Profiled Rail System

Abstract

A profiled rail system (1) is used for bridging expansion joints or openings and or as edging of floor coverings (5). The profiled rail system (1) has a first (2) and a second profiled rail (3) which have mutually overlapping cover legs (6) being directed towards one another and oriented substantially parallel to the floor covering (5). The profiled rails (2, 3) can be displaced with each other. The first profiled rail (2) has a base leg (8) which, together with a cover leg (6) of the first profiled rail (2) forms a pocket (12) for receiving a leg (6, 8) of the second profiled rail (3). A first stop (10) is provided on the base leg (8) of the first profiled rail (2). The first stop (10) is an operative connection with a second stop (11) and the second profiled rail (3). The stops (10, 11) limit mutual displacement of the first profiled rail (2) with respect to the second profiled rail (3) in an expansion position. In order to realise an easy mounting, in the expansion position the ratio of an overlapping (14) of the cover legs (6) of the profiled rails (2, 3) to a clear height (15) of the pocket (12) is less than or equal to 0.5.

Description

[0001] The present application claims priority to German Utility Model Application No. DE 20 201 4 005 717.6, filed on Jul. 15, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a profiled rail system for bridging expansion joints or openings and/or as edging of floor coverings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0003] DE 20 2007 016 585 U1 discloses a profiled rail system of the type in question. It consists of two profiled rails which are mutually telescopable. Each of these profiled rails has a cover leg which covers the underlying expansion joint. One of the two profiled rails is designed in two parts, wherein the second part is substantially formed by a base leg. Both parts are screwed to one another. The base leg and the cover leg of the other profiled rail have stops which are in operative connection with one another and which limit the lateral expansion of the profiled rail system. This profiled rail system has proved itself many times in practice and forms the starting point of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In order to correctly cover the expansion joint, opening and/or edge joint with the profiled rail system, the profiled rails have mutually overlapping cover legs. These cover legs are preferably designed in such a way that, in the installed state, they are the only visible components of the profiled rail system. If the profiled rails are displaced relative to one another for example owing to an expansion of the floor covering, the mutual overlapping of the cover legs changes. In this way, the profiled rail system can compensate for the longitudinal expansion of the floor covering. In particular, floor coverings laid in a floating manner can therefore expand and contract in a problem-free manner without butting against fixed obstacles and being destroyed in the process.

[0005] The at least one first profiled rail additionally has at least one base leg which, together with the at least one cover leg of the at least one first profiled rail, forms at least one pocket. This at least one pocket serves to receive the at least one cover leg of the at least one second profiled rail, resulting in a telescopic connection between the profiled rails. In addition, at least one first stop is provided on the at least one base leg of the at least one first profiled rail, which first stop is in operative connection with at least one second stop of the at least one second profiled rail. Here, this at least one second stop can be mounted for example directly on the at least one cover leg of the at least one second profiled rail. In addition, the at least one second profiled rail can also have at least one base leg on which the at least one second stop is mounted. As soon as the at least one first stop comes to bear against the at least one second stop, the profiled rails can no longer be pulled further away from one another. The relative movement of the profiled rails apart from one another is therefore limited by these stops. This limitation is important in order to prevent the profiled rails from coming out of engagement. If the floor coverings expand again at a subsequent time, this measure ensures that the profiled rails are correctly aligned with one another and can be displaced with respect to one another again. If, by contrast, they were out of engagement, the telescopic connection could jam and prevent an adaptation of the profiled rail system. The position in which the stops bear against one another is thus that position in which the profiled rail system is pulled furthest apart and is referred to as expansion position in the following.

[0006] In order to be able to assemble the profiled rail system in a simple manner, as small as possible an overlapping of the cover legs in the expansion position is chosen. In particular, the ratio of this overlapping to the clear height of the at least one pocket is less than or equal to 0.5. Thus, the profiled rail system can be assembled very simply by firstly connecting the profiled rails to at least one adjacent floor covering. Here, the profiled rails are preferably pushed together to such an extent that the free ends of the cover legs butt against one another. The profiled rail system is then lifted slightly in the region of the free ends of the cover legs, with the result that the cover leg of the at least one second profiled rail slides behind the first stop into the at least one pocket. Owing to the small ratio between the overlapping of the cover legs in the expansion position and the clear height of the at least one pocket, this can be achieved by moderate lifting of the two profiled rails, with the result that the two profiled rails are pivoted by in each case about 13 degrees. This is also possible in the installed state of the profiled rails, in particular in the case of thin floor coverings such as laminate, for example.

[0007] In the case of thicker floor coverings, pivoting through an angle of 13 degrees is already associated with somewhat greater effort. For this reason, it is advantageous in such applications if the ratio between the mutual overlapping of the cover legs in the expansion position and the clear height of the at least one pocket is less than or equal to 0.3. In this case, the two profiled rails must be pivoted only by about 8 degrees so that the profiled rails hook into one another.

[0008] In particular when using the profiled rail system as edging, it is advantageous if the ratio between the mutual overlapping of the cover legs in the expansion position and the clear height of the at least one pocket is less than or equal to 0.2. In these use cases, only one of the profiled rails can be pivoted as a rule, which is partly problematic given the directly adjoining wall. Therefore, this application requires a correspondingly smaller overlapping of the cover legs in order to be able to assemble the profiled rail system.

[0009] In the downward direction, the ratio between the overlapping of the cover legs in the expansion position and the clear height of the at least one pocket is limited by 0, since otherwise no overlapping would be present any more. In order, on the other hand, to ensure sufficient functional reliability in use, a certain minimum overlapping is also expedient in the expansion position. Here, in a preferred embodiment, a ratio between the overlapping of the cover legs in the expansion position to the clear height of the at least one pocket of at least 0.05 has proved itself.

[0010] Particularly when the underlying surface is not exactly flat, it may occur that the profiled rails of the profiled rail system come out of engagement during their expansion movement. In order, here too, to ensure the function of the profiled rail system, the said ratio is at least 0.1.

[0011] In order to facilitate the assembly of the profiled rail system and at the same time to improve the functional reliability, it is advantageous if the stops have at least one groove and tongue which are designed to fit one another. Here, this groove and tongue form a pivot axis for pivoting the at least one first profiled rail with respect to the at least one second profiled rail. However, this pivot axis is defined only in the expansion position. When assembling the profiled rail system, it is frequently sufficient in this case to lift only one of the profiled rails. As a result of the connection in the tongue-and-groove profiling, the other profiled rail is also lifted, meaning that the assembly operation is correspondingly simpler. If the profiled rail system comes into the expansion position during operation, the interlocking between the groove and the tongue ensures a very exact alignment of the profiled rails with respect to one another, with the result that a subsequent compression of the profiled rails is possible without a problem.

[0012] Finally, it is advantageous if at least one of the cover legs has at least one third stop. This at least one third stop interacts either with at least one stop of the at least one base leg or of the at least one cover leg of the opposite profiled rail. This additional third stop ensures a more secure connection between the profiled rails. In addition, it can be very simply used to correctly align the profiled rails with one another during assembly of the profiled rail system before the profiled rails are interlocked with one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Other advantages and characteristics of this invention will be explained in the detailed description below with reference to the associated figures that contain several embodiments of this invention. It should however be understood, that the figure is just used to illustrate the invention and does not limit the scope of protection of the invention.

[0014] In the drawing:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional illustration of a first embodiment of a profiled rail system in a central position,

[0016] FIG. 2 shows the profiled rail system according to FIG. 1 in the expansion position,

[0017] FIG. 3 shows the profiled rail system according to FIG. 2 in an angled expansion position,

[0018] FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional illustration of a second embodiment of a profiled rail system in a central position,

[0019] FIG. 5 shows the profiled rail system according to FIG. 4 in the expansion position,

[0020] FIG. 6 shows the profiled rail system according to FIG. 5 in an angled expansion position, and

[0021] FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the profiled rail system according to FIG. 4 as edging.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional illustration of a first embodiment of a profiled rail system 1 in a central position. The profiled rail system 1 consists of a first profiled rail 2 and a second profiled rail 3. The two profiled rails 2, 3 are connected, in particular adhesively bonded, to floor coverings 5 via webs 4. The embodiment according to FIG. 1 is optimized for thin floor coverings 5, in particular laminate, carpet and PVC floors.

[0023] The two profiled rails 2, 3 have cover legs 6 which mutually overlap and bridge a joint 7. The first profiled rail 2 additionally has a base leg 8 which is equipped on the end side with a first stop 10. The cover leg 6 of the second profiled rail 3 has a second stop 11 which interacts with the first stop 10. The base leg 8 forms, together with the cover leg 6 of the first profiled rail 2, a pocket 12 in which the cover leg 6 of the second profiled rail 3 is displaceably received. A telescopic connection between the first profiled rail 2 and the second profiled rail 3 is obtained in this way. Third stops 13 which assist the action of the first stop 10 and second stop 11 are additionally provided on the cover legs 6 of the profiled rails 2, 3.

[0024] The spacing of the profiled rails 2, 3 from one another increases as a result of an opposed displacement of the profiled rails 2, 3, for example due to shrinkage of the floor coverings 5, with the result that this movement of the floor coverings 5 is compensated for by the profiled rail system 1. Starting from a predetermined distance of the profiled rails 2, 3 from one another, the first and second stops 10, 11 and also the third stops 13 come into contact with one another, thereby preventing the profiled rails 2, 3 from being pulled further apart from one another. This position, referred to as the expansion position, is illustrated in FIG. 2. Here, the first stop 10 and the second stop 11 act mainly in a movement-limiting manner on the profiled rails 2, 3. The third stops 13 additionally ensure locking in the expansion position and in particular prevent the second profiled rail 3 from being freed from the pocket 12 by displacements in the upward direction. This is particularly important because, when the profiled rails 2, 3 are subsequently pushed together, they must be correctly aligned with one another in order to allow this movement.

[0025] In order to be able to assemble the profiled rail system 1 in a simple manner, the profiled rails 2, 3 are first of all connected to the adjacent floor coverings 5. The profiled rails 2, 3 are then pushed together to such an extent that the second stop 11 comes to lie on the upper side of the first stop 10 without the two profiled rails 2, 3 being in mutual engagement. The profiled rail system 1 with the adjacent floor coverings 5 is then slightly lifted, with the result that the position according to FIG. 3 is achieved. On account of a slight overlapping 14 of the cover legs 6 in relation to a clear height 15 of the pocket 12, this angling of the profiled rails 2, 3 is sufficient to ensure that the second stop 11 slides behind the first stop 10 and the cover leg 6 of the second profiled rail 3 thus passes into the pocket 12. After lowering the profiled rail system 1, the latter automatically passes into the expansion position illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0026] FIG. 2 additionally depicts the overlapping 14 of the cover legs 6 of the first and second profiled rail 2, 3 in the expansion position. A clear height 15 of the pocket 12 is additionally illustrated. The overlapping 14 is selected in relation to the clear height 15 such that the quotient of the two is approximately 1 to 3.

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional illustration of a second embodiment of a profiled rail system 1, wherein identical reference signs designate identical parts. Only the differences from the embodiment according to FIG. 1 will be discussed below.

[0028] The profiled rail system 1 according to FIG. 4 is designed for thicker floor coverings 5, in particular for use with a subfloor 16. For this reason, the profiled rail system 1 has two webs 4 on each of its profiled rails 2, 3. The subfloor 16 is held between these webs 4, whereas the floor covering 5 is mounted on the upper side of the upper web 4.

[0029] In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the second profiled rail 3 also has a base leg 8, the latter bearing the second stop 11. Thus, the first and second stop 10, 11 are in each case integrally formed on corresponding base legs 8.

[0030] The first and second stop 10, 11 of the base legs 8 has a groove 17 on the one hand and a tongue 18 on the other hand. It is unimportant here whether the groove 17 is located on the first or second profiled rail 2, 3.

[0031] In the expansion position illustrated in FIG. 5, the first stop 10 and second stop 11 bear against one another, with the result that the tongue 18 engages in the groove 17. This ensures that the connection between the two profiled rails 2, 3 is additionally strengthened, with the result that these profiled rails are always exactly aligned with one another. In addition, the tongue-and-groove profiling forms a pivot axis 19 for the first profiled rail 2 and second profiled rail 3 with respect to one another.

[0032] The profiled rail system 1 is assembled in an identical manner to the above-described first embodiment, starting from an angled position according to FIG. 6. In addition, the pivot axis 19 formed by the groove 17 and the tongue 18 now helps to hold the first profiled rail 2 and second profiled rail 3 mutually in position during the pivoting movement, thereby considerably facilitating assembly.

[0033] Finally, FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the profiled rail system 1 which substantially corresponds to the profiled rail system 1 according to

[0034] FIG. 4. Identical reference signs indicate identical parts here, with only the differences from the embodiment according to FIG. 4 being discussed below.

[0035] The second profiled rail 3 is unchanged from the embodiment according to FIG. 4. The webs 4 are dispensed with in the first profiled rail 2. In addition, the base leg 8 is placed lower so that it contacts the floor. The first profiled rail 2 additionally has a vertical web 20 which terminates on the outer side. Consequently, this profiled rail system 1 can be perfectly used as edging of a floor covering 5. Assembly is carried out in the same way as in the embodiment according to FIG. 4. The vertical web 20 is preferably screwed to the wall by means of screws (not shown).

[0036] The profiled rail systems described preferably consist of aluminium, an aluminium alloy or a thermoplastic polymer. They are produced by the extrusion process, which is particularly cost-effective. Consideration is also given to combining the individual features of the different exemplary embodiments with one another. In particular, consideration is given also to configuring an edging profiled rail system corresponding to FIG. 4 from the embodiment according to FIG. 1. Here, the web 4 is preferably omitted from the first profiled web 2, with the result that the first profiled rail 2 then forms the edging.

[0037] Since some of the embodiments of this invention are not shown or described, it should be understood that a great number of changes and modifications of these embodiments is conceivable without departing from the rationale and scope of protection of the invention as defined by the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0038] 1 Profiled rail system [0039] 2 First profiled rail [0040] 3 Second profiled rail [0041] 4 Web [0042] 5 Floor covering [0043] 6 Cover leg [0044] 7 Joint [0045] 8 Base leg [0046] 10 First stop [0047] 11 Second stop [0048] 12 Pocket [0049] 13 Third stop [0050] 14 Overlapping [0051] 15 Clear height of the pocket [0052] 16 Subfloor [0053] 17 Groove [0054] 18 Tongue [0055] 19 Pivot axis [0056] 20 Vertical web

Claims

1. Profiled rail system for floor coverings, for at least one of bridging expansion joints, bridging openings and as edging of said floor coverings, wherein said profiled rail system comprising at least one first profiled with and at least one second profiled rail which both have cover legs, said cover legs are directed towards one another, oriented substantially parallel to said floor covering, and are mutually overlapping, wherein said at least one first profiled rail can be displaced with respect to said at least one second profiled rail to an expansion position and said at least one first profiled rail has at least one base leg which, together with said at least one cover leg of said at least one first profiled rail, forms at least one pocket for receiving at least one of said cover leg and said base leg, of said at least one second profiled rail, wherein at least one first stop is provided on said at least one base leg of said at least one first profiled rail, and at least one second stop is provided on said at least one second profiled rail, said at least one first stop being in operative connection with said at lest one second stop hereby limiting mutual displacement of said at least one first profiled rail with respect to said at least one second profiled rail in said expansion position, in said expansion position said cover legs of said at least one first and second profiled rail having an overlapping and said at least one pocket having a clear height, said overlapping to said clear height having a ratio being less than or equal to 0.5.

2. Profiled rail system according to claim 1, wherein said ratio of said overlapping of said cover legs of said first and second profiled rail in said expansion position to said clear height of said at least one pocket is less than or equal to 0.3.

3. Profiled rail system according to claim 1, wherein said ratio of said overlapping of said cover legs of said first and second profiled rail in said expansion position to said clear height of said at least one pocket is less than or equal to 0.2.

4. Profiled rail system according to claim 1, wherein said ratio of said overlapping of said cover legs of said first and second profiled rail in said expansion position to said clear height of said at least one pocket is at least 0.05.

5. Profiled rail system according to claim 4, said ratio of said overlapping of said cover legs of said first and second profiled rail in said expansion position to said clear height of said at least one pocket is at least 0.1.

6. Profiled rail system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second stop have at least one groove and tongue which are designed to fit one another and form a pivot axis for pivoting said at least one first profiled rail relative to said at least one second profiled rail.

7. Profiled rail system according to claims 1, wherein at least one of said cover legs has at least one third stop.