Anti-slip step treatment

Abstract

A method for providing an anti-slip surface for a step comprising providing a thin thermoplastic material sheet matrix and a design appliqu of a contrasting material or materials, applying the matrix and the appliqu to a step and heat fusing the matrix to the step and the appliqu to the matrix, and an appliqu used in such a method.

Claims

1. A method for providing anti-slip surfaces for steps in a flight of steps, the method comprising: providing for the steps a thermoplastic material sheet matrix and an applique; the applique being made of a first material and comprising a plurality of insert components; the matrix being made of a second material and comprising a receiving portion configured to receive therein the plurality of insert components of the applique; wherein the first material is different than the second material; applying the plurality of components of the applique to the receiving portion of the matrix and temporarily securing the plurality of components in the receiving portion; applying the matrix and the applique to a step of said steps; and together heat fusing the matrix to the step of said steps and the applique to the matrix, thereby forming one unit comprising a top surface.

2. The method according to claim 1, in which the matrix, the applique or each of the matrix and the applique include an anti-slip material comprising particles.

3. The method according to claim 2, in which the particles are applied to a surface of at least one of the matrix and the applique during the heat fusing of the matrix to the step.

4. The method according to claim 1, in which the applique comprises a single component.

5. The method according to claim 1, in which the applique comprises multiple individual components.

Description

(1) Appliqus, anti-slip surfacing for steps and methods for applying the same will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a view from above of part of a flight of steps;

(3) FIG. 2 is a view from the side of the steps of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a view from above of a cut-out matrix and a first embodiment of appliqu;

(5) FIG. 4 is a view from the side of the matrix and appliqu of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a view from above of another embodiment of appliqu; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a view from the side of the appliqu of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flight of steps provided with anti-slip surfaces according to the invention.

(9) FIG. 8 is a cross section through matrix or appliqu material incorporating anti-slip particles; and

(10) FIG. 9 is a cross-section like FIG. 8 showing particles partly sunk in.

(11) The drawings illustrate a method for providing an anti-slip surface 11 for a step 12 of a flight of steps 31, 71, comprising providing a thin thermoplastic material sheet matrix 13 and a design appliqu 14 of a contrasting material or materials, the matrix being cut out to receive the appliqu, and heat fusing the matrix 13 and the appliqu 14 to a step 12, the matrix and/or appliqu incorporating anti-slip material 10.

(12) The anti-slip material 10 comprises coarse glass or flint particles that do not discolour the material. Particles 10, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, can be incorporated in the material of either the matrix or the appliqu but tend to sink below the surface when the material melts during fusing to the step, as shown in FIG. 8. In any event, particles 10 can be sprinkled on top while the material is molten, and will only partially sink in, leaving edges standing proud of the surface to provide anti-slip properties.

(13) The material of either matrix or appliqu may incorporate luminescent material, which can be applied by incorporation in glass particles sprinkled on while the material is molten. Phosphorescent or fluorescent will continue to glow after stadium lights are extinguished and provide indication of escape routes in the event of lighting failure.

(14) The contrasting material may itself comprise the same material as the matrix 13, but in a contrasting colour or colours.

(15) The contrasting material may be different from that of the matrix 13, and may, for example, be of metal such as aluminium or steel, or may be of another plastics material. It may be of anti-slip material or not, but in the latter case should make up a minor proportion, preferably less than one third, of the area of the whole.

(16) In FIGS. 3 to 6 the appliqu 14 comprises multiple components, which are pre-assembled into a unit for insertion into the matrix. Pre-assembly may involve a temporary adhesive bonding between components or, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 assembly on a sacrificial scrim or in a sacrificial or durable frame, FIGS. 5 and 6, where the letters are welded to a bar 15, as in cloisonn ware. The matrix 13 is recessed or cut or stamped out to receive a part or full depth appliqu insert.

(17) The appliqu 14 may be applied to the matrix 13 before the matrix is applied to the step, and may be temporarily secured therein as by being a tight fit or by adhesive, or it may be applied after the matrix 13 is placed on the step 12.

(18) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flight 71 of steps 72, of which every other step has an anti-slip surface 11 incorporating an appliqu 14, intermediate steps having a plain anti-slip surface of just the matrix 13 material. The spacing of the appliqud steps can, of course, be differentevery fourth or fifth step would usually be appropriate.