Patent Application
20090139168
None
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Molding and trim for interior rooms are known in the art. However, interior trim is typically installed at the completion of a construction process and comprises various lengths of milled wood, nailed into the walls and ceiling of a room that must be removed prior to replacement or repair. This time consuming process is typically performed by professional carpenters. Therefore, there is a need for an interior trim system that can be installed over existing trim pieces by a lay person without removing existing trim.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,276 to Pinto et al discloses an overlay molding strip that can be used to cover an existing molding. Although the purpose of this strip is similar to the present invention, it differs in both structure and function. The present invention is directed to a two piece interlocking molding to cover an existing molding, whereas Pinto discloses a single piece with a notch cut out of the back. Additionally, Pinto is designed to be installed in the same manner as any ordinary molding, i.e.; by nailing it into position, whereas the present invention is designed to be glued into place and comprises a waterproof, mold and mildew impervious, and termite proof molding. Furthermore, the present invention comprises end caps that allow the basebord to adjoin an existing door casing without leaving an overhang at the front edge of the board where it adjoins the casing; an improvement not contemplated by Pinto.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an interior trim system comprising baseboards, casings, crown moldings and window sill caps, comprised of an extruded plastic material that can be easily cut, including pre-mitered corner pieces, that can be installed using instant-hold glue, while obviating the need for painting.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an interior trim system in a variety of sizes and colors, using a waterproof material that will not mold or mildew, is impervious to termites, wherein the system can be installed directly over existing trim.
An interior room trim system consisting of two-piece baseboards, door and window casings, crown molding and window sill cap pieces, including a template and miter guide for accurately cutting the pieces; to be installed by persons with little or no carpentry experience, including homeowners. The baseboards are installed over existing baseboards, the door and window casings are installed over existing casings, the crown molding is installed over a series of crown molding support members, and the window sill cap is installed over an existing window sill. The members of the system are affixed in place with a gluing means, including a fast acting and instant grab glue that allows for slight adjusting before setting. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the members are comprised of plastic, including a polymer, and are finished so that no painting is necessary.
The baseboard comprises a two piece system, a bottom member and top member, that installs over an existing baseboard. The bottom member and top member fit in a nested configuration. The bottom of the top member comprises a notch to receive and support the bottom member and creates a reveal to the baseboard. End caps comprising a bottom member and a top member corresponding to the bottom and top members of the baseboard are used with existing door casings to cleanly terminate the baseboard against an existing casing. In the event the door and window casing of the instant invention is used in connection with the baseboards, no end cap is necessary.
In order to install the baseboard of the present invention, in an embodiment where end caps are used, a small section of existing baseboard adjacent to an existing door casing is notched out, and the bottom and top members of an end cap are affixed in position at the terminus of the existing baseboard. Thereafter, the remaining required lengths of baseboard are measured, and two boards, one comprising the bottom member, and one comprising the top member are cut to the appropriate length, using the miter guide if necessary. The baseboards are also manufactured with miters to accommodate an inside corner and outside corner, as well as adjoining to baseboard members along a straight run.
The door and window casing is a notched casing that fits over an existing door or window casing. The casing comprises an enlarged casing, including a four inch door casing of the same profile as the baseboard. The door and window casings are used to cover a pre-existing casing, and obviate the need for baseboard end caps.
The crown molding of the present invention comprises a series of tubular triangular support members affixed to a wall and ceiling, and a series of crown molding members affixed to the exposed face of the support members. The crown molding members have mitered ends similar to the base boards. The crown molding is manufactured, like the baseboards, with miters to accommodate inside and outside corners. The inside and outside corner crown molding members have pre-cut compound miters that adjoin at a corner, and are mitered to adjoin straight run crown molding members.
The window sill cap is installed over an existing window sill. Using a template included as a part of the system, including a template built into the packaging, the window sill cap can be trimmed along trim lines at the sides and rear of the sill cap to fit a variety of standard size window sills. The system also comprises a miter guide to ensure accurate angles when cutting the various pieces of trim. The miter guide slides over a piece of trim such as a baseboard and is used as a guide for cutting to make accurate forty five degree bevels. FIGURES
The present invention comprises an interior room trim system comprising of baseboards, door and window casings, crown molding and window sill cap pieces, including a template and miter guide for accurately cutting the pieces; to be installed by persons with little or no carpentry experience, including homeowners. The baseboards are installed over existing baseboards, the door and window casings are installed over existing casings, the crown molding is installed over a series of crown molding support members, and the window sill cap is installed over an existing window sill. The members of the system are affixed in place with a gluing means, including a fast acting and instant grab glue that allows for slight adjusting before setting. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the members are comprised of plastic, including a polymer, and are finished so that no painting is necessary.
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In order to install the baseboard of the present invention, in an embodiment where end caps are used, a small section of existing baseboard adjacent to an existing door casing is notched out, and the bottom and top members of an end cap are affixed in position at the new terminus of the existing baseboard. Thereafter, the remaining required length of baseboard is measured, and two boards, one comprising the bottom member, and one comprising the top member are cut to the appropriate length, using the miter guide if necessary.
The end caps, packaged separately in one embodiment, are mitered to align with the baseboards. In various preferred embodiments, the baseboards are manufactured in six inch and eight inch sizes, and may be manufactured with multiple profile styles.
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In order to install the crown molding, the support members 52 are adhered to the walls and ceiling of a room at 16 inch intervals. This distance corresponds to the length of the crown molding members, so that each support member is able to support the proximal end of one crown molding member, and the distal end of an adjacent crown molding member.
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All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6.
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.
