Decorative Accessory

A worktop accessory, which includes an elongate body defining a first side extendible along a worktop edge and a second side extendible along a surface against which the worktop edge abuts, at least one attachment formation provided on at least one of the first side and the second side, the attachment formations for attaching the elongate body, and a flexible skirt extending along at least a portion of one side of the elongate body, the flexible skirt arranged for engaging any one of the worktop surface and the abutting surface.

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Description

THIS INVENTION relates to a decorative accessory. More particularly, the invention relates to a worktop accessory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The inventor is aware decorative strips for sealing edges of worktops, kitchen tops, baths, basins and the like. However, the inventor found that it is sometimes difficult to install and properly seal the edge of the worktop, especially when the worktop has an uneven upper surface, such as at joints or the like. In this specification reference to the term “worktop” should be interpreted as including reference to baths, sinks, basins, floors, cupboards, window- and door frames, and the like, which are to be sealed around their edges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a worktop accessory, which includes

    • an elongate body defining a first side extendible along a worktop edge and a second side extendible along a surface against which the worktop edge abuts;
    • at least one attachment formation provided on at least one of the first side and the second side, the attachment formations for attaching the elongate body; and
    • a flexible skirt extending along at least a portion of one side of the elongate body, the flexible skirt arranged for engaging any one of the worktop surface and the abutting surface.

The flexible skirt may be arranged, in use to engage any one of the worktop surface and the abutting surface to form at least a partial liquid seal between the elongate body and one of the worktop surface and the abutting surface.

The flexible skirt may be in the form of a blade extending along at least one side of the elongate body.

The blade may be resilient and may have a stiffness to allow the blade to be hand deformable during installation.

For example, if the worktop accessory is installed by hand, the blade may deform to engage the surface against which it abuts for at least a portion of the length of the blade.

The blade may be biased towards the abutting surface which is to be sealed, the blade, when installed, defining a partial liquid seal against the surface.

The blade may therefore be biased, in operation to maintain a liquid seal with a surface having minor surface irregularities, or in an installation where minor surface movement between the worktop and the abutting surface may occur during or after installation.

The inventor believes that the flexible skirt, which engages the surface to be sealed, will define an aesthetically pleasing finish between the two surfaces.

The attachment formation may be in the form of a recess or a slot extending at least partially over the length of the side, the slot for receiving an adhesive substance such as glue, silicone, or the like.

The attachment formation may be in the form of a set of apertures, a set of fastening clips or a laterally extending wing.

In one embodiment, the attachment formation may be for attaching to the worktop surface or the abutting surface, or both. In another embodiment, the attachment formation may be for mounting to a mounting accessory, which is attachable to any one of the worktop surface and the abutting surface.

The worktop accessory may include a mounting interface, in use mountable to any one of the worktop surface and the abutting surface, the mounting interface also removably attachable to a cooperating attachment formation on any one of the first side and the second side of the elongate body of the worktop accessory.

The mounting interface may be in the form of an elongate strip which is mountable to any one or both of a worktop and an abutting surface, the elongate strip including attachment means which is attachable to the matched attachment formation on the elongate body.

The attachment means and the attachment formation may define a set of friction-fit pins and socket formations.

The attachment means and the attachment formation may define a friction-fit ridge and slot formation.

The elongate body may include a decorative element extending at least partially along the length of the body.

The decorative element may be in the form of any one of a profile of the body, an engraved pattern on the body, and a decorative film attached to and extending substantially along the length of the elongate body. For example, the decorative film may be a metal cladding, or may be coloured to look like metal such as aluminium.

Any one of the body and the flexible skirt may be manufactured of a synthetic plastic material. The synthetic plastic material may be any one of mildew free, mould free, oil resistant, fire resistant, and stain proof.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a worktop accessory, which includes an elongate body defining a first side extendible along a worktop edge and a second side extendible along an abutting surface against which the worktop edge abuts, any one of the first and the second side defining a laterally extending wing.

The wing may be in the form of a sheet which may be deformable during installation of the worktop accessory. For example, during installation, the wing may be bent over the edge of the worktop. In particular, when a worktop is to be tiled into position, the wing may project towards the edge of the worktop and tiles may be placed in position on the abutting surface extending from the wing away from the worktop accessory.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the following drawings:

DRAWINGS

In the drawing(s):

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of worktop accessory, in accordance with the invention in side view;

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of the worktop accessory of FIG. 1 in use;

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment of the invention.

 EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1 a worktop accessory 10 is shown in side elevation. The worktop accessory includes an elongate body 12 which defines two sides 12.1 and 12.2.

The worktop accessory 10 further includes a flexible skirt 14, which extends along the side 12.2 of the elongate body. The flexible skirt 14 is of a resilient, rubber type material which is biased in the direction of arrow 16.

The body 12 of the worktop accessory 10 may be of another synthetic material which is fire retardant, oil proof and the like.

A can be seen, attachment formations 12.11, 12.12 and 12.21 are defined on the sides 12.1 and 12.2 respectively. The attachment formations 12.11, 12.12, 12.21 are in the form of recesses for accommodating an adhesive such as silicone, or the like.

In FIG. 2 the worktop accessory 10 of FIG. 1 is shown in use.

The worktop accessory is shown installed on a kitchen top 18 (shown in broken line) which abuts a wall 20 (also shown in broken line). The kitchen top 18 includes a joint 22 in the form of a metal strip. The joint defines an irregularity on the kitchen top surface 18.1.

As can be seen the skirt 14 is in the form of a blade biased in the direction of arrow 16, see FIG. 1.

When installed, the blade 14 is bent upwards in the opposite direction of arrow 16. The blade 16 is therefore biased against the worktop surface 18.1.

An adhesive is provided in the recesses 12.11, 12.12 and 12.21 to ensure a secure fixture between the accessory 10 and the wall 20 and the worktop surface 18 respectively. The adhesive in the recesses 12.11, 12.12 and 12.21 provide a seal between the accessory and the worktop 18 and wall 20.

It is to be appreciated that the joint 22 defines an irregularity which is difficult to accommodate on the straight edge of the side 12.2. However, the adhesive in the recess 12.21 and the blade 16 provide a secure seal between the worktop surface 18.1 and the wall 20.

The blade 16, being resiliently deformable however, provides an aesthetically pleasing finish on the edge of the worktop surface 18.1. The blade 14 being biased in the direction 16 accommodates the irregularity caused by the joint 22 in the worktop surface 18.1. Furthermore, the blade 14 provides a partial liquid seal to prevent any liquids spilled on the worktop surface 18.1 from reaching the side 12.2 of the accessory body 12.

In FIG. 3 another worktop accessory 30 is shown having an elongate body 32 defining two sides 32.1, 32,2 which are extendible along a worktop edge and an abutting surface respectively.

The elongate body is attachable to a mounting interface 34 in the form of an elongate attachment strip which is attachable to any one or both of a worktop edge and an abutting surface. The attachment strip 34 includes a friction fit slot formation 36 which is attachable to a friction fit ridge 38 on the body 32 of the worktop accessory 30.

If desired, a decorative element in the form of a film may be provided on the operatively outwardly facing surface of the body 32.

In FIG. 4 another worktop accessory 40 is shown having an elongate body 42 defining two sides 42.1 42.2, which are extendible along a worktop edge and an abutting surface respectively.

In the example of FIG. 4, the elongate body 42 is attachable to only one of the worktop edge and the abutting surface. The worktop accessory 40 includes an attachment formation in the form of a recess 42.21 for accommodating an adhesive, similar to the worktop accessory 10 shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen a wing 44 extends from the side 42.1, the wing defining another attachment formation. In particular, when the worktop accessory 40 is to be used where the abutting surface is to be tiled, the wing can be attached to the abutting surface by tiling the wing 44 into position.

The elongate body 42 defines a decorative element in the form of a pleasing profile 42.3 of the body 42.

The inventor believes that the invention is of particular importance where edges of worktops, basins, shower doors, baths and the like are to be sealed.

The elongate bodies 12, 32, 40 may be flexible thereby to be attachable to a curved abutting surface. The blade 14 of the body 12 being resiliently deformable in combination with the flexible body 12 defining a worktop accessory operable to accommodate curved abutting surfaces.

The inventor believes that the invention provides a new worktop accessory which is not know in the particular field of technology.

Claims

1. A worktop accessory comprising:

an elongate body defining a first side extendible along a worktop edge and a second side extendible along a surface against which the worktop edge abuts;
at least one attachment formation provided on at least one of the first side and the second side, the attachment formations for attaching the elongate body; and
a flexible skirt extending along at least a portion of one side of the elongate body, the flexible skirt arranged for engaging any one of the worktop surface and the abutting surface.

2. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible skirt is arranged, in use to engage any one of the worktop surface and the abutting surface to form at least a partial liquid seal between the elongate body and one of the worktop surface and the abutting surface.

3. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible skirt is in the form of a blade extending along at least one side of the elongate body.

4. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 3, wherein the blade is resilient and have a stiffness to allow the blade to be hand deformable during installation.

5. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 4, wherein the blade is biased towards the abutting surface which is to be sealed, the blade, when installed, defining a partial liquid seal against the surface.

6. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment formation is in the form of a recess or a slot extending at least partially over the length of the side, the slot for receiving an adhesive substance such as glue, silicone, or the like.

7. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment formation is in the form of a set of apertures.

8. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment formation is in the form of a set of fastening clips.

9. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment formation is in the form of a laterally extending wing.

10. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mounting interface, in use mountable to any one of the worktop surface and the abutting surface, the mounting interface also removably attachable to the cooperating attachment formations.

11. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 9, wherein the mounting interface is in the form of an elongate strip which is mountable to any one or both of a worktop and an abutting surface, the elongate strip including attachment means which is attachable to the matched attachment formation on the elongate body.

12. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 11, wherein the attachment means and the attachment formation define a set of friction-fit pins and socket formations

13. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 11, wherein the attachment means and the attachment formation define a friction-fit ridge and slot formation.

14. A worktop accessory as claimed claim 1, wherein the elongate body includes a decorative element extending at least partially along the length of the body.

15. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 14, wherein the decorative element is in the form of any one of a profile of the body, an engraved pattern on the body, and a decorative film attached to and extending substantially along the length of the elongate body.

16. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein any one of the body and the flexible skirt is manufactured of a synthetic plastic material.

17. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 16, wherein the synthetic plastic material is any one of mildew free, mould free, oil resistant, fire resistant, and stain proof.

18. A worktop accessory, comprising an elongate body defining a first side extendible along a worktop edge and a second side extendible along an abutting surface against which the worktop edge abuts, any one of the first and the second sides defining a laterally extending wing.

19. A worktop accessory as claimed in claim 18, wherein in which the wing is in the form of a sheet which may be deformable during installation of the worktop accessory.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

Patent History
Publication number: 20100186329
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 24, 2008
Publication Date: Jul 29, 2010
Inventor: Jacques Etienne Wagner Buys (Port Elizabeth)
Application Number: 12/597,562
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: With Mechanical Fastener (52/288.1); Trim Strip With Filler Strip (52/312); With Synthetic Resinous Component (52/309.1)
International Classification: A47B 96/00 (20060101); A47B 96/18 (20060101); E04C 2/20 (20060101);