GB2246701A

GB2246701A - Work top edge trim

Info

Publication number: GB2246701A
Application number: GB9017464A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie David Penn
Original assignee: BUSHBOARD PARKER Ltd
Current assignee: BUSHBOARD PARKER Ltd
Priority date: 1990-08-09
Filing date: 1990-08-09
Publication date: 1992-02-12
Also published as: GB9017464D0

Abstract

An edge trim for a laminated work top surface (10) comprising an affixing strip (20) having a first substantially flat face (24) which is designed to be abutted against an edge (16) of the work top and secured to the work top by screws (32). The affixing strip has a second substantially flat face (26) extending parallel to the first face (24) and an upwardly extending projection (50). A trim strip (22) is adapted to fit over the affixing strip (20) and has a first face (40) which is designed to abut against the edge (16) of the work top and a second face (42) which is designed to abut against the face (26) of the affixing strip (20). A recess (48) is formed in the trim strip between the faces (40, 42) and is designed to receive the projection (50). The projection and recess have complementary sloping faces whereby the trim strip can be fitted over the affixing strip and then pushed into place by a wedging action. The height of the trim strip is substantially equal to the thickness of the work top. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: WORK TOP EDGE TRIM The present invention relates to a work top edge trim.

Work tops are generally planar surfaces upon which manual operations may be performed and/or objects may be rested. A typical example is a kitchen work top.

Work tops are generally made from wood with a plastics layer laminated, or otherwise affixed, to the upper surface to provide an impervious work surface. The edges of the work top are similarly laminated with a plastics layer. However, due to the much lesser surface area of the edge, the plastics layer is not as firmly adhered as the upper surface. This can lead to the laminate layer on the edge becoming detached.

Further, unless there is an effective seal between the laminate on the upper surface and the laminate at the edge, water and other liquids can seep through any gaps at the edge portion of the work top and again cause the plastics layer on the edge to detach itself from the work top.

The problem of delamination of edge layers is not so acute when work tops are produced in a factory under controlled conditions. However, work tops often have to be cut to size on site and this leaves a work top with an unsightly edge which is not laminated. Fixing a laminate to the edge by adhesive is rarely completely satisfactory since invariably gaps are formed into which water and other liquids can seep to cause eventual delamination of the edging strip.

Also, the plastics layer on the edge may become damaged as a result of impacts from hard objects. The plastics layer must then be removed and replaced and it is difficult to effect an aesthetically pleasing repair.

The present invention provides a work top edge trim which overcomes or at least alleviates the abovementioned problems.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a work top edge trim comprising an affixing strip having a projection and adapted to be secured to an edge of a work top surface, and a trim strip having a recess dimensioned to receive the projection such that the trim strip is firmly held to the affixing strip.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work top comprising a work top surface having an edge, an affixing strip secured to the edge and having a projection, and a trim strip having a recess adapted to receive the projection such that the trim strip is firmly held to the affixing strip.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a work top in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the area marked 2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-section taken on the line III-III of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a work top edge trim in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a work top edge trim which is a variation of that shown in Figure 4.

Shown in Figures 1 to 3 is a work top comprising a generally planar upper work surface 10, a rear edge 12, a pair of side edges 14 and a front edge 16. As shown in Figure 3, the upper work surface 10 has a plastics layer 18 affixed thereto, typically by adhesive.

Attached to the front edge 16 is a work top edge trim comprising an elongate affixing strip 20 and an elongate trim strip 22. The affixing strip 20 and trim strip 22 may be better seen in Figures 4 and 5.

The affixing strip 20 comprises a first flat face 24 parallel to a second flat face 26. A series of holes 28, each having a countersunk portion 30 at the face 26, extend between the faces 24 and 26. The face 24 abuts the front edge 16 in use, and is secured in position by screws 32 (Figure 3) passing through respective holes 28. The affixing strip 22 further comprises a flat portion 34 extending from the face 24 towards the face 26. The flat portion 34 terminates in an upright projection 35 comprising a sloped portion 36 which extends away from the flat portion 34 towards the face 26. Typically, the angle of scope is about 5 to the face 26. The sloped portion 36 and face 26 terminate in a connecting rounded portion 38.

The trim strip 22 comprises a first flat face 40 parallel to a second flat face 42. The face 40 joins a rounded portion 44 which in turn joins a straight portion 46. The straight portion 46 terminates in a recess 47 comprising a sloped recess portion 48.

Typically, the recess portion 48 slopes at an angle of about 5 to the face 42. The recess 47 further comprises a rounded recess portion 50 which joins the sloped recess portion 48 to the face 42.

The trim strip 22 can be fixed to the affixing strip 20 by placing the trim strip at the edge 16 of the work top and pressing the trim strip 22 down onto the affixing strip 20. The sloped surfaces 36 and 48 engage with one another and permit the rounded portion 38 on the affixing strip to enter the recess 47 in the trim strip.

As the trim strip 22 is pressed downwards, the sloped recess portion 48 and sloped portion 36 effect a wedging action to hold the trim strip 22 firmly on the affixing strip 20. As shown in Figure 3, there is a gap between the flat portion 34 and the straight portion 46.

The trim strip 22 further has an upper flat surface 52 extending perpendicularly from the face 40. This surface 52 is arranged to be flush with the upper work surface 10 of the work top when the trim strip is fitted to said work top. The surface 52 terminates in a rounded portion 54 to create a pleasing appearance and the rounded portion 54 terminates in a ledge 56 joined to a third face 58 which extends generally perpendicular to the upper'flat surface 52.

The work top edge trim shown in Figure 5 is similar to that shown in Figure 4, like parts being denoted by like reference numerals. As is apparent, the faces 24, 26, 42 and 58 are longer and this work top edge trim is intended for use with thicker work tops than the work top edge trim of Figure 4.

The affixing strip 20 may be made of any suitable material but plastics is preferred. The trim strip 20 may also be made of any suitable material such as wood or plastics or even a metal such as aluminium or stainless steel.

The present invention provides a work top and work top edge trim which is more firmly secured than prior art devices. The trim strip 22 may be easily removed and replaced if it becomes damaged or if its colour is desired to be changed to match the decor of its surroundings.

The invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiment but modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the front edge 16 may be sealed with a suitable sealant, which may take the form of a strip of PVC or like material secured to the work top by a suitable adhesive. This sealing of the front edge 16 may be carried out either before or after the laminate 18 is applied to the upper work surface 10 in order to provide an effective seal for the work top.

Claims

1. A work top edge trim comprising an affixing strip, having a projection and adapted to be secured to an edge of a work top surface, and a trim strip having a recess dimensioned to receive the projection such that the trim strip is firmly held to the affixing strip.

2. A work top edge trim according to claim 1, wherein the affixing strip comprises a first substantially flat face which is adapted to be abutted against a side edge of a work top surface and a second substantially flat face extending substantially parallel to the first flat face, a series of holes being provided in the strip for the receipt of screws to secure the strip to a work top surface.

3. A work top edge trim according to claim 2, wherein the affixing strip is substantially rectangular in cross section with the projection extending from a further face of the strip which extends from the first face to the second face, said further face being arranged, in use, to be the upper face of the strip whereby the projection extends from the strip in an upwards direction.

4. A work top edge trim according to claim 3, wherein the projection forms a continuation of the second face of the strip and wherein the maximum width of the projection is about half of the width of the strip.

5. A work top edge trim according to claim 4, wherein the projection has a face which is inclined with respect to the face forming a continuation of the second face of the strip.

6. A work top edge trim according to claim 5, wherein the angle of inclination is in the region of 5 .

7. A work top edge trim according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the trim strip comprises a first substantially flat face which is adapted to abut against said side edge of the work top surface, a second substantially flat face which is adapted to abut against the second face of the affixing strip and a third substantially flat face, said first, second and third faces of the trim strip extending substantially parallel to one another.

8. A work top edge trim according to claim 7, wherein the recess in the trim strip extends from the second face to the first face of the trim strip.

9. A work top edge trim according to any preceding claim, wherein the height of the projection is greater than the depth of the recess.

10. A work top edge trim according to any preceding claim, wherein the overall height of the trim strip is arranged to be substantially equal to the thickness of the work top surface for which the edge trim is intended.

11. A work top edge trim according to any preceding claim, wherein the trim strip has a rounded upper corner.

12. A work top edge trim according to any preceding claim, wherein the affixing strip is made from a plastics material.

13. A work top edge trim according to any preceding claim, wherein the trim strip is made from wood or plastics or from a metal such as aluminium or stainless steel.

14. A work top edge trim substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

15. A work top fitted with the edge trim claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

16. A work top comprising a work top surface having an edge, an affixing strip secured to the edge and having a projection, and a trim strip having a recess adapted to receive the projection such that the trim strip is firmly held to the affixing strip.