This invention relates to a tile edging strip and in particular to a strip for making the transition between a tiled surface and an adjacent lower surface. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, directed at making the transition between a tiled floor surface and adjacent floor surface having a carpet or other floor covering. A problem occurs at the transition between a tiled surface, particularly floor surface, and an adjacent surface covered with a thinner floor covering such as plastics floor covering or carpet. It is desirable to effect a transition between the two which is both aesthetically pleasing and in addition will be effective in protecting the vulnerable edge of the upstanding tiles. Conventional tile edging strips can be used, these being of the type often used to edge wall tiles at outside edges; however, they are not entirely satisfactory since, although they protect the tile edge well enough, they define a rather steep transition between the two which is both dangerous, providing an edge which can be tripped over, and aesthetically somewhat unattractive. EP-B-0407928 describes a transition strip for forming the joint between a tiled surface and an adjacent carpeted surface. The present invention seeks to provide an improved transition strip.

According to the invention, there is provided a tile edging strip for effecting the transition between a tiled surface and an adjacent lower surface, said strip being formed as an extrusion comprising, in section, an attachment arm for extending under the tiled surface so as to be fixed within the tile adhesive, a support arm extending from the attachment arm at an angle and a transition arm attached to the

free end of said support arm, said transition arm extending at an angle with respect to the attachment arm such that its upper surface forms a smooth transition between the upper face of said tiled surface and said lower surface.

Preferably the support arm forms with the transition arm an approximate T-shape, with the support arm forming the leg of the T and the transition strip the top of the T. The transition arm may be symmetrically formed about the support arm - extending both up and down by the same amount - but in the presently preferred embodiment, the transition arm is assymetric with respect to the support arm, extending upwards by a slightly greater distance than it extends downwards.

As has been said, the strip is formed by extrusion, for example of hard plastics material or metal. The currently preferred materials are aluminium alloy or brass. After extrusion, the flange formed by the attachment arm may be formed by punching with apertures along its length in order to assist in attaching the strip within the adhesive bed underneath the tiles.

In order that the invention may be better understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figures 1 and 2 show respectively sectional and perspective views of a first embodiment of a transition strip according to the invention; and Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, the transition strip is formed as an integral extrusion which comprises, in section, an attachment arm 1 which is punched with apertures 14 to aid fixing under a

tiled surface 2, a support arm 3 which extends upwards from the attachment arm at an angle, and a transition arm 4 whose upper surface 5 is the only visible part of the transition strip, once installed, and defines a smooth transition between the top face 6 of the tiled surface 2 and the adjacent lower surface 7. As can be seen, the transition strip is attached to the floor surface by virtue of the fact that the attachment arm 1 is embedded within the tile adhesive 8 which attaches the tiled surface 2 to the surface. The attachment strip should thus be as thin as possible, consistent with its role in supporting the remainder of the transition strip, in order not to raise the tiled surface too much during installation. A typical thickness, for an aluminium or brass extrusion, is 1 mm. Once beyond the tiles, at point 9 immediately below the right hand end 10 of the transition arm 4, the attachment arm thickens gradually, as shown, to the corner 11 for added strength at the corner itself. The support arm extends upwards from the attachment arm at an angle, typically of about 45°, with respect to the plane of the attachment arm.

The transition arm is inclined to the plane of the attachment arm typically by an angle of about 30°. The left hand end 12 of the transition arm 4 is raised above the floor surface to cater for the thickness of the adjacent floor covering 13. Save for a possible grout gap, the right hand end 10 acts as an abutment for the tiled surface 2. Both left hand and right hand ends are angled so as to be vertical to match the facing angle of the adjacent covering - carpets or tiles.

The transition arm 4 and support arm 3 are both made of fairly heavy material - typically approximately 1.5 mm thick - in order that they remain

rigid in use. It will be appreciated that fairly heavy forces could be applied when the strip is in use on a floor surface. For the same reason, the junctions between the transition arm 4 and the support arm 3, and between the support arm 3 and the attachment arm 1 are as heavy as possible consistent with reasonable use of material. An optional further arm 15 (shown dotted) may be attached in the position shown where an extra heavy-duty strip is necessary. This arm, also formed integrally with the rest by extrusion, extends to the floor surface to provide extra support for the left hand end of the transition arm 4, if necessary.

The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is the same in all respects to that shown in Figure 1 except that some of the dimensions are slightly different, and the T formation of the transition arm 4 and support arm 3 is more symmetrical.