Stair edge profile assembly

#The invention concerns a stair edge profile assembly for fitting to the front edge or nose of a stair or step forming for example part of a staircase or the like.

#Stairs or steps are frequently covered by a stair covering which may cover the surface of each stair tread and which may also cover the vertical surface of the stair riser. In one form of stair edge profile assembly for use in such a situation, the assembly comprises a tread angle member having a tread limb portion whose free end forms a cover blade portion for extending over a covering on the stair tread. Arranged on the tread angle member at a right angle thereto is an abutment limb, while the assembly further comprises a base profile member which can be fixed on the stair. Such an arrangement is to be found for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,797 in which the base profile member is fitted in a L-shape around the stair edge and fixed to the stair by means of a nail. At the stair edge the base profile member has an inclined surface serving as an abutment contact surface for the tread angle member. The outsides of the base profile member and the inside of the tread angle member fit together in positively locking relationship. The tread angle member is made from plastic material and has air chambers therein in order to improve the damping properties of the assembly. Provided on the tread angle member at both ends thereof are so-called cover blade portions which, after the tread angle member has been fitted on to the base profile member on the stair, press the tread covering against the base profile member. Use of this assembly is restricted to carpets which are compressed and clamped in position between the cover blade portion and the base profile member.

#A disadvantage of this construction is also the consideration that use thereof is restricted to stair coverings of a quite specific thickness of material. When laying for example carpeting of a greater thickness or when using laminate or parquet floor coverings, a different tread angle member has to be used for each specific thickness of material.

#FIG. 1 is a side view of a tread angle member of the assembly according to the invention,

#FIG. 2 is a side view of a base profile member of the assembly according to the invention,

#FIG. 3 shows the tread angle member and the base profile member in the mounted condition when using a vertical riser,

#Referring firstly to FIG. 1, shown therein is a side view of a tread angle member 1 as is used in a stair edge assembly according to the invention. The tread angle member 1 comprises a tread limb 2 and an abutment limb 3 which is arranged substantially perpendicularly relative thereto. Provided on the tread limb 2 in substantially parallel relationship to and at a predetermined spacing from the abutment limb 3 is a leg portion 10 whose side that is directed towards the abutment limb 3 forms a first guide support surface 7. The tread limb 2 extends beyond the leg portion 10 and in that region, at its free end, forms a portion which is referred to herein as a cover blade portion 5. The cover blade portion 5 tapers slightly towards its free end and is of a rounded-off configuration thereat. In its position the cover blade portion 5 is slightly inclined towards the top side of the stair tread. Provided in the tread limb 2 in the region between the leg portion 10 and the abutment limb 3 are countersink holes 15 into which drive screws as indicated at 16 in for example FIG. 3 can be inserted upon fitting of the assembly. Provided at the surface of the tread limb 2 in the transition between the tread limb 2 and the abutment limb 3 and in the region above the leg portion 10 and the cover blade portion 5 are grooves or channels 18 which extend in the longitudinal direction of the assembly in order to provide a non-slip surface which thus affords a reliable grip for the feet. The outside of the abutment limb 3 is in the form of an inclined surface which goes downwardly into a radial curvature. In this embodiment, as viewed from below, the inside of the abutment limb 3 has a first step 30, after which the inside goes into a guide support surface 6 which is adapted to co-operate with the end of a bottom plate portion of the base profile member 4. However, it is also possible to provide a particular thickened portion on the base profile member, for such an end surface.

#Adjoining the guide support surface 6 the inside of the abutment limb 3 has an abutment 20 which, when the tread angle member 1 is pushed on to the base profile 4, defines the smallest thickness of for example parquet stair covering.

#FIG. 2 shows a side view of a base profile member 4 which co-operates with the tread angle member 1 shown in FIG. 1. The base profile member 4 has a substantially horizontal bottom plate portion, at the end of which is provided a co-operating surface 8 adapted to co-operate with the guide support surface 6 at the inside of the abutment limb 3. Arranged on the base profile member 4 are first and second leg portions 11 and 13 which are so profiled at the inward sides thereof that they form a screwthreaded drive passage 14 for screwing in the above-mentioned drive screws 16. Provided on the outside of the leg portion 11 which is at the right in FIG. 2 is the co-operating surface 9 for co-operating with the guide support surface 11 at the inside of the leg portion 10 of the tread angle member 1. Provided in the bottom plate portion of the base profile member 4 are bore holes 17 by way of which the base profile member 4 is fixed to the stair. The bottom plate portion of the base profile member 4 is provided on both sides with a profiling configuration as indicated at 19 so that the base profile member 4 can be non-displaceably fixed on the stair and the stair covering 12 can be non-displaceably fixed on the base profile member.