AU2020103981A4

AU2020103981A4 - Fixing system for architectural mouldings

Info

Publication number: AU2020103981A4
Application number: AU2020103981A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Wilfred John Quinsey
Original assignee: TMP GROUP Pty Ltd
Current assignee: TMP GROUP Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-12-09
Filing date: 2020-12-09
Publication date: 2021-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-09
Also published as: AU2020103981B4

Abstract

Disclosed is a bracket (100) for fixing an architectural moulding (200) relative to a frame (300) of an architectural opening. Bracket (100) comprises a substantially planar body (110) having a first major surface (112) on a first side (114) thereof and a second major surface (116) on an opposite second side (118) thereof. A first coupling formation (120) is provided on first side (114) for engagement by a second coupling formation (220) on architectural moulding (200) to secure the architectural moulding to the bracket. An engagement surface (130) is provided on second side (118) and is adapted to bear against a planar wall surface adjacent the architectural opening, in use. A locating projection (140) extends from second side (118), is located adjacent the engagement surface (130) and defines a bearing surface (142) that is adapted, in use, to engage an edge of frame (300) to facilitate orienting and positioning architectural moulding (200) relative to frame (300). 3/6 300 100 200 410 400 FIG. 4

Description

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FIG. 4

"Fixing system for architectural mouldings"

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system for facilitating the installation of architectural mouldings.

Background

[0002] Typically, architectural mouldings, such as skirting boards and architraves, are secured using screws or nails driven through the moulding and into the underlying wall. In some cases, a construction adhesive is used instead of or in addition to the screws or nails.

[0003] When screws or nails are used to secure a moulding, they create an aesthetic defect in the outer surface of the moulding. The defect is typically repaired by filling with a filler prior to painting. Repair of such defects is time consuming and can be especially difficult in the case of pre-painted mouldings, due to the difficulty of matching the paint colour used in the repair to that of the pre-painted mouldings. Also, regardless of whether the moulding is secured using screws, nails or adhesive, it typically cannot be removed without significant damage to the moulding and the underlying wall.

[0004] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.

[0005] Throughout this specification:

* the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps; and

* the meaning of the term "building partition" will be understood to include a wall, ceiling or floor.

Summary

[0006] Disclosed herein is a bracket for fixing an architectural moulding relative to a frame of an architectural opening, the bracket comprising: a substantially planar body having a first major surface on a first side thereof and a second major surface on an opposite second side thereof; a first coupling formation on the first side for engagement by a second coupling formation on an architectural moulding to secure the architectural moulding to the bracket; an engagement surface on the second side, the engagement surface adapted to bear against a planar wall surface adjacent the architectural opening; at least one locating projection extending from the second side, the locating projection being located adjacent the engagement surface, the locating projection defining a bearing surface that is adapted, in use, to engage an edge of the frame to facilitate positioning the architectural moulding in a predetermined orientation and location relative to the frame.

[0007] The bearing surface may be elongate and linear. In other embodiments, the locating projection may comprise a plurality of spaced apart locating projections, each of the locating projections comprising a said bearing surface.

[0008] The first coupling formation may comprise at least one projection extending from the first side for engagement by the second coupling formation. In other embodiments, the first coupling formation may comprise at least one recess on first side for engagement by the second coupling formation. The at least one projection or recess of the first coupling formation may be elongate and linear. In other embodiments, the at least one projection or recess of the first coupling formation may comprise a plurality of linearly spaced apart projections or recesses.

[0009] A region of the second side comprising the engagement surface may comprise recessed portions, such as grooves or dimples.

[0010] One or more openings may extend through the body from the first side to the second side for receiving fasteners, such as screws or nails, for connecting the bracket to a building partition adjacent the architectural opening.

[0011] The bracket maybe of integral, one-piece construction. The bracket maybe formed, for example, by extrusion or injection moulding.

[0012] Also disclosed herein is a fixing system for an architectural moulding, the system comprising: the bracket as defined in paragraph [0006] above, optionally including the features defined in any of paragraphs [0007] to [0011] above; and the architectural moulding comprising the second coupling formation, the first and second coupling formations being engageable to secure the architectural moulding to the bracket and thereby, in use, relative to the frame, wherein, when the architectural moulding and bracket are engaged, the architectural moulding completely obscures the first side of the bracket.

[0013] The first and second coupling formations maybe configured relative to one another such as to provide an interference fit therebetween when they are engaged. The first and second coupling formations may be configured relative to one another such as to be frictionally engageable. The first and second coupling formations may be configured relative to one another such as to be snap-lockingly engageable.

[0014] When the architectural moulding and bracket are engaged, the architectural moulding may extend, in a direction away from the engagement surface, at least 5mm beyond the bearing surface (i.e., toward the frame, in use).

[0015] A rear of the architectural moulding may comprise a first contact surface on one side thereof, a second contact surface on an opposite side thereof and an intermediate portion therebetween, the second coupling formation being located in the intermediate portion, the first and second contact surfaces being configured to engage the wall surface and the frame, in use. The intermediate portion may be recessed relative to the first and second contact portions. A first distance by which the intermediate portion is recessed relative to the first and second contact portions may be greater than or equal to a thickness of the planar body of the bracket. A second distance between the engagement surface and an end of the first coupling formation distal therefrom, measured perpendicular to a plane defined by the planar body, may be less than a third distance between the contact surface and an end of the second coupling formation distal therefrom, measured in a thickness direction of the architectural moulding. The difference between the second distance and the third distance may be between 0.1mm and 2mm, such as around 0.25mm.

[0016] The architectural moulding maybe an architrave.

[0017] Also disclosed herein is a method of fixing an architectural moulding relative to a frame of an architectural opening, comprising: providing the fixing system as defined in paragraph [0012] above, optionally including the features defined in paragraph [0013] to [0016] above; positioning the bracket adjacent the frame of the architectural opening and engaging the bearing surface with an edge of the frame; fixedly connecting the bracket relative to the frame; and engaging the architectural moulding with the bracket.

[0018] Fixedly connecting the bracket relative to the frame may comprise fixedly connecting the bracket to a building partition adjacent the architectural opening. The bracket may be fixedly connected to the building partition after lining material for the building partition has been installed. An opening for receiving the at least one locating projection may be created in the lining material adjacent the frame. Fixedly connecting the bracket relative to the frame may comprise using an adhesive to connect the region of the second side of the bracket comprising the engagement surface to the lining material. Fixedly connecting the bracket relative to the frame may alternatively or additionally comprise installing mechanical fasteners, such as screws or nails, through the body of the bracket and into the building partition.

[0019] Also disclosed herein is one or more invention comprising any of the steps, features, integers, compositions and/or compounds disclosed herein or indicated in the specification of this application individually or collectively, or any and all combinations of two or more of said steps or features.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0020] One or more embodiment of the principles disclosed herein will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bracket embodying principles disclosed herein; FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an end view of the bracket of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view showing a fixing system comprising the bracket of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of an architrave of the system of FIG. 4 FIG. 7 is a schematic elevational view of an architrave corner joint of the system of FIG. 4; and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 7.

Description of Embodiments

[0021] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a bracket 100 for fixing an architectural moulding, in the form of architrave 200, relative to a frame 300 of an architectural opening. The frame 300 may, for example, be a doorjamb or window reveal.

[0022] Bracket 100 comprises a substantially planar body 110 having a first major surface 112 on a first side 114 thereof and a second major surface 116 on an opposite second side 118 thereof A first coupling formation 120, in the form of a pair of parallel locking ribs, is provided on the first side 114 for engagement by a second coupling formation 220 on an architrave 200 to secure the architrave to the bracket. An engagement surface 130 is provided on the second side 118 and is adapted to bear against a planar wall surface adjacent the architectural opening, in use. A locating projection 140, in the form of an elongate linear projection, extends from the second side 118. Projection 140 is located adjacent the engagement surface 130 and defines an elongate, linear bearing surface 142 that is adapted, in use, to engage an edge of frame 300 to facilitate orienting architrave 200 parallel to the edge of the frame and positioning architrave 200 in a predetermined location relative to the edge of the frame.

[0023] A region of the second side comprising the engagement surface 130 comprises recessed portions 132, in the form of grooves. In other embodiments, the recessed portions may, for example, instead comprise dimples.

[0024] One or more openings 150 extend through the body 110 from the first side 114 to the second side 118 for receiving fasteners 160, such as screws or nails, for connecting bracket 100 to a building partition adjacent the architectural opening.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, bracket 100 is of integral, one-piece construction and is configured for manufacture by injection moulding or extrusion, for example.

[0026] Architrave 200 comprises a second coupling formation 220, in the form of a pair of elongate parallel grooves. Coupling formation 220 engages coupling formation 120 to secure architrave 200 to bracket 100 and thereby, in use, relative to frame 300. As will be appreciated from FIGS. 4 and 5, when architrave 200 and bracket 100 are engaged, architrave 200 completely obscures the first side 114 of the bracket.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, first and second coupling formations 120, 220 are configured relative to one another such as to provide a frictional interference fit therebetween when they are engaged. In other embodiments, first and second coupling formations 120, 220 may be configured relative to one another such as to be snap lockingly engageable.

[0028] The relative locations of first and second coupling formations 120, 220 and bearing surface 142, together with the width of architrave 200, are selected to ensure that when architrave 200 and bracket 100 are engaged, architrave 200 extends, in a direction away from engagement surface 130, at least 5mm beyond the bearing surface 142 (i.e., toward frame 300, in use). This ensures that, in use, as shown in FIG. 4, architrave 200 partly overlaps frame 300.

[0029] A rear of architrave 200 comprises a first contact surface 230 on one side thereof and a second contact surface 240 on an opposite side thereof, the second coupling formation 220 being located in an intermediate portion 250 between the first and second contact surfaces. Intermediate portion 250 is recessed relative to the first and second contact portions 230, 240 by a first distance D1 greater than or equal to a thickness T of bracket body 110.

[0030] A second distance D2 between engagement surface 130 and an end of the first coupling formation 120 distal therefrom, measured perpendicular to a plane defined by bracket body 110, is less than a third distance D3 between contact surfaces 230, 240 and an end of second coupling formation 220 distal therefrom, measured in a thickness direction of architrave 200. The difference between D2 and D3 may be between 0.1mm and 2mm, such as around 0.25mm, to facilitate contact surfaces 230, 240 engaging lining material 400 and frame 300, respectively, even if frame 300 projects beyond or is recessed relative to the outer surface of the lining material by a distance up to the difference between D2 and D3.

[0031] Bracket 100 is configured for installation after lining material 400 for the building partition adjacent the architectural opening has been installed. Architrave 200 is fixed relative to frame 300 by applying adhesive to second side 118 of bracket 100, positioning the bracket adjacent frame 300, pressing second side 118 against lining material 400, and accurately positioning the bracket relative to frame 300 by engaging bearing surface 142 with an edge of the frame. Alternatively to the adhesive, or in addition thereto, a fastener, such as a screw or nail, may be installed through opening(s) 150 and into a frame member 410 of the building partition to fix bracket 100 thereto. If an opening 420 large enough to receive locating projection 140 does not exist between frame 300 and lining material 400, an opening of adequate size is created in the lining material prior to installation of bracket 100. Architrave 200 is then fixed to bracket 100, and thereby to frame 300, by engaging first and second coupling formations 120, 220 as shown in FIG. 4, in which configuration first and second contact surfaces 230, 240 engage lining material 400 and frame 300, respectively, and architrave 200 completely obscures bracket 100 and partly overlaps frame 300 to cover a connection between frame 300 and lining material 400, including any gaps that may exist therebetween.

[0032] An architrave corner joint reinforcing module 500 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Module 500 comprises an L-shaped body having one or more coupling formations 520 thereon complementary to and engageable with coupling formations 220 of architrave 200 as shown in FIGS 7 and 8. Module 500 can be used in association with bracket 100, with module 500 being installed at cornerjoints of sections of architrave 200 and bracket(s) 100 being engaged at one or more other locations along the length of architrave 200.

[0033] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Examples of possible modification and/or variations include, but are not limited to:

• instead of a single linear projection, locating projection 140 may comprise a plurality of spaced apart locating projections, each of the locating projections comprising a bearing surface for engaging an edge of frame 300;

• instead of two parallel ribs, first coupling formation 120 may comprise a single rib, more than two ribs or may comprise projections other than ribs, such as a plurality of lugs or other discrete projections spaced apart, linearly or otherwise, on the first side 114;

• instead of first coupling formation 120 comprising one or more projection and second coupling formation comprising one or more recess 220, first coupling formation 120 may comprise one or more recess engageable by corresponding one or more projection(s) on the architrave 200; and/or

* bracket 100 omitting locating projection 140 and architectural moulding 200 being a skirting board.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A bracket for fixing an architectural moulding relative to a frame of an architectural opening, the bracket comprising: a substantially planar body having a first major surface on a first side thereof and a second major surface on an opposite second side thereof; a first coupling formation on the first side for engagement by a second coupling formation on an architectural moulding to secure the architectural moulding to the bracket; an engagement surface on the second side, the engagement surface adapted to bear against a planar wall surface adjacent the architectural opening; at least one locating projection extending from the second side, the locating projection being located adjacent the engagement surface, the locating projection defining a bearing surface that is adapted, in use, to engage an edge of the frame to facilitate positioning the architectural moulding in a predetermined orientation and location relative to the frame.

2. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the bearing surface is elongate and linear.

3. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the locating projection comprises a plurality of spaced apart locating projections, each of the locating projections comprising a said bearing surface.

4. The bracket of any one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more openings extending through the body from the first side to the second side for receiving fasteners for connecting the bracket to a building partition adjacent the architectural opening.

5. A fixing system for an architrave, the system comprising: the bracket according to any one of the preceding claims; and the architectural moulding comprising the second coupling formation, the first and second coupling formations being engageable to secure the architectural moulding

I1

to the bracket and thereby, in use, relative to the frame, wherein, when the architectural moulding and bracket are engaged, the architectural moulding completely obscures the first side of the bracket.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second coupling formations are configured relative to one another such as to provide an interference fit therebetween when they are engaged.

7. The system of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein, when the architectural moulding and bracket are engaged, the architectural moulding extends, in a direction away from the engagement surface, at least 5mm beyond the bearing surface.

8. The system of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a rear of the architectural moulding comprises a first contact surface on one side thereof, a second contact surface on an opposite side thereof and an intermediate portion therebetween, the second coupling formation being located in the intermediate portion, the first and second contact surfaces being configured to engage the wall surface and the frame, in use.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the intermediate portion is recessed relative to the first and second contact portions.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein a first distance by which the intermediate portion is recessed relative to the first and second contact portions is greater than or equal to a thickness of the planar body of the bracket.

11. The system of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein a second distance between the engagement surface and an end of the first coupling formation distal therefrom, measured perpendicular to a plane defined by the planar body, is less than a third distance between the first and second contact surfaces and an end of the second coupling formation distal therefrom, measured in a thickness direction of the architectural moulding.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the difference between the second distance and the third distance is between 0.1mm and 2mm.

13. A method of fixing an architectural moulding relative to a frame of an architectural opening, comprising: providing the fixing system according to any one of claims 5 to 12; positioning the bracket adjacent the frame of the architectural opening and engaging the bearing surface with an edge of the frame; fixedly connecting the bracket relative to the frame; and engaging the architectural moulding with the bracket.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein fixedly connecting the bracket relative to the frame comprises fixedly connecting the bracket to a building partition adjacent the architectural opening.

15. The method of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the bracket is fixedly connected to the building partition after lining material for the building partition has been installed.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein an opening for receiving the at least one locating projection is created in the lining material adjacent the frame before the bracket is fixedly connected relative to the frame.

17. The method of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein fixedly connecting the bracket relative to the frame comprises using an adhesive to connect the region of the second side of the bracket comprising the engagement surface to the lining material.