Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02533057 2006-01-17
TRIM SYSTEM FOR DOORS AND WINDOWS
WITH CORNER BLOCK ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to trim systems for doors and windows.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a trim system having a
corner block
assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Trim systems for doors and windows usually include lengths of trim material
disposed on the perimeter of door and window frames. The trim material can be
made of,
for example, wood, wood composite, poly-vinyl chloride or other materials.
Such trim
systems are used to enhance the appearance of doors and windows by covering
the area
where the frame of the door or window engages an opening in a wall. Such areas
at the
perimeter of the frames of doors and windows will often include unsightly gaps
between
the finishing material of the wall (drywall, wood, paneling, etc.) and the
frame. These gaps
will usually show inner wall material such as, for example, insulation,
barrier material, tar
paper etc. Covering such gaps thus leads to better esthetics.
Of special consideration in such trim systems, is how the corners of the doors
and
windows are finished. The simplest form of corner finishing is where the ends
of the
lengths of trim material are abutted to each other, often at a mitre joint.
More elaborate
corner finishing can include a corner block covering the area formed by
abutting lengths
of finishing materials. Traditionally, a block having portions undercut to
complement the
profile of the corner trim material is placed over the corner and fastened or
screwed to the
trim material and/or wall. The variability of the undercut portions of the
block and of the
profile of the corner trim material requires that great attention be paid to
properly align the
corner block with the lengths of trim material. Furthermore, fastening of the
corner block
is often impeded by lack of a sturdy wall material to which to fasten the
corner block.
Oftentimes, the corner block installer will find that the fastener engages
nothing but
insulating material and will have to reposition the corner block or try to
fasten the corner
block in a different manner.
Some known decorative trim assemblies for doors and windows include a corner
molding assembly having a base with apertures. The base is for fastening to a
building
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,
structure via the apertures and for receiving a corner block. A fastener is
used to fasten the
corner block to the base and a cover plate can be used to cover the area where
the fastener
is located. Thus, the corner molding assembly requires multiple fastening
steps and the
placement of a cover plate. This leads to complicated assembly and high
manufacturing
costs.
In another known approach, a corner casing receptacle is provided for
enclosing
and masking from view adjacent ends of moldings. The corner casing is held in
place by
adhesive, which involves dispensing adhesive in often hard to reach places.
The step of
fixing the corner casing with adhesive requires the exercise of care in not
dispensing
adhesive on the surrounding trim.
In the field of frames, a frame border connecting device is known for
connecting
lengths of frame border at a corner of the frame. The connecting device
includes a corner
base element and a corner cover for sliding on to the base and for
interlocking with the
base. Adapting such a device to the art of door and window trim would not be
practical
since the sliding of the cover over the base requires that sufficient
unobstructed space be
available in the trim area so as to permit the sliding of the case over the
base, which is not
generally the case for windows and doors.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a corner block assembly and trim system
that
allow for quick assembly and self-alignment of the corner block while
minimizing the use
of fasteners and adhesives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one
disadvantage of previous trim systems for doors and windows.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a trim system for doors and
windows. The trim system comprises a base having a first base mating element
and a
second base mating element; a block having a first block mating element
complementary
to, and for interlocking with, the first base mating element; and a trim
having a first trim
mating element complementary to, and for interlocking with, the second base
mating
element.
The base can include edges and the block can include at least one alignment
projection for abutting to at least one edge of the base to provide self-
alignment of the
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block with the base. The first base mating element can be for snap-fitting
with the first
block mating element.
The first base mating element can include a socket and the first block mating
element can include a protrusion, the socket and protrusion for being snap-
fitted to one
another. The protrusion can be slotted and include at least one flared
resilient member; and
the socket can include a wall defining an opening, the opening can be for
receiving the at
least one flared resilient member and for interlocking the protrusion and the
socket.
The trim can have a second trim mating element for interlocking with a
complementary mating element of a frame. The second base mating element can be
for
snap-fitting with the first trim mating element. The second trim mating
element can be for
snap-fitting with the complementary mating element of the frame. The trim
system can
further include a trim support for securing to a wall surface and to interlock
with the trim.
In that case, the trim support can include a trim support mating element to
interlock with a
second trim mating element of the trim.
The block can include a side defining an opening complementary to a cross-
section
of the trim, the opening having an edge for abutting to the trim to provide
self-alignment
of the block with the trim. The base can define an aperture for receiving a
fastener for
fastening the base to a wall. The block can be a corner block.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a trim system for doors and
windows. The trim system includes a trim having a trim mating element. The
trim system
also includes a trim support for securing to a wall surface. The trim support
includes a trim
support mating element complementary to, and for interlocking with, the trim
mating
element.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a block assembly for a trim
system. The block assembly comprises a base having a base mating element; and
a block
having a block mating element complementary to, and for snap-fitting with, the
base
mating element, the block for being snap-fitted to the base element by snap-
fitting the first
base mating element to the first block mating element.
The base can include edges and the block can include at least one alignment
projection for abutting to at least one edge of the base to provide self-
alignment of the
block to the base.
The base mating element can include a socket and the block mating element can
include a protrusion. The protrusion can be slotted and include at least one
flared resilient
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member; and the socket can include a wall defining an opening, the opening for
receiving
the at least one flared resilient member and for interlocking the protrusion
and the socket.
The block can be a corner block.
In an fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of installing a
trim
system. The method comprises steps of fastening a base element to a trim; and
snap-fitting
a block element to the base element.
In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method of installing a
trim
system, including: fastening a base element to a trim element; and snap-
fitting a block
element to the base element. The method can further include snap-fitting a
block element
to the base element. The method can further include snap-fitting the trim
element to a
frame. The method can alternatively further include snap-fitting the trim
element to a trim
support.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to
those
ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of
specific
embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example
only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a depiction of a known trim system;
Figs. 2A to 2C depict top and side views of a base element of an embodiment of
the present invention;
Figs. 3A to 3E depict top and side views of a corner block element of an
embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. 4A to 4E depict bottom and side views of a corner block element of an
embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. 5A and 5B depict top and cross-sectional views of a trim element of an
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a depiction of a partial assembly of an embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 7 is a depiction of a complete assembly of an embodiment of the present
invention;
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Fig. 8 is a depiction of a rear view of a corner block snap-fitted to a base
element
of an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a depiction of a partial assembly of a mitre joint of an embodiment
of the
present invention;
Fig. 10 is a depiction of a complete assembly of a mitre joint of the present
invention;
Fig. 11 is a depiction of a trim and frame of an embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 12 is a depiction of an assembly of the trim and frame of Fig. 11; and
Fig. 13 is a depiction of a trim and a trim support of an embodiment of the
present
invention; and
Fig. 14 is a depiction of an assembly of an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Generally, the present invention provides a trim system including a base and a
block having complementary mating elements for being snap-fitted together.
Trim of the
trim system includes a mating element complementary to another mating element
of the
base for snap-fitting to the base. Fastening of the base to a wall material or
similar surface
is preferably not necessary, because the base snaps to the trim and the block
snaps to the
base, providing desired stability. The block, or corner block, can include
alignment
projections for abutting with one or more edges of the base, thereby providing
self-
alignment of the block or corner block. Trims may also include another mating
element for
snap-fitting into a frame or trim support having a complementary mating
element.
The terms "snap-fit" and "snap-fitting" are terms of the art, used to describe
a type
of interlocking that fastens two pieces together, generally without requiring
any tools. A
snap-fitting interlock of two elements can allow for releasable unlocking of
the two
elements, though this is not always the case. The terms "snap-fit" and "snap-
fitting" as
used herein describe an interlocking of two elements using portions of the
elements
themselves, and without requiring any other tools or fasteners.
Fig. 1 depicts a known corner block and trim system 20 including trim lengths
22
forming a mitre joint 25. A corner block 24 is disposed over mitre joint 25
and secured
thereon with fastener 26 through aperture 28. Alternately, an adhesive can be
used to
secure corner block 24 over mitre joint 25. An optional cover 30 can be placed
over
CA 02533057 2006-01-17
fastener 26 to provide better esthetics. As mentioned above, a disadvantage of
this type of
trim system is that a fastener 26 must be used to secure corner block 24 over
mitre joint
25; also, the fastener is not guaranteed to engage a sturdy material to fasten
into.
An embodiment of the present invention comprises a trim system for doors and
windows, the trim system having base and corner elements interlockable to each
other
through complementary mating elements. The interlockability of the base and
corner block
elements allows for assembly of the corner block to the base without the use
of fasteners.
Additionally, the present invention includes a corner block with alignment
projections for
abutting to at least one edge of the base, thereby providing self-alignment of
the block to
the base.
Figs. 2A to 2C and Figs. 3A to 3E depict respectively an embodiment of the
base
and corner block elements of the present invention. The term "base" as used
herein is
sometimes alternatively referred to in the art as a"corner key". The term
"block" as used
herein is sometimes alternatively referred to in the art as a "rosette".
In Fig. 2A, a top view of a base 32 is shown while Figs. 2B and 2C depict side
views of the base 32. In a presently preferred embodiment, the base does not
need to be
fastened to a wall material or similar surface. In other words, fastening of
the base to the
surface is preferably not necessary, because the base snaps to the trim and
the block snaps
to the base, providing desired stability. However, in some cases, such as when
the wall is
crooked, it can be advantageous as an additional support to be able to fasten
the base to the
wall. In such cases, the base 32 can define apertures 34 for securing the base
32 to a wall
material (not shown) with fasteners 26, which can include screws, nails,
rivets or any other
type of fasteners known in the art. Alternately, or additionally, fasteners 26
can be used in
additional apertures 36 defined in the base 32 to secure it to the wall
material. The number
of apertures 34 and 36 is not limited to any fixed number. The base 32 can
also be secured
to the wall material by other means known in the art, such means including
stapling.
A socket 38 of the base 32 is for receiving a slotted protrusion 40 of corner
block
42 shown in side views in Figs. 3D and 3E. The slotted protrusion 40
preferably includes
a tapered end 44 having resilient members 46 with flared sections 48. Thus,
the corner
block 42 can be mated to the base 32 by aligning the protrusion 40 with socket
38. By
pushing the corner block 42 to force the protrusion 40 to engage the socket
38, snap-fitting
the corner block 42 to the base 32 is effected.
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As will be appreciated by a worker skilled in the art, the slotted protrusion
40
could be formed on base 32 and the socket 38 could be formed on corner block
42 without
departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the presence of a
slotted
protrusion or a socket are optional, as long as there are complementary
interlocking
mating elements of some form on the base 32 and the corner block 42.
Bottom and side views of corner block 42 are shown in Figs. 4A to 4E.
The corner block 42 shown in Figs. 3A to 3E and 4A to 4E has two open sides 50
and 52 together with two closed sides 54 and 56. The open sides are for inter-
fitting with a
trim 58 shown in top and end views in Figs. 5A and 5B respectively. It is to
be noted that
Figs. 5A and 5B are not on the same scale. The profile 60 of trim 58
corresponds
substantially to the profile 62 of the open sides 50 and 52. Inter-fitting
open sides 50 and
52 to trims such as trim 58 allows self-alignment of the corner block 42 with
the trims.
The trim 58 preferably includes a slotted wall 64 having projections 66 and
68. The
side walls 70 and 72 are preferably flexible and resilient such that the trim
58 can be snap-
fitted to projections 74 of base 32 shown in Figs. 2A to 2C. The projections
74 are
preferably resilient and include a tapered flared portion 76 shown in Fig. 2B
for
facilitating the snap-fitting of the trim 58 and the base 32. Once snap-fitted
to the base 32,
the trim 58 can be slid along the length of the projections 74.
As will be appreciated by a worker skilled in the art, the slotted wall 64 and
projections 74 are only examples of complementary mating elements. Any type or
arrangement of complementary mating elements can be used. For example,
projections can
be provided on the trim and a slotted wall or other type of slot can be
provided on the
base.
In Fig. 6, two trims 58 are shown snap-fitted to the base 32. This is an
advantage
over previous systems in which the base is screwed to the trim, since
according to this
embodiment the time and imprecision involved in screwing or fastening the base
to the
trim is no longer an issue. The base preferably does not require fastening to
the wall
material, but can optionally be, secured to a wall material (not shown) by
fasteners 26. The
direction along which trims 58 can be slid is identified by the double ended
arrows 59.
After having fitted the trims 58 to the base 32, the corner block 42 can be
placed over the
base 32 with the slotted protrusion 40 aligned with the socket 38 and snap-
fitted to the
base 32 with the result shown in Fig. 7. Preferably, the alignment of the
corner block 42
with the base 32 is provided by projections 78, shown in Fig. 4A, abutting the
sides 80 of
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the base 32 in the vicinity of corner 82, shown in Fig. 6. A back view of the
corner block
42 fitted to base 32, and without trims 58 in place, is shown in Fig. 8.
Alternately, the base 32 can allow for a mitre joint to be formed by cutting
an end
of the trim 58 at an angle as shown by edge 84 in Fig. 9. The mitre-cut trim
58 can be
snap-fitted to the projections 74 and to the projections 86 shown in Fig. 2,
which
preferably have the same cross-section as the projections 74. Fig. 10 shows a
mitre joint
88 formed in this way.
Fig. 11 shows an alternate embodiment of the trim where an end view of a trim
90
is shown having a slotted projection 92, which is for insertion in a groove 94
of a frame 96
of a door or window. Thus, the trim 90 can be snap-fitted to frame 94 in
addition to being
snap-fitted to the projections 74 of the base 32 in the manner described above
in relation to
trim 58. Thus, snap-fitting the slotted projection 92 into groove 94 causes
trim 90 to be
more securely attached to the perimeter of the door or window than trim 58.
Fig. 12 shows slotted projection 92 inserted into the groove 94 with the trim
90
and the frame 96 abutting a wall 98. As mentioned previously in relation to
mating
elements, as long as trim 90 and frame 96 have complementary snap-fitting
mating
elements, it is optional that the trim 90 include a slotted projection 92 and
that frame 96
include a groove 94. Alternatively, the frame can include a slotted
projection, or
protrusion, and the trim can include a groove.
The materials of which the base 32, the corner block 42 and the trims 58 and
90
can be made of include wood, wood composite and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), foam
PVC,
fiberglass, and composite materials other than wood composite.
The description of Figs. 11 and 12 relates to a system where a trim snaps into
a
frame, by way of interlocking complementary elements. Exterior doors and
windows
inevitably have a frame. However, interior doors and interior openings (such
as a
"window" opening in an interior wall, with or without window material) often
do not have
frames. As such, since there is no frame, there is no ability to snap-fit the
trim to the
frame. Therefore, an alternative is desired for such cases.
Fig. 13 shows a trim 100 and a trim support 110 of an embodiment of the
present
invention. The trim support 110 acts as a substitute to a frame, in situations
where the
opening does not have a frame. The trim support 110 can be secured or
fastened, such as
by stapling, directly to a wall surface. The wall surface can be finished wall
surface, such
as painted drywall. The trim support 110 has a trim support mating element for
mating,
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and preferably interlocking, with the complementary trim mating element of the
trim. This
provides an easy and secure way to install trim without having to worry about
screwing
into a stable part of a wall. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 13, the trim
support 110 has
two trim support mating elements 112 and 114 for interlocking with
complementary trim
mating elements 102 and 104.
While the invention has been described in terms of a corner block, a worker
skilled
in the art would understand the invention to also apply to situations where
blocks are used
to cover adjoining trims along the perimeter of a door or windows in locations
other than
corners. Such a situation is shown in Fig. 14 where a block 100 covers
adjoining trims
102. In this case, a base 104 having a base mating element 106 for mating to
the block and
a trim mating element 108 for mating to the trims is required. Alignment
projections
similar to projections 78 can be disposed on a same side of block 100 for
abutting to, for
example, an edge 110 of the base 104.
Embodiments of the present invention described above can alternatively be
described as a method. As such, in an embodiment, the present invention
provides a
method of installing a trim system, including: fastening a base element to a
trim element;
and snap-fitting a block element to the base element. The method can further
include snap-
fitting the trim element to a frame. The method can alternatively further
include snap-
fitting the trim element to a trim support.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be
examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to
the particular
embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of
the invention,
which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
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