[0001] The present invention relates to a fixture for laying a joint-covering/threshold-covering
profiled element and a kit comprising such fixture.
[0002] Nowadays, when laying floors, elongated threshold-covering profiled elements are
often used to conceal the perimetric space of a flooring surface or to join, continuously
and without steps, two adjacent flooring surfaces that are located on two different
levels, and to protect the edges thereof.
[0003] Among the various models of profiled elements are ones that in cross-section have
a central portion, below which there are protrusions that form seats for coupling
heads of optional anchoring blocks to be inserted between the two flooring surfaces,
and two lateral portions adapted to rest the profiled element on the two adjacent
floor surfaces, with interposition of a specific adhesive.
[0004] A fixture that comprises anchoring blocks and adhesives is well adapted to maintain
the installation position of the profiled element where the flooring surfaces are
coplanar or have a maximum height difference of 14 mm.
[0005] Usually, for height differences of up to 10 mm, adhesives are used exclusively, while
greater height differences up to a maximum of 14 mm, require anchoring blocks as well.
[0006] This solution therefore presents a non-negligible limit on the maximum height difference
that can be joined. In fact, for greater height differences different profiled elements
are needed, for example ones that, in cross-section, have a horizontal portion and
an inclined portion for resting on the lower flooring surface.
[0007] The aim of the present invention is to provide a fixture for laying a threshold-covering
profiled element which is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the
above mentioned aspects.
[0008] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a fixture that makes it
possible to use a same threshold-covering profiled element in different situations
of height differences, which can be applied easily and stably.
[0009] Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks
of the known art in an alternative manner to any existing solutions.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a profiled element that is highly reliable,
easy to implement and has a low cost.
[0011] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter
are achieved by a fixture according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more
of the characteristics of the dependent claims.
[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent
from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the fixture
according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in
the accompanying drawings wherein:
- Figure 1 shows the fixture according to the invention with a threshold-covering profiled
element;
- Figure 2 shows the fixture according to the invention during the laying of a threshold-covering
profiled element;
- Figure 3 shows the fixture according to the invention during the laying of a threshold-covering
profiled element.
[0013] With reference to the above figures, the fixture according to the invention, generally
designated by the reference numeral 10, comprises an insert 11 to be arranged under
a profiled element 14 (joint-covering/threshold-covering) and which is substantially
L-shaped in cross-section, with a first portion 12 arranged parallel to the flooring
surface and a second portion 13 arranged substantially vertically at the side of the
flooring surface.
[0014] The insert is provided preferably by molding plastic material such as, for example,
polyethylene or polypropylene, it is substantially rigid, and its length is comprised
preferably between 3 mm and 500 mm.
[0015] The profiled element shown, usually made of metal, for example aluminum, is designated
with the reference numeral 14. It is elongated in extension and has, in cross-section,
a central portion 15, below which there are protrusions 16 that determine the presence
of a dovetail-shaped cavity, and two lateral portions 17 slightly inclined downward
at the ends.
[0016] The first portion 12 of the insert 11 has a part 18 that is shaped complementarily
to the lower face of a portion of the profiled element 15, i.e. the central portion.
[0017] In particular, such complementarily-shaped part 18 of the first portion 12 presents
a dovetail shape in relief, that is to be coupled by snap action, or by insertion,
below the profiled element, at the central portion 15.
[0018] The coupling can be inverted, with the dovetail-shaped cavity on the insert and the
complementarily-shaped relief on the profiled element.
[0019] In the example shown in Figure 2, the profiled element 14 is laid so as to conceal
the perimetric space with a height difference with respect to the base 19 of the flooring
surface 20 equal to the height of the second portion 13.
[0020] The second portion 13 is preferably 4 mm high.
[0021] In the example shown in Figure 3, the height difference is greater and it can be
seen that the fixture 10 advantageously also comprises a block 21 for compensating
the height, which is to be positioned vertically below the second portion 13.
[0022] Such block 21 for compensating can have different heights, to be used according to
the height difference to be compensated, preferably for example of 3 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm
and 12 mm.
[0023] The insert 11 has a bevel 22 at the corner of the L-shaped section, which allows
the interposition of an adhesive layer 23 applied between it and the profiled element
14.
[0024] The fixture 10 in fact advantageously also comprises adhesive layers 23 to be interposed
between the lower surface of the profiled element 14 and the insert 11 at the bevel
22 and also, in a conventional manner, between the flooring surface and the profiled
element 14.
[0025] Usually the profiled element 14 is sold already provided with adhesive layers 23
applied below the lateral portions 17, close to the outer edges of the profiled element
14. Such adhesive layers 23 consist preferably of bi-adhesive strips, from which the
outer film is removed at the time of laying.
[0026] The fixture 10 also conveniently comprises connectors for joining two contiguous
profiled elements 14 and blocks for anchoring the profiled element 14, to be installed
below the central portion 15, with the head of the block in the cavity defined by
the protrusions 16.
[0027] The insert 11, the blocks 21, the adhesive layers 23, the connectors and the blocks
for anchoring can be provided by the manufacturer in a single package with the threshold-covering
profiled element. In particular, it is convenient to provide multiple blocks 21 of
different heights in order to enable the operator to lay the profiled element when
there are several different height differences in the flooring surface.
[0028] The invention also relates to a kit 24 that comprises the fixture 10 and also the
profiled element 14, which is elongated in extension and has, in cross-section, a
central portion 15, below which there are protrusions 16 that determine the presence
of a dovetail-shaped cavity, and two lateral portions 17, as described previously.
[0029] Use of the fixture, according to the invention, is evident from the foregoing description
and explanation and, in particular, it is clear that the fixture enables the operator
to easily and stably lay the threshold-covering profiled element even in the presence
of height differences greater than 14 mm.
[0030] In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim
and objects by providing a fixture that makes it possible to easily and stably lay
a same threshold-covering profiled element in different situations of height differences.
[0031] The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations,
all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details
may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.
[0032] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific
use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements
and to the state of the art.
[0033] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No.
102017000104860 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
[0034] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs,
those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility
of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect
on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference
signs.
1. A fixture for laying a joint-covering/threshold-covering profiled element, characterized in that it comprises an insert (11) to be arranged under the profiled element (14) and which
is substantially L-shaped in cross-section, with a first portion (12) arranged parallel
to the flooring surface and a second portion (13) arranged substantially vertically
at the side of the flooring surface.
2. The fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that said first portion (12) of said insert (11) has a part (18) that is shaped complementarily
to a lower face of a portion of the profiled element (14).
3. The fixture according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said complementarily-shaped part (18) of said first portion (12) presents a dovetail
shape in relief.
4. The fixture according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one height compensation block (21), to be arranged vertically
below said second portion (13).
5. The fixture according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said insert (11) has a bevel (22) at a corner of the L-shaped section.
6. The fixture according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one adhesive layer (23) to be applied between a lower surface
of said profiled element (14) and said insert (11) at said bevel (22).
7. The fixture according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises connectors for joining two contiguous elements of said profiled elements
(14).
8. The fixture according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises blocks for anchoring said profiled element (14).
9. A kit comprising the fixture according to one or more of the preceding claims, which
is characterized in that it also comprises said profiled element (14), which is elongated in extension and
has, in cross-section, a central portion (15), below which there are protrusions (16)
that determine the presence of a dovetail-shaped cavity, and two lateral portions
(17).