NZ306382A - Decorative trim being strip folded and releasably fastened into decorative hollow triangle or rhombus - Google Patents

Description

New Zealand No. 306382 International No.

TO BE ENTERED AFTER ACCEPTANCE AND PUBLICATION Priority dates: 09.05.1995; Complete Specification Filed: 09.05.1996 Classification:^) E04F19/04; E04F17/08 Publication date: 24 February 1998 Journal No.: 1425 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Title of Invention: A decorative trim Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) as in international application form: IAN THOMAS HOWE, an Australian citizen of 19 Ryan Road, Pakenham, Victoria 3810, Australia A DECORATIVE TRIM This invention relates to a device for decoratively trimming along the line of intersection of mutually inclined abutting surfaces. In the building and construction industry such abutting surfaces typically occur where two wall 5 surfaces meet at an internal comer and where a vertical wall surface meets a horizontal surface such as the top of a floor or the top surface of a floor skirting mould and where a floor surface meets the vertical face surface of a floor skirting mould. in the building and construction industry, these regions of abutting 10 surfaces often contain visually obtrusive elements such as gaps between one surface and another, and other obtrusive elements such as heads of nail and screw fixings. These elements are typically concealed by placing strips of visually pleasing cover members such as triangular or curved cross-sectional shaped timber quads along the line of the intersection, such strips being 15 attached to a surface by placing fixings such as nails, screws and the like through the thickness of the cover strip and into a wall surface. This method is time consuming, difficult and generally unsatisfactory particularly in situations where one or both surfaces comprises a lining panel and where the timber quad is required to be fixed into a panel, since the nails or screws or similar fixings 20 are preferably driven perpendicularly to the plane of a panel so as to avoid the fixing penetrating a panel in a location close to a frail edge of the panel, however, the visible mounting face of such quad is not in the same general plane as either of the panels, so that the heads of fixings which are driven perpendicular to either panel surface are either exposed somewhat on the 25 mounting face of the quad or are required to be recessed into the mounting face and subsequently concealed with filling material such as putty. This method is also limited to the use of light gauge fixings since heavier gauge fixings can split the slim timber and will also display larger heads. This method also excludes the use of rivets as fixings due to the prohibitive thickness of the solid quad 30 section and the difficulty in concealing unsightly rivet heads.

Also in buildings generally and in particular within existing buildings, regions of mutually inclined abutting surfaces are often utilised to place cables 2 such as telephone cables, television reception cables and the like, since these regions provide the least obtrusive location for placing exposed cabling in situations where it is not possible or convenient to conceal the cabling internally of a wall or roof structure. This method of installing cables is generally 5 unsatisfactory due to the poor visual result and the unsatisfactory isolation of the cables. Various types and cross-secti6nal shapes of cable conduits such as rectangular and round shapes may be used to conceal such cabling but these are generally unsatisfactory since they are commonly obtrusive in shape, are poorly proportioned to blend visually with the surfaces to which they are 10 attached and they often require additional visible fixings or visible mounting brackets for attachment to a surface. Commonly such conduits allow only end entry of cabling into the conduit. Rectangular and round cross-sectionally proportioned conduits are visually unattractive when installed internally of a room and are particularly obtrusive when extended around the corners of a 15 room at floor level since they are necessarily bulky in a direction outwardly from a wall so as to preferably exceed the minimum bending radius restriction of cables contained within the conduit.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a decorative hollow trim which blends aesthetically in the region of mutually inclined abutting surfaces by 20 providing a trim' section containing a hollow void and which has at least two webs, at least one of which can be brought into the planes of the surfaces against which they bear. The second web being a movable web so as to provide access to the void within the section thereby providing a trim section capable of concealing gaps between abutting surfaces as well as concealing 25 heads of fixings which may be used to mount the trim section to a surface. It is an object of the present invention to also provide a trim section which can be simply used to aesthetically conceal cabling in the region of mutually inclined abutting surfaces, whilst providing a simple and effective means for laterally installing cables into the trim section whilst also allowing ease of future 30 maintenance and subsequent access to concealed cables for the purpose of inspection, removal and replacement of cables contained internally of the trim section. pct/au 96/00Z88 RECEIVED 0 7 MAR 1997 According to the present invention there is provided a decorative trim formed from plastics material for trimming along the intersection of mutually inclined surfaces, said trim including: a mounting web for mounting to at least one of the inclined surfaces by 5 fixing means, said mounting web having a first longitudinal edge and second longitudinal edge, a first portion of said mounting web adjacent said first edge, in use being arranged against one of the mutually inclined surfaces, and a second portion of said mounting web adjacent said second edge in use being arranged against the other of the mutually inclined surfaces, whereby a 10 recessed cavity is defined therebetween; and a concealing web for substantially concealing the mounting web and any exposed portions of said fixing means and other elements placed in the cavity, said concealing web having a first longitudinal edge and second longitudinal edge, such that in use, the first longitudinal edge of said concealing web 15 connects with the first longitudinal edge of said mounting web and said second longitudinal edge of said concealing web connects with the second edge of said mounting web; said decorative trim further including a first hinge means being located between said concealing web and either said first longitudinal edge or said 20 second longitudinal edge of said mounting web and said concealing web is releasably connected with the other of said first or second longitudinal edges of the mounting web, whereby said concealing web is at least partially movable away from said mounting web to allow access to said recessed cavity, said first hinge means being formed from a portion of material of higher flexibility relative 25 to the plastics material of at least one of the concealing webs and the mounting web and is integrally formed therewith. This arrangement where the hinge means is formed from a relatively higher flexibility plastics material provides a trim arrangement which is aesthetically attractive while providing trim walls that are sufficiently strong to resist wear and damage in use. Furthermore this 30 arrangement permits selection of various plastics material for use including those which may be readily painted as may be required in many applications. am ENDED SHEET IPEA/AU pct/au 96/00288 rt.cv-£;vtu *j 7 iMAR ; 3a According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a decorative trim formed from plastics material for trimming along the intersection of mutually inclined surfaces, said trim including: a mounting web for mounting to at least one of the inclined surfaces by 5 fixing means, said mounting web having a first longitudinal edge and second longitudinal edge, a first portion of said mounting web adjacent said first edge, in use being arranged against one of the mutually inclined surfaces, and a second portion of said mounting web adjacent said second edge in use being arranged against the other of the mutually inclined surfaces, whereby a recessed cavity is 10 defined therebetween; and a concealing web for substantially concealing the mounting web and any exposed portions of said fixing means and other elements placed in the cavity, said concealing web having a first longitudinal edge and second longitudinal edge, such that in use, the first longitudinal edge of said concealing web 15 connects with the first longitudinal edge of said mounting web and said second longitudinal edge of said concealing web connects with the second edge of said mounting web; said decorative trim further including a first integrally formed hinge means being located between said concealing web and either said first longitudinal 20 edge or said second longitudinal edge of said mounting web and said concealing web is releasably connected to a fastening means with the other of said first or second longitudinal edges of the mounting web, whereby said concealing web is at least partially movable away from said mounting web to allow access to said recessed cavity, said fastening means being such that the 25 decorative trim remains connected at said fastening means whether or not it is mounted along the intersection of the mutually inclined surfaces.

Conveniently the other of said first or second longitudinal edges of the mounting web is releasably connected to said concealing web by fastening means such that the decorative trim remains connected at said fastening means 30 whether or not it is mounted along the intersection of the mutually inclined surfaces. Preferably the fastening means includes a global restraint which may be of the type comprising a male clip member arranged to engage within a amended sheet 'PEA/AU pcr/AU S6/0QZ8& RECEIVED 0 7 MAR 1S97 3b female clip member with a snap fit. The male member may be located either on the concealing web or on the mounting web. Such arrangements enable the trim to be assembled prior to installation and not rely upon the inclined wail surfaces for its self sustaining strength which is an advantage in many 5 applications.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of installing cables in a pre-existing building including the steps of locating a trim as aforesaid over a predetermined length of an intersection between two inclined surfaces, fixing said mounting web to at least one of said inclined 10 surfaces and locating the cable within said recessed cavity.

Preferably the mounting web and the concealing web are adapted to form a triangular or rhombus shape.

Preferably the first longitudinal edge of the concealing web releasably connects with the first longitudinal edge of the mounting web and or the second 15 longitudinal edge of the said concealing web releasably connects with the second longitudinal edge of the mounting web.

According to a further embodiment a first hinge means is provided between the concealing web and the mounting web. The first hinge means may amended sheet 'pea/au 4 be integrally formed with the mounting web and the concealing web. Furthermore, it is preferable that at least one further hinge means is provided between the first portion of the mounting web and the second portion of the mounting web. The further hinge means may also be formed integrally with the 5 mounting web. Preferably, the trim is formed from plastics material and at least one of the hinge means is a portion of material of high flexibility relative to the plastics material and is integrally formed with the plastics material. The trim may be formed as a single substantially planar strip capable of being coiled onto a reel.

It is also preferable to provide a trim wherein the first longitudinal edge of the mounting web releasably connects with the first longitudinal edge of the concealing web with a snap fit arrangement of integrally formed cooperating female and male edge profiles.

The fixing means may include mechanical fasteners and/or adhesives 15 and it is envisaged that communication cables may be placed in the cavity of the mounted trim.

The trim can be combined with complimentary and or decorative attachments such as cover plates, pre-formed corner sections and joiners, cable inlet and or outlet points.

According to one preferred embodiment the mounting web of the trim includes a mounting web portion for fixing the trim to at least one abutting surface and a covering web portion to conceal gaps and heads of fixings in abutting surfaces, the concealing web cooperating with the mounting web portion and the covering web portion for concealing the heads of fixings used to 25 mount the trim section to a surface and for concealing cabling which may be contained internally of the trim section. One side of the mounting web portion is either directly or indirectly attached to the covering web portion along one or more lines through the length of the trim section and the opposite side of the mounting web portion is attached to the concealing web along a line through the 30 length of the trim section. The concealing web is pivotally connected to the mounting web along the line of connection thereto so that the free extremity of the concealing web may be brought to bear against the free extremity of the WO 96/35849 PCT/AU96/00288 covering web by rotation of the concealing web about its pivotal connection to the mounting web. The free extremity of the concealing web and the free extremity of the covering web portion each may contain cooperative formations through the length of the trim section so that both free extremities may be 5 secured to each other by cooperative engagement throughout the length of the trim section.

In use the concealing web is initially detached from the covering web portion to allow cables and fixings such as nails, screws or rivets and the like to be placed through the opening in the trim section. The fixings are placed 10 through the mounting and / or covering web portions and into a surface to which the trim section is to be mounted. Following such attachment of the trim section to a surface, the heads of the fixings bear against the inside surface of the mounting and / or covering web; and cabling placed within the trim section is housed in the void within the trim section. The concealing web is then rotated 15 toward the covering web portion so as to close the opening in the trim section so that cabling and the heads of the fixings are no longer visible. The concealing and covering web portions are then joined along a line through the length of the trim section by virtue of cooperative male and female formations provided in the free extremities of the concealing and covering web portions. In the completed 20 and mounted assembly of the trim section the covering or mounting web portions or both, bear against an abutting surface, and the concealing web extends from the region of the plane of one abutting surface to the region of the plane of the other abutting surface and extends for the length of the trim section. The assembled trim section visually resembles a triangular or curved shaped 25 quad profile and without the cabling or heads of the fixings being visible when the trim section is viewed in a lateral direction toward the trim section. Alternatively the trim section may be mounted to a surface by using adhesives in liquid or tape form between the mounting or covering web portions and the surface to which they are to be attached.

In one possible embodiment of the assembled trim section all webs and web portions are generally thin and generally planer and the mounting and covering web portions are arranged at approximately ninety degrees to each WO 96/35849 PCT/AU96/00288 6 other and the concealing web extends from the mounting web portion to the covering web portion into which it is snap fitted so that the completed assembly has a triangular cross-sectional shape containing a hollow void, in use the mounting and covering web portions each bear against one of the surfaces of a 5 pair of mutually inclined abutting surfaces.

In another possible embodiment the mounting and covering web portions are generally thin and planer and are arranged at approximately ninety degrees to each other and a generally thin concealing web extends from the mounting web portion to the covering web portion in a non-linear decorative 10 fashion such as in an arced shape so that the completed assembly has a generally triangular cross-sectional shape wherein the hypotenuse is non-linear. In use the mounting and covering web portions each bear against one surface of a pair of abutting surfaces.

In another possible embodiment the mounting and / or covering web 15 portions have suitable flexibility so that their cross-sectional shape is adaptable to match the profile shape of the surface against which they bear when such a surface is not singularly planer such as at the top surface of a bevelled skirting mould which meets a wall surface.

In another possible embodiment the line of the pivotal connection 20 between the mounting and concealing webs consist of a hinge or weakened section.

In another possible embodiment the line of the pivotal connection between the mounting and concealing webs consist of a more flexible material than the general material of the strip, such as may be formed by a co- extrusion 25 process.

In another possible embodiment the line or lines of connection between the mounting and covering web portions may also consist of a hinge or weakened section or of a relatively more flexible material than the general material of the trim section so that the covering web portion may be rotated 30 relative to the mounting web portion so that all webs and web portions of the trim section may. be produced in a common plane so that the trim section may be coiled for ease and economy of storage and transport and whereafter the trim WO 96/35849 PCT/AU96/00288 7 may be folded to form a closed triangular or rhomboidal cross sectional shape. The provision of the trim in a coiled form at the site of installation allows it to be cut to length as required which in turn prevents any off-cut wastage.

In another possible embodiment the external surface of the covering web 5 portion or mounting web portion which bears against an abutting surface may contain a plurality of concave formations so that liquid hardenable adhesives may be simply and effectively used to retain the web to the surface against which it bears.

In another possible embodiment the external surface of the covering web 10 portion or mounting web portion may contain formations proportioned so as to cooperate with complementary mating formations contained in a separate mounting bracket which may then be used to indirectly mount the trim section to a surface and whereby the mounting bracket is substantially concealed.

In another possible embodiment either the covering web portion or the 15 mounting web portion or both may be fixed to the abutting surfaces by the use of adhesives such as bonding tapes placed between a web portion and the surface to which the trim section is to be mounted.

Possible and preferred features of the trim section will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However it is to be 20 understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a timber quad strip 9 being used to cover the gap 16 between two abutting surfaces 10 and 11 as used in the prior art. The 25 timber quad strip 9 is also shown covering the head of fixing 15. The fixing 8 and head 12 are shown, the fixing 8 being undesirably located close to the edge of surface 10.

Fig. 2 shows one possible embodiment of the present invention by a perspective view of a length of the trim as supplied in a unitary flat strip which 30 can be coiled for ease of transport and installation on site.

WO 96/35849 PCT/AU96/00288 8 Fig. 3 shows an end elevation of the trim section of Fig. 2, prior to assembly of the trim section wherein the concealing web 3 and covering web portion 2 are detached from each other.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of the trim section at an internal corner and 5 prior to assembly of the trim section and in which the mounting web portion 1 is fixed to one surface 10 of a pair of abutting surfaces 10 and 11 by a screw 8 which is desirably remote from the edge of surface 10. Surfaces 10 and 11 are shown fixed to, and supported by, supports 20 via the fixing nails 15.

Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the trim section of Fig. 4 wherein the 10 concealing web has been assembled to the covering web so as to conceal the cable 13 and the head 12 of the fixing screw 8.

Fig. 6 shows an end elevation of the trim section mounted at the plane of a floor surface and being attached by a screw fixing 16 through the covering web portion 2 and into the face of a floor skirting mould 17.

Fig. 7 shows an end elevation of the trim section embodiment wherein the trim section is mounted at the top surface of a skirting mould 17. In this embodiment the flexible mounting web portion 1 has been adapted to match the profile of the top surface of the skirting mould 17 and the covering web portion 2 is attached to a wall surface 18 by the adhesive bonding tape 19 the edge of 20 which is concealed by the lip 4.

Fig. 8 shows an end view of an embodiment of the trim section wherein all the webs and web portions of the trim section lie in a common plane. The flexible connections 6 between the webs and web portions are also shown.

By referring to Fig. 3 it can be seen that the trim section in this 25 embodiment consists of a mounting web portion 1 pivotally connected along one side to a covering web portion 2, the covering web portion 2 further containing a cooperative snap fit formation 5 at the free extremity of the covering web portion. It can also be seen that the mounting web portion 1 is connected alor>g its opposite side to a concealing web 3 by a pivotal connection 6 and it 30 can also be seen that the concealing web 3 also contains a cooperating snap fit formation 7 for cooperative engagement with the cooperative formation 5.

WO 96/35849 PCT/AU96/00288 9 By referring to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 it can be seen that the trim section is to be installed by first placing the mounting web portion 1 of the un-assembled trim section against a surface 10 and then placing fixing 8 through the mounting web portion and into the surface 10, the covering web portion 2 bearing against 5 the other surface 11. The cable 13 is then inserted into the void 14 within the trim section. The concealing web 3 is then assembled to the covering web portion 2 by the complimentary snap fit formations 7 and 5. The heads 12 of the fixing screws 8 and also the cable 13 are thereby concealed.

By referring to Fig. 5 it can be seen that the assembled trim section forms 10 a generally triangular configuration in which the heads 12 of the fixings 8 and also the cable 13 are concealed from view when the trim section is viewed from a lateral direction toward the trim section.

By the use of trim sections of this type, gaps and heads of fixings in mutually inclined abutting surfaces may be simply, effectively and attractively 15 concealed without any heads of any fixings being visible in the abutting surfaces or in the trim section itself and without the need for countersinking the concealing member to conceal the heads of fixings and without the need for putty to conceal fixing head cavities, and without being restricted to light gauge fixing materials; and without restricting the use of fixing materials such as rivets; 20 and without difficulty in locating fixings remote from a frail edge of a panel. By the use of trim sections of this type, long cables such as transmission cables may be simply and effectively housed by inserting such cables through the trim section opening and into the void prior to assembly of the closed trim section, the cables so housed may be subsequently easily inspected and replaced as 25 required.

In using trim sections of this type, cables may be housed and correctly radiused around corners at floor level within a room without the housing being obtrusively high and bulky above the level of the floor surface.

The trim section according to the present invention is preferably 30 produced in long lengths and may be constructed of thin resilient type materials such as plastics and the like. In particular trim sections of this type may be formed as a unitary device by the process of plastic extrusion or plastic co-extrusion.

Although particularly described for use in concealing gaps and heads of fixings and cables in the region of mutually inclined abutting surfaces as 5 encountered in the building and construction industry, the trim section may also be used in other applications such as for decoratively concealing gaps and cables for panels and cable wiring as used in display partitions and the like.

It is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and / or additions may be made to the features of the possible and preferred 0 embodiments of the invention as herein described without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (22)

pct/au 96/00288 RECEIVED 0 7 MAR 13S 11 THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A decorative trim for trimming along the intersection of mutually inclined surfaces, said trim including: a mounting web for mounting to at least one of the inclined surfaces by fixing means, said mounting web having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, a first portion of said mounting web adjacent said first longitudinal edge in use being angled with respect to a second portion of said mounting web adjacent said second longitudinal edge, whereby a recessed cavity is defined between the first and second portions of the mounting web; and a concealing web for substantially concealing the mounting web and any exposed portions of said fixing means and other elements placed in the recessed cavity, said concealing web having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge; and a first hinge connection between either the first or second longitudinal edge of the concealing web and either the first or second longitudinal edge of the mounting web, whereby said concealing web is at least partially movable away from said mounting web to allow access to said recessed cavity, said decorative trim further including a releasable connection between the other of the first or second longitudinal edge of the concealing web and the other cf the first or second longitudinal edge of the mounting web, such that the decorative trim has a self retained cross-sectional shape including said recessed cavity whether or not it is mounted along the intersection of the mutually inclined surfaces.

2. A decorative trim according to claim 1 wherein the first hinge connection comprises a weakened section such as a reduced wall thickness.

3. A decorative trim according to claim 1 wherein the first hinge connection comprises a portion of material of higher flexibility relative to the material of at least one of the concealing web and the mounting web, the material of higher amended sheet •pea/au pct/au 9 5/ 00286 RECeiVFn 0 7 MAR 1997 12 flexibility being formed integrally with the material of the concealing web and the mounting web.

4. A decorative trim according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the releasable connection comprises a global restraint.

5. A decorative trim according to claim 4 wherein the global restraint includes co-operating male and female formations, one of each said male or female formations being along either the first or second longitudinal edge of the concealing web and the mounting web such that the said concealing web and the said mounting web are capable of a snap fit connection.

6. A decorative trim according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one further hinge means is provided between the first portion of the mounting web and the second portion of the mounting web.

7. A decorative trim according to claim 6 wherein the or each said further hinge means is integrally formed with the said mounting web.

8. A decorative trim according to claim 7 wherein the or each said further hinge means is formed by a portion of material of high flexibility relative to the material of the mounting web.

9. A decorative trim according to claim 7 wherein the or each said further hinge means is formed by a weakened portion of material such as a reduced wall thickness relative to the wp'l thickness of either side of the said further hinge means.

10. A decorative trim according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mounting web is laterally segmented so that the trim may be formed as a single substantially planar strip capable of being coiled onto a reel. AMENDED SHEET •PEA/AU pct/AU 9 6/ 0 0 2 8 8 RECEIVED 0 7 MAR 193 13

11. A decorative trim according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fixing means includes hardenable adhesives in liquid form, the decorative trim having a self retained shape.

12. A decorative trim according to any one of the preceding claims wherein its self retained cross sectional shape allows the addition of pre-formed complimentary and or decorative attachments such as fixed size cover plates, comer sections, joiners and cable inlet and outlet points.

13. A decorative trim according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said mounting web and said concealing web are assembled to form a rigid triangulated shape.

14. A decorative trim according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said mounting web and said concealing web are adapted to form a generally rhombus shape.

15. A decorative trim according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the concealing web has a non-linear shape in a transverse direction.

16. A decorative trim according to an', one of the preceding claims wherein at least the concealing web is formed from a stiff material such as a rigid plastic material.

17. A decorative trim according to any one of the preceding claims wherein it is a unitary device formed by the process of plastic extrusion.

18. A decorative trim according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one portion of the mounting web contains a bond means such as an adhesive tape. amended sheet PCT/AU j o /" 0 0 2 8 8 RECEIVED 0 7 MAR 1997 14

19. A method of installing cables in a pre-existing building including the steps of locating a trim according to claim 1 over a predetermined length of an intersection between two inclined surfaces, fixing said mounting web to at least one of said inclined surfaces and locating the cable within said recessed cavity.

20. A method of trunking cables whereby at least one cable is placed in a decorative trim according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

21. A decorative trim substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A method of trunking cables substantially as hereinbefore described witb reference to the accompanying drawings. SKP//ML/JZ DOC 7 PC009600288.WPC EN0 OF CUM® AMENDED SHEET IPEA/AU