Tread cap and methods and processes related thereto

1. A method of producing a capping structure for covering a pre-existing stair structure having a bull nose, the method comprising:

providing a generally rectangular, generally planar tread element, and machining a groove in a surface of said tread element proximal a longitudinal edge thereof, said groove being machined to extend substantially the entire length of one side of said tread element;

providing a generally rectangular cap precursor element which is sized in at least one dimension to have a thickness which is approximately equal to the width of said groove and which is sized in at least one other dimension to have a length approximately equal to the length of said groove;

gluing said cap precursor element to said groove so that the width and length of said groove and said cap precursor elements are substantially spatially aligned;

machining joined outward facing surfaces of said tread element and said cap precursor element to form a convex, bull nose shaped configuration;

affixing a wear resistant, decorative thin laminate sheet to an upper surface of said tread element and to said convex, bull nose shaped configuration; and

machining a surface of said cap precursor element located on a side of said cap precursor element which is substantially opposite said convex, bull nose shaped configuration to have a concave radius, such radius being suitably sized to form a recessed portion in said cap precursor element which is configured to mate with an existing bull nose of a stair tread.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the cap precursor element is formed by cutting a strip configuration from a suitably thick sheet of manufactured wood; and

wherein a cut surface of said cap precursor element is the surface which is glued to said groove of said tread element.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said cap precursor element and said tread element are each comprised of manufactured wood selected from the group consisting of:

engineered wood, hardboard, low-density fiberboard, medium-density fiberboard, high-density fiberboard, particle board, pressed wood, and oriented strand board.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein said cap precursor element and said tread element are each comprised of moisture resistant manufactured wood.

5. The method according to claim 3 wherein said tread element has a starting thickness of approximately 6.5-14 mm and wherein said groove which is machined into said tread element is approximately 3-6 mm in depth and 18-30 mm in width.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein said cap precursor element is configured to be approximately 18-30 mm in width and approximately 30-50 mm in height.

7. A capping apparatus for covering a pre-existing stair structure having a bull nose, said apparatus comprising:

a generally rectangular, generally planar tread element machined to have a groove in a surface of said tread element proximal a longitudinal edge thereof, said groove being machined to extend substantially the entire length of one side of said tread element;

a generally rectangular cap precursor element which is sized in at least one dimension to have a thickness which is approximately equal to the width of said groove and which is sized in at least one other dimension to have a length approximately equal to the length of said groove, said cap precursor element being glued to said groove so that the width and length of said groove and said cap precursor elements are substantially spatially aligned;

wherein joined outward facing surfaces of said tread element and said cap precursor element are machined to form a convex, bull nose shaped configuration;

wherein a wear resistant, decorative thin laminate sheet is affixed to an upper surface of said tread element and to said convex, bull nose shaped configuration; and

wherein a surface of said cap precursor element located on a side of said cap precursor element which is substantially opposite said convex, bull nose shaped configuration is machined to have a concave radius, such radius being suitably sized to form a recessed portion in said cap precursor element which is configured to mate with an existing bull nose of a stair tread.

8. A capping apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said cap precursor element has at least one cut surface and is glued to said groove of said tread element at said at least one cut surface.

9. A capping apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said cap precursor element and said tread element are each comprised of manufactured wood selected from the group consisting of: engineered wood, hardboard, low-density fiberboard, medium-density fiberboard, high-density fiberboard, particle board, pressed wood, and oriented strand board.

10. A capping apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said cap precursor element and said tread element are each comprised of moisture resistant manufactured wood.

11. A capping apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said tread element has a thickness of approximately 6.5-14 mm and wherein said groove which is machined into said tread element is approximately 3-6 mm in depth and 18-30 mm in width.

12. A capping apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said cap precursor element is approximately 18-30 mm in width and approximately 30-50 mm in height.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein said wear resistant, decorative thin laminate sheet is a laminate selected from the group consisting of: a thermosetting laminate and a continuous pressure laminate.

14. A capping apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said wear resistant, decorative thin laminate sheet is a laminate selected from the group consisting of: a thermosetting laminate and a continuous pressure laminate.