Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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CORNICE AND VALENCE DEVICES
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to devices for use in building construction, and in
particular cornice and valence devices.
Back~round to the Invention
Cornice devices are presently utilized in connection with walls, and side
wall elements such as windows, in both residential and commercial applications, to
provide a fini~h~l appearance. For example, cornices are often used to partially shield
from view horizontal lighting such as florescent tube lighting. At windows, cornices are
used to shield from view the curtain rails or the mounting elements for a horizontal or a
vertical blind. Cornices may be mounted directly to an adjacent ceiling and extend partly
down the wall or wall element. Alternatively, sometimes cornices are mounted with the
use of horizontal wall mounting brackets which are affixed to the wall and hold the
cornice at a distance from the wall or wall element.
Cornices can be used when retro-fitting or renovating an existing building.
During such re-fitting, it is sometimes extremely important that the amount of time taken
for the work be kept to an absolute minimum. For example, when renovating certain
premises such as a hotel, it is important to keep the "down-time" to a mi~ to avoid
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lost revenue. In certain types of renovations, re-wiring or placement of new wiring or
cabling, or installation of new piping (such as water lines for sprinkler systems) will be
required. In concrete structures in particular, securely placing or in~t~lling such cabling
or piping in a marmer which meets the n~cess~ry fire and safety building codes normally
necessitates a large amount of time being spent at what is often a difficult task. For
example, it is often necessary to gouge out a channel in an existing concrete wall in order
to provide a suitable raceway. Another consideration in the in~t~ tion of such electric
cables is to have relatively easy access to the pipes or cables for repair or modification
purposes.
Known cornices are typically made of either wood, alllminllm, plaster or
comprise a thin metallic back plate on which is mounted a layer of foam, the foam often
being covered with a decorative material such as a fabric. These materials and structures
do not lend themselves well to the incorporation of supplementary features which assist in
the construction or re-fitting of a building. Adjacent sections of known cornices are
attached by means of an attachment plate which secures the joint between adjacent
sections by being nailed to the adjacent sections of a cornice.
Accordingly, known cornices are expensive to construct, it is difficult to
attach adjacent cornice sections/devices to each other, and known cornices do not provide
any additional features which permit pipes, or electrical, telephone, data, or other similar
types of cables to be easily installed and supported.
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Another known construction device is a valence. A valence is typically
used to conceal a blind mounting and hardware and will have an inwardly directed plate
extending horizontally to a vertical position that is more or less aligned with the bottom
edge of the valence. A valence usually provides for a smaller vertical drop than a cornice
device. The horizontal plate and the relatively small vertical drop restrict the applications
of a valence.
Consequently, a supplier of valence and cornices will have to create a
relatively large number of sizes of valences and cornices to meet the construction
industry's requirements. This creates an enh~n~ecl cost for a m~nllfacturer of such
products. Accordingly, there is need for cornice and valence elements that can be utilized
more efficiently.
Summary of the Invention
According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a construction
device comprising: (a) a cornice device having: a body extending longihl-lin~llybetween a first end and a second end and having an outward facing surface and an inward
facing surface, said body having an upper portion and a lower portion; said upper portion
having a first connector channel longihl~lin~lly extending between and having an opening
at each of said first end and said second end, said first connector being disposed
proximate said inward facing surface and being adapted for receiving a part of aconnector plug at each of said first and second ends; said lower portion having a second
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connector channel longihl~lin~lly extending between and having an opening at each of said
first end and said second end, said second connector channel being disposed proximate
said inward facing side and being adapted for receiving a part of a connector plug at each
of said first and second ends, said lower portion also having a first valence connector;
and (b) a valence device having: a body extending longihl(lin~lly between a first and
second end and having an outward facing surface and an inward facing surface, said body
having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion having a third connector
channel longit~lclin~lly extending between and having an opening at each of said first and
second ends, said third connector channel being disposed proximate said inward facing
surface and being adapted for receiving a part of a connector plug at each of said first and
second ends of said body, said upper portion having a second valence connector; said first
and second valence connectors being adapted to longit~1clin~11y secure said upper portion
of said valence element to said lower portion of said cornice element with said outward
facing surface of said cornice device being in ~ nment with said outward facing surface
of said valence device; wherein first, second and third connector channels of a first said
construction device are adapted to interconnect longit~l-lin~lly in vertical and horizontal
alignment with first, second and third connector channels, respectively, of a second said
construction device, by use of, a first plug having a first end received in the opening of
said first connector channel of the first construction device and a second end received in
the opening of said first connector channel of said construction device, and a second plug
having a first end received in the opening of said second connector channel of the first
construction device and a second end received in the opening of said second connector
channel of said second construction device, and a third plug having a first end received in
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the opening of said third connector channel of the first construction device and a second
end received in the opening of said third connector channel of said second construction
device, such that said ~ulwald facing surface of said first construction device abuts said
outward facing surface of said second construction device.
According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided
a construction device comprising: a cornice having a body extending longi~(lin~lly
between a first end and a second end and having an ou~ward facing surface and an inward
facing surface, said body having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion
having a first valence connector; a valence having a body extending longihl~lin~lly
between a first and second end and having an outward facing surface and an inward
facing surface, said body having an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion
having a second valence connector; said first and second valence connectors being
adapted to longit~l-lin~lly secure said upper portion of said valence element to said lower
portion of said cornice element, to secure said valence device to said cornice device with
said outward facing surfaces of each abutting, and being in ~lignment with, each other.
According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a cornice
element comprising: a body extending longitllclin~lly between a first end and a second end
and having an outward facing surface and an inward facing surface, said body having an
upper portion and a lower portion; said upper portion having a first connector channel
longih~(lin~lly extending between and having an opening at each of said first end and said
second end and being disposed proximate said inward facing surface and being adapted
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for receiving a part of a connector plug at each of said first and second ends; said lower
portion having a second connector channel longihl-lin~lly extending between and having
an opening at each of said first end and said second end and being disposed proximate
said inward facing side and being adapted for receiving a part of a connector plug at each
of said first and second ends; wherein first and second connector channels of a first said
cornice device are adapted to interconnect in vertical and horizontal :~lignment with first
and second connector channels, respectively, of a second said cornice device, by use of, a
first plug having a first end received in the opening of said first connector channel of the
first cornice device and a second end received in the opening of said first connector
channel of said second cornice device, and a second plug having a first end received in
the opening of said second connector channel of the first cornice device and a second end
received in the opening of said second connector channel of said second cornice device,
such that said oulwald facing surface of said first construction device abuts said outward
facing surface of said second construction device.
According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a cornice
element comprising: a body extending longit~l~lin~lly between a first end and a second
end and having an outward facing surface and an inward facing surface, said body having
an upper portion and a bottom portion; a raceway channel longihl~lin~lly extending
between said first end and said second end and being disposed proximate said inward
facing surface, said raceway channel having a longihltlin~lly extending opening along its
length, said opening sized to receive at least one cable.
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According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a connector
plug for use with a cornice device: said cornice device comprising a body extending
longihl(lin~lly between a first end and a second end and having an outward facing surface
and an inward facing surface; a connector channel longihl~lin~lly extending between and
having an opening at each of said first end and said second end and being disposed
proximate said inward facing surface and being adapted for receiving a part of a
connector plug at each of said first and second ends; wherein said connector channel of a
first said cornice device is adapted to interconnect in vertical and horizontal alignment
with a connector of a second said cornice device, by use of, said connector plug having a
first portion received in the opening of said connector channel of the first cornice device
and a second portion received in the opening of said connector channel of said second
cornice device, such that said outward facing surface of said first construction device
abuts said outward facing surface of said second construction device; said connector plug
comprising a generally vertical side plate having an upper edge and a lower edge; an
upper plate extending generally horizontally in a first direction away from said upper edge
and having a medially positioned cut extending horizontally to said side plate, and an
opposed lower plate extending generally horizontally in said first direction away from said
lower edge and having a medially positioned break positioned in ~lignment with said
break in said upper plate, whereby said connector plug may be bent about a vertical axis
through said side plate, said axis extending from said break in said upper plate to said
break in said lower plate, in a second direction generally opposite to said first direction.
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According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a cornice
element comprising: a body extending longihl~lin~lly between a first end and a second
end and having an outward facing surface and an inward facing surface, said body having
an upper portion and a lower portion; a connector channel longihl~lin~lly extending
between and having an opening at each of said first end and said second end and being
disposed proximate said inward facing surface and being adapted for receiving a part of a
connector plug at each of said first and second ends; wherein connector channel of a first
said cornice device is adapted to interconnect in vertical and horizontal ~31ignment with
first connector channels of a second said cornice device, by use of a plug having a first
end received in the opening of said connector channel of the first cornice device and a
second end received in the opening of said connector channel of said second cornice
device such that said outward facing surface of said first construction device abuts said
outward facing surface of said second construction device.
Brief Description of the Drawin~s
Example embodiments of the present invention are shown in the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cornice device and a valence device
separated from each other;
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Figure 2 is a sectional elevational view of the devices illustrated in Figure
1 interconnected to each other;
Figure 3a is a perspective view of a corner connector;
Figure 3b is a plan view of the corner connector of Figure 3a;
Figure 3c is a perspective view of a straight connector;
Figure 3d is a plan view of the connector in Figure 3c;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a clip;
Figure 5 is an alternate connector shown in perspective view;
Figure 6 is a side schematic view of another embodiment of the invention
shown in a lighting application;
Figure 7 is a side schematic view of another embodiment of the invention
shown in a conre~lment application.
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Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
With reference to Figures 1 - 4, a construction device 11 has two
components; a cornice device 10 and a valence device 70. The cornice device 10 has a
body 12 extending between first and second ends 14 and 16. Typically, the longitu(lin~l
dimensions of a cornice device 10 will be in certain specific standard lengths. Cornice
devices 10 can may be joined together, as hereinafter described to construct a complete
cornice for a particular application. Cornice devices 10 may be interconnected in straight
longitll~lin:~l alignment or may be interconnected at an angle (typically at right angles).
Body 12 has an upper portion generally design~ted 18, a middle portion
generally designated 19, and a lower portion generally design~ted 20. As will be noted
from Figure 1, in a side view the body 10 is generally in a wave form, having its middle
portion 19 with its concavity directed generally ouLw~l~;l, and the upper portion 18 and
lower portion 20 having their concavity generally directed inward. Body 12 has an
outward facing surface 22 and an inward facing surface 24.
Extending longitudinally between the first end 14 and second end 16 is a
connector channel which is disposed inwardly from inward facing surface 24 of body 12.
Channel 26 is formed by a top plate 28, a side wall 30, bottom plate 32 and
longitlldin~lly extending protuberances 34a and 34b which project from plates 28 and 32
respectively. All of these elements, top plate 28, side wall 30, bottom plate 32 and
lon~ lclin~lly extending protuberances 34a and 34b, are integrally formed with body 12
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to provide a unitary structure. Connector channel 26 is open, and te~nin~tes, at or near
both ends 14 and 16 of body 12. Connector channel 26 has a longitll~in~l opening 27
along its length. The interior dimensions channel 26 at its ends are such that the channel
will receive and retain an end of a connector plug such as is depicted in Figures 3a-3d
when a force is applied thereto by a person.
In the embodiment depicted in Figures 1 and 2, each of top plate 28,
channel side wall 30, bottom plate 32 and vertically extending protuberances 34a and 34b,
extend longitudinally between ends 14 and 16 without any discontinuities.
A raceway channel 36 is also integrally formed to provide a unitary
structure with body 12 and it is disposed inwardly from the inward facing surface 24 of
body 12. Raceway channel 36 is formed between ends 14, 16 of body 12 and by a base
plate 38, side wall members 40 and 42, each of side members 40, 42 having at their
upper edges, opposed inwardly directed protuberances 40a and 40b respectively. Side
wall members 40,42 along with their corresponding protuberances 40a, 42a, and bottom
plate 38, all extend longitl1(1in~lly between ends 14 and 16. In this embodiment, these
elements 40, 40a, 42, 42a, and 38 do not have any discontinuities along their length.
Raceway channel 36 is open, and termin~tes, at or near both ends 14 and 16 of body 12.
Extending the length of raceway channel 36 and located between
protuberances 40a and 42a is an opening 44. Thus, as shown in Figure 1, raceway
channel 36 has an accessible opening along its length which will permit piping, cabling or
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wiring 50, such as computer, fiber optic, voice, data, video, or electrical cable or wiring
to be inserted and carried therein. In Figure 2, a longihl~lin~lly extending cap 46 is
shown. Cap 46 has a pair of opposed downward depending, longihldin~lly extending
legs, 46a and 46b. Each leg 46a, 46b has an ouLward facing groove which is capable of
receiving one of protuberances 40a or 42a therein. Cap 46 is made of PVC, and so, due
to its resiliency, the legs can be displaced to enable the protuberances 40a, 42a to be
received in the grooves of the legs as the cap is pushed into the opening. Consequently,
cap 46 will in effect "snap" into the grooves of the legs and be retained therein. Cap 46
will however be capable of being removed by applying a force thereto, with an
applopliate tool. Cap 46 may, at certain intervals along its length, have one or more
openings. The openings permit one or more tributary wires 48 from a main wire 50 to
pass from within raceway channel 36 through the cap 46 which could then be
interconnected as is applopliate. For example, tributary wire 48 could be used to
electrify a light unit, in a manner similar to that illustrated and described hereinafter. A
longi~(lin:~lly extending bracket 52 may be interconnected to a supporting horizontal wall
bracket (as schematically depicted in Figure 6) or alternatively may be secured to a
ceiling (not shown). Thus, bracket 52 will secure the cornice device in its desire
position. Bracket 52 is typically made from steel and is resilient, thus enabling it to be
clipped to the side edges of top plate 28 of cornice device 10.
Proximate its lower portion 20, there is another connector channel 54,
which is again disposed inwardly from the inward facing surface 24 of body 12.
Connector channel 54 is formed by the top plate 56, the bottom plate 58 and a side wall
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60, and vertically extending protuberances 56a and 58a extending respectively upward and
dowllw~fd from plates 56 and 58. All of these elements, top plate 56, side wall 60,
bottom plate 58 and longitu~lin~lly extending protuberances 56a and 58a, are integrally
formed with body 12 to provide a unitary structure. Connector channel 54 is open, and
termin~tçs, at or near both ends 14 and 16 of body 12. Connector channel 54 has a
longitu~1in~l opening 55 along its length. The interior dimensions channel 54 at its ends
are such that the channel will receive and retain an end of a connector plug such as is
depicted in Figures 3a-3d when a force is applied thereto by a person.
In the embodiment depicted in Figures 1 and 2, each of top plate 56,
channel side wall 60, bottom plate 58 and vertically extending protuberances 56a and 58a,
extend longitll-lin~lly between ends 14 and 16 without any discollLilluilies. Formed within
a downward facing surface of bottom plate 58 are longitu(lin~lly extending recesses 62
and 64. Recesses 62 and 64 are both mushroom or pear shaped in cross-section. In an
alternate embodiment, the cross-section may be generally U-shaped and have inwardly
directed, lon~itu-lin~lly extending, opposed ribs.
Valence device 70 has a body 72 extending between a first end 74 and
second end 76. Body 72 has an outward facing surface 78 and inward facing surface 80
and is generally shaped with its direction of concavity directed inward. At a lower
portion 82 of body 72, a connector channel 84 is formed between a top plate 86, a bottom
plate 88, a side wall 90 and protuberances 86a, 88a which extend vertically downward
and upward from plates 86 and 88 respectively. All the elements which form channel 84
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extend longitl1(1in~lly between and are open at first end 74 and second end 76, and are
integrally formed with body 72 to provide a unitary structure. Projecting horizontally
from the top edge 92 of body 72 is a horizontally oriented longihl-lin~lly extending upper
plate or flange 94. Formed on the upper surface of upper plate 94 is a longih1-1in~lly
extending groove or score-line 96. At V-shaped groove 96, the depth of the plate 94 is
slightly reduced (typically the groove's depth is 25% of the total depth of plate) thus
enabling one to make an easier cut with a tool such as a knife or table saw, to detach a
portion 95 of plate 94, from the rest of plate 94. Also protruding upwards from upper
surface 88 of upper plate 94 are a pair of longitudinally extending ribs or rails 100,102.
Ribs 100 and 102 have a cross-section which like recesses 62 and 64 in bottom plate 58
in cornice device 10 are mushroom or pear shaped in cross section and of similar
dimensions. This permits longitudinal ribs 100,102 to be forced into recesses 62,64
respectively, thus securing the cornice device 10 to valence device 70. When cornice
device 10 is conn~cted to valence device 70 in the manner illustrated in Figure 2, the
upper surface of the upper plate 94 of valence device 70 lies flush with the downward
facing surface of bottom plate 58 of cornice 10. Furthermore outward facing surface 22
of cornice device 10 lies flush and is aligned with outward facing surface 78 of valence
device 70, thus providing a smooth surface to which wallpaper, fabric or paint may be
applied. In this preferred embodiment, the recesses 62, 64 are located on the underside
of the cornice device 10 so that the underside of the cornice device may be provided with
a smooth lower surface when finished with wall paper or fabric.
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An alternate form of recess 62, 64 and rib 100, 102 connection can be
made by forming the ribs as longitudinally extending ribs having an arrowhead cross-
section, and to form the recesses with a U-shaped opening that also has opposed,inwardly directed ribs. This would permit the arrowhead ribs to deform and be received
within the recesses but would resist the ribs becoming detached from the recesses.
Extending longi~ 1in~lly from edges 104 and 106 of upper plate 94 and top
plate 86 respectively are longitu(lin~lly extending ribs 108 and 110, each being sized to be
received by the mouth of a clip 112. The mouths of clip 112 are substantially the same
as the mouth of clip 114 which is illustrated in Figure 4. Clip 112 may be used to secure
the valence device to a wall by use of screws passing through apertures in the clip.
All of the elements described above, except for bracket 52 are made from
polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This selection of material is important in that it combines the
unusual set of characteristics of being relatively inexpensive to utilize, it is rigid, strong
but not brittle, can be extruded into the specific configurations described above, and yet is
a safe material to hold electrical cabling and wiring. Furthermore, the nature of PVC is
such that it has sufficient resiliency to permit the mushroom, pear shaped or arrowhead
ribs or rails 100, 102 to be received into the recesses 60, 62 with corresponding shaped
cross sections. As it is neither expected nor required that the valence device, after
attachment to the cornice device, will need to be disconnected thelefiulll by removal of
the ribs 100,102 from the recesses 60,62, and the use of PVC will ensure that the valence
device will remain firmly secured to the cornice device. It is intended, that if desired,
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valence device 70 could be connected to the cornice device 10 to provide for a
construction device which would be useful for applications that would not be suitable for
either valence device 70, or cornice device 10, alone.
The elements of cornice device 10 and valence device 70 that are made of
PVC may be conveniently extruded by known techniques and thus the features will be
integrally formed structures to provide a unitary structure (except of course the cap 46,
bracket 52 and the connector plugs which are separate components).
Figures 3c and 3d illustrate a connector plug 130 which is utilized for
reception in an end of one of the connector channels 26, 54, 84 so as to effect a
horizontally and vertically aligned connection of one cornice device 10 to another cornice
device 10, a valence device 70 to another valence device 70, or longihl~lin~lly connecting
two construction devices.
Each plug 130 would be capable of being fully received into a connector
charmel (i.e. the entire plug will fit or be received into the two adjacent channel
openings). Accordingly each of the two ends will be received into a connector channel of
either a cornice device 10 or a valence device 70 and permit the adjacent ends of the
cornice and valence devices of two adjacent units to be in abutment with each other, to
avoid an unsightly gap between adjacent devices. The result is an easily facilitated
connection between a pair of devices.
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In Figures 3a and 3b, a connector plug 140 is shown and is used to
interconnect two construction devices 11, or two cornice devices 10, or two valence
devices 70, but in a manner that the adjacent devices are orientated at a fixed angle when
connected. Connector 140 has two arms 142 and 144, each disposed at right angles to
the other. It will be appreciated that in order to interconnect either a pair of cornice
devices 10, a pair of valence devices 70, or a pair of construction devices 11, it will be
necessary for the elements lying behind the upper surfaces to be appropliately cut back at
a suitable angle or be preformed in such a configuration (ie. A typical mitre joint is
required). All the connector plugs described in Figures 3a - 3d are preferably made from
10 PVC.
In Figure 4, an alternate form of clip 114 to clip 112 is shown, which
illustrates in more detail the opening 116 of either clip 112 or clip 114. The two arms
of the clips that form the opening are both resilient thus permitting the ribs with the pear
or mushroom shaped cross-sections to be received into the opening 116, and then be
restrained from dislodgement. Clips 112 and 114 are also preferably made from PVC.
Each of clips 112 114 will only extend longitl1(1in~lly for a short distance between the
ends of the construction device 11. Several such clips can be cut from an extruded
section.
The connector plugs described above and which are shown in Figures 3a -
3d are for particular applications: one is for making straight connections, the other is for
a fixed angle (right angle) connection. However, in many situations, a connection
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between adjacent construction devices 11, cornice devices 10 or valence device 70 will be
required at other angles. In Figure 5, a more versatile connector plug 250 is shown
having a side plate 252, a lower plate 254 having lower plate portions 254a and 254b and
an upper plate 256 having upper plate portions 256a and 256b. Upper plate portions 256a
and 256b are separated by a break or cut 259. Upper plate portions 256a and 256b each
have a longih~lin~lly extending rib 258a, 258b, respectively on their upper surfaces.
Lower plate portions are constructed in the same manner having ribs (only the end of rib
260a being shown) and break or cut 262. Side plate 252 also has a set of spaced,
lon~ihl(lin~lly extending ribs 264a, 264b and 264c on its outer surface 266. Cuts 259 and
262 permit connector plug 250 to be utilized in the connector channels in the manner
described above, but in situations where adjacent construction devices 11, cornice devices
10 or valence devices 70 are to be orientated at an angle other than that for which the
connectors in Figure 3 are utilized. The connector plug 250 can be bent about an axis X-
X through the side plate in the direction shown by the arrows in Figure 5, and then
inserted into a pair of adjacent connector channels such as channels 26, to accommodate
virtually any angle such that portion 272 will be received in the connector channel of one
device, and portion 252 will be received in the connector channel of another such device
to permit the two devices to abut each other as described above, with their outward
surfaces being flush.at the joint. The ability to invert the upper plate 256 and lower plate
254 when received into a connector channel enable the full range of angles to be covered.
The connector plug is preferably made from alllmimlm although other
metals would be suitable if they have sufficient bending properties. Its configuration is
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such that the ribs provide for an oversized plug such that when it is received into a
connector channel such as channel 26, its ribs will gouge into the inner surface of the
PVC channel thus securing the plug in the channel. The ribs will negate any differences
in manufacturing tolerances that may exist between the alllminllm plug and the PVC
elements of the connector channels.
In Figure 6, a construction device 311 is shown which combines a cornice
device 310 and a valence device 370 substantially configured and interconnected in a
manner as described above and illustrated in Figures 1 - 4. It will be noted that in this
embodiment the upper plate 394 has been narrowed by virtue of previously having been
cut down its groove in a manner described above. In this side view, which shows
construction device 311 in section, a device 311 is shown being mounted by virtue of clip
bracket 352 and employing a screw 357 to secure the bracket 352 to a horizontal wall
mounting bracket 359. Bracket 359 is actually comprised of two parts, a first part 361
which has depending down from it a leg portion 363 which secures to a wall mounting
bracket 365 which again is secured to the wall by a screw 357. Bracket 365 also serves
to mount a lighting fixture unit generally illustrated as 367 and which comprises a pair of
florescent longit~l(lin:~lly extending tube lights 369. Light fixture 367 may be electrified
by power received from tributary wire 328 which is interconn~ctecl to main power cable
350. Schematically shown in the side view are a mini-blind 371 positioned behind drapes
or a side panel 373 both of which are secured by a bracket 375.
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A second portion 383 of horizontal bracket 359 is secured to first portion
361 by means of a releasable clamp which passes through both first portion 383 and
second portion 361. If ever it is necessary to remove combination device 311, for
example to replace a fluorescent light tube 369, this may be easily accomplished by
releasing the clamp 389.
Turning now to Figure 7, a construction device 411 comprising a cornice
device 410 and valence device 470 is schematically illustrated. A mounting bracket 452
secures a construction device 411 to a ceiling. A clip 499 such as the clip 114 illustrated
in Figure 4 is utilized to secure the bottom lon~it~l-lin~lly extending edge 406 of the
valence device 470. Valence device 470 and cornice device 410 are configured and
interconnected in a manner substantially as described above. This sort of application
would be particularly useful when refurbishing existing buildings. For example, in
certain construction applications it is necessary to place into buildings new cable and
wiring, (such as computer cabling, etc). However, very often the walls (for example in
high rise apartments) would be made of concrete. In such environments, it is very
difficult to be able to place new cabling or wiring in the manner which is hidden from
sight. Employing the combination device shown in 411 which may carry cabling 450 in
the cable raceway 436 provides an efficient and cost effective means of retro-fitting
existing buildings, particularly those having concrete or other similar types of walls or
ceilings.
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Other modifications and variations are contemplated within the scope of the
invention as hereinafter claimed.
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