Panel edge and seal structure

Claim 2

A trim-seal structure adapted particularly for attachment to one or more of the peripheral edges of a panel, the panel being adapted to be positioned adjacent a similar panel in edge-to-edge relationship with the trim-seal structures attached thereto in compressive abutment with one another, said structure comprising: an elongated trim portion having an exposable surface, said trim portion being formed from a relatively rigid polymer; means for affixing one side of said trim portion to the edge of said panel such that the exposable surface thereof lies in the general plane and forms a substantial continuation of one of the surfaces of said panel; a sealing portion formed from a relatively flexible polymer positioned along the side of said trim portion opposite from said affixing means, said sealing portion extending outwardly beyond the general plane of said opposite side of said trim and being resiliently depressible toward said trim strip; said flexible polymer sealing portion and said relatively rigid polymer trim portion comprising a simultaneous extrusion wherein said sealing and trim portions are integral, composite portions thereof; said trim portion including an elongated cavity along the said opposite side thereof, said sealing portion bounding the exposed side of said cavity.

Claim 3

The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sealing portion comprises an elongated, curved seal member having its elongated edges integrally and continuously joined to the edges of said cavity.

Claim 4

The structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said panel comprises a flooring panel adapted to be positioned in elevated fashion adjacent a plurality of similar panels to form an elevated floor, and wherein said trim-seal structure extends about the entire periphery of said panel such that the seal portions on adjacent sides of adjacent panels abut and resiliently depress one another.

Claim 5

A pair of trim-seal structures lying in abutting, sealing engagement with one another along parallel edges of adjacent panel members; each trim-seal structure comprising a simultaneous extrusion formed from a first polymer having a specified rigidity and flexibility and a second polymer having a rigidity less than said first polymer; said extrusions each including an elongated trim portion having an exposed, planar, support surface and formed from said first polymer; means protruding from one side of said trim portion for affixing said trim portion to an edge of one of said panel members such that said support surface lies in the general plane and forms a substantial continuation of one of the surfaces of said panel member, said affixing means formed from said first polymer; and a sealing means formed from said second polymer; said sealing means being integral with the side of said trim portion opposite said affixing means and extending in a curvilinear fashion beyond the general plane of said opposite side; said sealing means on said adjacent trim portions resiliently, compressively engaging one another thereby effecting a waterproof, hermetic seal betwEen said trim-seal structures; said trim portion including an elongated cavity along the said opposite side thereof, said sealing portion bounding the exposed side of said cavity.

Claim 6

A pair of trim-seal structures lying in abutting, sealing engagement with one another along parallel edges of adjacent panel members; each trim-seal structure comprising a simultaneous extrusion formed from a first polymer having a specified rigidity and flexibility and a second polymer having a rigidity less than said first polymer; said extrusions each including an elongated trim portion having an exposed, planar, support surface and formed from said first polymer; means protruding from one side of said trim portion for affixing said trim portion to an edge of one of said panel members such that said support surface lies in the general plane and forms a substantial continuation of one of the surfaces of said panel member, said affixing means formed from said first polymer; and a sealing means formed from said second polymer; said sealing means being integral with the side of said trim portion opposite said affixing means and extending in a curvilinear fashion beyond the general plane of said opposite side; said sealing means on said adjacent trim portions resiliently, compressively engaging one another thereby effecting a waterproof, hermetic seal betwEen said trim-seal structures; said trim portion including an elongated cavity along the said opposite side thereof, said sealing portion bounding the exposed side of said cavity.

Claim 7

A floor panel edge and sealing structure adapted to be secured along parallel, adjacent edges of floor panels elevated above a supporting surface; said edge and seal structure forming a water-proof hermetic seal between said panels, said panels including upper and lower surfaces and peripheral edges; said edges including a peripheral slot extending substantially around the entire periphery of said panel; the corners between said edges and surfaces being reinforced with rigid, metallic plates following the contour thereof and extending a specified distance across said edges toward said slot; said upper surface being covered with a layer of tile or suitable similar floor covering; said edge and sealing structure comprising an elongated trim portion formed from a first rigid polymer having an exposed support surface and a lip extending from one side of said trim portion forming an extension of said exposed surface; an integral, protruding, elongated tongue extending along said one side of said trim portion formed from said rigid polymer and including elongated, integral retaining means protruding along the length of said tongue at spaced intervals thereacross; said tongue being received in said slot and securing said trim portion to said panel edge at an inclined angle with said upper panel surface such that said exposed surface forms a flush continuation of the plane of said tile or floor covering while said lip is supported on said reinforced corner between said upper surface and peripheral edge; and an elongated, curvilinear sealing member formed simultaneously with said trim portion and tongue from a second polymer less rigid and more resilient and flexible than said first polymer; said sealing member extending along substantially the entire length of the side of said trim portion opposite said one side and extending beyond the general plane of said opposite side; said sealing member having its ends joined integrally during the extrusion of said edge and sealing structure to the edges of an elongated cavity extending beneath said sealing member along the length thereof and providing an integral space into which said sealing member is compressed by a second sealing member during the compressive abutment of said edge and sealing structure against a second of said edge and sealing structures secured to a second adjacent floor panel whereby said water-proof, hermetic seal is formed therebetween.

Claim 8

A floor panel edge and sealing structure adapted to be secured along parallel, adjacent edges of floor panels elevated above a supporting surface; said edge and seal structure forming a water-proof hermetic seal between said panels, said panels including upper and lower surfaces and peripheral edges; said edges including a peripheral slot extending substantially around the entire periphery of said panel; the corners between said edges and surfaces being reinforced with rigid, metallic plates following the contour thereof and extending a specified distance across said edges toward said slot; said upper surface being covered with a layer of tile or suitable similar floor covering; said edge and sealing structure comprising an elongated trim portion formed from a first rigid polymer having an exposed support surface and a lip extending from one side of said trim portion forming an extension of said exposed surface; an integral, protruding, elongated tongue extending along said one side of said trim portion formed from said rigid polymer and including elongated, integral retaining means protruding along the length of said tongue at spaced intervals thereacross; said tongue being received in said slot and securing said trim portion to said panel edge at an inclined angle with said upper panel surface such that said exposed surface forms a flush continuation of the plane of said tile or floor covering while said lip is supported on said reinforced corner between said upper surface and peripheral edge; and an elongated, curvilinear sealing member formed simultaneously with said trim portion and tongue from a second polymer less rigid and more resilient and flexible than said first polymer; said sealing member extending along substantially the entire length of the side of said trim portion opposite said one side and extending beyond the general plane of said opposite side; said sealing member having its ends joined integrally during the extrusion of said edge and sealing structure to the edges of an elongated cavity extending beneath said sealing member along the length thereof and providing an integral space into which said sealing member is compressed by a second sealing member during the compressive abutment of said edge and sealing structure against a second of said edge and sealing structures secured to a second adjacent floor panel whereby said water-proof, hermetic seal is formed therebetween.