GB2398579A

GB2398579A - Flooring accessories

Info

Publication number: GB2398579A
Application number: GB0304167A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Tierney
Original assignee: Gradus Ltd
Current assignee: Gradus Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-24
Filing date: 2003-02-24
Publication date: 2004-08-25
Also published as: GB0304167D0

Abstract

A flooring accessory 10, such as a stair nosing, transition section or duct cover, subject to pedestrian traffic, the flooring accessory 10, when installed, comprising a tread surface 14a and a non-horizontal wear surface 19b, at least a part of the non-horizontal wear surface 14b being formed from or covered with a slip resistant material 15.

Description

FLOORING ACCESSORIES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to flooring accessories, such as stair nosings, transition sections and duct covers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One common type of flooring accessory is a stair nosing. Stair nosings are frequently fitted to stairs to provide a wear resistant surface on the edge of a stair tread, and generally comprise either a horizontal wear surface provided on an upper edge of each stair or a horizontal wear surface integrally formed with a substantially vertical wear surface, such that the stair nosing extends over the edge of the stair. An example of a known type of stair nosing, comprising a horizontal wear surface integrally formed with a vertical wear surface, is disclosed in GB 2274055. The horizontal surface may be formed from a non-slip material, but the vertical wear surface has no special slip resistant properties. This type of nosing is often fitted to stairs which are exposed to a large amount of foot traffic such as in public areas.

With an increasing desire to improve public safety on stairs, there are increasing demands to improve the slip resistance of such nosings.

As mentioned above a slip resistant surface has previously only been provided on the tread of the stair, so the portion of the stair nosing which is not slip resistant, poses a potential hazard, particularly when the step is oily, greasy or wet. When only a small portion of the foot comes into contact with the tread, for example in heeled shoes, the pressure applied to the tread is greater. Consequently, if even a small area such as the edge of the nosing or step is not slip resistant, there is still a significant hazard. Similar problems have been identified with other flooring accessories such as transition sections which form a smooth transition between, or define the edge of, pieces of carpet or other flooring materials.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a flooring accessory, subject to pedestrian traffic, the flooring accessory, when installed, comprising a tread surface and a non- horizontal wear surface, at least a part of the non- horizontal wear surface being formed from or covered with a slip resistant material.

Preferably, the tread surface, when installed, is horizontal or at least substantially horizontal.

Preferably, the tread surface is integrally formed with the nonhorizontal wear surface.

Preferably, at least part of the tread surface is also formed from, or covered with, slip resistant material.

The flooring accessory may further comprise an insert, the insert being releasably engaged in a recess within the flooring accessory. The insert enables the flooring accessory to be fixed through the recess without compromising a surface finish of the flooring accessory with screw heads etc. The insert may be located substantially within the tread surface or may extend from the tread surface into the non-horizontal surface.

Preferably, the insert is secured to prevent it from being dislodged or moved relative to the flooring accessory. In this respect, the insert and recess may comprise interengaging means for releasably engaging the insert within the recess, for example by means of a tongue and groove arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment, an outer surface of the insert is formed from, or covered with, slip resistant material. The outer surface is preferably part of, or coplanar with, the tread surface and/or non-horizontal surface of the flooring accessory.

Preferably, the flooring accessory comprises a transition section or duct cover. Alternatively, the flooring accessory may comprise a stair nosing, the tread surface being formed on a tread element of the stair nosing and the non-horizontal wear surface being formed on the riser element of the stair nosing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a flooring accessory comprising a tread element and a riser element, the tread element including a slip resistant surface extending beyond the tread element along at least a portion of the riser element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a flooring accessory in the form of a stair nosing according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a stair nosing according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure illustrates a stair nosing according another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates a stair nosing according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 illustrates a stair nosing according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates a stair nosing according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; Figures 7a and 7b illustrate a flooring accessory in the form of a lighting floor trim transition section; Figures 8a and 8b illustrate an alternative embodiment of transition section; and Figures 9a to 9d illustrate the steps in manufacturing a slip resistant layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 1. A flooring accessory in the form of a stair nosing 10 comprises a tread element 11 and a riser element 12. The tread element 11 and the riser element 12 are integral. The stair nosing 10 has a lower surface 13 which is in contact with the tread and adjacent riser of a step (not shown).

In the preferred embodiment, the tread element 11 and the riser element 12 are shaped to conform to the shape of the step. In this embodiment the riser element 12 is substantially perpendicular to the tread element 11.

The stair nosing fits over the edge of a step such that the lower surface 13 of the tread element 11 lies on the tread of the step and the inner surface 9 of the riser element 12 rests against the riser of the step.

The stair nosing 10 may be fixed to the step by any conventional fixing technique such as by using adhesive or screws.

An edge 16 of the nosing 10 at the point where the tread element 11 and the riser element 12 meet is curved so as to provide a smooth surface to minimise the risk of tripping.

A horizontal tread surface 14a of the tread element 11 and an upper part of a non-horizontal wear surface 14b of the riser element 12 are covered with a continuous layer 15 of slip resistant material. Although a layer of slip resistant material is illustrated here, it will be appreciated that the non-slip surface may be provided by any conventional means, such as by making the stair nosing 10 from slip resistant material, or roughening the tread surface 14a of the tread element 11 and wear surface 14b of the riser element 12 with a surface finish, such as a plurality of grooves or ridges.

The tread surface 14a of the tread element 11 has a distal end 17 which slopes downward toward the surface of the tread of the step, and the riser element 12 has a distal end 19 which is curved in toward the outer surface of the riser of the step.

Figures 2 and 3 show possible alternative arrangements of the stair nosing according to the present invention.

The stair nosing 20 illustrated in Figure 2 has a riser element 22 which extends at an acute angle from a proximate end of a tread element 21 such that the nosing 20 can fit on a step having an angled riser. As described above with reference to Figure 1, the tread surface 24a and a part of wear surface 24b are covered with a layer 25 of slip resistant material which extends over the edge 26.

A further alternative stair nosing 30 according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 3. The stair nosing 30 has a riser element 32 which curves inwardly, such that the nosing 30 can fit on a step having a curved riser. The tread surface 34a of the tread element 31 and a portion of a wear surface 34b of the riser element 32 are covered with a layer of slip resistant material 35 which extends over the edge 36.

The alternative stair nosings shown in Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the variety of step arrangements to which the stair nosing of the present invention can be fitted. These are not intended to be a limitation of the variations of the types of flooring accessory of the invention, but are merely illustrative of some of the possible alternatives.

Figure 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the stair nosing according to the present invention. The stair nosing 40 comprises a tread element 41 and a riser element 42. The tread element 41 and the riser element 42 are integral. The stair nosing 40 has a lower surface 43 which is in contact with the tread and adjacent riser of a step.

In this embodiment, the tread element 41 and the riser element 42 are shaped to conform to the shape of the step. As described with reference to the first embodiment above, the riser element 42 is substantially perpendicular to the tread element 41. The stair nosing 40 fits over the edge of a step such that the tread element 41 lies on the tread of the step and the riser element 42 rests against the riser of the step.

An edge 46 of the nosing 40 at the point where the tread element 41 and the riser element 42 meet is curved so as to provide a smooth surface to help prevent tripping.

The tread element 41 further includes an insert 48. The insert 48 is fitted within a complementary recess in the form of a channel 49 within the tread element 41 such that the outer surface 481 of the insert 48 forms a substantially continuous surface with a tread surface 44a of the tread element 41. The stair nosing 40 can then preferably be fitted to the step by screws passing through a base of the channel 49 into the tread of the step beneath. The insert 48 is then placed within the channel 49, thereby hiding the screw heads and providing a continuous surface without any potential tripping hazards caused by protruding screw heads etc. The tread surface 44a of the tread element 41 and an upper part of a wear surface 44b of the riser element 42 is covered with a layer 45 of slip resistant material. Although a layer of slip resistant material is illustrated here, it will be appreciated that the slip resistant surface may be provided by other means, such as are described in relation to the first embodiment of the invention.

The insert 48 may be removable so that this part of the tread element can be replaced if worn or to allow access to the screws to replace the complete stair nosing. In order to prevent the insert 48 from moving relative to the stair nosing, and to ensure that the edges of the insert 48 do not protrude excessively above the tread surface 44a of the tread element 41 of the stair nosing 40, the insert 48 is held within the channel 49 by adhesive and/or by a tongue and groove arrangement or some other interlocking arrangement to lock the insert 48 in position.

Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 5, the channel 59 and insert 58 may extend along a part only of the tread element 51 of a stair nosing 50. A layer 55 of slip resistant material extends from the front edge of the insert 58, along a portion of the tread element 51 which does not include the channel 59, over the edge 56. The layer 55 and the outer surface of the insert 58 form a substantially continuous surface.

In another embodiment of the stair nosing 60 of the present invention, the channel 69 and insert 68 extend along the tread element 61, the edge 66 and along a portion of the riser element 62, as illustrated in Figure 6. A layer 65 of slip resistant material covers the insert 68. Alternatively, the insert 68 may be formed entirely from a slip resistant material or may be provided with surface grooves or ridges etc. as in the previous embodiments. The insert 68 is engaged within the channel 69 by a tongue 681 and groove 691 arrangement to hold the insert 68 firmly within the channel 69.

Figures 7a and 7b illustrate a flooring accessory in the form of a lighting floor trim transition section 70 comprising a tread element 71 and a riser element 72.

A substantially horizontal tread surface 74a of the tread element 71 and a non-horizontal wear surface 74b of the riser element 72 are covered with a continuous layer 75 of slip resistant material. As in the previous embodiments, although a layer of slip resistant material is illustrated here, it will be appreciated that the non-slip surface may be provided by any conventional means, as in the previous embodiments.

As illustrated in Figure 7b, the transition section 70 is fixed to a floor surface (not shown) by means of a base B having formations F which engage with cooperating projections P on an underside of the transition section 70. In order to install the transition section 70, the base B is attached to the floor surface next to a floor covering such as a carpet C. The transition section is then clipped into position by engaging the projections P in the formations F. such that the transition section engages the top of the carpet C on one side and another floor covering (not shown) on the other side.

Figures 8a and 8b show an alternative embodiment of transition section which is fitted to a floor surface (not shown) by means of a base B. The transition section 80 comprises a tread element 81 and a riser element 82 over which is moulded a continuous support surface S. A series of equidistantly spaced grooves G are formed in the support surface. A substantially horizontal tread surface 84a and non-horizontal wear surface 84b of the transition section 80 are provided with discrete strips of slip resistant material 85a, 85b, 85c, 85d. The addition of this slip resistant material, both on the tread surface 84a and on the wear surface 84b, greatly reduces the slip hazard, particularly when the transition section is wet.

Referring to Figures 9a to 9d, the layer of slip resistant material, which is described in the previous embodiments, may be formed on an extruded pre-formed plastic profile or former 90 which may form the insert of the flooring accessory or form all or part of the flooring accessory itself. The plastic former 90 is coated with a first layer 92 of liquid adhesive or encapsulant. A fine mineral inclusion 94 is evenly distributed over the surface of the liquid adhesive 92, such that these mineral particulates 94 are semi- encapsulated in the liquid adhesive layer 92. This composite layer is then thermally fused until fusion of the liquid to the plastic former stabilises the first layer 92 and the mineral inclusion 94 so that a second layer 96 of liquid adhesive or encapsulant may be applied without disturbing or removing of the first layer 92 and mineral inclusion 94. The second layer 96 is intended to completely cover the first layer 92 in such a way that the mineral inclusion 94 is completely encapsulated. However, the second layer 96 is applied in such a manner and at such a coating weight and distribution that the surface topography is not obliterated. The structure is then heated to achieve complete fusion. Complete fusion is where maximum adhesion of the first and second layers 92, 96 to the plastic former 90 is achieved and the maximum internal cohesive strength of the composite layers is achieved.

This structure can then be inserted into the flooring accessory or form an integral part of the flooring accessory as required.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the forgoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous variations, modifications without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.

Claims

1. A flooring accessory comprising, when installed, a tread surface and a non-horizontal wear surface, at least a part of the non-horizontal wear surface being formed from or covered with a slip resistant material.

2. A flooring accessory as claimed in claim 1, in which the tread surface, when installed, is horizontal, or at least substantially horizontal.

3. A flooring accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the tread surface is integrally formed with the non-horizontal wear surface.

4. A flooring accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least part of the tread surface is also formed from, or covered with, slip resistant material.

5. A flooring accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an insert, the insert engaging in a recess within the flooring accessory.

6. A flooring accessory as claimed in claim 5, in which the insert is releasably engaged in the recess.

7. A flooring accessory as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which fixing openings are provided through a base of the recess.

8. A flooring accessory as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the recess extends from the tread surface into the non-horizontal surface.

9. A flooring accessory as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, in which the insert and recess are provided with cooperating formations, which are engagable to retain the insert in the recess.

10. A flooring accessory as claimed in claim 9, in which the cooperating formations comprise a tongue and groove arrangement.

11. A flooring accessory as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10, in which the outer surface of the insert is formed from or covered with slip resistant material.

12. A flooring accessory as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 11, in which a plurality of inserts and corresponding recesses are provided in the tread surface and/or non-horizontal surface.

13. A flooring accessory as claim in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a transition section.

14. A flooring accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a stair nosing, the tread surface being formed on a tread element of the stair nosing and the non-horizontal wear surface being formed on the riser element of the stair nosing.

15. A flooring accessory substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7a and 7b, or Figure 8a and 8b of the accompanying drawings.