Modular floor finishing

Abstract

FINISHING TRIM FOR MODULAR FLOORING refers to a modular corner finishing component specially designed for modular flooring, installed on the wall so as to cover the gap between the edge of the modular floor and the wall, allowing the natural movement of expansion and contraction of the flooring, with the purpose of achieving a better visual finish, preventing the accumulation of dirt and small objects, and also preventing access to the lateral edges of the flooring in order to avoid intentional damage or improper disassembly.

Description

Subject:

[0001] The present Invention Patent refers to a modular corner finishing component specially designed for modular flooring, installed on the wall so as to cover the gap between the edge of the modular floor and the wall, allowing the natural movement of expansion and contraction of the flooring, with the purpose of achieving a better visual finish, preventing the accumulation of dirt and small objects, and also preventing access to the lateral edges of the flooring in order to avoid intentional damage or improper disassembly.State of the Art:

[0002] Modular flooring installed in an overlapping manner is already known in the art, generally manufactured from plastic material with shock absorption, assembled by interlocking between pieces, usually square and / or rectangular.

[0003] Regarding patent references, document BR202014024725-0, filed on 9 / 29 / 2014, titled "Rubber Floor and Rubber Tactile Floor", by the same applicant, discloses a modular tactile rubber floor that is easy to install, as it is installed over a polymer base with a fish-scale-type pin system on the underside of the base for fixation on concrete, and side click-fit male-and-female interlocking with an expansion joint to connect one base to another.

[0004] Document BR202019028317-9, filed on 12 / 31 / 2019, titled "Impact-Absorbing Floor Plate", also by the same applicant, describes a modular plate with impact absorption used to compose flooring for various purposes. The impact-absorption function is achieved through a plurality of cylindrical pins made of thermoplastic elastomer rubber inserted into a structural base, absorbing the forces transmitted to the joints, reducing injuries in the user's knees, heels, and legs, and improving the athletic performance of athletes as well as general users.

[0005] In general, these floors serve a specific purpose, such as in sports practice areas at schools, and may be installed indoors or outdoors. Other uses also occur, such as delimiting recreation and common-use areas, or even solely for decorative purposes.

[0006] Such modular plates are installed directly over the pre-existing floor, which must be rigid but is generally not in good condition, presenting uneven areas, cracks, and other natural damage resulting from use over time.

[0007] For this reason, the modular plates have expansion joints, formed directly in the male-and-female interlocks, which allow the absorption of unevenness and defects in the original floor, as well as the absorption of expansion and contraction movements of the plates themselves due to temperature variations, depending on the location where they are installed.

[0008] Existing modular flooring plates have all of the advantages mentioned above, but they do not include a lateral finishing trim used to cover the gap between the lateral edges of the flooring and the wall, such a gap being necessary so that the flooring may naturally expand and contract due to temperature variations.

[0009] The presence of this free gap does not result in an adequate aesthetic finish, in addition to allowing the accumulation of dirt, such as leaves and branches, which makes maintenance difficult and may require tools that can damage the flooring.

[0010] Furthermore, this free gap provides access to the lateral edges of the flooring, allowing intentional damage to be carried out, such as attempts at theft, for example.Inventive Concept:

[0011] The present Finishing Trim for Modular Flooring has been developed to meet the following main objectives: to cover the free gap between the flooring and the wall while allowing its natural expansion and contraction, to prevent access to the lateral edges of the modular flooring, and to result in an improved visual aesthetic finish.

[0012] To this end, the finishing trim has a curved upper surface that continues from a vertical face, which is used for fastening the trim to the wall. On the underside, said curved surface has reinforcements with a guiding face, which allows the finishing trim to slide over the modular flooring, absorbing the flooring's expansion and contraction movement while preventing the formation of gaps between the flooring and the finishing trim, where dirt and small objects could accumulate.

[0013] The finishing trim is modular, meaning that each piece has means for interlocking with another piece, in addition to the means for fastening it to the wall, so that once installed, the finishing trim results in a continuous alignment. Such interlocking means also function to absorb the expansion and contraction movement of the trim itself, which is typically manufactured from the same material as the flooring.

[0014] The present modular finishing trim is preferably manufactured using recycled plastic material or virgin plastic material that is 100% recyclable, with the addition of chemical additives that ensure adequate durability of both the ramp and its coloration.Summary:

[0015] The Finishing Trim for Modular Flooring is essentially characterized in that the finishing trim comprises a vertical flange and an upper surface.

[0016] The Finishing Trim for Modular Flooring is additionally characterized in that the vertical flange contains at least two slots for fastening the finishing trim by means of screws, in that the upper surface contains reinforcements provided with a horizontal face and a recessed flange, and in that the vertical flange has an extension provided with a support.Field of Application

[0017] The present Finishing Trim for Modular Flooring is applied as finishing trim for modular flooring installed in an overlapping configuration by interlocking between the pieces.Advantages:

[0018] The Finishing Trim for Modular Flooring presents the following advantages: It provides a better visual result and finishing in the installation of modular flooring in various areas, both indoors and outdoors; It allows absorption of the expansion and contraction movement of modular flooring; It prevents the accumulation of dirt in the gap between the edge of the modular flooring and the wall, which is difficult to maintain, and also prevents damage to the flooring caused by attempts to remove leaves and branches, for example; As it has its own expansion joint, it easily absorbs unevenness of the floor and wall, as well as small defects and existing damage, and remains in perfect installation condition despite temperature changes, which cause natural expansion and contraction of the polymer used in manufacturing; It prevents access to the edges of the modular flooring, consequently preventing intentional damage, such as that resulting from attempted theft, for example; It allows for easy installation and removal for maintenance, due to the male-and-female interlock system; As it is manufactured using recycled plastic and recycled rubber as raw materials, it reduces the existence of non-reused plastic waste, providing a durable application that benefits environmental matters and mitigates damage caused by plastic waste. Illustrations:

[0019] To facilitate examination and provide understanding of the present patent, as recommended in the report, according to a basic and preferred embodiment prepared by the applicant, reference is made to the attached illustrations, which form part of and support the present descriptive report, wherein: FIG. 01 - shows a perspective view of the finishing trim installed together with the modular flooring; FIG. 02 - shows a top perspective view of the finishing trim; FIG. 03 - shows a bottom perspective view of the finishing trim; FIG. 04 - shows a detailed bottom perspective view of the interlocking between two finishing trim pieces; FIG. 05 - shows Detail A; FIG. 06 - shows Detail B; FIG. 07 - shows a perspective view of the installed finishing trim; FIG. 08 - shows a perspective view of the installed finishing trim with a reduced gap; FIG. 09 - shows an exploded perspective view of one of the finishing trim pieces to be installed; FIG. 10 - shows a transparent exploded perspective view of one of the finishing trim pieces to be installed; FIG. 11 - shows a transparent exploded perspective view of one of the finishing trim pieces installed; FIG. 12 - shows a side view of the finishing trim. Description:

[0020] The Finishing Trim for Modular Flooring consists of a finishing trim (1) fastened to the wall, positioned over the gap between the modular flooring (2) and the wall after the flooring has been completely installed.

[0021] Thus, the complete finishing trim to be installed is formed by installing a plurality of finishing trim pieces (1), fastened to the wall side by side and interlocked with one another by means of male-and-female interlocks.

[0022] For this purpose, the finishing trim (1) includes a vertical flange (3) used for fastening to the wall by screws inserted through the slots (4), which allow the finishing trim (1) to be fitted over the screws.

[0023] The upper surface (5) of the finishing trim (1) is preferably curved, featuring a slope that begins at the upper edge of the vertical flange (3) and ends below it, so as to overlap the modular flooring (2).

[0024] The upper surface (5) includes, on its underside, reinforcements (6), which not only structurally reinforce it, but also include a horizontal face (7) that remains overlapped onto the modular flooring (2), preventing the accumulation of dirt.

[0025] The vertical flange (3) comprises an extension (8), which extends beyond the upper surface (5), provided with a support (9), used to sustain and interlock with the finishing trim (1) installed on its side.

[0026] On the opposite end, the finishing trim (1) includes a recessed flange (10), which will be positioned underneath the upper surface (5) of the finishing trim (1) installed to its side, forming a male interlock. In this case, the upper surface (5) functions as a female interlock.

[0027] The support (9) is positioned below the flange (11), assisting the interlocking between the two pieces of the finishing trim (1).

[0028] When the modular flooring (2) and the finishing trim (1) undergo expansion or contraction resulting from temperature variations, the upper surface (5), through the horizontal face (7), slides over the modular flooring (2), absorbing such movement.Conclusion:

[0029] In this manner, the Finishing Trim for Modular Flooring is supported by novel technical and functional characteristics, and therefore merits the legal protection being sought.

Claims

1. FINISHING TRIM FOR MODULAR FLOORING, characterized in that the finishing trim (1) comprises a vertical flange (3) and an upper surface (5).

2. FINISHING TRIM FOR MODULAR FLOORING according to Claim 1, characterized in that the vertical flange (3) contains at least two slots (4) for fastening the finishing trim (1) by means of screws.

3. FINISHING TRIM FOR MODULAR FLOORING according to Claim 1, characterized in that the upper surface (5) includes reinforcements (6) provided with a horizontal face (7), a recessed flange (10), and a flange (11).

4. FINISHING TRIM FOR MODULAR FLOORING according to Claim 1, characterized in that the vertical flange (3) comprises an extension (8) provided with a support (9).

Images