GB2361423A - A gripper rod covering strip - Google Patents

Abstract

A covering for an array of pointed members, preferably a carpet gripper rod 10, characterised by locating a strip of material 1" on the pointed members so that the pointed members are embedded within the strip of material and do not protrude therefrom. The strip of material 1" may also be arranged to define a paint line upon a member to be painted.

Description

2361423 STRIP DESCREPTION This invention relates to a strip, in particular

a protective strip which, inter alia, can be used to prevent injuries. The invention is also directed to an associated method of using the strip for various purposes.

Carpets are often the preferred choice of floor covering in homes, io offices and other buildings. Normally, a carpet consists of a backing layer, which may comprise a natural or synthetic material, such as hessian or low density foamed rubber respectively, through which is woven or felted fibres.

These fibres normally comprise materials such as wool, which may be mixed with man-made materials such as polyester or nylon.

In order to fit a carpet into a room, it is cut to the approximate size and laid upon the floor such that it covers the relevant area. The carpet may be stretched such that there are no creases or air pockets underneath it and then cut to the exact size of the room or area to be carpeted. In order to retain the carpet in the desired position, gripper rods are positioned around the periphery of the area to be covered.

These well known gripper rods comprise a strip of material through which protrude sharpened tacks, pins or other pointed members in a regular or irregular array along the entire length thereof The rods are secured to the surface to be carpeted by, for example, nails or screws, such that the array of pointed members extend from the upper surface of the rod. The gripper rods are located such that they run parallel to the edge of the carpet at a distance of approximately 10 mm. The carpet edge is then laid onto the rod and pushed downwards such that the upwardly pointing gripper rod members protrude into the underside of the carpet, thereby retaining it in place.

To lay a carpet on a set of stairs, it is conventional to locate gripper rods transversely of the stairs such that one is located on a horizontal surface and another is located, in close proximity, on an adjacent vertical surface, the surfaces, in a section through the stairs, defining a right angle. The carpet is laid on the stairs and pushed into the apex of each right angle such that the pointed members of the gripper rods protrude through the carpet.

Obviously, exposed gripper rods represent a substantial potential for injury. An experienced carpet fitter, as well as the do-it-yourself expert, will locate the gripper rods on the surface to be carpeted before they commence the actual laying of the carpet. In such circumstances, the exposed rods may cause an injury to any person who happens to fall onto or otherwise contact them. Small children are particularly susceptible to falling and the exposed pointed members of gripper rods may cause substantial injuries, cuts, scrapes and so on, to children which fall or trip thereon.

The boundary of the area to be carpeted is often a wall which, at the bottom thereof, is normally situated a skirting board. Conventionally, as described above, the gripper rod is located such that it runs parallel to the skirting board at a displacement of approximately 10 mm, the edge of the carpet being pushed into the gap between the gripper rod and skirting board.

It is often necessary to repaint skirting boards and to do so the edge of the carpet is lifted from the skirting board, which action obviously exposes the gripper rods and their component pointed members. As it is a laborious task to lift all of the gripper rods, only to have to re-install them once the work has finished, they are usually left in place.

The gap between the rod and skirting board is a depository for dust, dirt, lint from the carpet and so on. Therefore, before painting, this gap must 3 - be cleaned, for example by vacuuming or brushing, to prevent such dust and dirt from contacting the paint brush and thereby polluting the paint or becoming adhered to the freshly painted surfaces. Moreover, it may be necessary to sand the skirting board before any paint is applied. Obviously, sanding, by hand, a skirting board, which is in close proximity to the exposed pointed members, can cause substantial injury if great care is not taken.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a protective strip which can be used to obviate the above-identified problems associated to with the exposed pointed members of gripper rods.

A first aspect of the invention provides a method of covering an array of pointed members comprising locating a strip of material on the members such that the pointed members are embedded within the strip and do not protrude therefrom- The array of pointed members may comprise a gripper rod.

A second aspect of the invention resides in a method of protecting an individual which comprises installing a strip onto the pointed members of a gripper rod such that those pointed members are embedded therein and do not protrude therefrom.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of defining a paint line comprising installing a strip onto a gripper rod such that the pointed members of the gripper rod are embedded into the body of the strip thereby retaining the strip in position, the strip being arranged to define the paint line upon a member to be painted.

Preferably, the strip comprises a portion which abuts, confronts or at least lies adjacent the member which is to be painted, that portion preferably comprising a distal edge at a position which, once installed, is at the desired level to define the paint line.

A further aspect of the invention resides in a gripper rod covering strip comprising a strip of material arranged to have gripper rod pointed members embedded therein such that they do not protrude therefrom.

The strip may comprise a face into which the pointed members can be embedded.

The strip may comprise an elongate lateral portion which may extend from the strip, preferably at an edge thereof, said portion being preferably arranged to extend, in use, across the gap between an associated gripper rod and the adjacent edge or border of the area to be carpeted.

The lateral portion may extend from substantially the entire length of the strip, which may be provided with a face opposed to that which is arranged to have pointed members embedded therein. A face of the lateral portion may comprise a face which slants with respect to the opposed face, the distal edge of the portion preferably being lower than the opposed face when the strip is horizontal. The distal edge is preferably arranged to define, in use, a paint line on a member which defines the edge of the area to be carpeted, the member comprising, for example, a skirting board, wall or stair.

The strip may comprise polystyrene, low density foamed rubber, natural or synthetic rubber, corrugated cardboard, cork, balsa wood or any other suitable material which can maintain its structural integrity whilst pointed members are embedded therein. The strip may be provided with a coating which may, for example, be insoluble in the solvents utilised in paints and which may, at least, be provided on the slanting face of the lateral portion and preferably on the opposed face of the strip.

5- The strip may further comprise an adhesive, which may bearranged to be able to provide adhesion between the strip and, in use, a surface such that the strip is retained in place. The adhesive may comprise a length of double5 sided adhesive tape.

In order that various aspects of the invention be more fully understood, various embodiments in accordance therewith will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure I shows a section through a wall edge; Figure 2 shows a section through a wall edge with a first embodiment of strip installed; Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a stairway with a second embodiment of strip installed; Figure 4 shows a sectional detail of the stairway of Figure 3; and Figurre 5 shows a further embodiment of strip.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, an edge of a room is shown. Upstanding from the floor 100 is a skirting board 101 which is attached to a wall 102 defining the edge of the room. The area to be carpeted, generally indicated at 103, is defined as the area between the skirting boards 101 which are attached to the walls 102 of the room.

In order to carpet an area 103, gripper rods 10 are installed around the edge or periphery thereof As hereinbefore described, gripper rods 10 comprise an elongate body I I through which an array of pointed members 12 protrude. The rods 10 are installed such that they are parallel to the edge of the area 103 to be carpeted and such that a gap 104 is left between the edge of the rod 10 and the, for example, skirting board 101.

The carpet 105, once cut to the correct size, is laid over the rods 10 such that the pointed members 12 are embedded into the carpet 105 thereby retaining it in place. The edge 106 of the carpet 105 is pushed, at least partially, into the gap 104 to provide a neat, tidy finish to the carpet edge 106.

In order to paint a skirting board 10 1, or indeed to re-paint it, the carpet must be pulled up and away from the skirting board 10 1, thereby exposing the pointed members 12 of the gripper rod 10. It is normal practice to sand a surface before painting and without rerroving either the skirting board 101 or the gripper rods 10 the pointed members 12 represent a significant hazard to the person completing the work.

Moreover, once the sanding has been completed, dust and dirt, carpet lint and so on will accumulate in the gap 104 which, before the skirting board 101 is painted, must be removed to prevent contamination of the brush and paint.

Referring now to Figure 2, in which the same numerals have been used for the components identical to those of Figure 1, there is shown an inventive strip I which has been installed on top of the gripper rod 10.

The strip I comprises a body 2 and a lateral portion 3 which extends from a side of the body 2. The strip I is installed such that the pointed members 12 of the gripper rod 10 are imbedded into a face 4 of the strip and protrude into the body 2 but do not protrude fTom the opposed face 5 of the strip 1.

The lateral portion 3 extends, when installed, across the gap 104 between the edge of the gripper rod 10 and the skirting board 101. Thus, once the carpet 105 has been removed a strip I is installed on top of the gripper rod 10 and the skirting board 101 may be safely sanded without risk of the sander 5 cutting, grazing or scraping themselves upon the pointed members 12.

Once the sanding has been completed the dust may be removed, for example, by vacuuming or brushing. Alternatively the strip I can be partially lifted allowing the dust to fall into the gap 104 and the strip I re-installed.

The lateral portion 3 of the strip 1, slants or slopes with respect to the opposed face 5 of the strip 1, such that when the strip I is installed upon horizontal gripper rods 10 a distal edge 6 of the lateral portion 3 is lower than the opposed face 5.

The distal edge 6 of the portion 3 defines, when installed, a paint line 20 upon the skirting board 101. The paint line 20 is lower than the corresponding carpet height such that when the carpet 105 is re-laid its' pile will extend above the paint line 20. As well as defining the paint line 20, the lateral portion 3 protects the paint brush from contamination by dust and so on which may have accumulated in the gap 104, thereby obviating the need to remove the dust before painting or varnishing. Even when an attempt is made to remove the dust, it is likely that not all of it will be removed. Consequently, the extension portion 3 prevents any dust retained therein from contaminating the brush.

At least the upper surface 5 of the strip I may be provided with a protective coating, which may extend across and over the lateral portion 3 and may comprise, for example, a plastics material from which paint is removeable.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, a section of a stairway 30 Is shown, from which the carpet has been removed, exposing gripper rods 10. As described above, gripper rods 10 are installed on stairs on adjacent horizontal and vertical surfaces to retain a carpet, their installation at an "inner" corner 5 ensuring that the carpet cannot come away from the stairs.

Figure 4, in particular, shows a strip P installed upon each gripper rod 10 such that the pointed members 12 of each rod 10 are embedded within the body 2' of the strip 1'.

Thus, once the carpet has been removed from the stairs 30, or indeed, before it has been laid on the stairs 30, the pointed members 12 of gripper rods 10 are exposed. In order to reduce the potential for an accident, strips U are installed upon the gripper rods 10 such that the pointed members 12 are embedded therein. The strip V protects against accidentally stepping or falling onto the pointed members 12.

Figure 5 shows a section through a further embodiment of strip I ", in which the extension portion 3" slopes a' a constant gradient from the opposed face 5 ".

Each of the strips 1, V, I " can be used for floor or stair applications depending upon the need. Whilst the invention has been described with regard to gripper rods 10 it should be understood that the strips 1, V, I" could be installed upon any array of pointed members to reduce or prevent incidents of injury when completing a task in near proximity to such pointed members.

In a further embodiment the strip may be provided with an adhesive which enables the strip 1, 1', 1 " to be adhered to a vertical or horizontal surface and thereby be securely retained in place. A suitable adhesive would comprise a double-sided adhesive tape applied to a surface (usually 4, 4', 4") of the strip 1, 1', 1 " although any suitable adhesive would suffice. The backing layer of the adhesive tape is left in place until it is intended to use the strip 1, 1 ", I ". In this fashion, the strip may be used for masking areas which it is not intended to paint, as well as a protective strip 1, 1', 1". The backing layer can be left in place whilst the strip 1, F, I " has pointed members 12 of a gripper rod 10 embedded therein, the members 12 protruding through the backing layer and the adhesive into the body of the strip 1, F, I ", The strip 1, F, I" may be used on vinyl, parquet or other wooden or io hard floors to prevent paint or varnish from dripping thereon when painting the skirting boards. They may also be used to mask vertical areas such as the walls around door or window frames or above skirting boards which are to be painted or varnished.

It should be further understood that the embodiments herein are examples only, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims.

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Claims (24)

1. A method of covering an array of pointed members comprising locating a strip of material on the members such that the pointed members are embedded within the strip and do not protrude therefrom.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the array of pointed members comprise a gripper rod.

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3. A method of protecting an individual comprising installing a strip onto the pointed members of a gripper rod such that those pointed members are embedded therein and do not protrude therefrom.

4. A gripper rod covering strip comprising a strip of material arranged to have gripper rod pointed members embedded therein such that they do not protrude therefrom.

5. A strip according to claim 4 further comprising a face into which the pointed members are embedded.

6. A strip according to claim 4 or 5 further comprising an elongate lateral portion which extends ffom the strip.

7. A strip according to claim 6, wherein the portion extends from an edge thereof

8. A strip according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said portion is arranged to extend, in use, across the gap between an associated gripper rod and the adjacent edge or border of the area to be carpeted.

9. A strip according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the lateral portion extends from substantially the entire length of the strip.

10. A strip according to any of claims 4 to 9 further comprising a face opposed 5 to that which is arranged to have pointed members embedded therein,

11. A strip according to claim 10, wherein the lateral portion comprises a face which slants or slopes with respect to the opposed face.

12. A strip according to claim 11, wherein the distal. edge of the portion is lower than the opposed face when the strip is horizontal.

13. A strip according to claim 12, wherein the distal edge defines, in use, a paint line on a member which defines the edge of the area to be carpeted.

14. A strip according to any of claims 4 to 13, wherein the strip comprises a material which can maintain its structural integrity whilst pointed members are embedded therein.

15. A strip according to claim 4 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the strip is provided with a coating.

16. A strip according to claim 15, wherein the coating is insoluble in the solvents utilised in paint.

17. A strip according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the coating is provided on the slanting face of the lateral portion and preferably on the opposed face of the strip.

18. A strip according to any of claims 4 to 17 further comprising an adhesive.

19. A strip according to claim 18, wherein the adhesive is arranged to be able to provide adhesion between the strip and, in use, a surface such that the strip is retained in place.

20. A strip according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the adhesive comprises a length of double-sided adhesive tape.

21. A method of defining a paint line comprising installing a strip onto a gripper rod such that the pointed members of the gripper rod are embedded into the body of the strip thereby retaining the strip in position, the strip being arranged to define the paint line upon a member to be painted.

22. A method according to claim 19, wherein the strip comprises a portion which abuts or at least lies adjacent to the member which is to be painted, that portion comprising a distal edge at a position which, once installed, is at the desired level to define the paint line.

23. A method substantially as hereinbefore described.

24. A strip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.