Profiled elements are known for finishing stairs comprising a sheath of plastic material associated with a metallic base, said metallic base being advantageously made of aluminium, and being firmly fixed through mortar and/or glues to the stair supporting structure.

The sheath comprises a portion, having a substantially flat shape, suitable for being positioned on a step tread, and a toric element arranged for surrounding the edge of the above mentioned step.

The toric element may be made of thin-walled rubber, which gives non-slip properties to the step, but does not allow shocks to be effectively absorbed.

Such sheaths are produced by extruding plastic material and/or rubber and they are provided, on the lower face of the substantially flat portion, with a plurality of cavities suitable for being engaged by respective teeth made in the metallic base and arranged for allowing the sheath to be fitted in the above mentioned base.

Said sheath is fitted on the metallic base after the metallic base and the sheath have been separately produced.

A drawback of this type of profiled elements consists in the unsatisfactory fastening of each sheath to the metallic base.

As time goes by, stresses due to walking acting on profiled elements cause the two structural elements constituting said profiled element to be separated, which implies that non-slip properties disappear and the profiled element may even be a potential danger for users.

Furthermore, as time goes by, the sheath gets old and for this reason it may disengage from the metallic base.

Another drawback of known non-slid profiled elements is that their effectiveness is strongly reduced when they are used on outdoor stairs, where there is water which may turn into ice due to particularly low temperatures.

Profiled elements are known for covering swimming pool edges, said profiled elements comprising a toric element arranged for surrounding an edge of the above mentioned edge and further comprising at least a fixing portion arranged for fixing the profiled elements to the pool walls.

Such profiled elements are usually made of ceramic material and may be firmly fixed to the tiles covering the pool edge, or its internal walls, or may be associated with the supporting structure defining the swimming, through mortars or glues.

A drawback of such profiled elements is that they me be really dangerous for users that, due to falls or loss of balance, accidentally bump against them.

Another drawback of such profiled elements is that they are not provided with satisfactory non-slip properties, since, though corrugations and knurling are made on their surface, said profiled elements are made of ceramic material which has a low coefficient of friction.

A further drawback of such profiled elements consists in their stiffness, which makes them unsuitable for coating swimming pool edges having curvilinear shape.

Seats are further known arranged for receiving spectators watching a show, a sporting event, or the like, for example in an arena, a stadium, a sport hall, etc.

Such seats may comprise a supporting structure defining steps, for example made of cement, onto which spectators may directly sit.

Such seats are quite uncomfortable and highly dangerous, since they are provided with sharp corners that may injure a spectator who, due to a fall, bumps against them.

Seats are further known comprising a base body, made for example of plastic material, fixed to the above mentioned steps through screws or equivalent fastening elements.

Even if such seats are more comfortable than bare steps, they do not solve the problem connected to possible shock attenuation.

In addition, such seats, when placed inside stadiums, may be removed by supporters and used as contusing objects.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the properties of known profiled elements.

It is a further object of the invention to provide profiled elements in which the risk of detaching said profiled elements from the structure to which they are fixed is quite eliminated.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide profiled elements having a contact surface for user footwear, or foot soles, said contact surface being provided high coefficient of friction.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide profiled elements suitable for being used on outdoor stairs in places having such a climate, that temperature may drop below 0°C.

It is a not last object to make non-slip profiled elements showing satisfactory accident prevention properties, i. e. in particular profiled elements which may effectively absorb shocks or be easily visible for a user.

It is a still further object of the invention to obtain profiled elements suitable for coating products provided with edge regions differently profiled and particularly extending along not rectilinear patterns.

It is a still further object of the invention to improve known seat means.

It is a further object of the invention to obtain safe and quite comfortable seat means.

In a first aspect of the present invention, accident prevention finishing means is provided comprising lamina means suitable for allowing said finishing means to be fixed to a structure and sheath means made of resilient material, said sheath means comprising a substantially flat portion and a toric element connected thereto, characterized in that said sheath means is permanently fixed to said lamina means.

In a preferred version, said resilient material comprises rubber and/or plastic material in a solid or gel state.

In another preferred version, the sheath means is vulcanised on the above mentioned lamina means.

In a further preferred version, the lamina means is made of metallic material.

In a further preferred version, the lamina means is made of plastic material.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain accident prevention finishing means wherein sheath means are firmly fixed to respective metallic lamina means, the possibilities of relative detachment being strongly reduced.

Furthermore, it is possible to obtain accident prevention finishing elements which may be used for stairs, anti-shock devices, bump protective elements for skirting boards, swimming pool edges, edge protectors.

Advantageously, a plurality of protrusions is made in the substantially flat portion of the sheath means, said protrusions being suitable for improving the adherence of a user shoe soles, or foot soles, dangers related to slipping being thus strongly reduced. With the same purpose, on the outer surface of the toric element a pluralities of corrugations may be made, said corrugations being suitable for improving non-slip properties, particularly during stair descent.

Advantageously, at least one housing is made in the substantially flat portion of the sheath means, said housing being suitable for receiving an insert that can be made, for example, of one of the following materials: plastic material, wood, metal, glass, ceramic.

The above mentioned insert features catch the user attention so that he may take great care in preventing dangerous fall.

For this purpose, the insert is coloured so as to clearly stand out from the sheath means, or is made with materials provided with reflecting or refracting optical properties.

If accident prevention finishing means is placed in dark places, the above mentioned insert is made of fluorescent material or is provided with a lighting device so as to guide user steps also in absence of a proper lighting.

In a second aspect of the invention, accident prevention finishing means is provided comprising lamina means suitable for allowing said finishing means to be fixed to a structure and sheath means comprising a substantially flat portion and a toric element connected thereto, characterized in that said finishing means further comprises energy dissipating means.

In an advantageous version, in the substantially flat portion of said sheath means a housing is made, said housing being suitable for containing an insert, inside which dissipating means is housed.

In another advantageous version, the dissipating means is housed in a cavity made in the sheath means near the above mentioned insert for receiving said dissipating means.

The dissipating means heats the portion of sheath means and metallic lamina means encircling it, melting the possibly present ice or preventing its formation.

Furthermore, the dissipating means may modify optical properties of the insert inside which the dissipating means is placed or of the insert arranged near said dissipating means, so that said insert may be more easily seen by the user.

The dissipating means can eventually comprise a lamp filament allowing the step to be easily identified by the user even in poor lighting conditions.

In a third aspect of the present invention, accident prevention finishing means is provided comprising lamina means suitable for allowing said finishing means to be fixed to a structure and deformable sheath means comprising a substantially flat portion and a toric element connected thereto, characterized in that said lamina means comprises a plurality of fixing laminar elements.

In an advantageous version, the sheath means is vulcanised on said plurality of fixing elements.

In a further advantageous version, the fixing laminar elements comprises a first portion connected to the sheath means and a second portion protruding from the sheath means and suitable for being firmly fixed to an object which is to be coated by the finishing means.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain accident prevention finishing means which may be easily fixed to objects provided with profiled edges, since the lamina means, comprising a plurality of fixing elements mutually independent, does not restrict the sheath means deformability, said sheath means being therefore able to adapt to the geometry of the structure to which the sheath means is to be fixed.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, seat means is provided comprising support means suitable for being fixed to a support structure and arranged for receiving a user sitting thereon, characterized in that accident prevention finishing means is associated with at least one edge region of said support means.

In a preferred version, the accident prevention finishing means comprises sheath means provided with a substantially flat portion and a rounded element connected thereto.

In another preferred version, the sheath means is permanently connected to lamina means suitable for allowing said finishing means to be fixed to said support structure.

In a further preferred version, the sheath means is made of rubber and/or plastic material in a solid or gel state.

In a still further preferred version, the sheath means is vulcanised on the above mentioned lamina means.

Still in a further preferred version, the support means has an anatomic profile which is particularly comfortable for the user sitting thereon.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain seat means provided with convenient safety requirements.

The invention may be better understood and carried out with reference to the enclosed drawings, which show some exemplifying and not restrictive embodiment forms thereof, wherein: Figure 1 is a vertical section of accident prevention finishing means according to the invention ; Figure 1A is a section like Figure 1, highlighting finishing means associated with a step and provided with an insert placed in a housing having a section shaped as a dovetail; Figure 2 is a section like Figure 1, highlighting an insert with a countersunk section; Figure 3 is a section like Figures 1 and 2, highlighting a pair of inserts with rectangular section ; Figure 4 is a vertical, enlarged and broken section of accident prevention finishing means provided with dissipating means arranged in a through hole made on an insert ; Figure 5 is a section like Figure 4 wherein the dissipating means is positioned in a cavity downwardly arranged with respect to an insert ;

Figure 6 is a section like Figure 4 wherein the dissipating means is positioned in a cavity laterally arranged with respect to an insert; Figure 7 is a vertical, enlarged and broken section of accident prevention finishing means provided with dissipating means arranged in an indentation made on an insert ; Figure 8 is a vertical section of accident prevention finishing means according to the invention highlighting the finishing means associated with a swimming pool edge ; Figure 9 is a section like Figure 8 highlighting another version of finishing means according to the invention ; Figure 10 is a horizontal section of finishing means according to the invention highlighting the finishing means associated with a column so as to work as edge protector ; Figure 11 is a sketched top view of finishing means according to the invention provided with a plurality of fixing laminar elements protruding from the sheath means of said finishing means; Figure 12 is a sketched top view of finishing means of Figure 11 associated to the curvilinear edge of a swimming pool ; Figure 13, Figure 14, Figure 15, Figure 16, Figure 17, Figure 18, Figure 19 and Figure 20 are sketched top views highlighting preferred versions of fixing laminar elements of the finishing means according to the invention ; Figure 21 is a section taken along a vertical plane of seat means according to the invention fixed to a stadium step ; Figure 22 is a section like Figure 21 showing a different embodiment of seat means according to the invention; Figure 23 is a top view of seat means of Figure 21 ; Figure 24 is a top view of seat means of Figure 22 ; Figure 25 is a top view of seat means like those shown in Figure 21, arranged side by side without interruptions;

Figure 26 is a perspective view simultaneously showing seat means of Figures 23,24 and 25 fixed to subsequent planes of one stadium step ; Figure 27 is an enlarged and broken section taken along a vertical plane of the seat means of Figure 22; With reference to Figures 1, 1A, a masonry step 1 is shown to which a ceramic tile 3 constituting the step tread, accident prevention finishing means 11 and a ceramic listel 5 constituting the rise of the above mentioned step are fixed by mortar 2.

The accident prevention finishing means 11 comprises metallic lamina means 12 arranged for being fixed to the masonry step 1, a rubber sheath 4 being vulcanised on said metallic lamina means 12, said rubber sheath 4 comprising a toric element 6, preferably externally corrugated, and a substantially flat portion 7 wherein a couple of protrusions 8 is longitudinally arranged, said protrusions 8 being suitable for improving the adherence of shoe sole, or of foot soles of a person using the finishing means 11.

In the substantially flat portion 7 a housing 9 is further longitudinally made, said housing 9 being arranged for receiving an insert 10 having a section shaped like a dovetail. The insert 10 is laterally introduced into the housing 9, remaining firmly blocked therein due to the particular coupling geometry.

With reference to Figure 2, accident prevention finishing means 11 is shown, similar to those described in Figure 1, said finishing means 11 having a housing 9 wherein an insert 10 may be introduced, said insert 10 having a section narrowing from the outer surface of finishing means 11 towards the face of step 1. In this case the insert 10 is blocked inside the housing 9 using glue.

With reference to Figure 3, accident prevention finishing means 11 is shown, similar to those shown in the preceding

Figures, wherein a pair of housing s 9 is made, said housings 9 being arranged for receiving a respective pair of inserts 10 having a rectangular section ; also in this case the inserts 10 are fixed by gluing.

In the previous cases, the inserts may make finishing means 11 less slippery, by increasing the coefficient of friction thereof, or may make the step 1, to which said finishing means 11 is applied, easier to be seen. For this purpose the insert 10 may have a colour different from the colour of the remaining portion of finishing means 11, or may be made with materials having reflecting or fluorescent optical properties, or light refracting properties.

With reference to Figure 4, accident prevention finishing means 11 is shown provided with an insert 10 wherein a through hole 15 is made, said hole 15 defining a cavity 13 inside which energy dissipating means 14 is arranged. The energy dissipating means 14 can comprise an electrical resistor suitable for heating a portion of finishing means 11, so as to substantially prevent ice to be formed thereon. Alternatively, the dissipating means 14 can comprise a lamp filament arranged for signalling the step presence in poorly lighted environments.

With reference to Figure 7, an insert 10 is shown similar to the insert of Figure 4, wherein the dissipating means 14 is housed in a cavity 13 defined by an indentation 16 made in the insert 10, instead of a through hole.

With reference to Figure 5, accident prevention finishing means 11 is shown wherein dissipating means 14 is housed in a cavity 13 downwardly arranged with respect to a housing 9 in which an insert 10 is placed ; such solution is particularly suitable for inserts 10 made of materials which can modify their optical properties if associated with an energy source.

Thus, not only ice is prevented from being formed, but also a visual indication of a step presence may be given.

As shown in Figure 6, the cavity 13 for housing dissipating means 14 may be laterally arranged with respect to the housing 9 for insert 10, the dissipating means 14 being thus closer to the lamina means 12. Since the lamina means 12 is made of metal and is therefore a better heat conductor than the remaining portion of finishing means 11, said lamina means 12 can prevent ice from being formed in a wider region than the region of single insert 10.

With reference to Figures 8 and 9, accident prevention finishing means 11 is shown associated with a swimming pool edge 17. In this case, the toric element 6 comprises an end portion 6a vertically protruding beyond the substantially flat portion 7 in order to allow water 18 contained in the swimming pool to be stemmed, since water 18 tends to flow out due to level fluctuations caused by swimmer entries and movements inside the pool.

In the substantially flat portion 7, as previously described, a housing 9 is further longitudinally obtained arranged for receiving an insert 10 made of a material having a high coefficient of friction and therefore suitable for giving high non slip properties to the finishing means 11.

As shown in Figure 9, in substantially flat portion 7 and in metallic lamina means 12 openings 19 may be made, said openings 19 being arranged for allowing water 18 to be removed, if said water 18 has crossed the toric element 6, by passing over the end portion 6a. This advantageously prevents water from stagnating, which could produce dangerous slipping risks.

Openings 19 introduce water 18 into collector means 20, made in the edge 17, through which, after being properly filtered and purified, water is reintroduced into the swimming pool.

With reference to Figure 10, accident prevention finishing means 11, associated with edges 21 of a column 22, is shown.

In this case the metallic lamina means 12 consists of a first section 12a and a second section 12b arranged substantially perpendicular, said first section 12a and said second section 12b being suitable for being associated with, respectively, a first wall 22a and a second wall 22b of the column 22 identifying the edge 21.

With reference to Figures 11 and 12, accident prevention finishing means 11 is shown wherein the lamina means 12 comprises a plurality of fixing laminar elements 23.

Such fixing laminar elements 23 comprise a first portion 24 firmly connected to the rubber sheath 4 and a second portion 25 protruding from the above mentioned sheath 4 and suitable for being fixed to a swimming pool edge 17.

Thus, the lamina means 12, being provided with a plurality of fixing laminar elements 23 mutually independent, does not restrict the deformability of sheath 4, which may, therefore, perfectly match the curvilinear profile 26 of the edge 17 to which the sheath 4 is to be fixed.

The fixing laminar elements 23 are provided with a plurality of through holes 27 arranged for receiving nails or possible further positioning means.

During laying, actually, an operator may fix a first end of a first finishing means 11 applying one or more nails at one of the fixing laminar elements 23. Then the operator may deform the sheath 4 in order to arrange it according to the curvilinear profile 26, and gradually proceed to further nail application, if necessary.

This operation is repeated until the first finishing means 11 is completely positioned, and subsequently it is possible to lay a second finishing means 11 perfectly joined to the first, until the edge 17 is fully coated.

Between the fixing laminar elements 23 and the edge 17 a layer of mortar 2 is provided, said layer assuring a perfect mutual adhesion.

In Figures 13 to 17, different embodiments are shown of accident prevention means 11, wherein the fixing laminar elements 23 comprise first portions 24 and second portions 25 variously shaped in order to allow said elements 23 to be perfectly fixed respectively to the sheath 14 and to the support structure to which said accident prevention finishing means 11 is to be connected.

In Figure 16 a preferred version of accident prevention finishing means 11 is shown, wherein the metallic lamina means 12 comprises groups 28 of fixing laminar elements 23 connected by connecting means 29 provided with bridge means 30 arranged for providing the metallic lamina means 12 with established stiffness.

The bridge means 30 may be sheared, or sawn, when the accident prevention finishing means 11 are laid, if said finishing means has to coat an object provided with a curvilinear edge.

In such case, actually, after the bridge means 30 has been cut, the lamina means 12 is suitable for matching the above mentioned curvilinear edge.

Alternatively, if the accident prevention finishing means 11 has to coat a structure having a rectilinear edge, the bridge means 30 is not cut and, therefore, the lamina means 12 is provided with higher mechanical strength.

However, the bridge means 30 gives the lamina means 12 a certain stiffness, which makes the accident prevention finishing means 11 easier to be carried towards the intended place for laying said finishing means 11.

With reference to Figures 18 and 19, a version of accident prevention finishing means 11 is shown, wherein the fixing laminar elements 23 are connected to bar means 36 provided with remarkable stiffness, such version being suitable for covering structure edges having a rectilinear shape.

With reference to Figure 20, a version of accident prevention finishing means 11 is shown, wherein the fixing laminar

elements 23 are connected to core means 37, consisting for example of a plastically deformable metallic rod, suitable for permanently taking substantially the same profile as a profiled structure edge with which the accident prevention finishing means 11 is to be associated.

With reference to Figures 21 to 27, seat means 31 is shown comprising support means which may be fixed to a support structure 1, for example a stadium step, and arranged for receiving a user sitting thereon.

The support means 32 may be advantageously made of ceramic material and may be provided with anatomic profile 35 which is particularly comfortable for a user.

The seat means further comprises accident prevention finishing means 11 associated with at least an edge region thereof.

The accident prevention finishing means 11 comprises lamina means 12 on which a rubber sheath 4 is vulcanised, said sheath 4 comprising a rounded element 6 and a substantially flat portion 7 similarly as previously described.

As shown in Figures 21,23,25 and 26, the accident prevention finishing means 11 is associated with a single side of support means 32 so that the sheath means 4 covers an edge 34 of the step 1.

In this case the seat means may be spaced by a certain distance Z between each other, as highlighted in Figure 23, or placed side by side each other without interruptions, as shown in Figure 25, the second solution being preferable for safety reasons since it minimises, or fully avoids, uncovered portions of step 1 which may be bumped by a user.

As shown in Figures 22,24 and 26, the accident prevention finishing means 11 is shaped like a ring, so as to encircle support means 32.