Joint concealing moulding

The subject of the invention is a cover strip or a threshold strip covering the joint of floor or wall elements. The subject of the invention is in particular a cover strip having a cover part which is snap-fastened to the base part.

A number of sill cover strips are known which include a screening portion coupled to the base portion by means of a supplementary rib system, for example of the Christmas tree type. These types of systems are, in most cases, non-detachable, which means that if the sill has to be removed, it is necessary to tear off the covering part, which destroys the complementary grooves, making them useless. Sometimes the base part is deformable. In this case, the yield point of the material from which the part is made (usually aluminum) is quickly reached, making it impossible to reuse the element.

Moreover, the floor is rarely smooth. Therefore, the covering part has to be countersunk to different depths at the two ends of the slat. The ribs of the cover part thus intersect the grooves of the base part. The clamping force of the cover part is therefore considerably lowered.

In order to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages, it has been proposed to arrange intermediate elements made of plastic between the base and the covering parts, in order to fix these parts in a point-like manner. The intermediate pieces are mounted in advance on the base part. An example of such a solution is described in European patent application 0,997,592 filed by the applicant of this application.

The problem that remains with the conventional solution is that the intermediate members do not provide optimal horizontal fixation of the screening portion. In particular, this solution is unsuitable for rounded edges of stair steps.

Document DE-U-299 19 138 describes an assembly comprising intermediate elements fitted in the longitudinal grooves of the base part, and the grooves of the cover part are mounted on the adapter heads or vice-versa. Such intermediate elements do not allow the screening part to be embedded in the base part, which is disadvantageous from the point of view of the vertical dimensions of the assembly, and it makes it impossible to adjust it so that it is possible to cover elements of small thickness. Moreover, these elements do not allow any cooperation between the intermediate element and the screening part, so that the forces on the latter increase the fixing force of the elements.

Document EP-A-1, 020, 590 describes a further unit using intermediate members, in which the intermediate members are adapted to be fitted in the longitudinal grooves of the base part and the adapter channels are mounted on the adapter head. Such intermediate elements cannot be snap-fastened to the cover part, but must be fastened in its recess from the end, which is disadvantageous from the point of view of assembly. Moreover, as in the previous document, the cover part is not embedded in the base part and there is no cooperation between the intermediate piece and the screening part so that the forces on the latter increase the fixing force.

Document DE-U-295 08 050 describes a decorative strip assembly consisting of intermediate elements interposed between the groove of the base parts and the head of the cover part, in which the U-shaped intermediate elements, point-mounted recesses on the bottom, receive the heads of the parts covering. Such intermediate elements do not allow to adjust the inclination of the covering part. Moreover, they do not allow the adjustment of the intermediate elements in the base part or the pre-adjustment of the elements of the cover part.

The object of the present invention is to propose a new cover bar or sill bar system which overcomes one of the disadvantages of the systems known hitherto. In particular, it is an object of the invention to propose intermediate elements which make it possible to adjust the inclination of the screening part with respect to the base part without reducing the mechanical strength (resistance to transverse stresses).

It is also an object of the invention to propose a solution that allows good fixing while allowing the disassembly of elements without destroying their parts.

It is also an object of the invention to propose a solution that would automatically adjust to the height of the coverage.

It is also an object of the invention to facilitate the assembly of the cover strip, in particular to allow the pre-positioning of the intermediate elements on the cover portion.

PL 201 018 B1

The cover strip according to the invention comprises:

base part mounted on the ground;

the covering part; and at least one intermediate piece, shorter than the length of the cover strip, adapted to snap-fit ​​the cover part;

the intermediate piece having a recess for receiving the head of the longitudinal groove of the cover part, further having on both sides of a plane passing through the opening allowing access to the recess, at least one outer notch engaging by a latch of complementary shapes, means in the longitudinal groove of the base part, and at least one inner tab for fixing the said head in an intermediate element, the depth of the groove is greater than the height of the intermediate piece, which makes it possible to adjust the height of the cover strip.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said groove comprises longitudinal slots in two opposite walls, and the intermediate piece comprises at least two outer notches intended to cooperate with said slots, and the cross-section of the grooves of the groove conforms to the cross-section of the outer notches of the intermediate piece.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the number of grooves in the groove of the base part is selected according to the required range of adjustment of the distance between the base part and the screening part, the groove walls being parallel at least over the required range of adjustment.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal groove of the screening part has, in cross-section, a Christmas tree shape with a head provided with at least two double teeth and a straight leg connecting it to the upper strip.

The invention also relates to a cover part fastening element, including a groove adapted to be snapped into that element, provided on a base part, which includes a groove for receiving this element, the fastening element being characterized in that it has a recess and comprises, on both sides, a plane passing through it. through an opening for access to the recess, at least one, preferably at least two, outer notches and at least one inner tab.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fastener has a symmetry plane through the aperture and at least one projection that partially encloses the recess and a rib that protrudes less than the tab protrudes from two opposing internal surfaces.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate member comprises at least two notches protruding from each of its two opposite outer surfaces.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the element comprises an elasticizing notch opposite the opening of the cavity.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the element is made of a plastic material with a hardness between 104 and 120 Shora D, determined by the AST MD 85 method.

The subject of the invention is shown in a preferred embodiment in the drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a threshold strip or a covering strip according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross section of an adapter according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figs. 3A and 3D show, in partial cross-sections, a method of securing a screening part to a base part by means of intermediate elements according to the invention; and fig. 4 and 5 show, in partial cross-sections, two examples of the end position of the intermediate elements according to the invention with respect to the base part and the screening part to which they are attached.

In the various figures, the same elements have been denoted with the same reference numerals. For the sake of clarity, it has been assumed that the main direction of the section will be called longitudinal, the direction perpendicular to it will be called transverse, and the direction perpendicular to the plane of the base (floor or wall) of the cover strip will be called vertical. Likewise, surfaces or elements of individual parts which face or face an element of another part will be called internal elements, and surfaces or elements which face outwards of the cover strip will be called external. Moreover, the terms top and bottom of the elements will refer to the horizontal position of the cover strip (when it is placed on the floor).

PL 201 018 B1

Fig. 1 shows a partially cut-away perspective view of an embodiment of a covering bar or sill bar according to the present invention. The cover strip consists of a base part 1 intended to be mounted on a substrate, essentially a floor or a wall, a cover part 2 intended to be attached to a base part 1 to mask at least the edge of the floor or wall covering (not shown in Fig. 1) and of at least one intermediate fastening element 3. According to the invention, each element 3 is adapted to snap-fit ​​the inner longitudinal groove 21 of the cover part 2 on the head 211, and then snap-fit ​​into the inner longitudinal groove 11 of the base part 1.

One of the features of the invention is the use of intermediate elements 3 made of hard plastic, for rigidly fixing the screening part 2 to the base part 1, while maintaining a certain flexibility needed for fixing the elements, resulting from the shape of the element. According to the invention, the intermediate piece or the intermediate pieces are made of a material hard enough not to be damaged by the forces applied to the screening part 2 during assembly and during use.

Thus, unlike the intermediate pieces made of rubber or soft plastic, which could have caused the key 21 of the cover part 2 to jam in the groove 11 of the base part 1 due to crushing or squeezing of the intermediate piece, the invention introduces a rigid fastening. One of its advantages is the elimination of the play resulting from deformation of the rubber while maintaining the play inside the intermediate piece, which will be explained later in this document. This play causes the screening portion to yield and return when walked on, without prejudice to its fixation and positioning. There is vertical and horizontal play in the slat according to the invention.

The base part 2 of the cover strip according to the invention comprises a base 12 which is substantially flat and intended to be laid on a floor or a wall (not shown). The base 12 is attached to the substrate by conventional techniques, for example by means of screws 4 extending through it. The groove 11 projects towards the inside of the base part (towards the part 2). The groove is formed by two approximately and preferably vertical (perpendicular to the plane of the base 12) longitudinal walls 111 and 112.

In the embodiment shown, one of the walls (wall 111) is at the end of the base 12. This allows for a simple, standard base, irrespective of whether the cover strip is provided on one part of the covering or at the junction of two identical or different surfaces. parts. However, the base 12 may protrude from both sides of the groove 11. Typically, the groove 11 is higher than the base 12, which improves the fixation of the base part 1 and allows it to be screwed outside the groove.

The cover portion 2 of a cover strip according to the invention comprises a strip 22 overlapping the cover (s) and an approximately and preferably vertical single groove 21. In the example of Fig. 1, strip 22 is flat and horizontal, and the groove 21 is perpendicular to the strip 22. The groove 21 comprises a straight member 212 connecting the head 211 to the inner surface of the bar 22. The shape and size of the bar 22 depends essentially on the type of edge of the covered covering. The head 211 of the screening portion according to the invention is "Christmas tree or equivalent" shape and comprises at least two teeth on each side of the element 212 which lies in the symmetry plane of the groove 21. The two outermost teeth together form the first double tooth 213. The next two teeth form the second double tooth 214 .

The intermediate elements 3 intended for fastening the screening part 2 to the base part 1 preferably have a uniform cross-section over at least most of their length. These are, for example, sections cut from longer elements made of plastic. The length of the elements 3 is relatively small (for example 1 to 5 cm) compared to the minimum length of the cover strip (generally more than 50 cm).

A preferred embodiment of the intermediate piece 3 according to the invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 2, which shows a cross-section thereof, and FIGS. 3A to 3D, which show, in partial cross-sections, the assembly of the covering strip according to the invention.

In the exemplary figures the element 3 has the general shape of a hollow cylinder in the cavity 31 of which the head 211 of the key 21 of the cover part is received. The element 3 has, like the key 21, a vertical symmetry plane. The element 3 has an opening 32 in its upper part for securing the groove 21 via its head 211. The opening 32 is delimited by the edges 33.

PL 201 018 B1

Beginning at the opening 32 and going down towards the bottom 34 of the recess 31, the interior includes on each side an approximately horizontal, partially enclosing tab 35 followed by a rib 36. The edges 33, tabs 35 and ribs 36 extend inwardly at the same time. where the tabs 35 protrude more than the ribs 36. Outwardly, the element 3 has, at its widest portion (approximately halfway up in the case of a substantially circular cross-section), on each side at least one outwardly projecting notch 37 (preferably two). The notches 37 or similar are intended to cooperate with the grooves 113 (Fig. 2) having a shape corresponding to the ribs provided on the inner surfaces of the walls 111 and 112 of the groove 11 of the base part 1. The element 3 has an outer recess 38 on the bottom.

When assembling the assembly, the element 3 is first (Fig. 3A) seated on the head 211 of the groove 21. This connection consists in pushing the ends of the double teeth 213 through the edges 33. The edges 33 or other similar forms temporarily hold the head 211 during assembly, the distance between the two edges is slightly smaller than the width of double tooth 213.

Then the part 2 is pressed more strongly against the element 3 (Figs. 3B and 3C). The lateral resilience due to the shape of the element, increased by the local weaknesses (notches 38) on the underside of the element 3, allows it to "open and push the double teeth 213 (Fig. 3B) through the narrower part formed by the locking tabs 35. The length of the tabs 35 gives them some flexibility. for easy pushing. The double tooth 214 is then located between the edges 33 and the tabs 35. The insertion continues (Fig. 3C) until the end of the double tooth 213 is between the ribs 36 and the bottom 34 of the cavity 31 The double tooth 214 is then positioned between the projections 35 and the ribs 36. The element 3 has therefore been pre-positioned on the covering part. It should be considered that tabs 35 or other similar forms retain the head 211 within the element 3, while the ribs 36 or their equivalents act as locating the head 211.

When all elements 3 have been pre-positioned, the whole is placed in the groove 11 (Fig. 3D) of the base part. It is assumed that the base part was attached to the ground earlier. Centering is achieved automatically by using a suitable outer shape (round or with chamfered corners) of the bottoms of the elements 3. The insertion of each element 3 and snapping it into the groove 11 is made by force. The slight play between the head 211 in the cavity 31 (in particular between the double teeth 214 and the protrusions 35 and ribs 36), combined with the transverse elasticity reinforced by the notches 38, causes the element 3 to close slightly, facilitating the passage of the slots 113 through the notches 37.

Thereby, there is no risk of the walls 111 and 112 of the groove 11 breaking due to their excessive flare, which avoids oversizing the wall thickness when calculating their mechanical strength.

The elements 3 may have at one of their respective ends at least one pin or its equivalent acting as a stop, which, however, does not prevent the elements from being moved manually over the screening portion to facilitate its adjustment.

The depression of the assembly formed by the cover part and the intermediate elements depends on the height of the cover. The height of the cover strip is automatically adjusted. Moreover, since the intermediate pieces are relatively short in length, the discontinuity obtained in the length of the cover strip allows automatic adjustment according to the height changes occurring along this length. The number of slots 113 of the base part 1, which is greater than the number of outer notches 37 of the intermediate elements 3, affects the adjustment range.

The number of notches 37 depends on their cross-section and on the required adjustment range of the depth of fastening of the element 3 in the groove 11. For a given notch cross-section, the greater the number of notches 37, the greater the height of the element 3 and the smaller the depth adjustment range at a given depth. of groove 11. Preferably, the height of element 3 corresponds to approximately half the depth of groove 11.

The number of double teeth of head 211 and their size depend on the internal shape of the elements 3. In particular, the height of the tabs 35 and ribs 36 and the vertical distance therebetween depend on the height of the double teeth 213 and 214 and the vertical distance therebetween. Preferably, the head 211 fits in cross-section into a rectangle whose height is less than its width. This fact, together with the difference in length (cross-section in the horizontal direction) between the protrusions 35 and the ribs 36, increases the positioning ability inside the cavity 31. The width of the recess 31 between the protrusions 35 and the ribs 36 is slightly greater than

The width of the double teeth 213 and 214. Likewise, the dimensions of the recess 31 below the ribs 36 are so matched that the end of the double tooth 213 therein leaves little play.

Figures 4 and 5 show partial cross-sections of two examples of corresponding end positions of the covering strip elements according to the invention.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the element 3 is arranged horizontally in the groove 11, i.e. the notches 37 are seated in the slots 113 at the same level. The small play that the head 211 has in the recess 31 and the flexibility of the protrusions 35 make it possible to achieve an automatic adjustment of the horizontal position of the screening part. However, such adjustment is limited to a slight tilt (a few degrees at most).

If a greater slope is required, this can be achieved by inserting the connector of the base part rather than the connector of the shroud part. As shown in Fig. 5, when the assembly formed by the cover part and the intermediate elements is pressed into the groove 11, the element 3 is not horizontal. Notches 31 at the same level are embedded in slots 113 of different levels. The inclination of the element 3 tilts the vertical groove leg of the covering part. In view of the functions which have just been described, the number of notches 37 is preferably limited to two.

Preferably, the cross section of the free ends of the tabs 35, ribs 36, edges 33 and notches 37 of element 3 is approximately circular. It is also possible to use other sections (pointed, square and the like). However, the circular cross-sectional shape has certain advantages with regard to the ease of seating the key 21 of the screening portion and its rotation when adjusting the tilt.

In a particular embodiment, for a groove 11 with a width (measured between the ends of two facing slots 113) of 6.5 mm, a piece 3 is used with a maximum overall width (measured between the free ends of two opposing notches 37) of 6 , 5 mm and a height of approximately 5.5 mm. The head 211 then preferably has a width of 3 mm by a height of about 2 mm (1 mm per double tooth). The groove 11 may have a depth (height) between 7 and 20 mm.

In the event of an upward force attempting to tear off the covering portion of the mounted cover strip, the double teeth 214 tend to deflect the protrusions 35, which presses against the transverse walls of the groove and strengthens the seizure of the base part 1. The cover strip according to the invention can, however, be removed by hand. without risk of damaging the base part and the covering part. Above a predetermined tear-off force, the tabs 35 will bend upwards and gradually release the double tooth 214 and then the double tooth 213. The cover part can therefore be removed from the intermediate elements that remain in the base part 1. Optionally, the cover part can also be rotated relative to the base part by means of a blade inserted between the covering and the covering part. The fastening strength of the screening part depends essentially on the number of intermediate elements per unit length of the screening part and on the length of these elements. In order to take the intermediate elements 3 out successively from the base part 1 (which is necessary if the base part needs to be reused), the two sides of each intermediate element 3 are bent to each other, for example by means of an edge-bending blade 33, until the notches are 37 will be released from slots 113, with indentations 38 allowing deformation of the elements. In the worst case, in the event of careless dismantling, the intermediate elements 3 are destroyed and in the new assembly they have to be replaced with new elements.

One of the advantages of the invention is that it allows the cover part to be easily mounted on the base part. In particular, the invention allows the intermediate elements to be pre-positioned on the screening portion.

A further advantage of the invention is the fact that, by using appropriately shaped intermediate elements, the manufacturing tolerances of the primary and covering parts are compensated. These parts are often made of aluminum, and the use of intermediate parts made of plastic (e.g. PVC, polyamide, etc.) reduces the play between the parts.

A further advantage of the invention is that the play is minimized with the hardness of the intermediate pieces. When measured by the AST MD 85 method, it is between 104 and 120 Shor D.

Another advantage of the invention for the embodiment in which the number of slots 113 of the base part is greater than the number of outer notches 37 of the intermediate piece is the fact that, regardless of the depth of insertion of the intermediate pieces, when the notches 37 are inserted into the slots 113 of the piece base part, the mechanical strength of the base part (holding force) remains constant.

The invention is suitable for use in series production, allowing the standardization of a maximum number of components. In particular, the heads 211 of the screening part, the intermediate pieces 3, and the width of the grooves 11 of the base part and the corresponding slots 113, or even complete base parts can be standard. The height of the grooves 21 of the cover parts and the shape of the slats 22, on the other hand, are adapted to the type of covering. Therefore, the invention is also suitable for use with the edges of steps of a staircase.

In the case where the covering has some vertical resilience (for example due to the use of a foam layer in the case of a laminated floor, or because of the nature and thickness of the floor covering used), this resilience is used to improve the fixation of the screening portion. As the cover portion is pressed against the base, the applied pressure tends to compress the cover. When this pressure is removed, the covering exerts a vertical force which is converted into a shear force by the element 3, improving the seizing in the groove 11.

The present invention includes all sorts of alternative versions and modifications that are apparent to those skilled in the art. In particular, the dimensions given for example purposes may be varied depending on the application in keeping with the functional recommendations mentioned above.

In particular, in a simplified embodiment, it is possible to introduce in the intermediate piece a single tab protruding from each of its two inner walls, and even such tab performs the same function as the tab called temporarily fastening, allowing for lateral movement inside the base portion. Moreover, while it is preferred to provide two outer notches on each side of the adapter, it is also possible to provide one notch on each side.

Moreover, the intermediate elements may have a shape other than cylindrical. They may also be U-shaped cross-section elements. However, the approximately circular cross-sectional shape facilitates rotation of the element. It also makes it easier to keep the minimum distance between the free end of the head 211 and the bottom 34 of the element 3, which has the effect of minimizing the height of the element 3 and thus optimizing the possible height adjustment of the cover strip. Such a solution also makes it easier to obtain the effect of jamming the element in the base part when bending the tabs.

The walls 111 and 112 of the base part 1 in practice need not necessarily be vertical. They must, however, be parallel to each other for at least the part of their length which has slots 113 as means of adjusting the height. Likewise, the depth of the groove may be less than the height of the base portion as long as it is greater than the height of the intermediate members, making it possible to adjust the height by adjusting the seat depth in the base portion.