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US 9,399,874 B2Granted
Tread cap and methods and processes related thereto
OwnerPeter Spielmaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Capping structures for covering existing stair treads to provide a bull nose configuration. Additionally, unique processes and/or methods for manufacturing or making such capping structures.
Claims14
A method of producing a capping structure for covering a pre-existing stair structure having a bull nose, the method comprising:
- providing a generally rectangular, generally planar tread element, and machining a groove in a surface of said tread element proximal a longitudinal edge thereof, said groove being machined to extend substantially the entire length of one side of said tread element;
- providing a generally rectangular cap precursor element which is sized in at least one dimension to have a thickness which is approximately equal to the width of said groove and which is sized in at least one other dimension to have a length approximately equal to the length of said groove;
- gluing said cap precursor element to said groove so that the width and length of said groove and said cap precursor elements are substantially spatially aligned;
- machining joined outward facing surfaces of said tread element and said cap precursor element to form a convex, bull nose shaped configuration;
- affixing a wear resistant, decorative thin laminate sheet to an upper surface of said tread element and to said convex, bull nose shaped configuration;
- and
- machining a surface of said cap precursor element located on a side of said cap precursor element which is substantially opposite said convex, bull nose shaped configuration to have a concave radius, such radius being suitably sized to form a recessed portion in said cap precursor element which is configured to mate with an existing bull nose of a stair tread.
4 more elements
A capping apparatus for covering a pre-existing stair structure having a bull nose, said apparatus comprising:
- a generally rectangular, generally planar tread element machined to have a groove in a surface of said tread element proximal a longitudinal edge thereof, said groove being machined to extend substantially the entire length of one side of said tread element;
- a generally rectangular cap precursor element which is sized in at least one dimension to have a thickness which is approximately equal to the width of said groove and which is sized in at least one other dimension to have a length approximately equal to the length of said groove, said cap precursor element being glued to said groove so that the width and length of said groove and said cap precursor elements are substantially spatially aligned;
- wherein joined outward facing surfaces of said tread element and said cap precursor element are machined to form a convex, bull nose shaped configuration;
- wherein a wear resistant, decorative thin laminate sheet is affixed to an upper surface of said tread element and to said convex, bull nose shaped configuration;
- and
- wherein a surface of said cap precursor element located on a side of said cap precursor element which is substantially opposite said convex, bull nose shaped configuration is machined to have a concave radius, such radius being suitably sized to form a recessed portion in said cap precursor element which is configured to mate with an existing bull nose of a stair tread.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.