US2350790A - Trim for plumbing fixtures - Google Patents

Description

June 6, 1944. MCCA THY 2,350,790

TRIM FOR PLUMBING FIXTURES Filed July 31, 1941 Patented June 6, 1944 2.350390 @TmM oR- PLUMBINQ FIXTURES J. .fila ienoe ,McCarthy, Manheim Township, Lancaster County, .Pa., assignor to Armstrong of lennsylvania orkCompany, 'Lancaster,''Pa.,a corporation QApplicationJnlyjl, 1941,. senor Nocoaws' f 13 Claims This invention relates to decorativeimolding-or .trimfor plumbing fixtures suchas bathtub s,- sinks, ,washtubs, lavatories -o-r analogous articles :and, more. :particularly to a trim-'member tier: connecting cri-joiningwall covering installed on thewalls otafroom. and the rim or -edg e of -a plumbing fixture in suchjmanner as :to obviate unsightly cracks or. gaps therebetweenandseepage vorspenetration of splashed water into ,the plaster and its subsequent infiltrationinto {the backing of the. wall covering. and theadhesivernsedsto. secure it. in place. I

,fBuilt-in bathtubs, ,for example, as installed inrdwellings lorotherabuildings, -.are usually set into-anook inthe bathroom andcontact with the .WfilLOf: the roonnoh three sides, :ontheyare located. i i-the. corner ofthezroom and engage two wall-S. of the, room. ,-.In..the installation .of. linoleum .wa'll covering, such-covering is. adhesively secured .totheplastered-walls of the room and may extend to .the rim .of the bathtub. Insomecases, he hack surface ofthe coverin adl'acent thetub is covered with waterproof cement to.'.preve nt-penetration -of moisture to. the shack ,of tl'1e covering andv subsequent deterioration .of .the covering. Linoleum ...type wall coverin .of course, is composed of .a thin layer .of linoleun'rcomposition alcndered on a woven iabric .backing .such .as

.cl s ly W ven cottonv sheetin l the tubgenera y moves away from thewall cover-- j ns nd pens a considerable.crackorteanh tween the tub .andthe covering. IIjhjs liseuns ghtlyand .d t tsi om a p arance of the installation .as Well as permitsgsplashed water to. seep .or

p netrate bet en the tub and the coverin Even though the, rearsurface at the edge ,ofthe a l o n e m isture resistant; because .ofthe application of Waterproof cement thereto .in .the

installation of. thecovering, .the plaster coating on the wall absorbsmoistureand by capilla y attraction transfers the absorbed moisture to, the

fabric backing of the .wall covering. vAbsQlfpti'on vof. moisture bythe fabric backing. deteriorates the wall covering with resulting looseningofthe bond between it. and the wall-and in many. casesseri- Qusly afiects ,the complete. installation requiring repla ement of ..the .wall covering.

.The chief objector .myLinvention is to provid .a decorative .trim member. for. connectin or Join- .ing..1i.noleum-.w.al1.covering. installed ton the Walls 55 settling of the structure.

of a room and. theledge .or .rim .of a. plumbing fixturesuch .asa. bathtub, .sink,.washtub ,l lavatory or analogous .article :..disp.osed .adiacent. thereto. An obj ectof. my. inventioniseto provide-means to eliminate .or conceal unsightlygapsoncracksbe: tween ..the tub and I the :WfilL covering created. by A ,-further.. object. is to provide .a substantially water i ht Joint between the installed wall coverineandtherim oithe tub. .A still further-object.istmpmvidria,joint construction betweentthe- .rim oibuilteinhathtubs and the loweredgeof installed linoleum'w'all covering which is. eflective :to .l'eliminate the obiectionablez appearance createdbyrsettling. of the tub after. the installation is. completedeandgv'vhich ,serves to. preventpenetrationof.water to the;back of .the covering. A still mother-object ,is to pro,-

vide a -.trim member for bathtubs .Which.. is fedonomical, easily. and -.qnicl ly installed,. and which contains .an -.element,.n1ovable to conceal-hr hide any gap or. crack between. the Lfim ofrthertuh and the .installediwall covering.

This invention relates .,.to La trim plumbing vfixtures .whichnomprisesa' wehhavin .a recess therein adaptedtoreceiveandlto conceal the edgeof .a walleoveringand a..socket;.'ior;.the

reception of afixtureengaging,.member and 'a fixtureengagingmembersegured.in. said socket. Preferably ,the fixture enga ing. membernis'. irictionallyheldin th e socket: and. is .movable,..d,ow l

awardly to conceal any gap ,or crack betweenjthe .rim of the tuband thewall covering while it-is (end, Wall coverin adhesiyely .securell-to w'the plastered .wall .of ,a room and .spaced from .the fixture, and .a trim memberdisposed between and substantially closing the space-between the fixture and the -.wall. covering. The .trim member. comprises .a web having a recess which receives the 1 edge of the .wall covering .and a socket .ior .the rece tion of ,a. fixture engaging member. and 1 a .fixture engaging mernherfrictionally retained. in .thesoeket and ,enea inethe fixture.v lBrefer'ably, a .gasket is provided -in, the struotureedisposjed rearwardly. of thefixtureengaging membe and compressed between the. rim of -.the.fixturesand the The attached drawing illustratesfirpreierncd h embodiment. of my inventiongniniwhioh Eieurelis a.fra mentaryrnerspeo iveiziew.bi

room having a wall covered with linoleum wall covering and a built-in bathtub connected and joined by the trim member of my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view in exaggerated scale of the building construction, illustrating the use of the trim member;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the trim member; i V

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the gasket used to seal the building structure; and

Figure is a sectional view, similar to Figure 2, illustrating the use of a modified form of trim member.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown in Figure 1 a built-in bathtub 2 placed in a corner of a room adjacent two walls of the room. It will be understood, of course, the tub 2 may be disposed in a nook in a room and thus engage three walls of the room. Generally, suitable studding 3 is. provided to form supporting framework for the wall, which may be composed of plaster lath or plasterboard 4; a layer or coating of plaster 5 is placed thereover and forms the exposed surface, of the wall prior to the application of the wall covering. The corners of the room may be rounded by means of fillet strips 6 composed of any suitable material. Linoleum like wall covering 1 i adhesively bonded to the plaster coating 5 and forms the decorative wall covering; the covering 1 extends adjacent, but not in contact with the upper edge or rim 8 of the tub 2, leaving an open space or gap therebetween. Disposed between the edge of the wall covering 1 and therim 8 of the tub 2,is a trim member 9 which serves tofill the space between the covering and "the rim of thetub and enhances the appearance of the finished installation. The member 9 may be formed of any suitable material which is water resistant,noncorrosive, and which may be economically and quicklyshaped to desired form: preferablythose portions of the trim member 9 exposed to view areformed of stainless steel,

while those portions not exposed to view may .be formed of a cheaper material such as cold rolled steel or, if desired, member 9 may be molded of anysuitable plastic composition.

p, member 9 comprises a web III which extends downwardly, outwardly and upwardly form- 'ing a channel or recess ll adapted to receive the [edge of wall covering 1. A flange l2 extends outwardly and downwardly from the web l0 and forms, in combination with the outer wall of the channel or recess H, a socket l3 for the reception of a fixture engagingmember I 4. The flange l2 preferably isintegrallyunited with the Web ID.

'to be nailed, to the supporting framework of the .wall to retain the trim member in predetermined positionjin thestructure. The downwardly extending portion H! of the web 1, which forms therear wall'oi the recess H, may be deformed by embossing, corrugating, or the like, if desired, to assist in bonding thelinoleum wall covering in the recess.

V Fixtureengaging member I 4 comprises an upper portion l4 adapted to be disposed within the socket l3 and to be retained therein by a frictional or force fit. The lower portion ll" of member In is curved outwardly and downwardly and is adapted to engage the rim of the plumbing fixture 2. Member I4 is movable downwardly when the structure is in use to engage the rim of the plumbing fixture while frictionally retained in socket l3 and .thus may be moved downwardly to conceal any crack or gap between the trim member and the tub created by settling of the tub or expansion and contraction of the structural members of the house.

The edge of the linoleum wall covering I disposed in the channel or reces H in the member '9preferably is coated or embedded in a layer of waterproof cement to prevent direct access of splashed water to the backing of the covering. The recess II is so designed as to prevent the layer of cement being noticeable and hence it does not detract from the appearance of the finished installation.

A gasket I8 is disposed between the trim member S'and the rim 8 of the tub 2 to seal the space therebetween and thus prevent penetration of splashed Water rearwardly of the tub and its in filtration into the plaster coating and the backingof the wall covering. The gasket I8 is flanged as shown in Figure 4 and may be formed of rub- ,ber, artificial rubber or other flexible, resilient,

water resistant material.

To aid in a full and complete understanding of my invention, I will describe the construction of a completed installation. Tub 2 is disposed in desired position, as shown in a corner of a room adjacent to a wall, althoughas previously discussed, it may be placed in a nook in a room in which caseitiwould be adjacent three walls ,of' the room. Gasket'IB is adhesively secured to :the. rear portion of the rim 8 of tub 2 as shown in, f ures land 2. Trim member 9 is secured in position with member l4 against the rim of the tub 2 andis fastened in such position by any suitable means; forexample, member 9 may be nailed or bolted to .the wall supporting frame- -work of the room. Member I4 is disposed tightly against the fixture to ensure the maximum move- ;ment downwardly in the event the fixture settles. Trim member 9 is disposed, preferably, in such position that the lower wall of the plaster channel l6 engages and deforms or compresses gasket is to some extent; it will be understood the gasket may be placed between some other .portion of member 9 and the rim 8 of the tub 2 since all that is required is that it seal the opening or space between the covering 5 and the 'rim of tub 2 to prevent seepage of splashed water rearwardly of the tub. That is, gasket l8 may ,be disposed in the structure rearwardly of the fixture engaging member and may be deformed (between the rim 8 of tub 2 and any suitable porltion of the trim 9 thus securely sealing the space therebetween and preventing penetration of water rearwardly of tub 2. Plaster coating 5 is then spread on the walls of the room and extends into and fills plaster. channel l6 formed by plate l5 fmember 9. It will be noted plaster coating 5 is spaced from the rim 8 of tub 2 which aids in preventing penetration of splashed water into the coating; it is also protected by the sheathing 1 formedby plate l5. When the plaster coating 5 has dried to a suitable extent, the wall is in condition to receive the linoleum like wall covering 1. A layer of suitable adhesive is spread over the plaster layer 5 and the linoleum wall covering 1 is disposed thereon and is bonded to thezwallzthereby; Ihelo'wer edgesof LWZJIL'QOVBI- ing 'ljfits iinto and nests in the channel "or a recess 1 l .in member 9 thus :concealingit from view. Preferably, such edge of the ilinoleumxwa'llcovering "1 is embedded or covered with waterproof cement toiobvlate. anyrp'ossibility of direct penetration of water to the J'fabric backing of the coveringaand', if desired, suchzrecess may besubstantially'filledwith waterproof cement. The installation is 'now complete and ready for use. Fixture:l4 isretained inithe' socket ['3 of-member 9 solely byforces of ifriction and may, of course, beamoved downwardly to aiurther-extent-to close any :gap or crack created by settlingofthe tub in use.

In Figure :5, :I have shown a modified form of my"inventionv-particularly adaptedifor usein existing structures to eliminate unsightly gaps betweentthe-wall covering "1 and the rim 8.0f'the plumbing fixture. 'Trim'member 9 is generally similar to that shown iniFigures ':1,.2, and'3 but does not include plate l5 forming a plaster receivingchannel. Likewiseyif desired, the gasket Mumay be omitted-'fromrthe structure, the plaster coating 5 being prefer-ably spaced from the rim 8 l of the -plumbing .fixture to prevent infiltration ct splashed water thereinto. Y'Irim -member 9 may benailedithrough the plaster lath orplasterboard l'tothe wall supporting studding"3. Trim 8 comprisesweb'llllforming-recess H for the-receptionof .zwall covering- 8, and socket l'3 "for the reception of fixture engaging member 14 "held therein by a frictional'or forcefit. Member 9 is secured in place in the structure and member 54' moved downwardly to-engage rim B of the plumbing fixture-thus concealing the gap or crack between .the covering 1 and the rim8 of the Suitable snap-on f asteriingsor end 4 stops may be provided to conccal t'he ends of the trim member; although thisisgenerally not necessary since such ends are preferablyshapedto present an attractiveappearance. "Thetrim member may be suitably curved around corners if desired but it is preferred to provide suitable corner members adapted to receive or engage an end of the trim member;

*fltwillbe understood plaster'coatings may be omitted if desired and the trim member and wall covering installed adjacent or to the wall or building board. 'In such case, of course, the plate forming a plaster receiving channel maybe omit- :ted' from the trim member.

WhilelI have described-my invention with particular reference to its use with linoleum wallcovering,.itwillbe observed it'is also of advantage in connectionwith installation of similar or other types of wallcovering such as ceramic tiling, decorated fiber or wallboard or the'like in new or existing structures and'enhances the appearance of the structure in which such coverings are used. I

My invention provides a trim member for plumbing fixtureswhich adequately and satisfactorily closes the spacebetween the rim of the fixture and'the wall covering. Any crack or gap created by settling cf the fixture may be closed merely'by'moving'the fixture engaging member downwardly. The jointbetween the-covering and the fixture is :sealed to prevent penetration of splashed waterrearwardlyrof the fixture. -The plaster coating is spaced'fromth rim of then);- ture" which prevents infiltration of "water therein and itssubsequent transfer bycapillary attraction tat-he backof: the wall covering. The-trim memher army invention nermitsnan attract ve; inst llationtobe obtained andeffectively prevents ,deterioration of theicovering rby splashedwater and the :subsequent failure of the: installation. It is inexpensive-in -man'ufacture and may 7 be *quickly and-easilyinstalled -by-unskilled:workmen;

-While-I have described andillustrated a-pree ferredem'bodiment :o'f 'my invention, it will *be understood cny invention is not limited thereto since it may be otherwise em'bddied "Wit-hinthe scope of'the following claims:

*1. A--trim-membe'r for plumbing fixtures com prising :a web extending downwardly, outwardly, and upwardly forming a recess-for the reception of theedgeof 'a :wall covering, a plate extending downwardly. inwardly and upwardly forming a plaster receiving channel, the downwardly extending portions of said plate and said web be ing secured-to one another,i a "flan e extending outwardly and downwardly from the" upwardly extending portion of said weband'formingthere with'a socket fortbe receptionofa-fixture en gaging member, and a fixture engagingmember frictionally retained insaid socketisa'id member having a-convex portion adapted to engage the fixture andbeing movable to engage" the'fixture whilefrictionally held'in said socket.

:2.-1n a building constructionf the combination of a plumbing fixture "having a rim mamas upper end, wall covering -adhesively securedto the plastered wall' of a room and spacedfrom said'fi-xture, and a trim member disposed between and substantially closing thespa'ce'betweenflthe fixtureand the wall covering, said mem r com prising a web extending downwardly, outwardly, and upwardlyiforming are'cess which receivesthe edge of the wall covering, a plate extending downf wardly, inwardly'andupwardly forming aplaster receiving channel, the, downwardly extending portions of said plateand said web being. secured to one another, a flange extending outwardly. and downwardly from the upwardly extendingpere tion of said web and forming therewith a socket f th r eption of a fi ur en agingl'member. a ure en a -member rrict onallr retained in said socket, said member having an arcuate portion adapted toen age he fixture landqbeine movable with .respect ,to .the .fixture. while -.it v.is ,frictionallyheld .in said. socket; and a gasket disposed .rearwardly of said fixture engaging member and .compressedbetween the .rim. .of the fixture and the plate sealing the: spacetherebetweenthereby preventingaccess. of splashed water to the plastered wall of the room and. subsequent infiltration .thereof to the....back of the .wall

covering. 3. A building constructioncaccording toclaim ,2 in .which the gasket is adhesively securedito the .rim of the plumbing fixture. I

"4. A trim, member-for plumbing-fixtures .com-

, prising an elongatedw channel-shaped. web .mem-

ber adapted :to receive and toeoncealthe edge of awall covering, a flange extendingfrombne of the'walls of, the channelshaped to define, in

combination with said wall,-a socket opening in --a directioncpposite the-direction'of said channel,

prisin an elongated hannel shaped --,web' merr berzadaptedztn :receive and to; .cq fmfieli the edge of'the wall coveringjaifi'ange extending'from.

one of'thewallsioi' the'channel shaped to define in combination with said wall, a'socketopenin in a direction opposite the direction of said channel, and a fixture engaging 'member frictionally retained in said socket throughout the length thereof and'ex'tending' outwardly from said" socket for engagement with a plumbing fixture, said'member'being' movable outwardly toengage the fixture while frictionally held in said socket.

'7. A trim member for-plumbing fixtures comprising an elongated channel-shaped web mem-' ber adapted to receive and to conceal the edge of a wall covering, a flange extending from one of'the'walls of the channel shaped 'to' define, in combination with said wall, a socket opening in a-direction opposite the direction of said chan nel; a-- fixture-engaging member frictionally retained in said socket throughout the length thereof and extending outwardly from said socket for en agement with a plumbing fixture,

said member being movable outwardly to engage the fixture while frictiona-lly held in saidsocket, and a plaster receiving channel-shaped member secured to the opposite wall of the first-named channel and opening in the same direction as said first-named channel.

8. A trim member for plumbing fixtures comprising an elongated channel-shaped web mem ber adapted to receive and to conceal the edge of, a wall covering, a flange extending-from one of the walls of the channel shaped toidefine,

in combination with said wall, a socket opening in ,a direction oppositev the direction of; said channel, a fixture engaging member frictionally retained in said socket throughout the length thereof and extending outwardly from said socket for engagement with a plumbing fixture, said member being movable outwardly to engage the fixture while frictionally held in saidsocket, and a plate forming a plaster receiving channel, said plate extending from the otherwall of said first-named channel, said plaster receiving channel opening in the same direction as said first-named channel. a

9. A trim member for plumbing fixtures comprising an elongated channel-shaped webrmember adapted to receive and to conceal the edge of a wall covering, a flange extending from one of the walls of the channel shaped to define, in combination with said wall, a socket opening in a direction opposite the direction of said channel, a fixture engaging member frictionally retained in said socket throughout the length thereof and extending outwardly from said socket'for engagement with a plumbing fixture, said member being movable outwardly to engage the fixture while frictionallyheld in said socket, said member including a socket engaging portion and an 'arcuate portion extending therefrom adapted to engage the fixture, and a plate forming a plasterreceiving channel; said plate being secured to the other wall of said first-named channeLIsaid plaster receiving'channel opening in the same direction as said first-named channel.

10. In a building constructiom-the combination of a plumbing fixture having a rim around its upper end, wall covering adhesively' secured to the wall of the room and spaced from said fixture, and a trim member disposed between and substantially closing the space between said fixture and the wall covering, said member comprising an elongated channel-"shaped web member adapted to receive and to conceal the edge of the wall covering, a flange extending from one of the walls of the channel shaped to define; in combination with said wall, a'socket opening in' a" direction opposite the direction of said channel, and 'a'fixture-engaging member fric tionally retained in said socket throughout the length thereof and extending outwardly from said socket for engagement with the plumbing fixture. 11'. In a building construction, the combination of a plumbing fixture having a rim around its upper end, wall covering adhesively secured to the wall ofthe room and spaced'from said fixture, and a trim member disposed between andsubstantially closing the space between said fixture and the wall covering,said membercom prising an elongated channel shaped web'mem ber adapted to receive and to conceal the edge of the wall covering, a socket opening in'a di-' rection opposite the direction of said'channel, and a fixture-engaging. member frictionally re tained in said socket throughout the length thereof and extending outwardly from said socket for engagement with the plumbingfixture, said member being movable outwardly to engage the fixture while frictionally held-in said so'cket.'

12.'In' a building construction; the combina tion of a plumbing fixture having a rim around its upper end, wall covering adhesively secured to the plaster wall ofa room and spaced'froni the rim of said fixture, and a, trim member disposed between and substantially closing the space between the fixture and the wall covering, said member comprising an elongatedv channel-shaped web member adapted to receive and to conceal the edge of the wall covering, a socket opening in a direction opposite the direction of said channel, and a fixture-engaging member frictionally retained in said socket throughout the length thereof and extending'outwardly from said socket for engagement with the plumbing fixture, said member being movable to engage the fixture while frictionally held in saidsocket, and a gasket disposed rearwardly of said fixture engaging member and between the rim of said fixture and a portion of said trim member sealing the space therebetween to prevent access of splashed waterto' the plastered wall of the room and. subsequent infiltration to the back of the wall covering.

13. In a building construction, the combination of a plumbing fixture having a, rim around its upper end, wall covering adhesively secured to the plaster wall of a room and spaced from the rim of said fixture, and a. trim member disposed between and substantially closing the space between the fixture and the wall covering, said member comprising an elongated channelshaped 'web member adapted to receive and to conceal the edge of thewall covering, a-socke't opening in a direction opposite the direction of said channel, and a fixture-engaging :membe'r frictionally retained in said socket throughout the length thereof and extending outwardly from said socket for engagement with the plumbing fixture, said member being movable to engage the fixture while frictionally held in said socket, and a gasket disposed rearwardly of said fixtureengaging member and compressed between the rim of said fixture and a portion of said trim member sealing the space therebetween to prevent access of splashed water to the plastered wall of the room and subsequent infiltration to 5 the back of the wall covering.

J. CLARENCE MCCARTHY.

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