IE64426B1 - Decorative strip - Google Patents

Abstract

An extruded aluminium or plastic strip for use in separating surfaces of ceramic tiles, or similar, to provide a decorative effect comprises a hollow extrusion 1 comprising four sides 2 to 5. Opposite sides 3 and 5 have a height to approximately correspond to adjacent tiles (not shown); base 4 is serrated to provide a key for adhesive. Side 2 is shaped to provide a desired decorative effect and has a decorative finish applied thereto to provide a match with or contrast to the adjacent tiles. Base 4 may have a slot 7 to assist in keying to mortar or to receive a headed fastener.

Description

DECORATIVE STRIP This invention relates to a decorative strip for use in building work. The strip is mounted on a surface to provide a line of contrasting pattern and /or colour.

Such strips are already known, principally for use with ceramic wall and floor tiles, and are known in the trade as listellos, a name derived from their Italian origin. Most of the known product is manufactured, like the tiles with which they are intended to be associated, from ceramic material.

The problem with the ceramic product is that it is liable to breakage particularly as, by their nature, they are relatively long and thin. Because of this, the maximum practicable length of the product is limited and is normally made equal to the dimensions of the tiles with which it is to fit. For example, (15.24 cm) square tiles would use listellos 6 (15.24 cm) long.

Usually, listellos are built in between adjacent tiles to create a line of contrasting colour and/or pattern. However, they may also be mounted on top of the tiles to give a similar appearance. If adjacent listellos are lined up end to end (although with grout inbetween) the effect from a distance will be of a long line of contrasting colour and/or pattern. On a wall surface, such lines can be horizontal or vertical and can be used to create patterns within the tiling to enhance the appearance of the wall.

The present invention seeks to provide a listello-type product which overcomes the disadvantages of the present ceramic types.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a decorative strip for mounting on - 2 or between wall/floor tiles and similar building panels, said strip being made of metal or plastics material, and having a generally hollow rectangular section having two pairs of opposite generally parallel sides, wherein, of a first of said pairs of opposite parallel sides, a first side is formed with a decorative finish and the second side is provided with a longitudinal slot extending through to the hollow interior of the section to thereby form two flanges facing one another across the slot and wherein the outwardly-facing surface of each of said flanges is roughened or serrated to provide a key for adhesive.

Where the strip is to be built in to tiles or building panels, the width of the second of said pairs of parallel sides is made such as to match the tiles or other building panels with which they are to be associated. Thus, once fitted, said first side will normally be the only side which will be visible, and this side is provided with a decorative finish. However, it is preferred to additionally apply a decorative finish to the second of said pairs of sides. This will allow for the strip being mounted on top of, or otherwise protruding above, the surrounding tiles/ building panels either deliberately (i.e. as a design feature), or accidentally due to imperfections in the surface and/or the quality of installation. The decorative finish may simply comprise a plain colour paint film or, in the case of a metal extrusion, plating, or a specialised metal finish such as, in the case of aluminium, anodising.

We use a special method of treating aluminium, in particular, which gives a high quality finish: this involves the stages of initially polishing the extruded strip, thence chemically brightening and finally anodising the strip. Various mottled paint effects may be used, such as recent techniques intended to imitate known items such as wood effect or marble effect. The finish may be gloss, semi-gloss or matt., and the. surface of the extrusion. itself, at. least across the outer surface of said first side, may be chemically or mechanically treated to give a knurled or other decorative effect.

It is possible that all four sides of the extrusion may be generally flat. However, it may be desirable to give at least the outer surface of said one side (the visible side) a curved, typically circular, profile or other decorative shape. This curved profile may either be convex or concave in form, and examples of both are illustrated and described hereinafter.

The surface opposite to the first surface (the aforesaid second surface) is roughened or serrated in some way to provide a key for adhesive. In an embodiment, longitudinal serrations are formed in the surface for this purpose. These serrations may have a V-section, castellated or sawtooth section, or may be re-entrant.

The longitudinal slot extends through to the hollow interior of the section in such a way that the second surface becomes, in effect, two flanges facing one another across the slot. During assembly, adhesive passes through the slot into the interior and thus, when dry, provides an extremely strong fixing. This effect may be enhanced by chamfering the facing edges of the slot to provide a re-entrant shape, in section. Alternative fixing methods may alternatively be used, such as screws or clips.

The section is extruded in any suitable plastics or metal material. Examples of suitable plastics materials include: UPVC, ABS, cellulose acetate buterate (C.A.B.), polypropylene, nylon and polycarbonate; examples of suitable metal materials include: aluminium or aluminium alloy, brass or steel. An advantage of an extruded section is that long lengths can be manufactured and transported to site without serious risk of breakage or damage.

Thus, unlike the traditional ceramic listello product described above, lengths much longer than the size of a tile can be produced. This it is believed will give a superior appearance when fitted since the grout joints between individual listellos is eliminated, or at least substantially reduced in number. It is quite possible to supply the product of this invention in, for example, 6 * or 8' (1.83 n or 2.44 m) lengths although, of course, if a traditional listello-like appearance is desired the product can be cut into short tile-size lengths and butted end to end with grout joints inbetween.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a surface on which are attached a plurality of tiles, and including at least one decorative strip of the type described above also attached to said surface in such a way as to separate adjacent tiles.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a surface on which are attached a plurality of tiles or other building panels, and including at least one decorative strip of the type described above attached on top of said tiles or other building panels.

The product of this invention can also be mitred to provide corners and this increases the range of decorative effects which can be achieved.

In order that the invention may be better understood, several embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of a decorative strip according to the invention; Figures 2 to 4 are views similar to Figure 1 showing alternative embodiments; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 4.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, the generally rectangular shape will be seen. The strip comprises a hollow extrusion 1 of plastics, or metal such as aluminium or brass. In section, the extrusion comprises four sides 2 to 5, all of which are generally planar, save side 2 which is arcuate. Opposite parallel sides 3 and 5 have a height H which is approximately equal to the thickness of the tiles or other building panels (not shown) into which the strip 1 is to be built. The side 4 has a serrated outer surface to provide a good key for adhesive.

The serrations take the form of a plurality of longitudinally extending V-grooves 6. When fitted, normally only the upper surface of side 2 is visible (although see above), and at least this surface is decorated in the required manner. As mentioned previously, the decorative finish may comprise a simple plain paint finish in a single colour, or may be patterned. The surface of the side 2 may be formed with a relief pattern or contour produced either chemically or mechanically to produce whatever decorative effect is desired.

The product illustrated in Figure 1 is supplied in long lengths, typically 6 or 8 feet, which are cut to the required length on site. The product will generally, but not exclusively, be used to create a line of contrasting colour and/or pattern in a group of tiles or similar building panels. To this end, the extrusion 1 is installed at the same time as the tiles by adhesion to the wall or other surface, and utilising the same adhesive as is used for the tiles. The extrusion can be cut to the same dimensions as the tiles prior to installation, but it is anticipated that the long lengths supplied will enable many tiles to be spanned in a continuous line, this giving an enhanced appearance over shorter lengths butted together with grout joints between. The extrusion is attached to the surface between adjacent tiles, or other building panels so that, once installed, substantially only the outer surface of side 2 is visible. Grout may be applied to the gap between the adjacent tiles and the sides 3, 5 in the usual manner. The strip may also be used as a border to groups of tiles or other building panels. In this case, it is possible that at least one of the sides 3, 5 may also be visible after installation and accordingly one or both of these may additionally be provided with a decorative surface, preferably the same as or matching that of the side 2.

The exact dimension of the extrusion will depend upon the ^thickness of the tiles or other building panels with which it is to be associated, and on the effect required. Typically height H is approximately 7mm, and the width of the extrusion is 26.5mm.

The side 4 of the extrusion is divided into two by a slot 7 which passes from the exterior right through to the hollow interior of the extrusion.

This slot, as well as saving material in the manufacturing process, also assists in fixing the extrusion to the wall pr floor surface because, during installation, the adhesive pushes up through the slot when.the extrusion is pressed against the surface and expands slightly within the interior of the extrusion, thus providing an enhanced gripping action. The facing edges 8 of the slot may be parallel, as shown. or may be chamfered to define a re-entrant slot to assist this process.

Figure 2 shows an extrusion, similar to that of Figure 3, but in which the side 2 is concave in curvature, rather than convex as before. A similar decorative finish is applied to the visible surface of side 2, as described previously. In a still further embodiment (not shown) the side 2 is planar.

Figure 3 shows an extrusion in which the side 2 is shaped to provide on the exterior a convex arched effect similar to that utilised in traditional listello styles used in Victorian times. A similar decorative finish is applied to the visible surface of side 2, as described previously.

Figures 4 and 5 show an extrusion whose width in proportion to its height H is smaller than the previous embodiments. Typically the height H is 7mm (as before) and the width is 10mm. In this embodiment the facing edges 8 of the slot 7 are 2Q chamfered (by 30 to the vertical in the example illustrated) to assist retention of the strip by movement of adhesive along the edges 8 during installation.

The hollow interior of the extrusion, as well as saving material and making for a lightweight product, also assists in the retention of the extrusion during application of the decorative finish to the outer surface of side 2.

In all of the above-described embodiments, . 30 the primary means whereby the strip is attached is by way of adhesive, applied between the side 4 and the surface to which the strip is to be attached. It will be seen, however, that alternative methods, for example using screws and/or clips could be used.

Indeed, it may be found difficult to reliably attach a long strip to a surface which is particularly uneven. particularly if conventional tile adhesive is used, which does not have instant adhesion properties. To cater for this, we have developed a fixing kit which comprises a plurality of small plates, each having an associate serrated fixing nail and plastic wall plug. These small plates are of a size such that they will slide easily along the interior of the strip, and they are provided with a central aperture through which the associated fixing nail may pass. In order to fix the *10 strip using such a fixing means (which may or may not be in addition to conventional adhesive) the surface is first drilled at spaced intervals along the intended route of the strip, and the holes plugged with the wall plugs. An appropriate number of plates are now slid into the interior of the strip, a respective fixing nail having been fitted into the central aperture in such a way that the fixing nail protrudes outwardly through the slot 7. The plates are now positioned within the strip so that the nails line up with the wall plugs, and the strip is then offered up to the surface and the nails pushed into the wall plugs so as to be retained thereby.

Claims (14)

1. A decorative strip for mounting on or between wall/floor tiles and similar building panels, said strip being made of metal or. plastics material, and . having a generally hollow rectangular section having two pairs of opposite generally parallel sides, wherein, of a first of said pairs of opposite parallel sides, a first side is formed with a decorative finish and the second side is provided with a longitudinal slot extending through to the hollow interior of the section to thereby form two flanges facing one another across the slot and wherein the outwardly-facing surface of each of said flanges is roughened or serrated to provide a key for adhesive.

2. A decorative strip as claimed in claim 1, formed by extrusion.

3. A decorative strip as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the width of the second of said pairs of parallel sides is such as to match the tiles or other building panels with which it is associated in such a way that, when fitted between adjacent tiles or panels, said first side is* the only side which is substantially visible.

4. A decorative strip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a decorative finish is applied to the exterior of said first side.

5. A decorative strip as claimed in claim 4 wherein said decorative finish is additionally applied to the exterior of the second of said pairs of sides.

6. A decorative strip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein all of said sides are generally flat.

7. A decorative strip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein all of said sides except said first side are generally flat, and wherein said first side is shaped to provide a decorative effect.

8. A decorative strip as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first side has a generally convex shape.

9. A decorative strip as claimed in claim 7 5 wherein said first side has a generally concave shape.

10. A decorative strip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said outwardly-facing surface of said flanges are provided with longitudinal serrations to provide said key for adhesive. 10

11. · A decorative strip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

12. A surface on which are attached a plurality of tiles or other building panels, and including at least 15 one decorative strip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims also attached by means of adhesive to said surface in such a way as to separate adjacent tiles.

13. A surface on which are attached a plurality of 20 tiles or other building panels, and including at least one decorative strip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 attached by means of adhesive on top of said tiles or other building panels.

14. A surface as claimed in either one of claims 25 12 or 13 wherein the length of said decorative strip is such as to span at least two of said tiles.