The present invention relates to a multifunction finishing assembly for floor covering, which could be used in at least two different applications, and preferably either as a joint bar between two floor coverings or transition bar, or as a joint bar between two floor coverings or stop bar, or as a joint bar between two floor coverings or transition bar or stop bar.
In the field of floor covering laying or renovation or floor renovation, it is of common practice to use finishing elements in the form of finishing bars, for example, made of wood, metal or plastic, to be fixed to the floor, so as to cover the edge of at least one floor covering. Amongst such finishing elements there are predominantly joint bars, transition bars, stop bars and step ridges. The application for the finishing bar (joint bar, transition bar, stop bar or step ridge) is determined depending on its cross-sectional profile.
Finishing elements for floor covering of the joint bar, transition bar, stop bar or step ridge type are disclosed, for example, in patent applications US2003/0154678 and US2004/0206038, and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,745,534, 6,805,951, 6,517,935, in French Patent Applications FR 2,737,237, FR 2,848,234, FR 2,695,671, FR 2,783,854 and in International Patent Application WO 03/040492.
As used herein, the term “joint” bar refers to a bar to be laid on the floor at the interface between two adjacent floor coverings (moquette, carpet, parquet, wooden floor, floor tiles, . . . ). Such a bar type generally has a T-shaped cross-sectional profile. Each T wing is used for covering the edge of one of both coverings and the T foot is used for fixing the bar to the floor, for example by cooperation with a fixing rail or similar permanently secured between both coverings. Thus, the joint bar allows for the joint to be masked between both floor coverings and for a better aesthetics to be given to the transition zone between both floor coverings. Moreover, the joint bar makes it possible, as required, to compensate for and to mask slight thickness differences between both floor coverings.
As used herein, the term “transition” bar refers to a bar being generally used for providing the transition between a floor covering (moquette, carpet, parquet, wooden floor, floor tiles, . . . ) and the floor or between two floor coverings with a significant height offset. The function thereof is therefore to compensate for and to mask significant height differences between a floor covering and the floor or between two floor coverings.
As used herein, the term “stop” bar refers to a bar generally ending at the opposite side of the floor covering with a substantially vertical side. Such a bar type is generally used as a finishing element between a floor covering and a vertical wall such as a wall or a partition.
The “step ridges” are bars having a L-shaped cross-sectional profile and being intended for being fitted on a step angle.
For improving the aesthetics and/or wear resistance of floor covering finishing bars, it is additionally known to apply on such bars, when being manufactured, a surface coating which is, for example, a film or a sheet of material glued with the top surface of the bar. By way of an example, the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,805,951 and 6,517,935 describe a method for manufacturing a finishing element comprising a thin abrasion-resistant coating being of the multilayer type.
More particularly with a view to simplify the supply management and to offer to the customers a single multiuse product, the finishing bar manufacturers focussed these recent years on the manufacture and marketing of multifunction finishing bar assemblies of the kit type. A multifunction finishing assembly is described for example in International Patent Application WO 03/040492. In said Publication, the multifunction finishing assembly comprises a T-shaped joint bar onto which an additional side bar is embedded. When the additional side bar is assembled with the T-shaped element, the assembly can be used as a transition bar (1st application). For using the assembly as a joint bar (2nd application), it is sufficient to separate the additional bar from the T-shaped bar, the latter being able to be used as a joint bar.
One drawback of multifunction finishing assemblies as known currently lies in the presence of a small width longitudinal gap (interstice) at the junction of the surfaces of the individual bars making up the assembly. Not only does such a gap ruin the aesthetic quality of the finishing assembly, but it also deleteriously results in a brittleness area that could be easily damaged over time and that gets dirty more easily.
The objective of the present invention is to provide a finishing assembly for floor covering being of the multifunction type and overcoming the above-mentioned drawback related to the presence of an interstitial joint between each individual element of the multifunction assembly.
Such an objective is achieved by the finishing assembly for floor covering as claimed in claim 1. As known, in the above-mentioned Publication WO 03/040492, such a finishing assembly comprises at least two bars, being on the one hand assembled together side by side so that they comprise at least two surfaces substantially in the prolongation of one another, and separated by a longitudinal interstice, and being, on the other hand, separable, said assembled bars being designed to be used in a first floor covering application and at least one of said bars being designed to be used in a second floor covering application.
In a characteristic and novel way according to the invention, the finishing assembly comprises a floor covering being applied on said assembled bars and covering the longitudinal interstice between said bars.
More particularly, the multifunction assembly according to the invention comprises the additional and optional technical features such as defined in the appended claims and depending on the main claim 1, said technical features being, depending on the case, considered separately or in combination one with the others.
According to a another aspect of the invention, the multifunction finishing assembly for floor covering according to the invention comprises a central bar having a substantially T-shaped cross section, a monobloc assembly comprising two side bars being connected together by a bridge and being individually separable from the monobloc assembly, the T-shaped central bar being embedded into the monobloc assembly such that the foot of said T-shaped central bar is positioned between both side bars and both wings of the T-shaped bar abutting against both side bars. In such a case, the finishing assembly preferably comprises, but not necessarily, a surface coating being applied on all the bars.
More particularly, the multifunction assembly according to the invention comprises the following additional and optional features considered separately or in combination one with the others:
A second object of the invention is a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned finishing assembly. According to the invention, such a method of manufacturing comprises the following steps:
Preferably, during the manufacture, the bars are temporarily maintained together for enabling the application of the surface coating without moving the bars one in respect to the other. More particularly, when the method is related to the manufacture of a finishing assembly comprising one central bar and two side bars, an intermediate element is being manufactured, said intermediate element consisting of both side bars being connected together by a temporary bridge.
Also, in a particular alternative of the invention, a movable support pedestal is temporarily assembled with the bars, said pedestal allowing to temporarily block said bars together in particular when the assembly is being transported or handled.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a method for laying onto the floor a multifunction finishing assembly.
According to the invention, such a method comprises a step wherein the surface coating is being cut at the level of at least one longitudinal interstice between two bars of the finishing assembly so as to separate said both bars.
A fourth object of the invention is a cutting tool comprising a shoe and a cutting blade being integral with the shoe. The shoe is designed to be positioned on the finishing assembly and to be able to slide along such a finishing assembly while being guided in translation by at least one side bar of said assembly. The cutting blade is positioned and oriented relative to such a shoe, such that once the shoe positioned on the finishing assembly, the cutting blade allows the surface coating to be cut through translation of the shoe along the finishing assembly.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly apparent on reading the herein below detailed description of several preferred alternative finishing assemblies according to the invention, such a description being set forth as a non limitative and non exhaustive example of the invention and referring to the appended drawings wherein:
On
Such a finishing assembly consists in five elements:
The two side bars 2 and 3 have different cross-sectional profiles (i.e., in a plane perpendicular to their longitudinal axis).
When being used on its own, the finishing bar 1 is a joint bar (1st application). Both bars 1 and 2, when they are used together, form a transition bar (2nd application). Both bars 1 and 2, when being used together, form a stop bar (3rd application).
In particular, in the illustrated example, the joint bar 1 is symmetrical according to a median longitudinal plane (P) and has a T-shaped cross section, with a central pedestal 1a, and two side wings 1b and 1c being identical and symmetrical with one another relative to the plane P. The bar 1 comprises a top surface 1d being planar in its central part and having a circle arc-shaped curve at the level of both wing 1b and 1c ends.
The side bar 2 is a distinct part of the above-mentioned bar 1 and is positioned side by side with the bar 1 between the central foot 1a and the wing 1b. The bar 2 comprises a top face 2a, being partially in contact with the bottom face of the wing 1b, a bottom face 2b, an internal side face 2c directed to the central foot 1a of the bar 1 and a slightly curve external side face 2d. The external side face 2d of the bar 2 lies in the extension of the top face 1d of the central bar 1, a longitudinal interstice 6 separating both faces 1d and 2d throughout the length of the bars 1 and 2.
The bar 3 is a part distinct from the above-mentioned bar 1 and is positioned side by side with the bar 1 between the central foot 1a and the wing 1c. The bar 3 comprises a top face 3a, partially coming in contact with the internal face of the wing 1b, a bottom face 3b, an internal side face 2c directed toward the central foot 1a of the bar 1, and an external side face 3d being substantially planar and perpendicularly directed toward the planar central part of the top face 1d of the bar 1. The external side face 3d of the bar 2 lies in the prolongation of the top face 1d of the central bar 1, a longitudinal interstice 6′ separating both faces 1d and 3d throughout the length of the bars 1 and 3.
The surface coating 4 is a flexible rectangular-shaped sheet of material (monolayer or multilayer), being applied and fixed through any known means and for example, through gluing by means of an adhesive, on the top face 1d of the bar 1 and on the external side faces 2d and 3d respectively of the bars 2 and 3. The surface coating 4 covers all the above-mentioned surfaces 1d, 2d, and 3d, and essentially covers and masks advantageously the two longitudinal interstices 6 and 6′. The three bars 1, 2 and 3 are thus retained together through such a surface coating 4.
More generally, within the scope of the invention, the “surface coating” of the finishing assembly may comprise any coating having a thin thickness being able to match the curved surface of the individual bars on the finishing assembly, whatever the nature of the material(s) making up the coating and whatever the technique used for applying the coating on the bars of the finishing assembly. In particular, the coating could indiscriminately be of the monolayer or of the multilayer type. It could for example comprise a film or a sheet, made in plastic, in paper, in wood, or be made in any known fabric (non woven, woven fabric). Preferably, but not necessarily, the coating will be decorative and/or will have improved mechanical wear resistant properties. Preferably, but not necessarily, the surface coating is glued (cold or heat glued) on the bars of the finishing assembly.
The pedestal 5 is a section, preferably made in plastic, with the same length as the bars 1, 2 and 3. It comprises a base plate 5a and two identical, parallel longitudinal walls 5b, substantially perpendicular to the base plate 5a. Those both walls 5b form together with the base plate 5a, a U-shaped rail 5′, for fixing on the floor the bar(s) of the finishing assembly.
In the particular alternative embodiment of
More particularly, both side bars 2 and 3 comprise respectively in the lower sides 2b, 3b thereof two longitudinal grooves 2e and 3e. Each side wing 5c of the pedestal 5 ends at a longitudinal retaining stud 5e being designed to be embedded, preferably by tightening, into one of the grooves 2e or 3e.
More particularly, each wing 5c of the pedestal 5 comprises an additional longitudinal stud 5f being separable. Referring to
In the embodiment on
In particular, in the alternative embodiment shown on
Preferably, the side faces 1g of the central foot 1a of the bar 1 comprise a longitudinal groove 1h forming a double abutment, into which is to be arranged a projecting longitudinal part 2h (respectively 3h) of the bar 2 (respectively the bar 3), allowing the bar 2 (respectively the bar 3) to be blocked in translation relative to the foot 1a of the bar 1 in a plane parallel to its cross sectional section and along an axis F perpendicular to the above-mentioned axis D.
Preferably, the thickness (e) of the projecting longitudinal part 2h (respectively 3h) of the bar 2 (respectively the bar 3) is lower than the height (h) of the groove 1h such that there should be, between the bar 2 (respectively the bar 3) and the bar 1, a slight play advantageously allowing for a slight motion of the bar 2 (respectively bar 3) relative to the bar 1 in a plane parallel to the cross-section of the bars. The utility of such a clearance will be more clearly obvious referring to
Advantageously, the projecting longitudinal parts 2h and 3h allow on both sides of the foot 1a of the central bar 1, for providing a longitudinal space E being able to serve as a housing for the walls 5b of the fixing rail 5′ of the pedestal 5.
According to an additional preferred feature, the side bar 2 (respectively the side bar 3) comprises a longitudinal recess 2i (respectively 3i) extended throughout the length of the bar and being arranged opposite to the bottom face of the wing 1b (respectively wing 1c) of the bar 1. Such a recess 2i (respectively 3i) delimits with the bottom face of the wing 1b (respectively wing 1c) of the bar 1, a groove G with a low width (l) allowing a cutting blade to be inserted and guided. The entry of such a groove G corresponds to the interstice 6 or 6′. Practically, the width (l) of the groove will be preferably higher than 0.6 mm.
The joint bar 1 and the intermediate part I are manufactured with two bars 2 and 3 connected throughout their length by a separable temporary longitudinal bridge P. Depending on the material type, such parts 1 and I are manufactured, for example, through machining (wooden parts) or through extrusion (plastic or metal parts).
Through a simple embedment, the bar 1 is interfitted with the intermediate part I, the foot 1a of the bar 1 being housed into the longitudinal space delimited by both external side faces 2c and 3c opposite the bars 2 and 3 and by the temporary bridge P. During this assembling operation, the projecting parts 2f and 3f of the bars 2 and 3 are housed in the corresponding grooves 1f of the bar 1, allowing the bar 2/bar 3/temporary bridge P assembly to be centred relative to the bar 1. As a result, the bars 2 and 3 are perfectly positioned and maintained in position relative to the bar 1 during the subsequent application operation of the surface coating 4 (Step 3/
The surface coating 4 is applied and glued on the assembly formed by the parts 1 and I, so as to totally cover the faces 1d, 2d and 3d of the bars 1, 2 and 3. The application and gluing technique of such a coating is known per se and will therefore not be detailed in the present application. The temporary bridge P advantageously makes it possible to maintain the bars 2 and 3 relative to the bar 1 during the application operation of the surface coating 4.
Once applied, the surface coating 4 advantageously masks both interstices 6 and 6′.
The temporary bridge P connecting the bars 2 and 3 is removed by cutting it using a cutting tool (for example, a cutting blade (
The pedestal 5, being previously manufactured (
The various usage possibilities of the finishing assembly according to
On
The pedestal 5 is released from the bars 2 and 3 of the finishing assembly. The pedestal 5 is cut along both V-shaped grooves 5d so as to only keep the U-shaped fixing rail 5′. The coating 4 is cut using a blade or similar, along each longitudinal groove G, so as to separate the side bars 2 and 3 (and their surface coating 4 portion), from the central bar 1 and its surface coating 4 portion. The width (l) of each interstice 6, 6′ being sufficient for sliding a cutting blade into the groove G, advantageously a sharp cutting of the coating 4 is achieved.
Subsequently, the base 5a of the U-shaped fixing rail 5′ is fixed to the floor between both coverings R1 and R2, using any appropriate means selected more specially depending on the nature of the floor (for example, screwing and/or gluing). The central foot 1a of the bar 1 is inserted into both arms 5b of the rail 5′ and pushing it until both wings 1b and 1 of the bar come into contact with the surface of both coverings R1, R2. Preferably, the internal side of both arms 5b is notched so as to allow the joint bar 1 to be blocked in position at different heights, depending on the height H of the coverings.
There is shown on
The pedestal 5 is released from the bars 2 and 3 of the finishing assembly. The pedestal 5 is cut manually along one of the V-shaped grooves 5d so as to only keep the U-shaped fixing rail 5′ and a side wing 5c, the other side wing 5c being removed. The temporary stud 5f is cut from the remaining wing 5c.
The coating 4 is cut manually using a blade or similar, slid into the groove G, so as to separate the side bar 3 (and its surface coating 4 portion), from the remaining assembly: bar 1/bar 2/coating 4 covering the bars 1 and 2.
Subsequently, the base 5a of the U-shaped fixing rail 5′ is fixed to the floor along the covering R edge using any appropriate means selected more specially depending on the nature of the floor (for example, screwing and/or gluing).
The foot 1a of the central bar 1 is inserted between the U-shaped rail 5′ and the longitudinal retaining stud 5e into the bottom groove 2e of the bar 2. The bar 1/bar 2/coating 4 assembly is pushed until the wing 1c of the bar 1 comes into contact with the covering R surface.
There is shown on
Referring to
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The rail 11 comprises a U-shaped section. The rail 10 comprises a T-shaped section and can be embedded at various heights into the U-shaped section 11.
In the finishing assembly of
There is shown on
The cutting tool 12 comprises a shoe 12a and a cutting blade 12b integral with said shoe 12a. The foot 12 is for example a plastic moulded part. The shoe 12a comprises a face 12c (referred to as the bottom face) having a U-shaped recess shape. Said bottom face 12c allows the shoe to be positioned on the finishing assembly (1, 2, 3, 4) and said shoe 12a to be guided in translation by both side bars 2 and 3 along the longitudinal axis of the finishing assembly. The cutting blade 12b is positioned and oriented relative to the shoe 12a, such that once the shoe 12a being positioned on the finishing assembly (1, 2, 3, 4), the cutting blade 12b penetrates into one of the longitudinal grooves G of the finishing assembly.
There is shown on
A similar cutting tool could be used for cutting the surface coating 4 of the other previously described alternative embodiments of finishing assembly.
The present invention is not limited to manufacturing a multifunction assembly comprising three bars 1, 2 and 3, but could be generalized so as to achieve a multifunction finishing assembly comprising at least two bars, onto which is applied the same surface coating. For example, a multifunction assembly could be achieved only comprising one T-shaped bar 1 and one bar 2 and usable as a joint bar or a transition bar as well as a multifunction assembly comprising only one T-shaped bar 1 and one bar 3, and usable as a joint bar or a stop bar.
In addition, the cross-sections of the bars of the finishing assemblies of the appended figures were given only by way of non exhaustive examples of embodiments, the invention being not limited to these only sections. The invention could be equally applied for achieving multifunction finishing assemblies for floor covering having their bars with cross-sections different from those illustrated on the appended figures. Moreover, the bars of the finishing assembly of the invention, depending on their cross-sections, could, as required, fulfil other functions than the functions illustrated on the figures (joint bar, transition bar or stop bar). Within the scope of the invention, a finishing assembly could be achieved for a floor covering being able to be used in other applications for floor covering, and for example, that could be configured for a use as a step ridge.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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0500736 | Jan 2005 | FR | national |
0500739 | Jan 2005 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP06/00362 | 1/17/2006 | WO | 00 | 7/16/2007 |