WO2004007868A2

WO2004007868A2 - Skirting board assembly and bracket for holding a skirting board

Info

Publication number: WO2004007868A2
Application number: PCT/GB2003/003063
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Witts
Original assignee: David Witts
Priority date: 2002-07-15
Filing date: 2003-07-15
Publication date: 2004-01-22
Also published as: AU2003254455A8; AU2003254455A1; WO2004007868A3

Abstract

A skirting board assembly is described, the assembly comprising a board (1); an elongate capping member (2) for capping an upper edge (11) of the board, the capping member having a wall-abutting surface (21), for positioning against a wall (3); and board holding means for receiving said upper edge and holding said edge a predetermined distance from a wall against which the wall-abutting surface is positioned. The holding means may be provided by the capping member, and may take the form of a tapered groove (22). Alternatively, the holding means may be provided by a combination of the capping member and some other component. For example, the upper edge may be held against a lip of the capping member by a spring. A bracket for holding a lower edge of the skirting board is also described and claimed.

Description

Skirting Board Assembly

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to skirting boards, and in particular, although not exclusively, to skirting boards to match wooden floors.

Background to the Invention

Skirting boards are very well known for providing a decorative and functional finishing strip at the junction between a wall and a floor. In order to apply a neat decorative finish to a wall, care needs to be taken at the junction between the top edge of the skirting board and the wall. This is time consuming, and requires skill.

Wooden floors and wooden-effect floors formed from parallel-laid boards are well-known. There is a demand for skirting which matches the flooring material, and with the large range of flooring currently available, this means that either the supplier must stock a correspondingly wide range of conventional skirting boards, or the customer must, in many cases, tolerate a lesser degree of match between the floor and skirting.

Summary of the Invention

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a skirting board assembly, which overcomes, at least partially, one or more of the above-mentioned problems associated with the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a skirting board assembly comprising: a board; an elongate capping member for capping an upper edge of the board, the capping member having a wall-abutting surface, for positioning against a wall; and board holding means for receiving said upper edge and holding said edge a predetermined distance from a wall against which the wall-abutting surface is positioned.

In use the board is typically arranged with its faces substantially vertical, resting on its side (i.e. its lower edge) with the other side edge uppermost. This skirting board assembly provides the advantage that, as the upper edge of the board is held a predetermined distance from the wall, cables and/or pipe work can be routed in the space between the board and the wall.

Preferably the capping member is adapted to form a closure for the top of the space between the board and the wall. Thus, any cables or pipes behind the board are neatly hidden from view.

The capping member may comprise the board holding means (for example in the form of a groove) or alternatively the board holding means may be provided by a combination of the capping member and some other component (e.g. a biasing member/spring member arranged between the wall and the board so as to urge the board "forward", against a front lip on the capping member).

The board may be tongued and grooved, with the upper edge having the tongue. In such embodiments, the board holding means is adapted to receive and hold the tongued upper edge in such a way that the tongue is hidden from view in the finished as- sembly.

Preferably the assembly further comprises at least one spacer for positioning between the board and the wall to keep a lower edge of the board a predetermined distance from the wall. Preferably, the spacer is adapted to be permanently secured to the wall, and to be releasably fixed to the board. Preferably the board holding means comprises a groove running along the length of the elongate capping member. This provides the advantage that the top edge of the board is easy to locate in the groove, which also holds the top edge along its entire length.

Preferably the groove is tapered so that boards having different thicknesses may be accommodated and held. With a tapered groove, the thickness of the board will de- termine the depth to which the upper edge of the board is received in the groove. The tapered groove provides the advantage that a single design of capping member can be used in the skirting board assemblies comprising a wide range of boards.

Preferably, the board is a flooring board, which may be tongued and grooved.

Preferably this skirting board assembly is used in a skirting and flooring system which comprises a floor laid from the same type of flooring boards. This provides the advantage that the board part of the skirting assembly automatically matches the floor. By using one of the floorboards as part of the skirting assembly, an excellent match can be achieved, and a stock of purpose-made matching skirting boards is not required. Furthermore, in order to provide a matching skirting assembly, the person laying the floor only has to buy in sufficient lengths of the capping member. He or she does not have to purchase skirting boards in addition to the floorboards already required.

Preferably, the holding means of the capping member is able to accommodate a tongued upper-edge, so tongued and grooved flooring boards can be used for the boards for the skirting assembly without requiring adaptation. The lower, grooved edge of the boards can simply rest on the floor or floor covering. Thus, although the boards may be tongued and grooved, neither the tongues nor the grooves are visible in the skirting board assembly.

Preferably the groove in the capping member comprises a sidewall arranged so as to be substantially vertical when the capping member is positioned against a substantially vertical wall.

Preferably, this vertical sidewall is a front sidewall of the groove, i.e. the sidewall which faces the wall when in use.

Preferably the groove comprises a sidewall which is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical when the capping member is positioned against a substantially vertical wall. Preferably, this inclined sidewall is a rear wall of the groove, i.e. a side wall which faces away from the wall in use.

Preferably, the skirting assembly comprises means for releaseably fastening the capping member to the wall. This provides the advantage that, at some time after fitting, the capping member can be removed from the wall, for example to permit access to the space behind the board. Also, the capping member can be simply removed to facilitate decorating. With the capping member removed, a decorative finish can be applied to the wall without there being an edge requiring careful attention. The decorative finish can simply-be applied to extend beyond the normal position of the top of the capping member, and after decorating the capping member can be refitted to the top edge of the board and to the wall. Preferably, the releasable fastening means comprises a channel member for securing to the wall, and a channel member-engaging groove provided in the capping member arranged for push-fit engagement with the secured channel member to releaseably fasten the capping member to the wall.

Preferably, the channel member-engaging groove is substantially E-shaped in cross- section. In such cases the channel member will typically be screwed to the wall, with the sidewalls of the channel extending generally horizontally out from the wall.

Advantageously, the board may be a flooring board, which may be tongued and grooved.

Advantageously, the lower edge of the board may comprise a groove, and the assembly may further comprise at least one bracket, for securing to the wall, the bracket including an arm adapted to extend from the wall and having location means for locating in the lower edge groove to maintain the lower edge at a predetermined distance from the wall.

The capping member may be a hollow extrusion.

Preferably, however, the capping member is solid, and wooden. The capping member may preferably be a wooden moulding.

Preferably the capping member comprises a front lip which is adapted to extend down a front face of the board when the upper edge of the board is received in, and held by the board holding means. Advantageously, this lip ensures that any imperfections, irregularities, or details such as a tongue provided on the upper edge of a board are not visible in the finished skirting board assembly.

Preferably, this front lip may define a wall of the groove. Preferably the groove is asymmetric. Advantageously, the groove may comprise a front wall adapted to extend a distance down the front face of the board when the upper edge of the board is received in and held by the groove, and a rear wall adapted to extend a greater distance down the rear, wall-facing face of the board.

Preferably the front wall of the groove is substantially vertical, and the rear wall is inclined to the vertical when in use. Preferably, the capping member comprises a front lip adapted to extend down a front face of the board when the upper edge is received by the board holding means, and the board holding means comprises said front lip and biasing means arranged to bias said front face against said lip. Preferably, the assembly further comprises means for releasably fastening said capping member to the wall.

Preferably the means for releasably fastening comprises a fastening member, se- curable to the wall, and the biasing means is attached to the fastening member.

Preferably said biasing means and said fastening member are integral. Preferably the fastening member comprises a channel member.

Preferably the biasing means comprises a spring having a generally serpentine cross-section.

A second aspect of the present invention provides an elongated capping member for use in a skirting board assembly as described above. A further aspect of the present invention provides a flooring and skirting board system, comprising a floor formed from a plurality of matching flooring boards, and a skirting board assembly as defined above, where the board of the skirting board assembly is a further one of the matching flooring boards.

Embodiments of a further aspect of the present invention aim to provide brackets which solve the problem of holding the lower edge of a skirting board (i.e. a board used as skirting) a fixed distance from a wall when that lower edge is positioned over a layer of flooring material which has an expansion gap between it and the wall.

According to this further aspect of the invention, there is provided a bracket for holding a lower edge of a skirting board a substantially fixed distance from a wall, the bracket comprising: a first portion for location in an expansion gap between a wall and a layer of flooring material; and a second portion, attached to the first portion and comprising location means adapted to engage a lower edge of a skirting board, the first portion comprising at least one wall-abutting portion, at least one flooring-abutting portion, and spring means ar- ranged to bias the wall-abutting and flooring-abutting portions apart, whereby the wall- abutting and floor-abutting portions may be compressed together, against the spring means, to permit insertion of the first portion into the expansion gap, and once inserted the spring means may urge the flooring-abutting portion against an edge surface of the layer of flooring material and urge the wall-abutting portion against a surface of the wall or of a wall-covering to hold the first portion in the expansion gap, the second portion comprising arm means, attached to the wall-abutting portion and extending from the wall- abutting portion in a direction which, when the first portion is inserted in the expansion gap, is away from the wall, the location means being provided on the arm means.

Thus, the first portion represents a form of sprung clip which can wedge into the expansion gap. The arm means extends from the sprung clip in a direction away from the wall and over the top of the edge of the flooring material. As the arm means is attached to the portion of the bracket which abuts the wall, the location means remains at a constant distance from the wall and is unaffected by changes in the dimension of the expansion gap. If the flooring expands, it simply compresses the spring means, leaving the position of the location means unaffected. In use, the wall-abutting surface of the bracket may be butted up against the wall surface itself. Alternatively, where the skirting system is being installed over the top of an existing skirting board, the nominal wall-abutting portion of the bracket may press against the surface of the existing skirting. When used in such situations, the capping member for the top edge of the skirting board may be secured to the wall, whereas the lower bracket abuts the existing skirting. Thus, the location means should not extend as far out from the wall-abutting portion as would be the case if the bracket were locating against the wall surface itself. Thus, depending on the particular installation, it may be desirable for the arm means to be adjustable to set the distance between the location means and the wall-abutting portion. This adjustability is a feature of certain preferred embodiments.

Preferably, the arm means is attached to the wall-abutting portion such that, in use, the arm portion extends generally horizontally from an upper part of the wall- abutting portion, whereby the arm means may extend over the edge surface of the floor- ing material and may rest on an upper surface of the flooring material. Clearly, the arm means should be as thin as possible, whilst still providing rigid support for the lower edge of the skirting board.

In one preferred form, the arm means comprising a cantilever which is fixed at one end to the wall-abutting portion, the opposite end carrying the location means. Preferably, the cantilever comprises an elongate strip, which should be as thin as possible to reduce the gap between the lower edge of the skirting board, resting on the cantilever and location means, and the upper surface of the flooring material.

In one preferred form the arm means comprises a transverse portion attached to an end of the cantilever opposite the end carrying the location means, and extending generally transversely to the cantilever, and the wall-abutting portion comprises a recess adapted to receive and captivate the transverse portion, such that, in use, when the transverse portion is located in the recess, movement of the cantilever in a direction away from the wall is inhibited. In one preferred form, the arm means comprises a plurality of such transverse portions which may be broken off (or otherwise trimmed off) to give a desired distance between the location means and the wall-abutting portion. The attachment between the arm means and the first portion may take the form of a slot, for example on a reverse surface of the wall-abutting portion, receiving a transverse fin on the cantilever. Alternatively, the wall-abutting portion may comprise a recess in the form of an elongate cavity having an axis which, in use, is substantially vertical, and the transverse portion may comprise a finger, extending generally perpendicularly to the cantilever, such that the arm means is attached to the first portion by inserting the finger into the cavity.

Advantageously, the first portion may comprise a strip of resilient material, the wall-abutting and flooring-abutting portions being respective portions of the resilient strip. A wall-abutting surface of the wall-abutting portion may be provided on one side of the resilient strip, with flooring-abutting surfaces being provided on an opposite side of the strip. Preferably, the bracket comprises two flooring-abutting portions, each one being a respective end portion of the resilient strip. Advantageously, each flooring-abutting portion may be substantially flat.

Preferably, the resilient strip comprises a central portion, connecting the end por- tions, the central portion comprising a curve, along the length of the strip, the curve having an apex, and the wall-abutting portion is provided by a portion of the resilient strip at the apex. Thus, when the "sprung clip" that is the first portion is inserted in the expansion gap, it may have a single point of contact with the wall, and two points of contact with the adjacent flooring. It will be appreciated that the spring means may be provided by the resilience of the strip. In particular, the spring means may comprise a curved portion or portions of the resilient strip.

Conveniently, the location means may comprise peg means (which may have any convenient shape). For example, the peg means may be substantially circular in cross- section, may be square, or rectangular. The peg means is arranged to extend upwards from an upper surface of the arm means (i.e. from a surface of the arm means which is uppermost when the bracket is in use).

The peg means may comprise a core portion and at least one resilient portion, which extend transversely from the core portion. The resilient portion thus enables the peg means to be located securely in a range of sizes of grooves, slots or other apertures in the lower edge of a skirting board. In other words, the resilient portion helps to seat the peg means snugly in the edge of the skirting board, and avoids a rattling fit.

The first and second portions in certain embodiments are formed as separate components, for assembly into the bracket. In other embodiments, however, the first and second portions may be formed as integral parts of a single component, for example a single injection moulding.

Preferably the arm means comprises adjustment means for adjusting the distance of the location means from the wall-abutting portion.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a skirting board assembly in accordance with first aspect, and incorporating a bracket of the type described above for holding a lower edge of the board a predetermined distance (i.e. a substantially fixed distance) from the wall.

Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig 1 is a schematic cross-section of part of a floor and a skirting board assembly embodying the present invention; Fig 2 is a schematic cross-section of a capping member and wall attachment means embodying the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-section of a bracket for use with certain preferred embodiments; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a bracket embodying the invention; Figure 5 is schematic plan view of a further bracket embodying the invention, in use; Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown in fig 5, again in use; Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of the arm means of a further embodiment; Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the arm means from fig 7; Figure 9 is a schematic front view of the first portion of a bracket embodying the inven- tion, for use with the arm means shown in fig 7 and 8;

Figure 10 is a schematic plan view of the first portion shown in fig 9; Figure 1 1 is a schematic perspective view of a bracket embodying the invention, and incorporating the arm means and first portion from figs 7-10; Figures 12 and 1 3 show schematic plan and front views of the first portion of a further bracket embodying the invention;

Figure 14 is a schematic side view of the arm means of a further embodiment;

Figure 15 is a schematic end view of the arm means of fig 14;

Figure 16 is a schematic plan view of the arm means of figs 14 and 1 5;

Figure 17 is a schematic side view of a bracket incorporating the first portion and arm means of figs 12-16 in use in a flooring system embodying the invention; Figure 18 is a schematic cross-section of part of a skirting assembly embodying the invention; and

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the one-piece spring and fastening member from figure 18.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Referring now to Fig 1 , a flooring and skirting board system embodying the invention comprises a floor formed from a plurality of horizontal, parallel-laid flooring boards 1 (only an edge one of which is shown). The flooring boards are laid on a layer of insulating material 6 which in turn is laid directly on the floor 5. In accordance with usual practice, the boards 1 are not laid right up to the wall 3, but instead an expansion gap 51 is provided. A skirting board assembly has been fitted to neatly finish the junction between the wall and the flooring, and hides the expansion gap 51 from view. This skirting board assembly comprises another one of the flooring boards 1 , this time arranged with its faces vertical, its tongued edge 1 1 upper most, and its lower grooved edge 12 resting on the upper surface of the horizontal floorboard. The upper edge 1 1 of the flooring board 1 and its tongue 1 3, are received in and accommodated by a groove 22 provided on the underside of a capping member 2. The groove has a vertical front wall 23, which is defined by the reverse side of a lip 27, and an inclined rear wall 24 which extends further downwards than the lip 27. The front and rear walls thus define a tapered groove 22 which receives and grips the top edge 1 1 of the board 1 , at a depth defined by the board's width. The tongue 13 is accommodated in the groove 22 and is hidden from view in the finished assembly. The front lip 27 on the capping member extends down the front face of the vertically arranged board 1 so that the tongue 13 and any damage or imperfections in the upper edge 1 1 of the board 1 are hidden. The lip 27 connects to a rounded shoulder portion which then continues as a substantially flat and horizontal top portion which forms the top of the skirting board assembly. It will be apparent that in alternative embodiments the outer profile of the capping member may be selected to achieve any desired visual effect. In this embodiment, the capping member 2 is a solid wooden moulding, and incorporates a substantially flat wall-abutting surface 21. A longitudinal groove 25 is cut into this wall- engaging surface 21. The groove 25 is generally E-shaped. The groove 25 is shaped and dimensioned to provide a releaseable push-fit onto a fixing member 7 in the form of a partially resilient channel. The channel comprises a base portion 73 which is provided with a series of fixing holes along its length. Through each fixing hole a screw 71 attaches the base portion 73 to the wall 3. The channel includes partially resilient parallel sidewalls 72 which, when the channel is screwed to the wall 3, extend generally horizontally out from the wall. These protruding sidewalls 72 are received in corresponding portions 26 of the groove 25 in the capping member. The central portion of the E-shaped groove 25 provides clearance over the head of the attachment screws 71. Friction between the channel member and the corresponding groove 25 keeps the capping member fixed to the wall, although removal for decorating and/or access to the space 31 behind the board 1 can be achieved simply by prising the capping member off the wall mounted fixing means 7.

Moving on to Fig 2, in and alternative embodiment the capping member 2 is a hollow extrusion comprising an array of intersecting webs. The ends of two of these webs form wall-abutting surfaces 21. In this embodiment, the board holding means 22 takes the form of a series of clips spaced apart along the length of the capping member, each clip being formed from two resilient arms 221. The upper edge of the board is received by the space 222 between the arms 221 and is held by the resilience of the arms 221. A front lip 27 extends downwards beyond the extent of the clip arms 221 to hide them from view. In this example the releaseable fixing means takes the form of a wall mounting member 7 which has a back plate 73 with a plurality of fixing holes 74 for screwing the back plate to the wall. From the back plate 73 a horizontal web 16 extends away from the wall, and terminates in a head portion 75. To fix the capping member to the wall. The wall mounting member 7 is first of all screwed to the wall, and then the capping member is pushed onto the wall mounted member 7, the head portion 75 being received between resilient side walls 29 of a fixing channel 28. Moving on to Fig 3, this shows a fixing bracket 8 suitable for use with embodiments of the invention. The bracket 8 comprises a back portion 81 , securable to the wall by means of fixing holes 82. The bracket 8 includes an arm 83 which extends generally horizontally away from the wall and which, towards its tip, carries a protrusion 84. The protrusion 84 is generally rectangular in cross-section and is dimensioned so as to locate in the groove at the lower edge of a tongued and grooved board. Thus, in use the bracket 8 serves to space the lower edge of the board 1 at a predetermined distance away from the wall. Furthermore, the bracket provides an alternative way of supporting the bottom of the board 1 , rather than simply having it rest on whatever flooring material is provided. Thus, the skirting board assembly may be self supporting, and be unaffected by any lateral movements in the flooring at its edges (i.e. in the region of its expansion gaps).

Referring now to fig 4, this shows a schematic perspective view of a bracket, embodying the invention, for holding a lower edge of a skirting board a pre-determined distance from a wall. The bracket comprises a first portion 100 in the form of a serpentine, curved strip of resilient material. The strip is curved along its length. A central portion of the strip defines a wall-abutting portion 101. The curved strip is generally symmetrical about that wall-abutting portion, which is generally located at the apex of a curve in the strip. On either side of the central portion are curved shoulder portions 103, which connect the central portion to end portions of the strip, which define flooring-abutting portions 102. The curved, shoulder portions 103 of the strip effectively act as springs which tend to urge the wall-abutting portion 101 and the flooring-abutting portions 102 apart. Attached to the first portion is a second portion 200 which comprises arm means 202 at- tached at one end to the central portion of the strip and having a locating device in the form of a peg 201 extending upwards, from an upper surface. The arm means 202 comprises a cantilever section 203 which is attached at one end to the wall-abutting portion 101 , the other end of the cantilever 203 being free, and carrying the location peg 201. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the cantilever 203 is continuous with the upper edge of the curved strip and the first and second portions have been formed as a single component by injection moulding. Thus, in this example the arm means 202 is attached to the upper, top part of the central wall-abutting portion 101 so that it can extend over and above the edge of a sheet of flooring material.

Moving on to fig 5, this shows a plan view of a bracket embodying the invention in use. This bracket is similar to the one shown in fig 4, except for the fact that the flooring- abutting portions 102 at opposite ends of the curved, resilient strip are generally flat, defining flat flooring-abutting surfaces 120. The end portions 102 are connected by a curved portion comprising curved sections 103 meeting at an apex and being generally symmetrical about that apex. The portion of the bracket at the apex of the curve provides the wall-abutting portion 101 , which is shown with its wall-abutting surface 1 10 urged against the surface of the wall 3 as a result of the resilience of the curved strip and the fact that deformation of the strip (i.e. compression of the spring means) had to take place in order to insert the first portion of the bracket in the expansion gap 51 between the floor 1 and wall 3. In this example the arm means again comprises a cantilever 203 integral with the first portion of the bracket, and extending generally perpendicularly from the wall 3 over the edge of the layer of flooring material 1. A locating peg 201 extends upwardly from the cantilever 203. Reference 121 in the figure donates the end surface of the flexible strip forming the first portion.

Fig 6 shows the embodiment of 5, but from the side. A "skirting board" having a groove 14 in its lower edge is shown located on the locating peg 201 protruding from the cantilever 203 of the arm means. The cantilever can be seen resting on an upper surface of the layer of flooring material 1. The resilience of the first portion (i.e. the resilience of the curved strip) maintains the wall-abutting surface 1 10 of the central portion and the flooring-abutting surface 120 of the end portions 102 in contact with the wall 3 and flooring 1 respectively. It will be appreciated that the finite thickness of the cantilever 203 causes the board 1 to stand proud of the upper surface of the layer of flooring material 1. Thus, the cantilever 203 should be as thin as possible. Figs 7-10 show the components of a bracket embodying the invention, the assembled bracket being shown in schematic perspective form in fig 11.

Fig 7 shows a plan view of the arm means of the bracket. This arm means 202 comprises a cantilever section 203 in the form of a narrow, thin strip, having a locating peg 201 extending upwardly from one end. The opposite end of the cantilever 203 is provided with a series of transverse fins 204. These fins may be selectively trimmed off, together with the corresponding connecting portions of the cantilever 203 to adjust the length of the arm means.

Fig 9 shows a front view of the first portion of the bracket, and fig 10 shows a plan view. This first portion comprises a curved sheet or strip of resilient material, having end faces 120 which define flooring-abutting surfaces of the bracket. Curved shoulders 103 extend from these end surfaces 120 and connect at a central portion 101 which forms the wall- abutting portion of the bracket. On one side (the nominal outer side) of the wall-abutting portion 101 there is provided a wall-abutting surface 1 10. On the opposite side, i.e. the inside surface, a formation 241 is provided, which defines a recess 240 in the form of a slot for receiving one of the transverse fins 204 of the arm means. To assemble the bracket, the arm means is first trimmed, if necessary, to a desired length and the fin at the end of the trimmed arm means is slotted into the recess 240 from above. Once inside the recess 240 the fin is captivated, and the arm means is constrained from movement in the horizontal direction (i.e. a direction generally perpendicular to the wall-abutting surface 110 of the central portion). The bracket can be inserted in place, in the expansion gap between a wall and edge of a flooring material, by flexing of the curved, resilient strip forming the first portion.

Referring now to fig 12, this shows a plan view of the first portion of another bracket embodying the invention. This first portion comprises a curved strip of resilient material, having a wall-abutting surface 1 10 on one side, and two flooring-abutting surfaces 120 on the opposite side of the strip. The flooring-abutting surfaces are surfaces of flooring- abutting portions 102 which are located at opposite ends of the curved length of resilient strip. Curved sections of strip 103 connect the end portions to the central portion, which can also be referred to as the wall-abutting portion 101. Thus, in this example the wall- abutting surface 1 10 is located at the apex of a curve in the strip. The strip has a thick- ness of approximately 1.5mm, although in other embodiments other dimensions are of course possible. On a reverse side of the wall-abutting portion 101 a structure 241 is provided which defines a cavity or channel 240 which extends generally vertically when the bracket is in use. Side walls 243 of this channel 240 are angled with respect to each other. The formation 241 includes a cut out 242 in its upper surface for receiving the cantilever portion of an arm assembly, such that the upper surface of the cantilever may be level with the upper surface (i.e. upper edge) of the strip of material forming the first portion. The first portion of the bracket shown in fig 12 is generally symmetrical about a mid-plane A.

Fig 13 shows a facing view of the first portion of fig 12. This view is looking at the flooring-abutting surfaces 120, and the rectangular cut-out 242 in the formation 241 in the central part of the curved strip can be seen. The width of the strip in this example is approximately 8.5mm, although again other dimensions are possible in alternative embodiments. Figs 14-16 show side, end and plan views respectively of the arm means for use with the first portion shown in figs 12 and 13. This arm means 202 comprises a cantilever 203 in the form of a flat, relatively thin strip of material. One end of the cantilever 203 is attached to a transverse portion 220 which extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the cantilever 203. This transverse section 220 has flared side walls 221 which engage with the correspondingly angled side walls 243 of the channel 240 in the first portion of the bracket. The opposite end of the cantilever 203 carries location means 201 in the form of a locating peg having a central, core portion 210 with resilient barbs 21 1 extending transversely from it. As can be seem from fig 16, the core portion 210 of the locating peg is generally rectangular in cross-section, and the barbs 211 extend from opposite sides of the core portion. This arrangement of locating means is particularly advanta- geous when the bracket is used for holding the lower edge of a grooved board, the rectangular core section 210 extending generally along and inside the groove, with any remaining space in the groove being taken up by the deformed, resilient barbs 211. Thus, the location means grips the internal surface of the skirting board groove, and movement in the finished assembly is avoided.

Fig 17 shows a side view of the bracket comprising the first portion and arm means of figs 12-16 in use. In this example, the skirting board assembly is covering an existing skirting board 300 attached to the wall 3. The capping member 2, positioned high up the wall 3, is able to abut a surface of the wall 3. However, the expansion gap 51 is located between the existing skirting board 300 and an edge of the flooring layer 1 , which in turn rests on a layer of insulating material 6 over the floor 5. Thus, the cantilever 203 carrying the locating peg 210 should not extend as far from the wall-abutting surface 1 10 as would be the case if the existing skirting board 300 were not present. Thus, it is desirable, with certain embodiments of the invention, to provide either arm means of adjustable length, or to supply arm means having different lengths for use with a common sprung first portion. Thus, the length of arm can be selected to suit the particular application, so that the skirting board in the finished assembly has a lower edge which is held the same distance from the wall as is the upper edge (by the capping member 2).

Referring now to figure 18, in another embodiment, the capping member 2 , rather than having a groove, has a front lip 27 which is arranged to extend down the front face of the skirting board 1. This lip thus forms part of the board holding means. The other part of the board holding means is the biasing means 700 . This takes the form of a spring which engages the surface of the wall 3 and the reverse surface of the skirting board 1. The spring 700 urges the skirting board forwards, against the rear face 23 of the lip 27. This form of holding means can again accommodate skirting boards having a range of thicknesses. The capping member of this embodiment again has a generally E-shaped groove 25 to enable releasable, push-fit attachment of the capping member 2 to a fastening member 7 that has been attached to the wall 3 by means not shown. The fastening mem- ber is in the form of an elongated channel, having side walls 72 which protrude generally perpendicularly from the wall. In this embodiment, the fastening member and biasing means are attached to one another, and furthermore are integral portions of a single, resilient, plastic exclusion. The spring 700 is generally serpentine in this example, having a "forward" portion 701 with a surface 710 which engages the reverse surface of the skirting board 1. A base portion 702 of the spring 700 is generally flat, locates against the wall surface, and generally represents an extension of the base73 of the channel-shaped fastening member 7.

Figure 19 shows a schematic perspective view of a section of the one-piece combined fastening member/biasing means that can be used with embodiments of the invention. The section is part of a plastic extrusion that is formed in long lengths, and can be cut to suit the particular requirements. Fixing holes 730 are provided at regular intervals along the base 73 of the channel to facilitate screwing of the member to a wall.

Claims

1. A skirting board assembly comprising: a board; an elongate capping member for capping an upper edge of the board, the capping member having a wall-abutting surface, for positioning against a wall; and board holding means for receiving said upper edge and holding said edge a predetermined distance from a wall against which the wall-abutting surface is positioned.

2. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the capping member comprises the board holding means.

3. An assembly in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the board holding means comprises a groove running along the length of the elongate capping member.

4. An assembly in accordance with claim 3 wherein said groove in tapered so as to be capable of receiving, to respective depths, and holding the upper edges of boards having a range of thicknesses.

5. An assembly in accordance with claim 4 wherein said groove comprises a side wall arranged so as to be substantially vertical when the wall-abutting surface is positioned against a substantially vertical wall.

6. An assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein said vertical side wall faces the wall when the wall-abutting surface is positioned against the wall.

7. An assembly in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the groove comprises a side wall which is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical when the wall-abutting surface is positioned against a substantially vertical wall.

8. An assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said inclined side wall faces away from the wall when the wall-abutting surface is positioned against the wall.

9. An assembly in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said capping member comprises a front lip adapted to extend down a front face of the board when said upper edge is received in and held by the board holding means.

10. An assembly in accordance with claim 9, as dependent on claim 3, wherein said front lip defines a wall of said groove.

1 1. An assembly in accordance with claim 3, or any one of claims 4 to 10 as dependent on claim 3, wherein said groove is asymmetric.

12. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 1 wherein said groove comprises a front wall adapted to extend a distance down the front face of said board when the upper edge is received in and held by the groove, and a rear wall adapted to extend a greater distance down the rear, wall facing, face of the board.

1 3. An assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein said front wall is substantially vertical and said rear wall is inclined to the vertical, when the wall-abutting surface is positioned against a substantially vertical wall.

14. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the capping member comprises a front lip adapted to extend down a front face of the board when the upper edge is received by the board holding means, and the board holding means comprises said front lip and biasing means arranged to bias said front face against said lip.

15. An assembly in accordance with claim 14, further comprising means for releasably fastening said capping member to the wall.

16. An assembly in accordance with claim 15 wherein said means for releasably fastening comprises a fastening member, securable to the wall, and the biasing means is attached to the fastening member.

17. An assembly in accordance with claim 16, wherein said biasing means and said fastening member are integral.

1 8. An assembly in accordance with any one of claims 1 6 or 17, wherein said fastening member comprises a channel member.

19. An assembly in accordance with any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring having a generally serpentine cross- section.

20. An assembly in accordance with any preceding claim, further comprising means for releasably fastening said capping member to the wall.

21. An assembly in accordance with claim 20 wherein the fastening means comprises a channel member, for securing to the wall, and a channel member-engaging groove provided in the capping member, arranged for push-fit engagement with the secured channel member to releasably fasten the capping member to the wall.

22. An assembly in accordance with claim 21 , wherein said channel member- engaging groove is substantially E-shaped in cross section.

23. An assembly in accordance with any preceding claim wherein said board is a flooring board.

24. An assembly in accordance with claim 23 wherein said board is tongued and grooved, said upper edge comprising a tongue.

25. An assembly in accordance with claim 24 wherein the lower edge of the board comprises a groove, the assembly further comprising at least one bracket, for securing to the wall, the bracket including an arm adapted to extend away from the wall and having location means for locating in the lower edge groove to maintain the lower edge at a predetermined distance from the wall.

26. An assembly in accordance with any preceding claim wherein said capping member is solid.

27. An assembly in accordance with any preceding claim wherein said capping member is wooden.

28. An assembly in accordance with claim 27 wherein the capping member is a wooden moulding.

29. An elongated capping member for a skirting board assembly in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 28 .

30. A flooring and skirting board system comprising: a floor formed from a plurality of matching flooring boards; and a skirting board assembly in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 29 , wherein the board of the skirting board assembly is a further matching flooring board.

31. A bracket for holding a lower edge of a skirting board a substantially fixed distance from a wall, the bracket comprising: a first portion for location in an expansion gap between a wall and a layer of flooring material; and a second portion, attached to the first portion and comprising location means adapted to engage a lower edge of a skirting board, the first portion combining at least one wall-abutting portion, at least one flooring- abutting portion, and spring means arranged to bias the wall-abutting and flooring-abutting portions apart, whereby the wall-abutting and floor- abutting portions may be compressed together, against the spring means, to permit insertion of the first portion into the expansion gap, and once inserted the spring means may urge the flooring-abutting portion against an edge surface of the layer of flooring material and urge the wall-abutting portion against a surface of the wall or of a wall-covering to hold the first portion in the expansion gap, the second portion comprising arm means, attached to the wall-abutting portion and extending from the wall-abutting portion in a direction which, when the first portion is inserted in the ex- pansion gap, is away from the wall, the location means being provided on the arm means.

32. A bracket in accordance with claim 31 , wherein the arm means is attached to the wall-abutting portion such that, in use, the arm portion extends generally horizontally from an upper part of the wall-abutting portion, whereby the arm means may extend over the edge surface of the flooring material and may rest on an upper surface of the flooring material.

33. A bracket in accordance with claim 31 or claim 32, wherein the arm means comprises a cantilever fixed at one end to the wall-abutting portion, the opposite end carrying the location means.

34. A bracket in accordance with claim 33 wherein the cantilever comprises an elongate strip.

35. A bracket in accordance with claim 33 or claim 34 wherein the arm means comprises a transverse portion, attached to an end of the cantilever opposite the end carrying the location means, and extending generally transversely to the cantilever, and the wall-abutting portion comprises a recess adapted to receive and captivate the transverse portion, such that, in use, when the transverse portion is located in the recess, movement of the cantilever in a direction away from the wall is inhibited.

36. A bracket in accordance with claim 35 , wherein the arm means comprises a plurality of said transverse portions, attached to and spaced apart along one end of the cantilever, whereby a selected transverse portion and corresponding portion of the cantilever may be trimmed from the arm means, before a remaining transverse portion is located in the recess, to adjust the distance that the cantilever extends from the wall-abutting por- tion.

37. A bracket in accordance with any one of claims 35 or 36 , wherein said recess comprises a slot and the or each transverse portion comprises a fin.

38. A bracket in accordance with any one of claims 35 to 36 wherein said recess comprises an elongate cavity having an axis which, in use, is substantially vertical, and the or each transverse portion comprises a finger, extending generally perpendicularly to the cantilever, whereby the arm means is attached to the first portion by inserting the finger into the cavity.

39. A bracket in accordance with any one of claims 31 to 38, wherein the first portion comprises a strip of resilient material, the wail-abutting and flooring-abutting portions being respective portions of the resilient strip.

40. A bracket in accordance with claim 39 wherein the wall-abutting portion comprises a wall-abutting surface on one side of the resilient strip and the flooring-abutting portion comprises a flooring-abutting surface on the opposite side of the resilient strip.

41. A bracket in accordance with claim 39 or claim 40, comprising two flooring-abutting portions, each flooring-abutting portion being a respective end portion of the resilient strip.

42. A bracket in accordance with claim 41 wherein each flooring-abutting portion is substantially flat.

43. A bracket in accordance with claim 41 or claim 42, wherein the resilient strip comprises a central portion, connecting the end portions, the central portion comprising a curve along its length, the curve having an apex, and the wall-abutting portion being a portion of the resilient strip at the apex.

44. A bracket in accordance with any one of claims 39 to 43 wherein the spring means comprises a curved portion or portions of the resilient strip.

45. A bracket in accordance with any one of claims 31 to 44, wherein the location means comprises peg means extending upwards from an upper surface of the arm means.

> 46. A bracket in accordance with claim 45 wherein the peg means comprises a core portion and at least one resilient portion, extending transversely from the core portion whereby the peg means may be accommodated in a range of sizes of grooves, slots or other apertures in the lower edge of a skirting board.

47. A bracket in accordance with any one of claims 31 to 46, wherein the first and second portions are formed as separate components, for assembly into the bracket.

48. A bracket in accordance with any one of claims 31 to 34 , wherein the first and second portions are formed as integral parts of a single component.

49. A bracket in accordance with any one of claims 31 to 48 , wherein the arm means comprises adjustment means for adjusting the distance of the location means from the wall-abutting portion.

50. A skirting board assembly in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 28, further comprising a bracket in accordance with any one of claims 31 to 49 for holding a lower edge of the board a predetermined distance from the wall.

51. A skirting board assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

52. An elongate capping member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

53. A flooring and skirting board system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

54. A bracket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.