STAIR NOSING

Abstract

A prefabricated stair nose for floor installations on stairs wherein the present invention is manufactured from wood or other suitable material. The stair nose of the present invention includes four embodiments wherein all four embodiments include a lower inset formation that is configured to be placed on an edge of a stair tread. The body of the present invention further includes an upper inset formation wherein the upper inset formation is configured to engage a portion of a wood floor plank. Two embodiments of the present invention further include a groove inset formation that is operable to mateable couple with a tongue formation of a wood floor plank. The body of the stair nosing of the present invention is provided with both an arcuate shaped front surface and a square shaped front surface.

Claims

1. A stair nosing configured to be placed on a stair tread during installation of a wood floor wherein the stair nosing comprises: a body, said body having a first end and a second end, said body having an upper edge and a lower edge, said body having a front surface, said body further having an upper inset formed therein, said upper inset being formed proximate said second end and said upper edge.

2. The stair nosing as recited in claim 1, wherein said body further include a lower inset, said lower inset being formed proximate said second and said lower edge.

3. The stair nosing as recited in claim 1, wherein said front edge is perpendicular to said lower and said upper edge so as to form a flat front edge.

4. The stair nosing as recited in claim 2, wherein said lower inset has a depth that ranges from four millimeters to nineteen millimeters.

5. The stair nosing as recited in claim 4, wherein said body further includes a groove inset, said groove inset being formed in a forward edge surface of said upper inset.

6. The stair nosing as recited in claim 5, wherein said lower inset has a height that ranges from three to twelve millimeters.

7. The stair nosing as recited in claim 6, wherein said groove inset has a height ranging from three to twelve millimeters.

8. The stair nosing as recited in claim 7, wherein said upper inset has a depth that ranges from four to fifty millimeters.

9. The stair nosing as recited in claim 8, wherein said upper inset has a height ranging from four to nineteen millimeters.

10. The stair nosing as recited in claim 9, wherein said body has a depth ranging from nine to fifty millimeters.

11. The stair nosing as recited in claim 10, wherein said body has a height that ranges from twelve to fifty millimeters.

12. The stair nosing as recited in claim 11, wherein said front edge is contiguously formed with said upper edge and said lower edge being intermediate thereto, said front edge being arcuate in form.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is an end view of a bullnose embodiment of the present invention; and

[0015] FIG. 2 is an end view of square faced embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016] FIG. 3 is an end view of a bullnose embodiment for a tongue and groove floor; and

[0017] FIG. 4 is an end view of a square faced embodiment for a tongue and groove floor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a stair nosing 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

[0020] It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0021] References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

[0022] Referring in particular to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the stair nosing 100 includes a body 10. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 in a preferred embodiment is manufactured from wood but could be manufactured from other suitable materials. The body 10 is provided in four embodiments, A, B, C and D that are discussed herein. The embodiments of the stair nosing 100 are pre-manufactured and provided to floor installers in various lengths wherein the floor installer will cut the body 10 to the required length for the installation onto stairs.

[0023] Now referring to FIG. 1, the body 10 includes a front edge 12 that is arcuate in form extending from the upper edge 9 to the lower edge 8. The lower edge 8 continues toward second end 5 at a distance that could be longer than that of the upper edge 9. A lower inset 15 is formed into the body 10 that includes a first edge surface 16 and a second edge surface 17. First edge surface 16 and second edge surface 17 are perpendicular to each other forming the lower inset 15 to have a right angle in order to mateably couple with a stair tread. While no particular dimensions are required, in a preferred embodiment the lower inset 15 has a depth of four to nineteen millimeters and a height of three to twelve millimeters. An upper inset 20 is formed in the body 10 and includes a lower edge surface 22 and a forward edge surface 24. The lower edge surface 22 extends from second end 5 towards first end 4 and is contiguous with forward edge surface 24 being perpendicular thereto. While no particular dimensions are required, the upper inset 20 has a height of four to nineteen millimeters and a depth of four to fifty millimeters. The body 10 has a width from first end 4 to second end 5 of nine millimeters to approximately fifty millimeters in a preferred embodiment but it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternate dimensions could be provided. The body 10 has a height ranging from upper edge 9 to lower edge 8 that is provided between twelve millimeters and approximately fifty millimeters in a preferred embodiment.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2 embodiment B is manufactured similarly to embodiment A. Embodiment B includes a lower inset 35 and an upper inset 40 wherein the dimensions are identical to those discussed herein for embodiment A. Embodiment B is provided with a straight front surface edge 42 wherein the front surface edge 42 is perpendicular with upper edge surface 39 and lower edge surface 38. All dimensions as recited herein for embodiment A are the same for embodiment B. Embodiment B is provided to offer a flat front surface area as opposed to an arcuate shaped front surface area.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3 submitted as a part hereof, embodiment C of the stair nosing 100 is illustrated therein. Embodiment C and D as will be discussed further herein are configured to mateably couple with floor planks having tongue and groove elements. The body 10 includes a front edge surface 62 that is arcuate in form and extends between upper edge surface 69 and lower edge surface 68 being contiguous therewith. A lower inset 70 is formed in the body 10 having a first edge surface 72 and a second edge surface 71. The first edge surface 72 and the second edge surface 71 are perpendicular with each other and are formed so as to provide a mateable connection between the body 10 and a stair tread. While no particular dimensions are required for the lower inset 70, in a preferred embodiment of the body 10 the lower inset 70 has a depth of four to nineteen millimeters and a height of three to twelve millimeters. An upper inset 80 is formed in the body 10 having a lower edge surface 82 and a forward edge surface 84. Lower edge surface 82 and forward edge surface 84 are perpendicular to each other and contiguous. Formed in the forward edge surface 84 is groove inset 90. Groove inset 90 provides an area to accept a tongue on a tongue and groove floor plank. While no particular dimensions are required for the upper inset 80, a preferred embodiment has a depth of four to fifty millimeters and a height of four to nineteen millimeters. Additionally, the groove inset 90 has a height of three to twelve millimeters. The body 10 has a width from first end 104 to second end 105 of nine millimeters to approximately fifty millimeters in a preferred embodiment but it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternate dimensions could be provided. The body 10 has a height ranging from upper edge surface 69 to lower edge surface 68 that is provided between twelve millimeters and approximately fifty millimeters in a preferred embodiment.

[0026] Embodiment D is manufactured similarly to embodiment C. Embodiment D includes a lower inset 70 and an upper inset 80 and groove inset 90 wherein the dimensions are identical to those discussed herein for embodiment C. Embodiment D is provided with a straight front surface edge 112 wherein the front surface edge 112 is perpendicular with upper edge surface 69 and lower edge surface 68. All dimensions as recited herein for embodiment C are the same for embodiment D. Embodiment D is provided to offer a flat front surface area as opposed to an arcuate shaped front surface area.

[0027] While the embodiments illustrated and discussed herein all have upper insets and lower insets, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that all of the embodiments could have be provided wherein either only the upper inset or lower inset is present.

[0028] In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.