DE102022106038A1 - Bottom end profile - Google Patents

Abstract

The description refers to profile strips for floor finishes. The profile strip includes a cover section 10, a wall section 20 and a clamping section. The cover section 10 is arranged in the upper region of the wall section and the clamping section is arranged at a lower section of the wall section. The clamping section has a first clamping lip 32 and at least one second clamping lip 34.

Description

This description refers to floor end strips or floor end profiles which close off a floor.

End strips for floors are well known. For visual and functional reasons, floor trim strips are often desired that do not protrude above the floor covering, or only protrude slightly.

The floor trim strips should also be easy and quick to install, although the gap between the floor covering and the wall can vary greatly.

From the EP 2202872 A1 There is a known end strip that can be clamped between the floor covering and the wall. However, known arrangements do not have a secure fit when the distances between floor and wall vary.

There is therefore a need for improved floor trim strips.

Summary of the invention

The present description proposes a floor finishing profile or a profile strip for a floor finishing according to independent claim 1.

In one aspect, the profile strip includes a cover section, a wall section and a clamp section. The cover section is arranged in the upper region of the wall section and the clamping section is arranged at a lower section of the wall section. The clamping section has a first clamping lip and at least one second clamping lip.

Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

Character description

• 1a eine Seitenansicht einer Bodenabschlussleiste ;
• 1b einen Querschnitt durch eine alternative Bodenabschlussleiste; unnd
• 2a bis c dem Querschnitt entsprechende Seitenansichten einer Bodenabschlussleiste mit verschiedenen Abständen zwischen Boden und Wand.

The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, which is made with reference to the figures showing:

• 1a a side view of a floor trim strip;
• 1b a cross section through an alternative floor trim strip; andnd
• 2a until c Side views of a floor trim strip corresponding to the cross section with different distances between floor and wall.

Detailed description

In the following detailed description of the invention, examples are provided which illustrate aspects and implementations of the invention by way of example only and which are not limiting. To implement the invention, it is not necessary to use all of the features presented with reference to one or more examples. Rather, one skilled in the art will recognize that various features may be omitted or substituted for others without departing from the invention.

The terms “above”, “above”, “below” and “below” are used here in reference to the intended installation position. Likewise, the information “wall side” and “floor side” refer to the alignment in the installation position intended for the profile, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

The present disclosure describes a floor trim for placement between a floor structure and a wall. The floor end strip is a profile strip that is designed to be clamped into an edge joint as a gap between the floor structure and the wall. The profile strip can also be referred to as a floor end profile. The floor end profile can be provided in any length. The following description mainly refers to the cross section of the profile and the arrangement of the profile in the edge joint. For the sake of simplicity, the edge joint is also referred to below as a joint.

The floor structure can be a wooden floor, a parquet floor, a plastic floor, a tiled floor or any other solid floor. The floor can have a single-layer or a multi-layer structure, which can be laid and constructed in the usual way. When laying, a gap of around 10 mm wide remains between the wall and the edge of the floor; 3 mm to 7 mm is usual here. The greatest possible tolerance should be made possible for this joint in order to enable the floor structure to be laid easily and quickly. The joint can be only a few millimeters wide or significantly more than 10 mm. Depending on the construction method, the width of the joints along the same wall can also vary greatly. In addition, the joint should compensate for different expansions due to changes in humidity and/or temperature.

In order to cover the remaining joint and at the same time allow the floor to expand and contract, a baseboard is often installed above the joint to cover it. However, there is a desire for a floor finish that is as level as possible. Flexible strips and profiles can be clamped into the joint between the wall and the floor. Such floor trim strips can also be additionally attached to the joint using glue, screws or other fasteners. However, the use of any fasteners requires additional material and/or labor during installation. Clamping without additional fastening is therefore preferred.

The present disclosure describes a profile strip for a floor wall finish, also referred to as a floor finish strip or a floor finish profile. The profile strip comprises a cover section, a wall section and a clamping section, the cover section being arranged in the upper region of the wall section and the clamping section being arranged on a lower section of the wall section. The cover section serves to complete the joint between the wall and the floor. The wall section is designed to be arranged on the wall side and to support the profile strips on the wall. The clamping section creates a clamping or clamping force of the profile between the floor and the wall. For this purpose, the clamping section can be elastically deformable. The clamping section has a first clamping lip and at least one second clamping lip.

The first clamping lip and the second clamping lip can have a different length. This means that the clamping lips can provide secure clamping over a larger range of joint widths.

In particular, the first clamping lip can be arranged below the second clamping lip, with the first clamping lip being shorter than the second clamping lip.

In an example of the profile strip, the first clamping lip and the second clamping lip can have essentially the same thickness. The same strength may include the same thickness and/or the same elasticity, or a combination thereof. This simplifies production.

The distal, bottom ends of the first and/or the second clamping lip can be tapered, for example upwards. In the installed, curved state, a contact surface can be provided for contact with the edge or end of the floor.

In the idle state, in one example, the first clamping lip and the second clamping lip can be essentially straight, i.e. not curved. The idle state is the state before installation. However, it can also be provided that the first and/or the second clamping lip is curved or pre-bent in order to better adjust the clamping tension.

In one example, the first clamping lip and the second clamping lip may be arranged at an angle to one another that is greater than 2° and less than 35°.

In one example, an angle between the first clamping lip and the wall section can be larger than an angle between the second clamping lip and the wall section.

In one example, the wall portion may have a greater material thickness than at least one of the first clamping lip and the second clamping lip. This results in greater strength of the profile strip, with the clamping lips being sufficiently flexible and deformable.

In a further example, the wall section can have at least one wall support elevation on the wall side. The wall support elevation can be formed as friction knobs and/or friction grooves. The wall support elevation is designed to increase the friction on the wall and to prevent the profile strip from rubbing against the wall.

In a further example, the profile strip can comprise a wall-side nose, the wall-side nose being flexible. The wall-side nose is designed to rest against the wall. The flexible wall-side nose can nestle against the wall and compensate for irregularities in the wall.

Examples of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. The 1a shows an example of a profile strip which is designed to be arranged in a joint between a floor and a wall. The profile strip can also be referred to as a floor end strip. The floor trim can be used instead of a skirting board or underneath a skirting board. The profile strip has a cover section 10, a wall section 20 and a clamping section. In the example shown, the cover section 10, the wall section 20 and the clamping section are formed in one piece from the same material. However, it is also possible to form the profile strip from a mix of materials or from several elements assembled together.

The material of the profile strip is elastic. The material may include rubber or a rubber mixture. If rubber is used, a hardness of 50 - 70 Shore has proven to be good. The hardness However, the degree can be adjusted or varied by an expert if there are modifications to the material, material thickness and structure.

The wall section 20 is designed to be inserted into the joint between the wall and the floor structure, with the wall section running essentially parallel to the wall. The wall section 20 is designed to be inserted far into the joint and has a height that can be adapted to the height of the floor structure. Typically the height is in the range of 3mm to 20mm. The profile has flexibility in the longitudinal direction, so that the profile can adapt to irregularities along the wall and makes laying easier. The profile is less deformable in depth or height. For this purpose, a material thickness of the wall section of approximately 0.5 mm to 10 mm has proven useful. This means that the bottom edge strip can be easily rolled for transport.

The cover section 10 is connected to the wall section 20 at an upper section or in the upper area or merges into it. The cover section 10 covers the joint between the wall and the floor surface and has an upper cover surface 11 which remains visible in many applications. It can therefore be provided that the top surface is provided with a decorative layer, a film or a coating or that it is designed or colored in a desired color. The cover section 10 can also have a wall nose 12. The wall nose 12 can be flexible and adapt to the shape of the wall, so that the wall nose 12 rests against the wall over the entire length of the profile. This means that unevenness and irregularities in the wall can be easily leveled out. The cover section 10 can have the lowest possible thickness, which provides sufficient stability, but on the other hand adds as little bulk as possible in order to provide an inconspicuous and flat finish to the floor. Example material thicknesses are in the range from 0.5 to 10 mm. The thickness can be constant across the entire width or taper towards the floor side.

The cover section 10 has a width from the wall side to the floor that is sufficient to completely cover the joint. It is advantageous if the cover section 10 has a greater width and covers the floor by a few millimeters. This allows a good seal to be achieved. A support on the floor also supports the locking of the profile in the joint. Advantageous widths are in the range from 5 mm to 30 mm. However, the width can also be adjusted depending on design requirements and tolerance on the joint width.

The cover section 10 can remain as a visible finish. It can also be provided to provide fastening devices for skirting boards, decorative elements or other things on the deck section 10. This means that additional elements can be easily attached to the profile strip.

In the example shown, the clamping section is arranged on the underside of the wall section 20. The clamping section can also be arranged further up on the wall section 20. In the example shown, the clamping section comprises a lower clamping lip 32 and a second, upper clamping lip 34. In principle, further clamping lips can also be provided.

The clamping lips are designed to clamp in the joint between the wall and the floor structure to give the profile a hold. For this purpose, the clamping lips 32, 34 can be bent along their width from the wall side to the floor side. In the example shown, the necessary flexibility is achieved through a smaller material thickness on the clamping lips. For example, the material thickness of the clamping lips 32, 34 can be less than half the thickness of the wall section 20. The material thickness of the clamping lips 32, 34 can be in the range of a few millimeters, for example in the range of 0.4 to 5 mm. The material thickness of the first clamping lip 32 and the second clamping lip can be chosen to be the same. In another example, the material thickness of the first clamping lip 32 and the second clamping lip can also be chosen to be different in order to adapt the clamping force. Alternatively or in addition to adjusting the material thickness, the material hardness and/or the material composition can also be adjusted. The inventors have found that two clamping lips, arranged in the lower area of the profile, ensure a significantly better locking of the profile in the joint.

The first, lower clamping lip 32 has a smaller width between the wall section and the floor side than the second, upper clamping lip 34. The different widths enable better adjustment and clamping in different joint widths. So that we can use the profile more flexibly. The good clamping is maintained over a wide joint area and allows higher tolerances and compensation for larger irregularities in the wall. The width of the lower clamping lip 32 can be 50 to 80% of the width of the upper clamping lip 34. For example, the lower lip can have a width of 3 to 7 mm from the wall side to the floor side and the upper clamping lip 34 can have a width of 5 to 10 mm.

When the profile is inserted into the joint, the upper clamping lip 34 and, depending on the width of the joint, the lower clamping lip 32 are deformed. The clamping lips are bent upwards by the friction on the floor structure. Bending up counteracts upward movement of the profile and contributes to secure locking in the joint. When the profile moves upwards, the respective clamping lip cannot deform but is compressed, which counteracts the movement. By using two clamping lips of different widths, this effect is ensured over a wide joint area. The upper, wider clamping lip 34 clamps in wider joints or joint areas for which the lower clamping lip 32 is not wide enough. In contrast, the lower clamping lip 32 can ensure the clamping function in narrower joints or joint areas in which the wider upper clamping lip is already bent or curved too far. The interaction of both clamping lips results in an expanded range of applications and more reliable clamping in the joint.

The above-mentioned clamping effect is favored if the lower clamping lip 32 and upper clamping lip 34 do not meet the floor structure perpendicularly, but at an angle of less than 90°. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the clamping lips are arranged at an angle of less than 90° to the wall section 20 over significant portions of their width. It is advantageous if 50% or more, better 65% or more, of the width is at an angle of less than 90° to the wall section 20. This further increases the range of usable joint widths. The angle that the lower clamping lip 32 and/or the upper clamping lip 34 form with the wall section 20 can be in the range of 70° to 89°. In an example not shown, the lower clamping lip 32 and/or the upper clamping lip 34 may be arranged at an angle of 90° on the wall section and have an upward curvature.

It can also be provided that the lower clamping lip 32 and the upper clamping lip have a different angle to the wall section 20. In particular, as in the example shown, the angle between the wall section and the lower clamping lip 32 can be larger than the angle between the wall section 20 and the upper clamping lip 34. The angle between the wall section 20 and the lower clamping lip 32 can be in the range from 80 to 89° and the angle between the wall section 20 and the upper clamping lip 34 can be in the range of 70° to 85°.

In another example, the lower clamping lip can also be arranged at an angle of 90° to the wall section and only the upper clamping lip is arranged at an angle of less than 90° to the wall section.

In other words, the widths of the lower clamping lip 32 and the upper clamping lip 34 are not parallel but at an angle to one another. An angle between the lower clamping lip 32 and upper clamping lip 34 in the range of 4° to 15° has proven useful. The lower and upper clamping lips 34 spread out towards the floor side.

The floor-side ends of the clamping lip 32, 34 can be specially shaped and, for example, have a bevel or taper on the underside. The clamping lips can taper like a wedge. This additionally promotes locking or wedging on the floor structure.

It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that additional clamping lips can be provided in addition to the two clamping lips shown.

In the assembled state, inserted between the wall and floor structure, the clamping lips 32, 34 exert a force between the floor and wall. The profile is pressed against the wall in the lower area. In order to prevent the profile from being unscrewed, the profile can provide devices on the wall side which prevent the profile from moving towards and/or along the wall. For this purpose, the profile of the present disclosure can have wall support elevations, via which the profile is supported on the wall. Friction can be increased in these areas, in the simplest case due to the reduced contact surface. In the example shown, the wall section 20 comprises a plurality of stacked grooves 22 which run along the length of the profile. These grooves 22 lie against the wall over long distances and counteract an upward movement of the profile.

In the example shown, the grooves 22 are distributed over the entire wall side of the wall section 20, but can also only be provided at certain points, for example in the lower area. Continuous grooves are comparatively cheap and easy to produce, but other geometric shapes can also be selected. It can also be provided that the grooves are not continuous in the longitudinal direction but are interrupted and/or that they are arranged offset from one another.

The 1b shows a variant of the profile 1a in cross section, with some features compared to the example of 1a are changed. Opposite the floor end strip 2 1a , has the bottom end strip 102 1b the wall section 120 has a greater wall thickness. This makes the wall section 20 and thus the bottom strip 102 stiffer, which results in greater mechanical stability in use. However, the material is less easy to roll and transport. In the example shown, the material thickness at the lower terminal strip connection 123, i.e. at the connection from the wall section 120 to the lower clamping section 132, is optionally less than the thickness of the wall section 120. This allows the elastic deformability of the lower clamping lip 132 to be influenced and adjusted.

Alternatively or additionally, the cover section 110 is arranged at an angle of less than 90°, for example between 85° and 89°, to the wall section 120. This means that a tighter seal can be achieved, for example with wavy or uneven floor coverings, since the tip section 113 first touches the floor covering when it is inserted into the joint and seals it off.

Alternatively or in addition to the angle, the radius at the transition between cover section 110 and wall section 120 can be chosen to be larger. This also allows greater rigidity to be achieved. This can be done independently or in combination with the increased wall thickness of the wall section 120

Only the essential changes compared to the example are described here 1a . Unless described or shown, other features are the same or similar to the example above. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that, in addition to the examples shown and described, further adjustments and modifications can be made.

The 2a until 2c show the bottom trim strip 2 of the 1a in the installed state between a wall 400 and a floor structure 301, 302, 303. The 2a , 2 B , and 2c differ in that the distance of the floor finish 331, 332, 333 from the wall is at different distances and therefore the joint width b1, b2, b3 is different.

The floor structure 301, 302, 303 is only shown schematically, since the structure of the floor 301, 302, 303 is not important and the floor end strip can be used with different floor structures. The floor structure 301, 302, 303 can consist of one or more layers and/or elements and have different heights. This is not shown here. It also becomes clear that the depth of the joint is not important and the floor edging strip described here can be used with floor structures of different heights.

In the 2a the distance b1 between the lateral bottom end 331 of the floor structure 301 and the wall 400 is relatively wide, but the cover section 10 completely covers the joint. The upper clamping lip 34 is bent upwards as when inserted into the joint and lies against the side bottom end 331. In this arrangement, the taper lies at the bottom end of the upper clamping lip 34 on the bottom end 332. As a result, the upper clamping lip 34 wedges the bottom end strip 2 and counteracts movement of the bottom end strip 2 out of the joint. In addition, the elastic deformation of the upper clamping lip 34 presses the floor end strip 2 with the wall section against the wall 400, so that the floor end strip 2 cannot rotate out of the joint. The distance b1 is greater than the length of the lower clamping lip 32, so that the lower clamping lip 32 has no contact with the bottom end 331 and projects freely into the joint here. The significantly longer upper clamping lip 34 takes over the clamping task and holds the bottom end strip 2 in the joint.

In the 2 B the distance b2 between the bottom end 332 and the wall 400 is less than the corresponding distance b1 1a . As a result, the upper clamping lip 34 is bent further. The taper at the bottom end of the upper clamping lip 34 is no longer flat on the bottom end 333, but also counteracts an upward movement of the clamping lip 34 and thus the bottom end strip 2 and ensures a good fit of the bottom end strip in the joint 2. However, here too the distance b2 is so far that the lower clamping lip 32 has no contact with the bottom end 331 and protrudes freely into the joint here.

At a small distance b3, as in 2c shown, the upper clamping lip 34 is bent upwards so far that its underside essentially rests against the bottom end 333. The distance b3 is less than the length of the lower clamping lip 32 and the flexible lower clamping lip 32 is bent upwards with its bottom-side distal end during installation and thus clamps the bottom end strip 2. The lower clamping lip 32 takes over the main part of the clamping effect here. The taper of the lower clamping lip 32 lies against the bottom end 333 and counteracts upward movement.

This means that the floor end strip can be securely clamped in the joint over a wide range of joint widths. The floor finish shown and described here The strip is designed to be self-clamping and inserted into the joint without further fastening. Installation can be carried out without tools by simply pressing it into the joint. Additional fixation using screws, adhesives or other fasteners is not necessary, which makes installation cheaper and faster.

A specialist will adapt the parameters of the floor edge strip to different situations and, for example, adjust the length of the clamping lips and, if necessary, the choice of material and/or thickness in order to achieve sufficient clamping for different joint widths. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that, in addition to the examples shown and described, further adjustments and modifications can be made.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 2202872 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Profile strip (2, 102) for a floor wall finish, comprising: - a deck section (10, 110) - a wall section (20, 120), and - a clamping section, the cover section (10, 110) being arranged in the upper region of the wall section (20, 120), the clamping section being arranged on a lower section of the wall section (20, 120) and the clamping section having a first clamping lip (32 , 132) and at least one second clamping lip (34, 134). Profile strip (2, 102) according to Claim 1 , wherein the first clamping lip (32, 132) and the second clamping lip (34, 134) have a different length. Profile strip (2, 102) according to Claim 2 , wherein the first clamping lip (32, 132) is arranged below the second clamping lip (34, 134) and wherein the first clamping lip (32, 132) is shorter than the second clamping lip (34, 134). Profile strip (2, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first clamping lip (32, 132) and the second clamping lip (34, 134) have essentially the same thickness. Profile strip (2, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first clamping lip (32, 132) and the second clamping lip (34, 134) are essentially straight in the rest state. Profile strip (2, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first clamping lip (32, 132) and the second clamping lip (34, 134) are arranged at an angle to one another which is greater than 2° and less than 35°. Profile strip (2, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an angle between the first clamping lip (32, 132) and the wall section is greater than an angle between the second clamping lip (34, 134) and the wall section. Profile strip (2, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall section (20, 120) has a greater material thickness than at least one of the first clamping section (32, 132) and the second clamping section (34, 134). Profile strip (2, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall section (20, 120) has at least one wall support elevation (22) on the wall side. Profile strip (2, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a wall-side nose (12), the wall-side nose being flexible.

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