COVE BASE SUPPORT

Abstract

A cove base support is configured to be positioned between a wall and a cove base and includes a vertical support portion, an angled support portion, a toe support portion, and a horizontal support portion. The angled support portion is positioned at the bottom of the vertical support potion and provides a transition to the toe support portion. The toe support portion extends downwards and away from the wall and is configured to provide support to a toe of the cove base. At least one of the vertical support portion and the toe support portion defines a plurality of apertures through which adhesive is placed to attach the cove base support to the wall through the apertures. The horizontal support portion extends horizontally from the toe support portion and may include an antimicrobial material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 18/376,934, entitled “Cove Base Support,” filed Oct. 5, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Cove base is a flexible trim, often made of rubber or vinyl, that is adhered to the base of a wall. Cove base is generally used in commercial buildings and high traffic areas to provide an aesthetically pleasing transition between the drywall and flooring. Cove base also protects the base of the wall from damage caused by impacts from foot traffic, furniture, carts, equipment, and other items that may contact the base of the wall. However, cove base is constructed of a flexible material that can be damaged, warped, bent, and scuffed due to impact with furniture or other objects. While various types of cove base installation materials and techniques have been made and used, it is believed that that no one prior to the inventors has made or used the invention described herein. In certain circumstances, cove base may be exposed or come into contact with microbes where including an antimicrobial material may be beneficial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary cove base assembly including a cove base support and cove base installed on a wall;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the cove base support of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded perspective view of the cove base assembly of FIG. 1 in a partially installed state;

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the cove base assembly of FIG. 1 in a fully installed state, taken along section line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary cove base assembly including a cove base support having a horizontal portion and cove base installed on a wall;

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the cove base support of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 depicts an exploded perspective view of the cove base assembly of FIG. 5 in a partially installed state; and

FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the cove base assembly of FIG. 5 in a fully installed state, taken along section line 8-8 in FIG. 5.

The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

For clarity of disclosure, to the extent that spatial terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” or the like are used herein with reference to the drawings, it will be appreciated that such terms are used for exemplary description purposes only and are not intended to be limiting or absolute. In that regard, it will be devices such as those disclosed herein may be used in a variety of orientations and positions not limited to those shown and described herein.

Furthermore, the terms “about,” “approximately,” and the like as used herein in connection with any numerical values or ranges of values are intended to encompass the exact value(s) referenced as well as a suitable tolerance that enables the referenced feature or combination of features to function for the intended purpose described herein.

I. Exemplary Cove Base Support

In some instances, it may be desirable to provide a cove base backing in the form of a cove base support for cove base to prevent damage to the wall or the cove base. Cove base may be easily damaged without the cove base support. More specifically the toe of the cove base can be ripped, torn, or folded under itself, which destroys the aesthetics of the cove base. It should be noted, cove base supports are not integrally formed with the cove base before being incorporated into a cove base assembly. The cove base support provides the advantage of being able to be backwards integrated with a commercially available cove base and secured with a commercially available adhesive.

FIG. 1 shows a cove base assembly (100) attached to a wall (W) and positioned adjacent to a floor (F). Cove base assembly (100) includes a cove base support (110), a cove base (120), and an adhesive (130). The cove base (120) is constructed of rubber or vinyl and includes flexible properties. The cove base (120) has an unspecified length that may be coiled or may be pre-cut into standard lengths such as 6′ or 20′ at the factory. The cove base (120) generally has a consistent height of 2.5″, 4″, 4.5″, 5″, and 6″ or other fixed height. The cove base may be a commercially available cove base.

The cove base (120) has an upper portion (122), a lower portion (124), and an angled portion (126). The upper portion (122) extends downward direction to the angled portion (126). The upper portion (122) may be planar in shape and extends vertically from the angled portion. The angled portion (126) deviates at an angle from the upper portion in a direction that goes away from the wall and toward the floor. The angle in various examples is approximately 30 degrees to approximately 60 degrees. In some examples, the angle is approximately 45 degrees. The angled portion (126) includes a sharp radius but may include a more sweeping radius. In some examples, the cove base is extruded with the desired cross-sectional form. In some other examples, the cove base (120) is extruded with a flat cross-section, then a sharp radius may be produced with a press or sheet metal brake, and the sweeping radius may be produced by an English wheel, or similar manufacturing machine. These methods of manufacture are not meant to be limiting but are merely examples of the way to form the angled portion. The lower portion (124) is more commonly known as the “toe” and extends from the angled portion (126) to the floor (F). The lower portion (124) includes a vertical height of 0.5″, and the upper portion (122) includes the remaining vertical height. For example, cove base (120) with an overall height of 2.5″, 4″, 4.5″, 5″, and 6″ will all have a lower portion (124) with a vertical height of 0.5″ and an upper portion having a vertical height of 2″, 3.5″, 4″, 4.5″, and 5.5″ respectively.

Adhesive (130) typically includes a bonding agent in the form of a liquid or aqueous solution. Adhesive (130) in the illustrated embodiment is a wet-set adhesive applied with a caulk gun or with a putty knife from a container. A wet-set adhesive is applied in a wet state, and after a period of time the wet-set adhesive transitions to a hard state. The adhesive (130) may be a commercially available construction adhesive. In other versions the adhesive may include a bonding agent (not shown) pre-applied to the wall side of the cove base support (110) with a protective film (not shown). The bonding agent is kept in the wet state by the protective film until removed just prior to adhering the cove base support (110) to the wall and a second protective film (not shown) on a cove base side of the cove base support (110) is removed prior to securing the cove base (120) to the cove base support (110).

FIG. 2 shows an example cove base support (110). Cove base support (110) is constructed of a rust-proof material such as aluminum, stainless steel, or a mild steel coated with a rust inhibitor such as a primer, a paint, or a galvanized coating. Cove base support (110) may also be constructed of magnetic resonance imaging-safe materials such as aforementioned aluminum or titanium. In some versions, cove base support (110) may be constructed of plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or any other materials known in the art to be sufficiently rigid and workable and to provide the desired support. The height of the cove base support (110) will correspond with the height of the cove base (120), being the same height or less so cove base support (110) does not extend beyond the height of the cove base (120). Cove base support (110) in this embodiment has a height slightly less than that of the cove base (120), namely, approximately 0.25″ to approximately 1.25″ less than in overall height than the height of cove base (120) that is generally available from standard suppliers. The preferred height of the cove base support (110) is 1″ less than the overall height of the generally available cove base (120). For example, cove base supports (110) might be sized at approximately 1.5″, approximately 3″, approximately 3.5″, approximately 4″, or approximately 5″ for cove base (120) having heights of 2.5″, 4″, 4.5″, 5″, and 6″ respectively. A cove base support (110) sized for use with cove base (120) having a particular height may be used with a cove base having a greater height. For example, cove base support (110) having an overall height of 3″ is also capable of supporting larger (4.5″, 5″, and 6″) cove bases (120). A cove base support (110) having a lesser height than the preferred height relative to the cove base (12) is still capable of providing support where the support is most needed, namely, the lower portion (124) of the cove base (120). In these instances, a cove base support (110) having a height of 3″ will have an overall height that is 1.5″, 2″, or 3″ less than the respective overall height (4.5″, 5,″ and 6″) of the cove base (120). The cove base support (110) may have any of a variety of thicknesses, for example, from approximately 22 gauge to approximately 16 gauge, and in some embodiments 20 gauge.

Cove base support (110) includes a vertical support portion (112), an angled support portion (116), and a toe support portion (114). The vertical support portion (112) includes a planar shape and is configured to be placed against the wall (W). The vertical support portion (112) defines a plurality of vertical support apertures (118). As shown, the vertical support apertures (118) may have a square shape, or they may have a rectangular, circular, semicircular, oval, triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, nonagonal, decagonal, kite, trapezoidal, or any other shape known in the art to provide an improved bond by allowing an adhesive to be placed through the cove base support (110). The plurality of vertical support apertures (118) may also include various different shapes and sizes. The plurality of vertical support apertures (118) may be arranged in a linear array or in multiple linear arrays as shown (e.g., five linear arrays). The linear arrays extend along a length of the cove base support (110). In the alternative, the apertures may be staggered or randomly placed throughout the vertical support portion (112). The vertical support apertures (118) are configured to allow the adhesive (130) to flow through the vertical support apertures (118) to create a stronger bond between the vertical support portion (112) and the wall (W). As shown, the percentage of material removed from the vertical support portion (112) to create the vertical support apertures (118) is about 53% of the total material of the vertical support portion (112). The percentage of material that is omitted in a forming process or removed by drilling, milling, or punching may be as high as 68% and as low as 38%. It should also be noted that the cove base support (110) is a separate component from the cove base (120) before being incorporated into the cove base assembly (100).

Once installed, the vertical support portion (112) extends in a downward direction to the angled support portion (116). The angled support portion extends downwards and away from the wall toward the floor (F) at an angle that corresponds at least approximately with the angle of the angled portion (126), namely an angle of approximately 30 degrees to approximately 60 degrees, and a preferred angle of approximately 45 degrees.

The toe support portion (114) extends from the angled support portion (116) to the floor (F). The toe support portion (114) may rest on the floor (F) or be slightly above the floor (F). The toe support portion (114) is, in this example, a planar body, though in alternative embodiments it might be concave (that is, curved toward the floor relative to the illustrated plane) or have another contour. The toe support portion (114) defines a plurality of toe apertures (119). The toe apertures (119) are similar in shape, size, and arrangement to the vertical support apertures (118). As shown, the toe apertures (119) are rectangular-shaped, sized the same as the vertical support apertures (118), and arranged in a linear array extending along the cove base support (110). The toe apertures (119) may also be arranged in a random configuration. Toc apertures (119) may also be shaped differently from the vertical support apertures (118) and/or sized differently. As shown, toc apertures (119) include a removed portion of material that is 53% of the entirety of the material that makes up the toe support portion (114). The removed portion of material may be as high as 68% and as low as 38%. In some versions, the toe support portion (114) might not require apertures, in these versions the portion of material removed may be 0%. The percentage of removed material may be more or less than the vertical support portion (112), but as shown in FIG. 2, the toe apertures (119) have the same percentage of removed material as the vertical support apertures (118).

FIG. 3 shows the cove base assembly (100) in a partially installed state with the cove base support (110) adhered to the wall (W) with an adhesive (130). FIG. 3 also shows the alignment of the cove base (120) and remaining adhesive (130) that will be used to adhere the cove base (120) to the cove base support (110). The cove base assembly (100) is installed by a first layer of adhesive (132) being liberally applied to the wall (W). In the alternative, a wall side of the cove base support (110) is “buttered” with adhesive (130) before the cove base support (110) is firmly pressed against the wall (W). In some instances, the first layer of adhesive (132) will pass through the vertical support apertures (118) and will be deposited on a cove base side of the cove base support (110). The first layer of adhesive (132) is also applied to the wall (W) above the cove base support (110). The cove base (120) is pressed against the cove base support (110). The cove base (120) bonds to the cove base support (110) with the adhesive that was pushed through the vertical support apertures (118). The cove base assembly (100) may then be rolled with a rigid hand roller to apply even pressure against the cove base (120) to distribute the adhesive (130) and smooth the cove base assembly (100) for a finished look.

In an alternative, the adhesive (130) is applied in two layers. The first layer of adhesive (132) is applied to the wall (W), and the cove base support (110) is pressed against the first layer of adhesive (132). A second layer of adhesive (134) is applied above the cove base support (110) on a surface area of the wall (W) that extends above the cove base support (110). The second layer of adhesive (134) is also applied to the cove base side of the cove base support (110), including the vertical support portion (112) and the toe support portion (114). The cove base (120) is pressed firmly against the cove base support (110). The cove base assembly (100) may then be rolled with a rigid hand roller to apply even pressure against the cove base (120) to distribute the adhesive (130) accordingly.

FIG. 4 shows the cove base assembly (100) in a fully installed state. The cove base support (110) is encapsulated by the adhesive (130) and the cove base (120). The adhesive (130) has been distributed by rolling or otherwise. The adhesive (130) is positioned on a wall side of the cove base support (110); above the cove base support (110) between the wall (W) and the upper portion (122) of the cove base (120); and on a cove base side of the cove base support (110).

II. Exemplary Cove Base Support Including a Horizontal Portion

In some instances, cove base support may also include a horizontal portion at a lower end to thereby be self-supporting and to increase a contact surface with fluids on the floor as described below.

FIG. 5 shows a cove base assembly (200) attached to the wall (W) and positioned adjacent to the floor (F). Cove base assembly (200) may be substantially similar in structure and function to cove base assembly (100) but for the following differences. Cove base assembly (200) includes a cove base support (210), a cove base (220), and an adhesive (230). The cove base (220) is constructed of rubber or vinyl and includes flexible properties.

The cove base (220) has an upper portion (222), a lower portion (224), and an angled portion (226). The upper portion (222) extends in a downward direction to the angled portion (226). The upper portion (222) may be planar in shape and extends vertically from the angled portion.

FIG. 6 shows an example cove base support (210). Cove base support (210) is constructed of a rust-proof material such as aluminum, stainless steel, or a mild steel coated with a rust inhibitor such as a primer, a paint, or a galvanized coating. Cove base support (210) may also be constructed of magnetic resonance imaging-safe materials such as aforementioned aluminum or titanium. In some versions, cove base support (210) may be constructed of plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or any other materials known in the art to be sufficiently rigid and workable and to provide the desired support. In some cases, all or any part of cove base support (210) is imbued with antimicrobial properties by covering cove base support (210) with the antimicrobial additive, embedding the antimicrobial additive in the material of cove base support (210), or using other techniques as will occur to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

Cove base support (210) includes a vertical support portion (212), an angled support portion (216), a toe support portion (214), and a horizontal support portion (215). The horizontal support portion (215) extends from a distal end of toe support portion (214) towards the wall (W). Horizontal support portion (215) may be horizontal, parallel with the floor (F), perpendicular to the wall (W), or any combination thereof. Horizontal support portion (215) may be angled downwards from a distal end of toe support portion (214) to thereby allow fluid between toe support portion (214) and horizontal support portion (215) to flow downwards towards floor (F) and off of horizontal support portion (215). Alternatively, horizontal support portion (215) may be angled upwards to thereby allow fluid captured between toe support portion (214) and horizontal support portion (215) to remain captured. Horizontal support portion (215) may be as thick as, thicker than, or thinner than any other portion of cove base support (210). Horizontal support portion (215) may vertically support cove base support (210) such that cove base support (210) is capable of standing upright. Cove base support (210) may be nested or stacked with separate portions of cove base support (210) for storage and shipment. Vertical support portion (212) and toe support portion (214) define a plurality of vertical support apertures (218) and toe support apertures (219).

FIG. 7 shows the cove base assembly (200) in a partially installed state with the cove base support (210) adhered to the wall (W) with an adhesive (230). FIG. 7 also shows the alignment of the cove base (220) and remaining adhesive (230) that will be used to adhere the cove base (220) to the cove base support (210). Cove base assembly (200) is installed by a first layer of adhesive (232) being liberally applied to the wall (W). In the alternative, a wall side of the cove base support (210) is “buttered” with adhesive (230) before the cove base support (210) is firmly pressed against the wall (W). Horizontal support portion (215) may extend beyond, be positioned flush with, or be short of vertical support portion (212) such that, when installed, horizontal support portion (215) may or may not contact wall (W). When installed, any portion of horizontal support portion (215) may contact or may be elevated above floor (F). Cove base support (210) may rest on or be vertically supported by horizontal support portion (215) contacting the floor as adhesive (230, 232) cures.

In an alternative, the adhesive (230) is applied in two layers. The first layer of adhesive (232) is applied to the wall (W), and the cove base support (210) is pressed against the first layer of adhesive (232). A second layer of adhesive (234) is applied above the cove base support (210) on a surface area of the wall (W) that extends above the cove base support (210).

FIG. 8 shows the cove base assembly (200) in a fully installed state. Horizontal portion (215) is shown parallel and contacting floor (F) and extending beyond vertical support portion (212) to thereby also contact wall (W) given a thickness of adhesive (230).

Any portion of cove base assembly (200), and specifically horizontal support portion (215), may have material properties that are antimicrobial, such as but not limited to antifungal, antiviral, antibiotic, and/or antiparasitic properties, where antifungal is to kill, repel, remove, or stop the growth of fungi that causes infections; antiviral is to repel, remove, or stop viruses or to act, be effective, or be directed against viruses; antibiotic is to kill, repel, remove, or inhibit the growth of or destroy microorganisms; and antiparasitic is to kill, repel, or remove parasites. To accomplish the antimicrobial property, cove base assembly (200) may be coated or mixed with zinc, SilverShield®, MicroGuard™, Ascera™, Nouvex®, Interact® ABX from Primex®, or any other antimicrobial material that would occur to a person of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure. Antimicrobial properties in cove base assembly (200) may be beneficial to eliminate microbes within fluids, such as blood, that come in contact with any component of cove base assembly (200) or become positioned between horizontal support portion (215) and floor (F).

III. Miscellaneous

It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The above-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

It should also be appreciated that any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A cove base support, comprising:

a vertical support portion configured to be positioned between a wall and a cove base, where the cove base is not of a single piece with a flooring material,

wherein the cove base support comprises an antimicrobial material.

2. The cove base support of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial material includes one of zinc, SilverShield®, MicroGuard™, Nouvex®, Interact ABX, or Ascera™.

3. The cove base support of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial material is effective to reduce microbes in blood.

4. The cove base support of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial material is effective to act as one of an antifungal, antiviral, antibiotic, or antiparasitic material.

5. The cove base support of claim 1, wherein the cove base support includes a horizontal support portion operatively extending from the vertical support portion.

6. The cove base support of claim 5, wherein the horizontal support portion extends towards the wall.

7. The cove base support of claim 5, wherein the horizontal support portion extends from a distal-most end of vertical support portion.

8. The cove base support of claim 5, wherein the horizontal support portion is parallel with the flooring material.

9. The cove base support of claim 5, wherein the horizontal support portion is angled downwards towards the floor from the vertical support portion.

10. The cove base support of claim 5, wherein the horizontal support portion includes the antimicrobial material.

11. The cove base support of claim 5, wherein the horizontal support portion is configured to contact the flooring material when positioned between the wall and the cove base.

12. The cove base support of claim 5, wherein the horizontal support portion is configured to contact the wall when the vertical support portion is substantially flush against the wall.

13. The cove base support of claim 5, wherein the horizontal support portion is configured to be spaced away from the wall when the vertical support portion is substantially flush against the wall.

14. A cove base assembly comprising:

(a) a cove base;

(b) an adhesive; and

(c) a cove base support according to claim 1.

15. A method of manufacturing a cove base support, the method including incorporating antimicrobial properties into the material of the cove base support.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising imbuing a horizontal support portion of the cove base support with the antimicrobial properties.

17. A cove base support, comprising:

(a) a vertical support portion, wherein the vertical support portion is configured to be positioned between a wall and a cove base, where the cove base is not of a single piece with a flooring material;

(b) an angled support portion;

(c) a toe support portion that extends downward and away from the angled support portion, wherein the toe support portion is configured to provide support to a toe of the cove base, and

(d) a horizontal support portion extending from a distal end of the toe support portion and towards the wall.

18. The cove base support of claim 17, wherein the horizontal support portion contacts the wall.

19. The cove base support of claim 17, wherein the horizontal support portion extends from a distal-most end of toe support portion.

20. The cove base support of claim 17, wherein the horizontal support portion is parallel with the flooring material.