BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When joining two different types of co-planar floor covering it is well known to install an expansion joint in the gap formed therebetween. The width of the gap between the floor coverings can change periodically or proceed over a prolonged period of time, depending upon the temperature, humidity and load variations on the floor coverings. Expansion joints afford a continuous connection between the two floor coverings and maintain a smooth surface over the gap therebetween despite variations in the width of the gap, thereby maintaining an even upper surface and avoiding a tripping hazard.

Typically, a flat covering strip of aluminium or extruded plastic is attached over the top of the expansion joint to cover the gap. Several methods of attaching the covering strip are known, including the use of regularly spaced threaded screw fixings or hinged studs. However, in practice, there is a substantial amount of vibrational movement and noise between the covering strip and the expansion joint, and a tripping hazard is still presented if there is any unevenness between the heights of the first and second floor coverings. Furthermore, hinged studs have a tendency to fail over a period of time thereby compromising the integrity of the attachment between the flat covering strip and the expansion joint.

The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part some of the aforementioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly for joining floor coverings comprising a base plate member provided with a U-shaped channel portion, a covering strip provided with at least one channel portion disposed on an underside of the covering strip, and a continuous linking member provided with an upper portion arranged in use to be received in one channel portion of the covering strip and a lower portion arranged in use to be received in the U- shaped channel portion of the base plate member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of an assembly for joining floor coverings in a first configuration for joining floor coverings of substantially the same thickness in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the assembly for joining floor coverings in a second configuration for joining floor covers of different thicknesses in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of a continuous linking member for use in the assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a base plate member for use in the assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2; and

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a compressible base plate member adapted for use with thick floor coverings for use in the assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals and symbols refer to like parts throughout, there is shown an assembly 10 for joining floor coverings. The assembly 10 includes a base plate member 20, a continuous linking member 30, and a covering strip 40.

Referring to Figures 1,2 and 4 the base plate member 20 is an elongate extrusion, generally formed from a metallic alloy such as aluminium, comprising a substantially horizontal base portion 22 and a U-shaped channel portion 24. The U-shaped channel portion 24 defines an elongate recess 21 disposed at an end 23 of the base portion 22.

The U-shaped channel portion 24 has a distal side 26 and a proximal side 28. An inner surface of distal and proximal sides 26,28 of the U-shaped channel portion 24 is provided with a plurality of narrow serrations 29 protruding into the elongate recess 21.

The base plate member 20 is arranged in use to be disposed between respective facing edges 52,62 of a first panel 50 of a first floor covering and a second panel 60 of a second floor covering, wherein the first and second floor coverings may be formed from the same or different materials. In Figure 1 the first and second panels 50,60 are substantially the same thickness. In Figure 2 the second panel 60 is thicker than the first panel 50.

A leading portion of the first panel 50 is disposed to rest upon the base portion 22 of the base plate member 20 such that the facing edge 52 of the first panel 50 abuts or is disposed adjacent to the proximal side 28 of the U-shaped channel portion 24, whilst

the facing edge 62 of the second panel 60 abuts the distal side 26 of the U-shaped channel portion 24, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The base portion 22 may be provided with a plurality of upwardly extending vertical spikes to fixedly engage the first panel 50 to the base portion 22.

The height of the distal and proximal sides 26,28 of the U-shaped channel portion 24 ranges between 6-8 mm, which generally conforms to the thickness of many floor coverings, such as tiles, laminates, vinyl, woven floor coverings, such as sisal or coir, and carpets. However, in particular instances where the thickness of the floor panel is greater than 8 mm, such as thick pile carpet for example, a compressible base plate member 120 as shown in Figure 5, may be used.

Referring to Figure 5, the compressible base plate member 120 is an elongate extrusion, generally formed from a metallic alloy such as aluminium, comprising a substantially horizontal base portion 22', a U-shaped channel portion 24', defining an elongate recess 21', and a compressible portion 130 disposed at an end 23'of the base portion 22'.

The U-shaped channel portion 24'has a distal side 26'and a proximal side 28'. An inner surface of distal and proximal sides 26', 28'of the U-shaped channel portion 24'is provided with a plurality of serrations 29'protruding into the elongate recess 21'. The U-shaped channel portion 24'is spaced apart from and above the end 23'of the base portion 22', the arrangement being such that the distal side 26'is in substantially vertical alignment with the end 23 of the base portion 22'.

The compressible portion 130 includes a first vertical portion 132 upwardly depending from the end 23'of the base portion 22'and in substantially vertical alignment with the distal side 26'of the U-shaped channel portion 24', a second

vertical portion 134 downwardly depending from the U-shaped channel portion 24' and equidistantly spaced from the distal and proximal sides 26', 28'of the U-shaped channel portion 24', and a web member 136 interconnecting an uppermost end 133 of the first vertical portion 132 and a lowermost end 135 of the second vertical portion 134. Typically, the web member 136 is diagonally disposed between the uppermost end 133 of the first vertical portion 132 and the lowermost end 135 of the second vertical portion as the uppermost end 133 of the first vertical portion 132 is generally spaced apart from and located lower than the lowermost end 135 of the second vertical portion 134.

The combined lengths of distal and proximal sides 26', 28', the first and second vertical portions 132,134 and a spacing 131 between the lowermost and uppermost ends 133,135 of the first and second vertical portion 132,134 affords an increased effective height of the distal and proximal sides 126,128 of the compressible base plate member 120. In this way, the compressible base plate member 120 can alternatively be employed for use with floor coverings having a thickness greater than 8 mm.

A first juncture 140 between the first vertical portion 132 and the web member 136 is provided with a first recess 137 and a second juncture 150 between the second vertical portion 134 and the web member 136 is provided with a second recess 139.

Each of the first and second recesses 137,139 facilitates a hinging movement between the first vertical portion 132 and the web member 136 at the first juncture 140 and a hinging movement between the second vertical portion 134 and the web member 136 at the second juncture 150, respectively, thereby decreasing respective

angles therebetween when compressive pressure is applied from the U-shaped channel portion 24'.

One of the significant advantages of the inherent ability to compress the U-shaped channel portion 24'towards the base portion 22'in the compressible base plate member 120 is that the effective height of the distal and proximal sides 126,128 of the compressible base plate member 220 can be adjusted, as described above, for use with floor coverings of varying thicknesses. Furthermore, the U-shaped channel portion 24'may also be tilted from the vertical to account for differences in thickness between the first and second panels 50,60 of first and second floor coverings.

The compressible base plate member 120 is arranged in use to be disposed between respective facing edges 52,62 of a first panel 50 of a first floor covering and a second panel 60 of a second floor covering. A leading portion of the first panel 50 is disposed to rest upon the base portion 22'of the compressible base plate member 120 such that the facing edge 52 of the first panel 50 abuts the proximal side 128 of compressible base plate member 120, whilst the facing edge 62 of the second panel 60 abuts the distal side 126 of the compressible base plate member 120.

The base portion 22'may be provided with a plurality of upwardly extending vertical spikes to fixedly engage the first panel 50 to the base portion 22'.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the covering strip 40 is an elongate extrusion, generally formed from a metallic alloy such as aluminium, comprising a substantially horizontal upper portion 42, a first channel member 44 disposed on an underside 41 of the upper portion 42, and a second channel member 46 disposed on the underside 41 of the upper portion 42. The first channel portion 44 is spaced equidistantly between side edges 48 of the upper portion 42, such that a substantially equal width of horizontal

upper portion 42 is distributed on either side of the first channel portion 44. The second channel portion 46 is disposed adjacent to the first channel portion 44 such that the second channel portion 46 is disposed asymmetrically between side edges of the upper portion, i. e. nearer to one of the side edges 48. The first and second channel portions 44,46 are formed from three elongate lugs downwardly depending from the underside 41 of the upper portion 42 of the covering strip 40.

The three elongate lugs comprise a pair of opposing elongate lugs 5,7 and an intermediate elongate lug 9 that is equidistantly spaced between the opposing elongate lugs 5,7. The intermediate elongate lug 9 has a substantially triangular cross-section, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, wherein an apex 3 of the triangular cross-section is conjoined with the underside 41 of the covering strip 40.

The opposing elongate lugs 5,7 each have a parallelogram-shaped cross-section, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the opposing elongate lugs 5,7 are inclined towards the intermediate elongate lug 9. In this way, the intermediate elongate lug 9 and adjacent elongate lug 5 define the first channel portion 44, while the intermediate elongate lug 9 and adjacent elongate lug 7 define the second channel portion 46. The first and second channel portions 44,46 each have a truncated inverted triangular profile as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

A lower surface 41 of the upper portion 42 is typically concave such that the side edges 48 of the upper portion 42 are curved slightly downwardly, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

An upper surface 43 of the upper portion 42 is typically convex such that a mid-point 49 of the upper portion 42 is slightly raised in comparison to the side edges 48 of the upper portion 42. The upper surface 43 is typically provided with a plurality of

parallel longitudinal striations disposed along the length of covering strip 40 for decorative and aesthetic purposes. The upper surface 43 may alternatively be provided with a decorative veneer formed from a selected wood grain.

The covering strip 40 is arranged in use to cover and protect the U-shaped channel portion 24 (24') of the base plate member 20 or compressible base plate member 120, and in so doing also cover a juncture between the first and second panels 50,60 of the first and second floor coverings and provide a continuous surface therebetween, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figures 1,2 and 3, the continuous linking member 30 is an elongate extrusion, typically formed from an opaque based flexible or stiff PVC compound suitable for-extrusion, although the continuous linking member 30 may also be formed from the same or similar compounds by injection moulding. When formed by injection moulding, the length of the continuous linking member 30 can vary from about 20 mm to an indefinite length substantially corresponding to the length of the juncture between the first and second panels 50,60 of the first and second floor coverings.

The continuous linking member 30 comprises a lower bulbous portion 32 and an upper portion 34 having a truncated inverted triangular profile interconnected by a web member 36. The web member 36 is provided with a thick upper portion 31 and a thin lower portion 33. The lower bulbous portion 32 is provided with a plurality of outwardly extending serrations 38 disposed on opposing sides 35 of the bulbous portion 32.

The lower bulbous portion 32 is arranged in use to be received in the U-shaped channel portion 24 of the base plate member 20, or the U-shaped channel portion 24'

of the compressible base plate member 120, such that the opposing sides 35 of the lower bulbous portion 32 are afforded a friction fit in respect of the distal and proximal sides 26,28 (26', 28') of the U-shaped channel portion 24 (24'). The serrations 38 of the lower bulbous portion 32 engage the serrations 29 (29') of the U- shaped channel portion 24 (24') to further facilitate retention of the lower bulbous portion 32 in the U-shaped channel portion 24 (24').

The bulbous portion 32 may optionally be provided with a centrally disposed longitudinal cleft to allow the bulbous portion 32 to be compressed and further facilitate retention thereof in the U-shaped channel portion 24 (24').

The upper portion 34 has a similar shape and configuration to the first and second channel portions 44,46. The upper portion 34 is marginally smaller than the first and second channel portions 44,46 such that the upper portion 34 can be readily received in either the first or second channel portions 44,46 by longitudinally sliding the upper portion 34 into either the first or second channel portions 44,46.

However, the size and configuration of upper portion 34 of the linking member 30 is such that once the upper portion 34, is received in the first or second channel portions 44,46 of the covering strip 40, the upper portion 34 can not be readily removed from the first or second channel portions 44,46 by a downwards force applied to the linking member 30 with respect to the covering strip 40 or an upwards force applied to the covering strip 40 with respect to the linking member 30.

Referring to Figure 1, the assembly 10 for joining floor coverings is shown in a first configuration for joining first and second panels 50,60 of the first and second floor coverings. The first and second panels 50,60 are substantially of the same thickness.

In use, the U-shaped channel portion 24 is arranged to be disposed between respective facing edges 52,62 of the first and second panels 50,60. The leading portion of the first panel 50 is disposed to rest upon the base portion 22 of the base plate member 20 such that the facing edge 52 of the first panel 50 abuts or is disposed adjacent to the proximal side 28 of the U-shaped channel portion 24, whilst the facing edge 62 of the second panel 60 abuts or is disposed to the distal side 26 of the U-shaped channel portion 24.

The continuous linking member 30 is then received in the first channel portion 44 of the covering strip 40 by longitudinally sliding the upper portion 32 of the linking member 30 into the truncated inverted triangular space defined by the first channel portion 44. As the first channel portion 44 is equidistantly spaced between side edges 48 of the covering strip 40, so too will the continuous linking member 30 be equidistantly spaced between side edges 48 of the covering strip 40.

The covering strip 40 and the continuous linking member 30 are then longitudinally aligned with the elongate recess 21 provided by the U-shaped channel portion 24, with the lower bulbous portion 32 of the linking member 30 located so as to abut upper edges of the proximal and distal sides 26,28 of the U-shaped channel portion 24.

The lower bulbous portion 32 of the linking member 30 is then forced into the elongate recess 21 by applying downwards pressure by means of a mallet or such like on the upper portion 42 to securely fix the covering strip 40 to the base plate member 20 via the continuous linking member 30. The covering strip 40 is thus fixed continuously along its length in vertical alignment with the U-shaped channel portion

24. The side edges 48 of the covering strip 40 are substantially in horizontal alignment and preferably abut the upper surfaces of the first and second panels 50,60.

In this way, a smooth join between the first and second panels is afforded.

Referring to Figure 2, the assembly 10 for joining floor coverings is shown in a second configuration for joining first and second panels 50,60 of first and second floor coverings. The second panel 60 is thicker than the first panel 50.

In use, the U-shaped channel portion 24'is arranged to be disposed between respective facing edges 52,62 of the first and second panels 50,60. The leading portion of the first panel 50 is disposed to rest upon the base portion 22 of the base plate member 20 such that the facing edge 52 of the first panel 50 abuts or is disposed adjacent to the proximal side 28'of the U-shaped channel portion 24', whilst the facing edge 62 of the second panel 60 abuts or is disposed to the distal side 26'of the U-shaped channel portion 24'.

The continuous linking member 30 is then received in the second channel portion 46 of the covering strip 40 by longitudinally sliding the upper portion 32 of the continuous linking member 30 into the truncated inverted triangular space defined by the second channel portion 46. As the second channel portion 46 is asymmetrically spaced between side edges 48 of the covering strip 46, in other words the second channel portion 46 is located closer to one side edge 48 than the other, so too will the continuous linking member 30 be located closer to one side edge 48 of the covering strip than the other.

The covering strip 40 and the continuous linking member 30 are then longitudinally aligned with the elongate recess 21 provided by the U-shaped channel portion 24', with the lower bulbous portion 32 of the linking member 30 located so as to abut

upper edges of the proximal and distal sides 26', 28'of the U-shaped channel portion 24'.

The lower bulbous portion 32 of the linking member 30 is then forced into the elongate recess 21'by applying downwards pressure by means of a mallet or such like on the upper portion 42 to securely fix the covering strip 40 to the base plate member 20 via the continuous linking member 30. The covering strip 40 is thus fixed continuously along its length in vertical alignment with the U-shaped channel portion 24'.

In the second configuration the side edges 48 of the covering strip abut the upper surfaces of the first and second panels 50,60 such that the covering strip 40 is tilted from the horizontal to afford a smooth join between the first and second panels 50,60 as shown in Figure 2.

The covering strip 40 together with the continuous linking member 30 can be readily removed by applying upwards pressure to the lower surface 41 by means of a crow bar or similar device to dislodge the lower bulbous portion 32 from the U-shaped channel portion 24 (24').

When the continuous linking member 30 comprises short lengths of about 20 mm of injection moulded plastics material, a plurality of continuous linking members 30 may be installed and assembled with the covering strip 40 and the U-shaped channel 24 (24') portion 24 (24') as described above, with respect to Figure 1 or Figure 2 for example, at regularly spaced intervals of about 100-150 mm along the length of the U-shaped channel portion 24 (24') and the covering strip 40.

The assembly 10 of the present invention is readily installed and assembled without any requirement for labour intensive activities such as the periodic installation of

screw fittings along the length of the expansion joint assembly to fix the covering strip to the base plate member 20 as required with other prior art fittings.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.