SIMULATED BRICK PRODUCT

PRODUIT SIMILIBRIQUE

Description

CA 02508455 2005-05-27
SIMULATED BRICK PRODUCT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a simulated product, and particularly,
relates to a
simulated brick product.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Simulated brick products are known in the art and are generally used in the
field of
wall coverings to provide a simulated brick appearance. Generally, the prior
art has
attempted to take panels and treat them in a manner which produces the desired
brick
appearance. Thus, one may look to prior art such as United States Patents
3,882,218 and
3,621,625. Generally, the material which has been used are ceramic or plastic
materials
although cork has also been suggested as a possible material.
One unique approach is that shown in United States Patent 4,313,775 wherein a
simulated brick decorative surface is provided from specially shaped and cut
sections of
wood. In this patent, the wood sections are cut across the grain preferably at
an angle
other than 90 degrees resulting in a rigid yet flexible thin piece of wood
which gives the
appearance of being one edge of a brick.
There is a widespread demand for a material which would simulate brick.
Preferably, the material is relatively lightweight and easier to work with
than a true brick
product.
SLIIvIMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simulated brick product
and a
method of producing the same.
According to the present invention, there is provided a simulated brick
product,
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CA 02508455 2005-05-27
the simulated brick product comprising a piece of wood, the wood having an
upper
surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having a plurality of
irregularly shaped
recesses formed therein, a coating applied on the top surface, the piece of
wood
preferably having an overall rectangular configuration.
There is also provided a method for producing a simulated brick product, the
method comprising the steps of passing a piece of wood through an apparatus
and which
apparatus is adapted to create random looking recesses on an upper surface of
the wood,
and subsequently applying a coating to at least the upper surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of simulated bricks;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of a plurality of simulated bricks;
Figure 3 is an enlarged view of two simulated brick products in an abutting
relationship;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rear portion of one embodiment of a
simulated brick product;
Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the simulated brick products of Figure
3;
Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a simulated brick product;
Figure 7 is a side elevational view illustrating placement of simulated brick
products on a substrate; and
Figure 8 is a perspective view of an apparatus for producing simulated brick
products.
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CA 02508455 2005-05-27
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto,
there is illustrated a simulated brick product which is generally designated
by reference
numeral 10.
Simulated brick product 10 is an overall rectangular configuration having
opposed
sides 12, 14 and opposed ends 16, 18. Naturally, it will be understood that
other
configurations may be employed as is done in the case of conventional brick
products or
another similar products. Thus, the simulated brick product 10 could have a
rectangular
configuration, oval configuration, circular configuration, etc.
Simulated brick product 10 has an upper surface 20 wherein a plurality of
irregularly shaped recesses 22 are formed. Recesses 22 are irregular in
configuration and
although they are repeated from one simulated brick product to another, they
are
sufficiently irregular that identification of a particular pattern is
difficult.
In one embodiment, and similar to the conventional wood floor, there may be
provided a tenon 24 on side 12 and a mortise 26 on side 14. Even further, if
desired, a
similar tenon and mortise arrangement may be used on ends 16, 18.
In one embodiment, a lower surface of simulated brick product 10 is provided
with
a pressure sensitive adhesive 28 covered by a paper backing 30. Thus, the
product may
easily be applied to a substrate by the end user merely by removing the paper
backing 30.
In an exterior application, the simulated brick product 10 may be applied to a
wall
32. As is known in the art, an adhesive 34 may be applied to wall 32 by means
of an
applicator 36.
As shown in Figure 8, there may be provided an apparatus generally designated
by
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CA 02508455 2005-05-27
reference numeral 40 for use in manufacture of simulated brick product 10.
Apparatus 40
includes a base 42 having a plurality of shafts 44 mounted thereon. A pair of
blocks 46
extend between a pair of shafts 44 while an upper member 48 is mounted on the
top of
shafts 44.
Mounted between blocks 46 and rotatably journaled therein is a roller 50
having a
drive shaft 52 connected thereto. Drive shaft 52 is suitably driven by a motor
(not
shown). An upper wheel 54 is mounted to a shaft 56 which is screw threadably
engaged
with upper member 48. A block 58 is secured to blocks 46 to raise or lower the
same.
Roller 50 is provided with outwardly extending protrusions to form the desired
pattern on
a wood product passing therethrough.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of
illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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Representative Drawing