GB2164677A

GB2164677A - Corner dust shield

Info

Publication number: GB2164677A
Application number: GB08521996A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Michael Milner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-09-17
Filing date: 1985-09-04
Publication date: 1986-03-26
Also published as: GB8521996D0; GB2164677B

Abstract

The corner shield comprises a modified three-sided pyramid with side faces which are substantially right-angled triangles. Numerous applications are described.

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for treatment of a structure This invention relates to a method and apparatus for treatment of a structure. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a method of treating the corners of a structure such as a windowsill, a room , a tray, steps or the like so as to facilitate such operations as cleaning, decorating, painting etc.. The invention also provides apparatus for this purpose.

In the case of structures such as room corners, tray corners , step corners and the like, problems arise in relation to the difficulty and cost of keeping the corners free from dirt, painting less than all three surfaces which come together in a corner, and the vulnerability of some corners to standing water.

Hitherto, these problems have been met merely by cleaning the corners by conventional techniques and occasionally repainting or resurfacing them by conventional means. These techniques involve considerable time and cost in terms of labour and materials and it is an object of the present invention ot provide a method and apparatus offering one or more improvements in relation to these matters, or generally.

According to the invention there is provided a method of treating a structure, as defined herein, comprising the steps of securing in a corner of such structure defined by three surfaces thereof, a filler member adapted to connect when thus secured, said three surfaces by means of a smooth continuous surface.

In this application, the expression " a method of treating a structure " shall be interpreted in the light of the following contents of the present paragraph.

Such method relates to a treatment which can be considered as a process of surface finishing with a view to filling the corners of the relevant structure by means providing a smooth continuous surface extending between the flat surfaces defining the corner for the purpose of achieving the advantages set out in this application in relation to the structures discussed therein, or at least one of them.

In the method of the invention, the filler member is preferably secured either by bonding or by means of fasteners. The filler member may be preformed to fit the corner of the structure concerned. It may be preformed by moulding.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a filler memberfortreating a structure as defined herein, the filler member being adapted to be secured in a corner defined by three surfaces of the structure the filler member being capable, when thus secured, of connecting said three surfaces by means of a smooth continuous surface.

The filler member may be adapted to be secured in the corner by means of fasteners. For this purpose, apertures for nails or pins may be provided in the filler member.

Preferably, the filler member has three planar surfaces disposed as the sides of a three sided pyramid. The angles at the apex of such pyramid may be approximately 90". Alternatively, at least some of the angles at the apex of the pyramid may differ from 90" so as to conform to the angles in the corner of the structure concerned.

The filler member may be preformed by moulding.

The form of the filler member may be that of a modified three-sided pyramid. The bases of the triangular sides of the pyramid may comprise a concave quadrant which is tangential to the sides of the triangles. The base surface of the pyramid may be concave, and having a smoothly curved surface.

The invention also provides a method and apparatus comprising any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein.

In an embodiment described below there is provided a filler member which fills the corners of various structures ,and unites the flat surfaces which it connects with a smooth continuous surface.

Moreover the filler member does not introduce more corners or breaks in the surfaces and it directs water from corners which are not designed to hold standing water and forms a protection over them.

In the embodiment, the filler member is a unit with a simple and easily formed specially designed shape which can be pre-formed or formed in situ.

The specially designed shape is a modified threesided pyramid with sides which are right-angled triangles, or modifications thereof. The right-angles come together at the apex which fits into the corner of the structure. The bases of the triangles are a concave quarter-circle which is tangential to the sides of the triangles.

The area between the three concave sides of the triangles is a concave curve which is tangential to the planes of the triangles along the line on the curved sides.

The corners may be right-angled or can be varied to fit other corners, which are not right-angles, and the unit need not be symmetrical.

The filler member can be formed of materials with the same appearance as that of most materials with which it can be used.

In the manufacture of the pre-formed filler members the arisses and the point of the apex are likely to be omitted and the " square " sides slightly chamfered in order to ensure a close fit between the perimeter of the filler member and the adjoining surfaces.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1,2 and 3 show, diagrammatically, plan, elevation and sectional views respectively of a filler member according to the invention Figures 4 and 5 show perspective views of the filler member; Figures 6,7 and 8 show similar perspective views of modified filler members; Figures 9 and 10 show perspective front and rear views, respectively, of a modified filler member; Figures 11 to 21 show perspective views of various uses of the filler members; and Figures 22 to 25 show perspective views illustrating the advantages of the method and apparatus of the invention ; and Figure 26 shows a perspective view of a further use of the filler members of the invention in relation to a glazed window and window ledge.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, a filler member 10 is formed with a simple and easily-formed specially designed shape. It can be pre-formed or formed in situ . The shape comprises a modified three-sided pyramid with side faces 12, 14, 16 which are substantially right-angled triangles. The right-angles come together at the apex 18 which is adapted to fit into the corner of an associated structure - as described below.

The bases of the sides of the filler member are designated by reference numerals 20, 22 , 24 and are in the form of concave quarter-circles which are tangential to the sides 26,28 and 30 of the pyramid.

Figures 4 and 5 show respectively the full pyramid with the filler member curved base edges shown dotted , and the filler member itself with the full pyramid sides shown dotted.

The base area of the filler member 10, between the three concave sides 26, 28 and 30 is a concave curved surface which is tangential to the planes of the sides of the pyramid . The base surface is designated by reference numeral 32.

The angles at the apex 18 of the filler member may be right-angles or may be varied to fit unsymmetric al corner structures.

The material of the filler member may be chosen from a variety of presently available substances.

Preferably it should have the same appearance as that of the materials with which it will be used.

In the manufacture of preformed filler members 10, the arisses and the point of the apex are likely to be omitted and the " square " slightly chamfered in order to ensure a close fit between the perimeter of the unit and adjoining surfaces. This is shown in Figures 9 and 10. These figures also show a cut off along the length of one limb of the filler member to co-operate with a pre-formed or formed in-situ fillet.

Figure 10 shows notches for cut-off locations whereby the filler member can match sections of preformed or formed in-situ fillets of different sized sections. Such a fillet may be run in and fixed with a shaped tool.

The filler members 10 can be fixed with adhesives or pins and the shape can be either factory preformed or formed in-situ by pressing materials which are malleable and subsequently set, into the relevant corner with a tool which forms the necessary surface shape.

Figures 6,7 and 8 illustrate modified shapes of the filler member 10 for particular corner constructions.

Figure 11 shows the filler member in the corner of a kitchen or laboratory work top. Figure 12 shows it in a wooden tray, Figure 13 shows it in use in fridges, food stores and cupboards, Figure 14 at the junction of walls with ceilings, Figure 15 in the corners of baths, sinks and shower trays Figure 16 at the junction of stone plinths with pavements, Figure 17 at the base of concrete columns, Figure 18 in the corners of steps, Figure 19 at the junction of window frames with glass and at the junction of the window frame with the sill figure 20 at the bottom of a door frame, and Figure 21 at the corners of skirting against the wall and floor.

Figures 22 to 25 show how the filler member assists dusting, polishing and washing operations, mopping out by hand or by machine, sweeping by hand or by machine, and decorating operations. The filler members can be made to match stone , brick, concrete, terrazo , etc., or can indeed be left for subsequent decoration.

In Figure 26 there is shown the use of the filler member to divert condensation from joints in wood window frames and from decorations in reveals.

Among the advantages provided by the embodiments of the invention described above are the following 1. The filler member is of a simple shape which is easily formed and fixed in position.

2. The filler member can be made to match the appearance of most of the materials with which it is capable of being used.

3. The filler member prevents the collection of dirt in corners.

4. Both the necessity and difficulty of cleaning dirt from corners can be substantially reduced.

5. The difficulty and time taken to paint less than all the three surfaces which come together in a corner are substantially reduced.

6. Provided a corner is open and not a corner intended to hold standing water, a corner which has two rising vertical planes is protected by the filler member, the latter causing water to flow from the corner. For example the lower corners on the inside of a glazed window frame may be protected in this way.

7. The shape of the filler member has a pleasing and attractive appearance.

Many modifications can be made in the embodiments described above both with regard to the exact form and shape of the filler members ,their method of attachment and the subsequent treatment of their exposed surfaces for decorative or other purposes.

The filler member may be moulded or otherwise formed from plastics materials ,with or without fillers, resins, resin-based compositions and indeed any other suitable material according to the nature of the structure concerned. In any case , as disclosed above, it will be appreciated that the filler member joins the surfaces which come together at a corner, and does so in a manner providing a smooth and continuous surface. Moreover, no more corners or angles are introduced and the cleaning and other operations illustrated in Figures 22 to 25 are thereby facilitated.

The filler member may be formed by the user in situ from a suitable self-hardening mouldable material which will not adversely affect the materials and surfaces to which it is fixed, or persons animals, plants, foodstuffs and other materials with which it will come into contact when in use. Preferably, the material should also be self-adhesive with respect to the materials to which it is to be fixed , and will maintain its shape and be resistant to deformation or deterioration in use. Developments in plastics and resin-based materials and analogous products suggest that more and more suitable materials are likely to be developed in the future and it is intended that the use of such materials shall be included within the scope of the invention claimed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method of treating a structure, as defined herein , comprising the steps of securing in a corner of such structure defined by three surfaces thereof, a filler member adapted to connect,when thus secured, said three surfaces by means of a smooth continuous surface. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the filler member is secured by bonding. 3. A method according to claim wherein said filler member is secured by means of fasteners. 4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the filler member is preformed to fit the corner of the structure concerned. 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the filler member is preformed by moulding. 6. Afiller member for treating a structure as defined herein ,the filler member being adapted to be secured in a corner defined by three surfaces of the structure the filler member being capable, when thus secured of connecting said three surfaces by means of a smooth continuous surface. 7. A filler member according to claim 6 adapted to be secured in said corner by means of fasteners. 8. Afiller member according to claim 7 formed with one or more apertures for nails or pins. 9. A filler member according to any one of claims 6 to 8 having three planar surfaces disposed as the sides of a three-sided pyramid. 10. Afiller member according to claim 9 wherein the angles at the apex of the pyramid are approximately ninety degrees. 11. Afiller member according to claim 9 wherein at least some of the angles at the apex of the pyramid differ from ninety degrees so as to conform to the angles in the corner of the structure concerned. 12. Afiller member according to any one of claims 6 to 11 which has been preformed by moulding. 13. Afiller member according to any one of claims 6 to 12 having the form of a modified three-sided pyramid ,the bases of the triangular sides of the pyramid comprising a concave quadrant which is tangential to the sides of the triangles. 14. A filler member according to claim 13 wherein the base surface of the pyramid is concave and has a smoothly curved surface. 15. A method of treating a structure, as defined herein substantially as described herein with reference to , and as shown in ,the accompanying drawings. 16. Afiller memberfortreating a structure as defined herein, substantially as described herein with reference to ,and as shown in, the accompanying drawings. Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1-16 above have been deleted or textually amended. (b) New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:

1. A method of treating a structure, as defined herein comprising the steps of securing in a corner of such structure defined by three surfaces thereof, a filler member adapted to connect three said surfaces, when thus secured, characterised in that the filler member connects said three surfaces by a smooth continuous concave curved surface which is tangential to the planes of the side faces of the filler member.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the filler member is secured by bonding.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said filler member is secured by means of fasteners.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the filler member is preformed to fit the corner of said structure.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the filler member is pre-formed by moulding.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the filler member is formed in-situ.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising the step of cutting off a portion of one limb of the filler member and securing a preformed or formed in-situ fillet to said structure to co-operate with said truncated limb.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein said limb of the filler member is truncated at a cut-off location identified by a pre-formed notch.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims comprising the subsequent step of surface treating the structure ,for example by painting, whereby the filler member smoothly interconnects said three surfaces of the structure, without any substantial discontinuities.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said filler member is formed in-situ.

11. A method of treating a structure as defined herein ,substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. Afiller member for treating a structure as defined herein ,the filler member being adapted to be secured in a corner defined by three surfaces of the structure the filler member being capable of connecting said three surfaces when thus secured, characterised in that the filler member comprises a concave curved surface to connect said surfaces of the structure, the concave curved surface being tangential to the planes of the side faces of the filler member.

13. Afiller member according to claim 12 adapted to be secured in said corner by means of fasteners.

14. A filler member according to claim 12 formed with one or more apertures for nails or pins.

15. A filler member according to any one of claims 12 to 14 formed with notches showing cut-off locations whereby the filler member can match sections of pre-formed or formed in-situ fillets.

16. Afiller member according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the arisses and the point of the apex of the filler member are omitted to promote a close fit to said surfaces to be joined.

17. A filler member according to any one of claims 12to 16 which has been preformed by moulding.

18. Afiller member according to any one of claims 12to 16 which is formed in-situ.

19. A method of treating a structure, as defined herein, substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in ,the accompanying drawings.