Flooring transition member

Abstract

Flooring transition member or strip 1 for providing a transition between first and second floorings of different thicknesses or heights and comprising an elongate profile, comprising a bi-laterally ex

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains generally to the field of flooring transitions and transition strips. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flooring transition member in relation to a carpet and a further flooring of different thicknesses and a method of installing a flooring transition member. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many homes have flooring of different types, either dividing a room or between rooms, often installed on top of an existing floor (or sub-floor), whether it is carpet, hardwood flooring, wood panel composite (WPC) flooring, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), luxury vinyl tile (LVT) or other. When a carpet flooring meets a thicker or thinner carpet or another type of flooring, e.g. at a doorway, but also at a design division within a room, there is often the need for a flooring transition member or strip to be provided to provide a suitable transition between the two flooring types. There are many transition strips available, but they usually consist of either wood or metal (e.g. steel or aluminium) strip and can be flat with a tapered edges or define a ridge. They are fixed to both flooring surfaces either by screw fixings or similar or adhesive. A complication arises where one carpet flooring is of a different thickness to the other flooring (which may be a carpet), where they meet at an interface, have different levels (e.g. because of differing thicknesses of the flooring of each type, or for some other reason). While it may be possible to find a transition that suits a particular level difference, it is usually the case that a bespoke solution has to be provided. There is a need for a flooring transition solution that is adaptable for use at the interface of a carpet flooring and a second type of flooring that meet at different levels or present a height difference at the interface, and for a method of installing the same. The present inventors have found a solution to the above. PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an improved flooring transition and method installing the same, which enables a flooring transition to be fitted to an interface between a carpet flooring and a second flooring of different thickness or height to the first carpet flooring. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a flooring transition member for providing a transition between a first carpet flooring and a second flooring having the same or different thickness to the first carpet flooring, the flooring transition member comprising an elongate profile and having: a bi-laterally extending base member having a first laterally extending base member comprising a first distal base portion and a first proximal base portion, the first distal base portion having a planar upper surface configured to be coplanar with the floor upon which the transition member will be laid and having sufficient lateral extent for receiving a carpet gripper strip, and the first proximal base portion defined by an upward projection from or in the first laterally extending base member; a bi-laterally extending surface member having an upper transition surface for forming, together with the first carpet flooring and the second flooring a composite flooring surface, and a lower transition surface, the bi-laterally extending surface member having a first laterally extending surface member and an opposing second laterally extending surface member; and a medially-disposed, optionally configurable, leg extending between the bi-laterally extending base member and the lower transition surface of the bilaterally extending surface member, wherein the first proximal base portion and the lower transition surface of the first laterally extending surface member defining a first gulley or first recess for the receipt of a first carpet flooring, and wherein the upward projecting member provides a face or edge against or in relation to which a carpet gripper strip may be aligned. Preferably, the configurable leg is adapted to enable the separation between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted and / or the angle between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted. In a second aspect of the invention, there is a flooring transition assembly comprising a flooring transition member as defined above and affixed thereto at a first distal base portion at least one carpet gripper strip or rod. The carpet gripper strip may be affixed by any suitable fixing, such as nails or pins, by tapping into vertical or near-vertical spikes projecting from the planar upper surface of the distal portion of the base of the flooring transition member or by an adhesive. In a third aspect of the invention, there is a kit of parts for use in building an assembly as defined above, the kit comprising a flooring transition member as defined above and one or a plurality of lengths of carpet gripper rods and optionally a suitable adhesive. In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is a method of installing a flooring transition member, such as that defined above, to provide a transition between a first carpet flooring and a second flooring having the same or different thickness to the first carpet flooring, the method comprising the steps of: providing a flooring transition member comprising an elongate profile and having: a bi-laterally extending base member having a first laterally extending base member comprising a first distal base portion and a first proximal base portion, the first distal base portion having a planar upper surface configured to be coplanar with the floor upon which the transition member will be laid and having sufficient lateral extent for receiving a carpet gripper strip, and the first proximal base portion defined by an upward projection from or in the first laterally extending base member; a bi-laterally extending surface member having an upper transition surface for forming, together with the first carpet flooring and the second flooring a composite flooring surface, and a lower transition surface, the bi-laterally extending surface member having a first laterally extending surface member and an opposing second laterally extending surface member; optionally a medially-disposed configurable leg extending between the bilaterally extending base member and the lower transition surface of the bilaterally extending surface member, the first proximal base portion and the lower transition surface of the first laterally extending surface member defining a first gulley or first recess for the receipt of a first carpet flooring, wherein the upward projecting member provides a face or edge against or in relation to which a carpet gripper strip may be aligned, and wherein the optional configurable leg is adapted to enable the separation between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted and the angle between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted, disposing the transition member on a floor at an interface between the first carpet flooring and the second flooring such that a lateral edge of the base member is adjunct or aligned with an optional underlay; affixing a carpet gripper strip to the upper surface of the first distal base portion aligned with and abutting or separated from the face or edge of the upward projecting member according to the thickness of the first carpet flooring to be fitted; inserting an interface edge of the first carpet flooring into the first recess; optionally inserting an interface edge of the second flooring into a second recess or arranging the second flooring to extend beneath the second laterally extending surface member; and optionally tapping an upper surface of the bilaterally extending surface member so as to adjust the separation between the base member and the surface member and the angle between the base member and the surface member. In a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a flooring transition member for providing a transition between a first carpet flooring and a second flooring [having the same or different thickness to the first carpet flooring], the flooring transition member comprising an elongate profile and having: a bi-laterally extending base member having a first laterally extending base member comprising a first distal base portion and a first proximal base portion, the first proximal base portion preferably defined by an upward projection from or in the first laterally extending base member; a bi-laterally extending surface member having an upper transition surface (for forming, together with the first carpet flooring and the second flooring a composite flooring surface), and a lower transition surface, the bi-laterally extending surface member having a first laterally extending surface member and an opposing second laterally extending surface member; a medially-disposed configurable leg extending between the bi-laterally extending base member and the lower transition surface of the bi-laterally extending surface member, the first proximal base portion and the lower transition surface of the first laterally extending surface member defining a first gulley or first recess for the receipt of a first carpet flooring, wherein the configurable leg is adapted to enable the separation between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted and the angle between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted. The first carpet flooring may have the same or different thickness to the second flooring. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION The flooring transition member of the invention enables easy and effective fitting of a transition strip at the interface of a first carpet flooring and a second flooring surface of different thickness to the first carpet flooring, which flooring transition member is adaptable or adjustable to provide the transition for a range of level differences. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1A is a cross sectional or profile view of an embodiment of the invention; Figure IB is a close-up profile view of the leg portion of the embodiment shown in Figure 1A Figure 2 is a lower perspective view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1 A; Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1 A; Figure 4A is a perspective side view showing a flooring transition member of an embodiment of the invention being installed; Figure 4B shows a progression in installation in perspective side view of the flooring transition member of Figure 4A; and Figure 4C is a side view of the flooring transition member of Figure 4A with installation complete. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a flooring transition member or strip for use as a transition strip between a first carpet flooring and a second flooring, which may have the same or different thickness (or, in the case that the second flooring is a second carpet flooring, the same or different pile thickness or density). The flooring transition member has an elongate profile having a bilaterally extending surface member and a bilaterally extending base member with a, preferably configurable, leg extending between the bilaterally extending surface member and the bilaterally extending base member, the leg disposed medially relative to the bilaterally extending surface and base members. The bilaterally extending surface member has an upper transition surface for forming, together with the first carpet flooring and the second flooring, a composite flooring surface, and a lower transition surface on the opposite side of the bilaterally extending surface member to the upper transition surface. The bilaterally extending surface member has a first laterally extending surface member and an opposing second laterally extending surface member. The bilaterally extending base member has a first laterally extending base member comprising a first distal base portion and first proximal base portion. The first laterally extending base member (preferably the first proximal base portion) and the lower transition surface of the first laterally extending surface member define a first gulley or first recess for the receipt of a first carpet flooring. Preferably, the bilaterally extending base member has a second laterally extending base member opposing the first laterally extending base member and comprises a second distal base portion and a second proximal base portion. Preferably, the second laterally extending surface member and the second laterally extending base member (preferably the second proximal base portion) define a second gulley or second recess for the receipt of a second flooring. The leg is preferably a configurable leg which is adapted to enable the separation between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted and / or the angle between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted. Preferably, the leg comprises a leg portion disposed between and connected to each of a surface member mounting point and a base member mounting point. The leg portion may comprise a non-resiliently adjustable (e.g. pliable) member arrangement (comprising one or more members), or non-elastically adjustable (e.g. bendable) member arrangement (comprising one or more members. Such members may, for example be rigid members that are connected via a joint or junction that is non-resiliently adjustable (e.g. pliable or bendable) or non-elastically adjustable (e.g. pliable or bendable) or may be members that are inherently (e.g. formed of material) that renders them non-resilient or non-elastically pliable or bendable. The leg portion is preferably self-supporting and preferably the leg portion has an initial resting position and does not move from the initial resting position until an inertial force of the resting position is overcome, e.g. by applying a sufficient force to the surface member upper transition surface. Preferably, the leg portion comprises at least two leaves pliably or hingedly mounted to one another at respective ends thereof and terminal leaves of the at least two leaves are pliably or hingedly mounted to the surface member mounting point and the base member mounting point. As such, the leaves may preferably, upon appropriate force applied to the bilaterally extending surface member, be caused to move together or concertina, until the application of force stops, upon which the flooring transition member retains its new configuration. In one embodiment, the leaves are hingedly mounted to one another and each of the surface member and base member mounting points by hinges. Preferably, the hinges are living hinges. Preferably, the joints or junction points (or hinges) comprise notches formed in the configurable leg member (which notches run the length of the flooring transition member, parallel with its longitudinal axis). Preferably, such notches are formed in the configurable leg member at the hinged mounting point and the surface member and base member mounting points. Preferably, the leaves have an initial resting angle to one another of from 60 to 120 degrees and which leaves define an apex disposed in the first recess. Preferably, there are two leaves. Optionally, the leg comprises a surface member proximal portion disposed at a fixed angle relative to the surface member, which projects from the lower transition surface of the surface member and has at a distal portion thereof the surface member mounting point; a base member proximal portion disposed at a fixed angle relative to the base member, which base member proximal portion projects from the base member and has at a distal portion thereof the base member mounting point. Preferably, the leg portion is an intermediate leg portion disposed between the surface member proximal portion and the base member proximal portion. The surface member proximal portion and the base member proximal portion of the configurable leg may be disposed at any suitable angle to the surface member and the base member. Preferably, the surface member proximal portion of the configurable leg is normal to the surface member and / or the base member proximal portion of the configurable leg is normal to the base member, or at least, in each case, the respective proximal portions have a projecting element that is preferably normal to the respective member. The base member preferably has a support platform to which the leg is mounted and from which the first and second base members extend laterally. Preferably, a junction between the configurable leg and / or support platform and the first or second base member is configured to be angle-adjustable and preferably has a notch formed therein (e.g. in the underside of the support platform adjacent to a base proximal portion of the configurable leg). Preferably the first distal base portion comprises a planar upper surface that is configured to be co-planar with the floor onto which it is to be installed (e.g. is co-planar with a planar lower surface of the first distal base portion). The planar upper surface may be continuous or may have apertures formed therein or have a matrix-type structure. The first distal base portion preferably has sufficient lateral extent for receiving a carpet gripper strip. Such a carpet gripper strip may be secured to the first distal base portion by nails, tacks or pins (which may extend through an aperture in the first distal base portion into the floor) or by an adhesive, which optionally is also used to fix the flooring transition member to the floor. Optionally, the first distal base portion comprises vertical or near vertical spikes (e.g. punched out of the distal base portion) onto which a gripper strip may be secured by tapping down onto the spikes - such spikes, therefore may have a height of from 1 to 3 mm. (In one embodiment, the spikes may optionally retained in their vertical orientation for use in affixing a carpet gripping strip or, with a hammer or press, adjusted to have a laterally inward leaning component such that they define an angle of from 30 to 60 degrees, whereby the spikes may be used directly for carpet gripping, absent a separate carpet gripper strip, in the event of a shallow underlay or thinner carpet). The first distal base member preferably has a lateral extent of at least 15 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm, still more preferably no more than 30 mm and most preferably up to 25 mm. In a preferred embodiment (e.g. where the flooring transition member is intended to joint two carpets, such as in a doorway transition), the second distal base portion is configured similarly to the first distal base portion as described above. Preferably, the first proximal base portion is defined by an upward projection from or in the first laterally extending base member. Any suitable upward projection may be used. It is intended that this upward projection will provide a part of the mechanism for gripping carpet. In particular, it is intended that the upward projection may define a face or edge against or in relation to which a carpet gripper strip may be aligned for fixing. The recess may thus be bordered or contain the upward projection of the laterally extending base member. Preferably, the upward projection is provided by the proximal base portion being shaped so that it is disposed at an acute angle (or has an upper surface disposed at an acute angle) to the general disposition of the leg and reaching an apex at or forming the upward projection. Laterally outward from the apex, the shape may return or curve into the distal base portion, which is preferably flat (and preferably generally at right angles to the general disposition of the leg) for making contact with the floor onto which the flooring transition member is to be placed. Ideally, in a preferred embodiment, the upward projection defines at, or laterally outward from, the apex thereof an outer face or edge, e.g. vertical or having an angle of up to 45 degrees, preferably 10 to 30 degrees, against or in relation to which a carpet gripper strip may be aligned or disposed. In one preferred embodiment, the second proximal base portion is similarly configured to the first and similarly has an upward projection therein. Preferably, an upper surface of the first and optionally second proximal base portions incline laterally outwards whereby the recess or gulley may accept a carpet edge from an opening of the recess or gulley in an angled downwards direction. Preferably, the apex of the upward projection of the first and / or second proximal base portion is laterally outward from a corresponding distal edge of a laterally extending surface member, thereby defining a mouth to the recess or gulley with an upward component of its orientation. Optionally, in an embodiment for use in transitioning between two carpet floorings, the flooring transition member comprises upward projections in first and second proximal base portions defines an apex and / or outer face or edge that is laterally disposed (e.g. from the centre or medial point of the flooring transition member or upper transition surface) at different extents. For example, the upward projection in the first proximal base portion may be disposed laterally at a further extent than the upward projection in the second proximal base portion (and the mount of the first recess may have the same or preferably a greater upward component than the second recess) thereby enabling a gripper strip disposed against the first upward projection outer edge or face to be more laterally disposed than a gripper strip disposed against a second upward projection, whereby an edge of a thicker carpet may be received in the first recess and it may still be effectively gripped by the gripper strip. Alternatively, the flooring transition member comprises upward projections in first and second proximal base portions defines (in addition to an optional apex) an outer face or edge that is laterally disposed (e.g. from the centre or medial point of the flooring transition member or upper transition surface) at similar or identical lateral extents. According to this alternative embodiment (or also the former embodiment), a carpet gripper strip may be affixed in a position against or abutting or aligned with but separated from the outer face or edge of the upward projection, according to the thickness of the carpet and, indeed, the thickness of underlay used. For example, for a thicker carpet (e.g. for slotting the edge thereof into the first recess), the carpet gripper strip may be disposed aligned with but separated from the face or edge of the upward projection, e.g. by up to 10 mm, preferably up to 5 or 7.5 mm according to the thickness of the carpet. Thereby, the carpet gripper strip may be effectively used. By this arrangement, the flooring transition member allows a conventional carpet gripper strip to be used as a fixing to allow power stretching and good tension in front of doorways (or other carpet transitions) which may otherwise be a trouble area for carpet fitting, especially with thicker carpets or two different thicknesses of carpet. The second proximal base portion may be configured to receive a hard or rigid flooring member (such as wood or a composite flooring element) or flexible flooring member such as carpet, carpet tiles or other flexible flooring. Preferably, the second flooring is a flexible flooring and more preferably a second carpet flooring, which is the same or different thickness to the first carpet flooring. Where the flooring transition member is intended for use with a second flooring that is flexible, such as carpet, it is preferable that the second proximal base portion is defined by an upward projection from or in the second laterally extending base member, wherein the second proximal base portion and the lower transition surface of the second laterally extending surface member define a gulley or recess for the receipt of a second flooring. Preferably, the configuration of the second proximal base portion and the upward projection defining it is much the same as that described for the first proximal base portion above. In one optional embodiment, there is a reinforcement stand that is disposed or projects from an underside of a proximal base portion which proximal base portion is shaped to form, for example, an upward projection resulting in a space there-beneath. The reinforcement stand is preferably shorter than the distance between the underside of the proximal base portion at which it is disposed (typically from half to two thirds along the lateral extent of the proximal base portion) and a line extending from a support platform and the distal base portion (being the location of the floor onto which the flooring transition member will be disposed) so that, in normal use, the reinforcement stand does not contact the floor. The reinforcement stands serves the purpose of preventing the proximal base portion being flattened (e.g. by pressure applied to the upper transition surface) and thereby the recess to retain its carpet-gripping function. The invention further relates to the installation of a flooring transition member. According to a method of installing a flooring transition member, such as that defined above, to provide a transition between a first carpet flooring and a second flooring having the same or different thickness to the first carpet flooring, the method comprises the steps of providing a flooring transition member comprising an elongate profile and having: a bi-laterally extending base member having a first laterally extending base member comprising a first distal base portion and a first proximal base portion, the first distal base portion having a planar upper surface configured to be coplanar with the floor upon which the transition member will be laid and having sufficient lateral extent for receiving a carpet gripper strip, and the first proximal base portion defined by an upward projection from or in the first laterally extending base member; a bi-laterally extending surface member having an upper transition surface for forming, together with the first carpet flooring and the second flooring a composite flooring surface, and a lower transition surface, the bi-laterally extending surface member having a first laterally extending surface member and an opposing second laterally extending surface member; optionally a medially-disposed configurable leg extending between the bilaterally extending base member and the lower transition surface of the bilaterally extending surface member, the first proximal base portion and the lower transition surface of the first laterally extending surface member defining a first gulley or first recess for the receipt of a first carpet flooring, wherein the upward projecting member provides a face or edge against or in relation to which a carpet gripper strip may be aligned, and wherein the optional configurable leg is adapted to enable the separation between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted and the angle between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted, disposing the transition member on a floor at an interface between the first carpet flooring and the second flooring such that a lateral edge of the base member is adjunct or aligned with an optional underlay; affixing a carpet gripper strip to the upper surface of the first distal base portion aligned with and abutting or separated from the face or edge of the upward projecting member according to the thickness of the first carpet flooring to be fitted; inserting an interface edge of the first carpet flooring into the first recess; optionally inserting an interface edge of the second flooring into a second recess or arranging the second flooring to extend beneath the second laterally extending surface member; and optionally tapping an upper surface of the bilaterally extending surface member so as to adjust the separation between the base member and the surface member and the angle between the base member and the surface member. In one embodiment, the tapping of the upper surface of the bilaterally extending surface member serves to bend a medially-disposed configurable leg at hinges or joints thereof. In any aspect of the invention defined above, the second flooring may be of the same or different flooring material to the first carpet flooring, subject to there being a difference at the interface, whether due to a difference in the thickness of the flooring or in the sub-floor. The second flooring may optionally be a rigid flooring or a flexible flooring. The flooring material of the second flooring may be, for example, wood or a multi-layer flooring element such as a laminated or engineered wood, a vinyl plank, a luxury vinyl tile, a luxury vinyl plank, a wood panel composite, a self-adhesive vinyl tile, sheet vinyl, vinyl click flooring, laminate flooring, a rubberized flooring, carpet, or carpet tiles. Most typically, the second flooring is a second carpet flooring. The flooring transition member may be formed of any suitable material. It is preferably formed of a metal or combination or alloy of metals, such as stainless steel, chrome, brass or aluminium, and is most preferably aluminium. Alternatively, it may be formed of any material having a similar ductility and resilience to aluminium. The notches that may be formed at pivot points or joints / hinges formed in the configurable leg (and also in the support platform) may define any suitable shape. For example, they may be rectangular notches, parallelogram notches, inverted v-shaped notches (or truncated inverted v-shape) or curved notches or different notches may take different shapes. A curved notch may be a symmetrical or asymmetrical curve and is preferably circular. Preferably, the notches are circular, by which it is meant that a notch defines the arc of a circle, which may correspond to the arc in a semicircle or a portion of a circle more or less than a semicircle. The notches preferably define an inner surface that is preferably an arc-shape notch that defines, in the configurable leg in which it is formed, a curve of at least a semicircle and preferably a segment representing from 0.5 to 0.75 of a circle. The depth of the notch in the configurable leg or at pivot points of leaves thereof, may be such as to define the minimum thickness between the inner surface of the notch and the opposing surface of the configurable leg (or leaf of the leg portion) as being up to 0.75 x the thickness of the leg or leaf, preferably at least 0.1 x the thickness and more preferably in the range 0.2 to 0.5 x the thickness. In absolute thickness terms, it is preferred that the minimum thickness between the inner surface of the notch and the opposing surface of the configurable leg or leaf is from 0.25 mm to 1 mm, preferably up to 0.75 mm, still more preferably from 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm and most preferably from 0.4 mm to 0.45 mm (e.g. about 0.4 mm). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second laterally extending surface members have a constant thickness, other than tapered outer edges. The laterally extending portions may be of any suitable thickness, but in preferred embodiments is from 0.8 to 10 mm thick, preferably up to 5 mm, still more preferably up to 2.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm and ideally in the range of 1.2 to 1.5 mm. The first and second proximal and distal base portions may be of any suitable thicknesses. Preferably, at least the distal base portions may be of constant thickness, preferably from 0.5 to 10 mm thick, preferably up to 5 mm thick, and still more preferably from 0.8 to 2 mm and most preferably from 1 to 1.5 mm thick and preferably about 1 mm thick. The height of the flooring transition member, e.g. from the lower surface of the bilaterally extending surface member and the upper surface of the distal base portion may be up to 30 mm, preferably up to 20 mm, still more preferably from 10 to 15 mm. In its initial resting configuration, in embodiments having a configurable leg, the mentioned initial resting height of the flooring transition member is from 10 to 15 mm, preferably about 12 mm, but it is recognized that the height could be extended. The first and second laterally extending surface members may extend laterally to the same extent or to different extents from one another. For example, the second laterally extending surface member may extend laterally by a greater extent than the first laterally extending surface member, optionally up to 200% more and, for example, at least 10% more, typically in the range of an amount of from 15 to 100% more, more preferably 20 to 50% more, e.g. 30 to 40% more. Alternatively, the first laterally extending surface member may extend laterally by a greater extent than the second laterally extending surface member, optionally up to 200% more and, for example, at least 10% more, typically in the range of an amount of from 15 to 100% more, more preferably 20 to 50% more, e.g. 30 to 40% more. The bilaterally extending surface member may have a total width up of to 100 mm, more preferably up to 50 mm, preferably at least 15 mm and most preferably from 20 to 30 mm, e.g. from 22 to 28 mm and most preferably about 25 mm, in which event the first and second laterally extending surface members have the same lateral extent. As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment in which there are two proximal and distal base members, the proximal base members defined by an upward projection at their distal ends, the first and second distal base member preferably have a lateral extent of at least 15 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm, still more preferably no more than 30 mm and most preferably up to 25 mm. According to this preferred embodiment, preferably, the apex of the upward projection of the first and / or second proximal base portion is laterally outward from a corresponding distal edge of a laterally extending surface member, thereby defining a mouth to the recess or gulley with an upward component of its orientation. Preferably, therefore, the proximal base portions have, independently, a lateral extent of up to 60 mm, preferably up to 30 mm, more preferably up to 25 mm, still more preferably at least 10 mm, more preferably at least 15 mm and ideally in the range 15 to 20 mm. In one embodiment, the lateral extent (to the apex of the upward projection) of the proximal base portions is about 17 to 18 mm (when, for example, the lateral extent of the corresponding laterally extending surface member is 12 mm. The extent of the proximal base portion beyond the apex may range from 0 mm to 5 mm, but preferably 0.5 to 2.5, e.g. about 1 mm. The thickness of the base member, especially the lateral base portion may be from 0.5 to 5 mm, but is preferably from about 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm and most preferably about 1 mm. The flooring transition member may be of any suitable width in order to provide a suitable transition between neighbouring / adjacent flooring surfaces and is preferably at least 40 mm, typically from 50 mm to 150 mm in width and preferably is from 60 mm to 90 mm, e.g. from 70 to 80 mm. The length of the flooring transition profile member may be any suitable length and would typically be provided in long lengths (e.g. up to 2m, 3m or 4m) and cut to desired length. According to an alternative aspect of the invention, the flooring transition member of the first aspect of the invention defined above claim 1 may have a first distal base portion having an upper surface, at least a portion of which is configured to be coplanar with the floor upon which the transition member will be laid, but vertically separated therefrom, or raised (e.g. by 4 to 8 mm) the raised upper surface having a lateral extent of from 5 to 20 mm (preferably 8 to 15 mm) and have inwardly orientated gripper spikes formed (e.g. punched) therein, instead of the member being configured for receiving a carpet gripper strip. To accommodate different carpet thicknesses, a range of flooring transition members may be provided designed for specific carpet thicknesses may be provided in which the raised planar / gripper portion of the distal base portion may begin at a point at a varied lateral extent (a further lateral extent for thicker carpets) or may have a varied lateral extension (a greater lateral extension for thicker carpets). The invention will now be described in more detail, without limitation, with reference to the accompanying Figures. In Figure 1 a cross-sectional or profile view of the flooring transition member 1 of one embodiment. The flooring transition member 1 has a bilaterally extending base member 3 and a bilaterally extending surface member 5, the upper surface 7 of which will form a composite flooring surface (not shown) together with the first carpet flooring and second flooring (not shown) when in situ. The bilaterally extending base member 3 and the bilaterally extending surface member 5 are separated by a configurable leg 9, which is generally medially disposed along the lateral extent of each of the bilaterally extending base member 3 and the bilaterally extending surface member 5. The configurable leg 9, like the bilaterally extending base member and the bilaterally extending surface member, is illustrated in profile in Figure 1, but as shown in Figures 2 and 3 runs the length of the flooring transition member 1. The configurable leg 9 has a surface member proximal portion 11 that is disposed and projects from a lower transition surface 13 of the bilaterally extending surface member 5 at a fixed angle and normal thereto. A base member proximal portion 15 of the configurable leg 9 projects from the bilaterally extending base member 3, and is at a fixed angle being generally normal thereto. The configurable leg 9 has a leg portion 17 mounted to each of a surface member mounting point 19 at an end of the surface member proximal portion 11 distal to the bilaterally extending surface member 33 and a base member mounting point 21 at an end of the base member proximal portion 15 distal to the bilaterally extending base member 3, thereby connecting the two. The leg portion 17 is formed of two leaves 23 which are configured to be articulatable or may concertina in a non-elastic manner upon the application of pressure (e.g. to the upper transition surface 7), whereby the distance between the bilaterally extending surface member 5 and the bilaterally extending base member 3 may be changed and, more particularly, reduced and whereby the angle at which the laterally extending surface member 5 is disposed relative to the laterally extending base member 3 may be adjusted. This is achieved by way of non-elastic pivot points or non-elastic hinges 25 (e.g. by way of living hinges, e.g. or formed by notches in the material at the pivot points 25) which connect the leaves 23 and connect the respective leaf 23 to the surface member mounting point 19 and the base member mounting point 21. The interleave hinge 27 typically defines an initial resting angle in the range 60 to 120 degrees and, in the case illustrated, about 90 degrees. The mounting point hinges 29 have an initial resting angle (between the leaf 23 and respective proximal portions 11,13) of about 135 degrees. Notches 31 are formed in the angles of the mounting points 19,21 and at the interleave hinge 27. Upon application of pressure, inelastic bending will occur at the pivot points 25 because of the notches formed in the typically aluminium material. Once bent, the configurable leg 9 will be resistant to further movement or return movement at the pivot points 25 unless sufficient force is applied to cause further inelastic bending. The bilaterally extending surface member 5 defines opposing first and second laterally extending surface members 33,35 which are configured to extend over respective first carpet flooring and second flooring (not shown). The bilaterally extending base member 3 defines opposing first and second laterally extending base members 37,39 which are intended for contact with the floor onto which flooring is to be installed or laid and extension underneath the first carpet flooring and the second flooring respectively. The first and second laterally extending base members 37,39 extend laterally from a support platform 41, to which the configurable leg 9 (and base member proximal portion 15 thereof) are mounted. The support platform 14 is configured to rest on the floor. A base notch 43 is formed in the lower surface 45 of the support platform 41 to provide a junction between the configurable leg 9 and the second laterally extending base member 39, whereby the angle of the angle of the second laterally extending base member 39 to the configurable leg 9 may be adjusted relative to the angle thereto of the first laterally extending base member 37, thus enabling the flooring transition member 1 to form a transition over a ridge in the floor or over a small step or edge in the floor. The first laterally extending surface member 33 and the first laterally extending base member 39 together define a first recess (or gulley) 47 for the receipt of a first carpet flooring. The second laterally extending surface member 35 and the second laterally extending base member 39 together defined a second recess (or gulley) for receipt or acceptance of the second flooring. The first and second laterally extending base members 37,39 each have distal base portion 51 and a proximal base portion 53, the proximal base portions 53 defined by upward projections 55 from or in the first and second laterally extending base members 37,39. It is the proximal base portions 53 of the laterally extending base members 37,39 that form the base of the first and second recess 47,49. The upward projections 55 are provided by the proximal base portions 53 being disposed at an acute angle to the general disposition of the configurable leg 9 to an apex at the upward projections 55 at which point the laterally extending base member extends down to a point on a line normal to the base member proximal portion 15 of the configurable leg 9 to define a carpet gripper strip alignment face or edge 59, and extends outward thereafter along that line normal to the base proximal portion 15 providing a flat distal base portion 51 for making contact with the floor onto which the flooring transition member 1 is placed. Beneath the flooring transition member 1, extending from an underside of the proximal base portion 53 between the support platform 41 and the apex of the upward projection 55 is reinforcement stand 57 that is too short to reach the floor in the initial resting configuration of the flooring transition member 1. This reinforcement stand 57 may prevent the upward projection 55 being flattened too much by force or pressure applied to the upper transition surface 7 of the flooring transition member. The second flooring may be a carpet, a carpet tile, a rubberized flooring, a flexible flooring or a rigid flooring such as a wood flooring. In each case, the second flooring may have the same or different thickness to the first carpet flooring. The flooring transition member 1 may be used to form a flooring transition between a first carpet flooring and a second carpet flooring of different pile thickness, density or rigidity, thereby providing a smooth transition. The flooring transition member 1 may be of any suitable material and is preferably of a material that may be bent, but preferably in a non-resilient way, that is by non-elastic deformation. Preferably, the flooring transition member 1 is formed of aluminium. In use, as is partially shown in figures 4A to 4C, a user or carpet fitter, may, upon preparing a first carpet flooring and a second flooring, such as a carpet of different pile thickness, to a transition point, locate the flooring transition member 1 at the transition point and glue (or otherwise affix) it to the floor 65. A first carpet grip strip 61 may then be glued to a to an upper surface of a distal base portion 51 of first lateral base member 37, aligned with the carpet gripper strip alignment edge 59, but separated therefrom by a distance (e.g. of, say, 3-5 mm) given that the first carpet flooring 67 is thicker. A second carpet grip strip 63 may be glued to an upper surface of the other distal portion 51 of the second lateral base member 39, aligned with and abutting the carpet gripper strip alignment edge 59 of the second lateral base member 39, given that the second carpet flooring 69 is thinner. Typically, and as shown in Figures 4A to 4C, underlay 75, of typically 10 to 12 mm, is laid on the floor 65 and abuts the outer distal edges of the bilaterally extending base member 3. The edge 71 of the second carpet flooring 69 is slotted into the second recess 49 and the edge 73 of the first carpet flooring 67 is then slotted into the first recess 65 as illustrated in Figure 4B. By providing first and second carpet gripper strips 61,63 on the respective distal base portions 51, the position of the gripping feature son the gripper strips 61,63 will be raised relative the laterally extending base members, where built in grippers in such carpet transition strips are usually located. This allows for improved gripping in cases of thick underlay and thick carpets at the transition and allows the use of a power stretcher, which improves the tension in the carpet near the transition. Whilst the gripping features could be provided in a raised distal profile portion of a lateral base member, the benefit of providing the distal base portions 51 for gluing a conventional gripper strips 61,63 is that the position of the gripping features of the gripper strip can be adjusted by simply aligning the carpet gripper strip with the alignment edge but separate it therefrom by a few mm. The consequence of this is that the system is adaptable for different thicknesses of carpet. For example, in the case illustrated in Figures 4A to 4C, the first carpet flooring 67 is thicker than the second carpet flooring 69 and so the gripper strip 61 is disposed separated from the carpet gripper strip alignment edge 59, which enables the power stretcher to be used on the first side too, since with the thicker carpet, if the gripper strip 61 is further in, the carpet may not be engaged by or gripped by it. Once the edges 71,73 of the first and second carpet floorings 67,69 are in their respective recesses 47,49, the fitter may optionally apply a force to the upper transition surface 7 along its length (e.g. by tapping with a wooden hammer), causing the configurable leg 9 to bend at its pivot points, thereby moving the first laterally extending surface member 33 and the second laterally extending surface member 35 toward the respective proximal base portions 53 until the first carpet flooring and second carpet flooring are nipped by the first laterally extending surface member 33 and the second laterally extending surface member 35 and the respective upward projections 55 of the proximal base 5 portions 53, at which point the edges of the first and second carpet floorings are gripped by the flooring transition member 29 retaining them within the respective recesses 47,49. Since the first and second carpet floorings are of different thicknesses, the angle of the bilaterally extending surface member 33 relative to the bilaterally extending base member 31 will have changed from the initial 10 resting position so that the upper transition surface slopes form the thicker carpet flooring downward toward the thinner carpet flooring thereby providing smooth and efficient transition, especially for floorings of different thicknesses. The invention has been described with reference to preferred 15 embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention

Claims

1. A flooring transition member for providing a transition between a first carpet flooring and a second flooring having the same or different thickness to the 5 first carpet flooring, the flooring transition member comprising an elongate profile and having:a bi-laterally extending base member having a first laterally extending base member comprising a first distal base portion and a first proximal base portion, the first distal base portion having a planar upper surface configured to be10 coplanar with the floor upon which the transition member will be laid and having sufficient lateral extent for receiving a carpet gripper strip, and the first proximal base portion forming an upward projection , and wherein the bi-laterally extending base member comprises a second laterally extending base member opposing the first laterally extending base member, the second laterally extending base member15 comprising a second distal base portion and a second proximal base portion, the second distal base portion having a planar upper surface configured to be coplanar with the floor upon which the transition member will be laid and having sufficient lateral extent for receiving a carpet gripper strip, the second proximal base portion forming an upward projection;20 a bi-laterally extending surface member having an upper transition surfacefor forming, together with the first carpet flooring and the second flooring a composite flooring surface, and a lower transition surface, the bi-laterally extending surface member having a first laterally extending surface member and an opposing second laterally extending surface member; and25 a medially-disposed, configurable leg extending between the bi-laterallyextending base member and the lower transition surface of the bi-laterally extending surface member,wherein the first proximal base portion and the lower transition surface of the first laterally extending surface member defining a first gulley or first recess for the30 receipt of a first carpet flooring and wherein the second proximal base portion and the lower transition surface of the second laterally extending surface member define a gulley or recess for the receipt of a second flooring,16 03 26wherein the upward projection member of the first proximal base portion provides a face or edge against or in relation to which a carpet gripper strip may be aligned and wherein the upward projection of the second proximal base portion provides a face or edge against or in relation to which a further carpet gripper strip may be5 aligned,and wherein the configurable leg is adapted to enable the separation between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted and / or the angle between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted.10 2. A flooring transition member as claimed in claim 1, wherein theconfigurable leg comprises a leg portion disposed between and connected to each of a surface member mounting point and a base member mounting point, wherein the leg portion comprises two leaves hingedly mounted to one another at one end thereof and at respective other ends thereof hingedly mounted to the surface15 member mounting point and the base member mounting point.

3. A flooring transition member as claimed in claim 2, wherein the configurable leg comprises:a surface member proximal portion disposed at a fixed angle relative to the 20 surface member, which surface member proximal portion projects from the lower transition surface of the surface member and has at a distal portion thereof the surface member mounting point; anda base member proximal portion disposed at a fixed angle relative to the base member, which base member proximal portion projects from the base25 member and has at a distal portion thereof the base member mounting point; wherein the leg portion is an intermediate leg portion disposed between the surface member proximal portion and the base member proximal portion.

4. A flooring transition member as claimed in claim 3, wherein the surface30 member proximal portion of the configurable leg is normal to the surface member and the base member proximal portion of the configurable leg is normal to the base member.16 03 265. A flooring transition member as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the wherein the leaves are hingedly mounted to one another and each of the surface member and base member mounting points by hinges.

56. A flooring transition member as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hinges are living hinges.

7. A flooring transition member as claimed in claim 6, wherein the living 10 hinges are formed by notches formed in the configurable leg member at the hinged mounting point and the surface member and base member mounting points.

8. A flooring transition member as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the leaves have a resting angle to one another of from 60 to 120 degrees 15 and which leaves define an apex disposed in the first recess.

9. A flooring transition member as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second flooring is a second carpet flooring, which is the same or different thickness to the first carpet flooring.2010. A flooring transition member as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the base member has a support platform to which the configurable leg is mounted and from which the first and second base members extend laterally.25 11. A flooring transition member as claimed in claim 10, wherein a junctionbetween the configurable leg and / or support platform and the first or second base member is configured to be angle-adjustable and preferably has a notch formed therein (e.g. in the underside of the support platform adjacent to a base proximal portion of the configurable leg).3016 03 2612. A flooring transition member as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the first and second base projections are formed by an apex in the shape of the base.5 13. A flooring transition member as claimed in claim 12, wherein an uppersurface of the first and second proximal base portions incline laterally outwards whereby the recess or gulley may accept a carpet edge from an opening of the recess or gulley in an angled downwards direction.10 14. A flooring transition member as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, whereinthe apex of the first and / or second base projection is laterally outward from a corresponding distal edge of a laterally extending surface member, thereby defining a mouth to the recess or gulley with an upward component of its orientation.1515. A flooring transition member as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second flooring may be a carpet, a carpet tile, a rubberized flooring, a flexible flooring or a rigid flooring such as a wood flooring.20 16. A flooring transition member as claimed in any one of the precedingclaims, which is formed from aluminium.

17. A flooring transition assembly comprising a flooring transition member as defined in any one of claims 1 to 16 and affixed thereto at a first distal base25 portion at least one carpet gripper strip or rod.

18. A kit of parts for use in building an assembly as defined in claim 17, the kit comprising a flooring transition member as defined in any one of claims 1 to 16 and one or a plurality of lengths of carpet gripper rods and optionally a suitable 30 adhesive.16 03 2619. A method of installing a flooring transition member, such as that defined in any one of claims 1 to 16, to provide a transition between a first carpet flooring and a second flooring having the same or different thickness to the first carpet flooring, the method comprising the steps of:5 providing a flooring transition member comprising an elongate profile andhaving:- a bi-laterally extending base member having a first laterally extending base member comprising a first distal base portion and a first proximal base portion, the first distal base portion having a planar upper surface10 configured to be coplanar with the floor upon which the transition memberwill be laid and having sufficient lateral extent for receiving a carpet gripper strip, and the first proximal base portion defined by an upward projection from or in the first laterally extending base member;- a bi-laterally extending surface member having an upper transition surface15 for forming, together with the first carpet flooring and the second flooringa composite flooring surface, and a lower transition surface, the bi-laterally extending surface member having a first laterally extending surface member and an opposing second laterally extending surface member;- a medially-disposed configurable leg extending between the bi-laterally20 extending base member and the lower transition surface of the bi-laterallyextending surface member,the first proximal base portion and the lower transition surface of the first laterally extending surface member defining a first gulley or first recess for the receipt of a first carpet flooring,25 wherein the upward projecting member provides a face or edgeagainst or in relation to which a carpet gripper strip may be aligned,and wherein the configurable leg is adapted to enable the separation between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted and the angle between the base member and the surface member to be adjusted,30 disposing the transition member on a floor at an interface between the firstcarpet flooring and the second flooring such that a lateral edge of the base member is adjunct or aligned with an optional underlay;16 03 26affixing a carpet gripper strip to the upper surface of the first distal base portion aligned with and abutting or separated from the face or edge of the upward projecting member according to the thickness of the first carpet flooring to be fitted;5 inserting an interface edge of the first carpet flooring into the first recess;optionally inserting an interface edge of the second flooring into a second recess or arranging the second flooring to extend beneath the second laterally extending surface member; andoptionally tapping an upper surface of the bilaterally extending surface10 member so as to adjust the separation between the base member and the surface member and the angle between the base member and the surface member.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the tapping of the upper surface of the bilaterally extending surface member serves to bend the medially-15 disposed configurable leg at hinges or joints thereof.

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