VENT COVE BASE AND CLIP SYSTEM

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 63/558,520 filed Feb. 27, 2024 entitled “Vent Cove Base and Clip System” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present technology relates to flooring and more particularly to base for covering the vent cove of athletic flooring.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND RELATED ART

Wood flooring is used in various applications including home, commercial, and sport flooring surfaces. In many such applications, the wood floors are installed with a vent cove between the outer edge of the wood floor surface and the wall of the room. Such a vent cove provides an area for the floor to expand. However, it is desirable for the vent cove to be covered for various reasons, including for aesthetics and to prevent any foreign object from entering and obstructing the vent cove. For this reason, a vent cove bases can be provided around the exterior of the flooring.

Vent cove bases generally provide a horizontal bridge between the flooring and the wall, while also extending up the wall vertically to form a generally L-shaped cross-section. While covering the vent cove, a vent cove base may hinder the performance of the floor in a variety of ways. It is therefore desirable to have an improved vent cove base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present technology will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings merely depict exemplary aspects of the present technology, they are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. It will be readily appreciated that the components of the present technology, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Nonetheless, the technology will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side, cross-sectional view of a vent cove base in accordance with one aspect of the technology;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vent cove base in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side, cross-sectional view of the vent cove base of FIG. 1 configured in accordance with some aspects of the technology;

FIG. 4 is a side, cross-sectional view of the vent cove base of FIG. 1 configured in accordance with some aspects of the technology;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a vent cove assembly in accordance with aspects of the present technology;

FIG. 6 is a manufacturing drawing of an example of a vent cove base in accordance with one aspect of the technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of exemplary aspects of the technology refers to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, exemplary aspects in which the technology may be practiced. While these exemplary aspects are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the technology, it should be understood that other aspects may be realized and that various changes to the technology may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present technology. Thus, the following more detailed description of the aspects of the present technology is not intended to limit the scope of the technology, as claimed, but is presented for purposes of illustration only and not limitation to describe the features and characteristics of the present technology and to sufficiently enable one skilled in the art to practice the technology. Accordingly, the scope of the present technology is to be defined solely by the appended claims.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.

Reference throughout this specification to “an example” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

It should be understood that the aspects of the technology discussed herein are contemplated for use with any type of flooring system. For purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the methods and systems claimed herein, the discussion below will be primarily directed to describing exemplary embodiments directed to sports floors. It should be noted, however, that the elements and principles discussed herein are applicable to other applications. It is also noted that discussion of methods and systems herein can be interchangeable with respect to specific aspects. In other words, specific discussion of one method or system (or components thereof) herein is equally applicable to other aspects as they relate to the system or method, and vice versa. The following detailed description and exemplary aspects of the technology will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the elements and features of the technology are designated by numerals throughout.

The present technology describes a vent cove base for application with various flooring surfaces, including wood courts. In some aspects of the technology, wood courts around which these cove bases are installed typically are resurfaced or recoated once every two or three years with a urethane coating material (liquid form while being applied) to protect the wood flooring panels. Often, this resurfacing or recoating is performed without uninstalling the cove bases. A problem arises when the urethane passes through the gap between the wood panel and the cove base, and begins to act as an adhesive between the wood floor and the vent cove base when cured. This adhesion may have a relatively significant surface area and may be strong enough to prevent the wood panel from expanding or contracting due to humidity or temperature swings. It is therefore desirable to provide an improved vent cove base.

Yet other problems arise in typical settings involving wood flooring and vent cove base when the flooring is refinished including sanding. In some cases, the vent cove base must be removed from the wall and reapplied after the floor is sanded and refinished. This is a time consuming and costly step. In some cases, the vent cove is left in place and the floor is sanded and refinished only up to the edge of the vent cove base. This creates a number of problems, including those described above with surface finishing adhering the vent cove base to the wood floor. Additionally, a lip is formed in the wood floor under the vent cove base. These are yet other reasons why it is desirable to provide an improved vent cove base.

Still other reasons for improving the vent cove base involve the adhesion of the vent cove base to the wall. Typically, vent cove bases must be installed using a strong adhesive due to the weight of the vent cove bases, combined with the fact that many vent cove bases include vertical vents on the back of the vertical leg of the vent cove. In other words, there are spaces created between the wall and the vent cove, which cannot be filled, and which create a gap in the adhered surfaces between the wall and the vent cove. For these two reasons, a strong adhesive is typically required. Similarly, the weight and shape of current vent coves creates shipping and handling costs.

In aspects of the present technology, the vent cove base may be a light weight, thin extruded material. Current product on the market has a 4 inch tall vertical leg that mates against the wall and the air channels are cut into this section. There is a 3 inch horizontal leg that covers the 1½ inch gap between the flooring and the wall and rests on the wood floor. Thickness of this product is about ¼ inch and needs to be in order to be ridged enough to allow for the venting to be cut into the back side of the vertical leg. In aspects of the present technology, a ⅛ inch vent cove base is provided, making it lighter and easier to transport and work with. Rather than cutting vents into the back of the vertical leg, venting may be provided by holes punctured in the curved portion connecting the vertical and horizontal legs. In yet other aspects, no venting may be necessary, as the venting has been shown to not provide noticeable benefits. Yet, in aspects of the technology, holes punctured in the curved portion connecting the vertical and horizontal legs may still be provided, as certain customers, installers, and users of flooring and vent coves similar to those described herein are accustomed to having venting. As described in more detail herein, the venting through punctured holes may be accomplished as part of the extrusion process. For example, as the extruded product leaves the machinery, a punch may be configured to puncture a hole in the curved portion at certain intervals.

In other aspects of the technology, the vent cove includes a notch disposed in one of the vertical or horizontal legs. For example, the vent cove profile may be extruded with a notch in the vertical leg, spaced apart from the center curved connecting member. This notch may allow the vent cove to be bent up away from the wood floor to allow access for refinishing. Some aspects of the technology include a system with a clip, such as a C clip or ring clip, that connects the vertical leg and the horizontal leg, or in other words holds up the horizontal leg off of the floor when bent at the notch. As will be understood in the context of the problems described above, a system according to the present technology will provide a simple means for lifting the vent cove off of the wood floor for resurfacing, without requiring removal of the vent cove completely. In aspects of the technology, this system will present significant cost savings, including in the labor required for resurfacing floors. For example, a resurfacing contractor may simply apply the C-clips to lift the horizontal leg off of the wood floor, resurface the floor, and allow the floor to dry, without the extra steps of removing and re-installing the vent cove. In some examples, the resurfacing contractor may even leave the C-clips installed during the drying and curing process, and not be required to return to the job site, as the C-clips can be removed by any on site individual, yet again saving significant costs.

With specific reference now to FIGS. 1-5, a vent cove base 10 is disclosed. Vent cove base 10 may include a vertical or wall portion 12 and a horizontal or floor portion 14. The vertical portion 12 and horizontal portion 14 may be separated by a curved center portion 18. The angle 16 between the vertical portion 12 and the horizontal portion 14 can be greater than 90 degrees. In some aspects of the technology, the angle is at least 91 degrees. As described herein, the angle greater than 90 degrees provides for additional force exerted on the wall by the vertical or wall portion 12.

Vent cove base 10 also may include a notch 20, which may be a V-shaped notch, or any other indentation or change in material width. The notch may be disposed in one of the vertical or horizontal legs or portions 12, 14, away from the curved center portion 18. The vertical portion 12 of vent cove base 10 may also include a channel 26 formed by first and second corners 22 and 24. Channel 26 may be suitable for placing an adhesive strip, as discussed herein. In yet other aspects of the technology, channel 26 may be omitted and the back side of the vertical portion 12 may be flat. Notch 20 allows the extruded profile of the vent cove base 10 to bend in ways it would not otherwise be capable of bending. For example, horizontal portion 14 may be raised toward vertical wall portion 12, with bend occurring at notch 20, or may be in a raised position. Thereafter, horizontal portion 14 may be lowered to the original, resting or lowered position to cover the vent cove. This bending may allow for refinishing of a floor beneath vent cove base 10, as discussed herein.

FIG. 5 shows bent cove base 10 with relation to a floor 50 and a wall 60, with the vent cove 70 between the wall 60 and floor 50. As discussed herein, horizontal portion 14 is in contact with the floor 50 and vertical portion 12 is in contact with the wall 60 in order to cover the vent cove 70, which may be an approximately 1 and ½ inch space between the wall and the floor.

Aspects of the technology also relate to improved adhesion of the vent cove base 10 to a wall behind the vertical or wall portion 12 by inducing a greater force from the horizontal or floor portion 14. For example, the angle 16 between wall portion 12 and floor portion 14 may be greater than 90 degrees, such that when the vent cove base is installed, a compression force applies a greater force to the wall portion 12 than would be created from a simple 90 degree cross section. In some aspects, the angle 16 is at least 91 degrees.

The additional force has the advantage not only of longevity, but also allows for a force to hold the vent cove base 10 in place while the bonding agent between the vent cove base and the wall dries. Specifically, the compression force induced by the vent cove base 10 allows for the cove base to be installed without requiring as much exterior holding force against the wall as may otherwise be required.

In some aspects, rather than requiring application of an adhesive to the back of the vent cove base, which requires significant time and labor, an adhesive strip may be pre-installed in the channel of the wall or vertical portion, or otherwise attached to the back of the vent cove base. The adhesive strip may include a removable cover over the portion that will attach to the wall, such that during installation the cover is removed and the vent cove can be set in place without any further labor requirements.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-5, the present technology also relates to a vent cove system 100 including a vent cove base 10 as described above, and a clip 110. Clip 110 may be installed between vertical wall portion 12 and horizontal floor portion 14 when floor portion 14 is in the raised position. When in the raised position, the floor is exposed for sanding and resurfacing. When the resurfacing is complete, the clip 110 is removed and the horizontal floor portion 14 returns to the resting or lowered position, avoiding the various disadvantages of present systems.

With reference now to FIG. 6, manufacturing drawings for a vent cove base according to aspects of the technology are shown, giving one example of dimensions and relations between the parts of the vent cove base in accordance to once aspect of the technology.

The vent cove base according to aspects of the present technology may be made from any suitable material capable of being extruded. In particular, it will be advantageous that such material is capable of being bent at the notch with the horizontal floor portion raised toward the vertical wall portion, and springing back into shape. It will also be advantageous that the material not suffer cracks or fatigue at the notch after a suitable number of bending cycles. In some aspects of the technology, the material may be a vinyl material capable of being extruded in any color. In some aspects, a semi-rigid polyvinyl chloride material may be used.

Aspects of the technology may relate to a method of adjusting a vent cove base for refinishing a wood floor, the method including bending the floor portion of the vent cove toward the wall portion of the vent cove base and placing a clip between the two portions to hold them in place.

In yet other aspects, a method of installing a vent cove base is contemplated that includes providing a notch in the vertical member and an angle greater than 90 degrees between the flooring member and the wall member allowing the vent cove base to be glued to the wall without an extended period of external holding force. In yet other aspects, a method of installation is contemplated that includes using an adhesive strip rather than a glue. The adhesive strip may be pre-installed in a horizontal spanning notch on the back side of the vertical leg of a vent cove base. The adhesive strip may include a covering or backing that is removable to expose the adhesive portion meant to attach to the wall. In this way, installation time, tools, and costs are significantly improved.

According to aspects of the technology, a vent cove base, includes a horizontal portion configured to contact a floor, a vertical portion configured to contact a wall, a curved center portion connecting the horizontal portion to the vertical portion, and a notch in one of the horizontal portion or the vertical portion. The notch may be disposed in the vertical portion and spaced apart from the center portion. The notch may be at least 1 inch away from the center portion. In some aspects, the horizontal portion, vertical portion, curved center portion and notch comprise a continuous extruded member. Moreover, the angle between the horizontal portion and the vertical portion may be greater than 90 degrees.

In some aspects, a vent cove base system includes an extruded, angular cross-section, having a floor member configured and adapted for contacting a wood floor, a wall member configured and adapted for contacting a wall, a center member connecting the floor member to the wall member, and a notch disposed in the wall member. The system also includes a clip extending between the floor member and the wall member. According to aspects, the clip holds the floor member off of the wood floor.

Other aspects of the present technology relate to a method for resurfacing a wood floor without removing a covering of a gap between the floor and a wall. According to aspects, the method includes installing a vent cove base comprising an extruded, angular cross-section having a vertical member and a horizontal member, the vertical and horizontal members joined by a center member a proximal ends of each of the vertical and horizontal members. The method also includes lifting a distal end of the horizontal member from the floor to reveal the floor beneath the vent cove base. Additionally, the method includes installing a clip between a distal end of the horizontal member and a distal end of the vertical member, such that a gap is formed between the horizontal member and the floor. According to aspects of the method of the present technology, the floor under the vent cove is therefore exposed, allowing for resurfacing the floor. In contrast to known technologies, either requiring complete removal of the vent cove or requiring resurfacing a floor without resurfacing under a vent cove base, the present technology provides a number of advantages, as discussed herein.

Yet other aspects of the technology relate to a method of installation, a method of maintenance, a method of resurfacing, or other related methods according to aspects of the technology discussed herein. For example, a method of installation is contemplated that includes using an adhesive, as discussed herein. Yet other methods will be appreciated given the aspects of the present invention discussed herein.

The foregoing detailed description describes the technology with reference to specific exemplary aspects. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present technology as set forth in the appended claims. The detailed description and accompanying drawings are to be regarded as merely illustrative, rather than as restrictive, and all such modifications, combination of features, or changes, if any, are intended to fall within the scope of the present technology as described and set forth herein. In addition, while specific features are shown or described as used in connection with particular aspects of the technology, it is understood that different features may be combined and used with different aspects. Likewise, numerous features from various aspects of the technology described herein may be combined in any number of variations as suits a particular purpose.

More specifically, while illustrative exemplary aspects of the technology have been described herein, the present technology is not limited to these aspects, but includes any and all aspects having modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the foregoing detailed description. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the foregoing detailed description or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive where it is intended to mean “preferably, but not limited to.” Any steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims. Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; and b) a corresponding function is expressly recited. The structure, material or acts that support the means-plus-function are expressly recited in the description herein. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be determined solely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the descriptions and examples given above.