SKIRTING SYSTEM

Abstract: With this invention, the carpet is clamped to the floor by the skirting board (2B). This new concept dispenses with conventional carpet grippers found around perimeter walls. The backing strip (2A) holds and clamps the carpet even when the demountable front cover (skirting) (2B) is removed, say for decorating purposes. For timber products the removal for painting or staining skirting becomes easy. The adjustment of the backing strip (2A) enables the front cover (2B) to clamp any thickness or type of carpet. It even seals solid surfaces. Fixings are hidden. The front cover (2B) has a unique profile to accept 'snap on connectors' this enables the cover to change its shape, or to introduce a buffer system to add colour(s) to the product or add signs and graphics to a specification or one's own design.

Description: SKIRTING SYSTEM This invention relates to a skirting board that clamps the carpet to the floor. Skirting boards are an edge detail. The purpose, to divide the wall from the floor. It acts as a kicking strip to safeguard the wall. This invention dispenses with the conventional carpet gripper found around perimeter walls. Skirting boards have been around for centuries with very little change. The only change being the size and shape or trying to put cables behind. This invention:- The skirting blends into the architrave and dado system. The skirting is demountable to aid decorating. For timber products, the removal from the wall makes painting easier - no trying to paint with the carpet down or removing of the carpet. Hessian, foam, rubber or synthetic backed carpets can be fitted by the DAS skirting system. Carpets can be cut oversize to compensate for carpet shrinking. Can be fitted and sealed to solid surfaces. Can be fitted by D. I .Y. A snap-on panel enables:- 1 ) changes in shape 2) different colour schemes 3) direction signs 4) advertising space 5) buffer All hidden fixings. This invention is unique. The skirting has two principle components, a backing strip which comprises of a wedge shaped locking block, a locking down screw that nips and holds the carpet in place, and an optional beam clamp which clamps the carpet for its whole length. The cover plate, which is the skirting, slots over the tenon on the backing strip by pushing in a downwards direction, this locks the two components together and adds further clamping to the carpet, a neat joint can then be made. 1 RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) I A P This pushing downward operation can be done by means of a wedge action, jacking or ratching, spring pressure or movement joints. The skirting has a special optional feature, a dovetail or clip slot on its front face, where a snap-on panel can be added to change the shape or to add colour(s) to the skirting. Any type, sign or advertising can be clipped in. By putting the directional signs low to the floor, illuminated signs can be a fire safety factor ie Emergency Exit->, Fire Escape-> etc. Drawing 1/9 Perspective of Skirting Board The drawing shows Jn perspective the two principle components. The backing strip (lA) is fitted to wall, this may be adjusted to suit various carpet thicknesses. A clamping bolt (lC) nips and clamps the carpet to the floor. A swivel pad may be attached to the clamp bolt if desip d. For heavy duty clamping an option is LQ use a beam clamp (lD). This is attached to the clamp bolt (lC), the beam clamp gives a continuous clamping to the carpet aTl round the perimeter wall. The drawing also shows -various extras-attachments, a connector (lE) mitped strip LH or RH (ΪF\ stop ends QG) corner pieces (ll^ outside or (lj) inside. Fig 1 illustrates the profile of the skirting board, QB) the outer edge as a dovetail or clip slot for a snap-on connector. The inner profile is to locate the connector (lE) and to enable the locking tapered block to slide and to align up to the vee clamping block on the backing strip, once clamped the sliding block may be secured in place. The bottom edge of the profile may be a suction pad for solid surfaces . An Alternative is a fixed locking tapered block and the skirting board as one unit. Drawing 2/9 Vee Clamping This drawing illustrates the backing strip (ZA). Fixed to a wall, the backing strip may be adjusted upwards or downward to suit various thicknesses of replacement carpets. The backing strip has a raised vee clamping block at intervals along its length. Clamping bolts (2D) are at the mid position of all raised blocks, this clamping bolt nips and clamps the carpet to the floor, for a heavy duty clamping a beam clamp (2E) may be used, this gives a continuous clamping to the carpet air round the perimeter wall. RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) The locking tapered block on the skirting board (2B) may be as one unit, with the blocks at the same intervals as Tne vee tapered block of the backing strip. Or the locking tapered block (2Q may be a loose item and slide along the inner rear sliderail σr the the skirting board. This sliding method enables its own alignment with the vee tapered block on the backing strip, once aligned it can be secured in place. By pushing the skirting in a downward direction, the two principle components are locked together, this gives additional and secondary clamping to the carpet. Grub screws i Fj gives vertical correction to the skirting and adjust the skirting to seal the skirting to the wall. An alternative method is to spring the skirting towards the wall by means of a spring clip or a wedge system pushing against the backing strip. A cable tray (2G) is fixed behind the skirting board independently. Drawing 3/9 Jacking System This drawing illustrates two principle components, a backing strip (3A) with a raised platform at intervals along its^length. This pratform has a keyhole slot and a iacking screw (3C) at mid positions with an optional beam clamp (3D) that clamps tne carpet to the floor. ^-^ The second component, the skirting X3B), has at the same intervals a rotating eccentric keyed spigot (3GjT The eccentric spigot fits inside the keyed slot and as the eccentric is turned, it becomes trapped behind the backing strip platform. The eccentrics push against a kicking plate on the backing strip, this pushes the skirting in a downward direction clamping the two principle components together and a second clamping is made to the carpet . 3F) cable tray is fixed behind the skirting board. Drawing 4/9 This illustrates an all in one unit, a series of toggle clamps are attached to the backing strip (4A). The skirting WB) is a loose item which is secured to the toggle plate. By pushing the skirting board in a downward direction, passing the leverage dead centre to lock itself, the skirting clamps the carpet to the floor. The skirting can be demountable while the carpet remains clamped. RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) Drawing 5 /9 This drawing illustrates various methods of converting the front blade by means of a snap-on panel. Changes can be made to the skirting by sliding different attachments. 1) It can change the shape by adding new component shape. 2) It can add colour(s) to the skirting. Fig 4 3) A buffer system. Fig 6 4) A stick and peel or velcro system. Fig 5 5) A material can be added to the skirting to match the wall or floor covering. Also Fig 6 6) Any type of sign can be added as illustrated by Fig 7, for example:- Fire Exits, Emergency, Stairs, Room *, Ward * etc. 7) Advertising as illustrated by Fig 8:- Company Name, Logo, Departments 8) Special D. I .Y. Fig 9 9) Follow signs. All these snap-on items can be changed to suit any conditions. RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 ) Description DAS System Architrave This invention has two principle components, a backing strip with a built up vee locating block and a front cover with fixed or sliding locking tapered block, as the outer cover is pushed in a downward direction the two components are locked together, the front cover legs can be clipped under the backing strip to give a close joint against the wall. Drawing 6/9 This drawing illustrates two principle components. A backing strip (6 has a^raised vee clamping block spaced at intervals. The froTft cover (6B has at the same intervals, a locking tapered block. By pushirTg in a downward direction, both components are locked together. The top member again has two principle components. A back strip fed) with raised vee clamping blocks and a front cover (6D) with fixed or sliding vee clamping blocks. These enable both components to line up, again by pushing in a downward direction the components are locked together. Fig 10 illustrates the bottom of the architrave matching the skirting boarding. Fig 11 illustrates the doorway architrave assembly. Drawing 7/9 This illustrates optional methods of fixing both principle components of architraves together. 7A) illustrates a typical backing strip. Option 1 - locking tapered bungs (JBY_ Option 2 - locking tapered collets^7C) Option 3 - locking with a 1/4 turn rocking bung (7D 1 RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) Description DAS System Dado and Picture Rail This invention has two principle components. A backing strip with a raised vee clamping block and a front plate (dado) with a fixed or sliding locking tapered block. The back strip is fixed to the wall, then the sliding locking tapered block is aligned with the corresponding block. By pushing in a downward position the two components are locked together Drawing 8/9 Dado (Picture Rail) This illustrates two principle components. A backing strip Π3A), with a raised vee clamping block, the bottom edge of t έ vee block to match the profile of the dado. The front cover (8B) has a fixed or sliding locking tapered block. The sliding blσ * cκ is aligned with the raised vee block on the backing strip. Once aligned, the sliding block may be securely fastened. By pushing in a downward direction, the two components are locked together. The cover plate has a small tag which is trapped behind the backing strip. This adds strength for the rail, and seals the cover against the wall. RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA/EP Drawing 9/9 Assembly of the DAS System This drawing shows in perspective, how all the DAS System is joined and fixed together. All DAS systems are module units and are joined together by means of a connector system. The system can be cut and mitred to any design. Corners also can be mitred to suit or standard L shape pieces can be incorporated both for internal and external usage. For acute angled corners, a hinge type corner unit can be introduced . RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91)

Claims: Claims DAS System 1) Carpet clamping by means of a skirting board. 2) The DAS System comprises of two principle components, a backing strip and a front cover plate. These two components lock themselves together. 3) The locking of the two components as in claim 2 can be operated by a locking wedge action. 4) As is claim 3 by means of locking eccentric. 5) As in claim 3 by means of movement joints. 6) As in claim 3 by 1/4 turn locking. 7) As in claim 3 by locking both backing and skirting components together. 8) The backing strip of the skirting board has the power to clamp the carpet independently from the front cover plate. 9) As in claim 8 by means of jacking. 10) As in claim 8 by means of racking. 11) As in claim 8 by means of movement joints. 12) As in claim 8 by means of spring pressure (not shown). 13) As in claim 8 by means of quick release system (not shown). 14) The clamping of the carpet for extra or additional pressure. A beam clamp can be introduced to give continuous clamping. 15) The front blade (skirting) acts as a secondary clamping, this profile or shape can be of any design. 16) Both the beam clamp and the front blade. The clamping edge can be of any design as to give a positive clamp. 17) As in claim 16 by means of a knife edge. 18) As in claim 16 the clamping edges can be of toothed design. 19) As in claim 16 the clamping edges can be ribbed. 20) As in claim 16 the clamping edges can be knurled. 21) The front cover/blade of the DAS System can be demountable to aid decorating. 8 RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA/EP 22) The front cover/blade of the DAS System can be recessed or dovetailed to accept a snap on design system. 23) As in claim 22 an alternative design:- a peel off sticky surface to accept an additional design system. 24) As in claim 22 velcro to the surface as an alternative. 25) Additional design systems can be snapped or stuck onto the DAS System. 26) Additional design systems as in claim 25 to change to a multi colour system. 27) As in claim 25 to add a buffer system. 28) As in claim 25 to add signs such as directional or coding etc . 29) As in claim 25 to add graphics, advertising or DIY signs. 30) As in claim 25 to change the shape of the outer cover. 31) This invention dispenses with conventional floor mounted carpet grippers found around perimeter edges. 32) Solid surfaces can be sealed by means of a suction pad at the blade tip end. 33) Architrave to skirting the design can blend into each other. 34) Architrave to dado the design can blend into each other. 35) The DAS System can be to module sizes and interlocking. 36) The DAS System can also be cut to any lengths. 37) All systems used can be used separately. 38) The removal of timber products makes painting or staining easy. 39) A special design cable tray can be added as an alternative behind the DAS System. 40) With the skirting board removed, the carpet remains clamped to the floor. 41) Carpets can be cut oversize. 42) All types of carpets can be clamped, from Hessian backed to foam/rubber backing, even lino type. RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA/EP

Inventors: DULEY BRIAN EDWARD, DULEY, BRIAN, EDWARD
Applicants: DULEY BRIAN EDWARD, DULEY, BRIAN, EDWARD
Application year: 1995
Main classification: E04F19
IPC codes: A47G27, E04F19