The present invention relates to step covers and, more particularly, to an application of step cover to preexisting stationary steps or ladder steps.
Numerous types of step covers have been used over the years. The most common step cover is simply material, usually a rubber composition, which is attached to the top of a step by a mastic, brads, or the like. Such a cover may extend partially or fully along the top surface of the step. Some step covers wrap partially around a step such that the opposed edges of the cover extend onto the sides or bottom of the step and are attached by nails, brads, or a mastic. A potentially removable step cover extends partially about each longitudinal edge of a step and partially on to the bottom of the step. The opposing ends of the cover at the bottom of the step are latched with one another by cords or the like penetrably engaging apertures along the edges of the cover under the step.
The first two types of covers discussed above are usually permanently or at least semi-permanently attached to a step. This creates difficulties when the covers are to be replaced due to wear, damage or discoloration. The third type of cover is relatively easily removed but while in operation the forces exerted by the cords, or other fastening systems, tend to cause a cover to pucker due to the non-uniform pulling forces exerted by the engaged cords. This puckering renders these types of covers relatively unsightly. If the pucker extends to the top of the step, a safety hazard exists as it may cause a user to trip. Where such steps are of metal, attachment on a permanent or semi-permanent basis of a cover creates significant issues relating to attachment and covers are unlikely to be used.
The present invention is directed to a wraparound cover for attachment to a step or a seat that includes a cover extending across the step and having opposed ends foldable to the underside of the step. The wraparound cover may include a first rod attached to a first end and a second rod attached to a second end, with at least one hole formed in each end adjacent to the rod(s).
An optional separable pad may be releasably coupled to an underside of the cover. The holes may be penetrated by a tie to draw the ends and/or rods toward one another to secure said wraparound cover about the step. The cover may include a separable pad is releasably coupled to the underside of the cover via a hook and loop fastener around the ends, along an edge or over a majority of the underside surface.
The present invention is also directed to a cover or rug for a step that extends across the top of the step with the longitudinal ends thereof extending along the front and back sides and may extend partially onto the bottom of the step. A plurality of apertures is formed in the rear edge, and possibly the front edge, adjacent the corresponding optional rod(s) along back and front. For a wraparound embodiment, the from and rear edges of the cover are drawn toward one another to secure the cover in place by conventional plastic tie wraps engaging pairs of holes in the opposing ends of the cover. The tie wraps bear against the respective end rods and thereby exert a pulling force along the full length of each corresponding opposed end. By tightening the tie wraps, sufficient friction exists between the cover and the step to prevent sliding movement of the cover along the step. Replacement of a cover is a simple matter of severing the tie wraps to disengage the old cover and removing it. The replacement cover is secured in place with new tie wraps. Optionally, a lower pad may be replaced allowing recovery and/or reuse of the rug (and other components), and/or otherwise ease maintenance.
The present invention includes a step cover for mounting upon a step. A top portion of the cover extends across the step with a first top end adapted to mount upon a step top surface, and a second bottom or front end adapted to affix over a front end, lip, or convex corner of a step. A first rod may be attached to the top end with at least one hole formed adjacent to the rod to allow a connector to mate with the top end and affix (temporarily or permanently) to a step. The front end may include a connection strip, such as a glue strip or hook-and-loop fastener to attach the front end to the step, over the lip, or on the back stop above the next lower step. The connector may be a coupler, such as a C- or U-clamp adapted to hook around an exposed section of the rod. The connector may include an aperture to allow a fastener to pass there through and affix to the step surface. The connector may also include a feature mounted permanently onto the step, or back corner, making a catch to grab, or secure the rod. The catch may include a hinged door, and/or a recess to secure the rod and thereby cover.
The present invention also includes a system to mount a rug for covering a step. The system includes a cover extending across a top of the step. The cover may include a rod disposed along a first top end of the rug. The system may include a catch mounted along the step. The catch would have a recess adapted to receive at least a portion of the (exposed) rod, and a hinged cover adapted to retain the end within the catch. The catch may be mounted via a fastener along a step top and a backstop. The angled fastener may be angled at forty-five degrees from the ground or step plane, or range between thirty and sixty degrees. Alternatively, the angled fastener may be angled upward beyond ninety degrees from the step plane to ensure the catch does not pop up. A downward fastener may also be used with or without the angled fastener and will be directed downwardly into the step. This may be set perpendicular to the step plane. An optional anchor may be installed, or used, under the step pane to allow the downward fastener to set into the anchor.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a detachably attached cover that extends along the top, front side and where necessary, onto back side and the bottom of a step.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cover that wraps along the top and/or sides of a step and applying a uniform force exerted along at least one end, if not both opposing ends, of the cover to draw them apart from one another to retain the cover in place and/or prevent puckering.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wraparound cover for a step having a rod disposed along a back end of the cover.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a catch to secure a back end/rod along a step.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a replaceable pad on the underside of a step cover.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a catch to securely mount a cover on a step.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a cover that can be easily moved or removed for maintenance or cleaning.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a uniform force extending along the length of the ends of a wraparound cover disposed at the bottom of the step.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a method for securing an end of a cover to a step.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.
The present invention will be described with greater specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Referring to
The underside 15 of step 12 with applied cover 30 is illustrated in
Cover 30 is retained in place by securing the opposing ends 35 and 36 with one another, by maintaining tension force between end 35 and end 36. To provide that tension, a tie 40 is preferably looped through opposing holes 39, one hole 39 on end 35 and one hole 39 on end 36. Tie 40 is preferably looped through each set of opposing holes 39. Tie 40, may be conventional zip ties, or may alternatively be rope ties, cord, bolt, rubber bands, chain, hook/and-loop lines, string, tape, magnets, or other like known in the art. Each tie 40 is drawn tightly to bring the ends 35 and 36 toward one another. Ties 40 may include a single line with two enlarged ends 41, or include a single loop tied through both ends and doubled-over. The forces exerted by ties 40 preferably bear upon respective rods 40 and not the cover 30 directly. Alternate rods 44, being in their respective sleeves 43, translate the tension force urged by ties 40 to essentially the full width of each end 35 or 36. Therefore, there is no concentration of forces, as would be if grommets or the like were used and engaged with ties 40 or similar. Alternate rods 44 provide uniform tension along each end 35 or 36, allowing for an elimination of bunching or puckering of the cover 30. Furthermore, as each tie 40 can be tightened to a selective degree, the cover 30 is firmly and essentially immovably attached to step 12.
Referring now to
Referring to
Layover cover 130 is secured to step 110 at back end 135 by fixing the exposed portions 161 of rod 160 to the step top-surface, as illustrated in
Turning to
A pad (not shown) may be placed underneath the layover cover 130 and may be constructed out of materials known for durability and ability to resist stress such as waffle rubber, urethane foam, bonded urethane, flat rubber, fiber cushion, or other pads known in the art.
Referring now to
A first fastener 220 is preferably affixed diagonally, preferably close to forty-five-degree angle, give or take thirty degrees, or may be affixed as far as parallel with step top surface place 211. In an embodiment not shown, first fastener 220 may be directed upwardly into back stop 212. A second fastener 221 preferably secures the case base 201 to the step top-surface plane 211 and is preferably directly perpendicular to step top surface 211. Fasteners 220 and 221 may include a bolt, nail, screw, or other fastener known the art. An optional anchor 240, preferably made of a solid and more substantive material than step, may be affixed in the step to provide either fastener 220 or 221 to get a better grip, or otherwise to protect the step material.
Catch 200 preferably includes a hinged cover 270 mating at a hinge fulcrum 271 with a catch base 201. The hinged cover 270 as shown in
In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in
The present application includes subject matter disclosed in and claims priority to prior filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/015,380, filed Feb. 4, 2016, entitled WRAPAROUND COVER FOR STEP, herein incorporated by reference and describing inventions made by the present inventor.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15015380 | Feb 2016 | US |
Child | 15955556 | US |