Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Specifications
This invernion relates to a system of multiple attachment wall and ceiling
moldings.
It is common for molding systems to be made of plaster, metal, plaster coated
polystyrene
and wood products. The methods of attaching these moldings are by adhesives,
clips,
tape, screws, nails or a combination of these methods. Any holes in the
surface are then
filled with a compatible material and the surface is then prepared to match
the rest of the
finished surface.
Some systems have clamps, screws, mounting packets or pressure-fitting
snapping
devices that allow the moldings to be taken apart far painting purposes. Some
systems
have preformed mitered corners and connecting pieces that butt together or
overlap
(shiplap) to allow for assembly. Other systems require mitered corners that
necessitate
the use of specialty tools and the knowledge of how to use those tools. There
are also
temporary systems that allow for removal of the entire system in order to
reuse it
elsewhere. These custom systems are expensive, limited in their ability to
change designs
and time-consuming to install. They are also cumbersome, heavy and in many
cases
require a skilled individual to install the system in a professional manner.
There are
problems of materials handling, standardized sizing, and installation.
I have found that these disadvantages and difficulties can be eradicated by
making the
base of the component parts from plastic. This product provides the necessary
flexibility
to facilitate manufacturing and variety in design. The component parts have a
flexible
locking step that cornim~es for the full length of the track channel, side and
cap moldings
as well as medallion moldings. This locking step allows the moldings to be
securely
fastened for the full length of the unit rattan than at predetermined points
along the
surface of said component part. Once a portion of the component track cover or
moldings
parts is squeezed together and snapped into the appropriate receiver, the rest
of the track
cover or molding snap into position using the force that has already been
created with the
initial fitting. A number of finishes from plaster, stucco, wood veneer and
paint can be
bonded to the exterior surface at the production level. This technology is
already in place
for other base materials. These exterior finishes create several differern
textured looks
that simulate original product finishes.
The basic system consists of lengths of track channel, channel cover track,
side moldings,
cap moldings, decorator blocks and decorative block medallions. A variant form
includes
decorator blocks with a recessed indentation and wall or ceiling panels that
rest on the
side moldings and blocks. The channel track cover has variant depths that make
it
suitable for welts and ceilings. Higher ceilings require deeper channel cover
to give
definition to the finished grid.
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By attaching a channel track with tapered flexible sides and a locking step to
a supporting
surface, the length of the channel can be extended to form the desired grid.
By using a
tapered flexible side shaped like a right-angled triangle and referred to as a
locking step
and a channel with a short protruding flange to receive same, all component
parts snap
together. This locking step design varies in size but is used to fasten all
component parts
to the channel track and to each other.
Once the grid has been established, the required component parts can be
installed. These
would co~ist of 90 degree corner blocks, passage blocks, three way border
blocks and
four way cross blocks. These blocks have a channel on the underside that
allows them to
snap over the flexible locking step sides of the channel track, thus receiving
the
channeled component and securing the blocks into position.
A corner block is used wherever there is a 90 degree angle on the outside
corner of the
grid. A passage block is used if there is channel track passing through it but
no 90 degree
angle butting to it. A three way border block is used when channel track is
passing
through the border and has a 90 degree track to the interior of the grid from
the border. A
four way cross block is used when the channel track is continuing to run in
four
directions from the block thus forming a 90 degree crossing pattern. These
blocks are
positioned in the desired locations, snapped into the desired position and
adjusted if
necessary.
The flexible tapered locking step sides of the channel track allow a track
cover molding
to snap into position on the channel track. The track cover can be cut to the
required
length such that it butts up to the decorative blocks as dictated by the
pattern of the grid.
Decorative side moldings can be cut to length and snapped into position on
either side of
the track cover molding. Cap moldings can be cut to length and snapped into
position on
the exposed bottom edge of the track cover molding. Decorative medallions can
be
snapped into position on the largest expose surface of the decorator blocks.
In addition, the ability to snap all moldings into place is also the ability
to squeeze the
same moldings for removal from the channel track cover or decorator blocks.
This
provides a significant advantage to changing molding designs as opposed to
changing the
entire molding system There would be a significant number of molding designs
that
would be compatible with this system thereby giving the consumer a wide
variety from
which to choose.
CA 02387057 2002-06-04
Any touch-ups with a compatible material can be easily completed. If there are
gaps
between the molding and the supporting surface due to uneven surfaces,
appropriate
materials can be applied to fill any gaps. Thus a complete system of wall or
ceiling
moldings can be easily installed to a desired grid size with materials that
are lightweight,
consumer friendly and cost effective relative to other materials on the
market.
In variant fonm, ceiling and wall panels can be used. These decorative panels
rest on the
top of the side moldings that attach to the track cover molding and have their
dimension
defined by the size of the grid and manufacturer's specifications. There is s
space
between the top of the side molding and the supporting surface. This plane
extends into
the recessed area of the decorator blocks such that a level area is provided
to allow
decorator panels to fit and held in position by the top edge of the side
moldings.
This now forms a complete decorative wall or ceiling molding system where side
moldings, cap moldings, decorator blocks with medallions and a slight reveal
of the
channel track cover are visible. This system can be augmented in overall
design by using
decorator panels and variant decorator blocks. All component parts using
panels are fit
within the dimensions as established by the grid and manufacturer's
specifications
regarding panel size. The system can be easily installed by using a few
fasteners for the
track channel and a cutting tool for cutting plastic to length.
CA 02387057 2002-06-04
Component Parts List
1. Tapered flexible sides of "IJ-shaped" channel track with a ~cking step.
2. Channel cavity conduit for wire and cable.
3. Countersunk holes for attaching track to a supporting surface.
4. Extended length of "U-shaped" channel track.
5. "T-shaped" indentation to receive tapered flexible locking step sides of
channel track.
6. Protruding flange to act as a stop for tapered locking step sides of
channel
track.
7. Screw or other attaching device to secure the channel track to a supporting
surface.
8. Four way (4-way) cross decorator block.
9. Three way (3-way) "T-shaped" decorator block.
10. 90 degree corner decorator block.
11. Passage decorator block.
12. Extended length of channel track cover.
13. Side molding of extended length.
14. Cap molding of extended length.
15. Medallion for the decorator blocks.
16. Variant form of the four way cross decorator block with recess to be used
with
panels.
17. Variant form of the three way "T-shaped" decorator block with recess to be
used with panels.
18. Variant form of the 90 degree decorator corner block with recess to be
used
with panels.
19. Recessed indentations to receive decorator panels.
20. Decorative panels.
CA 02387057 2002-06-04
~CI'~pt1011
Figure 1 refers to a track channel (4) having flexible tapered sides with a
locking step (1)
attached to a supporting surface a series of countersunk holes (3) that
penetrate the
surface of the track channel.
Figure 2 is an isometric view of an extended length of track channel (4) that
is capable of
transporting wire and/or cable and thereby acting as a conduit (2).
Figure 3 represents an exterior view of an extended length of channel track
cover (12)
that has a protrusion on both sides of its interior (6) such that the tapered
sides of the
track channel with the locking step ( I ) will snap or lock into position when
the chanu~l
track cover is placed over the track channel (4) and the tapered sides with
the locking step
(I) of said channel track are squeezed together and thus snapped into
position. Also in
Figure 3 is a series of indentations or cavities (5) that have a flange on
each side that will
serve as the lock for the tapered flexible sides of a decorative molding.
Figure 4(a) is an isometric view of an extended length of track channel cover
(I2). This
channel track cover comes in a variant form 4(b) that is smaller and suitable
for walls as
opposed to ceilings.
Figure 5 is a four way decorator block (8) that has a cavity (5) in its
largest exposed
surface with protruding flanges (6) to secure a decorative medallion ( 15)
where the
tapered flexible sides with a locking step ( 1 ) of said medallion are
inserted into said
cavity. The underside of said decorator block facing the supporting surface
contains a
four way channel track cover that is a variant form of cavity (5) and having
protruding
flanges (6) to accommodate the flexible tapered sides with a locking step (I)
of the
channel track (4).
Figure 6 is a side view of said decorator block illustrating the channel
cavity (S), the
protruding flanges (6) and the medallion cavity (5).
Figure 7 is a panel block (16) that is a variant form of the four way
decorator block (8).
This block has four recessed areas (I9) to accommodate the weight of four
decorator
panels (20). These areas are on the outside corners of that part of the block
nearest the
supporting surface. Decorator block (I6) is also capable of accepting a
decorator
medallion (I5) in the same manner as a traditional decorator block (8).
Figure 8 is a three way decorator block (9) that has a cavity (5) in its
largest exposed
surface with protruding flanges (6) to secure a decorator medahion ( 1 S)
where the
tapered flexible sides with a locking step (1) of said medallion are inserted
into said
CA 02387057 2002-06-04
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cavity. Tlx underside of said decorator block facing the supporting surf~e
contains a
three way channel track cover that is a variant form of cavity (S) and having
protruding
flanges (6) to accommodate the flexible ~ sides with a locking step (1) of the
channel track (4).
Figure 9 is a side view of said decorator block illustrating the channel
cavity (S), the
prohruding flanges (6) and the medallion cavity (S).
Figure 10 is a panel block (17) that is a variant form of the three way
decorator block (9).
This block has two recessed areas (19) to accommodate the weight of two
decorator
panels (20). These areas are on that part of the decorator block that faces
the interior of
the grid and being nearest the supporting surface. Decorator block (17) is
also capable of
accepting a decorator medallion (1S) in the same manner as a traditional
d~:orator block
(8).
Figure 11 is a 90 degree decorator career block (10) that has a cavity (S) in
its largest
surface with protruding flares (6) to secure a decorator medallion (15) where
the
tapered flexible sides with a locking step (1) of said medallion are inserted
into said
cavity. The underside of said decorator block facing the supporting surface
contains a
right angled channel track cover that is a variant form of cavity (S) and
having protruding
flanges (6) to accommodate the flexible tapered sides with a locking step (1)
of the
channel track (4) from two sides.
Figure 12 is a side view of said decorator block illustrating the channel
cavity (S), the
proh~ding flanges (6) and the medallion cavity (S).
Figure 13 is a panel block ( 18) that is a variant form of the 90 degree
decorator corner
block (10). This block bas o~ recessed area (19) to accommodate the weight of
one
decorator panel (20). This recessed area is on that part of the decorator
block that faces
the interior of the grid and being nearest the supporting surface. Decorator
block (18) is
also capable of accepting a decorator medallion ( 15) in the same manner as a
traditional
decorator block (8).
Figure 14 is a passage decorator block (11) that has a cavity (S) in its
largest exposed
surface with prohuding flanges (6) to secure a decorator medallion (1S) where
the
tapered flexible sides with a locking step (1) of said medallion are inserted
into said
cavity. The underside of said decorator channel facing the supporting surface
contains a
channel track cover that is centered on the underside that is a variant form
of cavity (S)
and having protruding flanges (6) to accommodate the flexible tapered sides
with a
locking step (1) of tlx channel track (4) from opposite sides of ttar
decorator block.
Figure 1 S is a side view of said decorator block illustrating the channel
cavity (S), the
protruding flanges (6) and the medallion cavity (S).
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Figure 16 is a cross-section of a completed portion of a grid. The extended
length of
track channel (4) is attached to a supporting surface by using a fastening
device (7)
through the countersunk holes (3) that penetrate the surface of said channel
track. The
area inside the tapered flexible sides with a locking step ( 1 ) is designed
to act as a conduit
(2) for transporting wire and/or cable.
Depending on the design of the grid, the appropriate decorator block is used.
If there are
no decorator panels being uses, a combination of blocks (8), (9), (10) and
(11) will be
used. If there are decorator panels in the system, a combination of blocks
(16), (17) and
(18) will be used. These blocks are fit into position by placing the channel
track cover
portion (12) over the track channel (4). Adjustments are made to the grid by
sliding the
blocks along the track until they are in the desired position.
The extended length of channel track cover (12) is cut to the exact size and
snapped over
the tapered flexible sides (1) of track channel (4) when these sides are
compressed. The
cavity (S) in the track channel cover has protruding flanges (6) that allow
the locking step
(1) to snap into place. A shallower version of said channel track cover (12)
is used on
walls as opposed to ceilings. The ceilings, being higher, use a version that
is deeper to
add definition to the grid system The sides of the extended length of channel
track cover
(12) receive decorative side moldings (13) of extended length that are cut to
size. Said
moldings have tapered flexible locking steps ( 1 ) on the top and bottom
inside edges that
allow said locking steps to snap into position in the cavity (5) of the
channel track cover
and lock behind the protruding flanges (6) of said cavity. A decorative cap
molding (14)
of extended length is cut to size to fit into the bottom of the length of
channel track cover
( 12) in the same manner as the side moldings fit. The use of a locking step (
1 ) and a
cavity (5) with protruding flanges allows a snug fit into the channel track
cover. In figure
16, the decorator blocks that could be used for this illustration are variant
decorator
blocks (16) or (17). The recessed areas (19) of these decorator blocks are
used to carry
the weight of a decorator panel (20) as it rests on the recessed area and the
top of the side
moldings. The recessed area of the blocks (19) and the top of the side
moldings are on
the same plane such that the similar elevation allows a smooth transition from
the side
molding (13) to the recessed area. A decorator medallion (15) snaps into
cavity (5) in the
base of the decorator blocks. This medallion has flexible locking step sides
(1) and is
held in place by the protruding flanges (6) in the base of the decorator
block.
Figure 17 is a cross section of the track channel (4), axed by a fastening
device (7)
through countersunk holes (3) that penetrate the surface of the track channel.
The
channel track has flexible tapered side called locking steps (1) and a cavity
between the
flexible sides (2) that acts as a conduit for wire and cable. This channel
track extends
into the decorator blocks. Decorator blocks (16) or (17) snap over the channel
track by
having a cavity (5) with protruding flanges on the sides (6) that allow the
locking step to
stay in place. A decorator medallion (15) fits into the bottom of the
decorator block in
the same manner as the block snaps into position over the channel track (4). A
channel
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track cover of extended length (12) is cut to size and snapped into position
over the
channel track (4). Side moldings of extended length (13) arid cap moldings of
extended
length (14), are cut to size and snapped into position in the cavities (5)
with the
protruding flanges (6) on the sides. A portion of the channel track cover
between the cap
molding and the side molding is visible. This is known as a reveal. A recessed
area of
decorator block (19) and the top of the side molding (I3) are the support or
resting area
for the decorator panels (20).
Figure 18 is a view of a partial grid system utilizing most of the component
parts in a
manner that illustrates how a finished grid would appear. A larger grid would
be
necessary to show all component pacts, but this also illustrates how the parts
would be
used in a paneled and non-paneled grid. Extended lengths ofchannel track (4)
cut to size
and anchored by fasteners (7) through countersunk holes (3) that penetrate the
channel
track. Variant form of a 90 degree corner block (I8) with a recessed area (I9)
to receive
a decorator medallion (15) and a decorator panel (20). A variant form of a
four way
decorator block ( 16) with recessed areas ( 19) to receive a decorator
medallion ( 15) and a
decorator panel (20). An extended length of channel track cover (12) with
decorator cap
molding (14) cut to size and decorator side moldings (13) also cut to size. A
passage
decorator block ( 11 ) that covers the channel track (4) but does not have the
ability to
receive channel track from more than two opposite sides. This block (15) would
be used
in a system that is not using decorator panels and in conjunction with the
regular
decorator blocks (8), (9) and (10).
