Patent Application
20130199125
Oftentimes residential and commercial buildings will include exterior structural details such as decks, pergolas, and the like. Such external: structures are, more times than not, supported above the ground using a plurality of support posts. Such support posts are provided using a variety of different materials, including wood, concrete, composite materials, metals, and the like. While the supports provide a necessary support function, they lack decorative appeal and, at times, can be an eyesore to the overall external structure.
Previous attempts to conceal or otherwise decorate the support posts of external structures have met with mixed results. In some applications, decorative columns are prepared that arc split longitudinally and provided with a hollow interior. The columns are then used to encase each individual support post and are permanently secured to the support posts. Other attempts have involved permanently affixing sections of siding, and other such materials, to the exposed faces of the support posts. Commonly, the materials chosen will match the siding or other exterior fascia of the building to which the external structure is coupled. However, these prior attempts to conceal the support posts are time consuming and costly. Just importantly, however, these attempts have provided an inflexible decorating option. To be sure, the encasing of support posts in these manners is relatively permanent and cannot be changed other than simple painting of the new exterior fascia.
Other attempts to conceal support posts have involved the forming flutes or other structural details within the support posts. However, such attempts have a permanent, lasting effect that is not easy to change as the owner of the structure changes his or her decorative mind. Other attempts have simply involved the painting or staining of the support posts, which can be easily changed, when desired, but lack visual appeal or structural detail.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary, and the foregoing Background, is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
A tile retaining bracket according to the present technology will include an elongated tile saddle, having a pair of saddle arms that extend away from one another, outwardly from a saddle base. The saddle arms include a seat surface and an opposite structure engaging surface. In some embodiments, the saddle arms are oriented so that the structure engaging surfaces of the saddle arms are disposed at an angle of approximately 90 degrees from one another. In various embodiments, the tile saddle includes a mounting surface that faces away from the structure engaging surfaces of the saddle arms. In some embodiments, a pair of seat sidewalls extend between edge portions of the seat surfaces of the saddle arms and opposite side edges of the mounting surface of the saddle base. The tile retaining bracket further includes an elongated tile retainer, having an ornamental face and an opposite mounting face. The tile retainer may be provided in various ornamental combinations that are limited only by the imagination.
In at least one method of use, the tile retaining bracket is coupled in pairs to opposing corner portions of a support structure. A user may begin by securing a tile saddle along one corner portion of the support structure so that the saddle arms straddle the corner portion of the support structure. The tile saddle may be coupled with the corner portions of the support post simply by pressing or holding the tile saddles closely adjacent the corner portions of the support post. Regardless of the manner in which the tile saddle is coupled with the support structure, a second tile saddle will be positioned on the opposing corner portion of the support structure, across an exposed surface. The user may then position at least one tile such that portions of its tile mounting face are positioned closely adjacent the scat surfaces on the saddle arms of the tile saddles. With at least a first tile positioned at the bottom end portion of the support structure and between the opposing tile saddles, a user may then begin to secure tile retainers with the mounting surface of the tile saddles. In one embodiment, mechanical fasteners such as screws may be inserted through the various tile retaining bracket structures. By inserting a first course of screws at the lower end portion of the tile retainers only, the upper end portions of the tile retainers will remain flexible so that the user may pull the tile retainers away from the tile saddles, as needed, in order to slide one or more additional tiles between the tile saddle and tile retainer as it is being positioned. In this fashion, the tile retainer is secured to the tile saddle in a stepped process as tiles are added from the bottom of the support structure to the top.
The use of the tile saddle will position the tiles in a spaced apart relationship with the exposed surface of the support structure being decorated. In this manner, it is contemplated that wires, tubing or other structures may be passed between the tiles and the exposed surface of the support structure. This will provide a manner of hiding wiring and other mechanisms used for lights, fans, audio systems and the like with the decorative tiles, which would not otherwise be available through other methods of decorating the support structure.
In some applications, it is contemplated that the support structure may be provided in the form of two or more structures that are simply positioned adjacent one another. In such an instance, the present system for decorating support structures may be used to give two or more smaller support structures the appearance of a single large support structure, which may be more visually appealing once adorned with the tiles.
In an alternate embodiment, the tile retaining bracket includes a tile saddle portion and tile retainer portion that are integrally formed with one another, whereby the seat surfaces of the previously described saddle arms, as well as the mounting surface of the saddle base 18, are at least substantially obscured by the integral formation of the tile retainer portion. In such an embodiment, saddle arms extend outwardly from one another. However, only structure engaging surfaces and distal end faces remain exposed. A mounting face of the tile retainer portion extends beyond the distal end portions of the saddle arms to define tile retaining tabs. In this embodiment, the tile retaining bracket secures tiles closely adjacent an exposed surface of the support structure 34.
These and other aspects of the present system and method will be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description and Figures herein.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention, including the preferred embodiment, are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The technology presented provides a system and method for decorating or concealing support posts. While the term “support post” may be depicted and described herein as a single, vertically oriented support post that may be coupled with an exterior deck or pergola structure of a building, the application of the present technology will not be limited to such structures, let alone their location exterior to or within a building. Accordingly, the term “support post” should be construed herein as to include a single, vertically oriented member, but also a support member that includes a plurality of separate elongated “posts” or structures that may be positioned closely adjacent or spaced apart from one another. Moreover, the support posts, as they are used with the present technology, may or may not provide support to other connected or adjacent structures. The support posts may or may not have well defined corner portions. To be sure, general rounded or curved portions of a post may be considered a “corner portion” for purposes of the present technology. Moreover, the support posts used with the present technology may be provided in the form of nearly any material or composition without limiting the scope or nature of the present technology.
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In various embodiments, the tile saddle 12 will include a mounting surface 24 that faces away from the structure engaging surfaces 22 of the saddle arms 14 and 16. In many embodiments, the mounting surface 24 is generally positioned between the seat surfaces 20 of the saddle arms 14 and 16. In various embodiments, the mounting surface 24 of the saddle. base 18 is positioned so that it is proud of the seat surfaces 20 of the saddle arms 14 and 16. In this manner, a pair of seat sidewalls 26 extend between edge portions of the seat surfaces 20 of the saddle arms 14 and 16 and opposite side edges of the mounting surface 24 of the saddle base 18. While it is contemplated that the seat sidewalls 26 will extend away from the seat surfaces 20 at an angle approximating 90 degrees, other angles are contemplated to accommodate the size and dimensions of various tiles or other components that may be, used in particular applications.
In various embodiments, the tile retaining bracket 10 will include an elongated tile retainer 28, having an ornamental face 30 and an opposite mounting face 32. In some embodiments, the mounting face 32 is shaped to engage the mounting surface 24 of the tile saddle base 18. In some applications, this may mean that the mounting face 32 and the mounting surface 24 are generally flat and smooth. However, in other applications, it is contemplated that various interlocking mechanical structures could be provided to accurately position and lock the tile retainer 28 with the tile saddle 12. Such examples may include a pin and keyhole combination, or the like. With reference to
The components to the tile retaining bracket 10 may be formed from nearly any material, according to its intended application and use. For example, various weather resistant and rot resistant woods may be used such as cedar. Other composite materials and the like may also be used. It is contemplated that in certain applications metal, stone and other such materials may be used as a portion of, if not all, of the individual components for the tile retaining bracket 10. In one embodiment, the tile saddle 12 may be provided in lengths of one or more feet. In certain applications, three and four foot lengths may be desirable. In one particular embodiment, the tile saddle 12 is formed so that each of its seat surfaces 20 are formed to have a width of approximately 1.0625 inches, extending from the seat sidewall 26 to a distal end portion of the saddle arms 14 and 16. In such an embodiment, the structure engaging surfaces 22 of the saddle arms 14 and 16 may be provided to have a total width of approximately 1.0 inches. It is contemplated that within such an embodiment, the saddle arms 14 and 16 will be provided to have a thickness of approximately 0.375 inches. Depending on the desired application and the tile retainer 28 to be used, the mounting surface 24 of the saddle base 18 may be provided to have a width of approximately 0.625 inches. Similarly, the offset of the mounting surface 24 from the seat surfaces 20 may be provided with seat sidewalls 26 having a total height of approximately 0.125 inches. Similarly, the tile retainer 28 may be provided in dimensions according to its intended application. However, in at least one particular embodiment, the tile retainer is provided to have a total thickness of approximately 0.375 inches and a total width of approximately 1.5 inches.
In at least one method of use, the tile retaining bracket 10 is coupled in pairs to opposing corner portions of a support structure, such as a support post 34. A user may begin by securing a tile saddle 12 along one corner portion of the support structure 34 so that the saddle arms 14 and 16 straddle the corner portion of the support structure 34. It is contemplated that the tile saddle 12 may be secured with the corner portion of the support structure 34 using various different methods. For example, a temporary or permanent adhesive may be used to adhere the two structures with one another. It is contemplated that where a permanent application is not desired, a temporary adhesive or mechanical fasteners may be used. However, it is further contemplated that the tile saddle 12 may be coupled with the corner portions of the support post 34 simply by pressing or holding the tile saddles 12 closely adjacent the corner portions of the support post 34. One or more mechanical fasteners, such as screws 36, may be used to hold the tile saddles 12 in position which may provide some benefits to a single user who will be performing the operation without the assistance of another. Regardless of the manner in which the tile saddle 12 is coupled with the support structure 34, a second tile saddle 12 will be positioned on the opposing corner portion of the support structure 34, across an exposed surface 38. The user may then position at least one tile 40 such that portions of its tile mounting face are positioned closely adjacent the seat surfaces 20 on the saddle arms 14 and 16 of the tile saddles 12. In this regard, it is contemplated that the tiles 40 will be provided to have dimensions suitable for the particular application. For example, the distance between the opposing seat sidewalls 26 in the pair of tile saddles 12 will provide a maximum width for which the tiles should be provided. In some embodiments, it will be preferable to have the tiles provided having a width of just slightly less than the distance between the opposing seat sidewalls 26. The length of each of the tiles 40 will be determined by the total length of support structure to be adorned and the design width which it will be adorned and the components of the tile retaining bracket 10 may be provided in nearly any desired length and dimensions. For example, a plurality of tiles 40 having a shortened height may be used with alternating colors or patterns in each successive tile 40 to provide an alternating or non-uniform color or design dispersal along the height of the support structure 34. It is contemplated that the tile thickness will generally be between 0.125 inches and 0.25 inches. However, it is contemplated that the present technology may be used with tiles of nearly any thickness and dimension, so long as they are appropriate for the size and configuration of support structure 34 to be concealed or decorated.
With at least a first tile 40 positioned at the bottom end portion of the support structure 34 and between the opposing tile saddles 12, a user may then begin to secure tile retainers 28 with the mounting surface 24 of the tile saddles 12. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by simply placing the mounting face 32 of the tile retainer 28 against the mounting surface 24 of the tile saddle 12. Permanent adhesives may be used, however, in various embodiments, best results may be obtained through the use of mechanical fasteners such as screws 36. First, the screws may be inserted and removed through the various structures repeatedly, whereas the permanent adhesives make removal and realignment of tiles more difficult. Pilot holes 37 may be formed in any portions of the tile retaining brackets 10 in order to facilitate insertion of the screws 36. Secondly, the tile retainers 28 will rest against the mounting surface 24 and edge portions of the tile 40 simultaneously. In this manner, pressure may be applied from the tile retainers 28 to the tiles 40 in order to secure them in position. Such pressure may be increased or decreased, as desired, through the use of screws which may be advanced and retracted. By inserting a first course of screws 36 at the lower end portion of the tile retainers 28 only, the upper end portions of the tile retainers 28 will remain flexible so that the user may pull the tile retainers 28 away from the tile saddles 12, as needed, in order to slide one or more additional tiles 40 between the tile saddle 12 and tile retainer 28 as it is being positioned. In this fashion, the tile retainer 28 is secured to the tile saddle 12 in a stepped process as tiles 40 are added from the bottom of the support structure 34 to the top. In at least one manner of use, the screws 36 are passed through the tile retainer 28 and through the tile saddle 12 so that at least a portion of the screws 36 embed themselves within the support structure 34. Where the support structure 34 is made from a material that is not conducive to the receipt of basic screws, it is contemplated that adhesives and the like may be adequately used to secure the tile saddles 12 with the support structures 34.
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Although the technology has been described in language that is specific to certain structures, materials, and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures, materials, and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) arc understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of 1 to 10 should be considered to include and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or individual values that are between and/or inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10, 2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3, 5.8, 9.9994, and so forth).
