GB2413519A

GB2413519A - Wallpaper cutting template

Info

Publication number: GB2413519A
Application number: GB0502241A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Paul Chard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-07
Filing date: 2005-02-04
Publication date: 2005-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-04
Also published as: GB0402746D0; GB0502241D0; GB2413519B

Abstract

A template 1 for use in cutting an aperture in wallpaper in the region of a switch, socket or similar electrical fitting comprises a plate 3 of a suitable hard material of maximum dimensions larger than the fitting, the plate having a central aperture 9 for receiving any protruding part of the fitting, a rectangular groove 5 in the face of the plate of a smaller size than the fitting, each corner of the rectangular groove having an outwardly extending short groove 7 forming a mitre corner extending to the outside of the fitting. The rear of the template may have guide means such as protrusions or ribs to help locate the template correctly on the fitting. The template may be formed of metal or hard plastics.

Description

- 1 24135tg

WALL PAPER CUTTING TEMPLATE

This invention relates to a wall paper cutting template One of the problems with hanging wall paper lies in cutting paper around light switches, flush sockets or like electrical fittings, hereinafter in this specification being referred to as fittings. The traditional way to trim wall paper in these conditions is to loosen the switch or electric socket and cut a cross extending between the four corners of the switch or socket. the fitting is then pulled away from the wall, each of the triangles formed by the cross being suitably trimmed back and the remaining paper is tucked behind the fitting which is thrn screwed back on the wall.

The difficulty with this operation lies in that, in making the cross, the wall paper can become torn at the comers, too much or too little can be trimmed off the paper which in either case makes it difficult to satisfactorily tucking the paper back under the fitting. Either there is too much paper or the paper leavers a gap at the edge of the fitting.

The present invention seeks to reduce or obviate these problems by providing a template which, with the aid of a crafty knife, can assure that only the correct amount of paper is cut off to enable the remaining paper to be tucked accurately behind the fitting.

a. According to the invention, a template for use in cutting an aperture in wall paper in the region of a switch, socket or any similar electrical fitting ! comprises a plate of a suitable hard material of maximum dimensions larger than the fitting, the plate having a central aperture for receiving any protruding part of the fitting, a rectangular groove in the face of the plate of a smaller compass than the fitting, each corner of the rectangular groove having an outwardly extending short groove forming a mitre corner extending to the outside of the fitting.

The plate may be of rectangular shape.

The plate may be formed of a hard plastics or a metal. - 2

The rectangular groove may be positioned to lie between the outside edge of the fitting and the outside edge of a box to which the fitting is connected.

The rear of the template may be provided with guide means for assisting in locating the template correctly over the fitting. The guide means may comprise a number of projections for location around the edges of a fitting or one or more ribs formed on the rear of the template for engaging one or more edges of a fitting The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of template in accordance with the invention and Figures 2 to 8 demonstrate the way in which the template is used.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, a template 1 for use in cutting an aperture in wall paper in the region of a switch, socket or any similar electrical fitting comprises a rectangular plate member 3 which is of dimensions greater than exterior of the fitting having a rectangular groove 5 therein parallel to the edges of the template. The groove is located in a position in which, in use, it will lie between the outer edges of the fitting and the outer edges of a box, sunk, for example, into a wall and to which the fitting is attached. Additionally, mitre grooves 7 extend from the four comers of the groove S at an angle of .; 135 degrees to the adjacent sides of the groove 5. The centre of the template .e 1 comprises an aperture 9 through which, protruding parts of the fitting, such .

as switch operating knobs. This aperture will also help to locate the temp-late correctly over the fitting.

The template may be made of any suitable material such as a suitably hard .. plastics material or a metal such as steel or brass.

Where the template is to be used only with standard fittings, it may be provided wit a guide (not shown) on its rear for location purposes. This guide may comprise protrusions in the form of a number of small projections or - 3 upstanding ribs. A similar guide arrangement could be formed by a recess of slightly larger dimensions than the outer dimensions of the fitting so as to receive the front of the fitting plate therein.

The use of the template will now be described in relation to cutting wall paper around a light switch, it being understood that this description would equally apply to cutting wall paper around other electrical fittings such as electrical sockets, aerial sockets and telephone sockets. This operation is shown in figures2to8.

The electrical supply to the switch is first switched. Although it is possible to carry out the operation with a live switch, this is not to be recommended for safety reasons. The fixing screws 11 of the switch 13 (figure 2) are then unscrewed a sufficient distance to allow the switch plate 15 to be pulled away from the wall but not so far as to release the switch 13 altogether. The switch plate 15 is pulled away from the wall which will, in due course allow the cut wall paper to be inserted beneath the switch plate.

The paper 17 which is to be cut around the switch 13 is hung on the wall in the usual way leaving the part of the paper which would cover the switch un- adhered to the wall, Carefully lifting the un-adhered paper away from the switch, the template is placed over the switch so that it extends beyond the switch plate 15 at all sides as shown in the lower part of figure 2. In this position, the template 1 lays over the switch plate 15 with the rectangular groove 5 extending parallel to and inwards of the edges of the switch plate 15 with the switch operating parts 19 located in the central aperture 9 so that the template 1 sits snugly on the switch plate 15.

The wall paper 17 is then placed back over the switch plate 15 (figure 3) so : that it lies over the template 1. With the wet paper pressed against the

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template 1, it will be possible to feel the groove 5 therethrough. Then, using a ë craft knife 23 or other suitably sharp tool, the wall paper 17 is cut along the rectangular groove 5 to cut out a corresponding rectangular window 21.

(figure 4) Additionally four mitre cuts are made using the four grooves 7 extending outwards from the four corners of the rectangular groove 5.

Once the cut has been finished, the cut paper is removed (figure 5) the template 1 is removed from the switch plate 15 (figures 6 and 7) and the wall paper 17 is pushed against the wall to secure it, letting the switch plate 15 pass through the rectangular aperture 21, the mitre cuts making this possible.

The edges of the rectangular aperture are then pushed behind the switch plate 15 (figure 8) whereupon the switch plate 15 is screwed into the wall again, finishing the job.

It will be appreciated that it will be necessary to provide a number of templates since there are a number of sizes of fittings. For example, there are single sockets and double sockets with the double socket being significantly larger than the single socket. There may also be different makes of fittings which might require different sizes of templates though the majority of fittings will only require one template per type since most fittings are made to fit in standard boxes.

The templates could be sold as a set, with or without an appropriate cutting tool. . . He e -ee e . i. :. < e Acre e e . - 5

Claims

CLAIMS:.

1. A template for use in cutting an aperture in wall paper in the region of a switch, socket or any similar electrical fitting comprising a plate of a suitable hard material of maximum dimensions larger than the fitting, the plate having a central aperture for receiving any protruding part of the fitting, a rectangular groove in the face of the plate of a smaller compass than the fitting, each corner of the rectangular groove having an outwardly extending short groove forming a mitre comer extending to the outside of the fitting.

2. A template as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate is of rectangular shape.

3. A template as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the plate is formed of a hard plastics.

4. A template as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the plate is formed of a metal.

5. A template as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rectangular groove is positioned to lie between the outside edge of the fitting and the outside edge of a box to which the fitting is connected.

6. A template as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rear of the template is prodded with guide means for assisting in locating the template . correctly over the fitting. . . *ce*

7. A template as claimed in claim 6, wherein the guide means comprises a number of projections for location around the edges of a fitting. :e

8. A template as claimed in claim 6 wherein the guide means comprises . i one or more ribs formed on the rear of the template for engaging one or more ^ a. edges of a fitting

9. A template for use in cutting an aperture in wall paper in the region of a switch, socket or any similar electrical fitting substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.