Floor covering transition device

Abstract

The present invention provides a transition device assembly for transitioning between a first floor covering and a second floor covering that includes an elongated T-shaped member, a covering and an elongated base. The elongated T-shaped member has an upper portion and a base portion. The covering is attached to the elongated T-shaped member and covers a top and each side of the upper portion of the T-shaped member. The elongated base has a substantially flat portion and a longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel for receiving the base portion of the elongated T-shaped member. There may also be a notch in each end of the covering and the elongated T-shaped member to accommodate a doorstop. Alternatively, the covering also extends beyond the ends of the elongated T-shaped member and has a notch in each end of the extended covering to accommodate a doorstop.

1 . A transition device assembly comprising: 
 an elongated T-shaped member having an upper portion and a base portion;    a covering attached to the elongated T-shaped member and covering a top and each side of the upper portion of the T-shaped member;    an elongated base having a substantially flat portion and a longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel for receiving the base portion of the elongated T-shaped member; and    wherein the elongated base, elongated T-shaped member and the covering have a combined height to provide a transition between a first floor covering and a second floor covering.    
   
   
       2 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated T-shaped member is semi-flexible.  
   
   
       3 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the elongated T-shaped member comprises a downwardly shaped arc.  
   
   
       4 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base portion has one or more longitudinally extending ridges along each side of the base portion.  
   
   
       5 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated T-shaped member has a cross section substantially as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
   
   
       6 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated T-shaped member comprises vinyl, plastic, rubber, fiberglass, composite materials, wood and metal.  
   
   
       7 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a notch in each end of the elongated T-shaped member, the covering and the elongated base to accommodate a doorstop.  
   
   
       8 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the covering is decorative and wear-resistant.  
   
   
       9 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the covering also covers portions of a bottom of the upper portion of the elongated T-shaped member.  
   
   
       10 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the covering comprises sheet vinyl, laminate, plastic, ceramic or one or more vinyl pieces.  
   
   
       11 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the covering is attached to the elongated member with double face tape, glue, staples, nails, screws, tacks or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel is disposed substantially along a longitudinal center line of the substantially flat portion.  
   
   
       13 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel is disposed between a longitudinal center line and a longitudinal edge of the substantially flat portion.  
   
   
       14 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel is disposed substantially along a longitudinal edge of the substantially flat portion.  
   
   
       15 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base portion of the elongated T-shaped member is secured within the channel of the elongated base with a friction fit, glue or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second floor coverings comprise carpet, tile, wood, vinyl or laminate.  
   
   
       17 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the transition is substantially level, smooth or gradual.  
   
   
       18 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a notch in each end of the elongated T-shaped member and the covering to accommodate a doorstop.  
   
   
       19 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the covering extends beyond the ends of the elongated T-shaped member.  
   
   
       20 . The transition device assembly as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising a notch in each end of the extended covering to accommodate a doorstop.  
   
   
       21 . A system comprising: 
 an elongated T-shaped member having an upper portion and a base portion;    a covering attached to the elongated T-shaped member and covering a top and each side of the upper portion of the T-shaped member;    an elongated base attached to a floor having a substantially flat portion and a longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel for receiving the base portion of the elongated T-shaped member;    a first floor covering attached to the floor and extending underneath one side of the upper portion of the elongated T-shaped member;    a second floor covering attached to the floor and extending underneath the other side of the upper portion of the elongated T-shaped member; and    wherein the elongated base, elongated T-shaped member and the covering have a combined height to provide a transition between the first floor covering and the second floor covering.    
   
   
       22 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the first and second floor coverings are carpet and further comprising a first pad disposed between the first floor covering and the floor and a second pad disposed between the second floor covering and the floor.  
   
   
       23 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the first and second floor coverings are attached to the floor using strips.  
   
   
       24 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the first or second floor coverings extend over the substantially flat portion of the elongated base.  
   
   
       25 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising a notch in each end of the elongated T-shaped member and the covering to accommodate a doorstop.  
   
   
       26 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the covering extends beyond the ends of the elongated T-shaped member.  
   
   
       27 . The system as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising a notch in each end of the extended covering to accommodate a doorstop.  
   
   
       28 . A method for manufacturing a device for transitioning between a first floor covering and a second floor covering comprising the steps of: 
 fabricating an elongated T-shaped member having an upper portion and a base portion;    attaching a covering to the elongated T-shaped member such that the covering covers a top and each side of the upper portion of the T-shaped member;    fabricating an elongated base having a substantially flat portion and a longitudinally extending upwardly opening channel for receiving the base portion of the elongated T-shaped member; and    wherein the elongated base, elongated T-shaped member and the covering have a combined height to provide a transition between a first floor covering and a second floor covering.    
   
   
       29 . The method as recited in  claim 28 , further comprising the step of cutting a notch in each end of the elongated T-shaped member and the covering to accommodate a doorstop.  
   
   
       30 . The method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein the covering extends beyond the ends of the elongated T-shaped member.  
   
   
       31 . The method as recited in  claim 30 , further comprising the step of cutting a notch in each end of the extended covering to accommodate a doorstop.  
   
   
       32 . A transition device assembly comprising: 
 an elongated T-shaped semi-flexible member having an upper portion and a base portion;    two or more bases having a substantially flat portion and an upwardly extending opening channel for receiving the base portion of the elongated T-shaped member; and    wherein the two or more bases and elongated T-shaped semi-flexible member provide a transition between a non-linear first floor covering and a corresponding second floor covering.