Polymeric Cove Base Support with Open Web Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cove flashing systems are inefficient and costly due to multiple handling and shipping of prefabricated components, and they often result in seams and corrosion issues with aluminum supports, while synthetic rubber supports are less durable and expensive.
Innovation Solution
An extruded polymeric cove base support with a uniform cross-section, comprising a wall portion, a toe portion, and a curved intermediate cove portion, featuring an open web structure and ribs for enhanced rigidity and adhesive bonding, allowing for on-site cutting and installation, and adaptable corner and transition sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If prefabricated cove flashings are used, then installation is simplified, but handling and shipping costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cove base support is divided into separate components (cove base support and resilient flooring) that can be manufactured independently and assembled on-site, eliminating the need to ship pre-assembled units while maintaining installation simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The cove base support is pre-formed with the curved geometry and structural features needed for proper installation, allowing workers to simply attach the resilient flooring to it on-site without requiring complex pre-assembly operations
2Strength
If aluminum base supports are used, then structural strength is improved, but corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a polymeric material that combines the structural strength needed for support with inherent corrosion resistance, creating a composite solution that eliminates the trade-off between strength and corrosion resistance present in metal materials
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter from metal (aluminum) to polymer, fundamentally altering the material properties to achieve both sufficient structural strength and superior corrosion resistance simultaneously
3Reliability
If synthetic rubber base supports are used, then corrosion resistance is improved, but durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a specifically formulated polymeric material that combines the corrosion resistance of synthetic rubber with enhanced durability characteristics, creating a superior composite material that outperforms both aluminum and synthetic rubber separately
4Loss of substance
If on-site fabrication is used, then material waste is reduced, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cove base support is pre-formed with the exact curved geometry and structural features required for proper installation, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site shaping operations while still allowing material optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric material can be manufactured in various colors and finishes during production, allowing aesthetic matching to be done during manufacturing rather than requiring time-consuming on-site finishing operations
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a polymeric cove base support for installation where flooring meets a wall, comprising extruded straight portions and molded exterior corner and end portions. The cove base support comprises an upper wall portion, a lower toe portion and an intermediate curved or concave cove. The wall portion is substantially perpendicular to the toe portion. The curved cove comprises an outer cove surface for facing the wall-floor interface and a spaced apart inner curved cove surface facing the room when installed. The spacing between the two curved coves for the straight portion creates an open area, where the open area includes a supporting or reinforcing bar juxtaposed between the curves, preferably positioned perpendicular between the two curve coves in the center region of the open area, and extending the length of the cove base. The corner and end portions have outside surfaces facing the wall and a floor, the outside surfaces defined in part by spaced ribs extending perpendicular to each of the toe and wall portions.