GB2404897A

GB2404897A - A frame mounted wallpaper support bar with alignment rod

Info

Publication number: GB2404897A
Application number: GB0318579A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard Walker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-08
Filing date: 2003-08-08
Publication date: 2005-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 2023-08-08
Also published as: GB2404897B; GB0318579D0

Abstract

Wallpaper support bar 2 is mounted on a frame 10 which is slidably coupled to a body portion 20 having upright members 32. The body is maintained in an upright position by feet 30. In use the support bar 2 is arranged proximate to a ceiling or other surface to be covered. A piece of wallpaper to be applied is draped over it with the decorative side against the support bar. The piece of wallpaper is correctly aligned with the edge of the area to be covered by means of alignment rod 40, allowing the wallpaper to be moved and pressed against the surface with both hands. The frame may be pivotally connected to the upright member (figure 3). The frame may be both rotatably and slidably connected to the body (figure 4).

Description

Improvements in and Relating to the Application of Wallpaper

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a support apparatus for use in the application of wallpaper, and to methods of applying wallpaper.

lo Background to the Invention

Wallpaper is often used to cover and decorate walls, ceilings or other surfaces. Typically, to cover a surface with a piece of wallpaper a layer of adhesive is applied to a first side of the wallpaper. Then, the adhesive is brought into contact with the surface to be covered and pressure is applied to the second, decorative side of the wallpaper to force the wallpaper and adhesive against the surface. The application of pressure in this way ensures that the adhesive forms a proper bond between the wallpaper and the surface.

However, it can be difficult to efficiently and effectively apply wallpaper in this way to ceilings and other overhanging surfaces. The difficulty arises in supporting the extent of the wallpaper that is about to be applied to the surface, while applying pressure to the second side of the material which has already been brought into contact with the surface. Typically, the wallpaper is concertina folded so that it can be supported with one hand as it is about to be applied, allowing the other hand to align the material and press it against the surface.

This technique can be tiring on the arms, and if l sufficient pressure is not applied the wallpaper can peel off the surface from which it has been applied.

It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the invention to facilitate the application of wallpaper to ceilings or other overhanging surfaces. Further aims of preferred embodiments of the present invention are apparent from the

accompanying description.

lo Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a support apparatus for use in the application of wallpaper, the apparatus comprising a wallpaper support bar arrangeable in use proximate to a surface to be covered.

Suitably, the support apparatus comprises support means arranged to maintain the apparatus in a substantially upright configuration.

Suitably, the wallpaper support bar is mounted on a frame.

Suitably, the height of the support bar above the support means is adjustable. Suitably, the frame is mountable on the support apparatus at a range of positions to adjust the height of the support bar.

Suitably, the frame is mounted to slide on the support apparatus. Suitably, the frame is mounted on the support apparatus to slide substantially vertically. Suitably, the frame is mounted to rotate relative to the support apparatus.

The support apparatus may comprise a plurality of support bars. Suitably, the support apparatus comprises a first support bar mounted on a first frame, and a second support bar mounted on a second frame. Suitably, the first frame is mounted to slide on the support apparatus. Suitably, the first frame is mounted on the support apparatus to slide substantially vertically. Suitably, the second frame is mounted to rotate relative to the support apparatus.

Suitably, the support apparatus comprises alignment means.

Suitably, the alignment means comprises a rod mounted on the support apparatus substantially at right angles to the support bar.

Suitably, the wallpaper support element and the frame are arranged to in use allow a piece of wall paper to be draped over the support apparatus.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of applying wallpaper to a surface, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a support apparatus comprising a wallpaper support bar; (b) arranging the support bar proximate to the surface; (c) supporting the wallpaper on the support bar; and (d) lifting the wall paper from the support bar and pressing it onto the surface.

Suitably, the method comprises the additional step of varying the position of the wallpaper support bar relative to a support means of the support apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a support apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a support apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a support apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a support apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The support apparatus 100 comprises a wallpaper support bar 2 mounted on a frame 10. The frame is slidably coupled to a body portion 20 of the support apparatus 100, and the body portion 20 is maintained in an upright position by support means in the form of feet 30.

The body portion 20 comprises a pair of upright members 32 comprising grooves 34. The frame 10 can slide in the grooves 34, and can be supported in position by blocks 36 to thereby prevent the frame 10 from slipping down under gravity. The frame 10, body portion 20 and feet 30 are reinforced by bracing elements 3.

In use the frame 10 comprises bars 12 arranged in the grooves 34 such that the support bar 2 is proximate to the ceiling or other surface to be covered. A piece of wallpaper to be applied is draped over the support bar 2 with the decorative side against the support bar. The lo support apparatus 100 can then be arranged so that the piece of wallpaper is correctly aligned with the edge of the area to be covered, and the wallpaper then easily moved and pressed against the surface with both hands. By draping the wallpaper over the support bar 2 such that the wallpaper hangs down on either side of the support apparatus 1 the pasted side of the wallpaper does not come into contact with anything before it is applied to the surface. Furthermore, the user does not need to support the pasted extent of the wallpaper while trying to press the most recently applied portions against the surface.

A rod 40 comprises alignment means that can be used to align the support apparatus 100 and the wallpaper supported by the support apparatus 100 with the edge of the area to which the wallpaper is to be applied. For convenience, the rod 40 is arranged substantially at right angles to the support bar 2.

Figure 2 shows the construction of the support apparatus 100 in more detail. Suitably, the support apparatus 100 is manufactured from wood, with screws S used to couple the bracing elements 3 to the body portion 20, and the feet 30. Dowels D are used in combination with a housing joint 33 to couple the upright members to the feet 30.

The support bar 2 and bracing element 3 of frame 10 can be joined to the bars 12 by push fitting into holes formed in the bars 12.

The blocks 36 may be secured in place within the grooves 34 by nails N to set the height of the frame 10 above the feet 30. Alternatively, the blocks 36 may be partially received by any one of a series of recessed formed in the lo grooves 34 to allow easy adjustment of the height of the frame 10 relative to the height of the surface to be covered.

Figure 3 shows a support apparatus 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The main difference between the first and second embodiments comprises the frame 10. Referring to Figure 3, a frame 10' is provided that is pivotally coupled to the upright members 32 a body portion 20'. The frame 10' comprises bars 12' and a support bar 2'. In use, the support bar 2' can be rotated to a suitable position near the surface to be covered to support wallpaper as it is about to be applied. The bars 12' can serve the same function as the alignment means of the first embodiment, allowing the frame 10' and the wallpaper supported thereon to be easily aligned with an area to be papered.

In a further embodiment, the support apparatus may comprise both the rotatable frame 10' and the slidable frame 10, allowing for a range of support configurations.

The wallpaper to be applied can be supported by one of the bars 2,2', or alternatively by both. In yet another embodiment as shown in Figure 4, the rotatable frame 10' may be rotatably coupled to an upper part of the frame 10 in a similar fashion to the rod 40, again allowing a range of other support options.

The support apparatus can conveniently be manufactured from wood. Wood is a natural, renewable resource that is strong, light and easy to work. Alternatively, the support apparatus can be manufactured from other suitable materials, such as plastics or metals.

The support apparatus may be supplied pre-assembled, or as a kit of parts suitable for DIY assembly by a user.

A support apparatus has been described suitable for use when applying wallpaper to an overhanging surface such as a ceiling. The apparatus is of simple construction, is compact to allow easy storage when not is use, and offers a cost effective solution to the problem of supporting wallpaper when working above head height. The apparatus is adjustable to work effectively under surfaces over a range of heights.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series lo of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims: 1. A support apparatus for use in the application of wallpaper,

the apparatus comprising a wallpaper support bar arrangeable in use proximate to a surface to be covered.
2. The support apparatus of claim 1 comprising support means arranged to maintain the apparatus in a lo substantially upright configuration.
3. The support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the height of the support bar above the support means is adjustable.
4. The support apparatus of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the wallpaper support bar is mounted on a frame.
5. The support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the frame is mountable on the support apparatus at a range of positions to adjust the height of the wallpaper support bar.
6. The support apparatus of claim 5, wherein the frame is mounted to slide on the support apparatus.
7. The support apparatus of claim 5 or 6, wherein the frame is mounted on the support apparatus to slide substantially vertically.
8. The support apparatus of claim 5, wherein the frame is mounted to rotate relative to the support apparatus.
9. The support apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of support bars.
10. The support apparatus of claim 9, comprising a first support bar mounted on a first frame, and a second support bar mounted on a second frame.
11. The support apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first frame is mounted to slide on the support apparatus.
12. The support apparatus of claim 11, where the first frame is mounted on the support apparatus to slide lo substantially vertically.
13. The support apparatus of claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the second frame is mounted to rotate relative to the support apparatus.
14. The support apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising alignment means.
15. The support apparatus of claim 14, wherein the alignment means comprises a rod mounted on the support apparatus substantially at right angles to the support bar.
16. The support apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the wallpaper support bar and the frame are arranged to in use allow a piece of wallpaper to be draped over the support apparatus.
17. A method of applying wallpaper to a surface, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a support apparatus comprising a wallpaper support bar; - (b) arranging the support bar proximate to the surface; (c) supporting the wallpaper on the support bar; and - (d) lifting the wallpaper from the support bar and lo pressing it onto the surface.
18. The method of claim 17 comprising the additional step of varying the position of the wallpaper support bar relative to a support means of the support apparatus.
19. A support apparatus substantially as herein described, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. A method of applying wallpaper, the method substantially as herein described.