath the floor covering and then moved along the wall so that it marks a line along the underside of the floor covering. The floor covering is then folded back so that the marked line is visible. The user then places the template face down on the floor covering with the marking means aligned with the marked line. The floor covering can then be cut by cutting along the straight edge of the template.

If the floor covering is linoleum, then the marking means preferably comprises at least one upwardly projecting pin which leaves a line of depressions depressions in the underside of the linoleum. Alternatively the marking means may comprise a pen or chalk which draws a line on the underside of the floor covering Preferably two marking means are provided on a line which extends parallel to the straight edge of the member.

Preferably the straight edge of the template is formed of metal so that it is not damaged when a knife is run along it to cut the floor covering.

Also in accordance with this invention, there is provided a method of fitting a floor covering, comprising laying the floor covering on the floor so that it partly extends up a wall or other structure against which it is to be fitted, marking a line along the underside of the floor covering using a template having a straight edge and a marking means spaced from said edge, the straight edge being moved along the wall or other structure so that the line is marked parallel to the wall or other structure, folding back the floor covering to reveal the marked line and placing the template face down on the underside of the floor covering so that the marking means is aligned with the marked line, cutting the floor covering along the straight edge of the template and moving the template along the line and cutting again until the covering has been cut to the desired shape.

Once the floor covering has been cut, the folded over portion can be folded back down onto the floor so that its cut edge lies flush against the wall or other structure. It will be appreciated that there is no need to reposition the covering on the floor after it has been cut.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a flooring template in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the flooring template of Figure 1 in use when marking the underside of a floor covering being laid; and FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the flooring template in use when cutting the floor covering to the desired shape.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a flooring template 10 comprising a flat plastics member 11 having an enlarged head portion 14 at one end. A metal strip is inlaid into a straight edge 13 of the member 11. A pair of upwardly projecting pins 12 are disposed at the opposite end of the member 11. The pins 12 are disposed on a line which extends parallel to the straight edge 13.

Referring to Figure 2, in use the template 10 is laid on the floor so that its straight edge 13 abuts the skirting board 21. The linoleum to be fitted is laid over the template 10 so that it extends part way up the skirting board 21. The user then presses down on the linoleum so that its upwardly projecting pins 11 leave a pair of depressions 22 in the underside of the linoleum 20. By repeating this process successively, moving the template along the skirting board step-by-step, a line of depressions 22 is formed along the linoleum 20. Referring to Figure 3, the linoleum is then cut to size by folding back its edge to reveal the line of depression 22. The user then places the template 10 on the underside of the linoleum 20 so that the pins 11 enter a pair of the depressions 22. Then by cutting along the straight edge 13 of the template, the linoleum is cut to size along a line 23 which extends parallel to the line of depressions 22.

There is no need to reposition the linoleum after it has been cut because its cut edge will lie flush against the skirting board 21 when the linoleum is folded back.

Claims

1) A template for use in laying floor coverings, the template comprising a flat member having a straight edge for abutting a wall or other structure at the edge of the floor and marking means spaced from said edge and projecting from one side of said member, for marking a line on the underside of the floor covering.

2) A template as claimed in claim 1, in which said marking means comprises at least one upwardly projecting pin.

3) A template as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising two said marking means positioned on a line extending parallel to said straight edge of said flat member.

4) A template as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said straight edge is formed of metal.

5) A method of fitting a floor covering, comprising laying the floor covering on the floor so that it partly extends up a wall or other structure against which it is to be fitted, marking a line along the underside of the floor covering using a template having a straight edge and a marking means spaced from said edge, the straight edge being moved along the wall or other structure so that the line is marked parallel to the wall or other structure, folding back the floor covering to reveal the marked line and placing the template face down on the underside of the floor covering so that the marking means is aligned with the marked line, cutting the floor covering along the straight edge of the template and moving the template along the line and cutting again until the covering has been cut to the desired shape.

6) A template for use in laying floor coverings, the template being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7) A method of fitting a floor covering, the method being as claimed in claim 5 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.