Corner Profile for Stair Coverings Without Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corner profile solutions fail to effectively connect and cover profile strips without requiring cuts, particularly for thicker or brittle materials like carpet or laminate, which cannot be mitered or bent around corners.

Innovation Solution

A corner profile design featuring angled sections with a casing and grip for non-positive locking of profile strips, including an engagement element and recesses for fastening, allowing for secure coverage without cutting, and featuring a one-piece construction for easy assembly and cost-effective production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If miter cuts are made at corners for stair covering, then thin coverings can be bent around corners, but thicker or brittle coverings like carpet or laminate cannot be mitered or bent around corners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to bend coverings around cornersVSAvoiddifficulty of working with thicker or brittle materials
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The corner profile is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) that can be independently configured. Each section can be angled differently to accommodate the transition from straight profile strips to corner coverage, allowing thicker materials to be installed without bending or cutting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The corner profile extends in multiple spatial dimensions with varying angles and heights. The first section has a first angle, the second section has a second angle, and the third section has a third angle, creating a three-dimensional structure that accommodates thicker materials without requiring them to be bent or cut.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Shape

If profile strips are positioned around corners butting against each other, then corner coverage is achieved, but the connection and covering requires cutting the profile strips and covering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorner formationVSAvoidrequirement to cut profile strips and covering
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The corner profile is pre-formed with integrated locking sections and engagement elements before installation. The locking sections are designed to engage with the profile strips at predetermined locations, eliminating the need for on-site cutting or modification of the profile strips or covering materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The corner profile combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: the casing provides structural support and aesthetic coverage, the locking sections provide mechanical connection to profile strips, and the engagement elements secure the covering. This merging eliminates the need for separate cutting and joining operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a corner profile is designed with locking sections and engagement elements, then secure connection to profile strips is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of connectionVSAvoidstructure with multiple sections and locking mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The corner profile is divided into modular sections (first, second, and third sections) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each section contains simplified locking mechanisms, making the overall complex structure manageable through modular design while maintaining secure connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The corner profile incorporates self-locking features where the locking sections automatically engage with the profile strips through geometric interlocking, and the engagement elements self-secure the covering in place. This reduces the need for additional fasteners or complex assembly procedures despite the increased structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3848529B1Corner profile for the arrangement of profiled strips
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 KUBERIT PROFILE SYSTEMS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3848529B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3848529B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention describes a corner profile for arrangement on abutting profile strips forming a corner, comprising mutually angled subsections, each of which is designed to receive one of the profile strips for fastening, wherein the corner profile has a casing and an overlap formed thereon, which is designed to engage into the profile strips to create a force-fit locking of the corner profile and the profile strips.