Patent Application
20090158681
The present invention relates to decorative molding. In particular, this invention relates to encasement moldings and encasement molding systems for use on interior molding trim at desired locations.
Interior moldings, such as crown moldings, are commonly used in the beautification of interior spaces including office buildings and homes.
Specifically, building panels such as walls and ceilings may be decorated with ornaments such as cornices, covings, picture rails, ceiling roses, skirting boards and timber moldings that cover joints or otherwise provide decoration.
Interior molding encapsulates a large family of moldings which are designed to flare out to a finished top edge; generally used for capping walls, pilasters, cabinets; used extensively in the creation of interior and exterior cornice assemblies and door and window hoods. interior molding is typically applied along the seams where ceiling meets wall. Usually it is not placed flush against the wall nor against the ceiling. Instead, when viewed from the molding's end, it, the ceiling, and the wall form a triangle. This adds a difficulty to the installation process, namely the need for complex cuts to form corners where two walls meet.
In recent times, interior moldings have generally made their appearance as mostly decorated plaster or wooden trim where walls meet ceilings. These types of ornaments are particularly common in older houses under restoration, or as reproductions that give a new house a traditional appearance. Interior moldings are typically made of wood or plaster, which makes them difficult and expensive to remove for the purposes of replacement. Accordingly, replacing interior moldings can be a very expensive and time-consuming endeavor. The prior art has not solved the need for a encasement interior molding which can overlay existing interior molding in such a way as to eliminate the need to completely replace existing, interior molding. By providing an interior molding encasement system, the present invention greatly enhances the ability to replace or repair interior moldings by reducing the expense and time in replacing the existing interior molding.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/008,548 filed Dec. 20, 2007, the contents being incorporated herein by reference. The problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art are overcome by the present invention, which includes an encasement system for replacing interior molding. In one aspect, the invention provides an additional molding trim installed as an overlay to the existing trim piece.
In one preferred embodiment thereof, the present invention is an overlay molding comprised to match in length the preexisting molding trim where the sides and corners of the overlay will have a fittment to the sides and corners of the preexisting molding and will adhere to the preexisting molding. End molding sections are applied to encapsulate a change in direction or completion of the trim. Each unit will be fitted as desired. A variety of methods as known in the art to attach the decorative members to existing trim can alternatively be used, including the use of screws, adhesives, and nails per best carpentry methods.
This, it can be seen that the present invention provides one secure fit and encasement over the predetermined sections. The present invention further provides a method of attaching sections of planar members to side and corner moldings where the molding has a flat face and right angle corners. Each channel on the planar surface shall mate with the flat right angle corners of the preexisting molding. Such attachments thereby form corners that have a channel and cut out. The step of attaching the substantially rectangular edge within the channel is alternately performed in the methods discussed above, and through other methods as knows in the art.
Therefore, the primary object of the present inventions is to provide an inventive molding which is used to decorate the traditional plain molding trim while keeping the sections substantially perpendicular to each other and tight, smooth joints exist and end pieces. Further the present invention provides solid fitment and attached planar members to the preexisting molding to promote smooth, tight transitions to the planar members.
Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on a reading of the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are given below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The decorative style of the encasement molding including the radiuses on the exterior of the encasement molding is not defined because this invention is directed to the interior attachment to the preexisting molding. Accordingly, the decorative cut will vary pending on the style desired. Longitudinal channel 2 is the interior area of the encasement molding 21 that fits over the existing window case molding. As described above, the molding 21 then can be secured to the wall and preexisting molding by any affixing means, including nailing, screws and other adhesives.
It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61008548 | Dec 2007 | US |
