Universal transition molding
AssigneeZamma Corporation, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Bremer, Robert Mason
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A universal transition molding for bridging two floor surfaces can include: a substantially symmetrical extruded profile of unitary construction having: (i) a substantially planar central portion, (ii) a pair of downwardly depending substantially planar wings, (iii) a pair of hinge sections joining the wings to opposing edges of the central portion, and (iv) a pair of vertical legs depending from a bottom surface of the central portion. Methods of manufacturing and installing the universal transition molding are described.
Claims19
A universal transition molding system for bridging two floor surfaces, the molding system comprising:
- a substantially symmetrical extruded profile of unitary construction comprising:
- a substantially planar central portion;
- a pair of downwardly depending substantially planar wings;
- a pair of hinge sections joining the wings to opposing edges of the central portion;
- and
- a pair of vertical legs depending from a bottom surface of the central portion;
- a cover adhered to and extending along upper surfaces of the central portion and the wings, wherein the cover comprises at least one of a decorative finish, a friction enhancing finish, or a wear resistant finish,
- wherein a minimum thickness of each hinge section is less than or equal to about half of an average thickness of the wings,
- wherein the hinge sections are more flexible than the wings, such that the hinge sections permit the wings to flex or rotate about the hinge sections relative to the central portion,
- wherein each hinge section forms a wing angle between each substantially planar wing and a horizontal plane defined by the substantially planar central portion, and
- wherein the wing angle for each hinge is from about 15 degrees to about 45 degrees when the extruded profile is in a relaxed state;
- and
- a U-shaped track defining a slot configured to receive the pair of vertical legs.
A method of manufacturing a universal transition molding system for bridging two floor surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:
- extruding a substantially symmetrical molding profile of unitary construction comprising:
- a substantially planar central portion;
- a pair of downwardly depending substantially planar wings;
- a pair of hinge sections joining the wings to opposing edges of the central portion;
- and
- a pair of vertical legs depending from a bottom surface of the central portion;
- cooling the extruded profile,
- wherein a minimum thickness of each hinge section is less than or equal to about half of an average thickness of the wings,
- wherein the hinge sections are more flexible than the wings, such that the hinge sections permit the wings to flex or rotate about the hinge sections relative to the central portion,
- wherein each hinge section forms a wing angle between each substantially planar wing and a horizontal plane defined by the substantially planar central portion, and
- wherein the wing angle for each hinge is from about 15 degrees to about 45 degrees when the extruded profile is in a relaxed state;
- applying a cover adhered to and extending along upper surfaces of the central portion and the wings,
- wherein the cover comprises at least one of a decorative finish, a friction enhancing finish, or a wear resistant finish;
- and
- providing a U-shaped track defining a slot configured to receive the pair of vertical legs.
A method of installing a universal transition molding for bridging two floor surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a substantially symmetrical molding profile of unitary construction comprising:
- a substantially planar central portion;
- a pair of downwardly depending substantially planar wings;
- a pair of hinge sections joining the wings to opposing edges of the central portion;
- and
- a pair of vertical legs depending from a bottom surface of the central portion,
- wherein the universal transition molding comprises a cover adhered to and extending along upper surfaces of the central portion and the wings, wherein the cover comprises at least one of a decorative finish, a friction enhancing finish, or a wear resistant finish;
- and
- pressing the legs into a slot defined by a U-shaped track disposed between the two floor surfaces,
- wherein a minimum thickness of each hinge section is less than or equal to about half of an average thickness of the wings,
- wherein the hinge sections are more flexible than the wings, such that the hinge sections permit the wings to flex or rotate about the hinge sections relative to the central portion,
- wherein each hinge section forms a wing angle between each substantially planar wing and a horizontal plane defined by the substantially planar central portion, and
- wherein the wing angle for each hinge is from about 15 degrees to about 45 degrees when the extruded profile is in a relaxed state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.