Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Specified wear or friction-type traffic-carrying surface
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-14
2003-04-22
Callo, Laura A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Specified wear or friction-type traffic-carrying surface
C052S466000, C052S716100, C052S717030, C052S718010, C052S718030, C016S004000, C016S007000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06550192
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to molding, and in particular to molding systems positionable between different floor coverings.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Commercial and residential building floors are commonly covered with different types of surfacing materials, depending on how the particular area of a building is to be used, and upon the aesthetics desired. Common floor covering materials include carpeting, tile, wood and vinyl. These floor coverings may be applied directly to the building floor, or an intermediate surfacing material may be used between the floor covering and the floor.
For example, tile may be adhered directly to a concrete floor. However, if tile is used to surface a wood floor, an intermediate layer of a material known as backerboard is first laid over the wooden subfloor, and the tile is adhered to the upper surface of the backerboard. Carpet may also be adhered directly to a floor, or a pad may be placed between the floor and the carpet.
Floors of many building are covered with more that one type of floor covering, since different sections of the floor may be subjected to different condition, or it may be desirable aesthetically to provide different surfaces in different areas of the building. When the edge of a particular floor covering abuts a building wall, the common practice is to install a molding strip along the wall at the intersection of the wall and the floor covering. This molding strip serves to cover the floor covering and wall interface, which improved the appearance, and also prevents debris from entering the space between the wall and the floor covering.
The edges of floor coverings such as wood flooring, vinyl (sometimes called linoleum), ceramic tile, and so-called “glue down” carpeting, are normally held in place with adhesive. The edge of other carpeting, usually including a pad, is held in place against a wall with a tack strip.
Floor coverings may also terminate in areas other that along a wall. For example, a given floor covering material may terminate within a room at some point between walls, or within a doorway. Also, the edge of one type of floor covering may abut the edge of another type of floor covering. For example, the edge of carpeting may terminate at a location between walls with the adjacent floor being without a floor covering, e.g., a concrete floor, or covered by a different type of floor covering, such as vinyl, or a wood flooring that continues beneath the carpet. If so, the carpet will be installed over a part of the wood flooring.
Generally, floor coverings of this type provide a smooth transition between the two type of surfaces, since the surfaces are approximately of the same height. However, a problem arises when one of the floor coverings is tile, such as ceramic tile, due to the thickness or height of the tile relative to the thickness or height of the other floor coverings. Due to the difference in height between the tile and the other flooring, the edge of the tile is exposed, creating an unsightly appearance. This is particularly true if the tile is mounted on backerboard, which increases the height of the tile relative to the other floor covering. Currently, there is no satisfactory means for eliminating this unsightly appearance.
A similar unsightly appearance is created when tile, with or without underlying backerboard, terminates adjacent a doorway threshold plate, i.e., the wooden strip that extends along the bottom of a door facing. While the threshold plate may be of a similar height, the threshold edge is often of a slanted or curved profile, while the tile have a vertical edge. As a result, there is the appearance of a gap between the tile and the threshold, which is not only unsightly, but which collects debris.
In other instances, when a carpet terminates at a location other than adjacent a wall, the edge of the carpet is often secured in place by a metal tacking strip or carpet edging strip that is includes a bottom plate, which is secured to the floor. The bottom plate normally includes upwardly extending projections or teeth that grip the lower surface of the carpet. An integral top plate extends rearwardly from the bottom plate, and can be folded over the carpet edge and against the top edge of the carpet in order to protect the carpet edge. The carpet edging strip, which is commonly of metal, is functional, but also unsightly.
Thus, there is a continuing need for means to improve the appearance of floor coverings. In particular, there is a need to provide an aesthetically pleasing transition between tile and floors or floor coverings. There is also a need to provide for a transition between tile and a doorway threshold. Finally, there is a need to improve the appearance of carpet edging strips used to secure the edge of carpets at locations away from walls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to molding systems for improving the appearance of the edges of floor coverings. Each molding system described herein is comprised of a molding strip having a particular profile, and a mounting strip to releasibly attach the molding strip to the floor.
In one embodiment, molding systems are provided for covering the interface between tile, whether or not on backerboard, and the floor upon which the tile is mounted, or an adjacent floor covering. Generally, this ceramic tile molding system is comprised of a molding strip including an upper cap or surface that has parallel outer edges, and a first side that is adapted to fit against the edge of ceramic tile and extend over the top of the tile edge. The tile attachment side has a first vertical face with upper an lower edges that is of a length up to the thickness or height of the tile and any backerboard. The cap extends outwardly to form an upper flange that extends over the tile upper edge. The lower surface of the flange is in the form of a horizontal face that abuts the tile upper surface when the molding strip is installed.
The molding strip also includes first and second lower surfaces that are separated by a vertical slot used to releasibly secure the molding strip to a mounting strip. The slot is parallel to the first vertical face and spaced at a given distance from said first face.
If the tile terminates adjacent another floor covering, the molding strip may also include a second covering attachment side on the opposite side of the molding strip from the first covering attachment side. The second attachment side may include a second vertical face to abut the edge of the other floor covering. The length or height of the second vertical face may be different from the length of height of the first vertical wall, and will generally be the same as, or less than, the thickness or height of the other floor covering material. The second vertical face may extend downwardly from the second edge of the top surface.
The upper surface of the molding section may be of various configurations, depending on the adjacent floor coverings, and the aesthetic appearance desired. For example, the surface may have an upwardly curved or convex profile. Alternatively, the upper surface can include a horizontal center section, a first outer section extending outwardly and downwardly from one side of the center section to the first edge, and a second outer section extending outwardly and downwardly from the other side of the center section to the second edge.
The molding strip is releasibly attached to the floor with a mounting strip that includes a trough for receiving a part of the molding strip. For example, the mounting track can include a horizontal base with outer parallel edges, and arms extending upwardly from the base edges. The arms are preferably flexible and inclined slightly inwardly, e.g., at up to about a 10° from vertical, when in the unflexed state.
When a portion of the molding strip is inserted between the arms, the arms are flexed outwardly, thereby exerting pressure against the sides of the inserted molding strip portion to secure the molding strip in po
Jones Roger C.
Nelson Richard C.
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