Field of the Invention

[0001 ] This invention relates generally to a type of floating floor trim system.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Floor trims are essential components in interior design and flooring installations. They serve the purpose of concealing and protecting the edges of various types of floating flooring, including floorboards, tiles, carpets, and similar materials.

[0003] These trims are designed to provide a clean and polished appearance to the transitions between different types of flooring or between flooring and other surfaces, such as walls. They come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, allowing for flexibility in design and functionality.

[0004] By covering the exposed edges, floor trims not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the space but also safeguard the edges of the flooring, preventing potential damage and extending the longevity of the floors.

[0005] Some floor trims consist of a two-part assembly, with a cover piece that slots into a base rail securely affixed to the floor. The cover piece, often designed to complement the flooring material or the overall interior decor, serves as the visible element of the trim. This cover piece is specifically shaped and designed to neatly cover the exposed edges of the flooring, creating a smooth and visually appealing transition. On the other hand, the base rail, which is securely attached to the floor, acts as the support and anchoring structure for the cover piece. It not only provides stability but also ensures that the cover piece remains in place, preventing any movement or dislodging. This dual-component system not only enhances the aesthetics of the space by seamlessly blending the edges of the flooring but also offers practicality and durability, making it a vital part of flooring installations in both residential and commercial settings. [0006] The present invention seeks to provide a way to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[0007] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0008] There is provided herein a floating floor trim system that has a cover strip which includes a cover plate and an engagement rail designed to securely attach to a clip created by at least one base piece.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the floating floor trim system consists of multiple base pieces attached to the floor surface in alignment and wherein the cover strip extends across the plurality of base pieces.

[0010] For installation, the clips of the base pieces are aligned, and the cover strip extends between these base pieces, with each base piece only gripping the engagement rail at spaced sections. The base pieces may be spaced apart at 10-20 cm intervals for uniform securement.

[001 1 ] Using a plurality of separate base pieces that engage the cover strip offers several benefits over having a single base piece with the same length as the cover strip. Firstly, this modular approach provides greater flexibility in installation. The separate base pieces can be aligned and spaced as needed to accommodate irregular floor shapes, transitions, or obstacles, ensuring a more tailored and precise fit. This flexibility is particularly advantageous when dealing with non-standard room layouts. [0012] Secondly, the modularity of separate base pieces enhances the durability of the trim system. If one section experiences excessive wear or damage, it can be replaced individually without affecting the integrity of the entire trim. In contrast, a single, continuous base piece would require replacement of the entire length, which is more costly and time-consuming.

[0013] Furthermore, separate base pieces are more adaptable to expansion and contraction of the flooring material due to temperature and humidity changes. They allow for independent movement, reducing the risk of warping or buckling in the trim system, which can occur when using a single, rigid base piece.

[0014] The separate base pieces may furthermore facilitate storage and transportation as compared to continuous lengths.

[0015] Both the base pieces and the cover strip are typically made of extruded aluminium and are designed to interface with various types of floor coverings.

[0016] There are variations of the cover strip, including an end cover strip with one wider lateral side for replacement of conventional beading or scotia, a uniform cover strip with the same width on both sides, and an expansion cover strip with a wider cover plate for expansion and contraction tolerance.

[0017] The clip may define a channel between vertical walls, with an outer wall meeting the edge of the baseplate. This arrangement allows the baseplate to abut against edges of floor pieces. The engagement rail slots between the vertical walls to interlock mechanically. The upper faces of the walls are preferably inwardly slanted and may extend outwardly beyond the walls, creating a gap between them to accommodate misalignment during installation.

[0018] Inwardly slanted upper faces may lead to inner sharp edges, which are designed to hold the engagement rail in place but not too tightly that it cannot be disengaged. The engagement rail may feature smooth edged longitudinal undulations to facilitate repeated insertion and removal.

[0019] The clip's height can vary, with taller clips having an intervening web between the walls to maintain grip. There may also be variants of the cover strip with both straight and curved lateral portions for engaging different floor pieces.

[0020] Stair-nose embodiments have an edge overhang plate for interfacing with stair edges, and the clip is typically at the edge of the baseplate. The lower edge of the curved lateral portion preferably extends beneath the baseplate, and the edge overhang plate extends beyond the curved lateral portion's lower edge.

[0021 ] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] The figures in the provided text are described as follows:

[0024] Figure 1 shows a low-profile base piece of a floating floor trim system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0025] Figure 2 shows a high profile base piece of the system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 3 shows an end cover strip with one lateral side of the cover plate wider than the other;

[0027] Figure 4 shows a uniform cover strip with a cover plate of the same width on both sides of the engagement rail ;

[0028] Figure 5 shows an expansion cover strip with a wider cover plate, allowing for expansion and contraction tolerance;

[0029] Figure 6 shows a stair-nose variant of the cover piece with both a straight lateral portion and a curved lateral portion ;

[0030] Figures 7 and 8 show the stair-nose embodiment of the system, featuring a base piece with an edge overhang plate for interfacing with a stair edge;

[0031 ] Figure 9 shows the overall floating floor trim system with separate base pieces affixed to the floor surface in alignment wherein the cover strip extends between these base pieces; and

[0032] Figure 10 shoes illustrates the clip-in channel defined between a pair of vertical walls.

Description of Embodiments

[0033] Figure 9 shows a floating floor trim system 100 comprising at least one base piece 101 affixed to a floor surface 102.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the system 100 comprises a plurality of base pieces 101 affixed to the floor 102 in alignment. [0035] With reference to Figure 1 , the base piece 101 defines a baseplate 103 and a clip 104.

[0036] The system 100 further comprises a cover strip 105. With reference to Figure 3, the cover strip 105 defines a cover plate 106 and an engagement rail 107 which may be substantially perpendicular to the cover plate 106. The clip 104 defines a channel 123 and wherein the engagement rail 107 is configured to clip into the channel 123.

[0037] The base piece 101 and the cover strip 105 are preferably metallic and further preferably made from extruded aluminium.

[0038] The cover plate 106 defines an upper surface 1 10 which interfaces between floor coverings of the same or different type. For example, the cover plate 106 may interface an edge of a wooden floorboard and a carpet. The cover plate 106 may have friction formations thereon, such as longitudinal ridges according to the embodiment shown.

[0039] With reference to Figure 9, the clips 104 of the base pieces 101 are placed in alignment. As is shown in Figure 9, each clip 104 may be placed against an edge 108 of a floor cover piece 109 (such as a tile, board or the like).

[0040] As such, the cover strip 105 is configured to extend across and engage these separate base pieces 101 in alignment. In other words, each base piece 101 is much shorter than the cover piece 105 so that the base pieces 101 only grips the engagement rail 107 at spaced apart sections therealong.

[0041 ] The base pieces 101 may be spaced apart at between 10 - 20 cm centres to provide uniform securement along the cover piece 105. In embodiments, each base piece may be between 20 and 40 mm wide (along a longitudinal axis defined by the cover piece 105).

[0042] In alternative less preferred embodiments however, the base piece 101 may have the same length as that of the cover piece 105.

[0043] Figure 3 represents an end cover strip 105 characterised in that one lateral side of the cover plate 106 is wider as compared to the other. This end trim embodiment could be used for covering flooring expansion gaps as compared to conventional beading or scotia. Specifically, whereas a timber beading or scotia is commonly placed around skirting to cover an expansion gap, the end trim embodiment shown could be used instead wherein the cover plate 106 would cover the expansion gap without requiring unsightly beading. In a variant of the end cover strip 105, the cover plate 106 is right angled so that the cover plate 106 only extends to one side of the engagement rail 107.

[0044] Figure 4 represents a uniform cover strip 105 wherein the cover plate 106 has the same width on both sides of the engagement rail 106. Furthermore, whereas the cover plate 106 may be planar according to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the cover plate 106 of the embodiment of Figure 4 may be convex so that outer edges of the cover plate 106 press down hard against the floor cover to minimise catching edges.

[0045] Figure 5 represents an expansion cover strip 105 characterised in that the cover plate 106 is wider than the embodiment of Figure 3. This wider cover plate 106 may allow expansion and contraction tolerance thereunderneath. According to this embodiment, the cover plate 106 may be between approximately 20 and 40 mm wide. [0046] With reference to Figure 10, the channel 123 is defined between a pair of vertical walls 1 1 1 and wherein the engagement rail 107 is configured to slot into the channel 123 between the vertical walls 1 1 1 and mechanically interlock with the vertical walls 1 1 1 .

[0047] The walls 1 1 1 may comprise an outer wall 1 1 1 A and an inner wall 1 1 1 B. The outer wall 1 1 1 A may meet an edge 1 12 of the baseplate 103. As such, the clip 104 may be substantially at an edge of the baseplate 103 so that the base piece 101 can abut against edges 108 of floor covering pieces 109 in the manner shown in Figure 9. This configuration may be especially useful for interfacing rigid and soft floor coverings wherein, for example, wooden floorboards interface carpet and wherein it is undesirable to insert the baseplate 103 under the rigid floorboard but wherein the baseplate 103 can fit under the soft carpet. [0048] Upper ends of the walls 1 1 1 may define opposing inwardly slanted upper faces 1 13 which facilitate guiding a lower edge 1 14 of the engagement rail 107 into the channel 104.

[0049] Each inwardly slanted upper face 1 13 may be wider than the portion of wall 1 1 1 thereunderneath to define a gap between upper edges thereof which is wider than between inner faces of the walls 1 1 1 . This feature is especially useful wherein the individual base pieces 101 are not placed exactly in alignment during installation. [0050] It should be noted that proper alignment of the base pieces 101 may be achieved by temporarily inserting a ruler or other planar piece into the clips 104 of the base pieces 101 during the affixing of the base pieces 101. The base pieces 101 may be affixed by way of a screw fastener through the baseplate 103 or alternatively by way of adhesive applied under the base plate 103. Once the base pieces 101 are aligned, the temporary really may be removed and replaced by the cover strip 105.

[0051 ] Furthermore, the inwardly slanting upper faces may extend outwardly beyond the walls 1 1 1 to widen the gap for guidance of the engagement rail 107. More specifically, in a plane parallel with the baseplate 103, each inwardly slanted upper face 1 13 may extend beyond an outer face of a respective wall 1 1 1 as is illustrated in Figure 10.

[0052] The inwardly slanted upper faces 1 1 1 may lead to opposing inner sharp edges 1 15. Preferably, base piece 1 10 only defines a single pair of inner sharp edges 1 15 which are sufficient to hold the engagement rail 1 14 in place but not overly so to prevent disconnection of the cover strip 105 if required. Furthermore, a single pair of inner sharp edges 105 may allow for setting the cover strip 105 at an angle to account for uneven floor surfaces when interfacing floorcoverings of different thicknesses.

[0053] These inner sharp edges 1 15 preferably perpendicularly overhang interfaces a respective wall thereunderneath (i.e., are barb shaped in cross section) so that lesser force is required to insert the engagement rail 107 as compared to that which is required to remove the engagement rail 107.

[0054] With reference to Figure 3, the cross-section of the engagement rail 107 may define a plurality of smooth-edged longitudinal undulations 1 16 which are smooth on both upper and lower edges thereof. These undulations 1 16 interfere with the inner sharp edges 1 16 sufficiently told the cover piece 105 in place but are not sharp edged so that the engagement rail 107 can be inserted and removed repeatedly.

[0055] Figure 1 shows a low-profile base piece 106 as compared to the higher profile base piece of Figure 2. According to Figure 1 , the clip 104 may be between 5 - 8 mm tall whereas according to Figure 2, the clip 104 may be between 5 - 14 mm tall.

[0056] To maintain the grip of the taller clip 104, the clip 104 may comprise an intervening web 1 17 therebetween. The web 1 17 may be approximately halfway up between the walls 1 1 1 .

[0057] The intervening web 1 17 defines the channel 123 thereabove and a void 1 18 thereunderneath.

[0058] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a stair-nose embodiment of the system 100 wherein the base piece 101 further comprises an edge overhang plate 120 perpendicularly interfacing an edge of the baseplate 103 so that the baseplate 103 and the edge overhang plate 120 can interface an edge of a stair 1 19 with the clip 104 exposed on an upper surface of the baseplate 103.

[0059] Preferably the clip 104 is at an edge of the baseplate 103 to facilitate engagement of the cover piece 105 right at an edge of the stair 1 19. More specifically, the outer wall 1 1 1 of the clip 104 may be coplanar with the edge overhang plate 120. [0060] Figure 6 shows a variant of the cover strip 105 which has a cover plate 106 having a straight lateral portion 106A and a curved lateral portion 106B.

[0061 ] As is shown in Figure 8, the straight lateral portion 106A may engage a horizontal floor piece 109A on top of the stair 1 19 whereas the curved lateral portion 106B may engage a vertical floor piece 109B on a side of the stair 1 19.

[0062] According to the preferred configuration shown in Figure 8, a lower edge 121 of the curved lateral portion 106B may extend beneath the baseplate 103 and a lower edge 122 of the edge overhang plate 120 extends beyond the lower edge 121 of the lateral curved portion 106B.

[0063] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.