GB2385103A

GB2385103A - Double ended fastener

Info

Publication number: GB2385103A
Application number: GB0221816A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Douglas Law
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-11
Filing date: 2002-09-19
Publication date: 2003-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-19
Also published as: GB0203179D0; GB2385069A; GB2385103B; EP1818494A2; GB2385083A; EP1818494A3; GB0221816D0; GB0221814D0; GB0224895D0; GB2385085B; GB2385085A

Abstract

A double ended fastener has two ends (248, 249) extending from a medial flange (252). The axes of each of the two ends (248, 249) are relatively offset. Also disclosed is method of installing an architectural finishing using a double ended fastener and a kit of building components for doing so.

Description

f 1 2385103

Double-ended Fastener for Installing Architectural Finishing Components in a Building The present invention relates to a double-ended fastener for installing architectural finishing components in a building, in particular components such as doors, trims, skirting 5 boards and architrave. The present invention also provides a method of using a double-

ended fastener for joining together such components and a kit of components for use in such a method.

This invention is related to GB0203179.7, the whole contents of which are incorporated 10 herein by reference.

There is a constant drive in house building to reduce costs. A large part of the cost of building a house is labour. Further, the more skilled the labourer, the more expensive his or her time on site will be. Therefore, any way of reducing the time that is spent onsite by 15 skilled labourers or craftsmen is of interest to a site or project manager.

Systemising house construction so that standard building components, i.e. components of a standardised size (for example length, width, height and/or thickness), can be factory built, delivered to the site and quickly installed by labourers with relatively low skills, can make 20 big savings to the overall cost of building, modifying, converting or decorating a house or building. Traditional methods of building, however, do not lend themselves to using such systems because tolerances cannot be kept close enough for the doors, etc., to be fitted as received. Therefore, even doors and architrave etc. of a standard size need to be adjusted or cut in order to be fitted in a building using traditional building methods.

Traditional building methods involve three essential steps. The first two are performed by relatively unskilled labourers. The first step is the construction of a structural skeleton for the building, formed of various structural elements such as walls, floors and ceilings.

These structural elements are constructed of general-purpose building materials such as 30 bricks or concrete blocks in the case of walls or concrete that is cast in situ in the case of floors. These building materials are general-purpose in the sense that they are not designed for the construction of buildings of set dimensions, they can be and are used to construct buildings to any design. The second step is the application of general-purpose finishing

materials to the structural elements, for example to finish off the walls, the floors or the ceilings. Such general-purpose building or finishing materials include plaster (for the walls and ceilings) and flooring materials such as floor screed, floorboards or tiles, although these latter could also be regarded as structural building materials, since they are 5 designed to be load-bearing in use. Finally, there is the third step: onto these "finished" walls, floors or ceilings, standard building components are installed to give the room a "designed" look. This currently has to be done by skilled craftsmen such as joiners or carpenters. 10 These standard building components include architectural finishing components such as architectural mouldings. Architectural finishing components are those items of a building that are positioncritical, i.e. need to be installed in a building in exactly the correct position, or to within very small tolerances, in order to achieve their function or to look right. Such items include, but are not limited to, doors, trims, skirting boards, architrave, 15 and cornices. Masonry items, such as stone fireplaces, can also be architectural finishing components for use with the present invention.

A typical example of an architectural finishing component is a door and its surround. A door must be upright and positioned correctly within a doorframe, otherwise it will not 20 open and close properly. Another example is a skirting board. A skirting board must be correctly positioned relative to the wall and the floor so that there is no visible crack between the skirting board and the wall. Furthermore, with architectural finishing components such as skirting boards, owing to their proximity to the floor, if fitted askew, the fact that they are not level would be plain to see.

Unfortunately, however, as suggested above, it is often the case that such architectural finishing components need to be cut or resized in order to fit correctly to the walls, floors or ceilings when constructed using traditional building methods. Therefore, specialised building techniques involving skilled craftsmen such as joiners or carpenters will be 30 required.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a means for assisting in the correct installation of standard building components, such as prefabricated architectural finishing components, so

l that they can be fitted as received on site by unskilled labourers where the principal methods of the construction employed are traditional.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing an architectural finishing component in a building comprising: a) installing a 5 locating component that is adapted to receive the architectural finishing component for attachment at a predetermined relative position; b) constructing or finishing a structural element of the building using the locating component as a locating reference for the application of general-purpose building or finishing materials; and then c) attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined 10 relative position using a double-ended fastener, one end of the fastener extending into or through the locating component and the other end of the fastener extending into or through the architectural finishing component.

The method may comprise: i) installing the locating component; ii) constructing the structural element of the building using the locating component as a locating reference for 15 general-purpose building materials; and then iii) attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined relative position.

Alternatively, the method may comprise: i) constructing the structural element of the building, ii) installing the locating component on or in the structural element; iii) finishing the structural element using the locating component as a locating reference for the 20 finishing materials; and then iv) attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined relative position.

Such methods of building allow architectural finishing components to be fitted in or on a wall, a floor or a ceiling without adjustment of the architectural finishing components, the locating components or the building or finishing materials.

The architectural finishing components will usually be joinery building components or masonry building components.

Building up the wall, floor and/or ceiling adjacent to or around the locating components in the finished building, secures them into or onto the wall, the floor or the ceiling.

Preferably the locating component defines a door sub-frame. The architectural finishing component may then comprise three standard door liners and the method may comprise attaching them to three inwardly facing surfaces of the door sub-frame to form a doorframe. It is then possible to hang a standard door to one of the standard door liners.

5 Standard architrave may be fitted to sides of the door sub-frame, preferably using further double-ended fasteners.

The locating component may alternatively define a skirting board subframe. The architectural finishing component then comprises a standard skirting board, and the method comprises the step of attaching the standard skirting board to the skirting board sub-frame.

10 Preferably, a cable channel extends along the length of the locating component or the architectural finishing component between the locating component and the architectural finishing component.

Preferably the double-ended fastener comprises first and second ends extending from a medial flange. The ends may be co-axial pins. However, in practice, it is almost 15 impossible to get two rows of holes or slots in the locating component, or the architectural finishing component (which may be made of MDF), to line up exactly with each other.

Therefore, in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention there is provided a double-ended fastener comprising first and second ends extending from a medial flange wherein the axes of the two ends are offset from one another. Preferably the axes are 20 offset by about 2mm. However, they may be offset by between lmm and 5mm.

Preferably the flange is in the form of a cup that may contain an adhesive.

By medial, it is meant that the two ends extend away from the flange in opposite directions, i.e. the flange is between the two ends.

The cup preferably comprises a planar rim for sealing against a flat surface. This enables 25 the fastener, when the cup is filled with adhesive, to provide a self-adjusting joint between the fastener and a flat planar surface; evaporation of the adhesive within the cup causes a suction to be generated within the cup since it is sealed against the flat planar surface. The suction will cause the cup to be pulled towards the flat planar surface. If the cup has a flexible or collapsible sidewall, the cup base will be drawn towards the flat planar surface.

A building component provided on the fastener extending away from the cup will therefore be pulled towards the flat planar surface. This feature can be used to draw a standard building component, such as an architectural finishing component, into which the end of the pin facing away from the cup bottom is pushed, to be drawn against the flat planar 5 surface over time, i.e. as the solvent of the adhesive evaporates. The flat planar surface can be a portion of a locating component fitted to a wall, a floor or a ceiling.

It should be noted that the cup can be arranged to face the standard building component, if necessary, especially if this will provide a better seal.

The cup is not essential, however, for achieving the suction effect. Evaporation of glue on 10 the flange may have a sufficient drawing-in effect.

The ends of the double-ended fastener are preferably proportioned to give a tight fit in both the locating component and the architectural finishing component so that the architectural finishing component can be fastened to the locating component by the double-ended fastener potentially without adhesive. However, this can make them difficult to orientate 15 in the holes or the slots. Due to the offset of the ends, it will generally be necessary to orientate the fastener correctly in order to fit it into the slots or holes of both the locating component and the architectural finishing component. Therefore, in order to assist in the turning of the double-ended fastener once in a hole or a slot of the architectural finishing component or the locating component, a web is provided for gripping with fingers, the web 20 running across the middle of the cup.

A problem with the cup shape for the flange has, however, been noted. When filled with adhesive and assembled onto, for example, a metal locating component, the arrangement acts like an airtight container; the adhesive in the cup therefore takes a very long time to cure. Two slots may therefore be provided through the base of the cup so that the solvent 25 (e.g. water or spirit) in the adhesive can evaporate or be absorbed by the architectural finishing component, which will generally be made of wood or MDF or other such fibrous or absorbent materials, to thereby greatly speed up the cure time for the adhesive.

Preferably the double-ended fastener is made of metal for strength, or a plastics material 30 for frangibility, i.e. for allowing removal of an architectural finishing component from a

locating component without causing damage to either the architectural finishing component or the locating component; the plastic double-ended fastener will snap. The double ended fastener may also be made of wood, for example a moulding material made from wood fibres.

Preferably the double-ended fastener extends from a hole in a first building component and is engageable in slots in a second building component. Slots advantageously provide a slight adjustability for the first building component relative to the second building component to allow for, for example, movement or settlement of a floor or wall.

If the rim of the cup is to be engaged with the architectural finishing component, a circular depression or cut-out, or other such corresponding shape for the rim of the cup, can be provided in the back surface of the architectural finishing component. This depression accommodates the rim of the cup to hold the double-ended fastener more securely to the 15 architectural finishing component. Further, instead of putting the adhesive in the cup, the adhesive could be put into the depression or cutout by the installer prior to attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component.

As a variant for the double-ended fastener, the cup could be replaced with a bar. The 20 architectural finishing component could again be provided with a suitably shaped depression or cut-out for receiving the bar therein with adhesive in the depression securing the bar and inserted end of the fastener in the architectural finishing component. The depression could be shaped to receive the bar in whichever orientation it is fitted. for example, it could have an elliptical shape to account for the offset.

One or both ends of the double-ended fastener could be provided with a roughened peripheral surface. This roughened surface could provide an improved grip for the fastener in either or both of the slots or the holes of the locating component or architectural finishing component. Further, the slots could be inwardly flanged and ramped steps could 30 be provided on one or both ends of the doubled-ended fastener. The ramped steps could then grip or latch like a ratchet with the flange or flanges of the slots in the locating component. Such ramped steps thereby provide gripping serrations that grip tight upon

trying to withdraw the fastener from the slot but allow easy insertion of the fastener into the slots. This could be used to replace the glue as a secure fastening means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of building components comprising: 1) a locating component for locating an architectural finishing 5 component in a building, the locating component being a) adapted to receive the architectural finishing component for attachment at a predetermined relative position, and b) so shaped as to provide a locating reference for general-purpose building or finishing materials used in the construction or finishing of a structural element of the building, such that subsequent attachment of the architectural finishing component to the locating 10 component at the said predetermined position determines its position relative to the structure or fabric of the said structural element of the building; and 2) double-ended fasteners for joining architectural finishing components to the locating component.

The present invention enables the Ointment of standard building components, such as a standardised door, i.e. a door of a standard height and width, or a standardised skirting 15 board, i.e. a skirting board of a standard length and height.

A skilled person will appreciate that certain standard components for fitting to the surface of walls, for example skirting boards, may require mitre cuts on one or both ends thereof, e.g. for providing neat corners wherever they meet. Butt joints may alternatively be used, if 20 preferred.

A further advantage of the present invention is that a house purchaser can easily change the architectural finishing components to match his or her tastes or as and when the architectural finishing components become shabby. To remove the architectural finishing 25 components, the pins can be pulled out of the slots, or they can be snapped off. If snapped off, the ends left in the slots will easily push into the space behind the locating component, to fall away from the slots under gravity.

Two preferred applications of the present invention will now be described, by way of 30 example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l shows a front plan view of a locating component in the form of a skeletal building component for use as part of a door sub-frame; Figure 2 is a section II - II through the skeletal building component of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an assembled door sub-frame; Figure 4 shows a section through the skeletal building component of Figure 1 fitted to a blockwall; Figure 5 shows the skeletal building component of Figure 4 having a door liner and architrave fitted thereto; Figure 6 is a partial section of the architrave of Figure 5 fixed to the skeletal building 1 5 component; Figure 7 shows details of a double-ended fastener for use in the present invention; Figure 8 is a section through an alternative application of the present invention: a skirting 20 board sub-frame; Figure 9 shows a partial section of architrave fitted to the skeletal building component of Figure 1 with a double-ended fastener of the present invention; 25 Figure 10, 11 and 12 show a third angle projection of double-ended fasteners of the present invention; and Figure 13 shows a variant of the double-ended fastener of Figure 1 2.

30 Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the locating component (a skeletal building component) is a metal section 10 that is built into the fabric of the building at an early stage of construction.

The term "skeletal" is used to imply that an outer skin, such as architectural finishing components can be supported by it. Thus, it forms a framework for the assembly.

The metal section 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is for making a door subframe 100 - see Figure 3. Referring to Figure 3, the door sub-frame 100 is formed from two upright sections 12, and two horizontal sections 14, 16. These sections are of a predetermined size 5 so that they fit together to form a fixed size, rectangular frame, the door sub-frame 100.

To fit the door sub-frame, standard building techniques are used, all steps of which can be done by unskilled labourers. First of all the door sub-frame 100 is braced in an upright position on a floor. Then a blockwall structural element is built-up around the sub-frame 10 100 to form a wall. Alternatively the wall may be a stud wall or a partition wall, being structural in the sense that it deDmes the shape of the room. Finally, general-purpose finishing materials are applied to the wall up to the sub-frame 100 to finish the walls. If deemed necessary, nails 25 (see Figure 6) can be used to fix the sub-frame 100 to the wall more securely. Once fitted, the door sub-frame gives a precisely sized and shaped opening 15 to accept a factory built door set comprising a door and door liners. These components simply press fit to the sub-frame using double-ended fasteners, thereby being installable by unskilled labourers.

The metal section 10 of Figures 1 and 2 comprises a length of galvanised steel, preferably 20 formed from a flat sheet of steel folded into the generally c-shaped section shown in Figure 2. The metal section 10 has a number of slots 20, 24 provided along its length. Two end sets of slots 20, 24 are shown in Figure 1. More slots are provided, equally spaced along the length of the metal section 10. Each slot is approximately 3mm wide and 12mm long.

The slots at the ends of metal section 10 are provided with their centres about 25mm from 25 the ends of the metal section 10. In total, 14 slots are provided along the length of the metal section 10. The length of the metal section 10, and the numbers of slots provided therealong, will, however, depend upon the application to which the metal section 10 is to be used. For the door sub-frame of Figure 3, the lengths may be about 2m for the uprights 12, and lm for the horizontals 14, 16. The thickness of the metal section 10 is 30 approximately lmm.

The slots 20, 24 include a first set of slots 24 provided at intervals along the length of the section 10 at the midpoints of the channels 18. This first set of slots 24 is for allowing the

metal section 10 to be fitted to a blockwall 27 in a traditional way, i.e. using cut nails 25.

The slots may instead be holes.

A second set of slots 20 are also provided intermittently along the length of the metal 5 section 10. The two sets of slots 20, 24 are located co-intermittently along the metal section 10. The second set of slots 2O, however, are mounting points for attaching standard building components, i.e. the architectural finishing components (a door liner 22 and architrave 32), to the metal section 10 using double-ended fasteners 38, as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 9 to 13. The fasteners 38 extend through the slots 20 in the metal section 10 10 into gaps 19 behind the metal section 10. If the fasteners 38 are ever snapped off, the ends of the pins 38 can fall down the gaps 19 under gravity so that they do not obscure the slots 20 in the event that replacement pins 38 are to be used in their place.

A double-ended fastener or pin 38 is used to join the door liner 22 and the architrave 32 to the metal section 10. One end of the pin 38 is driven or pushed into a pre-drilled or 15 moulded hole (not shown) in the standard building component 22, 32. The other end locates into one of the slots 20 in the metal section 10. This ensures accurate assembly of standard building component 22, 32 to the skeletal building component, even when fitted by an unskilled labourer.

The double-ended pin 38 is shown in detail in Figure 7. The pin 38 comprises a first end 20 4O, a second end 42 and a flange 44. Both ends 4O, 42 are cylindrical fingers having points thereon for assisting in the insertion of the pin 38 into holes or slots in the building components. The two ends 40, 42 have different thicknesses to ensure that the pin is used in the correct orientation. The flange 44 is provided to ensure that the pin locates to a correct depth in both the slot 24 in the metal section 10 and the hole in the architectural 25 finishing component. The flange 44 could, however, be omitted.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, an alternative double-ended pin 138 is shown. The pin 138 comprises a first end 14O, a second end 142 and a flange 144. The flange 144 is in the form of a cup 146 having an adhesive mixture 148 provided therein. The mixture 148 is preferably water or solvent based so that as the mixture dries, the volume thereof in the cup 30 reduces. If the mouth of the cup 146 is sealed against a surface, the reduction in volume would suck the cup towards the surface. This will result in a building component attached to the other end of the pin (the architrave 32 in Figure 9) being drawn closer to the surface

(the metal section 10 in Figure 9) over time. This will prevent cracks from forming between the architrave 32 and the plaster 30, or prevent the architrave 32 from loosening from the metal section 10.

S Preferably the pin 38 is made of a plastics material or metal. Plastics materials have the advantage of being easier to sheer away from the metal section 10 by levering the architectural finishing component 22, 32 away from the metal section 10. This can therefore be done without damaging the metal section 10 or the architectural finishing component, thereby allowing the metal section 10 to be used for repetitive redecoration 10 without the need for replacement or repair of the metal section 10. The architectural finishing component can also be reused if undamaged.

As can be seen from Figure 10, the flange 144 comprises a base section 150 and an outer wall 152 defining a perimeter of an inverted cup. The shape of this cup 146 is oval to IS correspond with an elongated second pin 142. The outer wall is collapsible. By the provision of a flat second pin 142, a more resilient grip can be achieved in the slot 24 of the section 10 by the pin 142. It will also help form a seal with the slot. The adhesive can also help to form the seal with the slot. A round first pin 140, however, is provided.

20 Referring now to Figure 8, a second embodiment of locating component in accordance with the present invention is shown for use in a second application. In this second embodiment, a metal section 200 is for use in mounting skirting boards 202 to a wall. It has a first planar side defined by two planar portions 204 suitable for resting against a blockwall 216 and a second planar surface defined by a third planar wall 206 against which 25 the skirting board 202 can be attached.

To fit this skirting board sub-frame, the metal section 200 is first of all fixed to a pre-built blockwall 216 using, for example, nails or glue. It is fixed either on or just above the floor.

Then the wall 216 is plastered and painted down to the top of the third planar wall 206 and floor screed 218 is applied to the floor up to the lip 210 to provide a finished wall and a 30 finished floor. A standardised skirting board 202 can then be attached to the metal section 200 with double-ended fasteners by an unskilled labourer. It will automatically be at the correct height relative to the floor, and level relative to the floor.

!, I, The metal section 200 may be wide enough to rest directly on concrete floor slabs underneath the floor screed if required. Alternatively it may be positioned higher on the wall using a level.

The shape of the metal section 200 also allows plaster to be applied to the blockwall 216 5 with a flush finish against, or up to, the third planar wall 206. This allows the skirting board 202 to be attached to the metal section 200 such that its back wall 208 is flush with the plaster 30. This means that there will be no visible crack.

A paired set of slots 20 are provided in the first two planar portions 204 for fixing the metal section 200 against the blockwall with nails (not shown). A third set of slots 24 is 10 provided in the third planar wall 206 to allow the skirting board 202 to be fixed to the metal section 200 with double-ended fasteners, as previously described in relation to the first application for this invention. The slots 20, 24 are intermittently spaced along the length of the metal section 200.

If installed using laser levelling techniques (which are standard practice when installing 15 suspended ceilings and which could equally be used to get the skeletal building component level) a very accurate guide for the floor screed 218 is provided by the skirting board sub-

frame, thereby ensuring that the floor is at the correct height for the door sets, and to ensure that the floor, skirting boards and other items are flat and level.

20 Referring now to Figure 11, a variant of the double-ended fastener is shown. Again, a cup shaped flange is provided. However, two arcuate slots are provided in the base of the cup to allow adhesive deposited in the cup to be absorbed by the architectural finishing component, which is preferably made of wood, MDF or some other absorbent building material. This allows the adhesive to cure more quickly than would occur in a sealed cup.

25 Additionally, the double-ended fastener 244 has an offset 246 for the axes of the two ends 248, 249. This is so that the doubled-ended fastener can be used in situations where the slots in the locating component and the slots in the architectural finishing component are not precisely parallel to each other or aligned; by rotating the double-ended fastener 244 in one of the slots, an orientation for the fastener can be found that enables the ends to align 30 with the holes or the slots in both the locating component and the architectural finishing component. For this to be effective, however, at least one of the components will need to have slots for receiving the fasteners. To assist in rotating the fastener 244 a web 250 is provided extending

diametrically across the centre of the cup 252. The web therefore extends effectively through both ends 248, 249 of the fastener. The web 250 can be used as a grip for the thumb and forefinger of the 5 installer to enable the fastener 244 to be rotated more easily.

The ends 248, 249 of the fastener have chamfered or rounded points to assist further with the insertion of the ends into the slots. These chamfered or rounded points 254 could be used on the other fastener designs as well. If the ends can rotate in the slots, the fasteners 10 could self orientate, the chamfering allowing the ends initially to enter the slots despite potential lack of alignment. The act of pushing the ends home by pushing the architectural finishing component against the locating component will cause the fastener to self orientate. 15 Referring to Figure 12, a further variant of the fastener 344 is shown. In place of the cup, a bar 346 is provided. This is easy to rotate and cheaper to manufacture.

A further variant is shown in Figure 13 wherein ramped steps are provided on one of the ends of the double-ended fastener 444. Such ramped steps could be provided on both of 20 the ends. The ramped steps 446 form gripping serrations for the double-ended fastener for engaging against the sides of the slots 448 in the locating component 450. As shown in Figure 13, the slots are additionally provided with inwardly bent flanges 452 with points at the ends thereof for gripping the ramped steps to prevent removal of the end of the double-

ended fastener from the slots once inserted into the slots. However, because of the ramps 25 on the end and the slots, the end can easily be inserted into the slot 448. The ramped step might not be needed, however. The flanges may have knife edges that grip even smooth surfaced ends.

Of course other embodiments and applications for the present invention will be readily 30 apparent to a skilled person, for example for affixing dado rails or picture rails to walls.

The present invention has been described above purely by way of example. Modifications in detail may be made to the present invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A double-ended fastener comprising first and second ends extending from a medial flange wherein the axes of the two ends are offset from one another.

2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein, the axes are offset by between lmm and Smm.

5 3. The fastener of claim 2, wherein the axes are offset by about 2mm.

4. The fastener of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the flange is a bar.

5. A double-ended fastener comprising first and second ends extending from a medial flange wherein the flange is in the form of a cup.

6. The fastener of claim 5, wherein the cup contains an adhesive.

10 7. The fastener of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the cup comprises a planar rim for sealing against a flat surface.

8. The fastener of claim 5, claim 6 or claim 7, wherein at least one slot is provided in the base of the cup.

9. The fastener of any one of claims 5 to 8 and of any one of claims 1 to 3.

15 10. The fastener of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flange has a flexible or collapsible sidewall.

11. The fastener of any one of the preceding claims, wherein flange has an adhesive thereon. 12. The fastener of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a web is provided for 20 gripping with fingers for twisting the fastener.

13. The fastener of any one of the preceding claims, made of metal.

14. The fastener of any one of claims 1 to 12, made of a plastics material.

15. The fastener of any one of claims 1 to 12, made of a mouldable wood fibre material.

16. The fastener of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one end of the double-

ended fastener is provided with a roughened peripheral surface.

17. The fastener of claim 16, wherein the roughened surface comprises ramped steps.

18. The fastener of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the point of one of the 5 ends is chamfered or rounded.

19. A method of installing an architectural finishing component in a building comprising: a) installing a locating component that is adapted to receive the architectural finishing component for attachment at a predetermined relative position; b) constructing or finishing a structural element of the building using the locating component as a locating 10 reference for the application of general-purpose building or finishing materials; and then c) attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined relative position using a double-ended fastener, one end of the fastener extending into or through the locating component and the other end of the fastener extending into or through the architectural finishing component.

15 20. The method of claim 19, comprising: i) installing the locating component; ii) constructing the structural element of the building using the locating component as a locating reference for general-purpose building and finishing materials; and then iii) attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined relative position.

20 21. The method of claim 19, comprising: i) constructing the structural element of the building; ii) installing the locating component on or in the structural element; iii) finishing the structural element using the locating component as a locating reference for the finishing materials; and then iv) attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined relative position.

25 22. The method of claim l9, claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the doubleended fasteners are in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 17.

23. A kit of building components comprising: 1) a locating component for locating an architectural finishing component in a building, the locating component being a) adapted to receive the architectural finishing component for attachment at a predetermined relative

position, and b) so shaped as to provide a locating reference for generalpurpose building or finishing materials used in the construction or finishing of a structural element of the building, such that subsequent attachment of the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined position determines its position relative to 5 the structure or fabric of the said structural element of the building, and 2) double-ended fasteners for joining architectural finishing components to the locating component.

24. The kit of claim 23, wherein the double-ended fasteners extend from holes in a first building component and are engageable in slots in a second building component, the locating component being one of the first and second building components and an 10 architectural building component being the other building component.

25. The kit of claim 23 or claim 24, wherein the double-ended fasteners are in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 17.

26. The kit of any one of claims 23 to 25, further comprising at least one architectural finishing component wherein depressions or cut-outs for flanges of the fasteners are 15 provided in the back surface of the architectural finishing component.

27. The kit of claim 26, wherein the depressions or cut-outs contain an adhesive.

28. The kit of claim 26 or claim 27, wherein the depressions or cut-outs have an elliptical shape.

29. The kit of any one of claims 23 to 28, wherein slots are provided in the locating 20 component, the slots being inwardly flanged.

30. A method of installing a door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 7 or 9 to 13.

31. A method of installing a skirting board substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 7 or 9 to 13.

25 32. A double-ended fastener substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 7 or 9 to 13.

33. A kit of building components substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.