Water guard molding and method of installation

Abstract

A molding for positioning along a corner formed by an intersection of a wall and a floating floor, or between adjacent edges of a floating floor. The molding includes a generally planar floating floor engaging surface and a wall engaging surface. A pad is positioned along the floating-floor engaging face, and resiliently creates a substantially moisture-tight seal so as to prevent moisture from contacting the corner when the molding is in an installed position along the corner.

1 . A molding for positioning along a corner formed by an intersection of wall and a floating floor, the molding having a longitudinal axis and comprising: 
 a core; and,    a surface formed of a thermosetting resin and a decor sheet; said molding having    a generally planar floating floor engaging surface;    a pad positioned along the floating-floor engaging surface;    wherein, the pad resiliently creates a substantially moisture-tight seal so as to prevent moisture from seeping between said floor and said molding when the molding is in an installed position.    
     
     
         2 . The molding as in  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive positioned on the pad and configured to engage the floating floor when the molding is in the installed position.  
     
     
         3 . The molding as in  claim 1 , further comprising a wall-engaging surface, and apertures in the wall engaging surface to allow a connector to pass therethrough, the connector fastening the molding to the corner when the molding is in the installed position.  
     
     
         4 . The molding as in  claim 1 , wherein the molding has a generally quarter-round cross-section at planes transverse to the longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         5 . The molding as in  claim 3 , further comprising an intermediate surface connecting the wall-engaging surface and the floating-floor engaging surface.  
     
     
         6 . The molding as in  claim 5 , wherein the intermediate surface is angled so that the wall, floating floor, and intermediate surface form a generally triangular shape in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         7 . The molding as in  claim 3 , further comprising a face on the molding and positioned to face outwardly from the corner.  
     
     
         8 . The molding as in  claim 7 , wherein the face is one of curved or flat.  
     
     
         9 . The molding as in  claim 1 , wherein the pad is positioned distal a front edge of the floating floor engaging surface, wherein the front edge of the floating floor engaging surface is distal the corner.  
     
     
         10 . The molding as in  claim 1 , wherein the molding has a generally uniform cross-section at planes transverse to the longitudinal axis  
     
     
         11 . The molding as in  claim 1 , wherein the pad is formed of a material that is a resilient material made from one of a closed-cell foamed plastic material or an open cell, foamed plastic material.  
     
     
         12 . The molding as in  claim 1 , further comprising a hollow formed in the pad.  
     
     
         13 . The molding as in  claim 1 , wherein glue is applied to the pad immediately before the molding is placed in the installed condition.  
     
     
         14 . The molding according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad includes a preformed layer of adhesive; and wherein, a removable film covers the adhesive.  
     
     
         15 . The combination of a floating floor and a molding as set forth in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         16 . A molding for positioning over adjacent edges of a floating floor, the molding having a longitudinal axis and comprising: 
 a first generally planar floating floor engaging surface;    a second generally planar floating floor surface;    a first pad positioned along the first floor engaging surface;    a second pad positioned along the second floor engaging surface    wherein, each pad resiliently creates a substantially moisture-tight seal so as to prevent moisture from seeping beneath the floating floor when the molding is in an installed position.    
     
     
         17 . The molding as in  claim 16 , further comprising an adhesive positioned on at least one of the first pad or second pad, the adhesive configured to engage the floating floor when the molding is in the installed position.  
     
     
         18 . The molding as in  claim 17 , wherein the adhesive is preformed onto the pad, and; a removable film covers the adhesive.  
     
     
         19 . The molding as in  claim 16 , wherein glue is applied to the pad immediately before the molding is placed in the installed condition.  
     
     
         20 . The molding as in  claim 16 , further comprising a longitudinally extending flange positioned between the first floating-floor engaging surface and the second floating-floor engaging surface, the flange depending downwardly between the edges when the molding is in the installed position.  
     
     
         21 . The molding as in  claim 16 , further comprising a face on the molding and positioned to face outwardly from the floating floor.  
     
     
         22 . The molding as in  claim 21 , wherein the face has a shape that is one of a curved shape or a flat shape.  
     
     
         23 . The molding as in  claim 16 , wherein the first floor engaging surface and the second floor engaging surface are substantially coplanar.  
     
     
         24 . The molding as in  claim 16 , wherein the molding has a generally uniform cross-section at planes transverse to the longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         25 . The molding as in  claim 16 , wherein each pad is formed of a resilient material that one of an open-cell foamed plastic material or a closed-cell foamed plastic material.  
     
     
         26 . The molding as in  claim 16 , further comprising a hollow formed in at least one of the first pad or the second pad.  
     
     
         27 . A method of preventing moisture from seeping into a gap between a floating floor and a molding, the method comprising the steps of: 
 installing a molding into contact with the floating floor, the molding being provided with a pad positioned to contact the floating floor.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the pad comprises a resilient material that is one of a closed cell foamed plastic or an open-cell foamed plastic.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the molding is a saddle.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the molding is installed between the floating floor and a wall.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the molding is installed between adjacent edges of the floating floor.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising the step of: 
 applying a sealant to first and second ends of the molding, the first and second ends being positioned at opposite ends of a longitudinal axis of the molding.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the sealant is a silicone sealant.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 , including the step of comprising the pad when said molding is installed in contact with the floating floor.