Cove base support

Abstract

A cove base support is configured to be positioned between a wall and a cove base and includes a vertical support portion, an angled support portion, a toe support portion, and a horizontal support portion. The angled support portion is positioned at the bottom of the vertical support potion and provides a transition to the toe support portion. The toe support portion extends downwards and away from the wall and is configured to provide support to a toe of the cove base. At least one of the vertical support portion and the toe support portion defines a plurality of apertures through which adhesive is placed to attach the cove base support to the wall through the apertures. The horizontal support portion extends horizontally from the toe support portion and may include an antimicrobial material.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A cove base support, comprising:
 a vertical support portion configured to be positioned between a wall and a cove base, where the cove base is not of a single piece with a flooring material,   wherein the cove base support comprises an antimicrobial material.   
     
     
         2 . The cove base support of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial material includes one of zinc, SilverShield®, MicroGuard™, Nouvex®, Interact ABX, or Ascera™. 
     
     
         3 . The cove base support of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial material is effective to reduce microbes in blood. 
     
     
         4 . The cove base support of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial material is effective to act as one of an antifungal, antiviral, antibiotic, or antiparasitic material. 
     
     
         5 . The cove base support of  claim 1 , wherein the cove base support includes a horizontal support portion operatively extending from the vertical support portion. 
     
     
         6 . The cove base support of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal support portion extends towards the wall. 
     
     
         7 . The cove base support of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal support portion extends from a distal-most end of vertical support portion. 
     
     
         8 . The cove base support of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal support portion is parallel with the flooring material. 
     
     
         9 . The cove base support of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal support portion is angled downwards towards the floor from the vertical support portion. 
     
     
         10 . The cove base support of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal support portion includes the antimicrobial material. 
     
     
         11 . The cove base support of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal support portion is configured to contact the flooring material when positioned between the wall and the cove base. 
     
     
         12 . The cove base support of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal support portion is configured to contact the wall when the vertical support portion is substantially flush against the wall. 
     
     
         13 . The cove base support of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal support portion is configured to be spaced away from the wall when the vertical support portion is substantially flush against the wall. 
     
     
         14 . A cove base assembly comprising:
 (a) a cove base;   (b) an adhesive; and   (c) a cove base support according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a cove base support, the method including incorporating antimicrobial properties into the material of the cove base support. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising imbuing a horizontal support portion of the cove base support with the antimicrobial properties. 
     
     
         17 . A cove base support, comprising:
 (a) a vertical support portion, wherein the vertical support portion is configured to be positioned between a wall and a cove base, where the cove base is not of a single piece with a flooring material;   (b) an angled support portion;   (c) a toe support portion that extends downward and away from the angled support portion, wherein the toe support portion is configured to provide support to a toe of the cove base, and   (d) a horizontal support portion extending from a distal end of the toe support portion and towards the wall.   
     
     
         18 . The cove base support of  claim 17 , wherein the horizontal support portion contacts the wall. 
     
     
         19 . The cove base support of  claim 17 , wherein the horizontal support portion extends from a distal-most end of toe support portion. 
     
     
         20 . The cove base support of  claim 17 , wherein the horizontal support portion is parallel with the flooring material.