Title of Invention

PROFILE - RAIL SYSTEM

Abstract The profile-rail system (1) serves for bridging expansion joints. It is held by means of undercut tongue and groove profiling (3, 4) such that it can be held in a click-in arrangement against flooring elements. In order to obtain a width adjustment and an adjustment to movements of the floor coving, the profile-rail system (1) has a least two telescopable profiled rails (5, 6). These profiled rails (5, 6) can be held against the flooring elements (2) exclusively on the end face.
Full Text FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970 (39 of 1970)
The Patents Rules, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See Section 10, and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF INVENTION : PROFILE-RAIL SYSTEM

APPLICANT(S)
a) Name
b) Nationality
c) Address

HERM. FRIEDR. KUENNE GMBH & CO.
GERMAN Company
ROEMERWEG 9,
D-58513 LUEDENSCHEID,
GERMANY

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed : -

The invention relates to a profile-rail system for bridging expansion joints, floor covering transitions or recesses or as a wall closure in respect of flooring elements, according to the preamble to Patent Claim 1.
From DE 20 2004 000 706 Ul, a profile-rail system for bridging flooring covering transitions is known. This profile-rail system comprises three profiled rails, namely a base profile secured in an expansion joint, a hinged profile and a covering profile. The covering profile has two covering wings, which overlap the adjacent flooring elements on the top side. This profile-rail system has proved itself in practice and forms the basis of the present invention.
The object of the invention is to provide a profile-rail system of the type stated in the introduction, which is simple to lay and offers a reduced risk of accident.
This object is achieved according to the invention with the features of Patent Claim 1.
The profile-rail system according to Claim 1 serves to bridge expansion joints, but also to bridge recesses between flooring elements. Recesses of this type are found, in particular, in the region of inspection shafts or the like. In addition, it is envisaged to use the profile-rail system as an edge closure or to bridge floor covering transitions. The flooring elements are held one against the other by undercut tongue and groove profilings such that they can be clicked in place, so as to allow an appropriate flooring to be laid with low installation complexity. In order, in particular, to minimize the laying complexity of the profile-rail system, it has at least two mutually telescopable profiled rails. This provides the lasting width adjustment of the profile-rail system which is necessary for expansion joints. Due to the telescopability of the profiled rails, these can easily partake in the displacements of the flooring elements without having to allow a relative displacement of the flooring elements to the profiled rails. It is thereby possible to secure the profiled rails directly to the end face of the flooring elements instead of overlapping the flooring elements. For the connection of the flooring elements to the profiled rails, the latter
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have, on sides facing away from each other, tongue and groove profilings, which are configured to fit the tongue and groove profilings of the flooring elements. In this way, a continuous floor covering is obtained which, even in the region of the expansion joint or of an inspection shaft, has sufficiently firm connections. Especially in the case of floor covering transitions and edge closures, it is also sufficient to provide the profiling only on one side of the profile-rail system. This is also conceivable if, for other reasons, the securement of the profile-rail system to the end face of the flooring elements is intended to be effected only on one side. For the installation of the profile-rail system, the profiled rails and the flooring elements are easily tilted and the tongue is then pressed into the opposite groove. Hence, the installation of the profile-rail system does not differ substantially from the laying of the flooring elements themselves. The laying of the entire floor covering can therefore easily be carried out even by unskilled persons. In particular, the need to align the profile-rail system exactly to the expansion joint, as is necessary in known profile-rail systems, is eliminated. As a result of the click connection between the flooring elements and the profiled rails, the correct mutual alignment of the two parts is automatically obtained. Since the profiled rails are connected to the flooring elements on the end face, the advantage is further obtained that the profiled rails no longer have to overlap the flooring elements. In this case, the risk of tripping in the region of the profiled rail is correspondingly reduced.
For the simple realization of the desired telescopability of the profiled rails one to another, it is advantageous, according to Claim 2, if one of the profiled rails has a surface-near web, which intrudes displaceably into a receiving pocket in the opposite profiled rail. In this way, an almost twofold width adjustment of the profile-rail system can be obtained.
In order to ensure a satisfactory contact of the profiled rail against the flooring elements even under difficult installation conditions, it is favourable, according to Claim 3, to force the profiled rails resiliently apart. Preferably, the spring is provided in the receiving pocket and presses directly against the web.
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The web intruding into the receiving pocket inevitably gives rise to a certain vertical offset between the mutually abutting profiled rails. In order to prevent the appearance of the profile-rail system from being excessively spoiled by this vertical offset, it is advantageous, according to Claim 4, if the profiled rails are grooved on the surface side. As a result of the grooving, the vertical offset is not overly conspicuous, whereby the visual impression is correspondingly enhanced.
In order to eliminate the risk of tripping arising from the profile-rail system, it is favourable, according to Claim 5, if at least one of the profiled rails lies approximately flush on the top side with the adjacent flooring element. In particular, it is provided to configure the profile-rail system such that at no single point does it jut over the height of the flooring elements. Any tripping on the profiled rails is thereby precluded.
For the adjustment of the profiled rails to different floor covering thicknesses, it is favourable, according to Claim 6, if the profiled rails are detachably supported on base rails. These base rails can be very easily and thus cheaply profiled. Through an appropriate choice of suitable base rail, any desired thickness of the profile-rail system can be realized to conform to the respective flooring elements.
In order to make the usability of the profile-rail system still more flexible, it is advantageous, according to Claim 7, if the profiled rails are height-adjustable and lockable in relation to the base rails. A multiplicity of floor covering thicknesses can thus be covered with a combination of profiled rails and base rails. This reduces the manufacturing and storage complexity.
In order to obtain a simple installability of the profile-rail system, it is advantageous, according to Claim 8, if the profiled rail can be connected to the base rail by means of retaining means. It thus forms a fixed unit and, as such, can be laid without difficulty.
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In order to obtain a sufficient rigidity of the profiled rail and base rail, it is favourable, according to Claim 9, if these have mutually facing stiffening ribs.
In order to be able to use the profile-rail system to bridge floor covering transitions, it is advantageous, according to Claim 10, if the profiled rails are vertically offset on the top side. Preferably, the vertical offset is located outside the telescope in order to keep the telescopic motion horizontal and not couple it with a vertical motion.
In order to produce a favourable visual impression of the profile-rail system, it is favourable, according to Claim 11, if the profiled rail is lined on the top side with a decorative foil. This decorative foil is preferably matched to the decorative design of the flooring elements, so that the profile-rail system is barely discernible in the ready-laid flooring.
The subject of the invention is explained by way of illustration with reference to the drawing, without limiting the protective scope.
The single figure shows a perspective representation of a profile-rail system 1 comprising flooring elements 2. The flooring elements 2 have respectively on their end face undercut grooves 3 and tongues 4, which allow installation by means of click connection. The grooves 3 and tongues 4 are configured such that they essentially fit together, a secure connection of the same being able to be created by tilting of one flooring element 2 and subsequent pressing together of both flooring elements 2. In particular, it is thereby not necessary to glue the connection between the flooring elements 2 or to pretension these one against the other. The installation of these flooring elements 2 is therefore also possible by unskilled persons.
The profile-rail system 1 comprises two profiled rails 5, 6 and two base rails 7. The base rails 7 are of substantially U-shaped configuration and have a plurality of stiffening ribs 8, which are directed substantially upwards. The base rails 7 further have edge-side vertical webs 9, in which receiving fixtures 10 can be fixed for the
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securement of a downwardly directed vertical web 11 of the profiled rails 5, 6. Preferably, the receiving fixtures 10 are configured with a slight undercut in order to realize a secure and yet detachable connection of the profiled rail 5 to the base rail 7. It is envisaged to realize base rails 7 with different structural height in order thereby to realize an individual height adjustment of the profile-rail system 1 to the thickness of the flooring elements 2.
The stiffening ribs 8 of the base rail 7 additionally have the function of realizing a stepped height-adjustability of the profile-rail system 1. If the base rail 7 is brought into the position shown in dashed representation, then the stiffening ribs 8 of the base rail 7 bear against a vertical web and against the stiffening rib 18 of the profiled rail 5. In this way, a smaller structural height of the profile-rail system 1 is realized. Through the omission of the base rail 7, a still smaller structural height can be realized. It is additionally envisaged to provide still further stiffening ribs 18 in order thereby to be able to realize further vertical steps.
In the case of the base rail 7 represented on the right, a fine-stepped, individual height adjustability of the profiled rail 6 is alternatively shown. For this purpose, the receiving fixture 10 has a toothing 12, which corresponds to a toothing 13 of the vertical web 11 of the profiled rail 6. According to the depth to which the vertical web 11 is pressed into the receiving fixture 10, an individual height adjustment of the profile-rail system 1 can thereby be made with unchanged profiled rails. In order to obtain a sufficient step load capacity of the profile-rail system 1, the profiled rail 6 and the base rail 7 can be glued together. Alternatively, it is also envisaged to insert between the two of them a fitting strip 14, which is supported, on the one hand, on the vertical webs 9 of the base rail 7 and, on the other hand, against the profiled rail 6. A fitting strip 14 of this type is of very simple construction and can be made for different heights at low cost. This fitting strip 14 prevents unwanted pressings of the vertical web 11 into the receiving fixture 10 when a step load arises.
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The profiled rail 5 is fixedly connected by its vertical webs 11 to the base rail 7. On the edge side it has a tongue 15, which is configured substantially like the tongue 4 of the flooring elements 2. The tongue 15 is here shaped such that the profiled rail 5 can be installed by angular setting of the profiled rail 5 and of the flooring element 2 relative to each other and subsequent pressing of the tongue 15 into the groove 3.
The profiled rail 5 further has a receiving pocket 16, which forms a slide guide for a web 17 of the profiled rail 6. The profile-rail system thus forms a complete covering of the sub-floor, the profiled rails 5, 6 being mutually telescopable. This allows a desired width adjustment of the expansion joint held freely between the flooring elements 2. The profiled rail 5 further has a stiffening rib 18, which is directed vertically downwards.
The profiled rail 6 has on its end region an undercut groove 19, which is configured substantially like the groove 3 of the flooring elements 2. The two profiled rails 5, 6 can thus be connected to the flooring elements 2 by a corresponding click connection. The connection is here made exclusively on the end face. The profiled rails 5, 6 are here configured such that on the top side they run flush with a surface 2' of the flooring elements 2.
Through the omission of the tongue 15 or of the profile around the groove 19, an edge closure profile can be very easily realized. This is indicated in the figure by the dashed line 20. This modification is also advantageous in those cases in which only a one-sided securement of the profile-rail system is intended to be made. In order here to obtain a clean contact of the profiled rail 6 against the adjoining flooring element or against a wall, the web 17 is pressed by a spring provided in the receiving pocket 16 elastically out of the latter. Alternatively, the profiled rail 6 can also be secured to the sub-floor, in particular screwed or glued thereto.
In addition, the profiled rail 5,6 can also be drawn downwards in order to produce a height-equalizing branch 21 indicated in dash-dot representation. This runs flush
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with the web 17, so that no step is any longer obtained on the top side of the profiled rail 6.

Reference symbol list

1 profile-rail system
2 flooring element
2' surface
3 groove
4 tongue
5,6 profiled rail
7 base rail
8 stiffening rib
9 vertical web
10 receiving fixture
11 vertical web
12,13 toothing
14 fitting strip
15 tongue
16 receiving pocket
17 web
18 stiffening rib
19 groove
20 dashed line
21 height-equalizing branch
22 spring

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WE CLAIM:
1. Profile-rail system for bridging expansion joints, recesses, and/or as an edge closure in respect of flooring elements (2) which are held one against the other by undercut tongue and groove profilings (3,4) such that they can be clicked in place, characterized in that the profile-rail system (1) has at least two mutually telescopable profiled rails (5, 6), at least one of which has an undercut tongue (19) and/or groove profiling (15) on the end side facing the flooring elements (2), said undercut tongue (19) and/or groove profiling (15) is configured to fit the tongue and groove profiling (3, 4) of the flooring elements (2) to enable the profiled rails (5, 6) to be connected to the flooring elements (2) on the end face by tilting and pressing of the tongue (4,15) into the opposite groove (3,19).
2. Profile-rail system according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the profiled rails (5, 6) has a surface-near web (17), which intrudes displaceably into a receiving pocket (16) in the opposite profiled rail (5).
3. Profile-rail system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the profiled rails (5,6) are forced resiliency apart.
4. Profile-rail system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the profiled rails (5,6) are grooved on the surface side.
5. Profile-rail system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the profiled rails (5,6) lies substantially flush on the surface side with the adjacent flooring element (2).
6. Profile-rail system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the profiled rails (5, 6), for height adjustment to the flooring elements (2), are detachably mounted on base rails (7).
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7. Profile-rail system according to Claim 6, characterized in that the profiled rails (5,6) are height-adjustable and lockable in relation to the base rails (7).
8. Profile-rail system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the profiled rail (5, 6) can be connected to the base rail (7) and/or a sub-floor by means of retaining means.
9. Profile-rail system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the profiled rails (5, 6) and/or base rails (7) have mutually facing stiffening ribs (8,18).
10. Profile-rail system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the profiled rails (5, 6) are vertically offset on the top side for adjustment to different floor covering heights.
11. Profile-rail system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the profiled rails (5, 6) are lined on the top side with a decorative foil, which is preferably matched to the decorative design of the flooring elements (2).
12. Profile-rail system according to at least one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the profiled rail (5, 6) can be connected to the flooring element (2) exclusively on the end face and reaches at most up to a surface (2') of the flooring element (2).
Dated this 9th day of December, 2006
HIRALjJfcKNDRAKANT JOSHI ^ AGENT FOR HERM. FRIEDR. KUENNE GMBH & CO.
11

Abstract
The profile-rail system (1) serves for bridging expansion joints. It is held by means of undercut tongue and groove profilings (3, 4) such that it can be held in a click-in arrangement against flooring elements. In order to obtain a width adjustment and an adjustment to movements of the floor covering, the profile-rail system (1) has at least two telescopable profiled rails (5,6). These profiled rails (5,6) can be held against the flooring elements (2) exclusively on the end face.
To,
The Controller of Patents
The Patent Office
Mumbai.
12

Documents:

2020-mum-2006-abstract-1.jpg

2020-mum-2006-abstract.doc

2020-mum-2006-abstract.pdf

2020-MUM-2006-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(12-4-2012).pdf

2020-MUM-2006-CLAIMS(MARKED COPY)-(12-4-2012).pdf

2020-mum-2006-claims.doc

2020-mum-2006-claims.pdf

2020-mum-2006-correspondence received.pdf

2020-MUM-2006-CORRESPONDENCE(12-4-2012).pdf

2020-mum-2006-correspondence(25-1-2007).pdf

2020-mum-2006-description (complete).pdf

2020-mum-2006-drawing(11-12-2006).pdf

2020-mum-2006-form 1(25-1-2007).pdf

2020-mum-2006-form 2(title page)-(11-12-2006).pdf

2020-MUM-2006-FORM 3(12-4-2012).pdf

2020-mum-2006-form-1.pdf

2020-mum-2006-form-18.pdf

2020-mum-2006-form-2.doc

2020-mum-2006-form-2.pdf

2020-mum-2006-form-26.pdf

2020-mum-2006-form-3.pdf

2020-mum-2006-form-5.pdf

2020-MUM-2006-PETITION UNDER RULE-137(12-4-2012).pdf

2020-MUM-2006-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT(12-4-2012).pdf

2020-MUM-2006-US DOCUMENT(12-4-2012).pdf


Patent Number 257421
Indian Patent Application Number 2020/MUM/2006
PG Journal Number 40/2013
Publication Date 04-Oct-2013
Grant Date 30-Sep-2013
Date of Filing 11-Dec-2006
Name of Patentee HERM. FRIEDR. KUENNE GMBH & CO.
Applicant Address ROEMERWEG 9, D - 58513 LUEDENSCHEID,
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 FRANK SONDERMANN FRENKHAUSER HOEH 5, D - 57489 DROLSHAGEN,
PCT International Classification Number E04F19/02
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 202005020074.3 2005-12-21 Germany