A temporary tread insert and method for installation in a stairway framework during building construction. The temporary tread insert includes an insert body having an upper tread surface, a bottom surface and opposed side surfaces. A front end of the insert body has a substantially bullnose shaped curved surface. The upper tread surface has a notched surface extending along the upper tread surface. Also disclosed is the method of inserting the temporary tread insert into the stair pan of a stairway framework, where the stair pan includes a bullnose at a front end of the stair pan, and the bullnose has a portion extending laterally a distance into the stair pan. The temporary tread insert includes a notched surface. The method includes positioning the temporary tread insert above a bottom of the pan, inserting the notched end of the temporary tread insert beneath the laterally extending portion of the bullnose, and moving the rear end of the temporary tread insert downward until the notched end of the temporary tread insert engages the underside of the portion extending laterally from the bullnose.

An apparatus for trimming step edges includes a nose piece for locating at an edge of a horizontal existing surface, a covering board for covering the horizontal existing surface, and a riser board for locating a top of the riser board at or adjacent the edge with the board in an upright orientation. The nose piece includes at its rear a recess for receiving a projecting tongue of the covering board, which cooperate to retain the covering board positioned against the existing surface. The apparatus additionally features a fastener projecting forwardly at a bottom of the tongue for mechanically coupling with a distinct locking recess in the nose piece. The apparatus also features a receptacle for placing at a rear of the covering board to receive another riser board, which conceals a gap between the rear edge of the covering board and an upright surface upstanding from the existing surface.

An apparatus for trimming step edges includes a nose piece for locating at an edge of a horizontal existing surface, a covering board for covering the horizontal existing surface, and a riser board for locating a top of the riser board at or adjacent the edge with the board in an upright orientation. The nose piece includes at its rear a recess for receiving a projecting tongue of the covering board, which cooperate to retain the covering board positioned against the existing surface. The apparatus additionally features a fastener projecting forwardly at a bottom of the tongue for mechanically coupling with a distinct locking recess in the nose piece. The apparatus also features a receptacle for placing at a rear of the covering board to receive another riser board, which conceals a gap between the rear edge of the covering board and an upright surface upstanding from the existing surface.

A molding is made from a first flooring plank. A first groove is formed into the first flooring plank with a first flat bottom surface. A second groove is formed into the first flooring plank with a second flat bottom surface. The first flooring plank is folded at the first groove and second groove. A second flooring plank is disposed adjacent to the molding. A color and pattern of the first flooring plank and second flooring plank match.

A decorative layer removal tool for flooring is configured with a removal shaft and either a drill attachment or handle to remove the decorative layer from a plank. The removal shaft includes a threaded end to attach to either the handle or drill attachment. The handle can be used when the user wishes to manually rotate the shaft and remove the decorative layer; the drill attachment can be used with a power drill for a motorized removal. The removal shaft includes a slit that extends from an unthreaded end to the threaded side. In typical implementations, the slit may not extend to the shaft's threads. At least a portion of the slit is used to receive the decorative surface layer from a plank, thereby enabling the decorative layer's removal.

The present invention provides a stair edging component or nosing assembly comprising a plurality of elongate inserts, each insert comprising a main body portion having a tread surface and a coupling interface to couple the insert to the stair, and an opening extending through the length thereof, a locating spacer located between each pair of inserts, and a tensioning means extending through the opening in each insert and along the length of the stair edging component.

A method for bending a vinyl floor plank to form a stair nose plank. A first bending gap and a second bending gap are established. Heat is applied to a vinyl floor plank along a first bend location. The vinyl floor plank is then placed into the first bend gap. A user presses downward on the vinyl floor plank to form a first right angle bend. Heat is applied to a vinyl floor plank along a second bend location. The vinyl floor plank is then placed into the second bend gap. The user presses downward on the vinyl floor plank to form a second right angle bend. The first right angle bend and the second right angle bend combine to form a U-shaped bend to form a stair nose plank. In a preferred embodiment the stair nose plank includes a locking mechanism along its edges. In a preferred embodiment, the first bending gap is established between two blending blocks and the second bend gap is established between two second bending blocks. In a preferred embodiment heat is applied by utilization of an acrylic bending machine.

An interlocking tile includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and marginal faces disposed along a perimeter of the top surface. The tile also includes at least one male coupler disposed on a first marginal face and at least one female coupler extending from the bottom surface and disposed on a second marginal face. The at least one female coupler includes an arm, the arm comprising a first notch for engaging with a corresponding male coupler of an adjacent tile at a first position, and a second notch for engaging with the corresponding male coupler of the adjacent tile at a second position.

A method of making a stair nose molding is provided that includes obtaining a flooring plank. The flooring plank includes a core layer, a padding layer covering the core layer, a first edge and a second edge. Moreover, the method includes milling the padding layer along the first edge of the flooring plank, heating the flooring plank, and positioning the first edge of the flooring plank against a first side of the molding member. Furthermore, the method includes bending the flooring plank about a curved end of the molding member to create a curved part of the flooring plank, positioning a remaining part of the flooring plank adjacent a second side of the molding member, and applying pressure to the remaining part of the plank adjacent the second side of the molding member and to the part of the plank adjacent the first side of the molding machine.

The present invention provides a guard which is a surface that is adapted for mounting over the open end of the tread of a step of an open stairway such that when associated with a stairway: the exposed area of the OTEP is reduced. The present invention further provides for a retention means to maintain stable association of the guard with the stairway. The present invention further comprises kits comprising one or more guards, one or more retention means and instructions for use.