AU2015201852A1 - Skirting board - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A skirting board 10 comprising a skirting panel 12, a lower attachment portion 14 extending from a lower portion of the skirting panel 12, and an upper attachment portion 16 attached to an upper portion of the skirting panel 12 via a link section 18. The skirting board 10 is used for covering the lowest part of a wall 100, to cover the junction between the wall cladding 120 and the floor 110. The skirting board 10 also supports the wall cladding 120 and the appearance of the skirting board 10 provides an additional attractive finish to the wall 100. N'k,. "N10 '42 'N'16 N C'\>46 N'44 74' 24 ~ ' N N<~)'18 ~" 'K"'18 23\~ N 'K~22 12' ... 16 " &t~ N32 *21*K ~N~~~ N N' 'K14 ~ ~~25 34K " ' FI .R 1 '~"K

Description

1 SKIRTING BOARD Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to a skirting board. Background of the Invention [2] Conventional skirting boards are typically time consuming to install and does not provide a good finish. [3] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. [4] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Invention [5] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a skirting board comprising: a skirting panel having a front face and a rear face; and a wall frame attachment means extending from the rear face. [6] In one embodiment, the wall frame attachment means comprises a longitudinal tab. [7] In another embodiment, the wall frame attachment means is disposed at a lower portion of the rear face. [8] In another embodiment, the wall frame attachment means comprises a lower edge aligned with a lower edge of the skirting panel. [9] In another embodiment, the wall frame attachment means spaces the skirting panel from a wall frame. [10] In another embodiment, the skirting board further comprises a cladding attachment means extending from an upper end of the skirting panel. [11] In another embodiment, the cladding attachment means comprises a seat for receiving a lower edge section of wall cladding. [12] In another embodiment, the seat comprises a horizontal web and a vertical attachment panel. [13] In another embodiment, the vertical attachment panel is substantially aligned with the skirting panel.

2 [14] In another embodiment, the horizontal web extends rearwardly from the vertical attachment panel. [15] In another embodiment, the cladding attachment means comprises mounting means for mounting to wall cladding. [16] In another embodiment, the mounting panel comprises a plurality of apertures. [17] In another embodiment, the skirting board further comprises a link section connecting the cladding attachment means to the skirting panel. [18] In another embodiment, the link section defines a horizontal recess along a front portion thereof. [19] In another embodiment, the link section comprises a spacing tab which spaces an upper portion of the skirting panel from a wall frame. [20] In another embodiment, the skirting board further comprises a receiving section formed at a rear section of the skirting panel for receiving a skirting board connector. [21] In another embodiment, the skirting board is formed as an extrusion. [22] In another embodiment, the skirting board is made from at least one of polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, fibreglass, metal, plastics or aluminium [23] The present invention also provides a skirting board comprising: a skirting panel; and a cladding attachment means extending from an upper end of the skirting panel. [24] In another embodiment, the skirting panel comprises a front face and a rear face; and the skirting board further comprises a wall frame attachment means extending from the rear face. [25] The present invention also provides a kit comprises: at least two skirting boards according to the above; and at least one joiner block to be disposed in the receiving space of one skirting board and to be received in the receiving space of an adjacent skirting board. [26] In another embodiment, the kit comprises: two skirting boards mitre cut at adjacent side edges to form a corner; and a joiner block having a corner bend disposed in the receiving space of one skirting board and received in the receiving space of the adjacent skirting board 3 [27] In another embodiment, the kit further comprises at least one rear attachment clip for attaching the wall frame attachment means to a wall frame. [28] The present invention also provides a building structure having the skirting board of any one of the above. [29] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings [30] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [31] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a length of skirting board in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [32] Fig. 2 is a cross-section view of the skirting board of Figure 1 installed to a wall and adjacent a floor; [33] Fig. 3 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 2 illustratively showing a short length of the skirting board attached to a sample wall and sample floor; [34] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a length of skirting board having a rear attachment clip; [35] Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of two lengths of skirting boards mitre cut to form a corner junction, and showing a corner connector and a length connector; and [36] Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the corner of Figure 5. Description of Embodiments [37] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. [38] Figures 1 to 3 show a length of skirting board 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The skirting board 10 in the embodiment is a metal extrusion, preferably of aluminium. [39] The skirting board 10 comprises a skirting panel 12, a lower attachment portion 14 extending from a lower portion of the skirting panel 12, and an upper attachment portion 16 attached to an upper portion of the skirting panel 12 via a link section 18. [40] Being an extrusion, all portions of the skirting board 10 being the skirting panel 12, the lower attachment portion 14, the upper attachment portion 16 and the link section 18 are all co-extensive with each other. The skirting board 10 is cut to length as needed.

4 [41] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the skirting board 10 is used for covering the lowest part of a wall 100, to cover the junction between the wall cladding 120 and the floor 110. The wall cladding 120 is typically mounted to a wall frame 114, which includes a vertical wall stud 115 supported by a horizontal bottom plate 117. In the present invention, the skirting board 10 also supports the wall cladding 120 and the appearance of the skirting board 10 provides an additional attractive finish to the wall 100. [42] For ease of description, the skirting board 10 is described herein in its normal installed configuration. That is, when the skirting board 10 is installed, sections described as 'vertical' and 'horizontal' are oriented as such. The term 'rearwardly' as used herein refers to a direction from a rear face of the skirting panel towards the wall frame. [43] The skirting panel 12 comprises a flat planar body which in the embodiment is generally rectangular having a front face 21, a rear face 22, a lower edge 23, an upper edge 24 and side edges 25. The skirting panel 12 in use extends generally vertically, with the lower edge 23 adjacent the floor 110. The front face 21 is spaced from the wall stud 115 and bottom plate 117 such that the front face 21 is substantially aligned with a front face of the wall cladding 120. [44] The lower attachment portion 14 extends from the rear face 22 of the skirting panel 12 at a lower portion thereof, and spaces the lower portion of the skirting panel 12 from the wall frame 114. The lower attachment portion 14 is generally T-shaped in cross-section and comprises a flat vertical first section 32 and a connecting web 34. The connecting web 34 extends perpendicularly from the rear face 22 and connects the first section 32 to the skirting panel 12. The first section 32 thus extends generally vertical in use and parallel to the skirting panel 12. A lower edge of the first section 32 is aligned with the lower edge 23 of the skirting panel 12. A rear attachment clip 80 is used to attach the first section 32 to the bottom plate 117 or wall stud 115 as further described below. [45] The lower attachment portion 14 thus forms a longitudinal attachment tab means for attaching the skirting panel to the wall frame 114. [46] The upper attachment portion 16 comprises a cladding front attachment panel 42 and a cladding base support web 44. The front attachment panel 42 is generally vertical in use and spaced from the wall stud 115. The base support web 44 extends horizontally rearwardly from a lower edge of the front attachment panel 42 towards the wall stud 115. The upper attachment portion 16 is thus generally L-shaped in cross section and defines a receiving space 46 between the front attachment panel 42 and the wall stud 115 in use and above the base support web 44. The receiving space 46 receives a lower edge section of the wall cladding 120 in use. The front attachment panel 42 comprises a plurality of apertures 43 5 formed therein which in the example are disposed as spaced, diagonally oriented groups of four to five apertures each, arranged in series within each group [47] The link section 18 comprises a horizontal first section 72 and a vertical second section 74. The first section 72 extends from the upper edge 24 of the skirting panel 12 and horizontally rearwardly towards the wall stud 115. The first section 72 further comprises a spacing tab 76 which extend downwardly from a rear edge thereof. The second section 74 extends vertically from the first section 72 at a position adjacent the tab 76. The second section 74 connects to a rear edge of the base support web 44 and supports the upper attachment portion 16. [48] The second section 74 being offset rearwardly forms a horizontal recess 78 between the front attachment panel 42 and the skirting panel 12. The recess 78 forms part of the finish look for the skirting board 10. [49] A second receiving section 47 is also formed between the rear face 22, the base support web 44 and the connecting web 34. [50] Referring to Figures 2 and 4, the rear attachment clip 80 comprises a mounting portion 82 and a return portion 84 extending upwardly from a lower edge of the mounting portion 82. The mounting portion 82 comprises a number of apertures therein for screw 85 attachment to the wall stud 115 or bottom plate 117. The return portion 84 forms a receiving space which receives and supports a lower edge section of the vertical first section 32 of the lower attachment portion 14 [51] To install the skirting board 10, attachment clips 80 are firstly mounted in a spaced manner along the bottom plate 117 or wall stud 115, with the receiving portions thereof abutting the floor 110. The first section 32 of the lower attachment portion 14 is then inserted and received in such receiving portions which positions the lower edge 23 of the skirting panel 12 adjacent the floor 110. The spacing tab 76 engages the wall stud 115 which positions the upper attachment portion 16. The lower edge section of the cladding 120 is then received in the receiving space 46 and supported by the upper attachment portion 16. Mounting screws 86 are then inserted via one or more of the apertures 43 for mounting the upper attachment portion 16 and the cladding 120 to the wall stud 115. [52] Referring to Figure 5, if lengths of skirting boards 10 are required to be joined in series, a flat joiner block 140 is disposed in the second receiving space 47 of one skirting board 10, which is then received in the second receiving space 47 of the adjacent skirting board 10. The joiner blocks 140 are tightly received within the receiving spaces 47 which will assist with alignment of the skirting boards 10.

6 [53] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, to cover a corner, two lengths of skirting boards 10 are mitre cut at their adjacent side edges 25. A corner joiner block 150 is disposed in the second receiving space 47 of one skirting board 10, which is then received in the second receiving space 47 of the adjacent skirting board 10. The corner joiner block 150 includes a 900 corner therein for joining the skirting boards 10. [54] The present skirting board 10 provides a number of advantages, such as: * Formed as a single integral piece; * Preferred material is sturdy aluminium which is ideal for skirting where a lot of wear and tear occurs from shoes and vacuum cleaners. The skirting board is less susceptible to dents than timber; * Hidden mounting systems - Fixings are not visible at least in the skirting panel. With the conventional method all fixing holes have to be patched resulting in more downtime; * Corner block joiners and flat block joiners for strong and secure joins; * Superior to conventional method where timber is fixed to wall first and a flimsy metal bead is applied later. It is very hard to achieve straight lines in the conventional method as the timber does not follow the same line as the metal bead; * Much faster installation times resulting in less costs incurred by installer therefore cheaper for the end user; * Environmental benefit. No trees are cut down for this product. [55] Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. [56] The lower attachment portion for example can comprise an L-shaped section which comprises the lower attachment tab. [57] The skirting panel can also comprise a decorated front face.

Claims (24)

1. A skirting board comprising: a skirting panel having a front face and a rear face; and a wall frame attachment means extending from the rear face.

2. The skirting board of claim 1 wherein the wall frame attachment means comprises a longitudinal tab.

3. The skirting board of claim 1 wherein the wall frame attachment means is disposed at a lower portion of the rear face.

4. The skirting board of claim 1 wherein the wall frame attachment means comprises a lower edge aligned with a lower edge of the skirting panel.

5. The skirting board of claim 1 wherein the wall frame attachment means spaces the skirting panel from a wall frame.

6. The skirting board of claim 1 further comprising a cladding attachment means extending from an upper end of the skirting panel.

7. The skirting board of claim 6 wherein the cladding attachment means comprises a seat for receiving a lower edge section of wall cladding.

8. The skirting board of claim 7 wherein the seat comprises a horizontal web and a vertical attachment panel.

9. The skirting board of claim 8 wherein the vertical attachment panel is substantially aligned with the skirting panel.

10. The skirting board of claim 8 wherein the horizontal web extends rearwardly from the vertical attachment panel.

11. The skirting board of claim 6 wherein the cladding attachment means comprises mounting means for mounting to wall cladding.

12. The skirting board of claim 11 wherein the mounting panel comprises a plurality of apertures.

13. The skirting board of claim 6 further comprising a link section connecting the cladding attachment means to the skirting panel.

14. The skirting board of claim 13 wherein the link section defines a horizontal recess along a front portion thereof. 8

15. The skirting board of claim 13 wherein the link section comprises a spacing tab which spaces an upper portion of the skirting panel from a wall frame.

16. The skirting board of claim 1 further comprising a receiving section formed at a rear section of the skirting panel for receiving a skirting board connector.

17. The skirting board of claim 1 formed as an extrusion.

18. The skirting board of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the skirting board is made from at least one of polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, fibreglass, metal, plastics or aluminium.

19. A skirting board comprising: a skirting panel; and a cladding attachment means extending from an upper end of the skirting panel.

20. The skirting board of claim 19, the skirting panel comprising a front face and a rear face; and further comprising a wall frame attachment means extending from the rear face.

21. A kit comprising: at least two skirting boards according to claim 16; and at least one joiner block to be disposed in the receiving space of one skirting board and to be received in the receiving space of an adjacent skirting board.

22. The kit of clam 21 comprising: two skirting boards mitre cut at adjacent side edges to form a corner; and a joiner block having a corner bend disposed in the receiving space of one skirting board and received in the receiving space of the adjacent skirting board

23. The kit of clam 21 further comprising at least one rear attachment clip for attaching the wall frame attachment means to a wall frame.

24. A building structure having the skirting board of any one of claims 1 to 20.