Floor covering transition device
The present invention provides a transition device assembly for transitioning between a first floor covering and a second floor covering that includes an elongated T-shaped member, a covering and an elongated base. The elongated T-shaped member has an upper portion and a base portion. The covering is attached to the elongated T-shaped member and covers a top and each side of the upper portion of the T-shaped member. The elongated base has a substantially flat portion and a longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel for receiving the base portion of the elongated T-shaped member. There may also be a notch in each end of the covering and the elongated T-shaped member to accommodate a doorstop. Alternatively, the covering also extends beyond the ends of the elongated T-shaped member and has a notch in each end of the extended covering to accommodate a doorstop.
1 . A transition device assembly comprising:
an elongated T-shaped member having an upper portion and a base portion;
a covering attached to the elongated T-shaped member and covering a top and each side of the upper portion of the T-shaped member;
an elongated base having a substantially flat portion and a longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel for receiving the base portion of the elongated T-shaped member; and
wherein the elongated base, elongated T-shaped member and the covering have a combined height to provide a transition between a first floor covering and a second floor covering.
2 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the elongated T-shaped member is semi-flexible.
3 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the elongated T-shaped member comprises a downwardly shaped arc.
4 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the base portion has one or more longitudinally extending ridges along each side of the base portion.
5 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the elongated T-shaped member has a cross section substantially as shown in FIG. 5 .
6 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the elongated T-shaped member comprises vinyl, plastic, rubber, fiberglass, composite materials, wood and metal.
7 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a notch in each end of the elongated T-shaped member, the covering and the elongated base to accommodate a doorstop.
8 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the covering is decorative and wear-resistant.
9 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the covering also covers portions of a bottom of the upper portion of the elongated T-shaped member.
10 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the covering comprises sheet vinyl, laminate, plastic, ceramic or one or more vinyl pieces.
11 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the covering is attached to the elongated member with double face tape, glue, staples, nails, screws, tacks or a combination thereof.
12 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel is disposed substantially along a longitudinal center line of the substantially flat portion.
13 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel is disposed between a longitudinal center line and a longitudinal edge of the substantially flat portion.
14 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel is disposed substantially along a longitudinal edge of the substantially flat portion.
15 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the base portion of the elongated T-shaped member is secured within the channel of the elongated base with a friction fit, glue or a combination thereof.
16 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second floor coverings comprise carpet, tile, wood, vinyl or laminate.
17 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the transition is substantially level, smooth or gradual.
18 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a notch in each end of the elongated T-shaped member and the covering to accommodate a doorstop.
19 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the covering extends beyond the ends of the elongated T-shaped member.
20 . The transition device assembly as recited in claim 19 , further comprising a notch in each end of the extended covering to accommodate a doorstop.
21 . A system comprising:
an elongated T-shaped member having an upper portion and a base portion;
a covering attached to the elongated T-shaped member and covering a top and each side of the upper portion of the T-shaped member;
an elongated base attached to a floor having a substantially flat portion and a longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel for receiving the base portion of the elongated T-shaped member;
a first floor covering attached to the floor and extending underneath one side of the upper portion of the elongated T-shaped member;
a second floor covering attached to the floor and extending underneath the other side of the upper portion of the elongated T-shaped member; and
wherein the elongated base, elongated T-shaped member and the covering have a combined height to provide a transition between the first floor covering and the second floor covering.
22 . The system as recited in claim 21 , wherein the first and second floor coverings are carpet and further comprising a first pad disposed between the first floor covering and the floor and a second pad disposed between the second floor covering and the floor.
23 . The system as recited in claim 21 , wherein the first and second floor coverings are attached to the floor using strips.
24 . The system as recited in claim 21 , wherein the first or second floor coverings extend over the substantially flat portion of the elongated base.
25 . The system as recited in claim 21 , further comprising a notch in each end of the elongated T-shaped member and the covering to accommodate a doorstop.
26 . The system as recited in claim 21 , wherein the covering extends beyond the ends of the elongated T-shaped member.
27 . The system as recited in claim 26 , further comprising a notch in each end of the extended covering to accommodate a doorstop.
28 . A method for manufacturing a device for transitioning between a first floor covering and a second floor covering comprising the steps of:
fabricating an elongated T-shaped member having an upper portion and a base portion;
attaching a covering to the elongated T-shaped member such that the covering covers a top and each side of the upper portion of the T-shaped member;
fabricating an elongated base having a substantially flat portion and a longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel for receiving the base portion of the elongated T-shaped member; and
wherein the elongated base, elongated T-shaped member and the covering have a combined height to provide a transition between a first floor covering and a second floor covering.
29 . The method as recited in claim 28 , further comprising the step of cutting a notch in each end of the elongated T-shaped member and the covering to accommodate a doorstop.
30 . The method as recited in claim 28 , wherein the covering extends beyond the ends of the elongated T-shaped member.
31 . The method as recited in claim 30 , further comprising the step of cutting a notch in each end of the extended covering to accommodate a doorstop.
32 . A transition device assembly comprising:
an elongated T-shaped semi-flexible member having an upper portion and a base portion;
two or more bases having a substantially flat portion and an upwardly extending opening channel for receiving the base portion of the elongated T-shaped member; and
wherein the two or more bases and elongated T-shaped semi-flexible member provide a transition between a non-linear first floor covering and a corresponding second floor covering.