GB2408985A

GB2408985A - Angle Trim

Info

Publication number: GB2408985A
Application number: GB0328772A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gregory Stephen Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-12-11
Filing date: 2003-12-11
Publication date: 2005-06-15
Also published as: WO2005056952A1; GB0328772D0

Abstract

An angle trim comprises an external surface 2 and an internal surface 3, the internal surface 3 has at least one adhesives cavity 4. The or each adhesives cavity 4 comprises an opening neck 5 and an internal chamber 6, the internal chamber 6 having a greater cross section A-A at at least one point than the narrowest cross section B-B of the opening neck 5. A plurality of adhesives cavities 4 may be provided. The angle trim may be a 90 degree internal angle trim or a 90 degree external angle trim. The angle trim may be provided in strips which can be cut to a desired length. The angle trim may be of metal. The angle trim may be a plastics extrusion.

Description

Angle Trim This invention relates to an angle trim for use particularly,

but not exclusively, to finish tiled or mosaic surfaces.

Known angle trims comprise a body which turns through approximately 90 degrees, such that one end is approximately normal to the other. With an external angle trim the body is fitted to the outside of an edge where two surfaces meet, and with an internal angle trim the body is fitted to the inside of an edge where two surfaces meet. The most common form of angle trim is an external angle trim.

Such trims are used to finish wall corners inside and outside buildings, and at the edges of surfaces such as work tops. The trims are provided in long strips which can be cut to fit the length of the edge they are applied to, and may be both decorative and protective.

Known angle trims incorporate a flange that extends from one edge. A covering, for example plaster or tiles, is constructed over the flange, such that body is held in place on the angle.

This arrangement suffers from a number of drawbacks.

When a covering material of a set width is applied to the surface, for example ceramic tiles, the covering material extends out further from the surface where it is laid over the flange. This can lead to an unsightly ridge at the end of the surface adjacent the angle trim. This problem can be overcome by creating a trough or recess in the wall to receive the flange, but this is a time consuming and awkward task.

In addition, the flange attachment method is generally time consuming, because the trim has to be held in place during the laying of the wall covering over the flange.

One further disadvantage of this arrangement is that if an angle trim of this type receives an impact heavy enough to dislodge it, the flange can lift a portion of the wail covering from the wall, which can cause far more damage than the mere dislodging of the trim.

The present invention is intended to overcome some of the above problems.

Therefore according to the present invention, an angle trim comprises an external surface and an internal surface, in which the internal surface is provided with at least one adhesives cavity comprising an opening neck and an internal chamber, in which at least one point of the internal chamber has a greater cross- section than the narrowest cross-sectional point of the opening neck.

In a preferred construction a plurality of adhesives cavities can be provided on the internal surface. In use, the plurality of adhesives cavities can be filled with a suitable setting adhesive material, and the trim can be applied to a surface. Once the adhesive material has set, the trim is held in place by means of a key-locking" effect facilitated by the body of adhesives material held in the internal chamber by the narrowest point of the opening neck.

It will be appreciated that there are many forms of adhesive cavity which could have an opening neck and an internal chamber, in which at least one point of the internal chamber has greater cross-section than the narrowest cross-sectional point of the opening neck. However, in one construction the opening neck is a straight channel, and in a second construction the opening neck is a funnel shape which tapers towards the internal chamber.

The straight channel arrangement can have the advantage that the narrowest point of the opening neck can be broad, so a strong bond is created between the adhesives in the opening neck and the internal chamber.

However, the funnel shape arrangement can have the advantage that a broad section of adhesive material can be in contact with the surface upon which the trim is placed.

Preferably the opening neck may comprise a funnel shape, and the internal cavity can comprise a substantially circular chamber.

in one construction the internal surface can comprise an angle point, adapted to contact a corner against which it is mounted. This arrangement can be facilitated by having the plurality of adhesive cavities along portions of the internal surface at an angle to one another, and not where those portions meet. This can provide a "guide" angle which sits on the angle against which the trim is mounted to hold it in place.

However, in an alternative construction an adhesive cavity can be provided where the portions of the internal surface would meet. This arrangement can provide the advantage that the trim may not be effected by an uneven corner surface which it covers, for example a chipped or badly constructed wall.

The external surface can comprise any desired shape, including two surfaces normal to one another which meet at an edge, or two surfaces which meet at a rounded edge portion, or a completely rounded surface.

The trim can be constructed from any suitable material, for example a metal, or an extruded plastics material.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but eight embodiments will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an angle trim according to the present invention, in use; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second angle trim according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third angle trim according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth angle trim according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth angle trim according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a sixth angle trim according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh angle trim according to the present invention; and, Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an eighth angle trim according to the present invention.

In Figure 1 angle trim 1 comprises an external surface 2 and an internal surface 3, in which the internal surface 3 is provided with six adhesives cavities 4 comprising an opening neck 5 and an internal chamber 6, in which at least one point, line A - A of the internal chamber has a greater cross-section than the narrowest cross-sectional point, line B - B of the opening neck 5.

(The same reference numbers have been applied to the trims shown in Figures 2-6, which all function in substantially the same was as trim 1 shown in Figure 1.) The trim generally comprises a body of material 7, which is provided in long strips which can be cut to fit, and which turns through 90 degrees and has two ends 8 and 9 which are normal to one another. The internal surface 3 therefore comprises two surfaces 10 and 11 which are also normal to one another, and which meet at angle point 12.

The neck 5 is a funnel shape with a broader opening 5a than its narrowest point 5b, which corresponds to line B - B Figure 1 shows the trim 1, which is an external angle trim, fitted to the corner 13 of two surfaces 14 and 15. Adhesive material 16 has been applied to the cavities 4, and to the internal surface 3. The adhesive material 16 has set, and thus formed "key" shapes 17, which extend into the cavities 4. These key shapes 17 comprise a head 18 and a neck portion 19. It will be appreciated that as a result of line A - A being broader than line B - B. the trim 1 is held "mechanically" in place. In addition, the adhesive material 16 holds the internal surface 3 to the surfaces 14 and 15.

As a result of the funnel shape of the neck 5, the key shapes 17 are provided with a strong broad portion at their base 20, which helps to prevent the key shapes 17 from sheering off from the rest of the adhesive material 16.

The trim 1 is positioned on the corner 13 by means of the angle point 12 being applied thereon. The angle point 12 acts as a guide to position the trim 1 correctly on the corner 13 along its length.

Tiles 21 have been fitted to the surfaces 14 and 15, by means of adhesive material 22. The ends 8 and 9 of the trim 1 are substantially the same width as the tiles 21, such that a continuous and smooth finish is created.

In the event that the trim 1 is dislodged from its position, the tiles 21 will be unaffected.

Figures 2 to 4 show trims 30, 40 and 50, which function in substantially the same way as trim 1 shown in Figure 1, except that the adhesive cavities 4 are different shapes. Further, the neck 5 of the cavities 4 of trim 30 shown in Figure 2 are straight as opposed to funnel shaped, which provides an alternative adhesive material key shape in use.

Figures 5 and 6 show trims 60 and 70, which also function in substantially the same was as trim 1 shown in Figure 1, except that a central cavity 23 is provided, such that there is no angle point because the two internal surfaces 10 and 11 do not meet. This arrangement is preferred where the corner of two surfaces (not shown in Figures 5 and 6) is uneven, and the presence of an angle point (12 in Figure 1) would lead to an angle trim being fitted unevenly along its length.

Figures 7 and 8 show trims 80 and 90 which also function in substantially the same way as any of the trims described above, except that they are adapted for use as internal angle trims.

It will be appreciated that some surfaces do not meet at substantially 90 degrees, so an angle trim like any of those described above can be formed with any external or internal angle as required. Further a trim could be provided with a body which is resilient, such that one trim could be used for a range of angles, for example from 80 degrees to 100 degrees.

Thus, an angle trim is provided which can be readily fitted, which forms a very strong bond with the surface it is applied to, which does not create an unsightly ridge where a surface covering covers a flange, and which does not lever off the surface covering in the event of a knock.

Claims

Claims 1. An angle trim comprising an external surface and an internal

surface, in which the internal surface is provided with at least one adhesives cavity comprising an opening neck and an internal chamber, in which at least one point of the internal chamber has a greater cross-section than the narrowest cross-sectional point of the opening neck.
2. An angle trim as claimed in Claim 1 in which a plurality of adhesives cavities are provided on the internal surface.
3. An angle trim as claimed in Claim 2 in which the opening neck is a straight channel.
4. An angle trim as claimed in Claim 2 in which the opening neck is a funnel shape, which tapers inwardly towards the internal chamber.
5. An angle trim as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 in which the internal surface comprise two surfaces at an angle to one another and which meet at an angle point, and in which said angle point can act as a guide to fit the trim on a corner to which it is applied in use.
6. An angle trim as claimed in Claims 3 or 4 in which the internal surface comprises two surfaces at an angle to one another, and in which an adhesives cavity is provided between the two surfaces.
7. An angle trim as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the angle trim is a substantially 90 degree external angle trim.
8. An angle trim as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6 in which the angle trim is a substantially 90 degrees internal angle trim.
9. An angle trim as claimed in any of the preceding Claims which is provided in strips which can be cut to fit as required.
10. An angle trim as claimed in any of the preceding Claims which is constructed from a metal.
11. An angle trim as claimed in any of Claims 1-9 which is constructed from an extruded plastics material.
12. An angle trim substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.