Edging strip

Abstract

 The application discloses an edging strip (10) for use in a flooring system of the type in which an existing floor (a "base floor") (52) extending up to a wall (56) on at least one edge is covered with a solid layer the top surface of which provides a new floor, comprising a horizontal planar strip (12) adapted to lie on the base floor (52) beneath the floor layer adjacent a wall (56), an upstanding support extending generally upwardly from the planar strip (12), and a pair of resiliently deformable sealing strips (20',22') extending from the support in generally opposed directions and adapted, when installed, to seal against the wall (56) and the floor layer respectively. Thus, according to the present invention, a strip (10) can be fitted in place on the base floor (52) and the floor layer then installed such that the planar strip (12) is trapped beneath the floor layer but the sealing strips (20',22') provide a continuous seal from the wall (56) to the floor layer. This seal preferably comprises a smooth outer surface which gives a neat appearance. The installation process is also very much more straightforward. The horizontal planar strip (12) preferably includes a plurality of divisions extending from an edge thereof towards the support. This makes it easier for the planar strip (12) to be bent to conform to the shape of an imperfect wall. In a preferred form of the invention, the upstanding support of the edging strip (10) includes at least one resilient spacing lip extending laterally therefrom. This spacing lip allows the strip (10) to be fitted with the correct spacing between it and the wall (56) or between it and the floor layer. It is particularly preferred if there is a spacing strip on either side of the upstanding support. This allows the correct spacing to be obtained easily between both the floor layer and the wall (56). The spacing lip or lips preferably extend at a generally oblique angle to the upstanding support, thereby to provide some resilience. Alternatively, or in addition, the lips can be curved to provide a similar effect.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an edging strip, in particular for use in a flooring system of the type in which an existing floor (a "base floor") extending up to a wall on at least one edge is covered with a solid layer the top surface of which provides a new floor.

[0002] The floor layer can be made up of individual panels, of any size. The present invention is not concerned with the nature of the floor layer, so long as it is a solid planar item.

[0003] After laying, the floor layer will often experience small changes in its overall dimensions. To avoid buckling and/or delamination, a small expansion gap must therefore be provided at the edge of the floor layer adjacent any walls. A naked gap is unsightly, and therefore a fluid sealant such as a silicone-based resin is normally inserted into the gap. Silicone has the advantage that it will set quickly in place and is thereafter flexible, thus taking up expansion or contraction of the floor layer.

[0004] Silicone sealant is however difficult and messy to apply. It is also extremely difficult to remove if incorrectly applied. Thus, it is difficult to obtain a high quality finish.

[0005] The present invention therefore provides an edging strip for use in a flooring system of the type described, comprising a horizontal planar strip adapted to lie on the base floor beneath the floor layer adjacent a wall, an upstanding support extending generally upwardly from the planar strip, and a pair of resiliently deformable sealing strips extending from the support in generally opposed directions and adapted, when installed, to seal against the wall and the floor layer respectively.

[0006] Thus, according to the present invention, a strip can be fitted in place on the base floor and the floor layer then installed such that the planar strip is trapped beneath the floor layer but the sealing strips provide a continuous seal from the wall to the floor layer. This seal preferably comprises a smooth outer surface which gives a neat appearance. The installation process is also very much more straightforward.

[0007] The visible surface of the sealing strips can be coloured so as to match the floor layer installed.

[0008] A suitable material is plastics material such as UPVC, particularly plasticised UPVC.

[0009] The upstanding support preferably comprises a planar strip, and also preferably extends from an edge of the horizontal planar strip.

[0010] The horizontal planar strip preferably includes a plurality of divisions extending from an edge thereof towards the support. This makes it easier for the planar strip to be bent to conform to the shape of an imperfect wall. These divisions are preferably triangular, and are more preferably of sufficient extent that the remainder of the horizontal planar strip is a series of triangular sections.

[0011] In a preferred form of the invention, the upstanding support of the edging strip includes at least one resilient spacing lip extending laterally therefrom. This spacing lip allows the strip to be fitted with the correct spacing between it and the wall or between it and the floor layer. It is particularly preferred if there is a spacing strip on either side of the upstanding support. This allows the correct spacing to be obtained easily between both the floor layer and the wall. The spacing lip or lips preferably extend at a generally oblique angle to the upstanding support, thereby to provide some resilience. Alternatively, or in addition, the lips can be curved to provide a similar effect.

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:-

Figure 1 shows a vertical cross-section through an edging strip according to the present invention, along lines I-I;

Figure 2 shows a view of the edging strip according to the present invention from beneath, along arrow II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a view of the edging strip according to the present invention from above, on arrow III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the edging strip according to the present invention after installation;

Figure 5 shows a view from above of an edging strip according to the present invention after installation;

Figure 6 shows a vertical cross-section through an edging strip according to the present invention in its second form; and

Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the edging strip according to the second form of the present invention, after installation.

[0013] Figures 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the invention. It should be understood that this embodiment comprises an elongate extrusion, and therefore the longitudinal length shown is purely illustrative.

[0014] Thus, the edging strip 10 according to the present invention comprises an elongate horizontal planar portion 12 which provides a base. As shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, the horizontal planar portion 12 is divided longitudinally by a series of divisions 14 which extend from an outer edge of horizontal planar portion 12 toward an inner edge 16. These divisions 14 each comprise a triangular portion, leaving a "sawtooth" profile to the horizontal planar portion 12. As shown in Figure 2, the triangular divisions 14 do not extend completely to the inner edge 16, but this is not essential.

[0015] A support strip 18 extends upwardly from the inner edge 16 of the horizontal planar portion 12. The height of the support strip 16 is in general matched to that of the intended flooring system. Such flooring systems are usually of 9mm, 14mm or 28mm depth.

[0016] A pair of sealing strips 20, 22 extend generally transversely from the support strip 18. The first sealing strip 20 extends generally away from the horizontal planar portion 12 and, when fitted, toward a wall. The angle at which it extends is slightly upward.

[0017] The second sealing strip 22 is intended, in use, to contact the top surface of a floor panel. It extends in a direction opposed to the first sealing strip 20, toward the outer edge of the horizontal planar portion 12 and slightly downwardly.

[0018] Both sealing strips have a thickness which decreases gently away from their point of connection to the support strip 18.

[0019] Figures 4 and 5 show the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, after installation. A floor panel 15 is glued to a base floor 52 using an adhesive layer 54. The base floor 52 ends at a wall 56. An expansion gap 58 is left between the edge of the floor tile 50 and the wall 56. An edging strip 10 according to the invention is fitted such that the edge 60 of the floor panel 50 extends into the U-shaped recess defined by the horizontal planar portion 12, support strip 18 and second seal strip 22. Thus, the horizontal planar portion 12 is gripped beneath the floor tile 50, and the second seal 22 is deflected upwardly slightly by the floor panel 50 thereby creating a seal therewith.

[0020] The edging strip 10 is placed sufficiently close to the wall 56 to cause the first sealing strip 20 to come into contact therewith and be deflected upwardly slightly. Thus, a further seal is formed between the edging strip 10 and the wall 56.

[0021] The undeflected positions of the first and second seals 20, 22 are shown in dotted at 20' and 22'.

[0022] A continuous seal is therefore formed between the wall 56 and the floor tile 50. The seal is maintained in position by the support strip 18 which serves to retain the sealing strips 20, 22 in position. The support strip 18 is in turn held in place by the floor tile 50 trapping the horizontal planar strip 12 in place.

[0023] Figure 5 shows a view from above, illustrating the tendency for individual bricks 62 of the wall 56 to be imperfectly aligned. Thus, the first sealing strip 20 can flex slightly to take up this imperfection, and gross abnormalities can be accommodated by bending the support strip 18. Such bending is facilitated by the divisions 14 which allow the horizontal planar strip 12 to change direction.

[0024] This flexibility could alternatively be achieved by warming the edging strip 10 if made of a suitable material.

[0025] Figures 6 and 7 show a second form of the invention. This form includes all parts of the previously described embodiment and therefore like reference numerals will be employed to denote like parts.

[0026] This second embodiment differs only by the addition of spacing lips 100, 102. These extend laterally from either side of the support strip 18 and bend downwardly to a narrowing tip.

[0027] When the edging strip 10 is installed, as shown in Figure 7, the edge 60 of the floor tile 50 abuts the tip of the spacing lip 100 whilst the wall 56 abuts the edge of the spacing strip 102. This contact provides an additional resilience against further movement of the floor tile 50 toward the wall 56, and provides a user with a physical feedback to the effect that the correct position has been reached.

[0028] It will be appreciated that many variations to the above-described embodiments could be made without departing from the present invention. All such variations are intended to be encompassed herein.

Claims

1. An edging strip for use in a flooring system of the type described, comprising a horizontal planar strip adapted to lie on the base floor beneath the floor layer adjacent a wall, an upstanding support extending generally upwardly from the planar strip, and a pair of resiliently deformable sealing strips extending from the support in generally opposed directions and adapted, when installed, to seal against the wall and the floor layer respectively.

2. An edging strip according to claim 1 wherein the visible surface of the sealing strips is coloured so as to match the floor layer installed.

3. An edging strip according to claim 1 or claim 2 constructed at leastpartly of plastics material.

4. An edging strip according to claim 3 wherein the plastics material is UPVC.

5. An edging strip according to claim 3 wherein the plastics material is plasticised UPVC.

6. An edging strip according to any preceeding claim in which at least the sealing strips are made of flexible PVC.

7. An edging strip according to any preceeding claim wherein the upstanding support comprises a planar strip.

8. An edging strip according to any preceeding claim wherein the upstanding support extends from an edge of the horizontal planar strip.

9. An edging strip according to any preceeding claim wherein the horizontal planar strip includes a plurality of divisions extending from an edge thereof towards the support.

10. An edging strip according to claim 9 wherein the divisions are triangular.

11. An edging strip according to claim 10 wherein the divisions are of sufficient extent that the remainder of the horizontal planar strip is a series of triangular sections.

12. An edging strip according to any preceeding claim wherein the upstanding support of the edging strip includes at least one resilient spacing lip extending laterally therefrom.

13. An edging strip according to claim 12 wherein there is a spacing strip on either side of the upstanding support.

14. An edging strip according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the spacing lip or lips extend at a generally oblique angle to the upstanding support, thereby to provide some resilience.

15. An edging strip according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the lips are curved.

Drawing