Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
25976-21
- 1 -
Profile-rail system
The invention relates to a profile-rail system.
A large number of profile-rail systems for the
abovementioned purposes are known from practise, these
systems differing, in particular, by way of their
installation method. In particular, it is known for profile-
rail systems of the abovementioned type to be designed such
that they are formed by a base profile which is secured, for
example, in a joint. A cover profile is fastened on this
base profile by being clipped or screwed in. This cover
profile has at least one covering wing, which covers over
the floor-covering periphery. It is thus ensured, in
particular, that the floor-covering periphery and the joint
formed are covered. Nevertheless, it is ensured that the
floor covering can execute a horizontal movement in order to
isolate the floor-covering elements from destructive forces.
These profile-rail systems thus allow for the principle of
floating floor laying.
The object of the invention is to provide a
profile-rail system of the type mentioned in the
introduction which is distinguished by improved
installation.
According to one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a profile-rail system for at least one of
the following purposes a: for bridging floor-covering
transitions, b: for bridging floor-covering terminations, c:
for bridging stair or step edges, d: as a baseboard, the
profile-rail system having at least one cover profile and at
least one covering wing which engages over a floor-covering
end, at least one of the parts formed by the cover profile
and covering wing being adjustable and being pushed against
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
25976-21
- la -
the floor covering by at least one spring designed as a
separate part.
According to another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a profile-rail system for at
least one of the following purposes a: for bridging floor-
covering transitions, b: for bridging floor-covering
terminations, c: for bridging stair or step edges, d: as a
baseboard, the profile-rail system having at least one cover
profile and at least one covering wing which engages over a
floor-covering end, at least one of the parts formed by the
cover profile and covering wing being adjustable and being
pushed against the floor covering by at least one bistable
spring.
According to still another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a profile-rail system for at
least one of the following purposes a: for floors, b: for
ceilings, c: for walls, d: as a cable duct, the profile-rail
system having at least one cover profile and at least one
covering wing, at least one of the parts formed by the cover
profile and covering wing being adjustable and being
prestressed by at least one spring designed as a separate
part.
According to yet another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a profile-rail system for at
least one of the following purposes a: for floors, b: for
ceilings, c: for walls, d: as a cable duct, the profile-rail
system having at least one cover profile and at least one
covering wing, at least one of the parts formed by the cover
profile and covering wing being adjustable and being
prestressed by at least one bistable spring.
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
25976-21
- 1b -
The profile-rail system according to the invention
serves for bridging floor-covering transitions and
terminations and/or stair or step edges. The profile-rail
system is formed essentially by a cover profile which is
assigned, if appropriate, a base profile. The cover profile
may also be connected integrally to the base profile. In
particular, it is also conceivable for the cover profile not
to have a covering function and not to be visible in the
installed position of the
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
- 2 -
profile-rail system. The base profile is usually
secured directly on the floor. Various methods are
possible for this purpose. For example, the base
profile could be screwed or adhesively bonded to the
floor. As an alternative, the base profile could also
grip beneath the floor-covering elements by way of a
crosspiece, this producing a clamping grip together
with the cover profile. It would be possible, if
appropriate, to provide, between the base profile and
the cover profile, a connecting part which allows for
additional adaptation to different floor-covering
thicknesses. In order that the profile-rail system can
cover over the floor-covering periphery, it has at
least one covering wing. This covering wing is pushed
resiliently against the floor covering. This ensures
that the covering wing butts flush against the floor-
covering elements and, in particular, that the profile-
rail system does not loosen in any way under footfall
impact. Moreover, the resilient covering wing has the
particular advantage that, for example, cables or the
like can also be laid subsequently in the joint beneath
the covering wing. All that is required for this
purpose is for the covering wing to be raised counter
to the force of that at least one spring and for the
cable to be laid. The covering wing is then pivoted
into its covering position again, with the result that
the joint is concealed. It is basically immaterial here
as to whether the cover profile as a whole or just the
covering wing thereof is adjustable and resiliently
prestressed. The desired effect occurs in both cases,
so that the person skilled in the art can select the
design suitable for the application case in hand. In
order to facilitate inspection work in particular, the
at least one spring is of bistable design. It is
conceivable here, in particular, for the at least one
spring to push the covering wing or the cover profile,
on the one hand, into a covering position, in which the
covering wing is pushed against the floor covering,
and, on the other hand, into an upwardly adjusted
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
- 3 -
installation position. A dead center is provided
between the two positions and has to be overcome in
order for it to be possible to assume the respectively
other position. This measure also facilitates the
installation of the profile-rail system since the
covering wing and the cover profile can remain in the
installation position during installation without
having to be blocked separately for this purpose.
Moreover, the covering wing can also arrest floating
floors to good effect without any further fastening
measures being necessary for this purpose.
If only the covering wing is to be adjusted, then it is
advantageous if it is retained on the cover profile
such that it can be pivoted via a pivot bearing. In
this case, the at least one spring biases the covering
wing in the pivoting direction such that the free end
of the covering wing is pushed against the floor
covering. The pivot bearing is preferably designed such
that it has an extrudable form. The cover profile and
the covering wing can thus be produced particularly
straightforwardly and thus cost-effectively. This
design of the cover profile has the particular
advantage, in particular in the case of cover profiles
with two covering wings, that the two covering wings
are pushed against the respective floor covering, by
spring force, independently of one another. This
compensates for different covering heights
automatically and without any separate adjustment and
adaptation measures being required. In order for it to
be possible to introduce, at a later point in time, for
example a cable into the joint in which the profile-
rail system is secured, all that is required, moreover,
is for just one of the covering wings to be pivoted up
in each case, while the other covering wing remains in
its covering position. Subsequent inspection work is
thus particularly straightforward and easy to carry
out.
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
- 4 -
As an alternative, or in addition, the cover profile
may be retained such that it can be adj usted in height
in relation to the base profile. This design is
preferable, in particular for cover profiles with a
covering wing on one side, since, in this case, there
is no need for any individual height adjustment of the
individual covering wings.
In particular, it is conceivable for the cover profile
together with the at least one covering wing to be
connected to the base profile prior to the latter being
secured, with the result that the profile-rail system
as a whole can be installed in the joint. This
installation can be done without obstruction in the
installation position of the at least one covering
wing. This does away with any complicated assembly work
of the individual profiles on site.
Moreover, it is advantageous if the cover profile or
the covering wing can be adjusted between a covering
position, in which they are pushed, with prestressing,
against the floor covering, and an installation
position, in which the space beneath the covering wing
is released.
In particular in the case of the covering wing being
mounted for pivoting action, it is advantageous if the
at least one spring acts, on the one hand, on the at
least one covering wing and, on the other hand, on the
cover profile. This means that the spring action is
always the same, irrespective of any height
adjustability of the cover profile which may be
provided.
In the case of a preferred development of the profile-
rail system, the spring engages in grooves of the
covering profile or cover profile and is retained
sufficiently securely therein. At least one of these
grooves here is oriented at an acute angle in relation
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
to the floor-covering plane, with the result that the
spring can engage in the groove to different depths,
depending on the pivoting angle of the covering wing.
This realizes a straightforward dead center for the
pivoting of the covering wing. In particular, it is
conceivable for the groove to be designed such that the
spring engages in the groove to a deeper extent in the
installation position than in the covering position. An
advantageous side effect here is that the contact-
pressure force of the covering wing against the floor
covering is greater than against the stop in the
installation position.
In addition, it is advantageous if the grooves are
spaced apart from the pivot bearing. This results in a
greater adjustment path for the spring when the
covering wing is pivoted, which leads to a
correspondingly higher level of spring stressing and
thus to a high contact-pressure force of the covering
wing on the floor covering.
As an alternative, in order to realize the profile-rail
system as straightforwardly as possible, it is
advantageous if the groove provided on the covering
wing is formed in the pivot bearing for the at least
one covering wing. This results in a particularly
compact construction of the cover profile.
In particular in the case of the height-adjustable
cover profile, it is advantageous if the at least one
spring acts, on the one hand, on the cover profile and,
on the other hand, on the base profile or a separate
connecting part. In this way, the at least one spring
can pull the cover profile very easily against the base
profile in order to push the at least one covering wing
against the floor covering.
The desired dead center can be realized particularly
effectively by at least one guide being provided on the
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
- 6 -
base profile, on the cover profile and/or on the
covering wing. At least one follower, which is
resiliently prestressed in the axial direction, follows
this guide, in contact therewith. The desired force
action can thus be set very easily with the aid of the
guide. In order that the covering wing or the cover
profile remains in the installation position, the
follower is not subjected to any adjustment force by
the guide in at least one region. This can be realized,
for example, by a stop or the like.
In order to achieve symmetrical force distribution, it
is advantageous if at least two of the guides are
directed toward one another. The follower is arranged
between the two guides and, in this case, is axially
telescopic and follows both guides, in contact
therewith.
A straightforward alternative realization to a bistable
spring is achieved if the at least one spring is formed
by a leaf spring which is curved transversely to the
bending direction. Such a leaf spring has two stable
forms, between which a dead center is provided. The two
stable forms of the leaf spring here are selected such
that the covering and installation positions are
provided within the two stable positions, but on either
side of the dead center.
In order for the profile-rail system to be universally
applicable, it is advantageous if the cover profile is
retained such that it can additionally be adjusted in
height and/or pivoted in relation to the base profile.
Finally, it is advantageous if at least two covering
wings are provided, these overlapping at least in the
covering position. The two covering wings here can
preferably be pivoted in relation to one another, the
cover profile, on which they are secured, not having
any covering function. In the covering position, the
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
- 7 _
covering wings can thus only be seen from above, with
the result that the surface configuration of the cover
profile may be as desired. This facilitates, in
particular, the storage of the covering profile, since
one covering profile can be used for a wide variety of
different floors.
Further advantages and features of the present
invention are explained in the following detailed
description with reference to the associated figures,
which contain a number of exemplary embodiments of the
present invention. It should be understood, however,
that the drawing only serves the purpose of
illustrating the invention, and does not restrict the
scope of protection of the invention. In the drawing:
Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional illustration of a
profile-rail system with a covering wing, in
the covering position,
Figure 2 shows the profile-rail system according to
figure 1 in the installation position,
Figure 3 shows a profile-rail system with two covering
wings, in the covering position,
Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the
profile-rail system in the covering position,
Figure 5 shows an associated sectional illustration
through the profile-rail system according to
figure 4 along section line V-V,
Figure 6 shows the profile-rail system according to
figure 4 in the installation position,
Figure 7 shows an associated sectional illustration
along section line VII-VII,
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
- g _
Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional illustration of a
further alternative embodiment of the
profile-rail system, and
Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional illustration of a
modified embodiment of the profile-rail
system according to figure 8.
A profile-rail system 1 according to figure 1 comprises
a base profile 2 and a cover profile 3. In the present
exemplary embodiment, a connecting part 4 is also
provided between the two profiles 2, 3, this connecting
part ensuring that the cover profile 3 is retained
securely on the base profile 2.
The base profile 2 is of essentially L-shaped design
and has a horizontal transverse leg 5 and a vertical
longitudinal leg 6. The transverse leg 5 is provided
with a series of bores 7 which serve for accommodating
screws (not illustrated). By means of these screws, the
base profile 2 can easily be secured on the underlying
surface. In particular, it is conceivable for the screw
to be driven directly into the underlying surface or,
in particular in the case of an underlying surface of
mineral composition, to place a plug in position as a
connecting part.
As a further alternative, the base profile 2 could also
be adhesively bonded to the underlying surface. For
this purpose, the transverse leg 5 has a series of
grooves 8 which can be filled with adhesive. This
results in particularly secured adhesive bonding to the
underlying surface. The longitudinal leg 6 is provided,
in the top region, with a corrugated surface 9, which
allows the cover profile 3 to be adjusted in height
with latching action.
The connecting part 4, which has an inner contour 10
matching the corrugated surface 9, is plugged on the
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
- g -
longitudinal leg 6. The connecting part 4 can thus be
adjusted in relation to the base profile 2 by a certain
number of corrugations. This method of adjustment
serves, in particular, for adaptation to different
floor-covering thicknesses. In its top region, the
connecting part 4 has a cylindrical outer contour 11
which produces the connection to the cover profile 3.
The cover profile 3 has an inner contour 12 which is
adapted to the outer contour 11 of the connecting part
4. This inner contour 12 is formed by two partially
cylindrical contours arranged one above the other. The
contours 11, 12 allow the cover profile 3 to be pushed
onto the connecting part 4 at two different heights in
order, by this means too, to achieve further
adjustability in height.
A pivot bearing 13, which accommodates a covering wing
14 in a pivotable manner, is provided on the cover
profile 3. This covering wing 14 engages over a floor-
covering end 15 and rests flush on a floor covering 16.
The pivot bearing 13 is formed by an arm 17 which
projects laterally beyond the cover profile 3 and has a
cylindrical, inner bearing shell 18 provided at its
end. This cylindrical bearing shell 18 is gripped by a
cylindrical inner contour 19 of the covering wing 14.
Also formed in the cover profile 3 is a cylindrical
inner contour 20, which is part of an outer bearing
shell 21. Accordingly, the covering wing 14 is mounted
sufficiently securely by the two bearing shells 18, 21,
with the result that there is no need for the covering
wing 14 to engage in the pivot bearing 13 through more
than 180° in order to achieve a secure retaining
action.
In addition, a groove 22 is formed in the inner bearing
shell 18, this groove accommodating at least one leaf
spring 23. In the case of long profile rails, it is
conceivable for a plurality of leaf springs 23 to be
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
- 10 -
distributed over their length in order to achieve a
uniform pivoting force. The leaf spring 23 is retained,
at its opposite end, in a further groove 24 of the
covering wing 14. The groove 22 of the bearing shell 18
here is arranged at an acute angle to the extent of the
plane of the floor covering 16, with the result that
the spring 23 can engage in the groove 22 to different
depths depending on the pivoting position of the
covering wing 14. This realizes a dead center which has
to be overcome in order for the covering wing 14 to be
transferred from the covering position illustrated into
the installation position according to figure 2.
Figure 2 shows the profile-rail system 1 according to
figure 1 in the installation position. It can be seen
here that the at least one spring 23 penetrates
considerably more deeply into the groove 22, as a
result of which the direction of force of the spring 23
turns round. In this position, the covering wing 14 is
pushed upward by the force of the spring 23 until it
butts against a stop formed by the arm 17. In this
position, a line can be laid, for example, very
straightforwardly in the free space beneath the
covering wing 14. Moreover, it is conceivable for the
base profile 2 to be secured on the floor in this
position since the screws (not illustrated) are freely
accessible in this position.
Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the
profile-rail system according to figure 1, the same
reference numerals being used to designate the same
parts. The essential difference from the profile-rail
system 1 according to figure 1 is in the design of the
cover profile 3 with two covering wings 14. For this
reason, the cover profile 3 thus has two pivot bearings
13 and springs 23 for the two covering wings 14.
The contours 11, 12 allow limited pivoting of the cover
profile 3 in relation to the base profile 2. Moreover,
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
- 11 -
the cover profile 3 can be pushed onto the connecting
part 4 at two different heights in order, by this means
too, to achieve further adjustability in height.
Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the
profile-rail system according to figure 1, the same
reference numerals being used, once again, to designate
the same parts. In the case of this embodiment, the at
least one covering wing 14 is fixed to the cover
profile 3. Instead of the covering wing 14 being
designed in a pivotable manner, in this case the cover
profile 3 as a whole is connected to the base profile 2
such that it can be adjusted in height.
In order to achieve the desired spring action, a
mechanism which will be explained in more detail
hereinbelow with reference to figure 5 is provided in
the longitudinal leg 6 of the base profile 2.
The longitudinal leg 6 according to figure 5 has
internal guides 25 of self-centering design. These
guides 25 are set, more or less over the entire length,
at an acute angle to the displacement direction 26 and
transmit the horizontal force of a follower 27 in a
vertical tensile force, which pulls the cover profile 3
downward. It is only in the top end region 28 that the
guide 25 is oriented parallel to the displacement
direction 26, with the result that the follower 27 does
not subject the cover profile 3 to any vertical force
in this region. Accordingly, the position of the cover
profile 3 is stable in this top end region 28, while,
in all other positions, the cover profile 3 has the
covering legs 14 pulled toward the floor covering 16.
The follower 27 comprises a tube 29 in which a helical
spring 23 is retained. This helical spring 23 pushes
two contact heads 31 axially outward, as a result of
which the follower 27 exerts an axial force against the
guides 25. By virtue of the inclination of the guides
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
- 12 -
25, this axial force is converted into the desired
vertical adjustment force of the covering profile 3.
Figures 6 and 7 show the profile-rail system 1
according to figures 4 and 5 in the installation
position. In this case, the follower 27 is located in
the region of the top end 28 of the guides 25, in which
it remains in a stable position. In this position, the
cover profile, which is connected to the follower 27,
has been displaced upward to a pronounced extent and
can also be pivoted about the follower 27 as an axis of
rotation. This facilitates access to the free space
beneath the covering wings 14.
Figure 8 shows a further alternative embodiment of the
profile-rail system 1, the same reference numerals
being used, once again, to designate the same parts.
The design of this profile-rail system 1 constitutes a
further modification of the profile-rail system 1
according to figure 3, and only the differences from
the latter will be discussed.
The cover profile 3 in this embodiment is connected
integrally to the base profile 2, this profile 3 not
performing any covering function for the floor-covering
joint. Rather, the covering function is performed, in
full, by the two covering wings 14. For this purpose,
the covering legs 14 overlap in the covering position
illustrated. This overlapping is achieved by a slight
beveling 32 of the mutually facing end surfaces of the
two covering wings 14.
In order for it to be possible to pivot the covering
wings despite the mutual overlapping in the covering
position, the pivot bearing 13 of the two covering
wings 14 has been shifted downward via a crosspiece 33.
By virtue of this measure, the covering leg 14 can also
cover over the pivot bearing 13, with the result that
the cover profile 3 cannot be seen from above in the
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
- 13 -
covering position illustrated. The beveling 32 is
preferably oriented tangentially to the axis of one of
the two pivot bearings 13.
The groove 22 which accommodates the spring 23,
moreover, is integrally formed on the crosspiece 33.
The screw 23 here is spaced apart from the pivot
bearing 13 in order thus to realize a relatively large
adjustment path for the spring 23. The opposite end of
the spring 23 is retained in the groove 24 of the cover
profile 3. This groove 24 here is directed obliquely
downward in order to prestress the spring 23
correspondingly. These measures give an enhanced spring
force in the covering position, with the result that
the covering wing 14 pushes to a correspondingly
pronounced extent against the floor covering 16.
Finally, figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of
the profile-rail system 1. The construction corresponds
essentially to the profile-rail system 1 according to
figure 8, and only the differences will be discussed
hereinbelow. The profile-rail system 1 according to
figure 9 comprises the base profile 2 and the cover
profile 3, which is designed as a separate component.
The cover profile 3 is retained in the base profile 2
such that it can be adjusted in height, the two parts
being latched to one another by way of the corrugated
surface 9 of the longitudinal leg 6. The cover profile
3 has the pivot bearing 13, in which the covering wing
14 is supported in a pivotable manner. Moreover, a
fixed covering wing 34 is integrally formed on the
cover profile 3, this fixed covering wing overlapping
the pivotable covering wing 14.
Since a number of exemplary embodiments of the present
invention have not been shown or described, it should
be understood that a large number of changes and
modifications to these exemplary embodiments described
are possible without departing from the essential idea
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
- 14 -
and the scope of protection of the invention defined by
the claims.
CA 02540055 2006-03-17
- 15 -
List of reference numerals
1 Profile-rail system 31 Contact head
2 Base profile 32 Beveling
3 Cover profile 33 Crosspiece
4 Connecting part 34 Covering wing
5 Transverse leg
6 Longitudinal leg
7 Bore
8 Groove
9 Corrugated surface
10 Inner contour
11 Outer contour
12 Inner contour
13 Pivot bearing
14 Covering wing
15 Floor-covering end
16 Floor covering
17 Arm
18 Bearing shell
19 Cylindrical inner contour
20 Cylindrical inner contour
21 Bearing shell
22 Groove
23 Spring
24 Groove
25 Guide
26 Displacement direction
27 Follower
28 Top end region
29 Tube
