GB2371980A

GB2371980A - Protecting a stair covering

Info

Publication number: GB2371980A
Application number: GB0103021A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Davy Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-02-07
Filing date: 2001-02-07
Publication date: 2002-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-07
Also published as: GB2371980B; GB0103021D0

Abstract

Apparatus for protecting a stair covering comprises a securing member 20, which is releasably attached to the covering at the rear of the tread by means of spikes 24-27, and a protecting member 10 provided with holes 16-18, one of which engages an upstanding hook 28 on the securing member. The securing member is of aluminium, and the protecting member is of resilient plastics. The protecting member locates on the riser either by its own resilience or with the help of rubber or glue or a further securing member on its under-surface.

Description

An Apparatus for protecting a Covering on a Stair The present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting a covering on a stair, to a protecting member and to two types of connecting members for use with a protecting member as aforesaid.

Many interior floors are covered with carpet which is relatively expensive to buy and fit. When decorating the interior of a building it is common practice to lay "dust sheets"on the floor to protect the carpet against inter alita paint shavings when stripping old paint, accidental paint spills, specks of paint from rollers, and paint which may be on the underside of a painter's shoe.

Particular difficulty is encountered when attempting to cover and protect a stairway with dust sheets, yet ensure safety for the painters working in the stairway and users of the building. In particular, dust sheets come in a variety of materials, for example cotton and polythene sheets, and even old newspapers, and it is not always possible to create a tight fit between the dust sheets and the stairs. A person traversing the stairs can often slip on the on the stairs because of the low friction between the dust sheets and the carpet.

Additionally, the dust sheets can snag a person's foot.

Both of these problems can at best cause inconvenience and carpet damage, and at worst a fall and injury.

Another problem with which the present invention is concerned is wear and accidental damage to carpets on stairs. In particular, the stairs of a building are subjected to heavy use because often they are the only means of moving between floors. Accordingly, the carpet on the stairs is frequently in need of replacement long before the other carpets in the building. Another problem is at parties for example, when guests can inadvertently damage stair carpet with dirty shoes or through spilt

drinks. One aim of the present invention is to provide means for either protecting carpet or hiding worn carpet.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for protecting a covering on a stair, which apparatus comprises a protecting member and a first connecting member, the arrangement being such that, in use, said first connecting member, and preferably said protecting member, releasably engage said covering to retain said protecting member in a position over at least a portion of the tread of a stair to protect the covering.

In one embodiment the protecting member is substantially flat and, in use, lies on the tread of the stair. The first connecting member releasably secures the protecting member to the carpet.

The protecting member may be provided with glue to hold the same more firmly in place. The glue may be water based in order to inhibit damage to the covering or dust sheet (s) underneath.

One advantage of these arrangements is that when suitably dimensioned, the apparatus mitigates the need for dust sheets. Alternatively, the apparatus can be used to provide a safe walkway over the dust sheets and inhibits the dangers mentioned above.

Preferably, said protecting member comprises a first portion and a second portion, which first portion is adapted to lie on said tread and said second portion is adapted to grip at least a part of the covering over the riser of said stair.

In one embodiment the protecting member is shaped so as to grip the top of the riser of the stair, for example by spring force.

One advantage of this is that the apparatus is quick to install and safe to use.

Advantageously, said protecting member comprises

first gripping means on the upper side thereof.

In one embodiment the gripping means are projections which increase the friction of the upper surface of the protecting member. In another embodiment, the gripping means is a rubber strip or strips.

Preferably, said protecting member comprises second gripping means on the lower side thereof for, in use, releasably gripping said covering.

The inner side of the protecting member may be provided these second gripping means, for example a rubber backing, rubber strip (s) or glue.

Advantageously, said protecting member is constructed from a material which permits a user to adjust the depth of the protecting member to accommodate treads of different depths.

The protecting member can be constructed from plastics material which can readily be cut with a pair of scissors.

Preferably, said first connecting member is releasable from said protecting member.

Advantageously, said first connecting member engages the covering substantially at the rear of the tread of the stair.

One advantage of this is that the first connecting member are out of the way of the foot of a user.

Preferably, said first connecting member comprise a plate from which project first engagement means for releasably engaging at least the lower portion of the covering of the riser of the next stair up.

One advantage of this is that the protecting member is more securely held on the stair.

Advantageously, said first engagement means comprises at least one curved spike.

One advantage of this is that it is very unlikely that the protecting member will come free from the stair

without the deliberate intention of a user.

Preferably, said apparatus further comprises second engagement means that, in use, engage the covering of the stair tread.

Advantageously said second engagement means comprise at least one spike.

One advantage of this is that the covering is penetrated thereby increasing the attachment of the protecting member to the covering, but not damaging the covering.

Preferably, said apparatus further comprises second connecting member which further assist the engagement of the protecting member with the covering.

One advantage of this is that the protecting member is secured to the covering in at least two different positions.

Advantageously, said second connecting member is releasable from said protecting member.

Preferably, said second connecting member engages the covering substantially at the upper edge of the riser of the stair.

One advantage of this is that the second connecting member are out of the way of the foot of a user.

Advantageously, said second connecting member comprises a plate from which projects first engagement means for releasably engaging the covering.

Preferably, said first engagement means comprises at least one spike.

One advantage of this is that the covering is penetrated thereby increasing the attachment of the protecting member to the covering, but does not damage the covering.

Advantageously, said apparatus further comprises second engagement means for engaging the inner surface of said protecting member.

This helps the stability of the connection between the second engagement means and the protecting member.

* * * In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided for use with the apparatus above, a protecting member having a first portion and a second portion, which first portion is adapted to lie on said tread and said second portion is adapted to grip at least a part of the covering over the riser of said stair.

Preferably, the protecting member has first gripping means on the upper side thereof.

Advantageously, the protecting member has second gripping means on the lower side thereof for, in use, releasably gripping said covering.

Preferably, the protecting member is constructed from a material which permits a user to adjust the depth of the protecting member to accommodate treads of different depths.

* * * In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided for use with the apparatus above, a first connecting member that is releasable from said protecting member.

Advantageously, the first connecting member engages the covering substantially at the rear of the tread of the stair.

Preferably, the first connecting member has a plate from which project first engagement means for releasably engaging at least the lower portion of the covering of the riser of the next stair up.

Preferably, the first connecting member has second engagement means that, in use, project into the covering of the stair tread.

Advantageously, said second engagement means comprise at least one spike.

* * * In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided for use with the apparatus above, a second connecting member that is releasable from said protecting member.

Preferably, the second connecting member engages the covering substantially at the upper edge of the riser of the stair.

Advantageously, the second connecting member has a plate from which projects first engagement means for releasably engaging the covering.

Preferably, said first engagement means comprises at least one spike.

Advantageously, the second connecting member has second engagement means for engaging the inner surface of said protecting member.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a protecting member in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the protecting member of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a first connecting member in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 is a side view of the first connecting member shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a second connecting member in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 6 is a side view of the second connecting member of Fig. 5 Fig. 7 is a side view showing the stages of attaching the second connecting member to the protecting member; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention being placed on a stair with the second connecting member omitted for clarity; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention being placed on a an alternative type of stair.

Referring to Figs 1 and 2 there is shown a protecting member which is generally identified by reference numeral 10 and comprises a resilient plastic sheet 12 which has been formed into an"L"shape as shown. It will be noted that the L forms an angle of less than 90 and generally conforms to the shape of the carpet over the join between the riser and the tread of the stair. The plastic sheet 12, which is typically about lmm thick, has a first hole 14 at the front side thereof that is located mid-way along its length and midway

across the short side of the"L". The purpose of the hole 14 will be described below. The protecting member 10 further comprises holes 16,17, 18 on the long side of the"L"and midway along its length, the purpose of which will be described below.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 a first connecting member is generally identified by reference numeral 20 and comprises a plate 22 constructed from aluminium. The plate 22 has integral spikes 24,25 and 26,27 cut and bent from the aluminium at either end of the plate 22 respectively. The spikes 24,25 project generally perpendicularly from the plate 22 and are straight. The spikes 26,27 are curved and the points extend in the opposite sense to the spikes 24,25. A hook 28 is integrally formed from the plate 22 adjacent the spikes 24,25.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6 a second connecting member is generally identified by reference numeral 30 and comprises a plate 32 constructed from aluminium. The plate 32 has integral spikes 34,35 cut from the aluminium which are bent to project generally perpendicularly from the plate 32 in the same direction.

The corners of the plate 32 have been formed into small spikes 37,38, 39,40 which project in the opposite direction to the spikes 34,35. A hook 41 is integrally formed from the plate 32 at one side thereof.

Referring to Fig. 7 the method of fitting the second connecting member 30 to the protecting member 10 is shown schematically. A user brings the hook 41 to the hole 14 and hooks the second connecting member 30 to the protecting member 10. The user then pushes down on the second connecting member 30 to ensure a secure friction fit.

Referring to Fig. 8 dust sheets have been laid on the stairs. The first connecting member 20 is brought to

the join between a tread 50 of the stair having the carpet to be protected and the riser 52 of the next stair up. The spikes 26,27 are pushed through the carpet of the riser 52. This is done by aligning the plate 22 parallel with the riser 52 and pushing the spikes 26, 27 in to the carpet. The plate 22 is then rotated through 900 to bring it parallel with the tread 50. The curved nature of the spikes 26,27 ensures that in this position the curved extremities of the spikes 26,27 are retained by the backing of the carpet and thus the first connecting member 20 cannot easily be pulled away from the riser 52 in a direction parallel to the tread 50. The plate 22 is then pushed downwards to ensure that the spikes 24,25 are engaged with the carpet on the tread

50.

Next the protecting member 10 with the second connecting member 30 attached thereto is brought up to the stair. One of the holes 16, 17, or 18 (according to the depth of the tread 50) is hooked over the hook 28 of the first connecting member 22. The protecting member 10 is then pulled down parallel with the tread 50. As this happens the user pulls on the short side of the"L"and, as the protecting member 10 is constructed from plastic, a user is able to bend the L over the lower riser 54.

Upon release the plastic sheet, acting like a spring, recoils to grip the riser 54 because its equilibrium position is at an angle less than 900. The second connecting member 30 is then pressed to ensure that the spikes 34,35 are engaged with the carpet on the riser 54. It will be noted that in this position the small spikes 37,38, 39,40 serve to engage the inner side of the protecting member 10 and assist in holding the same in position. The apparatus is now securely in position and the dust sheets, having been restrained, can perform their function of protecting the carpet without

endangering a user.

Of course, a whole flight of stairs can be covered with more apparatus by repetition of this process.

It is envisaged that the apparatus might only utilise the first connecting member 20. In this case the user would use the spring action of the L of the protecting member 10 to grasp the stair. This can be assisted by provision of friction means for example rubber or glue on the underside of the protecting member 10. However, the applicant believes that a safer assembly results with use of the second connecting member 30 because the covering is restrained by the two connecting members 20 and 30.

The protecting member 10 can be provided with small projections or other friction means on its upper side to inhibit slipping of a user.

The protecting member 10 is intended to be supplied made of plastic that is easily cut by household scissors.

In this way the apparatus can accommodate treads of varying depth or the apparatus used on winding stairs (see Fig. 9) where tread depth is not constant across the stair width.

Of course it is not necessary that dust sheets be present under the protecting member 10 in use. The protecting member (s) can be used on its own for example to hide worn carpet or to protect carpet from dirt, spilt drinks etc at a party.

Claims

Claims : 1. An apparatus for protecting a covering on a stair, which apparatus comprises a protecting member and a first connecting member, the arrangement being such that, in use, said first connecting member releasably engages said covering to retain said protecting member in a position over at least a portion of the tread of a stair to protect the covering.
2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said protecting member comprises a first portion and a second portion, which first portion is adapted to lie on said tread and said second portion is adapted to grip at least a part of the covering over the riser of said stair.
3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said protecting member comprises first gripping means on the upper side thereof.
4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3, wherein said protecting member comprises second gripping means on the lower side thereof for, in use, releasably gripping said covering.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said protecting member is constructed from a material which permits a user to adjust the depth of the protecting member to accommodate treads of different depths.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said first connecting member is releasable from said protecting member.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said first connecting member engages the covering substantially at the rear of the tread of the stair.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said first connecting member comprise a plate from which project first engagement means for releasably engaging at least the lower portion of the covering of

the riser of the next stair up.
9. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said first engagement means comprises at least one curved spike.
10. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, further comprising second engagement means that, in use, project into the covering of the stair tread.
11. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said second engagement means comprise at least one spike.
12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, further comprising a second connecting member which further assists the engagement of the protecting member with the covering.
13. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said second connecting member is releasable from said protecting member.
14. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, wherein said second connecting member engages the covering substantially at the upper edge of the riser of the stair.
15. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 14, wherein said second connecting member comprises a plate from which projects first engagement means for releasably engaging the covering.
16. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, wherein said first engagement means comprises at least one spike.
17. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 or 16, further comprising second engagement means for engaging the inner surface of said protecting member.

* * *
18. For use with an apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, a protecting member having a first portion and a second portion, which first portion is

adapted to lie on said tread and said second portion is adapted to grip at least a part of the covering over the riser of said stair.
19. A protecting member as claimed in Claim 18, further comprising first gripping means on the upper side thereof.
20. A protecting member as claimed in Claim 18 or 19, further comprising second gripping means on the lower side thereof for, in use, releasably gripping said covering.
21. A protecting member as claimed in Claim 18,19 or 20, wherein said protecting member is constructed from a material which permits a user to adjust the depth of the protecting member to accommodate treads of different depths.

* * *
22. For use with an apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17, a first connecting member that is releasable from said protecting member.
23. A first connecting member as claimed in Claim 22, that, in use, engages the covering substantially at the rear of the tread of the stair.
24. A first connecting member as claimed in Claim 22 or 23, comprising a plate from which project first engagement means for releasably engaging at least the lower portion of the covering of the riser of the next stair up.
25. A first connecting member as claimed in Claim 24, wherein said first engagement means comprises at least one curved spike.
26. A first connecting member as claimed in Claim 22, 23,24 or 25, further comprising second engagement means that, in use, project into the covering of the stair

tread.
27. A first connecting member as claimed in Claim 26, wherein said second engagement means comprise at least one spike.

* * *
28. For use with an apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17, a second connecting member that is releasable from said protecting member.
29. A second connecting member as claimed in Claim 28, that, in use, engages the covering substantially at the upper edge of the riser of the stair.
30. A second connecting member as claimed in Claim 28 or 29, comprising a plate from which projects first engagement means for releasably engaging the covering.
31. A second connecting member as claimed in Claim 30, wherein said first engagement means comprises at least one spike.
32. A second connecting member as claimed in Claim 28, 29,30 or 31, further comprising second engagement means for engaging the inner surface of said protecting member.