GB2507559A

GB2507559A - Kit comprising a panel with a channel and a insert that fits into the channel.

Info

Publication number: GB2507559A
Application number: GB1219848.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Lomas
Original assignee: Metsa Wood UK Ltd
Current assignee: Metsa Wood UK Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-05
Filing date: 2012-11-05
Publication date: 2014-05-07
Also published as: GB201219848D0

Abstract

The kit comprises and elongate panel 60, suitable for attaching to a wall of a building, the panel having opposing major surfaces one of which is provided with a longitudinal channel 63 extending parallel to the edge of the panel. The kit includes an insert 70 which is located within the channel in use. The panel may be used for skirting or used in conjunction with additional components to form an architrave for a door opening in a wall. The base of the channel may be substantially parallel to the wall in use. The second of the major surfaces may include a channel. The panel may comprise multiple channel rebate recesses and the kit comprises enough insert inlays for each channel. The inlays may be decorative. The ends of the panel may comprise edges which are configured to connect or cooperate via a tongue or groove to additional components. The edge surfaces may be perpendicular to the major surfaces.

Description

Panelling Assemblies and Kits for Forming Panel Assemblies The present invention relates to the field of panels for use in cladding pads of the interior of buildings such as plaster and brickwork. Such panels include skirting boards, door frames and architraves, for example.

It is generally desirable to fix panels to walls in such a manner that the fixings, such as screws and nails, are not visible when the fixing is complete. Thus for example screw caps are often used. These are designed to be pushed onto screws after they are secure in order to hide the metal of the screw head. A disadvantage of the use of screw caps is that they can be time consuming and fiddly to fix and they tend to fall off over time, especially in areas of high wear and tear.

There is provided in the following a kit of parts for forming a panel assembly comprising: an elongate panel suitable to be attached to a part of a wall of a building, the panel having opposing major surfaces one of which is provided with a longitudinal channel extending parallel to the edge of the panel; and an insert in the form of a strip configured to be received in the channel so as to extend along the length of the channel.

In one possible method of installation, the panel assembly can be installed by attaching the panel to the wall using fixings positioned in the channel. The fixings may then be covered using the insert strip. Panel assemblies as described above will typically be installed with the panel adjacent to an edge of a wall, as is the case with skirting boards and linings for door and window openings.

The panel may be any kind of panel used to protect plaster and stone work. The kit is especially suitable for skirting boards but is also suitable for lining openings in walls, such as may be provided for doors and windows. The kit is also suitable for as architraves and other decorative panelling. Such items are often referred to as mouldings although they are not usually manufactured by moulding. Alternatively they are referred to as profiles. A "profile" indicates a particular cross sectional shape. Thus references in the following to items having different profiles are to be understood to refer to items having different cross sectional shapes.

It is anticipated that the panel and the insert strip will be provided in pre-cut matching lengths. The lengths will be chosen according to building industry standards.

As noted above one possible panel is a skirting board and therefore such a panel will have opposing longitudinal edge surfaces at least one of which is perpendicular to the major surfaces of the panel. One longitudinal edge surface may have a decorative profile.

For another kind of panel it may be appropriate for both longitudinal edges to have a decorative profile.

One or both longitudinal edges of the panel may be configured to cooperate with a further assembly component. For example one or both longitudinal edges of the panel may be profiled to provide one of a tongue and a groove in any combination such as a tongue on each edge, a groove on each edge or one of each.

It follows that the kit may comprise one or two additional assembly components comprising an elongate member configured to join the panel along one edge. The additional assembly components may be designed as an architrave to frame an opening in a wall, for example.

Multiple panels may be offered to the customer each having differing profiles each of which has a channel configured to receive the insert. Similarly, multiple inserts may be provided, each being configured to be received in a channel of a panel. Thus a range of inserts and panels may be offered for the customer to "mix and match".

It will be appreciated that it is preferred for each of the components of the assembly to have a constant cross section. This has the advantage of simplifying manufacturing. Also it means that the components can be assembled at any point along their length. It is not necessary for one component to be at a particular longitudinal position with respect to the other, except in some situations where their ends may need to be aligned.

There is also provided a panel assembly assembled from a kit as described above.

The components of the assemblies described above may be made from a variety of materials. The preferred materials are wood or fibre board but other materials such as plastics and metals may be suitable.

Examples of assembly kits will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an end elevation of a length of skirting panel for use in a skirting board assembly; Figure 2 is an end elevation of a length of insert strip for use with the skirting panel of figure 1; Figure 3 is an end elevation of a length of skirting panel suitable for use with the insert strip of figure 2 and having an alternative profile to the skirting board of figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the skirting board assembly of figures 1 and 2 partially installed; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the skirting panel assembly of figure 4 from the other end; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative skirting panel assembly with a different insert strip; Figure 7 is a perspective view of part of an alternative panel assembly for use as part of a door frame; Figure 8 is an end elevation of a length of insert strip for use in the panel assembly shown in figure 7; Figure 9 is an end elevation of a door frame lining panel for the panel assembly shown in figure 7; Figure 10 is an end elevation of a length of architrave for the panel assembly of figure 7; Figure 11 is a top elevation of a skirting panel for use in a skirting assembly; Figure 12 is a front view of the skirting panel of figure 11; Figure 13 is an end elevation of a skirting panel of figure 11; Figure 14 is an exploded view of a skirting panel, cover portion and insert strip; and Figures 1 5a to 1 5e are end elevations of a skirting panel and cover portions for use in a skirting assembly.

The skirting board assemblies shown in figures 1 to 5 each comprise a skirting board and an insert strip. Skirting boards or panels are presently available with a wide range of profiles to suit various design styles and the consumer has a wide range of choice. It is anticipated that the skirting board assemblies to be described below will be available in an equally wide range of profiles, some examples of which are described below.

Figure 1 shows a cross section of a first skirting board or panel, generally indicated by reference numeral 10. This panel has a planar rear face 11 and a profiled front face 12 including a groove or channel generally indicated by numeral 13. The channel 13 extends parallel to the edges of the skirting panel 10. The channel 13 may have any of a variety of cross sectional shapes but it is preferred that it comprises a generally planar rear surface 14 which is substantially parallel to the panel rear face 11. The channel 13 may comprise side surfaces 15 and 16 extending from the surface 14, preferably but not necessarily perpendicular from the surface 14. The channel 13 should be shaped so as to enable an insert strip 20, to be described in more detail below, to be inserted in the channel 13 via the front face 12. Therefore it is generally preferable for there to be no narrowing of the channel 13 from the channel rear surface 14 to the front face 12. However depending on the material used for the panel and the insert it might be possible for a slight narrowing to be provided so that the strip 20 is received as a snap fit in the channel 13.

An example of an insert strip 20 is shown in cross section in figure 2. This insert strip 20 is generally rectangular in cross section and has a planar surface 21, intended to be rearmost in use, hereinafter termed the rear surface of the insert strip 20. The rear surface 21 of the insert strip 20 has the same width or a slightly smaller width than the channel rear surface 14. Thus the insert strip 20 can be positioned in the channel 13 with the rear surface 21 of the insert strip 20 positioned adjacent to the rear surface 14 of the channel 13 of the panel 10.

It is not essential for the surfaces 14 and 21 to be planar although this is advantageous for manufacturing. It is preferred that the respective surfaces 14, 21 cooperate so that one may abut against the other leaving a minimum of space in between.

The shape of the insert strip 20 as illustrated is slightly tapered to present a planar front surface 23 that is narrower than the rear surface 21. The front and rear surfaces 23 and 21 are joined by curved side surfaces 24 and 25. These preferably join the rear surface 21 at a right angle. Thus the insert 20 is received in the base of the channel as a close fit and presents rounded surfaces to the front face 12 after assembly with the panel 10.

As shown in figure 1, the panel 10 has a planar face 17 which will be lowermost in use and which extends perpendicular to the rear face 11. The remainder of the profiled front face 12 includes planar surfaces 1 2a and 1 2b on either side of the channel 13. These surfaces are all joined to each other via curved surfaces as shown.

The panel 10 is designed to be secured to a wall where it meets a floor or similar surface, with the face 11 abutting the wall. For this purpose the panel may be secured to the wall by means of screws, nails or other suitable fixings. It is intended that the screws or nails or other fixings should pass through the panel at the base of the channel 13. For this purpose the panel may be provided with some form of guidance for the use of fixings.

This may be in the form of pre-drilled holes, not shown, for receiving screws, or pilot holes for receiving nails for example. Alternatively a groove may be provided at the base of the channel 13 as guidance for the location of fixings. Other possibilities, for example for guiding the DIY panel installer, will be known to those skilled in the art and may be as simple as markings for indicating the number and position of fixings to be used. Such guidance may not be necessary for the experienced installer.

Figure 4 shows the skirting panel 10 of figure 1 and the insert strip 20 of figure 2 in the assembled configuration. The skirting panel 10 has been fixed to a wall 30 using screws, one of which 40 is visible. The skirting panel abuts against a corner block 31. Part of an insert strip 20 has been positioned in the channel 13 of the panel 10 for the purpose of illustration. It will be seen that the strip 20 is received in the panel 10 as a snug fit.

Depending on the material used, it may be possible for the insert strip 20 to be received as a friction fit or even a snap fit as noted above. However it is more likely that some additional means will be used to retain the insert strip 20 in the channel 13 such as adhesive. Thus, prior to insertion of the insert strip 20 in the channel 13, glue or adhesive may be applied to the rear surface 21 of the insert strip 20 or the inner surface 14 of the channel 13 or both. Then when the strip 20 is positioned in the channel 13 of the panel 10 and the adhesive has set, the insert strip 20 will remain in place.

A possible modification of the assembly described above is to provide one or more grooves in the facing surfaces of the insert strip 20 or the panel 10 or both for receiving glue or other adhesive. This might help to avoid any excess adhesive interfering with the abutment of the surfaces or being pressed up the sides of the channel 13 around the insert strip 20.

Another possible modification of the assembly described above is for one or both of the cooperating surfaces to be pre-glued. For example it would be possible to provide adhesive, for example in strips, on one or both of the cooperating surfaces of the insert and the panel 10 so that the application of adhesive by the installer is not necessary.

For example, such adhesive could be protected by one or more a peel-off strips of suitable sheet material.

The usual method of installing the skirting panel assembly would be to cut a suitable length of skirting panel 10 and a matching length of insert strip 20 for the length of wall where the assembly is to be positioned. (The strip is shown shorter in figure 4 simply to illustrate the manner of assembly.) For this purpose the panel and insert may be provided in matching pre-cut lengths according to industry standards. After cutting from a larger length the panel 10 is then secured to the wall using suitable fixings such as screws. The insert strip 20 is then fixed in the channel 13 in any of the ways described above.

In some implementations it may be necessary to join lengths of skirting panel 10. This might be for reasons of economy where the use of two shorter lengths will avoid the need to buy an additional longer length, or simply because the size of wall is larger that is practical for the manufacture of the skirting panel. The panel assembly with panel 10 and insert strip 20 may be particularly advantageous where two lengths of panel are to be joined since the insert strip 20 may be useful in disguising a join between two skirting panels. If two or more lengths of panel 10 are to be used it may be possible to use only one length of insert strip. Alternatively if two lengths of insert strip are to be used they may be arranged such that the join in the insert strip 20 is in a different place from the join in the panel 10. In other words the respective joins, panel and insert, are offset from each other. Not only does this help to disguise the join but also the overall structure is stronger than if the panel 10 and the insert strip 20 were joined at the same location.

Where it is necessary for them to join, the panel 10 and the insert strip 20 may simply be cut so as to have abutting flat surfaces. However the panel or the insert strip or both may be provided with inter-engaging surfaces on their ends to facilitate them being joined together. This may be in the form of a tongue on one end of a length of panel or insert shaped to be accommodated in a groove in the other end.

Figure 5 shows the other end of the panel 10 illustrated in figure 4. This end abuts against the lower section 31 of a door frame. The insert strip 20 is slightly lifted at the position adjacent the door frame section 31 to show that it is ready to be finally positioned.

It will be appreciated from figures 4 and 5 that the skirting panel assembly provides a particularly neat and convenient way for fixing a skirting panel to a wall. The panel can be fixed using regular screws or nails which are well hidden by the insert strip. The installer can use as many fixings as necessary without being inhibited by their external appearance. There is no need for screw caps or other means for hiding or disguising individual fixings. All of the fixings in one channel can be covered in one operation with as little as one piece of material (the insert strip) and therefore time spent disguising fixings is minimised.

It will be appreciated that the panel 10 will usually be solid. The rear face 10 is planar as shown in figure 1 but this is not necessary. Depending on the material from which the panel 10 is made, one or more cut away portions may be formed in the rear face to save material or to make the panel lighter. Also, one or more longitudinal grooves or channels may be provided in the rear face 11, for example to accommodate wiring or even pipe Figure 3 shows an alternative skirting panel 50 that is suitable for use with the insert strip shown in figure 1. The skirting panel 50 has a different profile from the panel 10 of figure 1.

The skirting panel 50 has a generally planar rear face 51, this time including a rectangular cut away 59 which will be adjacent to the floor in use. This will enable electrical wiring for

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example to be accommodated between the skirting panel and the floor and the wall. This avoids the need for a recess to be provided in the wall or for floor boards to be removed to accommodate wiring, which is ubiquitous in modern homes.

The panel 50 has a channel 53 which as illustrated has the same shape and dimensions as the channel 13 of the panel 10 and therefore the panel 50 is equally suited to receive the insert strip 20.

The profiled front face 52 of the panel 50 comprises a planar portion 52a that will be lower most in use. This is not as deep as the planar portion 1 2a of the panel 10. Above the channel 53 the panel 50 has additional shaping resembling known traditional skirting board designs. Thus, immediately above the channel 53 there is a groove 56, above which is a part circular profile 57 which merges into a rectangular section 58 at the top of the panel in use.

It will be appreciated from a comparison of figures 1 and 3 that numerous profile designs are possible, all of which may incorporate a channel suitable for accommodating the insert strip 20. It is not necessary to provide a different insert strip for each skirting panel profile. Therefore the supply of the panel assembly need not involve a large number of additional items to stock. The number of additional items, as compared to stocking a full range of skirting profiles, may be as little as one, i.e. one insert strip.

Figure 6 shows an alternative design of panel assembly, assembled and installed. The assembly shown in figure 6 comprises a panel 60 having a generally rectangular channel 63 in which insert strip 70 is received. The insert strip 70 is generally rectangular in cross section. As with the assemblies described above, the insert strip 70 covers a row of fixings, not shown, such as screws or nails used to fix the panel 60 to the wall. This insert strip 70 presents a flat surface which may bear a pattern. The pattern may for example comprise a decorative border designed to coordinate with other decorations in the room in which it is installed.

For a very deep skirting panel, such as might be required in older buildings with taller walls and higher ceilings, it may be necessary to fix a skirting panel to a wall at more than one height. For this purpose, a modified skirting panel may be provided having two or more channels preferably extending in parallel and each suitable for receiving an insert strip. Then the skirting panel may be provided with two or more rows of fixings, one in each channel, each row being covered by an insert strip in the finished assembly.

Another possible modification of the panel assembly is the provision of a deeper channel than that illustrated in figure 4 whereby two or more rows of fixings, or various fixings at offset heights, may be provided in the same channel.

The present disclosure is not limited to skirting boards and is applicable to other kinds of panel used in the protection of wall surfaces. Any panel that would usually be secured to a wall, such as a part of a door frame or window frame, and that would usually be supplied in continuous lengths and cut to size, could be provided with an insert strip as described above.

Figure 7 shows an alternative panel assembly for use as part of a door frame for a door provided in a wall. A typical door frame comprises a casing, otherwise known as a lining, which covers the two vertical surfaces at the sides of the door and the horizontal surface over the top of the door. These horizontal and vertical surfaces span the thickness of the wall and thus connect the two major surfaces of the wall. The lining thus typically comprises three panels, two vertical and one horizontal, positioned around the opening in the wall and protecting the wall plaster or brick work as well as providing part of a frame for the door. A door frame also typically comprises an architrave on each of the major surfaces of the wall surrounding the opening into which the door fits. The architrave may be in the form of a decorative moulding or comprise a decorative profile. The architrave is attached to the lining. Thus the combination of the architrave and the lining serve to protect the corners of the wall at the edges of the major surfaces adjacent to the door opening.

Figure 7 shows part of a door frame using a panel assembly as described above. The door frame part shown in figure 6 comprises a lining panel 80 provided with a channel 83 for receiving an insert strip 90. The panel assembly of figure 7 is shown secured to part of an opening in a wall and thus a skirting panel 10 with insert 20 is visible in the figure.

In the example of figure 7 only one architrave profile 92 is shown simply to demonstrate the principle of the assembly. However it will be appreciated that in most practical implementations of the assembly there will be two architrave profiles extending along opposite edges of the lining panel 80.

Figure 7 also shows glue 95 applied to the base of the channel 83 for securing the insert strip 90 and glue 86 applied to the wall for securing the architrave 92 to the wall. It should be noted also that the lining panel 80 is secured to the wall using screws 85, 86 at offset transverse locations in the channel 83.

The details of the assembly of figure 7 are shown in figures 8, 9 and 10.

Figure 9 shows an example profile or cross section for the lining panel 80. The cross section is generally rectangular and is provided with a tongue 101 protruding from edge surface 102 of the panel and a tongue 103 protruding from edge surface 104. Each tongue 101, 103 is dimensioned to be accommodated in a groove of a cooperating member of a panel assembly kit. The panel cross section may be modified by replacing one or both of the tongues 101, 103 by a groove. The panel cross section may be modified for other implementations by providing a tongue or groove in only one edge surface of the panel 80.

The panel 80 is provided with a channel generally indicated in figure 9 by reference 83.

This channel 83 is generally rectangular in cross section. It will be noted that it is shallower than the channels of the previously described assemblies. It is designed to receive an insert strip 90 to be described in more detail below.

Two additional grooves 105 and 106 or sub-channels are provided at the base of the channel 83 at different transverse locations in the channel 83. These grooves extend parallel to the channel 83 and the edge surfaces of the panel 80. The grooves 105 and 106 serve to locate fixings, such as screws 85 and 86, for securing the panel 80 to a wall section or other part of a building.

It will be appreciated that in any of the panels described in the foregoing, any number of grooves may be provided in a channel for receiving an insert, as appropriate to the relative dimensions of the assembly components.

The cross section of the insert 90 is shown in figure 8. The shape is generally that of a plug with an outer portion designed to be gripped from which a narrower plug portion extends. The illustrated strip of figure 8 has a generally rectangular cross section, with rounded corners, and a protruding portion dimensioned to be received in the channel 83 as a snug lit. The insert strip therefore comprises a portion that is received in the channel and a portion that overlaps the surface of the panel in use. It will be noted that the protruding portion 91 is offset from the centre of the cross sectional shape. The insert therefore overlaps the panel by different amounts on either side of the channel 83.

The shape of the insert 90 may be formed by cutting away sections at corners of a rectangular profile to form the protruding portion 91.

Figure 10 shows a suitable cross section for an architrave 92 configured to cooperate with the panel cross section of figure 9. As will be apparent from the figure, the cross section is generally rectangular with opposing major surfaces and opposing edge surfaces. The illustrated section is rounded at one of the edge surfaces. A groove is provided in one of the major surfaces. This groove is dimensioned to accommodate a tongue of the 101 of the panel 80.

In a door or window frame assembly, the insert strip 70 may act as the stop for the door or window. This may be a practical way of providing a stop in an opening in a wall. The stop is known to be vulnerable to wear and tear. In particular paint tends to crack as the door stop moves against the lining as the door or window is opened and shut. The provision of the stop in this way may be more robust and help to prevent the cracking of subsequently applied paint.

In the event that the insert strip is not to be used as a door slop, a separate stop may be provided. This may be received in a channel in the panel 80. A suitable channel 87 is shown in the panel profile of figure 9.

It will be appreciated that all of the possible modifications of the skirting panel assembly described above are also applicable to the lining panel assembly.

In the assembly shown in figure 7 the architrave is glued to the wall using adhesive 96.

However it is possible for the architrave also to be formed from a kit of parts as described above. Thus, instead of or in addition to a lining panel being provided with a channel for receiving an insert strip, one or both architraves may be provided with a channel and an insert strip designed to be received in the channel. Thus, as with lining panels, architraves may be supplied as a kit of parts comprising architrave and insert strip to be cut to the appropriate length.

Figures 11 to 13 illustrate a number of views of a panel assembly comprising a skirting panel 110 substantially as described above in relation to figures 1 to 6 for attachment to a wall of a building. The arrangement of figure 11 differs in that the edge surfaces 116a, 11 Sb of the panel respectively comprise a groove portion 118 and a tongue portion 117.

The tongue portion 117 of the skirting panel 110 is configured to protrude from the edge surface 11 6b in a direction substantially parallel to the surface to which the skirting panel is to be attached. The tongue portion 117 is preferably, although not necessarily, generally rectangular in cross-section. The groove portion 118 is dimensioned to accommodate a protruding tongue portion of a cooperating member of a panel assembly kit. In such an arrangement, the skirting panels 110 of the panel assembly kit may be arranged so that the assembled panels cooperate to provide a substantially continuous surface. The provision of tongue and groove portions within skirting panels increases rigidity between the assembled panels when compared with skirting panels that do not have tongue and groove portions.

In some arrangements, the cross section of the tongue, and the corresponding dimensions of the groove may be a shape other than rectangular.

Figure 14 illustrates an exploded view of skirting panel 10, insert strip 20 and cover portion 31 prior to assembly. In this arrangement, the skirting panel 10 and the insert strip 20 are configured as described above.

The cover portion 31 is a section formed in a similar manner and of similar materials to the other elements of the kit for assembly. The cover portion 31 comprises an inner surface 33 which is configured to conform and cooperate with the visible surface of the skirting panel 10, that is the front face 12 in the illustrated embodiments. In this way, when the cover portion 31 is assembled onto the skirting panel 10, the two elements effectively form a solid asssembly, such as a cuboid. The cover portion 31 further comprises an outer surface 32 opposing the inner surface 33. The outer surface 32 is visible when assembled. In the arrangement of figure 13, the outer surface 32 of the cover portion 31 is substantially planar. In this way, when the cover portion 31 and the skirting panel 10 are assembled, the outer surface 32 is substantially parallel to the surface to which the skirting panel 10 is attached.

The cover portion 31 of figure 14 further comprises an upper surface 32 which is configured to be substantially perpendicular to the outer surface 32. In the arrangement of figure 5, the upper surface 34 is substantially planar In the arrangement of figure 14, the upper surface 34 is substantially planar and is joined to the outer surface 32 by a curved or arcuate edge. The upper surface 34 may be configured for forming a base or support surface for the door frame liner. Optionally, only a portion of the upper surface 34 may be planar or optionally the upper surface 34 may not be planar. Optionally, the upper surface 34 may not be substantially perpendicular with the outer surface 32.

The cover portion 31 may act as a corner block as illustrated in figure 5 or may be located at other positions along the length of the skirting panel 10. In the arrangement of figure 5, the inner surface 33 conforms to the cooperative surface of the skirting panel 10 such that the channel 13 is filled and thus an insert 20 may not be placed at this point.

It will be appreciated that in other arrangements, the inner surface 33 may not conform or cooperate with the adjacent surface of the skirting panel 10 across the whole of the adjacent surface when assembled. The inner surface 33 may conform or cooperate with the adjacent surface of the skirting panel 10 at only some parts of the adjacent surface.

These conforming or cooperating parts of the surfaces may be separated by non-conforming or cooperating parts. It will also be appreciated that the outer surface 32 of the cover portion 31 need not be planar or substantially parallel with the surface against which the skirting panel 10 is to be attached.

The cover portion 31 may be attached or securely assembled to the skirting panel 10 substantially as described above, such as by adhesive.

Figures 1 Sa to 1 Se illustrate a number of exemplary alternative shapes and configurations of skirting panel 150 and cover portion 155. In some arrangements, the inner surface 153 of the cover portion 155 does not entirely conform to and/or cooperate with the skirting panel 150. In some arrangements, such as those illustrated in figures 1 Sa to 1 Se, only a portion of the inner surface 153 is configured to cooperate with the skirting panel 150 when assembled.

In some arrangements, the upper surface 154 of the cover portion 155 may be partially planar, so that only a portion of the surface is flat, as illustrated in figures 15c and 15d. In some arrangements, the upper surface 154 may be entirely non-planar as illustrated in figures 1 5a, 1 Sb and 1 Se.

In some embodiments, the outer surface 152 of the cover portion 155 may be substantially planar as illustrated in figures 1 Sa and 1 Se. In some embodiments, the outer surface 152 of the cover portion 155, which is visible when assembled, may be substantially non-planar, as illustrated in figures lSb, lSc and lSd. In these arrangements, the outer surface 152 of the cover portion 155 may be formed of a contoured or shaped surface in order to provide a decorative effect.

In some arrangements, the outer surface 152 may also comprise a channel 151, as illustrated in figures 15b and 15c. The channel 151 may be substantially similar in dimension to the channel 13 formed in the exemplary skirting panels 10 described above, such that a similar insert strip 20 may be inserted and assembled into the channel 151 of the cover portion 155 substantially as described above, such as by adhesive. As such, the theme, design or shape of the outer surface 152 of the cover portion 155 may appear similar to that of the skirting panel 10 to which it is assembled. In such arrangements, the cover portion 155 may be attached to the skirting portion 150 through the channel 151 using fixings, such as nails and screws. The resultant screw or nail head which is left exposed after affixation would be obscured by the insertion of an insert strip 20 into the channel 151.

In all of the illustrated assemblies described above, a major surface of the panel comprising the channel for the insert strip wholly abuts a wall section in use. However this is not essential. A panel may be designed to extend laterally beyond the channel at which it is fixed to a structure, to provide an unsupported section. This may be useful in numerous applications, one of which is the covering or "boxing in" of pipe work or electrical cables. A kit as described above may be designed to provide a simple and neat box section. It will be clear from figure 7 that this may be a simple "L" section. In such an arrangement one or both panels may be provided with a channel for receiving an insert.

In order to accommodate pipes or other items within the "L" section, the channel would be moved towards one edge of the respective panel and then be fixed to a suitable supporting structure which may itself be attached to a wall. The principle may be extended to provide a U-section comprising three panels in which one or two panels are designed to be fixed to a wall using an insert strip in the manner described above.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that while the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and, where appropriate, other modes of performing the invention, the invention should not be limited to specific apparatus configurations or method steps disclosed in this description of the preferred embodiment. It is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention has a broad range of applications, and that the embodiments may take a wide range of modifications without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A kit of parts for forming a panel assembly comprising: an elongate panel suitable to be attached to a part of a wall of a building, the panel having opposing major surfaces one of which is provided with a longitudinal channel extending parallel to the edge of the panel; and an insert in the form of a strip configured to be at least partially received in the channel so as to extend along the length of the channel.
2. A kit as claimed in claim 1 in which the channel of the panel is configured to receive means for fixing the panel to a wall.
3. A kit as claimed in claim 2 in which the channel is configured to indicate the position of means for fixing the panel to the wall.
4. A kit as claimed in claim 3 in which the channel is marked with suitable positions for fixing means.
5. A kit as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 in which holes are provided in the channel for receiving screws or nails.
6. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the base of the channel is substantially planar.
7. A kit as claimed in claim 6 configured such that the base of the channel is substantially parallel to the wall in use.
8. A kit as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 in which the other major surface of the panel is substantially planar and the base of the channel is parallel to the other major surface.
9. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the other surface of the panel is generally planar and one or more recesses are formed in said other surface.
10. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which one or more elongate channels are formed in the other surface of the panel.
11. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the length of the insert strip is equal to the length of the panel.
12. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the panel is provided with multiple ones of said channel extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the panel.
13. A kit as claimed in claim 12 comprising a number of insert strips corresponding to the number of channels in the panel.
14. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the panel has opposing longitudinal edge surfaces at least one of which is perpendicular to the major surfaces of the panel.
15. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which one longitudinal edge surface of the panel has a decorative profile.
16. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the panel is designed as a skirting board panel.
17. A kit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 in which both longitudinal edges of the panel have a decorative profile.
18. A kit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 or 17 in which one longitudinal edge of the panel is configured to cooperate with a further assembly component.
19. A kit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15, 17 or 18 in which both longitudinal edges of the panel are configured to cooperate with a further assembly component.
20. A kit as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 in which one or both longitudinal edges of the panel are profiled to provide one of a tongue or a groove
21. A kit as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20 further comprising an additional assembly component comprising an elongate member configured to join the panel along a said edge configured to cooperate with a further assembly component.
22. A kit as claimed in claim 19 further comprising two additional assembly components each comprising an elongate member configured to join the panel along a said edge configured to cooperate with a further assembly component.
23. A kit as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22 in which the or each said additional assembly components is designed as an architrave to frame an opening in a wall.
24. A kit as claimed in any of claims 19 to 23 configured such that the or each additional assembly component extends with a major surface substantially perpendicular to the major surfaces of the panel.
25. A kit as claimed in any of claims 19 to 24 comprising multiple additional assembly components having different profiles and each being configured to join a panel along a said edge configured to cooperate with a further assembly component.
26. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim comprising multiple panels having differing profiles each of which has a channel configured to receive said insert.
27. A kit as claimed in any preceding claim comprising multiple inserts, each being configured to be received in a channel of a panel.
28. A panel assembly assembled from a kit of parts as claimed in any preceding claim.
29. A panel assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
30. A kit of parts substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.